With his eigth studio album, Kid Rock is one of the most prolific recording artists of our time. This is an artist who really shows his personal evolution through his work. His first four albums were mostly about drugs, sex and an overall nefarious lifestyle. He's really grown as a person and it shows in his music, now consisting of more mature themes like personal freedom, family, patriotism, and taking advantage of life. This album continues down the path he's been following, really since his self-titled 2003 release. There's always been a great amount of heart and character in his music, but he's really come into his own in an artistic sense. He's seasoned and it shows. The lyrics here are so broad in nature, but perhaps most enjoyable are the memories he sings of, and how he conveys them in such a nostalgic, bittersweet fashion. A miliionaire many times over, he still embodies that Detroit work ethic. Kid Rock is beginning to express views and themes that can only be appreciated by those who have struggled in some sense. He's gained a lot of substance and soul, and it is prevalent on this album, perhaps more than any album prior...and with cameos from T.I., Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow, and Bob Seger, this may be his best work yet.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast
The Polyfuze Method
Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp
Devil Without A Cause
The History of Rock
Cocky
Kid Rock
Live Trucker
Rock n' Roll Jesus

Track:
God Bless Saturday

Oh my. The fourth studio album from MCR is a spectacle. There are so many words that describe this album; orchestral, fantastic, futuristic. None seem to do justice, however, to how epic this release really is. There is a rock-opera quality present in that there is a recognizable uniformity of themes from track to track, like The Black Parade. They show similar technique in the music videos. There are periodic interludes from a feaux radio broadcast centered around a fantasy kind of wild west setting in a futuristic dystopia, called Battery City (and the surrounding "zones"), It's negative in many ways, but so razor sharp. The bad guys have won and we're just fighting to die with dignity in this outlandish thrill of a record. The lyrics are intelligent and thought provoking, though filthy at times. There is just something about this band. They are widely made fun of for their dramatic delivery and a style that could be called mildly androgynous. They do, however posess something more, and its this element that I find deeply satiating in a broad sense.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
The Black Parade

Track:
Sing

This is a self-titled debut album from a new band, but the band's members are seasoned veterans. The duo consists of James Mercer of The Shins and Brian Burton AKA Danger Mouse. This accounts for the album's masterful composition. There is a futuristic soft rock element to this work. It is described as "space rock" by some critics, in fact the video for the single "The Ghost Inside" is about a woman traveling through space in a time where civilian space travel is commonplace. Mercer is the primary singer and has a voice that was pretty much made for this brand of indie alternative rock. Both Mercer and Burton, however, are responsible for production and all the writing. It is the Dangermouse influence that makes this record much more computerized instrumentally than The Shins. Lyrically, the album tells stories respective to each track, and is interesting if examined. If unexamined, it just sounds good anyway.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
N/A

Track:
The Ghost Inside

The sixth studio album from 90's cult icons, Nada Surf is totally unoriginal...but dont worry, they've got it "covered". It is pleasant to hear from this band again, and they've chosen a varied set of tracks to reproduce here on "If I Had A Wi-Fi". There are songs covered from the past three decades (and in three languages), including the more recent "Bright Side" by Soft Pack. Nada Surf really exhibits a talent on this work for making these songs their own. If you had never heard any of these songs before, regardless of their respective era, I'm fairly certain you could be convinced they were from circa 1997. The band's low fidelity vocals and instrumental persistence gives them their signature sound adored by the small, but loyal following amassed since their debut with 1996's "High/Low". Although I would've preferred an original work, there is still a lot to be said for a good cover.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
High/Low
The Proximity Effect
Let Go
The Weight is a Gift
Lucky

Track:
Enjoy The Silence (Depeche Mode)

I love a one-word title for an album. I also happen to enjoy this album. "Invented" is the seventh studio album from arguably one of the best alternative rock bands of our generation. It's what you'd expect from Jimmy Eat World, now seasoned vets of the music industry after a discography spanning 16 years. There are sharp guitar cuts, intense and melodic riffs. The lyrics are the icing on the cake, so to speak. This is a band that has always had artsy lyrics. This album is no exception, and is perhaps more artistically influenced than past works. It is rumored that lead singer and guitarist Jim Adkins drew inspiration for this album from photographic art. I personally think that if you enjoyed "Futures", you will enjoy this album. Although some songs are up-tempo and harder, the majority of the tracks are softer and there are even some tracks with clearly defined folk influence.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Chase The Lights
Futures
Bleed American*
Clarity
Static Prevails
Jimmy Eat World (self-titled)

Track:
Coffee and Cigarettes

If Nick Cave and Trent Reznor got together and made an album it would be this one. Sadly, that will probably never happen but we do have Grinderman, a side project from Nick Cave and "some" of his Bad Seeds. Heavier than normal, this new sound and different style might throw you off if you have listened to Nick Cave in the past. From the initial track on the album, you're dropped into the exceptionally talented and demented mind of Nick Cave...don't try escaping...you can't. Grinderman takes you on a continuation of a journey that started with their debut album. You might feel a bit awkward because you will realize his storytelling is based around  his life. Sometimes it feels like you're listening to a book on tape with hypnotic background music and that make you want to know more. Lyrically, Nick Cave hasn't  veered from his style but musically...it's different.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Grinderman

Track:
Mickey Mouse and The Goodbye Man

Track:
Worm Tamer

With an album title alluding to Satan and tattoos, you better bring it. That is exactly what BRMC does here on their sixth studio album. I didn't find any songs lacking really, which is rare. Every track is solid and distinguished. The medium to low fidelity vocals and periodic use of haunting repitition is largely what I find appealing about this band, and it is present on this and their past works. The lyrical content can be readily described as rock and roll poetry. There is nothing emo about it, though. There is a masculine quality to BRMC's music that is even present on slower, more intimate tracks like "Sweet Feeling". There are themes of love and other emotions. It may be the piercing and deep voice of lead vocalist, Peter Hayes; or it may be the beautifully heavy and resonating guitar riffs, but this band is just about as bad ass as a band can be. They are consistent, yet far from complacent. BRMC definitely stand out as one of our generation's most potent talents.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
The Effects of 333
Baby 81
Howl
Take Them On, On Your Own
B.R.M.C.

Track:
Half-State

"American Slang" is that hard working, no frills style of rock. The Gaslight Anthem has come through again with an album I believe to be better than the last two. There is something Springsteen-esque about these guys, and it could be their New Jersey roots shining through. The content here is soulful and at times borders on punk, but maybe not quite as much as previous works. In fact, the band even has admitted you would be hard pressed to find music by them without heavy influences from other New Jersey rock/punk bands like The Replacements and The Misfits. The sincerity that is present lyrically inspires empathy. There are stories told in this work as varied as actual American slang. We hear about struggles, hometown pride, coming of age, heroes, regret, and innocence...just to name a few, there is so much more. This album is so inspired and so genuine...definitely a personal favorite.

 RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Sink or Swim
The 59' Sound

Track:
The Queen of Lower Chelsea

I remember in 1999 when I was in middle school and my buddy told me to pick up a couple albums, they were Slipknot's self titled and Monster Magnet's "Powertrip." I'm very thankful I listened to him because Monster Magnet became one of my favorite bands of all time. This album is different from the rest , it is a lot more lethargic and mellow from their other unyielding albums. The lyrics are a lot more momentous and there is some very good story telling in this album by Dave Wyndorf himself but it does lack the actual "rock." I guess they needed a break from all the hard rockin' they have been doing for the past few years, this is their 8th album in the past 18 years of their existence. Also look at this album cover...its ridiculous, I need to mention that in this post because when I first saw it I thought it was a joke. But the album cover aside check it out and see if it hooks you at all and if you have never heard of Monster Magnet before I eminently ask you to check out "Powertrip" as well. You won't regret it.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
4-Way Diablo
Monolithic Baby!
God Says No
Powertrip
Dopes To Infinity
Superjudge
Spine Of God

Track:
Perish In Fire

Words can't explain Buckethead, no one can explain Buckethead except that he is a genius in many ways. This is his 28th solo release and his first album since his back surgery...Spinal Clock..get it? I'm a big fan of Buckethead and have followed him since I heard him on the Mortal Kombat OST. This album however is mostly him just goofing off with his banjo and experimenting with various chords and ambient nosies. I honestly think he did this album for his own entertainment because it isn't very good compared to his other albums. I can almost see that he did this album as a joke and if you know the history of Buckethead you would fully agree with me. It is a fun album and the Buckethead fan will enjoy and he has one amazing track and I will leave you with that.

LoopedEyeless

Here at Screaming Records we usually type out the discography of the artist but that would take a day or so for Buckethead so here is a link.
Past Works:
Death Cube K

Track:
Skeleton Dance