Posts Tagged ‘Rock N Roll’

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

One of my favorite alternative rock duos, The Kills, are back with a smashing new single entitled Baby Says. This is by far one of the strongest tracks off of their fourth album release, Blood Pressures. Not to focus on the whole album, but it is indeed a fine work in a progressive discography.

There is just something about The Kills’ Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart that gets my heart pounding. In order for a two piece band to work, there has to be a certain magic between the two performers and these two certainly get a passing mark.

Check out this rare acoustic performance of Baby Says below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The Horrors recently hit up BBC Radio 1, covering Beyonce’s Best Thing I Never Had. The arrangement mixed with frontman Faris Badwan’s vocals sends the breakup anthem into a disheveled indie rock state of mind.

It’s random, bizarre and unexpected, and that’s what makes it so cool.

I dig.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Foster the People aren’t the only ones getting their kicks pumped. Weezer has recently been covering Pumped Up Kicks on tour, and it’s worth sharing with the world. As if the stratosphere of their instantaneous success wasn’t cool enough, the most tangible proof of their certifiable fame comes in the form of the ultimate authentication: being covered by one of the world’s most famous rock bands.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is just too damn awesome not to share. Joining the Black Lips on stage this past weekend for their Do You Wanna Dance? number was Deerhunter/Atlas Sound frontman Bradford Cox, who posed as Joey Ramone, complete with long black wig and black leather jacket.

Halloween is still a month out, but this is the best damn disguise I’ve seen in quite some time.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

BTB favorites, The Parlor Mob, are back after a long hiatus with a new record called Dogs, due out on October 11th. Produced, engineered and mixed by Matt Radosevich (30 Seconds To Mars, The Hives, Taking Back Sunday), Dogs is the follow up to their acclaimed debut album And You Were Crow. The boys have been streaming four tracks on their website, including lead single Into the Sun. Coming from a girl who is a hardcore Mob fan, this is it.

If you are not familiar with The Parlor Mob, they are that piece you’ve been missing to your musical puzzle. This is a real, raw, rock and roll band in a category all their own. The Parlor Mob, a name the band took from the notorious 19th century gang, is comprised of Mark Melicia (vocals), David Rosen (guitar), Paul Ritchie (guitar), Anthony Chick (bass), and Sam Bey (drums).

I asked David (guitar) to describe the album in his own words: “If you ask me, Dogs is the sound of us being upset and kicked around, basically. That breeds anger, sadness, yearning, despair, resolve, loyalty, determination. Things like that. Parts of it are far heavier, parts are softer; it’s simultaneously pop-ier and more experimental than our last record. But then again, to even compare it to the last record is like comparing a recent photo of yourself to your yearbook photo. That was old. This is new. Dogs is who we are now. We’re the same band, but we live different lives than we used to, so these are different songs.”

I am not here to proclaim my love for them, for I have done that once before. I am here to send you a verbal and musical save the date, October 11th. Please RSVP.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Los Angeles; where dreamers belong. Talent is produced like toys, including a new Californian quintet/indie powerhouse, Grouplove. Single Colours off of their just-released album, Never Trust a Happy Song, will get them on the musical map to somewhere. Full of giddiness and eagerness, it’s concurrently insubordinate, childish, and promptly appealing. Who doesn’t want to throw up that rebellious middle finger every once in a while?

I just picked up the full length so I could spin the lead single to death (although I don’t regret playing it out, for it molded a characterization of Grouplove for me, and how they have a real knack for animated pop jaunts). So far, so damn good. I taste songs with a zest for life, and despite the title of this record, it is hard not to trust the bright melodies of these happy songs.

Exploring new musical territory, bon voyage.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I recently stumbled across a new group called The Horrible Crows, and their single Go Tell Everybody. With vocals from Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, this side project was quickly brought to the center of my attention (for being a Gaslight fan, and a fan of soul-rock jams in general). The catchy tune is free on iTunes this week, comprised of tambourines, keys, and a whole lot of swag. I’m currently striving to learn more about the not-so-Horrible Crows.

Let me get mine, you get yours.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

If you recently tuned in to the oh-so-raving 2011 VMA’s, you may have seen this fabulous fivesome called Young the Giant. Currently touring the world with Incubus (in which I will be in attendance for three shows this week), they have a raw energy that I have not seen in quite some time.

The Irvine California natives are an indie group you want to jump on board with. Their self-titled album is compacted with incredibly attractive melodies, complex yet simple guitar lines, plus grooving drum and bass licks. Their unified sound resonates with a huge range of listeners, for its very agreeable music.

From what my eyes have witnessed on video, Young the Giant has an intense live set, and I cannot wait to experience it firsthand. It’s an incredible feeling when songs can dictate the tone of your day; be prepared for a good one.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sometimes original isn’t so cool. So why not try something fresh? Rock posse Puddle of Mudd has been on the road promoting their new CD compacted of re-done classics entitled Re:(Disc)overed. The captivating part of this record is they stay completely true to the original songs yet add a distinct, funky twist to make each their own. Trust me, I’m not sitting here saying this is the best thing Puddle of Mudd has ever done nor anything close to it (I do not think that was the purpose of this release), but regardless, it’s fun to watch bands go off in different directions, showing off their musical makeup.

Here you can find tracks from Led Zeppelin, The Steve Miller Band, The Beatles, and many more. After all, these are the classic rock songs/bands that are accountable for making Puddle of Mudd want to become musicians in the first place. They have taken the songs and covered them in a way only they could, bringing them newfangled life while wholly respecting their original prodigy. In some words of their own: “It wasn’t our plan to do an album of cover tunes. We were on a bit of a break, during which time some touring offers came in. We didn’t want to go out there without something new, and one day the idea of a covers album came up, and the whole thing seemed very exciting.”

I just saw them live on the road, and indeed, their idea was legit, with an incredible expanded lineup any Puddle of Mudd fan would appreciate. Pick up a copy now and sing along.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I can’t help but get a little giddy when the Artic Monkeys release new swags, so fresh and oh so brilliant. The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala has such a compacted title in itself, I almost don’t have to listen to the song to enjoy it; but I will anyway. This is the latest single off of their June release Suck It and See (and it’s a damn good choice indeed), that incessantly outlines their shape and frame of contemporary British rock’ n’ roll.

I cannot classify this group; they seem drawn on some kind of classic influences, yet they’re wholly innovative at the same time. Maybe it’s the complete mystery I enjoy. This track, along with the album as a whole, sends shivers through my spine, with that slight added touch of pop goodness. Some fans may think this album has lead The Artic Monkeys into a new direction, but it’s apparent they want us to follow them along their path.

Enjoy.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

A band that is dominating my radar right now goes by the name of White Rabbits. One track in particular, Percussion Gun, has been stuck in my head as if it was covered in glue, shooting off musical bullets that will hit you right in your ears. With wild switching instruments and unbelievable energy, these White Rabbits are holding down the term ‘fresh music’. If you can catch them on the road this summer, do so.

Check it out below.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Blink 182 is a band that almost every rock fan can relate to. They’ve been bumping out hits since 1992, and through thick and thin, they have managed to come back to terms and do what they do best; make music. Travis, Mark, and Tom are back with their first single in nearly eight years entitled Up All Night, and it’s just what I’ve been waiting to hear from the boys. Containing elements from various songs in Blink’s archives, the song pushes the band further than they’ve ever gone. I am catching them live on the road tonight as they kick off the Honda Civic tour with BTB favorites My Chemical Romance, and I cannot wait to hear this track live.

Check out the music video below, influenced by their fans using a compilation of clips from YouTube.

Keep producing hits, boys. We’re all on board.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

While keeping true to their strengths of guitar-driven hooks and emotionally powerful songs, Bush is back with a new single entitled The Sound of Winter. Gavin’s voice is consistently on point, and this is a great tease for their much-anticipated new album.

Bush was always one of my favorite bands of the 90’s grunge era, and in my opinion, one of the most underrated bands of my generation. Coming off a long hiatus, it seems the group has picked back up right where they left off — on top. The guitar solo in the song says it all; welcome back, boys.

Check out their performance of the new single on Jimmy Kimmel Live below.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ten albums deep, this band is still ticking like a damn time bomb. Red Hot Chili Peppers are back with a new single, The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie, taken off their soon-to-be-released album I’m With You. On that note, their five year hiatus have officially ended.

Note that this is their first single without long-time guitarist John Frusciante since 1995’s One Hot Minute. The Adventures has the band’s touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer in place instead. Frusciantes absence is noticeably heard, as Klinghoffer has principally substituted Frusciantes discrete funk style with ordinary power chord rock lines, but no need to hate; I still like the way this single is taking the band. This song is far from mediocre.

Chili fans, give it a listen here and jam!

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

311; a band that just seems to get better and better with time. I think the reason I respect these guys so much is that their fan base is one of the most solid on the planet. Not only are they dedicated, with each album their fans also support the continual growth and maturity of the band. I have seen them live over ten times, and have yet to get bored with them. In fact, it always leaves me wanting more.

The boys of 311 are back this summer with a world tour and a new single called Sunset in July, taken from their new album, Universal Pulse, due out July 19th. This will be the group’s 10th studio record — pretty impressive for a band that still manages to rock the mainstream world pretty hard.

Lead singer Nick Hexum recently described the new single in an interview with Spin Magazine stating:

“It’s about how the more fun you have, the faster life flies by. Most nights in July we’re on stage as the sun is setting. You can actually see the crowd losing their inhibitions as the daylight fades away. We get off on watching the crowd at our shows, which inspired the song’s chorus. People in the first few rows look like they’re in another dimension. Maybe they’re high — but we like to think it’s the power of music!”

This is a great mix of old and new 311, and I cannot wait to hear the new album and check out their latest tour. (Oh yeah, and Sublime with Rome is a part of the lineup, which is even more of a reason to check out the boys on the road.)

They remind me of what music is really about — unity!

Enjoy.