You're Gonna Go Far, Kid.

So The Offspring has, as of this morning, leaked their entire new album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, onto their IMEEM site so their fans can listen to it. These guys have always been awesome about online release and downloading music; they've always been for it. After all, you can listen to virtually every song they ever recorded on their website... which is just way too cool.

Anyways, onto the new album.
First off, the album cover is bloody horrible.
Seriously, what were they thinking? It's a crap drawing with garbage presentation. It looks like something a band of 15 year olds in high school would come up with. It's just... they could've done much better.

SECOND, the album was produced by Bob Rock. Bob Rock is the Michael Bay of rock and roll; he sucks. The production is... I don't know, it's not horrible, it's better than I expected of Rock(However, the man's legal name actually is 'Robert Rock', which is way too cool for words). Basically what it comes down to, is the man has a specific sound, and I really do not like that sound. It at least sounds better than the production on The Tragically Hip's World Container.

HOWEVER, just like the Hip's 2006 effort, the production is justified by the songs. World Container has some of the best songs I've ever heard, and Rise and Fall has some quite catchy and infectious tunes as well.
Unfortunately, the band is trying to go back to a more 'roots punk rock sound', which personally disappointed me. After 2003's 'Splinter', I loved the direction that the band was going. While it had a bit of a lukewarm response from critics, Splinter still holds the place in my heart as the best thing the Offspring ever recorded. Every song on that album is fantastic, and it's just such an original different sound, yet still staying the Offspring. It was the next logical step for them.

Unfortunately, I suppose that the reviews got to them, and so it seems they decided to go for a darker, more punk rock sound on this next release. Luckily, the songs redeem the style. With great guitar songs like 'Half-Truism', to inevitable singles like 'You're Gonna Go Far Kid' and 'Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?', the latter being a quite beautiful song... and a surprisingly solid ballad for this band.
What I don't get is why Hammerhead was released as the first single... perhaps to give people the indication that they were headed away from the synthesizers and creativity back to power chords? Luckily, Hammerhead is one of the weakest tracks on the album, and there still is a good level of creativity on the remaining tracks.
Another huge standout track is the hilariously catchy 'Stuff is Messed Up'(Shit is Fucked Up), which is just too catchy and fun for it's own good, it'll satisfy Offspring fans of every generation, and would probably be a great track live.

In conclusion, this album could be a lot better, but at the same time, it's obviously the record that the band intended to make. However, it's a step backward, back into their comfort zone. Lots of great songs worth listening to, but nothing too amazingly incredible. Not a disappointment, but far from what one might hope for.

3/5 stars.

I need a real Rick Roll.

So you know what's cool about the Rick Roll?
Despite the fact that it's stuck in the most hilarious places online, it can still become quite a tiresome event. However, the mere fact that the song itself is friggin' awesome is enough to make every Rick Roll survivable.
Rick Astley recorded an awesome song. Period.

HOWEVER, the integrity of the Rick Roll has been threatened. 'Never Gonna Give You Up' has been recorded by a young lady by the name of Ashley Tisdale. Of High School Musical fame.

FIRST OFF, the High School Musical series is the biggest slap in the face to film, celebrity, music, television, and basically anything you can think of. They are a total detriment to society. How they became successful is unknown to me. Even as a small child with a simple mind, I would be able to spot how horrendous the films are.
What it really comes down to, is those movies suck.
And NOW, one of the stars of that franchise is branching into recording pop music. Now, pop music itself is generally pretty bad, and with some of those artists we got out there, the stars of High School Musical should feel right at home. Had she been fine with that status, we could've left it right where it was.
UNFORTUNATELY, she decided to go out and ruin one of the greatest songs of 1980's. I hate her for it. She had no right.

Burn in hell, Ashley Tisdale.

Viva La Vida!

Now, I'm a bit biased towards my opinion on the newest Coldplay release, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, because I absolutely love Coldplay, and practically decided long in advance that I was going to love this album.

Big surprise, I do.

It's a really different sound for Coldplay, shying away from their more 'adult alternative' sound, and more towards a stadium pop rock sound. It's one of the biggest sounding records I've heard in a long time, and not one song disappoints.
Of course, the singles, Violet Hill and Viva La Vida are huge standouts, and incredible tracks. They were the perfect choices for pre-release tracks, as they gave an indication of where Coldplay was headed, but without giving away the whole sound.

Another huge standout track is 'Lost!', which is pushed along by the awesome sounds of an organ. More than worth listening to.

Basically, Viva La Vida is a new sound for Coldplay, but it's a damn good one. Check out this album and you won't be disappointed.

I am TRYING to break your heart.

I purchased the new Weezer album today; their third self titled album, The Red Album.

It was interesting. Far from their best work, but it's an alright album. I heard most of it online a few weeks ago when the first eight tracks leaked. It's a bit more of an experimental sound for them, but, if you consider the path Weezer has followed with their sound since they came to be, it totally makes sense... it just works.

A few great songs on the album are 'Pork and Beans', the first single, 'Heart Songs', which, while I like it quite a bit, all the random shout-outs kind of irritate me, and my personal favorite 'Thought I Knew'. The latter was written and sang by Weezer's guitarist, Brian Bell, which is a first. It's a fantastic song though, and without a doubt my favorite on the album.

What other music is there out there today that's good?
Well, I just discovered Rooney this morning. They're bloody sweet.
The Ting Ting's are pretty damn awesome too.
The newest Sam Roberts album, Love at the End of the World is an immediate classic.

Also, check out Edward Gorey. He's pretty much the greatest writer that ever lived. Read the Ghastlycrumb Tinies, it's just a short little story, and you can find the whole thing online.

That is all.