Like a girl who had a pregnancy scare, I’m late.
And I apologize. Things happen, ya know? So I hope you can forgive me, especially since I can’t promise it won’t happen ever again.
Here, why don’t I make it up to you by introducing you to THE best bluesman of our lifetime, Mr. Gary Clark, Jr.
Gary Clark, Jr. – Blak and Blu
The delight this album will bring you is purely magical. Clark, Jr.’s been around the scene the past year. Playing at many, many major festivals around the world, this bluesmith, a word I think I just made up, has been the artist to watch. With riffs that would make the Black Keys and Jack White circa 2001 green with jealousy, this will surely be one to pick up. The single “Numb” has a deliciously scuzzy and fuzzy sound to it, letting everyone know that just because you don’t hear it like you used to, doesn’t mean that rock and roll is dead just yet. And that is why Gary Clark, Jr. is my new favorite artist of the 2000’s. He’s reassuring those who love it that they have nothing to fear, as well as gaining the crown as the Prince of Rock n’ Roll.
Taylor Swift – Red
Keeping up with the theme of colors, America’s favorite crybaby sings more about boys. (If the Freakin’ Awesome Network’s own JDViant was a country singer, he’d be Taylor Swift.) Personally, I don’t get why it’s more of the same with her. Surely, with ALL this fame she’s gotten in the past 5 or so years, you’d think she’d have more to sing about. And guys. Fella’s….come on now. What the hell? She’s a sweet, young, extremely cute lady. Why must you all break her heart? I blame you gentlemen more than anyone. She has all this talent, and she’s wasting it all on you. For shame. The first single, which is too long for me to want to type out, has all the makings of a hit pop single, which it is, and none of the makings of a hit country single. Odd. Taylor Swift, honey, I sure hope those Kennedy boys make you happier than you are right now.
Stone Sour – House of Gold & Bones – Part 1
Bam. Kick ass. Boom. Awwww yeaaah. These are many of the words I could use to describe the new Stone Sour album. In the vein of Green Day and Coheed & Cambria, the Corey Taylor-led hard rock quartet are releasing multiple albums within the same time frame, as the second of these will come out in February. Lead single, or singles rather, “Gone Sovereign / Absolute Zero” are the first two tracks, and will hopefully be played on my local rock station for a good long time.
Titus Andronicus – Local Business
I’ll be upright and formal about this and admit that I’ve heard of Titus Andronicus, but have not heard anything from them. They seem to tour a lot in Columbus. Wikipedia tells me they are punk rock, which is always a plus. Hearing a live version of the song “In a Big City,” however, it sounds more like the Social Distortion type of punk, which I’m really not that much into. Very Social D-esque. If you’re into that, give Titus Andronicus a listen. Fun fact: Titus Andronicus is the name of a Shakespeare play.
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Cobra Juicy
I believe this is the first album I’ve previewed where the band in question started a Kickstarter fundraiser to make the album. That’s what happened with Cobra Juicy and it created something really fun. Danceable, energetic music is what was made, and BMSR can totally thank their fans for that. The video for the song “Windshield Smasher” is delightfully disturbing, but in a good way. Watch it here!
Again, sorry for this being late, everyone! Hope you like it, I made it just for you.