SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/29/21

SONG:  "Tempest"

ARTIST:  Deftones

ALBUM:  "Koi No Yokan"

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Sacramento, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1988 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Tempest" appears to have a doomsday vibe to it. The song's lyrical content is representative of the supposed end of the world that would have occurred on December 21, 2012, according to various myths related to the Mayan calendar.

DEFTONES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Adrenaline (Maverick/Warner Bros. Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

* certified platinum

1997 - Around The Fur (Maverick/Warner Bros. Records)

* peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 on 11-15-97

* certified platinum

2000 - White Pony (Maverick Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 on 7-8-00

* certified platinum

2003 - Deftones (Maverick Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 6-7-03

* certified gold

2005 - B-Sides & Rarities (Maverick Records)

* peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200 on 10-22-05

2006 - Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick Records)

* peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 on 11-18-06

2010 - Diamond Eyes (Reprise/Warner Bros. Records)

* peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 on 5-22-10

2011 - Covers (Reprise/Warner Bros. Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Koi No Yokan (Reprise/Warner Bros. Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 on 12-1-12

2016 - Gore (Reprise/Warner Bros. Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 4-30-16

2019 - Live At Dynamo Open Air 1998 (F.R.E.T. Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Ohms (Reprise/Warner Bros. Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 on 10-10-20

MY THOUGHTS ON DEFTONES:

Deftones formed as a band back when the members were still in high school in Sacramento, California back in 1988. They spent 7 years honing their craft and playing live anywhere they could. Eventually, they were signed by Maverick Records, which was an off-shoot of the Warner Bros. label. In 1995, Deftones dropped their official debut album, "Adrenaline". While the band saw this album as a hurried recording, it definitely generated some buzz for them. Their next album, 1997's "Around The Fur", put the Deftones on the map, thanks to the singles "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away). Their third album, 2000's "White Pony", established the band as headliner material and a force to be reckoned with! The single "Change (In The House Of Flies)" is the band's most successful single. The 2003 album "Deftones" saw the band focusing on a heavier sound. This, and their later album "Gore", would turn out to be their highest charting albums, both reaching #2 on the Billboard 200. The Deftones completed their contract with Maverick Records with the release of their 2006 album, "Saturday Night Wrist". The band stayed with Warner Bros., just on another branch of that label, Reprise. They are still with Reprise/Warner Bros. to the present day. In 2008, the band was working on an album titled "Eros" when their bassist Chi Cheng got into a serious car accident which left him in a minimally conscious state. The band decided to shelf this album for the time being and worked on new material which would turn out to be 2010's "Diamond Eyes". 2012 saw the band drop "Koi No Yokan". On April, 13, 2013, Cheng died after falling into cardiac arrest after his long battle back from his horrific injuries sustained in that 2008 car accident. One year after his death, the band released the song "Smile" which to date is the only song released from the "Eros" sessions. To this day, the band is not enthusiastic about releasing "Eros" any time soon. In 2016, the band released "Gore", as I said earlier, this and "Deftones" both reached #2, making them their highest charting albums. The Deftones most recent release was 2020's "Ohms". While the Deftones get lumped into the "nu-metal" genre, it's a label the band doesn't agree with and I don't really agree with it either. I see them as a band that meshes some metal elements with some post-grunge elements but they have this atmospheric presence in their music. They can be heavy as hell at some points but other times they can almost have this trippy, airy vibe to their sound. If you listen to what is probably my favorite song by the band, "Digital Bath", you can kinda get what I'm talking about with that atmospheric vibe. I'm pretty sure I heard "My Own Summer" and "Be Quiet And Drive" but I would say I really got into the Deftones when "White Pony" came out, then I worked my way back to their earlier albums. They have elements of other bands but their style is very unique to me. Vocalist Chino Moreno sings almost off beat a little bit which makes it very distinct. They get compared to Korn a lot which I think is garbage. I mean, the only similar thing I see between the two bands is they kinda came on the scene together but I think the Deftones have more in common with an Alice In Chains than they do Korn. Deftones are the real deal!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Team Sleep

A Perfect Circle

Chevelle

Alice In Chains

Failure

TEN DEFTONES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Digital Bath

2. Minerva

3. 7 Words

4. Hole In The Earth

5. Tempest

6. Diamond Eyes

7. Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)

8. Prayers/Triangles

9. Genesis

10. Drive (The Cars cover)

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/22/21

Song: "Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)"

Artist: Taking Back Sunday

Album: "Live From Bamboozle '09"

Year: 2009

Place Of Origin: Long Island, New York

Years Active: 1999 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The lyrics to "Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)" came about from a relationship that Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara just got out of at the time. Here's what Lazzara had to say about the song. "There was a diner near where we used to live and we'd trade notebooks amongst the band. We'd highlight the stuff that really stuck out to us, which is similar to how we do it now. We were just going back and forth and that's how we pieced it together. I was 18 at the time, and every relationship feels like the be all and end all at that age. At that time you've only seen so much of the world, so your view is pretty narrow, and I think the song is a good reflection of that." I chose the live version of the song from the band's 2009 "Live From Bamboozle '09" album. The original studio version can be found on their 2002 debut album, "Tell All Your Friends".

TAKING BACK SUNDAY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Tell All Your Friends (Victory Records)
* #183 on the Billboard 200
* certified gold

2004 - Where You Want To Be (Victory Records)
* #3 on the Billboard 200
* certified gold

2006 - Louder Now (Warner Bros. Records)
* #2 on the Billboard 200
* certified gold

2007 - Louder Now: Part Two (Warner Bros. Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2009 - New Again (Warner Bros. Records)
* #7 on the Billboard 200

2009 - Live From Bamboozle '09 (Warner Bros. Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2010 - Live From Orensanz (Warner Bros. Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2011 - Taking Back Sunday (Warner Bros. Records)
* #17 on the Billboard 200

2013 - TAYF10 Acoustic (Sorry Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2014 - Happiness Is (Hopeless Records)
* #10 on the Billboard 200

2016 - Tidal Wave (Hopeless Records)
* #36 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON TAKING BACK SUNDAY:

Long Island, New York's Taking Back Sunday formed as a band back in 1999. Interestingly enough, one of the founding members of this band was Jesse Lacey, who went on the become the lead singer/songwriter of the band Brand New. Adam Lazarra would join Taking Back Sunday to replace Lacey and has been the lead singer every since. TBS's debut album was a success and ultimately, has sold over 1 million units worldwide. After this album however, guitarist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper wound up leaving the band, replaced by Fred Mascherino and Matt Rubano respectively. This did not hurt the band as their next two albums really wound up being the pinnacle for Taking Back Sunday as far as attained success. 2004's "Where You Want To Be" and 2006's "Louder Now" both achieved gold status as well as being top 3 albums on the Billboard 200 chart. "Louder Now" features the single "MakeDamnSure" which may be the band's most successful single to date. After releasing 2009's "New Again", Mascherino and Rubano decided to part ways with Taking Back Sunday because of songwriting conflicts. There was some tension initially between the bandmates but they have made up since. In 2010, John Nolan (guitar) and Shaun Cooper (bass) returned to Taking Back Sunday marking a reunion of the "Tell All Your Friends" line-up. That line-up has been intact for their next three full length studio albums, 2011's "Taking Back Sunday", 2014's "Happiness Is" and 2016's "Tidal Wave". In 2018, founding member, guitarist Eddie Reyes left the band to try to battle his addiction to alcohol. The band has not ruled out Reyes returning to the line-up when he gets healthy but for now, they will continue as a four piece. The band hasn't laid out any news regarding a new album, but in 2018, they did celebrate their 20th year anniversary with a greatest hits compilation and a tour to support that album. Taking Back Sunday is a top notch melodic rock/alternative rock band. They have some pop punk elements to their music, but I don't really consider them to be a punk rock band. They're a melodic pop rock band is all. I caught wind of Taking Back Sunday early on with their "Tell All Your Friends" album but I really fell in love with the band on their second album "Where You Want To Be". It was after this album that Taking Back Sunday became major label material, signing up with Warner Bros. for three studio albums and three live albums. They're last couple of albums were with Hopeless Records but as of now, the band has announced that they aren't on a label currently. After Taking Back Sunday came out, it seemed like their were a shitload of bands that began coming out that were similar in style. I don't think any of them were quite as talented as Taking Back Sunday. I never found Taking Back Sunday to be over the top pop that's almost begging to get radio play. I think they just write incredible songs that happen to be catchy and hook-laden. When it comes to melodic rock/pop rock/alternative rock, Taking Back Sunday is a top notch band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Senses Fail
The Starting Line
Brand New
The Used
Bayside

TEN TAKING BACK SUNDAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. MakeDamnSure
2. Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)
3. A Decade Under The Influence
4. Your Own Disaster
5. Flicker, Fade
6. This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know)
7. Liar (It Takes One To Know One)
8. Faith (When I Let You Down)
9. Tidal Wave
10. Sink Into Me

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/15/21

SONG:  "Red Sky" (live)

ARTIST:  Thrice

ALBUM:  "Anthology"

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Irvine, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1999 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here is an excerpt of an interview with Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue about what "Red Sky" means. "Overall, I think 'Red Sky' is dealing with the issues that [people] suffer, but in the end things are redeemed and there's a resolution," Kensrue said. "It's got this image of a storm that comes and in the end this unexplained supernatural change [happens] and everything kind of comes right through these dark times. It's about hope in general." I chose the live version of "Red Sky" from "Anthology" as my song of the week. You can check out the original studio version of the song on Thrice's 2005 album "Vheissu".

THRICE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2000 - Identity Crisis (Sub City Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - The Illusion Of Safety (Sub City Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - The Artist In The Ambulance (Island Records)

* peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200 on 8-9-03

2005 - If You Could Only See Us Now (Island Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

* certified gold

2005 - Vheissu (Island Records)

* peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 on 11-2-05

2007 - The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II:  Fire & Water (Vagrant Records)

*peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200 on 11-3-07

2008 - Live At The House Of Blues (Vagrant Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV:  Air & Earth (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200 on 5-3-08

2009 - Beggars (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #47 on the Billboard 200 on 10-3-09

2011 - Major/Minor (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200 on 10-8-11

2012 - Anthology (Staple Records)

* peaked at #104 on the Billboard 200 on 11-17-12

2016 - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 on 6-18-16

2018 - Palms (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 on 9-29-18

MY THOUGHTS ON THRICE:

Thrice formed as a band back in 1999, hailing from Irvine, California. The band's first contribution was the 1999 EP, "First Impressions". In 2000, they dropped their debut album, "Identity Crisis". Both that album and their sophomore effort, 2002's "The Illusion Of Safety", saw the band come out of the gates with a post-hardcore/punk rock style about them. Their third album, 2003's "The Artist In The Ambulance", continued that style, but offered a more melodic style. The singles "All That's Left" and "Stare At The Sun" promptly put Thrice on the map as a band who was on the rise. Thrice shifted styles on their 4th album, "Vheissu", incorporating more electronic elements and a less punk vibe. In 2007 and 2008, Thrice created two albums which actually consisted of four seperate parts, all dealing with four elements, fire, water, air and earth. This concept album was described by the band to have a somewhat "sleepy" feel to it. When it came time to write for their next album, which would be 2009's "Beggars", they made a conscious decision to make a more upbeat album. At this point in Thrice's career, their style had pretty much been defined and their albums from this point on felt like a combination of their earlier post-hardcore roots and their indie rock, almost progressive rock style in the mid to late 2000's. After releasing 2011's "Major/Minor", Thrice decided to take an indefinite hiatus as singer Dustin Kensrue wanted to focus on working with his church while the other bandmates sought various side projects. Thankfully, in 2015 Thrice reunited and in 2016, they released a major comeback album with "To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere". They followed that up with 2018's "Palms". Thrice's most recent release is the 2019 EP "Deeper Wells". On July 20, 2021, Thrice released the song "Scavengers". This is the lead single for the band's upcoming album "Horizons/East" which will be released through Epitaph Records digitally on 9-17-21 and physically on 10-8-21. Thrice is a fuckin' awesome band!! These guys consistently drop new music, with only a short three year hiatus slowing them down. The first time I heard them was when I caught their video for "Deadbolt" off of their second album. It was love at first sight!! "The Artist In The Ambulance" was the album that really made me think that Thrice could be one of my favorite bands. They didn't disappoint with their follow up albums. Much like the band, I thought that the "elements" albums were kind of sleepy, not saying they were bad, but they didn't have the same energy as some of their earlier efforts. But, from "Beggars" on, their albums have been incredible. Their comeback album, if you want to call it that, "To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere" is outstanding. I don't know if Thrice is in my top 5 for bands. I'd have to think about it, but they are definitely in my top 10. Top tier all the way in whatever category you want to put them in, post-hardcore, punk, indie rock, alternative rock, whatever. Thrice is the real deal!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Thursday

Finch

Deftones

Brand New

Funeral For A Friend

TEN THRICE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Black Honey

2. Red Sky

3. Deadbolt

4. In Exile

5. All That's Left

6. Come All You Weary

7. Anthology

8. Digital Sea

9. Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles cover)

10. The Grey

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/8/21

SONG:  "Modern Age"

ARTIST:  Anberlin

ALBUM:  "Vital"

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Winter Haven, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  2002 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Lead vocalist of Anberlin, Stephen Christian, explained what the song "Modern Age" is about in an interview. Here's what he had to say, "This song is written for a dear friend who is too afraid to fall in love, they are so lonely but refuse to give their heart a chance. For all those who have been hurt just know that we all have, it doesn’t mean that you should lock yourself away in hopes of never getting hurt. You will be loved."

ANBERLIN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - Blueprints For The Black Market (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Never Take Friendship Personal (Tooth & Nail Records)

* peaked at #144 on the Billboard 200 on 2-19-05

2007 - Cities (Tooth & Nail Records)

* peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200 on 3-10-07

2007 - Lost Songs (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - New Surrender (Universal/Republic Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 on 10-18-08

2010 - Dark Is The Way, Light Is The Place (Universal/Republic Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 9-25-10

2012 - Vital (Universal/Republic Records)

* peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200 on 11-3-12

2014 - Lowborn (Tooth & Nail Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 on 8-9-14

2015 - Cities:  Live In New York City (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Never Take Friendship Personal:  Live In New York City (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON ANBERLIN:

Anberlin is a Florida band who got it's start back in 2002. Forming out of the ashes of a band called SaGoh 24/7, Anberlin changed their style up from a punk band to a more melodic, alternative rock type band. Quickly, they caught the ear of famous Christian punk/rock label Tooth & Nail who signed the band. Anberlin's debut album came out in 2003, called "Blueprints For The Black Market". The first single "Readyfuels" gave the band some buzz in alternative rock circles. Their sophomore effort, 2005's "Never Take Friendship Personal" featured two of the band's biggest hits, "Paperthin Hymn" and "A Day Late". After dropping 2007's "Cities" on Tooth & Nail, Anberlin inked a deal with major label Universal/Republic in 2008. The band dropped three top 20 albums on Universal/Republic, "New Surrender" (2008), "Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place" (2010) and 2012's "Vital", which is probably the band's heaviest album to date. Anberlin moved back to Tooth & Nail after fulfilling their contract with Universal/Republic and dropped "Lowborn" in 2014. Unfortunately, the band decided to break up shortly after this album. Thankfully, it was announced in 2018 that Anberlin would get back together with what was supposed to be a one off concert supporting their friends in Underoath. However, Anberlin decided to get back on the road in 2019 and in 2020, announced they were working on a new studio album. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Anberlin began streaming live concerts for their fans in 2020 and 2021 so that they could at least get a taste of some live music without actually being in person and perhaps being put in harms way. At it's core, I look at Anberlin as a melodic rock/alternative rock band. Because of their association with Tooth & Nail Records, Anberlin is always considered a Christian band. The members of the band don't agree with that label but they aren't offended by it. They just look at their faith being a personal thing but their beliefs could be incorporated in their lyrics and song themes. I first heard of Anberlin when I heard their first single "Readyfuels". I really love the song "Change The World (Lost Ones)" from that same album though. That's the song that really turned me on to Anberlin. Anberlin is a really tight band. It was a bummer to see that they broke up in 2014 but knowing they are back together and possibly have a new record coming out soon is just really great news.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Classic Crime

Acceptance

Thousand Foot Krutch

Story Of The Year

The Dangerous Summer

TEN ANBERLIN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Change The World (Lost Ones)

2. A Day Late

3. Someone Anyone

4. Paperthin Hymn

5. Feel Good Drag

6. Readyfuels

7. The Unwinding Cable Car

8. Impossible

9. The Haunting

10. Stranger Ways

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/1/21

SONG:  "Check Yo Self" (The Message Remix)

ARTIST:  Ice Cube

ALBUM:  "Bootlegs & B-Sides"

YEAR:  1994

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Los Angeles, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1986 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Check Yo Self" is a classic Ice Cube song letting people know to not overstep their bounds. You can get away with that shit with some people but when Cube's on the mic, it's best ot step aside and clear the lane, or you might get wrecked! I chose the remix of his song as my song of the week. The more famous remix version features the beat from the classic Grandmaster Flash song "The Message". You can check out the original version of "Check Yo Self" on Ice Cube's 1992 "The Predator" album, but the remix is by far the superior version of the song.

ICE CUBE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1990 - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (Priority Records)

* peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200 on 7-14-90

* certified platinum

1991 - Death Certificate (Priority/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 11-16-91

* certified platinum

1992 - The Predator (Priority/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 12-5-92

* certified 2X platinum

1993 - Lethal Injection (Priority/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 on 12-25-93

* certified platinum

1994 - Bootlegs & B-Sides (Priority/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200 on 12-10-94

1998 - War & Peace Vol. 1 (Priority/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200 on 12-5-98

* certified platinum

2000 - War & Peace Vol. 2 (Priority/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 on 4-8-00

* certified gold

2006 - Laugh Now, Cry Later (EMI/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 6-24-06

* certified gold

2008 - Raw Footage (EMI/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 on 9-6-08

2010 - I Am The West (EMI/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200 on 10-16-10

2018 - Everythang's Corrupt (Interscope/Lench Mob Records)

* peaked at #62 on the Billboard 200 on 12-22-18

MY THOUGHTS ON ICE CUBE:

Ice Cube is one of the biggest and most legendary rappers to come out of the West Coast. Representing South Central Los Angeles and Compton, he and his supergroup, N.W.A., sprung to the top of the rap world with their no nonsense take on gangsta rap. That group, featuring Cube, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella carried the torch that Ice-T lit and took it to the next level. Cube was definitely the most gifted emcee of the group, followed by Ren and along with The D.O.C., the three of them helped contribute lyrics for Eazy-E and Dre. Cube wound up leaving the group in 1989 over a contract dispute. He tried to convince Dre and Ren that they were getting hosed on their contracts but they didn't listen to him, at first anyway. Though Cube departed, he didn't harbor any ill feeling towards N.W.A., but they would diss Cube on their "100 Miles And Runnin'" EP. I'll get back to that a little later. Cube enlisted the help of Chuck D. of Public Enemy and the Bomb Squad to produce his debut solo album, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". This album was a smash success and proved that Cube could stand on his own without N.W.A. Now, when N.W.A. dissed Cube again on their "Niggaz4Life" album, well...  Cube answered the bell with one of the greatest diss records of all time with "No Vaseline"! Battle over!! N.W.A. would split up with Dr. Dre joining Suge Knight and starting Death Row Records and Ren and Eazy would both go solo. Cube's biggest success came on his third album, 1992's "The Predator". This album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 as well as going double platinum do to the success of his biggest single, "It Was A Good Day". Cube continued releasing platinum selling albums with 1993's "Lethal Injection" and 1998's "War & Peace Vol. 1". When the 2000's came, Cube was still dropping top 10 albums like 2000's "War & Peace Vol. 2", 2006's "Laugh Now, Cry Later" and 2008's "Raw Footage". Ice Cube's most recent release was 2018's "Everythang's Corrupt". In 2020, Ice Cube, Too Short and 40 formed the rap supergroup Mount Westmore.  Ice Cube is one of the most iconic rappers of all time. I would put him in the top 5 of emcee's easily. For me personally, I think Ice Cube is at his best when he is shining the light on social ills and coming with a militant and political mindset. If Ice-T is the father of gangsta rap, Ice Cube is like his first son. When I think of the greatest diss rappers, Ice Cube and KRS-One immediately come to mind. Though Cube is great as a solo, there was nothing better than N.W.A. and their "Straight Outta Compton" album. That's is where I got my introduction to Ice Cube and it still ranks as one of my favorite albums of all time, in any genre. It sucks that Eazy-E died in 1995 because the rumor was that all the guys in N.W.A. squashed their beef and they were ready to make new music again which would have been insane! There were a few "N.W.A." songs released after Eazy's death with 1999's "Chin Check" and 2000's "Hello". It's true...  Ice Cube IS the West!!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

N.W.A.

Eazy-E

Westside Connection

Dr. Dre

Snoop Dogg

TEN ICE CUBE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. My Summer Vacation

2. When Will They Shoot

3. No Vaseline

4. The Nigga Ya Love To Hate

5. Ghetto Bird

6. Why We Thugs

7. Wicked

8. Everythang's Corrupt

9. Ghetto Vet

10. Drink The Kool Aid

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7/25/21

SONG:  "Where Do We Go"

ARTIST:  The Darlings

ALBUM:  "The New Escape"

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  South Bay, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  2005 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Where Did We Go" appears to be a song about moving forward and not looking back. The vocalist reflects on the obstacles that he's had to overcome, but he wants his focus to be on moving forward. He says in the song that he wants to get away but I don't get the sense his past is holding him back. It seems that he's come to grips with his past and he's focused on his present and future.

THE DARLINGS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2012 - The New Escape (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Made Of Phantoms (Echotone Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Live Attack (Hardline Entertainment)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE DARLINGS:

The Darlings got their start as a band in South Bay, California back in 2005. The guys in the band were avid skateboarders who became friends and ultimately formed a band inspired by bands like Pennywise, The Offspring and Bad Religion. Their first release was a 2008 EP titled "The Darlings". This generated some buzz for the band in the California punk scene. Soon The Darlings were sharing stages with Social Distortion, Pennywise and Bad Religion, the very same bands they looked up to! In 2012, the band dropped their debut full length album, "The New Escape". Never a band to be boxed in by a certain sound, their 2014 release, "Made Of Phantoms" saw the band get into some blues orientated stuff as well as Americana and even some ska/reggae. While their roots are in punk, the band is also influenced by 50's rock and roll and even some country. The Darlings most recent release was a live album called "Live Attack" in 2016. Not a whole lot of news out there on The Darlings. According to their Twitter account, they last played shows in 2017/2018. I don't know if they are still together or not to be honest. As I said earlier, The Darlings roots are in punk rock but they are not afraid to explore other genres like 50's rock and roll, country and reggae. They are a band with an old soul, in that, they themselves feel more tied to their influences than they are to their contemporaries. I believe the first time I heard of The Darlings was hearing their song "Broken Heart Still Beating" off of their "The New Escape" album. The Darlings are yet another band I first heard about through the DyingScene blog which is by all accounts now defunct (staaaanks!!). Hopefully these guys drop some new songs in the near future because they show lots of promise as a band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Exposed

Blacklist Royals

The Black Pacific

Enemy You

Avoid One Thing

TEN THE DARLINGS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Where Do We Go

2. Broken Heart Still Beating

3. Little Teenage Thing

4. Lacerate

5. There's A Madman Livin' In Waco

6. Hypnotize

7. Evangeline

8. It's Gone

9. Plowed (Sponge cover)

10. Love Story

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7/18/21

SONG:  "Bridge Burners"

ARTIST:  The Bogarts

ALBUM:  "Nothing To Call Our Own"

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Thousand Oaks, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  2009 - 2014

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Bridge Burners" appears to be a song about, well, burning bridges. The vocalist almost sympathizes with those who knew him and befriended him. He knows that he is the one to blame for ruining those relationships. He understands that there is no chance for reconciliations and he doesn't need their goodbyes. Just walk away and move on from him.

THE BOGARTS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2009 - Better Than Before (Self-Released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Nothing To Call Our Own (Artistic Integrity Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOGARTS:

The Bogarts formed as a band back in 2009, hailing from Thousand Oaks, California. This four piece punk rock outfit formed when the guys were still in high school. The Bogarts self-released their debut album in 2009 called "Better Than Before". They followed that up in 2011 with an EP titled "Ideologies". The band's most recent release was the 2012 full length album "Nothing To Call Our Own". In 2014, The Bogarts changed their name to Tides and with the name change brought a stylistic change as well. They originally had a indie punk/D.I.Y. style as The Bogarts. When they became Tides, they were more alternative rock sounding. As Tides, they only released the double sided single "Lily/Nailbiter" in 2014. There really hasn't been a whole lot going on with this band in the last 6 years. The assumption is that they have broken up but there's not a whole lot of info out there on the band to confirm or deny that. I gotta give props to the DyingScene.com for connecting me with this band. They really grew with each release and while they sounded super raw on "Better Than Before", by the time they released "Nothing To Call Our Own", they seemed like they started finding something in their sound. It was surprising to me that they up and changed their name and style but then again, I'm not so sure they were ever gonna emerge from the pack of indie punk bands. I'd consider The Bogarts maybe a higher end 3rd tier punk band, possibly lower 2nd tier band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Moonraker

The Braces

The Flatliners

Heartsounds

From Plan To Progress

TEN THE BOGARTS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Greetings From

2. The Mirror

3. To Whom It May Concern

4. Bridge Burners

5. Ideologies

6. Profiteering Scheme

7. K.K.B.

8. Formerly Known

9. Rise And Fall

10. The Runaway