011-CD Review Time

So did you like those mini updates? Little live slices of my life. I don't know if you know, but updates 9 and 10 were done from my cell phone as they happened. I like em. I think it's pretty crazy. More of them to come.

I told you there would be CD reviews and CD reviews I have.

Tool-10,000 Days (Volcano Records)

I am sure Tool's new album is really awesome. I just got so bored that I ended up turning it off after about 8 songs. I just can't get into the 11 minute songs, the same guitar part for 7 minutes, it's artsy for the sake of being artsy and I am not buying it anymore. The packaging absolutely blew me away. I love the packaging. It's really hard to explain here, but you just have to see it to believe it. The music however is not for me, if you love metal, and you worship the ground that these dudes walk on, then odds are you already bought the CD. However, Tool is no longer for me.

Pearl Jam-Pearl Jam (J Records)
I have loved Pearl Jam for a long time, yes probably longer than you. Even after you said No Code sucked, even after you thought there were no good songs on Yield, yes even after you didn't even realize they had a new album out(Riot Act), I have loved Pearl Jam. Personally I think Yield is their best album. The first three songs are 3 of the greatest songs to ever open an album. Well ladies and gentleman, PJ have topped it with their new self titled album. It rocks, it rolls, Eddie's voice has never sounded better, and the rest of the band hasn't sounded this tight on record in a long time. If you have previously been on the fence about current Pearl Jam then it's time to come back the album you have been waiting for is here.

Less Than Jake-In With the Out Crowd (Warner Bros)
For a very long time Less Than Jake was my most favorite band, I saw them in concert into the double digits, Losing Streak pretty much saved my life, and they really changed a lot about who I am. However, Borders and Boundaries wasn't that great, even the band admits it now. Anthem and it's companion album B is for B-sides were great and catchy, but was trying way too hard. On In With the Out Crown LTJ finally nail it. They have grown as a band and aren't afraid of it. Less Than Jake are a new band, they are no longer the fun ska band you put on at parties and kept on as background music. The lyrics are darker, and the music is mature. It took 3 albums, but I think they finally found what they have been looking for, and I couldn't be more proud.

The Blood Brothers-Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck (V2 Records)
The Blood Brothers are the new Beatles it's time to face the facts. You can't explain it, but if you get it, you realize that they are the most important band in music right now. Their new 7 song E.P. features 2 versions of the single off of 2004's Crimes, and 5 amazing B-sides. These songs are slower, structured, and definately a breath of fresh air out of the Blood Brothers. Since this E.P. is nowhere near as harsh as their albums this would be a good place to start for anyone who is curious to hear the band that is saving music, one fan, one note, one song at a time.

Brandtson-Hello, Control (The Militia Group)
Oh Brandtson what an intresting life you have had. You started as the christian hardcore band Six Feet Deep, then you kicked out some members and became the christian emo band Brandtson. You recorded an album called Letterbox that had some amazing post-hardcore on it. It was at times graceful, and mellow, at other times it had killer riffs and passionate vocal delivery. Oh you had all us emo kids hooked. Then you released Fallen Star Collection it is quite possibly one of the finest true emo albums ever made. There was a dancy song on there and all the kids thought it was cute. Then you made the Trying to Figure Each Other Out E.P. and for the first time you worked with the man, the myth, the legend Ed Rose. It took your amazing emo sound and made it catchy and poppy. Then you did Dial In Sounds an amazing album, quite a milestone in your careers. Guest List should have been a hit single. You then released the Death and Taxes E.P. and something was missing it just didn't feel right, and there was some keyboard in there and part of it was dancey. When you signed to the Milita Group I didn't pick up Send Us a Signal, I'm sorry I was just real dissapointed with that last E.P. and didn't want my hearbroken again. Then I heard the single off of your new album Hello, Control it was a dance song. It was good...I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was like all this time you were living a lie. All this time you just wanted the kids to dance away their broken hearts and I...I love it. This is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Sorry I have forsaken you Brandtson, thank you for coming out of your shells and being the real you.