Friday, February 26, 2016

(2016) Adelita's Way - Getaway



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Adelita's Way is another one of those bands that you've heard of, but never heard. Myself included. Well, today I take a listen to their new album, "Getaway" and tell you what I think about it, track by track! So let's do it!
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Track 1 - Bad Reputation

It's not bad, not great. They kind of remind me of Nickleback so that's against them already. I'll admit, I kinda like it. I always have loved the "F" bomb in songs for some reason and there's a couple of those in there. I expected a lot of screaming, but got none and for that, this song is just o.k.

2.5/5

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Track 2 - Get Away

The second track is a little more of the same. So far, this is sounding like one of those cd's I might listen to for a month and then be tired with it. It seems too safe and copied. I like it, but it could get old quick.

2.5/5

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Track 3 - The Good Die Young

I'm not impressed with this band so far. They come off as trying too hard. This song is more of the same, the singer sound is too generic. However, the guitarist is pretty impressive. Unfortunately, that combination rarely makes for a great album.

2/5

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Track 4 - Low

I really just can't get into this band. Their name was cool, the cover looked cool, the style of music was right up my alley. But they sound wayyyyyy to generic and over hyped. This song is the worst so far.

1/5

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Track 5 - Put You In Place

I like the intro so far, but once the song kicks in, i'm almost positive the singer will screw it up. Yep. I think that's it. I absolutely do not like this singer. The band is GREAT, but the singer's gotta go. He makes them sound like a WWE intro band. Which, they probably are. I'll have to Google that.

1/5

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Track 6 - I Get Around

This album is hard to listen to. This is becoming one of those bands that you'll cringe after hearing them. I honestly don't know how they ever got signed. Funny how that works. One band will be incredibly talented only to go unnoticed forever and then shit bands like this get signed. I guess that's the way of the world. People LOVE garbage.

1/5

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Track 7 - Filthy Garbage

If you're still reading the review at this point, good for you! This has been the worst album of 2016 so far in my opinion. I'll tell you what though, WWE fans are gonna LOVE them and this garbage album! All of these songs sound the same and while sometimes that can be a good thing, in this case, it is not.

1/5

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Track 8 - Harbour The Fugitive

This song isn't horrible. A lot better than the last 5 tracks. But still nevertheless, it isn't a very good album at all. I honestly expected a lot more than what i'm hearing.

2/5

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Track 9 - Sometimes You're Meant To Get Used

I give up. This is one of my new, least favorite albums of all time. At the end of the year if I make a "worst of" list, this will surely be towards the top. Even Nickleback sounds like a nice escape from these guys and I almost HATE Nickleback. Here's a better analogy for you. CREED would sound as good as Metallica in comparison to these guys.

1/5

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Track 10 - Shame

I hope after my review these guys take my advice and find a new singer. This one is horrible. This crappy album makes me want to troll their Youtube page and see all of the comments of people raving over how great they are, only to blast them for their horrible taste in music. But that's not my style and to each their own.

1/5

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Track 11 - Deserve This

It's official... this band SUCKS. I Guarantee they have something to do with the WWE. Those are definitely the kind of people who will like this album. Yeah, i'm calling you hillbillies out. If you like this band, i'd be willing to bet you're a WWE fan as well.

1/5

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Overall - 16/55

Overall, this was one of the worst rock albums i've ever heard. I really didn't enjoy this at all. I was going to review "The Rocket Summer". I bet that would have been 5,000 times better than this shitty album. My advice, don't buy it or even download it unless you're a WWE fan... and then and only then will you like this. Willowbee, out.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

(2016) Nevermen - Nevermen



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Somehow this album seemed to slip right past me! I had heard one track off of it and was intrigued but then, yesterday I realized it had come out already! So a couple of weeks late but i'm really excited about this one. Whenever Mike Patton is attached to a project, it's usually at LEAST worth listening to once. So here we go!
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Track 1 - Dark Ear

So this song starts with a TON of noise, but it's a good noise. After the song kicks in, it quickly becomes evident that this is going to be interesting. It appears as though all 3 musicians involved are simultaneously rapping with each other, which makes for something new and fresh. It's weird hearing these 3 musicians meld together, but it strangely turns out amazing. I really like this track alot. Favorited and repeating.

4/5

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Track 2 - Treat Em Right

The second track isn't nearly as exciting as the first. It still isn't bad, but it lacks the creativity that "Dark Ear" had. It gets a little repetitive at times and the chorus is so annoying, it becomes catchy. "Treat em like a prostitute." That line will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. That I promise you.

2.5/5

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Track 3 - Wrong Animal Right Trap

So far I have mixed feelings about this album. I really liked the first track, the second track was just ok and this track just isn't doing it. So far there hasn't been enough "Signature Patton" for me to be really digging this as much as I thought I would.

2/5

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Track 4 - Tough Towns

This track almost comes off like an Andy Samberg SNL skit at first. I'm really starting to be disappointed in this album as a whole. It's too repetitive and not there's not enough Patton. This all seems so rushed and not very well thought out. The funny thing is, I think they've been working on this album for like 10 years. It definitely hasn't showed yet.

2/5

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Track 5 - Hate On

Now, this song is good. This is the track I heard a couple of months back that made me excited to hear this album in the first place. Hopefully from here on out it improves. This album has been a major disappointment so far. It is never a good sign when only 2 out of the first 5 songs are good. I definitely like this track though. Favorited.

4/5

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Track 6 - Mr. Mistake

I saw that this is the lead single on this wreck of an album. This song could go either way, but the more i'm listening, the more I do like this track too. Ok, at least we're making some progress now. 3 out of 6 isn't bad! I will say this... this album is ALL OVER THE PLACE. There is a lot going on on every single track so it is slightly unfair to listen once and dismiss it. This is the type of album that deserves a couple of listens to really get a grasp of what all is going on.

3.5/5

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Track 7 - Shellshot

I really like the intro and then it gets nuts again. If I had to describe this album with one word so far, that would be it... "nuts". It kind of sounds like a bunch of schizos got together and made an album. It has that kind of feel to it. You'll be listening to something getting cool and then all of a sudden you get yelled at. Very unpredictable. The break in this song is AMAZING. Favorited. Now we're getting there...

4/5

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Track 8 - At Your Service

With 3 tracks left, I honestly don't know what to expect next. This is one of those albums that could go either way. Luckily it has been getting better and better since track 4. There has been more Patton and that always make an album better. I really, really like this song too. Favorited. Part of it sounds like an Insane Clown Posse song though. Very dark carnival meets rap.

4/5

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Track 9 - Non Babylon

Ok, this shit is weird. It's like spoken word with three people filling in every other word. I have definitely heard some stuff on this album i've never heard before. For me, that's crazy. I've heard a LOT of music. We're talking about a guy who's favorite music includes Incubus, Dru Hill, Miles Davis, Tracy Lawrence, Beethoven & Nintendo Music. I've NEVER heard anything like this album. As always, Patton & associates deliver.

3.5/5

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Track 10 - Fame II The Wreckoning

The final track on this album will either qualify this as an average album or a great one. This track is so far, the lightest track on the album and not quite the track I was hoping to hear to round out this album. The latter half of this track makes it one worth hearing. Not bad, not bad at all.

3.5/5

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Overall - 33/50

Overall, this wasn't the album I was hoping to hear. But nevertheless, worth the listen. I could see it growing on me in the coming months. There are definitely a few gems on this one. Willowbee out.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

(2016) Lacey Sturm - Life Screams



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So the only thing I know about Lacey Sturm is that she was the lead singer of the band Flyleaf. I liked them and all so I have to admit, it will be interesting to hear her debut solo album. I have already heard the leading single, "Impossible" and was impressed so it should be good. Here we go!

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Track 1 - Impossible

This song is pretty damn good. It sounds a lot like Flyleaf so it's going to be hard to not think of this as just another Flyleaf album. Nevertheless, it is very good and a perfect intro track to her first solo album. Let's hope it doesn't go downhill from here. Expect this on the radio soon, if it's not already there.

4/5

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Track 2 - The Soldier

A little lighter than the first track to start off, this one has a haunting feel to the beginning. It quickly gets a little heavier and once again, sounds a LOT like Flyleaf. This song isn't quite as good as the first track, but the mini guitar solo is definitely worth the listen. I do like her screams. Much better than many of her contemporaries.

3/5

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Track 3 - I'm Not Laughing

I wouldn't be shocked to hear this one as the second single. It has that kinda feel to it. I must say, she IS Flyleaf. I don't think it would matter what band you throw her in, they would instantly sound the same. She just has that voice. To some, that could be a curse, but it works for her. So far this album is pretty good.

3/5

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Track 4 - Vanity

This is just a filler track. Voices fighting and yelling, that sorta thing. It's not bad, and parts are actually interesting. Peaking ahead to the next track, I see it's an intro into the next song. So it works. Not bad. Should've combined tracks 4 & 5 together.

2.5/5

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Track 5 - Rot

Now, this song is good. Really good. Probably the best song on this album, but like I said, should've combined the two tracks. I really enjoy the guitar work on this one. This sounds like an older Flyleaf song. It's a lot heavier musically than the rest of this album has been so far.

4/5

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Track 6 - You're Not Alone

I did expect this album to be a little heavier after hearing the intro track, but now halfway through, I see that probably isn't going to happen. Now don't get me wrong... this is going to be one of those "guilty pleasure" kinda albums. The kind you don't want to admit you like, but secretly love it! I won't be buying it anytime soon, but it is definitely going to be worth it for Flyleaf fans.

3/5

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Track 7 - Feels Like Forever

A lot of these songs feel the same. That's my only beef with it. They're pretty good, but they do sound very similar. Once again, that's part of the curse I was talking about earlier. It's all been very good. But seems to be missing something. Maybe she should autotune herself or something. Haha. That may actually be interesting to hear.

2.5/5

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Track 8 - Life Screams

Ok. Here is the title track. It is very slow and poppy. This may be her crossover hit. This is where she wins over the pop crowd and gains a ton of new fans, but alienates the older heavier listeners. Most musicians do this around this point in their careers and it can usually make or break the artist. I loved Hoobastank until they released, "The Reason" and then from that moment on it was all downhill. I foresee this happening the same way for her.

2.5/5

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Track 9 - Faith

I have never been a fan of religious themed songs, so let's hope this isn't one of those. Man... she went all out on this pop-inspired crap on these last 2 songs. I get she's happy now and everything, but geesh. Overdoing it when you're known for screaming can really screw yourself in the end. But hey, at least it wasn't about Jesus. I do like how she has someone singing the background vocals with her towards the end.

2.5/5

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Track 10 - Roxanne (Live)

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. This is a interesting cover. I like when musicians take a song and make it their own. This really doesn't sound anything like the original and that's fine. Sting would be proud. She really owned this cover. This is one of those covers that you really do NEED to hear. I think this may be the best track on this album.

4/5

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Track 11 - Run To You

This may be the lightest track on the album and also the saddest. Pretty nice way to end the album but I do wish it was heavier. I hoped for so much more after the intro track.

2.5/5

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Overall - 33.5/55

Overall, this isn't going to be breaking any sales records anytime soon. There's definitely a couple of really good tracks on here and it's worth a listen for the die-hard Flyleaf fans out there, but don't expect the heaviness that was Flyleaf or you will be sadly disappointed. Willowbee out.

Friday, February 5, 2016

(2016) The Cult - Hidden City



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I'll be honest. I know very little about, "The Cult". Practically nothing... and that may be a shame. Well, today we may find out a little. I will be listening to their new album, "Hidden City" and letting you know what I think. If I like this one, I may have to go back into their catalog and check some more songs out. So let's get on with it!

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Track 1 - Dark Energy

The intro sounds good enough. Ian Astbury's vocals are heavily aged however. But it's not bad. It definitely has a "something your dad would listen to" kinda vibe to it. I could see this song being played in a biker bar with a lot going on in the background. It's a little better than I expected. The music is pretty good coming from a bunch of old dudes!

3/5

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Track 2 - No Love Lost

This song is not sitting with me as well as the first... at least the beginning didn't that well. When the song kicks in full gear though, it's a little better. I really enjoy the chorus and the guitar solo. The rest of the song is a little too dull for me.

2.5/5

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Track 3 - Dance The Night

Once again, the guitarist is really the only thing making this song listenable. I guess I should go back and start listening to some of their older songs before making this statement, but if this is what they've always sounded like, then they are COMPLETELY overrated. No wonder i've never taken the time to listen to them.

2.5/5

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Track 4 - In Blood

The band is pretty good as a whole, minus Ian. It sounds as though he holds them all back. Perhaps that's why they never had any huge hits. But then again, i'm sure a few of you absolutely love them... and that to me is unfortunate. I had somewhat high hopes when I hit play on this one, being THE CULT and all. It's a name we've all at least heard, but like me, they fell to deaf ears. Mine are not impressed. The guitarist is the only thing that truly shines in this band.

2.5/5

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Track 5 - Birds Of Paradise

It's hard for me to figure out why bands like this get signed, where true gems like, "Fingersmith" remain unknowns... I guess it's luck of the draw. This is not a band that will be remembered hundreds of years from now and if they are... SHAME ON YOU FUTURE PEOPLE!!! This music isn't light on the ears at all. The Cult should have stopped awhile back, I feel this album will only hurt the bands legacy.

2.5/5

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Track 6 - Hinterland

So far, this album gets harder and harder to listen to as each new track begins. His lyrics linger off of his tongue and not in a good way. Perhaps youth is what makes bands exciting, because this bands time has definitely passed. If it wasn't for their guitarists solos, I would have probably already turned this one off.

2.5/5

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Track 7 - G O A T

I really hope they're not referring to themselves with this song title. However, here is one of those rare songs that are ok... well, at least until Ian starts singing. He literally ruins almost every track on this album and here we are, finally with a song that sounds decent, and then... here he comes in singing and ruining everything.

2.5/5

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Track 8 - Deeply Ordered Chaos

Well, I like the intro... let's see how long before this ones ruined. Ok! If the songs were more like this, i'd dig it. But unfortunately the rest of the album has been shit. I do like this one though. I feel like this might be the only good track on the album. Well... 2 out of 12 aren't bad... well, yeah it is. Hopefully the rest will be decent. HAHAHA. Probably not. This track is the best so far.

3.5/5

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Track 9 - Avalanche Of Light

Ok, here's another decent track. I guess I may have pulled the trigger on them a little early. But hey, those first songs deserved it! This one is pretty catchy and has a nice head shaking rhythm to it. I would bump this one. So lets say, 3 out of 12. Hey they made it to 25%!

3/5

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Track 10 - Lilies

This song could go either way. I like it! It's funny, it seems like the latter half of this album is actually decent. They should have cut 2 tracks and made it a 10 track album. That would have made it appear to be much better than what it is. But for a bunch of guys in their 60's or 70's, it's not too bad. This songs actually pretty good too!

3.5/5

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Track 11 - Heathens

These guys really did save their best songs for last! I can't help but wonder if some of these were recorded with a different producer. Half are ok and half just flat out SUCK. Not bad, not great, this song is just ok. At this point though, even a decent song sounds like a masterpiece.

3/5

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Track 12 - Sound And Fury

This song makes me laugh and I don't think that was the intention. Ian's voice sounds kinda funny and out of place on this track. The piano is beautiful and his voice sounds out of tune and almost like he's singing to a different track. You'll get it if you ever listen to it. Meh.

2.5/5

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Overall - 33.5/60

Overall, not my cup of tea. I'll have to check out some older stuff of theirs before I completely dismiss them. But my opinion. Completely overrated band. Willowbee out.