SONG OF THE WEEK: 8-31-2025

SONG:  "The Rope"

ARTIST:  Smile Empty Soul

ALBUM:  "Swan Song" EP

YEAR:  2025

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Santa Clarita, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Smile Empty Soul song "The Rope" is about being on the run, specifically from what frontman Sean Danielsen describes as an "authoritarian wave" that is diminishing freedoms, symbolizing the tightening of a "rope" around people's necks.

SMILE EMPTY SOUL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - Smile Empty Soul (Lava Records)

* Peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2006 - Vultures (Bieler Bros. Records)

* Peaked at #169 on the Billboard 200

2009 - Consciousness (F.O.F. Label Group)

* Peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200

2010 - More Anxiety (F.O.F. Label Group)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - 3's (eOne Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Chemicals (Pavement Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Rarities (MRAfia Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Oblivion (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - The Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1 & 2 (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Black Pilled (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SMILE EMPTY SOUL:

Smile Empty Soul formed as a band back in 1998, hailing from Santa Clarita, California. It would take the band 5 years of honing their sound before they would release their debut full length self-titled album in 2003. This album proved to be the pinnacle of the band's success thanks in part to the singles "Bottom Of A Bottle" , "Nowhere Kids" and "Silhouettes". This album would eventually be certified Gold. In 2005, the band was supposed to release "Anxiety", but problems with their record label halted that release. More on that later. In 2006, the band dropped "Vultures". This album featured the single "The Hit". Great song! 2009 saw the band release "Consciousness". In 2010, "Anxiety" was released as "More Anxiety" which featured the entire album as well as bonus tracks.  2012 and 2013 saw the releases of "3's" and "Chemicals" respectively. Around this time, frontman/guitarist Sean Danielsen began to release some solo material. A rarities collection was released by Smile Empty Soul in 2017 simply titled "Rarities". A proper studio album was released in 2018 called "Oblivion". 2021's "Black Pilled" is the last full length album released by Smile Empty Soul to date. The band released a compilation of most of their recent EP tracks in 2023 titled "Four Horsement Of The Apocalypse". The band's most recent release was an EP in 2025 called "Swan Song". Smile Empty Soul is kinda like a post-grunge/alternative metal type of band. It truly is Sean Danielsen's baby. He is the chief songwriter, writes all the lyrics and pretty much is the whole vision of the band. He is the only constant in a revolving door of band members. Smile Empty Soul is a very dark band. Themes of neglect, abuse, depression, addiction all weave through Smile Empty Soul's material. I got into these guys right from their debut album. The minute I saw the "Bottom Of A Bottle" video they had me! I love their style. Crunchy guitar riffs, most of the time just 3 chord bangers. Simplicity works. Just ask band's like The Ramones or AC/DC. I find Smile Empty Soul's music to be raw and emotional. Sean Danielsen just puts his soul out there in his music. Great band. Underappreciated band in my mind.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Trapt

The Exies

12 Stones

Trust Company

Seether

TEN SMILE EMPTY SOUL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bottom Of A Bottle

2. Silhouettes

3. The Hit

4. We're Through

5. Savior

6. Don't Need You

7. False Alarm

8. Afterlife

9. Sunburn

10. Sides

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8-24-2025

SONG:  "Hardcase"

ARTIST:  Face To Face

ALBUM:  "Three Chords And A Half Truth" Amazon mp3 bonus track

YEAR:  2013

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Victorville, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1991 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Face To Face song "Hardcase" is about a guy who keeps getting up and dusting himself off no matter how many times he gets knocked down. Key line in the song is "he doesn't lose because he doesn't know when to quit".

FACE TO FACE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Don't Turn Away (Dr. Strange Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1995 - Big Choice (Victory Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - Face To Face (A&M Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Live (Vagrant Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Ignorance Is Bliss (Beyond Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Standards & Practices (Vagrant Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Reactionary (Vagrant Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - How To Ruin Everything (Vagrant Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Laugh Now, Laugh Later (People Like You Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Three Chords And A Half Truth (Rise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Protection (Fat Wreck Chords)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Hold Fast:  Acoustic Sessions (Fat Wreck Chords)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live In A Dive (Fat Wreck Chords)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Standards & Practices, Vol. II (Antagonist Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - No Way Out But Through (Fat Wreck Chords)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON FACE TO FACE:

Face To Face got their start back in 1991, hailing from Victorville, California. They dropped their debut album in 1992, titled "Don't Turn Away". In 1995, the band dropped "Big Choice". On this album, they re-recorded the song "Disconnected" which started receiving radio play in Los Angeles creating buzz around the band. With the punk rock revival in full motion in the mid-90's, Face To Face was signed to major label A&M for a one off album, "Face To Face". 1999 saw the band change their style a bit with the release of "Ignorance Is Bliss". 2000 saw the band revert back to it's punk rock roots with the release of "Reactionary". After releasing 2002's "How To Ruin Everything" and touring to support the album, the band decided to call it quits in 2004. Luckily for fans of the band, this hiatus only lasted until 2008 when they reunited to play a show at the Glass House in Pomona, California. They haven't looked back since! 2011 saw the band release "Laugh Now, Laugh Later, a great album indeed! Two years later in 2013, Face To Face dropped "Three Chords And A Half Truth". In 2016, Face To Face signed on with legendary punk label Fat Wreck Chords. That year they dropped "Protection". In 2018, the band released an acoustic album which featured stripped down versions of some of their classic songs. This album was called "Hold Fast:  Acoustic Sessions". The band's most recent release was 2021's  "No Way Out But Through". Face To Face is just a classic Southern California punk band. They have great melodies, great hooks, really just a great songwriting band. Highly influential too! I got into Face To Face kinda late for some reason. I have no idea why it took me so long cuz they are an awesome band. I heard their song "Disappointed" in 2000 and I was totally baffled as to why this band wasn't heavily in my music collection! I f'd up! I'm sorry! I quickly worked my way to their back catalogue and have just been loving all of their albums since. 2011's "Laugh Now, Laugh Later" is just a killer album. Maybe my favorite by Face To Face. A great album for them to announce that they were indeed back!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Lagwagon

No Use For A Name

The Bouncing Souls

Strung Out

Pulley

TEN FACE TO FACE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Disappointed

2. It's Not All About You

3. The New Way

4. The Devil You Know (God Is A Man)

5. Disconnected

6. Bent But Not Broken

7. I Won't Lie Down

8. Right As Rain

9. Bad Reputation (Joan Jett cover)

10. No Way Out But Through

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8-17-2025

SONG:  "Martini"

ARTIST:  Incubus

ALBUM:  "Monuments And Melodies"

YEAR:  2009

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Calabasas, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1991 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Martini" is a song that describes a "pretentious, flashy type" of woman who is never satisfied despite having everything.

INCUBUS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Fungus Amongus (Stopuglynailfungusonchillum Records)

* Peaked at #116 on the Billboard 200

1997 - S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (Epic/Immortal Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1999 - Make Yourself (Epic/Immortal Records)

* Peaked at #47 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

2001 - Morning View (Epic/Immortal Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

2004 - A Crow Left Of The Murder (Epic/Immortal Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2006 - Light Grenades (Epic/Immortal Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2011 - If Not Now, When? (Epic/Immortal Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

2012 - HQ Live (Sony Music Entertainment)

* Peaked at #100 on the Billboard 200

2017 - 8 (Island Records)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON INCUBUS:

Incubus formed as a band back in 1991 while the members were all in high school in Calabasas, California. Early on these guys incorporated electronic and hip hop elements in their sound. The band's debut full length album would be 1995's "Fungus Amongus". Their sophomore effort, 1997's "S.C.I.E.N.C.E.", proved to be a little bit of a heavier album for the band. 1999's "Make Yourself" is where Incubus started to hone in on their sound. This album featured 2 of the band's biggest hits, "Pardon Me" and "Drive". This album, as well as their next album, 2001's "Morning View", both achieved Double Platinum status. 2004's "A Crow Left Of The Murder" may be Incubus' heaviest album to date. "Light Grenades", which was released in 2006, was Incubus' first and only album to peak at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts. Releases began getting a little more sporadic after that album. In 2011, the band released "If Not Now, When?". It would be 6 years from that album to their most recent full length studio album, 2017's "8". In 2020, Incubus released the second part (or Side B) of their "Trust Kill" EP's. Word has it that Incubus is currently working on long awaited new material so hopefully that sees a release soon. As I said earlier, Incubus started out having electronic and hip hop elements in their sound. By 1999 and into the 2000's, they became more of an alternative rock outfit. They're very melodic. I always found their style to have a unique sound. Their vibe was a lot different to a lot of the music that was coming out in the 90's and early 2000's. Vocalist Brandon Boyd has a killer voice. When you see live recordings or hear the band's acoustic versions of some of their songs, you get a better appreciation for Boyd's vocals. Incubus is a band that always sneaks up on me. I mean, I love their music, but when I put one of their albums in rotation, it makes me realize what a really solid band they are. The albums they put out between 1999 and 2004 are just gold. Well, actually, they're all platinum!! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Hoobastank

Silverchair

Stone Temple Pilots

Bush

Chevelle

TEN INCUBUS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Wish You Were Here

2. Drive

3. Megalomaniac

4. Pardon Me

5. Nice To Know You

6. Anna Molly

7. A Certain Shade Of Green

8. Nimble Bastard

9. Promises, Promises

10. Our Love

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8-10-2025

SONG:  "Help Me Sleep"

ARTIST:  Midtown

ALBUM:  "Forget What You Know"

YEAR:  2004

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  New Brunswick, New Jersey

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Midtown song "Help Me Sleep" from their 2004 album "Forget What You Know" delves into themes of emotional exhaustion, a struggle with memory, and a desperate plea for respite from overwhelming feelings. The lyrics convey a sense of being lost, numb, and unable to escape a pervasive internal struggle, despite external circumstances changing.

MIDTOWN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2000 - Save The World, Lose The Girl (Drive-Thru Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - Living Well Is The Best Revenge (MCA/Drive-Thru Records)

* Peaked at #90 on the Billboard 200

2004 - Forget What You Know (Columbia Records)

* Peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON MIDTOWN:

Midtown formed as a band back in 1998, hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey. The band was formed when the members were attending Rutgers University. Their first release would be an EP in 1999, titled "The Sacrifice Of Life". Their debut full length album would be 2000's "Save The World, Lose The Girl". After that album, Midtown partnered with major label MCA for their sophomore release, "Living Well Is The Best Revenge". In 2004, the band's third album, "Forget What You Know" was picked up by major label Columbia for release. In 2005, Midtown disbanded. Lead vocalist, Gabe Saporta would go on to form the dance/synth pop band Cobra Starship, which ultimately disbanded in 2015. In 2014, Midtown reunited to play three live shows. After a seven year hiatus, Midtown reunited once again in 2022 to be the opening act for another reunited band, My Chemical Romance's comeback tour. Midtown has also headlined a few of their own tours since opening for MCR. Midtown's most recent release was a covers EP in 2023 titled "We're Too Old To Write New Songs, So Here's Some Old Songs We Didn't Write". Midtown is a pop punk type of band. In the early to mid-2000's, I started getting into a lot of pop punk, melodic punk bands like Midtown and Taking Back Sunday and bands of that ilk. I first heard of Midtown in 2004 when I heard the song "Give It Up". I loved it the minute I heard it and it is still my favorite song by the band. I'd say that 2004 album "Forget What You Know" is my favorite album by Midtown. It's their most polished album in my mind. I thought these guys were for sure done back in 2005 when Saporta formed Cobra Starship. I was glad to see that they got back together. Hopefully their working on some new tunes for release in the near future. Really good band these guys!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Academy Is...

The Starting Line

The Ataris

The Movielife

Fenix TX

TEN MIDTOWN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Give It Up

2. Empty Like The Ocean

3. This House Is Not A Home

4. Become What You Hate

5. Your Love (The Outfield cover)

6. Is It Me? Is It True?

7. Faulty Foundation

8. Just Rock & Roll

9. Like A Movie

10. Let Go

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8-3-2025

SONG:  "Day Of The Triffids"

ARTIST:  Ash

ALBUM:  "Cosmic Debris"

YEAR:  2002

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland

YEARS ACTIVE:  1992 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Ash song "Day Of The Triffids," released in 1995 as a B-side to their "Kung Fu" single, is not a direct musical retelling of John Wyndham's 1951 post-apocalyptic novel The Day of the Triffids, but rather draws inspiration from its themes and imagery. The lyrics, while not explicitly narrating the book's plot, evoke a sense of post-apocalyptic desolation and confrontation with the titular carnivorous plants.

ASH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Trailer (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - 1977 (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Live At The Wireless (Deathstar Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Nu-Clear Sounds (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Free All Angels (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - Cosmic Debris (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Meltdown (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Twilight Of The Innocents (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - A-Z Vol. 1 (Atomic Heart Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - A-Z Vol. 2 (Atomic Heart Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Kablammo! (earMUSIC)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Live On Mars:  London Astoria 1997 (earMUSIC)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Islands (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Race The Night (Fierce Panda Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON ASH:

Ash is a Northern Ireland band that formed back in 1992. The band's first release, which was considered a mini-album, was 1994's "Trailer". This featured a lot of the band's previous singles with a few new songs. I guess what would be considered their "real" debut album was 1996's "1977". You could argue this is the best Ash album that the band came out with, but there may be another that you can make an argument for. 1998's "Nu-Clear Sounds" proved to be a little bit of a disappointment for the band. It almost signified the downfall of Ash, but the band rebounded with 2001's "Free All Angels". This is the other album you can make an argument for as being their best album. It was definitely their most successful album to date. The band followed this up with 2004's "Meltdown". Pretty solid album in it's own right! 2007's "Twilight Of The Innocents" was supposed to be the last full length album that Ash was going to release as they wanted to just put out singles. They would put out 2 singles a month for a year that culminated in the "A-Z" compilations in 2010. Alas, in 2015, Ash returned to releasing albums with the release of "Kablammo!". In 2018 the band released "Islands" and in 2023, "Race The Night" was released. Ash is set to release their latest full length studio album in October of 2025, titled "Ad Astra". Like most people who became Ash fans here in the States, I discovered this band from the "Angus" soundtrack that came out in 1995. Once I heard "Jack Names The Planets", I instantly fell in love with these guys. "1977" is just an awesome album. The song "Goldfinger" to this day gets in just about every playlist I create! I loved when the band brought Charlotte Hatherley in as an extra guitarist and back up vocalist. She was in the band from 1998 until 2006. Her background vocals were just totally legit and I always thought she brought just that little extra to the band that I really loved. Plus she killed it on lead vocals on the track "Taken Out"! Even after Charlotte left the band, these guys just kept on releasing music. Ash is a super active band, coming out with albums every 3 years or so. Can't wait to hear the new record in a couple of months. Ash never got super successful here in America, but in the U.K. and Europe, they're considered a pretty successful band. If you grew up in 90's America, you gotta check these guys out. Awesome band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Liam Gallagher

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Beady Eye

Hurricane #1

Oasis

TEN ASH SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Goldfinger

2. Burn Baby Burn

3. Jack Names The Planets

4. A Life Less Ordinary

5. Starcrossed

6. Jesus Says

7. Cocoon

8. Buzzkill

9. You Can't Have It All

10. Race The Night