who: Motion City Soundtrack why: have released another single from their upcoming 2010 release 'My Dinosaur Life' entitled "Her Words Destroyed My Planet" available for streaming on SPIN.com. I know this is like the third recent MCS post, but deal with it - because the end of 2009 has been shaping up to be pretty boring and it's one of the only things I'm looking forward to.
I would first like to start off this post by wishing everyone a Happy Belated Thanksgiving. I haven't had the time to read news or even watch much TV this past week since I've been home on break - and I hope you enjoyed your holiday!
who: Adam Lambert why: because we don't need two Lady Gaga's you moron.
Tip: Quit terrorizing our eardrums with your ridiculously high voice and change majors from pop-idol to Broadway-slave where you'll also be more likely not to be criticized for your extreme over-the-top gayness.
who: Motion City Soundtrack why: have posted the first video for "Disappear", the first single from their anticipated January 19th, 2010 release 'My Dinosaur Life'. If you haven't heard the song yet, you should check out the video, because I do at least like the song. If you HAVE heard the song however, you'll probably wish I hadn't posted this... it's a pretty boring video. I expected more.
who: Ashley Payne why: was a high school teacher in Georgia before being fired for pictures she posted on Facebook the school's principal and superintendent deemed inappropriate. I don't really even know where to start - this whole thing is just ridiculously unnecessary, unconstitutional and people shouldn't have to put up with it.
Let me start by saying I realize you can have a social life without having social media accounts like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. I also realize that you can have these accounts without posting photos, crude comments, or just random information your bosses may not approve of... but why is any of this even a problem?
They're basically saying that you could be a pedophile as long as you keep it to yourself and nobody knows about it. You can be a drunk and teach six-year-olds as long as you're a good actor. You can sleep with your students as long as you don't get pregnant - but DON'T, under any circumstances, put photos of you casually drinking (which let's remember is a legal action for an adult) on YOUR OWN PERSONAL websites.
Let us now imagine the effects that could be felt because of this ridiculous firing. Ms. Payne is obviously going to file charges against the school - which is ultimately going to produce funds from the school district. Now, all because you fired a completely qualified, educated, dedicated employee for treacherously dumb reasons, the kids in your district are going to be put at a disadvantage. Presuming this district is like many of the ALREADY underfunded districts in our country, where are you going to get the money now to hire replacement faculty, supplies or whatever? I'll tell you for certain they'll start by cutting funding to extracurricular programs, and probably finish with teaching broken curriculum by less educated (and more desperate) applicants.
I can't assume this butterfly effect will happen for certain, but taking the risk of this firing given even the slightest probability is still ludicrous and people need to fight for their rights to whatever it is they want (all be it legal) when they're out of their workplace. It's becoming a joke, and I won't be unrightfully censored over a drink.
who: Passion Pit why: have posted a video for "Little Secrets" off of this year's album 'Manners'. I prefer their live performances so you should check out their YouTube Channel here.
who: Four Year Strong why: has announced a 2010 tour! This Time Next Year and Title Fight will be opening for FYS with the Bled joining in for the first half of the tour, and Strike Anywhere replacing them in the second half. I've seen these guys once before and let me tell you it was awesome. I wish the sound quality would have turned out a little better at the venue because I could hardly hear the vocals, but I got a good story out of it and they opened for Bayside which was a plus. But I'm ready to see them headline.
who: Letting Up Despite Great Faults why: because I've been on this ambient/shoegaze/concrete trip lately and I can't get enough. If you listened to my autumn.oh.nine mix and liked the Small Black - "Despicable Dogs" track, you'll like LUDGF.
Unfortunately, Lala doesn't have their latest release available for streaming... but go check them out on myspace and see if you like what you hear.
Rating: fasho. FFO: Small Black, Silversun Pickups, The Postal Service
who: John Mayer | Fall Out Boy why: another slow week in releases, but I'm still doin' what it do.
This week, I would recommend checking out John Mayer's 'Battle Studies'. I understand if you're one of those people too afraid to admit you like John Mayer, but he's a stud... probably the most "influential" (not best) guitar player of our generation, and he's hilarious - so I don't see what's not to like. I was really pulling for him with his last release, 'Continuum', because he wasn't writing high-schooly love songs on that record - it was more mature and adventurous in its' topics. I think Jennifer Aniston shit on his heart with this one though... as he seems to have regressed back toward some more repetitive songs of heartbreak... So altogether, the album isn't as good as I would have hoped - but still the best thing to check out this week.
For some more music you'll try to act like you never liked (seems to be a theme this week), check out Fall Out Boy's "Greatest Hits" CD. I bashed the hell out of this when I heard it was being released... and I'm still not promoting that you buy it. Just give it a listen this week and reminisce about old times. I say don't buy it because they don't need the money from this record... you can buy better music that you don't already have... you can make your own Greatest Hits playlist on your iTunes, Lazy. This is a clear attempt by Island Records (who have whored FOB out on tour for a few years in a row now) to continue to milk the cash cow; and while I hope to one day work in the music industry - a shift needs to be made from making money - to promoting music, end of story.
Notables: Forever the Sickest Kids | Arctic Monkeys
who: Sublime why: is back. You didn't know? Check out this dude Rome taking over Brad Nowell's iconic position as frontman of the legendary band... and wow Eric Wilson (bass) still shreds.
Sublime - Date Rape (Live)
BONUS LINK: watch Rome cover Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" on RAWsession here.
who: Circa Survive why: because it's so built up already... I can't wait to own the finished product. This is the final studio session video for Circa Survive's forthcoming album. It's set for release sometime next year and I... am... pumped. You should be too.
who: schmoyoho (Auto-Tune the News) why: because they're determined to show Jay-Z he's a dumbass and everyone loves a little auto-tune. In my case, a lot of auto tune. As much as you can throw at me.
who: The Wonder Years why: have announced that Janurary 26th will be the release date for their second full-length release titled 'The Upsides'. If you've never heard this band, you might wanna check 'em out. They're one of the loudest, most layered pop-punky bands I've heard in the past few years and my favorite quality about them is their completely non-metaphorical lyrics that get straight to the point. They throw out whatever they're thinking and they're not afraid to say it. Below you'll find two of their older releases, so check those out until January.
The Wonder Years - The Upsides 1. My Last Semester 2. Logan Circle 3. Everything I Own Fits In This Backpack 4. Dynamite Shovel 5. New Years With Carl Weathers 6. It's Never Sunny In South Philadelphia 7. Hostels & Brothers 8. Melrose Diner 9. This Party Sucks 10. Hey Thanks 11. Washington Square Park 12. All My Friends Are In Bar Bands
who: Brothers (The Movie) why: because it looks epic, just watch the trailer. The Spiderman movies have become a joke... so I'm glad Tobey Maguire is steppin it up. And Jake Gyllenhaal? Duh.
If you've never heard Andy Hull's (Manchester Orchestra) side-project Right Away, Great Captain!... than you don't know that this movie is shaping up to be a near parallel to his albums. They're stories about a captain who sets sail while his wife stays behind and cheats on him with his brother - so maybe I have a hidden agenda for wanting to see this. Either way, check it out.
who: Sleeping With Sirens why: is ANOTHER band who has just signed to RISE records... this label is taking over. These dudes are currently on tour with We Came As Romans, Tides of Man and Broadway and are set to continue touring with Jonny Craig right after that. As of now they are streaming one song on their myspace, but you can expect an album next March.
who: Dashboard Confessional | The Starting Line why: because this week we're takin it back. The Starting Line was the first band I ever saw in concert... well first headlining band anyways... and I remember it was epic. I've also been guilty pleasure tripping on Dashboard Confessional's 'The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most' since probably 8th grade... so my attention lies back in my middle school days this week.
The Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us (Live Recordings)
Dashboard Confessional - Alter the Ending [Deluxe]
who: PETA why: because you don't f*ck with my McDonalds. PETA's McCruelty campaign has struck again, this time targeting young children by introducing "Unhappy Meals". A good idea in theory, let the imagination of young minds absorb the undoubtedly horrid things that are done to animals to produce such delicious food, but c'mon - these pictures are creepy!
These kids aren't young enough to make decisions for themselves, PETA. So could you please refocus your attacks back onto the adults that do control what they eat? I remember when I was a kid, I was sometimes "rewarded" with what I thought was the best dinner ever. Now I know that my parents were just being cheap and trying to make me fat - but I'm not complaining. A Happy Meal was something to brag about at school the next day, not something to have nightmares about you crazy assholes.
who: Saves the Day why: have posted an acoustic performance of a new song titled "Let It All Go" which will be on next year's anticipated release 'Daybreak'. This one's for Manny.
who: Manchester Orchestra why: posted a new video for "Shake it Out" off of this year's 'Mean Everything to Nothing'. Andy Hull does it again... but this time it's hilarious.
who: Hayden Panettiere | Rachel Bilson | Blake | Olivia Munn | Kim Kardashian why: so many pics so little time. The first few don't start off quite as Maximy as last posting... but they get there. Again. You're welcome.
who: The Venetia Fair why: because I think you'll like em. My first impression was the Hush Sound on drugs. While the production of their debut album, 'The Circus', is well short of perfect, this Boston quintet has crafted a chaotically catchy sound that's pretty hard to explain. But take it from me, they're good and I expect to see more from them in the future.
Rating: aight. FFO: Foxy Shazam!, The Hush Sound, Panic! at the Disco
who: Motion City Soundtrack why: have further detailed their upcoming release, 'My Dinosaur Life' with production info, track list and album artwork.
The album is set to be released just before my birthday (hint,vinyl please, hint) on January 19th of next year. Produced by Blink's Mark Hoppus and released through Columbia Records, it will feature the following 12 tracks:
1. Worker Bee 2. A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help) 3. Her Words Destroyed My Planet 4. Disappear 5. Delirium 6. History Lesson 7. Stand Too Close 8. Pulp Fiction 9. @!#?@! 10. Hysteria 11. Skin and Bones 12. The Weakends
Say Anything's self-titled has finally dropped after a few annoying delays, and I actually like it a lot. Bemis has taken his lyricism to a new level and a new place on this record and the songs are blended together in a well-crafted manner unlike in their last release 'In Defense of the Genre'.
We Came As Romans' debut release 'To Plant a Seed' is the latest and greatest from Equal Vision and it doesn't disappoint. If you liked Rise Records' The Color Morale in their debut 'We All Have Demons', you should be happy to find a resemblance in this release.
And then there's Weezer... who honestly doesn't really always have my attention unless I'm pounding out a Rock Band performance, but 'Raditude' is good. It's a guilty pleasure CD, because it's nothing fancy... but no one can right hooks like these motherfuckers. If you didn't see my previous Weezer post, they have a really different, hip-hop styled song with Lil Wayne that's probably my favorite track off the album, but a solid disc in general for sure.
