Jack Ingram - Big Dreams & High Hopes

Hump Day is here. Sorry for the late posts, I was struck with an illness last night, and decided to sleep in a bit today. Nothing like being up at 2am and being sick! Anyways, it's a two-in-a-row JenInTosa suggestionathon! She's my country music expert, and I'm still working through a bunch of her suggestions from last October. Craziness. Anyways, Mr. Ingram. Born in 1970 in Texas and started making music in 1992. He attended SMU (Southern Methodist) in Texas and studied psychology, but focused a lot on his music. He got his start by singing in a bar near the TCU (Texas Christian) campus down in Fort Worth. He toured the state of Texas, opening up for other local country acts. His first studio record dropped in 1992 on an independent label, eventually getting signed by Warner Bros records, and hitting it big. He's now with a label called 'Big Machine Records' - which I don't think I've ever heard of. I'm reading that this album was a bit different than his previous works, with critics saying it had "more guts". Whatever that means. Unanimously though, it seems to lack any sort of distinctive sound, which most people are pointing out. I'm not really sure what I'd classify it as...it's definitely country music, but seems to have a little pop/rock flair to it. This came out in August of 2009 and it doesn't look like it has been certified by the RIAA. It made the Top 20 on the country charts, but that's about it. I'm not sure this album will be very memorable for me or not. It's certainly not bad, but I'm tending to agree with others, in that nothing really sticks in my head.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Free
2. Barefoot and Crazy
3. That's a Man
4. Seeing Stars
5. Not Giving Up on Me
6. Barbie Doll
7. Big Dreams & High Hopes
8. Heartache
9. Man in Your Life
10. King of Wasted Time
11. In the Corner

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Big Dreams & High Hopes
2. Heartache
3. Barbie Doll

FINAL RATING:
3 out of 5 stars

Hugo - Old Tyme Religion

New Music Tuesday! All hail New Music Tuesday! So - you guys probably don't remember, but a really long time ago, Epic Records sent me the video for Hugo's '99 Problems' which is a cover of Jay-Z's track. I know a bunch of you watched the video and all that, and I promised that I'd have his album to debut in the near future. Well, the future is now! JenInTosa either remembered the track from the B Side, or heard it elsewhere - as she dropped this in the Suggestion Box. I also got an email from Epic 3 days ago, asking to profile the release. So here it is! So Hugo is Chulachak “Hugo” Chakrabongse - which I have no clue how to properly pronounce. He was born in England, but was raised in Thailand - near the Mekong River jungle. As a teenager, he released four records with a band called Siplor, which I'll have to investigate someday. He first rose to prominence when a song of his, 'Disappear' was featured on Beyonce's album 'I Am Sasha Fierce'. That began to a series of collaborations with Jay-Z's Roc Nation label starting in 2010. He then got a nice boost when it was decided his '99 Problems' cover was to be featured in the film 'No Strings Attached' featuring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. I'm not really sure how I'd classify his music, but he calls it "gangsta-rock". I suppose I can run with that. All the songs have a very signature sound - which is very fun and different. I think this album could work it's way up my list of albums to tell others about. I always like to help out artists who are going against the grain, and making music that isn't already out there. Give this one a nice go today. I think you'll be impressed.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Old Tyme Religion
2. 99 Problems
3. Bread & Butter
4. Rock 'n' Roll Delight
5. Hopelessly Stoned
6. Hurt Makes It Beautiful
7. Born
8. Mekong River Delta
9. Sweetest Cure
10. Different Lives
11. Just a Shred
12. Wake Alone

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. 99 Problems
2. Hopelessly Stoned
3. Walk Alone

VIDEO FOR 99 PROBLEMS

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

Tuesday. Boom. As I think most of you know by now, sometimes Techno Tuesday can be just a straight up electronic sound, versus true dance music. I'm okay with that, hopefully you guys are too. Today, it's this funky, electronic record by an old favorite - The Beastie Boys. Who doesn't own at least one Beastie record? They seem to be "one of those bands" that everybody likes, but nobody seems to love. Anyway, this record actually came out last week. You probably didn't know, but this album was nearly two years in the making. They talked about dropping it in 2009 - and calling it Tadlock's Glasses. And there is a story behind that name, but who cares - it didn't make the cut. They announced on Jimmy Fallon's show in May of '09 that it changed to Hot Sauce Committee, and it was due out soon. Then MCA was struck with cancer in his lymph nodes. That pretty much put a halt to all things Beastie. So Part One is on a permanent hiatus, and part 2 came out last week. There have been a ton of confusing statements by the Beasties, leaving fans scratching their heads. Whatever this is, it could be Part One, Part 2 or mixes of both, it's the only new thing you're going to hear from them for a while. Basically this album is a hodgepodge of sampling and experimental work with random sounds. And honestly, it's probably the most refreshing Beastie's record since 'Hello Nasty'. I've only gone through this once so far, but it's going to be on my list of things to continue with. It honestly is rocking my socks off pretty hard this morning. Just a different record, which is nice.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Make Some Noise
2. Nonstop Disco Powerpack
3. OK
4. Too Many Rappers
5. Say It
6. Bill Harper Collection, The
7. Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win
8. Long Burn the Fire
9. Funky Donkey
10. Larry Routine, The
11. Tadlock's Glasses
12. Lee Majors Come Again
13. Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament
14. Here's a Little Something for Ya
15. Crazy Ass Shit
16. Lisa Lisa/Full Force Routine, The

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Too Many Rappers
2. Make Some Noise
3. The Larry Routine

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars

Warren G - Regulate...G-Funk Era

Wow. I'm going back to the old school again today. It seems to me that at least half of the world at one point was absolutely obsessed with 'Regulate'. Go ahead, admit you were too. Even today, if that track comes on the radio - most people would turn it up as loud as the stereo goes. I can't say I used to be any different, I bought this cd when I was 12 years old or so. Probably wore out the 'Regulate' portion of the cd. I'm going to get into some details of rap you guys may not have known. Try to follow along. Warren G, Nate Dogg and Snoop Doggy Dogg (known by at that time) all used to be part of a rap group called 213. They were in search of a record deal, when Warren G approached his stepbrother, Dr. Dre. Now, even though Warren had the connection, Nate Dogg and Snoop were the two signed to deals with Dre's Death Row Records. Even though he wasn't signed by Death Row, he contributed material to many of their albums. So then in 1994 - Warren signed with Violator Management which connected with Def Jam Records, released this album. My guess is in hindsight, Death Row had wished this would have dropped under their label. This album was a major success, as 3x platinum in the states. What's actually kind of crazy though, is this album is solid. 'Regulate' is an obvious choice for great song, but there are some other really amazing Southern California feel rap tracks. In fact, the whole album is very laid back West Coast feeling. Honestly, if you like that type of rap, this is probably a 5 star album for you. It's like laid back old Snoop songs with less crazy flow. A solid jam album. Warren is a gangsta thug - he enjoys music, and it shows on this album.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Regulate
2. Do You See
3. Gangsta Sermon
4. Recognize
5. Super Soul Sis
6. '94 Ho Draft
7. So Many Ways
8. This D.J.
9. This Is the Shack
10. What's Next
11. And Ya Don't Stop
12. Runnin' Wit No Breaks

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Regulate
2. Do You See
3. This DJ

4. What's Next

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars

Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

Just another manic Monday. It's a really nice day out there, so I'm a little more upbeat than normal. Although, work still sucks. Would prefer to be out golfing today or something. Regardless, it's music time. And follower peterman dropped a little Rise Against in the Suggestion Box. I think he literally put every album they ever made in the box too - so I'll just do the first one mentioned. These guys are a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois that formed in 1999. These guys started with an indie label called Fat Wreck Records. They dropped two records, that were huge underground successes. It wasn't until their third studio album and ~2004 that they signed with a major label in Geffen. For some reason though, I'm looking and these guys aren't big record selling phenoms. They actually sell more albums in Canada versus the US - which is very strange. This particular record is gold status in the US, which is their best selling album ever. They recorded this album in Fort Collins, Colorado - which is a lovely town. If you've ever been there, they have a ton of breweries - if you're into that sort of thing. I don't really know how to put this in perspective, because I've never heard any of their other records. But what I'm hearing, is solid. There is no filler - it's all straight up rock. For some reason - listening to it the second time now, I get an old school Offspring type feel. Not sure why exactly. I'm not in love with this, but it exceeded my expectations. There isn't any track that sticks out as a signature that will become a new anthem for me or anything - but it's an album that I'd consider dropping in every now and again.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Collapse (Post-Amerika)
2. Long Forgotten Sons
3. Re-Education (Through Labor)
4. Dirt Whispered, The
5. Kotov Syndrome
6. From Heads Unworthy
7. Strength to Go On, The
8. Audience of One
9. Entertainment
10. Hero of War
11. Savior
12. Hairline Fracture
13. Whereabouts Unknown

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Savior
2. Re-Education
3. From Heads Unworthy

FINAL RATING:
3.25 out of 5 stars

Rant #18 - "What Is There To Idolize?"

Okay...I get that there is a show out there that has millions and millions of people watching it each week. I get it. It's a big show, and the masses have spoken - it's a hit. I do know the number of viewers has been going down since season six, but that's neither here nor there. 26 million viewers is still a TON of people watching the show for a Wednesday night.

I'll admit that I'm not a regular. I used to watch the show when I was in college with a couple of my friends and we'd make fun of the crappy people. But the show - even back then - was really unwatchable. Take this season for instance. I happened to tune in a couple nights back to watch the contestants perform. Is there anyone left in the top 5 or whatever they're at now that you'd honestly listen to? Would you really go buy a record from Haley? I nearly wanted to gouge my eyes out watching her perform. And this Jacob fella who I believe got eliminated - what the heck was he doing out there? I heard his rendition of 'I Believe I Can Fly' by R. Kelly and was moderately impressed - but what else? What else has he done that would make you want to listen to more? Oh wait, I know...NOTHING!

And it's not just this year. I'm looking at the winners. You've got Clarkson. Okay, she's sold a bunch of albums and won a couple awards. But is her music really any good? Seems like every time her name is brought up on conversation - I can't seem to find anyone who actually likes her or her music. Jennifer Hudson - sure. She seems to have some talent. Won awards for both music and acting. She doesn't sell records! Both her albums went gold status, and I don't think I could name a single hit off her two drops. That tells me a something. Then you've got Underwood. She's sold a bunch of albums and really seems to appeal to the country crowd. Since I still consider myself a country novice, I won't comment to how the general fans feel about her.

But my point is, this show is supposed to appeal to music fans. Well - I LOVE music. Maybe I don't enjoy pop music, but it seems the show really doesn't focus on that. I see a lot of R&B stuff, country and some rock. But you know what the kicker is? When Simon was on the show, he always would deny some people and tell them they were "Broadway singers" at best. Take a look at how many contestants end up on Broadway! It's at least 20 of them! So what is this show really producing? It's clearly not generating huge record selling artists, and not even making artists that you can't live without. It seems to me the show has basically become an attraction for people to watch each week - with no real threat of good music occurring.

I hear each and every year how the talent pool is the best it has ever been and how this year is the toughest competition yet. It's bull plop. Stinky, smelly, slimy bull plop. I don't think there is one person on the show whose music I'd listen to right now. And based on how many albums I own of previous winners, it shouldn't be a shock. My number is an astounding zero. I'm guessing many of you are the same way.

The only way to make it go away, is to stop watching it. Stop letting these people make money and think they're doing something that benefits the music industry. And most of all, stop letting them think they can come up with spin off shows that will also be successful. I don't want an X Factor and I don't want a Seacrest show. I just want it all to end.

Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast

Have I ever mentioned to you guys how much I love reviewing albums out of the Suggestion Box? If I haven't, well I do!! And here is another one, from resident metal expert - janis!. She recommended that I give some classic metal a go, and I have been as of late. This is probably the last classic metal installment, as I think I'm out of suggestions from her. I still have a ton of newer metal to get to, so that installation will start next metal review. Anyways, who hasn't at least heard of Iron Maiden. Show of hands...no one? That's what I thought. 1975 - London, that's when and where these guys started. The lead singers name is Bruce Dickinson. Yes, the Bruce Dickinson. Cock of the walk baby! I really hope I'm not the only one who gets that joke. Anyways, it's not that Bruce Dickinson, but a guy who was the lead singer for years, and then quit to do his own thing. But that wasn't until 1993 and this record came out in 1982. He came back again in 1999 - but that's also neither here nor there. This was the third studio album from Maiden, and has seen a very solid amount of success over the world. Mainly behind the raging success of 'Run To The Hills' - which is simply a hard rock anthem. If you don't think you've heard that track, please - pretty please listen to it. Do it now. I'll wait. Pretty great right? This album went through all the trials of the general public calling it "satanic" and getting banned from places. Typical metal fare. The bottom line really is, this album is rock solid. It might be the very definition of classic metal. I can't immediately think of a record that signifies that sound more than this one. Just for that reason, check it out. Even if you're not a metal fan.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Invaders
2. Children of the Damned
3. Prisoner, The
4. 22 Acacia Avenue
5. Number of the Beast, The
6. Run to the Hills
7. Gangland
8. Total Eclipse
9. Hallowed Be Thy Name

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Run To The Hills
2. Hallowed Be Thy Name
3. Children Of The Damned

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars