Well, it’s that time again. Time for more artists and bands to sell things to make a living, with hopes that they sell well and make them money. You all know how it works. Anyway, this week has quite a bit of well known releases (as opposed to last week…but that’s another story for another time). Incubus, Theory of a Deadman, even Sublime all have new stuff out today, and I’m here to tell you a little something about what they sound like.
Incubus – “If Not Now, When?”
Brandon Boyd and the boys (lame, but it sounds cool so it stays!) are back for the first time since 2009’s Monuments and Melodies, and the first album since 2006’s Light Grenades. In that time, they’ve developed their unique craft, and came up with the first single, “Adolescents.” This song has everything you want for radio: a message, lyrics many can relate to, and a catchy beat to boot. Having such a big hiatus in between albums really hasn’t made the band lose their step, as if someone heard that on the radio for the first time, without hearing who it was, they could probably tell. Second single, “Promises, Promises,” has sort of an upbeat ballad sort of tone to it, and is sure to be a hit for radio, as most Incubus songs are.
Theory of a Deadman – “The Truth Is…”
For their fourth album, Theory has quite a few tunes that sound like the majority of their last one. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing–songs like “By the Way” and “All or Nothing” were played quite frequently on pop stations around the country, thus making them more well known than ever before. First single, titled “Lowlife” is VERY similar to Scars & Souvenirs’ “Hate My Life.” Words, guitar, it sounds so close. Luckily, the song “Drag Me To Hell” is a change from that, as one could probably tell from the title alone. If anything, this album doesn’t sound like it’ll be too much different than previous efforts, so if you’re a fan, this one seems like a good one.
Sublime w/ Rome – “Yours Truly”
Back for the first time, literally in YEARS, is Sublime! Since the untimely death of lead singer Bradley Nowell, this ultra popular ska band hasn’t been heard from much, if at all. But after awhile of not doing anything, the two surviving members, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, decided to do some live shows, and after awhile wanted to release something. Only problem was, there was no singer. Enter Rome Ramirez. This relatively unknown musician from California grew up listening to and playing Sublime songs, so there’s no doubt this was a dream come true. Yours Truly already has a song being rotated heavily on the airwaves, and was also played on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. “Panic” is a rather updated version of Sublime, which is good, better to live in the now than the then. “Lovers Rock” is pure carribbean ecstacy. If those weren’t enough, the band got one of the biggest rappers of the moment, Wiz Khalifa, for the song “Can You Feel It.” This is definitely an album that is likely to sell well! An audio sampler from the band’s own record label’s YouTube page is available righttttttt here:
Sublime With Rome: Yours Truly Album Sampler
Suicide Silence – “The Black Crown”
Deathcore. That’s what this sinisterly-named band calls their style. In what seems to be the current theme in metal, deathcore is slowly, but surely, taking over what was once ruled by bands such as Machine Head, and before them Slayer. This genre has even found success in mainstream rock radio stations. Yes, bands such as Whitechapel, Job For a Cowboy, and others are becoming ‘all the rage’ amongst neck-tattoo having, Affliction wearing 20 year olds. Suicide Silence themselves