Review: Cardboard Castles by Watsky

George Watsky's sophomore album "Cardboard Castles" has not only slowly gained him recognition in the rap genre, but has earned a spot as one of my favorite albums of 2013. He first rose to the spotlight as a successful slam poet and is now using just his last name as his rapper persona. Watsky displays incredible flow in his verses leading to insanely catchy choruses that will stay trapped inside a listeners mind for at least a few hours. His roots of having the amazing talent of being able to perform slam poetry is displayed during the entire album. Each track is filled with metaphors, symbolism, and emotion that combined uniquely together showcasing true art being spoken. This talent is showcased in songs such as "Tiny Glowing Screens Part 1", while "Tiny Glowing Screens Part 2" will hit nerves you never thought you had. Watsky brings listeners on feel good journey that can be used as fun, relaxing music during a road trip or connect yourself to the music and have a one on one experience with the mind of George Watsky. No matter how you listen there is true talent pumping through the speakers. Songs such as "Strong as Oak" and "Sloppy Seconds" are a great mixture of fun/dance music with a good meaning to back it up. These songs tell us to live in the moment and enjoy right now. Other songs such as "Dedicated to Christina Li", Watsky displays a more sensitive topic of losing a friend which many people even at a young age can relate to. Watsky is a true visionary in has field that has shown why he is different from the rest. With new releases from Jay Z and Kanye West being the most talked about Rap albums of the year, it is nice to give credit to someone who put out an extraordinary album in this genre that surpassed the big-time players in innovation and talent. This album was realsed in March, but I believe it still deserves the publicity now. Somehow Watsky is still more or less a secret in industry, lets change that.

Please comment on your thoughts of this album. You have the microphone below.

Ps. As a citizen of Connecticut I am very excited for Watsky's upcoming tour with Wax. He will be rolling to Toads Place In New Haven on October 14th. Tickets are cheap and that may be the last time I can say that if he gets the fame he deserves. Don't miss out on what will be an amazing concert experience. Look up tour dates to see if he dropping by in your area.    

The Used Release New Single and EP (Opinion Post)

Post-Hardcore veterans, The Used released their "The Ocean of the Sky" EP on July 9th. As loyal fan of The Used I have been patient with the different direction that their last two albums have offered. Since their debut LP "Maybe Memories" in 2002 I have credited The Used as one of my favorite bands of all-time. When "Lies for the Liars" was released in 2006 I saw the potential change direction that they may be headed. I felt that the band saw themselves in the shadow of their friends in My Chemical Romance. I always saw The Used as the superior of the two and praised them for not taking the mainstream route. Then "Artwork" come out in 2009. I was not a fan of this album by any means and was worried with direction the band  thought they needed to go. I'm always accepting of change in a band, actually I encourage it. But for me this album had no redeeming quality. Most tracks fell flat while others were mediocre at best. Their next album "Vulnerable" was released inn 2011. Although I enjoyed it much more than "Artwork" it not hit any part of my heart that their first three albums did. The Used's first single off their new EP titlted "Iddy Biddy". This song has yet again failed to "wow" me. The song and lyrics seem lazy and the melody is boring throughout. I have not listened to entirety of "The Ocean of the Sky" as of this writing, but I plan on having a review sometime in the next few days. Hopefully their will be something on their to give me hope back to Bert and the gang before their sixth album is released.

Listen to "Iddy Biddy" below and judge for yourself! Also please comment on all blog posts!

August Burns Red Releases Music Video For "Fault Line"

It has been a few months since releasing a lyric video of "Fault Line" to the public, but now ABR fans can now rejoice with the music video. This is their first single off of their six full-length studio album "Rescue and Rejoice". The album hit selves on on June 25th 2013 to positive reviews from critics and hitting the number 9 spot on the Billboard Top 200.  

  

You can watch the video below

Emarosa new lead vocals?

Former vocalist Jonny Craig indicated on his Twitter account that former Squid the Whale vocalist Bradley Walden was the newest member of Emarosa. Now it seems that either Bradley is not the new addition to the band or nothing is official at this time. I am a big fan of both Emarosa and Squid the Whale and I do believe  Bradley will pick up the pieces that Jonny left behind. Hopefully an official statement will be made either by Emarosa or Walden in the near future concerning this heavily talked about rumor. I am eager to see what this band can produce after losing the essential member
Craig was to the band. Unfortunately his ego and unmoral actions lead to rightful decision of him being kicked out of the band. If Walden is truly the new lead vocals I am curious the direction the band will take as he's style is similar to Crag's but I am not sure if trying to recreate the old Emarosa is a good idea. Hopefully once the band starts to release new music with whoever they choose as their vocalist, it will be a "new", focused Emarosa.     

Compare Jonny and Bradley's Acoustic Videos Below:  

Album Review: The Blackest Beautiful by Letlive.

LA. Post-Hardcore band Letlive. released their much anticipated "The Blackest Beautiful" on July 9th, 2013. This is the bands third LP released since their creation in 2002. Although it took them a decade to finally receive attention from music goers and critics alike, it has paid off in their favor. Their 2011 release "Fake History" displayed some of the most heartfelt lyrics, catchy choruses, and pure raw energy their genre has been lacking for years. While working on their new album they were given the opportunity to tour with veterans and big name bands on the Post-Hardcore scene. They took their techniques from their rowdy independent basement performances and owned the new stages they possessed. Their intensity as a unit sparked attention, while front man Jason Butler's stage antics have showed hints of the raw intensity music greats Daryl Palumbo and Greg Puciato became known for. Now with the band signed to Epitaph Records, they have released what they have told their followers  "...the album you deserve". That is exactly what was given. As a huge fan of "Fake History", I was very curious of what this album what entail for the future of this band. What they did was deliver a pure energy driven album with each member's beating heart heard through each track. Every aspect of this album almost seemed to be on purpose, with no flaws. What may seem like poor production to some, I see as purposeful to highlight the bands roots of being a small club performer. The pure non edited adrenaline you would have gotten at one of their earlier shows is what you are getting on this album. The passion Letlive. has for their music comes across even more sincere with this authentic approach. This is why they are the standout band to release an album this summer. In a time where alternative music has been infected with generic-"ism" this album is breath of fresh air. The lyrics this album contains are beautifully put together to create such relatable and passionate music that should hit a string or two for any listener. Many critics have praised the flow and catchiness in the choruses of "Fake History", "The Blackest Beautiful" does not miss any marks. Depending on your mood you may catch yourself singing lyrics from choruses such as Virgin Dirt. While you'll may have have the catchiness and energy of hooks and choruses such as Younger, The Priest Used Cars, and their first single off the album Banshee - Ghost Fame stuck in you head for hours. One of my favorite aspects of the album is Butler's on and off talking after the musical portion of a track has ended. This gives a more personal tone to the entire album. Almost like a narration right from the creator himself. With all the originality, openness, and creativeness this album has portrayed, I highly recommend this to eager listeners of talent. This can be a huge step in the direction this genre needs to be set in. As fans we have the loudest microphones.

4 Stars out of 4

Side Note: Letlive. is playing the entire of the 2013 Vans Warped Tour. Definitely a moment not to miss!