Kings of Leon's Come Around Sundown Is My Def Leppard's Hysteria

And my Bon Jovi, Poison, Warrant and even Slaughter. When I was around 11 or 12, these bands meant more to me than anything from Velvet Underground, Television, or even U2 (Thank you Guns N' Roses and later Nirvana). But, None the less, I loved the music these bands were making and more importantly how it was making me feel. At the time, music was the escape from the from the turmoil around me. You throw on Open Up And Say Ahh and tell me your not in a good mood. Obviously as I grew so did my taste which brings me to Kings of Leon. When Youth and Young Manhood came out, in my opinion, music was peaking again and the substance and sound was becoming more important than the image. Kings were one of the bands that I dug instantly, I was drawn in with what I considered Allman Brothers mixed with a gritty 70's garage sound, but once again I saw something coming and the change was about to hit again. While interning at CMJ, I got a copy of Because of the Times for review and was so pumped to hear it. My first reaction was that it's only a matter of time until this band is selling out Madison Square Garden. Low and behold my prediction was correct and as we all know, the Kings are now huge pop stars, loved by millions and hated by equal. I was one of the latter, I couldn't believe all the slick, overproduced,more chains and fire in their videos then the worst Motley Crue videos from the 80's, band they had become over the course of a tour and one more album. You know what though? Come Around Sundown is a perfect combination of what I consider to be the two sides of Kings of Leon. I stopped judging them for what I believed to be selling out, and just let the music do to me what music should. It has everything a good old rock record should have... Big songs, big personality, and the right amount of cheesiness to remind you of why good music is good music and why we all connect to it. By the way, Nobody in any band would say "Fuck Off" if they could be playing in front of 20,000 people a night, if they do, guess what? It's Bullshit...... Except maybe Cobain.

I Love Astral Weeks by Van Morrison

I find it so amazing every time I listen to this album how much better it gets and how everything else i listen to falls in comparison and sounds fake. The sheer genius off the arraignments are enough to stand by those comments already, but when you add in the exquisite vocals that are flowing from Van's soul, the album takes you on a slow ride, in a place that can be as magical as you allow it to be... This record is on all the Greatest Lists, and for good reason. Each track is its own story and its told with pure, free-flying space-folk. I would love to have been inside Van's head for about 8 minutes while these songs were appearing to him..... If you have never heard this album before, treat yourself....

Review - Adam Haworth Stephens - WE LIVE ON CLIFFS

I wanted to share my review of Adam Haworths Stephens WE LIVE ON CLIFFS. This album struck a ringing chord with me and I have not been able to listen to anything else. Every now and then a piece of music comes out that just makes everything else sound weak and manufactured, and this my friends is one of those records. I would definitely suggest picking up this album as soon as you can, and get some dust cloths ready for your other music. You can check the review over at mogmusicnetwork.com

Dylan Fest 2010 @ Bowery Ballroom

New York City hosted a birthday bash at the Bowery Ballroom for one of its most famous implanted poet's, Mr.Bob Dylan. The All-Star cast, each of which took a shot at capturing the aura that is Robert Zimmerman, could not have been better. Jesse Malin ripped through a manic version of "From A Buick 6," that led way to a beautifully haunting version of "Girl From The North Country" Performed by Sean Lennon. The highlight of the show by far was provided by Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis' hysterical, yet powerful version of "You Ain't Going Nowhere." Oh by the way, even though they weren't on stage, it was nice to walk through the crowd a see every member of the Strokes together, sans Julian of course....

Shara Worden Set To Shine Bright In NYC

After lending her angelic voice to acts such as the Decemberists and David Byrne, Shara Worden will be bringing My Brightest Diamond back to New York City. On January 22 the band will be playing the Bowery Ballroom in support of their new remix album Shark Remixes. The record, which will be officially released on 1/26, will be avalible at the show. Shark Remixes, will offer fresh takes on the groups 2008 album A Thousand Shark's Teeth. Artists Alfred Brown, DM Stith, Son Lux and Roberto Carlos Lange were all brought in to create their own versions of the albums music while keeping Wordens soaring voice as the centerpeice.

http://www.mybrightestdiamond.com/

Christmastime Is Here

Well it's two days before Christmas Eve, and I'm still waiting to be drenched in the Christmas spirit. I think I'm finally starting to feel it a tad, so I'm throwing these Christmas tunes up to help kick start the mood... A safe Holiday and make sure to spend time with the ones you love....

Harper Simon Review

On his debut album, Harper Simon, the son of legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon has created an album that dear ol' dad would be proud of. Famous offspring usually don't take this long to put out their own music, but after a few years in the band Menlo Park, the 37 year old Harper thought it was time to strike out on his own and use the last name that so many are familiar with. Although it's hard to listen to the record and not be swept away with the voice that sounds eerily similar to Paul's, the effort shows a man who knows a thing or two about music himself. The albums foundation was laid down in Nashville with a host of session musicians that included Elvis Presley's bassist Mike Leech and guitarist Al Perkins. After those sessions were complete Harper went to New York to finish the album with producer Tom Rothrock, who has lent his talents to a host of musical minds most notably Elliott Smith. In fact, The track "Shooting Star," sounds like something Elliott would have came up with if his mind wasn't so clouded with drugs and depression. Harper also enlisted a group of famous friends to round the album out including Aaron Espinoza, another child of rock royalty, Sean Lennon, and even Poppa Paul contribute to the discs concrete foundation. Even when some of the lyrics are not at there strongest, the country twang, comforting folk, and elegantly strummed acoustics hold the songs together like crazy-glue. It will be hard for Harper to be mentioned without something about Paul following, but this album proves that you can take the gifts that were passed down to you and make something beautiful and significant without sounding like a carbon copy.

Monsters Of Folk - "Say Please" Video

Monsters of Folk have enlisted cinematographer Lance Acord to shoot their new video for “Say Please.” The video portrays the folksters as World War II soldiers and entertainers at a old- town roller-skating rink. The visual really helps catapult the already breezy song, whimsical song to new heights and reconfirms what I have said since the album was released this year, this is more than just a supergroup, this is a group of super musicians... Take a look and judge for yourself.