A last look at 2023 via essential discs from Downes Braide Association, Eightlock, Fireborn, Jimmy Buffett

There were some terrific 2023 studio albums I didn't get to last year, so I wanted to champion them here. Better late than never!

Artist: Downes Braide Association

Title: Celestial Songs (Spirit of Unicorn)

You might like if you enjoy: Geoff Downes, Chris Braide, John Wetton, Asia

Tell me more: Celestial Songs marks the fifth Downes Braide Association (DBA) album featuring the strong team of keyboardist-composer Geoff Downes (Asia, Yes) and award-winning singer-songwriter Chris Braide. There is a genuine depth and ambitious spirit across the 11-track album that draws strong comparisons to the duo's earlier works and the recent Peter Gabriel return i/o. Standouts abound across the masterwork that was released Sept. 8. "Look What You Do" artfully blends spoken word, prog rock mysticism and Beatlesque shadings into its sonic brew that navigates between minor and major keys, all enhanced by the emotion-filled lyrics. "Clear Light" is a soaring melodic progressive rock sortie featuring stellar lead vocals from Braide as well as top-tier guitar work from Dave Bainbridge. The nostalgia-themed "Keep On Moving," probing "Darker Side Of Fame" (the latter bolstered by Marc Almond's vocals), driving "Will To Power," alt dance rock delight "On The Run" and affecting album-closing opus "Beyond The Stars" are among the other terrific originals on the album that collectively delves into everything from love and mortality to fame and spirituality with a commanding touch. Celestial Songs is available via three formats: audio CD, 2LP vinyl and as a box set. Information: https://www.facebook.com/downesbraide/.

Artist: Eightlock

Title: Lions Roaring in Quicksand (Steele Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Boxing Gandhis, Santana, Al Green

Tell me more: Famed guitar-maker/guitarist Paul Reed Smith's terrific collective Eightlock issued their debut Lions Roaring in Quicksand in December 2023. The band brings its strong mix of funk, soul and R&B to the forefront thanks to a solid lineup that includes three drummers (Dennis Chambers, Gregory Grainger, Ju Ju House), a bass player (Gary Grainger), female lead vocalist (Mia Samone Davis) and three guitar players (Paul Reed Smith, Bill Nelson, Mike Ault). Despite the number of players, the masterfully-arranged selections on Lions Roaring in Quicksand are uniformly nuanced. The soulful "Breathe" and "Phoenix In My Blood," blues rockers "Drivin' At Night" and "He's The One," genre-bending "Look At The Moon" and lovely "Echoes" showcase the diversity of the stellar full-length release. In addition to their winning originals, the troupe delivers an irresistible take on the Al Green classic "Love And Happiness," forcefully revisits Edwin Starr's timeless 1970 protest song "War," and shines on a Latin flavored cover of the Maná' track "Ay, Doctor." A marvelous debut. Information: eightlockband.com.

Artist: Fireborn

Title: Reflections (Deko Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: Burning Witches, Pänzer, heavy metal

Tell me more: Those listening to German metal band Fireborn's 2023 album Reflections should be prepared for a hard rocking ride. Fronted by singer Jenny Gruber, the rising troupe also includes Dennis Weber, Raphael Singh, Flo Bucher and Chris Lehr. From the speedy opener "Young Heart Dies" and evocative "Done With You" to the amped-up power ballad "Angel in Need" and bewitching "Deep Blue Water," the quintet displays its bona fide musical chops with an equally deft knack for catchy riffs and in-the-pocket grooves. And to be sure, Gruber's powerful soprano impresses during explosive choruses as well as in more scaled back moments across Reflections. Information: https://www.fireborn-official.com.

Artist: Jimmy Buffett

Title: Equal Strain On All Parts (Sun Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Jimmy Buffett, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Emmylou Harris

Tell me more: Jimmy Buffett's posthumous album Equal Strain On All Parts is a wonderful tribute to the late singer-songwriter who sadly passed away on Sept. 1, 2023 at the age of 76 after a four-year battle fighting a rare form of skin cancer. Released on Nov. 3, 2023, Equal Strain On All Parts was Buffett's 32nd studio album and his final album completed prior to his death; it boasts material that spans the artist's beloved musical universe. The playful New Orleans flavored "University of Bourbon Street" features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Paul McCartney plays bass on the driving tropical rocker "My Gummie Just Kicked In." Legendary country music singer Emmylou Harris adds her signature vocals on the Bob Dylan & Jacques Levy-penned Americana gem "Mozambique." Other inviting originals on the album include the calypso-styled "Audience of One," gorgeous countrified ballad "Columbus," and fun-loving "Nobody Works on Friday." My favorite track on the album is the reflective ballad "Bubbles Up," whose poignant lyrics ultimately chronicle the artist's optimistic attitude even when facing his own death: "So, when the journey gets long / Just know that you are loved / There's light up above / And joy there's always enough / Bubbles up." Information: JimmyBuffett.com.

Robert Kinsler

Metal Titan THOR forges the ultimate ALLIANCE with W.A.S.P.’s CHRIS HOLMES & ROSS THE BOSS In A New Video/Single From His Forthcoming Album!

Media release

For Immediate Release

Metal Titan THOR Forges The Ultimate ALLIANCE With W.A.S.P.’s CHRIS HOLMES & ROSS THE BOSS In A New Video/Single From His Forthcoming Album!

Los Angeles, CA - Like the Heavy Metal Avengers, heroes and icons from all over the metal world have united behind the legendary god of metal thunder, THOR, on an epic new studio album, entitled Alliance! Only a figure of such mythic strength and power as the mighty THOR could unite such an astounding armada of artists including W.A.S.P.'s Chris Holmes, Raven vocalist John Gallagher, Soilwork singer Björn Strid, Danko Jones, Anthrax's Neil Turbin, Ross “The Boss” Friedman and many more. Together, this battalion of champions fuse their talents to create one of the heaviest, most melodic THOR albums of all time! Just check out the album’s first single, “The Ultimate Alliance,” a heart-pounding, metal riffing powerhouse of a track that features some stellar guitar solos from Chris Holmes & Ross The Boss as well as the vocal talents of A Sound Of Thunder singer Nina Osegueda and Lords Of The Trident frontman Fang VonWrathstein! The track is debuted here alongside a superbly fun, special-effects heavy video.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/eZASqUhTCcc

Stream/download the single: https://orcd.co/thor_the_ultimate_alliance_single

Alliance features stunning artwork from Timo Wuerz and will be available July 16 on both digital as well as on CD in a digipak and limited edition silver vinyl in a gatefold jacket! Watch for Thor to launch several shows and festivities in this year as he celebrates his 39th studio album and an astounding 50 years of metal mayhem as well as co-starring in a feature-length action movie “Pact Of Vengeance,” which will feature music from the new album!

Pre-order the CD & Vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=thor+alliance&post_type=product

Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/thor_alliance_album

Track List:
1. We Need Musclerock feat. John Gallagher (Raven)
2. Niflhel (Realm Of The Dead) feat. Björn Strid (Soilwork)
3. The Ultimate Alliance feat. Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Ross “The Boss” Friedman (Manowar), Nina Osegueda (A Sound Of Thunder) & Fang VonWrathenstein (Lords Of The Trident)
4. Ode To Odin feat. Dan Cleary (Striker)
5. We Will Fight Forever feat. Neil Turbin (Anthrax)
6. Because We Are Strong
7. Rock Around The World feat. Danko Jones
8. Queen Of The Spiders feat. Frank Soda (The Imps)
9. Power Hungry
10. Bounty Hunter feat. Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs) & Dennis Post (Warrior Soul)
11. Battlements feat. Trevor William Church (Haunt)
12. Thor vs. The Juggernaut (War Of The Gods) feat. Sean Peck (Death Dealer)
13. Generation Now feat. Joey Killingsworth (Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre)
14. After The Laughter feat. Martin Gummesson (Thundermaker)
15. Good Stuff feat. Al Harlow (Prism)
16. Congregate feat. Joey Roads & Sheldon Byer (Roadrash)
17. We Will Fight Forever (Reprise)

“The Ultimate Alliance” video credits:

Written by: Jon Mikl Thor / John Leibel

Lead Vocals: Jon Mikl Thor

Special Guests
Lead Guitar: Chris Holmes
Lead Guitar: Ross “The Boss” Friedman
Lead Vocals: Nina Osegueda
Lead Vocals: Fang VonWrathenstein

Lead Guitar: John Leibel
Rhythm Guitar: Matt Hamilton
Bass: Ted Jedlicki
Drums: Tom Croxton

Video Directed by: Josh Grambo

Special Effects and Editing: Josh Grambo and John Magz
Videography: Josh Grambo, Javier Cedillo, Kevin Stuart Swain, and Lisa Freakrock
Additional Videography: Don Watson, Matthew Szablewicz, Ty Christian, Josh Schwartz, and Catherine Holmes

Upcoming Concerts: Garbage; Deep Purple & Judas Priest; '$20 all-in ticket offer from Live Nation

All kinds of great concert news to kick start a Monday! I've reviewed concerts in recent years featuring Garbage, as well as Deep Purple and I strongly recommend catching both artists!


Garbage announce U.S. Tour in support of the 20th Anniversary Edition of 'Version 2.0'

Garbage is set to tour the U.S. / Photo credit: Joseph Cultice

Garbage has announced a short U.S. tour in support of the recently announced 20th anniversary edition of their legendary second album Version 2.0. The tour, which kicks off on September 29th in Seattle, WA and wraps on October 27th in Brooklyn, NY, will see them perform the classic album in full, as well as a number of B-sides from the reissue. Tickets for the tour will be on sale at 10:00am local time on April 27th and be available HERE. A complete list of upcoming US tour dates can be found below.

Garbage announced the 20th anniversary edition of Version 2.0 last month. Due for release on Stunvolume/PIAS on June 22, the package will feature the whole original album, as well as 10 B-sides from the era. Pre-order the digital album HERE and visit Garbage.com for updates on standard and deluxe Vinyl formats.The reissue's first offering, the typically visceral "Lick The Pavement", is available now HERE.

"Version 2:0 is in my opinion the quintessential garbage record," shared Garbage singer Shirley Manson. "We are all very grateful to the millions of people who took it to their hearts at the time it was released and to those who continue to love on it still".

Initially released in May 1998, Version 2.0 spawned fan-favorites such as "Push It", "I Think I'm Paranoid" and "Special". Shortly after its release, the Recording Industry Association of America honored the album with a platinum certification for exceeding 1 million units sold. Version 2.0 went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide. The album was nominated for a total of four Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album. The album's third single "Special" was further nominated the following year for Best Rock Song and for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. The video for "Push It" was nominated for eight MTV Video Music Awards.

Speaking about the enduring legacy of the record, the band's drummer and co-producer Butch Vig explains: "Version 2.0 is the sound of a band growing up, evolving, and more than anything, gaining confidence. When we started recording, we made a conscious decision to not re-invent ourselves, but rather take everything we learned from our debut album and filter it through the new digital technology we were grappling with. Sonically, the album has moments of razor sharp clarity and soft beauty. Indeed, it's possibly our best album."

Garbage US Tour Dates

9/29/18 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA

9/30/18 - Roseland Theatre - Portland, OR

10/3/18 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA

10/5/18 - Cosmopolitan Hotel - Las Vegas, NV

10/7/18 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ

10/9/18 - Sunshine Theatre - Albuquerque, NM

10/11/18 - House of Blues - Dallas - Dallas, TX

10/12/18 - House of Blues - Houston - Houston, TX

10/13/18 - Paradise Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort - Tulsa, OK

10/17/18 - Riviera Theater - Chicago, IL

10/18/18 - Hard Rock Live - Northfield, OH

10/20/18 - Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY

10/21/18 - Lincoln Theatre - Washington DC

10/23/18 - House of Blues - Boston, MA

10/25/18 - The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA

10/26/18 - Borgata Spa & Resort - Music Box - Atlantic City, NJ

10/27/18 - Kings Theatre - Brooklyn, NY

Version 2.0 Tracklist:

1. Temptation Waits

2. I Think I'm Paranoid

3. When I Grow Up

4. Medication

5. Special

6. Hammering in My Head

7. Push It

8. The Trick Is to Keep Breathing

9. Dumb

10. Sleep Together

11. Wicked Ways

12. You Look So Fine

B-Sides:

1. Can't Seem To Make You Mine

2. 13x Forever

3. Deadwood

4. Get Busy With The Fizzy

5. Soldier Through This

6. Thirteen

7. Lick The Pavement

8. Medication (Acoustic)

9. Tornado

10. Afterglow

https://garbage.com/

Deep AND JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE SUMMER

CO-HEADLINE TOUR

Citi Pre-Sale Begins Tuesday, April 24; Tickets Available to the General Public Starting

Friday, April 27 at LiveNation.com

Legends will collide late this summer when Deep Purple and Judas Priest embark on a co-headlining North American tour. Produced by Live Nation, the outing will kick off August 21 in Cincinnati, OH and visit 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping September 30 in Wheatland, California.  Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 27 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

Citi is the official pre-sale credit card of the Deep Purple and Judas Priest tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 24 at 10am local time until Thursday, April  26 at 10pm local time through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Deep Purple’s latest studio album, inFinite, was released April 7, 2017, via earMUSIC. Produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin, (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss), InFinite featured 10 new tracks recorded with no musical boundaries in the spirit of the 70s. The metal pioneers have released five studio albums since 1996, augmented by an abundance of solo work and special projects from members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse and Don Airey. Fans will be thrilled as they cover decades of favorites for this run. For more information, please visit www.deep-purple.com. Additionally, Airey will release his solo album One of a Kind on May 25.

Judas Priest’s latest studio album, Firepower, was released March 9, 2018, via Epic Records. Co-produced by Tom Allom and Andy Sneap, the 14-track album has become one of the most successful of the band’s entire career - landing in the "top-5" of 17 countries (including their highest chart placement ever in the U.S.), and scoring their highest charting commercial rock radio single in decades with “Lightning Strike.” Few heavy metal bands have managed to scale the heights that Judas Priest have during their near 50-year career, and with a line-up featuring Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill, and Scott Travis, Judas Priest will be scorching across North America with some heavy metal Firepower again this summer and fall on tour with Deep Purple! For more information, please visit judaspriest.com. 

DEEP PURPLE AND JUDAS PRIEST TOUR DATES:

8/21 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center

8/22 — Chicago, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

8/24 — Detroit, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

8/25 — Mt. Pleasant, MI — Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort*

8/27 — Hamilton, ON — FirstOntario Centre

8/29 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre

8/30 — Quebec City, QC — Centre Videotron

9/1 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

9/2 — Bethel Woods, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

9/5 — Darien Center, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater

9/6 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center

9/8 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach

9/9 — Camden, NJ — BB&T Pavilion

9/11 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion

9/12 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily's Place

9/14 — Atlanta, GA — Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park

9/16 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum

9/18 — Kansas City, MO — Starlight Theatre

9/20 — Welch, MN — Treasure Island Casino*

9/21 — Council Bluffs, IA — Harrah's Council Bluffs*

9/23 — Denver, CO — Pepsi Center

9/26 — San Diego, CA — Mattress Firm Amphitheatre

9/27 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre

9/29 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre

9/30 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre

*Non Live Nation date

Live Nation Launches 'National Concert Week' With $20 All-In Ticket Offer Celebrating Kickoff to Summer Season

One Week Only – Over 1.5 Million Tickets Available to 2,000+ Summer Shows at NCW.LiveNation.com Starting April 30

LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Live Nation announced 'National Concert Week' will take place April 30 through May 8 with an exclusive $20 all-in ticket offer for fans to celebrate the kickoff to its biggest summer season. The deal will include over 1.5 million tickets to 2,000+ shows across Live Nation's roster of summer tours including Comedy, Country, Hip-Hop, Latin, Metal, Rock, Pop, and more.

For one week only, fans can get their hands on the $20 all-in tickets Monday, April 30 at 8:00 am local time at NCW.LiveNation.com, through Tuesday, May 8 at 11:59 pm local time. 

DJ Khaled shared his excitement about the ticket offer from 45,000 feet, encouraging music fans to nab their tickets to the hottest summer shows. Watch the video HERE.

Produced by Live Nation, National Concert Week is a time for artists and fans to celebrate their love of live music. To launch the week, Live Nation will hold a special media event in New York featuring dozens of their touring artists.

Talent in attendance talking about their upcoming summer tours will include Paramore, Lindsey Stirling, Bush's Gavin Rossdale, Jeff Beck, Counting Crows' Adam Duritz, Ann Wilson of Heart, Evanescence's Amy Lee, Foreigner's Mick Jones, 3 Doors Down, Bad Company and Free's Paul Rodgers, Coheed and Cambria, Collective Soul, Pentatonix, O.A.R., Poison, Soul Asylum, Stone Temple Pilots, Styx, Taking Back Sunday, The Cult, The Offspring, Whitesnake, and more.

Nationally Touring Artists With Live Nation's $20 All-In "National Concert Week" Ticket Offer:311 / The Offspring
3 Doors Down / Collective Soul
5 Seconds of Summer
Alan Jackson
Arcade Fire
Avenged Sevenfold / Prophets of Rage
Backstreet Boys  
Beck
Bon Jovi
Brad Paisley
Breaking Benjamin / Five Finger Death Punch
Bush / Stone Temple Pilots / The Cult  
Charlie Puth
Chicago / REO Speedwagon
Chris Brown
Coheed and Cambria / Taking Back Sunday
Counting Crows / LIVE
David Blaine
Dead & Company
Def Leppard / Journey
Dierks Bentley
Dwight Yoakam / Lucinda Williams / Steve Earle 
Enanitos Verdes / Hombres G
Erasure  
Foreigner / Whitesnake / Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening
Game of Thrones
G-Eazy
Godsmack / Shinedown  
Gov't Mule / The Avett Brothers
Hall & Oates / Train
Halsey
Imagine Dragons
Janet Jackson  
Jason Aldean
Jeff Beck / Paul Rodgers
Joe Biden
Juanes / Mon Laferte
Keith Urban
Kesha / Macklemore
Kevin Hart
Kid Rock  
KIDZ BOP LIVE 2018
Kygo
Lady Antebellum / Darius Rucker
Lindsey Stirling / Evanescence
Logic
Luis Miguel
Luke Bryan
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Maroon 5
Miranda Lambert / Little Big Town
Ms. Lauryn Hill  
NEEDTOBREATHE / JOHNNYSWIM
Niall Horan
ODESZA
Ozzy Osbourne
Paramore
Pentatonix
Poison / Cheap Trick
Post Malone  
Rascal Flatts
Ray LaMontagne
Rise Against / AFI
Rob Zombie / Marilyn Manson  
Rod Stewart / Cyndi Lauper
Shakira
Shania Twain
Steely Dan / The Doobie Brothers
Styx / Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers
The Smashing Pumpkins
Thirty Seconds To Mars
Vans Warped Tour
Weezer / Pixies
Zac Brown Band

For a full list of participating artists, please visit NCW.LiveNation.com.

To see a complete list of Live Nation's summer tours and festivals, please visit livenation.com.

About Live Nation Entertainment:Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Classic Album Replay Van Halen III Album Review

TJR takes an in depth track by track analisys of the most controversial album by Van Halen






Listen to samples and get Van Halen III

Cinderella, Sebastian Bach marred by rough vocals

This post was originally posted on The Orange County Register site on Saturday morning, Aug. 4, 2012.

Pacific 2012: Cinderella, Sebastian Bach marred by rough vocals but the party people don't mind

Some concerts are all about the party. That was clear long before headliner Cinderella or opening act Sebastian Bach took the stage at Pacific Amphitheatre Friday night (Aug. 3, 2012). Concert-goers, many wielding the biggest brews available, were mostly interested in chatting, snapping images of each other, texting pals on their cell phones or checking out the ’80s Sunset Strip attire of guys and gals who never saw Nirvana and Pearl Jam coming.

Against that summer-shindig backdrop, both Bach and Cinderella had the deck stacked in their favor.

Bach (real late name: Blerk) sang for Skid Row in the late ’80s and early ’90s before embarking on his solo career. Yet, despite an energetic effort to bring his best musical game to Costa Mesa, his rutted vocals marred the majority of his 45-minute set.

Backed by a solid band highlighted by lead guitarist Johnny Chromatic’s impressive fretwork, Bach’s finer moments came via well-known hits. “Monkey Business” sounded like an early AC/DC nugget, while dated but well-intentioned singalong versions of the acoustic rocker “I Remember You” and the set-ending “Youth Gone Wild” added a much-needed jolt to his show.

One of the better metal bands to emerge in the early ’80s, Cinderella turned in 75 minutes of material that was musically stronger than the opener but likewise too often marked by nails-on-chalkboard lead vocals. Frontman Tom Keifer, a particularly gifted guitarist and keyboardist, might want to consider recruiting another singer.

The group’s songs remain simple and often mired in hard rock cliches, but it’s easy to appreciate the head-banging appeal of its sharpest riffs. “Shake Me” displayed all of its “Back in Black”-style attack, many in the crowd shouting along. Similarly, “Nobody’s Fool” came off as a perfect amalgam of hard rock and British blues, additionally bolstered by ace guitar skills from Keifer and Jeff LaBar, who played in tandem. Drummer Fred Coury and bassist Eric Brittingham provided solid, in-the-pocket rhythm work throughout the night.

A tender, piano-anchored version of “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” and the Southern rock-tinged “Coming Home” were especially poignant from a band known for navigating beyond its glam-metal roots. Elsewhere during the set, Cinderella injected blues, keyboards and slide guitar to showcase a broader approach than the likes of outfit’s many contemporaries. The night ended with a particularly loose, Stones-ish take on “Shelter Me.”