SONG OF THE WEEK: 10-26-2025

SONG:  "Already Gone"

ARTIST:  Further Seems Forever

ALBUM:  "Hide Nothing"

YEAR:  2004

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Pompano Beach, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Further Seems Forever song "Already Gone" from their 2004 album "Hide Nothing" is generally interpreted as a plea to a person who is emotionally or physically "fading away" to return, acknowledging a sense of loss and the difficulty of letting go.

FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2001 - The Moon Is Down (Tooth & Nail Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - How To Start A Fire (Tooth & Nail Records)

* Peaked at #133 on the Billboard 200

2004 - Hide Nothing (Tooth & Nail Records)

* Peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200

2007 - The Final Curtain (567 Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Penny Black (Rise Records)

* Peaked at #62 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER:

Further Seems Forever is a Florida band that got it's start back in 1998. The band dropped their debut full length album in 2001, titled "The Moon Is Down". Vocalist Chris Carrabba would leave the band following this album to form Dashboard Confessional. Carrabba was replaced with Jason Gleason to perform vocal duties. This was my favorite version of the band. With Gleason, the band dropped "How To Start A Fire" in 2003. This is the album where I discovered Further Seems Forever and it is my favorite album by the band. Of course, that didn't work out as Gleason left the band as well. For the next rendition of the band, Jon Bunch of Sense Field was brought in to handle vocal duties on the band's 2004 release, "Hide Nothing". In 2006, the band broke up but it turned out to just be a 4 year hiatus. Further Seems Forever reunited with Carrabba back on vocals and in 2012, released "Penny Black". This would be the band's highest charting album, peaking at #62 on the Billboard 200 charts. "Penny Black" would be the last full length album that Further Seems Forever have released. The musical chairs at vocals would continue as Gleason would rejoin the band in 2015. Sadly, in 2016, the band's third vocalist Jon Bunch would pass away. In 2022, the original line-up, you guessed it, with Carrabba on vocals reunited for one show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "The Moon Is Down". Currently, Gleason is said to be the lead vocalist... maybe!! Also the band has signed on with Iodine Records so maybe there's a new album in the near future. Further Seems Forever is an emo/pop punk type of band. They're often labeled a Christian punk band, though they don't consider themselves to be. That is most likely due to their relationship with Tooth & Nail Records which is a long standing Christian punk label. I refer to Further Seems Forever as the emo punk version of a band like Drowning Pool! Every album seems to be a new singer! I'm glad Gleason is back at the helm of the band. As I said earlier, "How To Start A Fire" has always been my favorite album by the band so it would be cool to see them do a new album with Gleason. We'll see. It's been wondered whether this band is more like a side gig or a hobby for the members, or is it a full time band? That's the main reason Carrabba left early on. He wasn't sure of the band's commitment. Oh well. This is a solid band. Not my favorite genre of music, but I dig these guys!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Hot Rod Circuit

The Early November

The Get Up Kids

Armor For Sleep

Sense Field

TEN FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. How To Start A Fire

2. The Sound

3. Light Up Ahead

4. Hide Nothing

5. Snowbirds And Townies

6. So Cold

7. On Legendary

8. The Moon Is Down

9. Penny Black

10. New Year's Project

SONG OF THE WEEK: 10-18-2025

SONG:  "Shock Me"

ARTIST:  Kiss

YEAR:  1977

IN MEMORIAM:

ACE FREHLEY

4-27-1951 / 10-16-2025

Wow! What a blow! Let me just start with a story about how and when I became a huge Kiss fan. I had to be 2 or 3 years old. My Dad took me to Sears and Roebuck because he was looking for an Elvis Presley Christmas album. He was a huge Elvis fan. So, as we're walking through the records section, there on a rack was the Kiss "Destroyer" album. I was fascinated by the album cover. I asked my father if he would get it for me. He had no idea who Kiss was but, he's a cool Dad so he bought it for me. I remember taking a blanket and pillow and laying down next to the stereo and my mother putting the record on for me. I think at first, we thought there was something wrong with the record. As most Kiss fans know, there's the recording of the car revving and the news clips in the background. But once "Detroit Rock City" kicked in, they had me... hook, line and sinker. Suddenly, even at that young age, I was a Kiss fan. I think next came the Kiss dolls and the remote control van. Then a plastic Kiss guitar, then the "Dynasty" album. I remember as a little kid, my mother had this picture on the wall of a bullfighter and it used to scare the shit out of me when I was a kid for some reason. But when I got the "Dynasty" album and put the cool poster that came with it on the wall, I felt protected by the Kiss guys and that bullfighter guy didn't stand a chance! Early on, Ace Frehley was always my favorite. I just loved the "Space Man" persona and I've always gravitated to guitars. As I got older, I appreciated more and more Ace's contributions to Kiss. Sometimes it's not about how fast you can play, but it's about what your solo does for the song. Ace's solo's were always like an extra vocal line. They fit so well into the songs and just had a soul and a groove to them. Ace would often say if he knew so many people were influenced by him as a guitar player that he would have practiced more! But it's true. To many, Ace and Kiss was their gateway to rock music. Many of the 80's hair metal bands cite Kiss and Ace as huge influences to them. From Skid Row to Poison to Motley Crue. But it didn't stop there. All of the grunge bands were hugely influenced by Kiss. Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains were heavily influenced by Ace Frehley. Chris Shiflett, who got his start in punk rock bands and now plays with the Foo Fighters was heavily influenced by Ace. Hell, the Foo Fighters even covered Ace's "Ozone"! I was totally bummed out when Ace left Kiss in the early 80's. I thought that he was shining on their last few albums together. I think Ace's songs on "Dynasty", "Unmasked" and even "The Elder" were the highlights of those albums. Even though he was no longer in Kiss, I was excited for his solo material too. "Rock Soldiers" was a great way to show that Ace was ready for the challenge. I always loved his "Trouble Walkin'" album. One of his best solo efforts in my opinion. Another thing that I'm so happy for is that when the original four members of Kiss reunited and put the make-up back on, I got to see the band every show they played in Boston and even went to Connecticut for a show too! I fondly remember the show I saw during the "Psycho Circus" tour and Ace was just totally on point. The band was just firing on all cylinders and it's a show I'll never forget. Though Ace would leave Kiss again, gladly, he cleaned up his act and got sober after really living life in the fast lane for way too many years. It's kind of a surprise he got to the age he did. He did some hard living for sure. When he did get sober, he really committed to his solo career. Ace has released 6 albums since 2009 and he was touring consistently throughout that time. Word had it that he was working on another volume of his "Origins" series which celebrated artists that influenced him and his playing style. Hopefully he completed some songs that will see the light of day at some point. Kiss was just about to be honored at the Kennedy Center too. It would have been nice to see the original four together again, even if they weren't going to perform. For the past week, I was watching some stuff on YouTube saying that Ace had cancelled his tour because of a fall but I didn't think much of it. It seemed like he just injured himself and he just couldn't perform, especially at his age. It's amazing what he was doing as it was. Then I noticed someone talking about some cryptic tweets from his current band members and it struck me as weird. My antenna was raised a bit for sure. To hear the news that Ace had passed was just shocking. I didn't see it coming. I think you just feel like your idols are going to live forever. And in a way, they do. Ace still lives on through his music and the videos out there. But it still hit me hard. There were 2 people this year that passed away that were just my favorite at what they did. Former Boston Bruin Lyndon Byers passed away in July and he was my favorite hockey player when I was a kid. My favorite athlete really. Even before that, Ace Frehley was my favorite musician and Kiss was my favorite band. I still love them to this day. I know I'm getting old when people that I looked up to are starting to pass away. It really sucks to put it bluntly. I wanted to make my song of the week to be Ace's most signature song, "Shock Me". It was the first song that he laid vocals on. I also wanted to put a live version of Ace in his prime and that performance back in 1977 is definitely Ace in his prime, smoking guitar and all! Rest in peace Ace. You meant the world to so many people. Here's to your "Rocket Ride" to eternity!

SONG OF THE WEEK: 10-12-2025

SONG:  "Sunday Drive"

ARTIST:  The Early November

ALBUM:  "For All Of This" EP

YEAR:  2002

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Hammonton, New Jersey

YEARS ACTIVE:  2001 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Early November's song "Sunday Drive" is widely interpreted as a poignant reflection on the painful and often drawn-out ending of a long-term relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and a desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempt to salvage what is clearly broken.

THE EARLY NOVEMBER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - The Room's Too Cold (Drive-Thru Records)

* Peaked at #107 on the Billboard 200

2006 - The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path (Drive-Thru Records)

* Peaked at #31 on the Billboard 200

2012 - In Currents (Rise Records)

* Peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200

2015 - Imbue (Rise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Fifteen Years (Bad Timing Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Lilac (Rise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2022 - Twenty (Pure Noise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2024 - The Early November (Pure Noise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE EARLY NOVEMBER:

The Early November is a Jersey band that got it's start back in 2001. The band's first release was an EP in 2002 titled "For All Of This". The band's debut full length album would be 2003's "The Room's Too Cold". This album features their song "Ever So Sweet" which is my favorite track by the band, especially the acoustic version of that song. In 2006, The Early November released a 3 disc concept album titled "The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path". While this was the band's highest charting album, peaking at #31 on the Billboard 200, it wasn't my favorite album by the band. Too much filler if you ask me. They could have narrowed down the tracklist and made a better album I think. In 2007, the band went on a hiatus. Four years later, they reunited, first to play a few live shows, then to release new music which turned out to be 2012's "In Currents". Very good album. Big improvement from their previous in my opinion. 2015 saw the band release "Imbue". 2017's "Fifteen Years" was a compilation of re-worked versions of previous songs. 2019's "Lilac" was their last of three albums that were released through Rise Records. In 2022, the band released "Twenty". This album harkened back to the band's early years. The band's most recent release was 2024's "The Early November". The Early November's sound is a light, melodic style. I guess it has pop punk elements to it as well. I don't want to say their sound is soft cuz that sounds like i'm putting them down. They just have a light sound. I tend to like my music a little more abrasive but I do like a good pop song and The Early November has quite the knack of delivering good pop songs. I wouldn't say their my favorite band from their genre but they are a very good band. Vocalist/guitarist Ace Enders is a top notch songwriter. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Starting Line

Armor For Sleep

The Dangerous Summer

Hidden In Plain View

Spitalfield

TEN THE EARLY NOVEMBER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Ever So Sweet

2. I Want To Hear You Sad

3. Narrow Mouth

4. In Currents

5. Ave Maria

6. Boxing Timelines

7. What We Earn

8. Tell Me Why

9. A Little More Time

10. Make It Happen

SONG OF THE WEEK: 10-5-2025

SONG:  "Reply"

ARTIST:  Staind

ALBUM:  "Chapter V"

YEAR:  2005

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Springfield, Massachusetts

YEARS ACTIVE:  1995 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Staind song "Reply" is widely interpreted as a heartfelt message from the band's frontman, Aaron Lewis, to his dedicated fans, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support.

STAIND DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1996 - Tormented (Self-Released)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Dysfunction (Elektra Records)

* Peaked at #74 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

2001 - Break The Cycle (Elektra Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 5X Platinum

2003 - 14 Shades of Grey (Elektra Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2005 - Chapter V (Atlantic Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2007 - Live At The Hiro Ballroom (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - The Illusion Of Progress (Atlantic Records)

* Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

2011 - Staind (Atlantic Records)

* Peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

2012 - Live From Mohegan Sun (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

* Peaked at #127 on the Billboard 200

2021 - Live:  It's Been Awhile (Yap'em Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Confessions Of The Fallen (BMG Records)

* Peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON STAIND:

Staind formed as a band back in 1995, hailing from Springfield, Massachusetts. Early on the band self-released their debut album "Tormented". After hating the band because of their album cover, Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst was won over by the band by watching their live performance and he had a big hand with helping Staind with what would be considered their defacto debut album, 1999's "Dysfunction". This was the album that put some steam behind Staind as they climbed the musical mountain. Their 2001 album, "Break The Cycle", put them on top of the rock world at that time. That album has sold more than 7 million units worldwide and has been certified 5X Platinum. The single "It's Been Awhile" is arguably the band's most popular song. That album also started a 3 album streak of Staind having #1 albums on the Billboard 200. "Break The Cycle" was followed by 2003's "14 Shades Of Grey" and 2005's "Chapter V" in the #1 spot. 2008 saw the band release "The Illusion Of Progress". 2011's "Staind" was a return to their heavier roots of their first two albums which I definitely liked! After touring for this album, things began to get a little sporadic on the Staind front. Frontman Aaron Lewis began to tinker with country music while lead guitarist Mike Mushok would hook up with former Three Days Grace frontman Adam Gontier to form Saint Asonia in 2014. Staind would get together every now and then to play live but no new music would be released until they dropped "Confessions Of The Fallen" in 2023. On May 18, 2024, original Staind drummer Jon Wysocki passed away do to liver disease. Staind is like a post-grunge, nu-metal, heavy rock type of band. Their first two albums, "Tormented" and "Dysfunction" were very dark, heavy albums. I think their albums after those two began to focus on more radio friendly rock. Not saying that those albums don't have bangers on them. You can see that the singles were definitely more mainstream like "It's Been Awhile", "So Far Away" and "Right Here". Great songs by the way. I was kinda fired up when they released "Not Again" as the first single of their self-titled 2011 album. That kinda reminded me of something that would easily fit on "Dysfunction". I love that song! It seems that Staind is not going to be as active as they were in the early 2000's. Aaron Lewis has stated that he can't see the band doing huge tours like they used to and he has put a lot of focus on his solo country project too. I think both things can work out. He wouldn't be the first lead singer to have a band and do some solo stuff too. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder has been doing that recently as well, splitting time with PJ and his solo stuff so, anything can happen. Staind was one of the most successful heavy rock acts in the 2000's and hopefully they have much more in the chamber. Great band indeed!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Seether

Puddle Of Mudd

Trapt

3 Doors Down

Creed

TEN STAIND SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Mudshovel

2. Epiphany

3. Not Again

4. Right Here

5. Everything Changes

6. So Far Away

7. Zoe Jane

8. Lowest In Me

9. Believe

10. Come Again