Heeelllooo you wonderful, wonderful people! Welcome back to the best of this week’s album releases from your favorite artists and bands! This week, we take a look at new material from Cold, 311, 3 Doors Down, Portugal. The Man, and DJ Khaled! So gather around the computer with the kids and the grandparents, and everyone enjoy this week’s new stuff!
Cold – Superfiction
For those of you who don’t know anything about Eleven Seven Music, allow me to tell you. They are THE most rockin’ record label on the damn planet! Signed with them are such bands as Motley Crue, Drowning Pool, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, and plenty more. Hell, Nikki Sixx is their president! With that in mind, Cold is also one of those bands, and there’s a reason why. Having not put out an effort in 6 years since A Different Kind of Pain, this year’s new release from the band from Florida has an interesting array of songs, like the lead single “Wicked World.” In a video from Eleven Seven’s official YouTube page, vocalist Scooter Ward explains what the song is all about. (Scooter Ward from Cold Explains Wicked World) It seems as though the band is using YouTube as its main source of marketing, as they also released what they’re calling an EPK, pretty much explaining the album and showing behind-the-scenes interviews. (Cold – Superfiction EPK) With all that being said, surely Cold came back together for a reason, and that was to make good music.
DJ Khaled – We The Best Forever
In what is to be the biggest release this week for rap, and with this particular one, three singles have been put out already. Three. A fourth is on the way to radio. The first one, titled “Welcome To My Hood,” is your typical rap song. But that’s not a knock on Khaled, as it’s actually pretty decent. “That’s the sound of the po-leece!” Second single “I’m On One” features Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne, making it a star-studded song. Third single, “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over,” has guest appearancs from Jadakiss, Mary J. Blige, and Fabolous, making it a reunion of sorts of three of my favorite year of rap’s (2003 FTW) stars. Overall, expect to hear the radio play quite a bit of from this album, as it’s a good one.
311 – Universal Pulse
That right there is the glorious new single/video off 311’s 12th record, Universal Pulse. As you can tell, 311 is still true to form. But to me, and I’m not sure why, but the vocals kind of remind me of Serj from System of a Down. I can’t be the only one to hear it…but anyway. 311 is currently on tour for the album with Sublime with Rome (who had an album come out that you can read about here) in what can only be described as one awesome duo of a live experience they must be.
Portugal. The Man – In The Mountain, In The Cloud
Portland (and Alaska) psych rockers are putting forth their sixth record, and their first on an actual major label. What’s different and unique about this band’s marketing is that they recently released a short film that was shown on IFC. In actuality, they were extended music videos for two songs from the album, but the video as a whole told a story of its own. First single “Got it All (This Can’t Be Living Now)” was released for free on iTunes…last month. Which means you late bloomers gotta buy it and support the band! But it’d be for a good cause, as it’s actually a good song and will surely represent the rest of the album well.
3 Doors Down – Time Of My Life
The band that just won’t go away is back! No, I don’t mean Nickelback, I mean 3 Doors Down. The “When I’m Gone” band, who likes to filter contemporary rock stations all over the country with themselves are releasing more music that sounds exactly the same. I’m not trying to be mean…I just have found a LOT of similarities between the song that I mentioned and the first single from this album, called “When You’re Young.” WWE fans may recognize the second single as the music they used for video packages of wrestler Edge retiring. It’s called “Every Time You Go.” Lead singer Brad Arnold was quoted as saying this album is “heavier” than most, but I’m just not hearing it. Fans can judge for themselves, as I’m sure my rather pessimistic view won’t help non-fans with buying it, but I just call them like I see them.
There we have it. More uneventful previews that hopefully give readers a little bit of insight as to what is being done to promote and gloat about new album releases for the week. I’ll be back next week, so stay tuned…