A HUGE week for new music, featuring some of the biggest bands in rock, as well as some of the best in the underground scene too. Join us in checking it all out!
The Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds
The first original studio album from the rock royalty in almost 20 years, Hackney Diamonds both has nothing and everything to prove. After an over six decade career, the band certainly have nothing to prove. So, it’s more a case of this album proving why it had to be released.
After listening to the album, I’m still on the fence. As I’m sure you’ll see is a running theme this week through the article, it’s fine. For a band this late in their careers, it’s an impressive release, for sure. Tracks like ‘Depending on You’, the epic ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ and the punky ‘Bite my Head Off’ are all good, fun tracks. And it still all sounds distinctively Rolling Stones-y, the sound and nostalgia value is high. It did grow on me more throughout, too. I don’t think ‘Angry’ was the right choice to open the album with, as it definitely took me a couple of songs after that before I started enjoying myself.
The guests add a lot to the album, especially Lady Gaga channelling her inner Mary Clayton on ‘Sweet Sounds…’. However, Elton and McCartney do their jobs well too.
Overall, it’s a fairly decent album. It’s a bit on the slow side, but that’s expected from a bunch of 80 year olds. If you’re a fan of the band or the blues-rock of the time period, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. 7/10
Blink 182: ONE MORE TIME…
The first time the original trio have been whole for an album in 12 years, Blink’s 10th album feels like a massive deal. The tale, while rather known to the mainstream anyway, is highlighted perfectly in the emotion ballad of a title track. While the band have been active again since 2009, this feels like the biggest thing surrounding the band since their breakup. I know the hype around this album is massive, as is their current world tour. So, I’m so sorry…
I was never the biggest fan of Blink as a kid. I still feel the nostalgia towards them, being raised in the early 2000s. However, I feel like almost all pop-punk bands, be it Green Day, Sum 41, Bowling for Soup, are and have always been better than them. So, from this humble writers opinion… this was okay. I respect the hell out of all three of them (though less so Travis now he’s a Kardashian-in-law), but musically, they’ve always been a meh for me.
There are some definite highlight tracks, still. ‘FELL IN LOVE’, ‘EDGING’ and the one two punch of ‘TURN THIS OFF!’ into ‘WHEN WE WERE YOUNG’ are all great, for Blink songs. However, if I never heard any of them again, I don’t think I’d notice, let alone by upset. I get that a lot of people are going to love this album, but I’m not one of them. It’s all kinda samey, and outside of a few tracks and the circumstances behind it, it’s nothing special. 6.5/10
Within Temptation: Bleed Out
The symphonic power metal legends are back with their eighth studio album. I have to admit, I’ve sadly never checked out Within Temptation all that much. I’ve seen them live at least once and did enjoy them, but I’ve never really felt the inkling to go and check out their stuff on track aside a song or two. I always kinda felt like I’d already had my symphonic metal fill with the likes of Nightwish and Apocalyptica. So, you’re getting an almost new reaction from me, today!
Honestly, this grew on me quite a bit throughout. The opening track didn’t do much to grab my attention at all. However, by the time I’d reached the awesome single ‘Wireless’ I was finally starting to get it. The darker tone to it all and the almost cinematic feel is awesome, and this track is the perfect example of that. It’s catchy, interesting and still has plenty of heaviness in the riffing. From then on out I found myself enjoying the album a lot more. Other major highlights include ‘Ritual’, ‘Cyanide Love’ and ‘Don’t Pray for Me’.
It took me a while but I finally get it with Within Temptation, and am kicking myself that I haven’t checked them out more sooner. Sharon’s vocals are some of the best in the scene currently and the bands sound and writing make them feel truly unique, something very hard to do these days! There isn’t a bad track on the album as even the opener grew on me after going back for a second listen. It’s a damn good album that anyone into metal should check out immediately. 9/10
Restless Road: Last Rodeo
We’ve already covered this awesome album. Check out out here!
Rival Sons: LIGHTBRINGER
The second part of Rival Sons’ twin-albums, the first being DARKFIGHTER from earlier this year (review here) is finally out!
Firstly, you’ve gotta admire the cajons on this band for opening on a 9-minute prog epic. The band typically aren’t known for their hugely longer or more complex tracks, so the title track feels like a lot of fun and something completely different. Having said that, it does still feel very Rival Sons, their unique brand of modern blues rock. It does, however, mean it gives off even more Led Zep vibes than normal! Outside of that, both singles ‘Mercy’ and ‘Sweet Life’ are awesome tracks and definitely the right calls for pre-released songs. Honestly though there isn’t a bad track on the album, and the only shame is that it’s only six tracks long!
Honestly, it fits in perfectly with DARKFIGHTER. It definitely has that ying to it’s yang feel, this one feeling lighter and more uplifting compared to the darker, grungier previous part. They are the perfect companion pieces to each other, and show off the versatility of the band masterfully. They are built to be listened to together, and when they are I can’t help but give this a 8.5/10
Duff McKagan: Lighthouse
This was a lot more slow and 80s pop-rock than I expected it to be. I’m not massively familiar with the GnR bassist’s work outside of the powerhouse rock band, but given that live he always seems to do the heavier, punkier covers, I was expecting more of that. Unfortunately, it’s not great 80s pop rock, either. There are tracks that are better than others, like ‘Holy Water’ and ‘Just Another Shakedown’. And, of course, Slash does a pretty decent job on ‘Hope’. However, generally (and rather ironically) it felt like a second rate Rolling Stones or even Bowie.
Don’t get me wrong, the songs aren’t bad, just very… meh. There’s nothing special about them, and after finishing listening through it, I cannot remember a single moment from it. The whole thing is just incredibly average from top to bottom. It’s slow and kinda boring, honestly. If you like it, awesome, but this soft rock isn’t for me. 3.5/10
Cirith Ungol: Dark Parade
The Californian LOTR fans are back with their sixth studio album, and second since their reunion. It has been recently announced that the band are stopping touring next year too, but whether that means this will be their last release or not remains to be seen. If it is their final album, at least they’re going out with a bang. It’s a good, fun old school heavy metal album, through and through. It’s like a more power metal tinged Judas Priest, and it’s awesome. There isn’t a bad track on the album but the opener, ‘Looking Glass’ and the proggy, epic ‘Sailor on the Seas of Fate’ are for sure highlights.
It’s honestly hard to say much about it, it’s just a solid metal album. If you like an old school taste to your metal, check this out, you’ll love it. 7/10
Dog Eat Dog: Free Radicals
The hardcore punk/crossover thrash rappers are back with their first studio album in 17 years. Outside of a short EP in 2017, it’s the only music the band have put out since 2006. It’s honestly like the band never went away, though. They are just as good as ever, and you can hear the massive influence they had on this sort of music. It’s hard to pick out highlight tracks as every song is just as good as the last. The rapping is top class, the riffs are still heavy and there is plenty of catchiness still in the choruses.
It’s dripping in early 90s nostalgia in the best way. It reminds me of everything from Beastie Boys to Infectious Grooves to Bad Brains to Bloodhound Gang. If you’re into any of those bands, or rap or radio metal or sick breakdowns, check this out you won’t be disappointed! A good half of this album has ended up on my personal playlist, with plenty ending up on overtone’s too. Do yourselves a favour and check this out, you may find one of your new favourite albums of the year. I know I have! 9/10
Display of Decay: Vitriol
Somehow this is the first death metal we’ve had this week. Thankfully, it’s awesome. This album is a half-hour long, brutal punch to the face, and it’s awesome! Right from the opening beat of ‘Malicious Motorcide’, it’s a heavy journey through some of the best the sub-genre has to offer. Tracks ‘Legion of Doom’ and ‘Slaughtercast’ are personal favourites of mine. It’s hard to really come up with anything more to say. It’s straight up good death metal. If you like that, you’ll love this. 7/10
Sam Roberts Band: The Adventures of Ben Blank
We’ve already checked out this album too! A twofer this week! You can read the full review here.
Dirty Sound Magnet: Dreaming in Dystopia
The psychedelic rockers are back with album number four. I’ve been a fan of these guys for a while now, ever since seeing them support Daxx & Roxane (review), so have been rather impatiently anticipating this album’s release. It definitely lives up to my own hype, too. This is awesome! While I’m not typically a psychedelic fan, there is something about this band that just blows my mind on a hugely consistent basis. The talent on display across the eight tracks is phenomenal. And the soundscapes the trio produce are nothing short of entrancing. All three of them do an insane job and produce such a dynamic, varied, massive sound between them.
It’s also impossible to really pick any highlight tracks. This album really feels like it should be taken as one full piece of art, and when doing so, it’s something really special. If I were you, I’d grab a drink, sit in a dark room, and just sit back and enjoy this. It’s a chilled out, trippy 36-minutes of awesomeness. 8/10
BOYS LIKE GIRLS: SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS
The Boston pop-rock band are back with their first album in over a decade. Considering how big they are and the style of music they are, I’m shocked I’m not all too familiar with them already. Maybe they never quite broke the UK? Either that or I wasn’t paying enough attention!
As far as the album’s concerned, it’s pretty damn good! The intro track leads perfectly into the huge, anthemic, great ‘THE OUTSIDE’. ‘BLOOD 7 SUGAR’ is a fun pop-rock track that I can’t help but compare to the likes of Camp Rock and even some Maroon 5. Tracks like ‘NEW LOVE’ and ‘CRY’ are great ballad tracks. ‘PHYSICAL’ is an 80s glam/synth pop rock powerhouse that is a certain highlight but would be perfect if it weren’t for that super awkward transition between parts near the start.
Honestly, my only slight complaint is that I did feel the length. Even with a couple of shorter interlude tracks, it’s 13 rather samey songs in a row, with the only thing changing really being the tempo. Heck, most of them are pretty cliché breakup songs, lyrically. It definitely has a very wide audience appeal, but after a few songs they started to lose this writer a little.
Still, it’s a damn good album. It’s well written, well performed and well put together. I’m sure fans of the band are pleased that they are finally back and still putting out high quality music like this. There’s a lot to love on this album, so if you like your lighter stuff, check this out! 7.5/10