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

I discovered The Birthday Massacre by hearing a lot of buzz about them recently and how "good" they are. After hearing this latest release by them I would say otherwise. All this sounds like is salvaged songs from Evanescence that never made it to their albums (not a Evanescence fan either.) The band does sound good quality wise and the lead singer has a ok voice,  but between the synthesizers and "metal" guitar riffs I was very turned off by their approach. This could be done well but I think they took the wrong steps, but I know some of you will like it and that is ok. I'm just tired of the emo "metal" bands and their recycled sounds and the constant repetitive lyrics, but I hope some of you like it and broaden your horizons on rock and metal genres.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Walking With Strangers
Violet
Nothing And Nowhere

Track:
In The Dark

The first major release from Ryan Star since 2006 features most of the songs from last year's "Last Train Home EP". "11:59" is hard to define within the rock genre. There are tracks on this record that can be called soft rock, there's a lot of acoustic guitar used throughout, but there are some songs that are a little harder. This album is about small wonders, love, loss, beauty, hope, mistakes, and redemption. The opening track "Brand New Day" kind of sets a smooth pace for the 9 tracks to follow. It really is a pleasantly placed first selection. Ryan Star's versatile vocals suit the changing pace of the album from track to track. There is a soft and brooding quality to his voice at times, but he can also belt it out on ballads like "Breathe" and "Losing Your Memory". The singer, now in his early 30's, sings from a seasoned perspective. The experiences that he draws upon lyrically are brought to somehow have a romance about them, even memories one might view as being unpleasant. Star's music is artistic in that sense; it can take love or pain, triumph or tragedy, and give it that ambient beauty.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Dark Horse - A Live Collection
Songs from the Eye of an Elephant

Track:
Brand New Day

There is something modest and genuine about Blitzen Trapper's soft, folky sound. The stories told on "Destroyer of the Void" are layed down in a style reminiscent of Bob Dylan (acoustic Bob Dylan, even though they use electric guitar at times), in fact there is a strong Dylan influence on this and other works by the band. A picture is painted for the listener through metaphors and periodically, clever limerick style rhyming. The album addresses themes of love, hate, death, godlessness, murder, and truth. This album is cool, in a way that's much easier recognized than described. The album is artsy. It's more poetry set to music than it is lyrics. On the track, "The Man Who Would Speak the Truth", we find the lyrics, "...so I opened my mouth like a dragon's breath. I only spoke truth, but it only brought death and I laid those boys to rest...for the truth, in truth is a terrible jest". There is a deep symbolism in many of their lyrics. The symbolism is specific enough that it is perceivable, yet still vague enough that it is open to the listener's unique interpretation. They say that a great painting is one that you can look at, and each time you do you will see something different. I feel that the latest album from Blitzen Trapper is one that can be listened to repeatedly, and the listener will continue to experience it in different ways. This record is complex and satisfying.

RedletterDaydream

Previous Works:
Furr
Wild Mountain Nation
Field Rexx
Blitzen Trapper (self-titled)

Track:
The Man Who Would Speak True