You Can Never Be Too Loud

Reviews on all things music. Feel free to send suggestions and questions as well as your own opinions.

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Blink 182 have finally released the long anticipated album California and it was worth the wait.

Blink 182 fell off radar for a while regarding singer/guitarist Tom Delonge’s absence, but that didn’t stop them from making music. Remaining members, Barker and Hoppus, joined forces with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba to form a brand new Blink 182. And while nearly everyone was skeptical, the addition seems to be going better than expected.

California is full of bright, well rounded, pop punk anthems that Blink 182 are traditionally known for. Some songs, like “The Only Thing That Matters” may even bridge the gap between new and old Blink 182. Some of the guitar, bass, and drum riffs are virtually just like some of the riffs on the 2001 album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. There are many songs on California, though, that may come as a pleasant surprise to listeners. Blink 182 have evolved into a more mature sound and nature (Don’t worry though, there’s still a song about naked dudes on the album). Songs like “Los Angeles,” “Bored to Death,” “No Future,” and “San Diego” (linked above) really capture the sound and idea that Blink 182 are trying to get across to listeners. The songs are a bit heavier than what Blink 182 have been in that past, but it would seem that they have essentially mapped out their self-titled album and tried to replicate what was done right in that album, and it works really well.

Is California just like old Blink 182? No. Should it be? Absolutely not. Blink have accepted the fate of where their old albums have taken them and are taking a step in the right direction. If you ever even considered giving their 2011 album, Neighborhoods a second listen, then you will more than likely find California to be a diamond in the rough. It’s safe to say that Blink 182 is back and better off than they were with Delonge. California proves that Blink still have music to make, and it seems as if we should be listening. 

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Looking for a Throwback album for the summer? WATERS What’s Real just may be what you're looking for. 

indie pop-rock’s newbies, WATERS released their second full length album What’s Real back in 2015 gaining them quite a bit of attention. WATERS later toured with indie super bands such as, Misterwives, Magic Man, and Matt and Kim.

What’s Real is a very unapologetic, upbeat album that has definitely left it’s mark as WATERS best work to date. Songs like What’s Real, Rebel Yell, and I Feel Everything (linked above) utilize strong gang vocals and power chords galore to give the songs an almost anthem like feel to them, making them exuberantly energized and super fun to listen to. WATERS take sounds like Grouplove and Nirvana, smash them together, and somehow make it work into something rather unique and interesting. 

If you’re looking for new music, WATERS should definitely be on your list. What’s Real is definitely worth a stream and a purchase if you enjoy it. WATERS have recently been posting about touring soon on their social media, so get a good listen to What’s Real under your belt before you go see them live. 

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Pvris’ deluxe version of their hit album White Noise includes three new songs that you won't want to miss

Pvris hit the music scene back in 2014 with he release of their debut album White Noise. They almost immediately launched into stardom after it’s release touring with bands like AWOLNATION and Fall Out Boy, as well as a very successful headlining our. White Noise stood out for a lot of reasons, but the deluxe edition just extends the absolute rawness of the original album.

White noise incorporates heavy guitar and drum sounds along with electronic MIDI and keys. Lead singer Lynn Gunn has perfected well rounded, raw vocals that reach lengths music fans may not have heard in a while. The three songs featured on the deluxe edition of White Noise; You and I (linked above), Empty, and You and I (stripped) accentuate that rawness. The absolute pure honesty and emotion presented in these, technically, two new songs almost gives the original album a whole new meaning and background. These songs will leave you with chills while making you reflect on what they had to say in the first place. The sound, lyrics, guitars, drums, and vocals are all done so well that it’s almost hard to believe that Pvris are new to the music game. But with songs and albums like these, they won't be for long. 

These three additional tracks are worth the time it takes to listen, sure. But you'd really be doing yourself an injustice of not listening to the entirety of White Noise. Pvris are just getting started and if White Noise Deluxe Edition is any indication as to where they’ll go, then the future is very bright. 

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If you haven’t heard of Tennessee natives Colony House and their newest single “You Know It” it is pressing that you do it soon. 

“And we’ll be back before you know it”

Colony House emerged with their 2014 debut album When I was Younger making moderate success with their own headlining tours and touring with bands like The Kongos, Coin, and Walk The Moon. But their sophomore album Only The Lonely, set to release in September, will surely make a splash if “You Know It” is any indication as to what the rest of the album will be like. 

“You Know It” has the potential to be the rock and roll song of the summer. With it’s old school rock vibe and modern pop influence, “You Know It” will easily be stuck in your head the entire day after only one listen. It’s filled with catchy love lyrics and the chorus can be sung along to before the song is even over. This track is similar to what the band has done in the past, but with a bit more of a drive behind it. It possess a sense of being able to hold itself up as a single song rather than needing to be apart of an album to be fully understood and appreciated. Though if anything, this song alone could make Only The Lonely one of the best albums of this fall. 

Do yourself a favor and take a good listen to “You Know It”. There is little in this song, if anything, not to like. You’ll be guaranteed to be singing it to yourself even when it isn’t playing.  And if you haven’t already boarded the Colony House train, do it fast because they are about to take off with something potentially great. 

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If you’re looking for the perfect Throwback Thursday album, The Killers Battle Born has your back.

With Battle Born being The Killers most recent full length album, released back in 2012, it’s easy to see why fans of The Killers are becoming a bit antsy for new music. But I would prod at Killers fans and skeptics alike to go back to listen to Battle Born. 

While it wasn't well received by many, there were just as many who begged to differ. This album is packed with thought, care, diversity, and pure spunk. Sure, it may be lacking the raw vocals and overly synthesized sounds that earlier Killers records may provide, but that doesn’t mean that one should write it off as a bad album. 

It’s filled with summer jams such as Runaways (linked above), Here With Me, Miss Atomic Bomb, and the song giving the album it’s name; Battle Born. If you need more convincing as to how utterly intense this album is, I would suggest starting with those songs. But all in all, you won't regret taking a look back at Battle Born while you impatiently wait for The Killers to make new music. There have been many posts lately on all members of the band’s social media that would suggest that new music is coming soon. In the meantime, Battle Born can curve your Killers craving. 

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Catfish and the Bottlemen are back with their sophomore album, The Ride, and they’re taking names. 

Catfish and the Bottlemen have seen some wild success over the past few years with their first album The Balcony. Headlining festivals, sold out shows, reaching the top of the charts. You name it, they’ve done it. And, they’ve done it again. 

With the pre released singles from The Ride, such as 7 or Soundcheck, it would have appeared that Catfish and the Bottlemen were eager to make an album that twinned their previous. But with listening to the entire album, it’s obvious that the band are out to do something different while still giving it their unique, homemade sound. Songs like Twice (listen above), Red, and Heathrow, just to name a few, give the band a little bit of diversity under their belt with slowed down tempos, earthy vocals, and honest sounds. There’s even a completely acoustic track on the album, Glasgow, plunked almost randomly in the middle of the album. The album as a whole plays on the idea of romance on the road. It’s an uninteresting concept, but Catfish and the Bottlemen pull it off quite well. 

it is obvious that Catfish and the Bottlemen have a lot of rock, and possibly even grunge, background coming into making music. The Ride brings a since of rawness to what a lot of music has been missing. With the advancements in technology and soundboards over the past few decades, many bands and musicians have taken advantage and have added fresh, new electronic sounds to their music. Catfish and the Bottlemen have taken a step back and applied a simpler approach. There are no fancy bells or whistles in this album, but that’s exactly what sets it apart. 

If you were a fan of The Balcony, you will definitely be a fan of The Ride. The band hasn’t strayed too much from their original sound, but just enough to make listening to The Ride a brand new experience. It is definitely worth listening to the entire album, and worth a purchase. The future for these British rockers looks bright, and The Ride is an excellent stepping stone to how far they can go. 

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Young the Giant have released a new song titled “Something To Believe In” set to be apart of their third studio album, Home of the Strange, which will be released August 12th.

“I’m a song bird with a brand new track. You underestimate.”

Young the Giant have announced a new album while still being signed to major record label, Fueled By Ramen. Young the Giant remain one of the largest bands signed to this label despite their fizzing out over the past few years. None the less, “Something To Believe in” have received a lot of positive traction and has even topped Alt Nation Hits charts as the number 13 song this week. 

The song introduces a roughness that Young the Giant haven’t touched on much in their two previous albums, but it works surprisingly well for them.  The song features a lot of heavy guitars (well, heavy for Young the Giant, at least) and dirty vocals that give the song a bit of edge in comparison to some of their other work. This song won't only appeal to Young the Giant fans, but to a much broader audience given it’s uniqueness. 

The other song that has been released from Home of the Strange, “Amerika,” is very classically Young the Giant and doesn’t fill any niche that any other Young the Giant song wasn’t filling, but is good none the less. Altogether, Home of the Strange will be an album to watch for this summer. 

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Blink 182 are back, joined by Matt Skiba, with their new song “Bored to Death” set to be a part of their album, California, coming out on July 1st. 

Blink 182 are back after their hiatus from the music scene equipped with Alkaline Trio member, Matt Skiba, as a replacement for founding member, Tom Delonge. While many were skeptical of Skiba being added to the band, a few live performances from early 2015 seemed promising. But many fans said Blink could never return without Delonge, to which “Bored to Death” begs to differ.

“It’s a long way back from 17.”

Blink are back in an all new way. “Bored to Death” starts off with the classic fade in drum techniques of Travis Barker, similar to older Blink songs like “Feeling This.” But quickly the song turns into somewhat of a power rock, pop punk anthem (sounds familiar, right?) But don't start to think that Blink have become has-beens, trying to recreate their early 2000′s, late 90′s sound. They have evolved into a much more mature sound with more intricate guitar riffs and melodic vocals. “Bored to Death” exceeded a lot of expectations that people had for Blink after their 2011 release, Neighborhoods, which most fans were slightly disappointed with. Many have been criticizing that “Bored to Death” is too reminiscent of +44. But what those people may also be forgetting is that 2/3 of Blink 182 were members of +44, and that +44 was a great band with a very mature sound. Altogether, there have been mostly positive reviews surrounding “Bored to Death” and new member Matt Skiba, and all with good reason. Blink 182 have found a middle ground sound that suits them well, and California will definitely be an album to watch for.  

Overall, if you have ever enjoyed a Blink 182 song, it is well worth your time to take a listen to “Bored to Death.” It is a refreshing song that will keep you listening over and over again. Blink 182′s new album will be well anticipated, along with their gigantic summer tour. 

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Australian rock group Tonight Alive recently released their 3rd full length album, Limitless. 

Through warped tours and many supporting gigs, you may have heard of Sydney based five piece Tonight Alive. If you haven’t yet heard of them, they’re definitely worth a solid listen. 

Limitless, goes into depths that none of Tonight Alive’s previous albums have before. This album offers insight as to what it’s like to move through life as a human being, and how difficult and beautiful that can be. Songs like “Drive,” “Everywhere,” and “I Defy” highlight a lot of the album with their movement based feel, along with my personal favorite, “Waves.” These songs are begging people not only to listen, but to think; something most music lacks. Lyrically, this album is phenomenal. Practically begging people to step outside of their comfort zones and to step into themselves. It’s also rather easy to take a religious standpoint on this album, though I’m not sure this was the intention. This album also includes a pretty good jam about mother earth titled “We Are” that brings up the ever pressing issues of climate control. This album speaks volumes. Overall, it isn’t lacking in conceptual ideas whatsoever. It’s tones and musical value fall a bit flat at times, but over all, the album is easily Tonight Alive’s best work to date. I would have preferred to hear a little more guitar and a little less vocal dubbing, but it’s not bad whatsoever. 

Limitless is definitely worth at least a stream from your outlet of choice. It’s definitely an interesting sound that the band hasn’t explored yet, but there’s definitely some old school Tonight Alive hidden into the crevices. Give the album a download or a listen and be sure to catch Tonight Alive as they head to Warped Tour this summer. 

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Catfish and the Bottlemen have released a brand new single, Soundcheck, which will be featured on their full length album The Ride which will be available on May 27th. 

The new single is very classically Catfish and the Bottlemen, and that’s exactly what most fans of the band are looking for. This song features a soft melodic chorus with a nice upbeat chorus that makes you feel like you ‘don’t need nothing.’ With the bands 2014 release of The Balcony, expectations were high. Catfish and the Bottlemen hit the ground really quickly after the first release, which tends to leave bands with a big head for their next produced sound, thinking it has to be daring and different to keep people listening. Catfish and the Bottlemen know better. This song is new, fresh, and very Catfish and the Bottlemen. 

If you’re a fan of classic rock, pop punk, or indie-alternative; Catfish and the Bottlemen have it. It’s becoming harder to find good guitar sounds mixed with raw, unmastered drumming, but Catfish and the Bottlemen offer and deliver just that. This band is an easy listen and I can't wait to see what their new album has in store. If Soundcheck is any indicator, it’s going to be great. Check out their previous album The Balcony before then to get your fix of classic, big sound rock. 

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Panic! at the Disco recently released their 5th studio album, Death of a Bachelor. Panic! at the Disco are known for always keeping listeners on their toes, and this album is no different. It’s almost as if this is the album that Panic! at the Disco (or should I say, Brendon Urie) have been waiting their entire career to make. 

This album starts with a gang vocal shouting the sing-song tune of the pop-rock anthem “Victorious.” The album continues to bust out big choruses and twists and turns of sound behind every corner. Songs like “House of Memories,” “Golden Days,” and “Hallelujah” prove that point exactly. Though this album may seem to be a breach of the neck for many old Panic! fans, worry not! This album is full of throwbacks to the A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out days. And maybe even some Vices and Virtues thrown in in places. But this album somehow continues to stay new and fresh. Death of a Bachelor somehow incorporates the musical influences of Frank Sinatra, Fall Out Boy, Lady Gaga, and somehow make it work. 

Death of a Bachelor also has a lot to say. The title in and of itself gives a wave to the idea of letting go of your past and welcoming a “promising” future. The uncertainty behind monogamy is very prominent through the album. It should also be noted that if you’re looking for real symbolism in a song/music video combo, “Emperor’s New Clothes” gives the message of being selfish in all the wrong ways. Highly recommended. 

Overall, Death of a Bachelor is worth a stream at the very least. Standout songs from the album include, “Victorious,” “Emperor’s New Clothes,” “Death of a Bachelor,” and the song linked above “Crazy=Genius,” which highlights the entirety of the album within one song. So if you only have time for one song, make it that one. 

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A throwback album that might send you back into your days of eyeliner and drawn on converse, but none the less, Fall Out Boy’s, Infinity on High, has every reason to be talked about. 

The 2007 release starts off with a enchanting guitar riff behind the rapping (though more like odd talking) of Jay Z in the sing “Thriller.” “Thriller definitely rings in this album with a bang. As the album goes on, we get a more in depth view as to just what this album is about; making it. With songs like “Hum Hallelujah,” “Thnks fr th Mmrs,” and “The (After) Life of the Party” listeners get an inside look as to how to remember the past and try to move on; possibly one of the most difficult tasks to write about as a musician. Many songs and albums today put on an outward issue and fixate on it to occupy about half an hour of listening time, and never retouch on the subject. Not this album. 

The lyrics on this album are of course the brain child of Pete Went, bassist and lyricist for the band. In Wentz’s autobiography “Gray” he goes more in depth to the time that this album was written. I suggest reading it if you would really like to know more about this album. Lyrically, this album can stand on it’s own as a thought provoking, yet catchy as hell, piece of art. The Van Gough hat tips in this album really hold true, as it’s easily one of the most beautifully odd albums to date. 

if you haven't yet hear this album, I recommend listening to it. Even if you have a hatred for Fall Out Boy as most hipsters do these days (which, why?) I really think almost anyone can gain insight, or maybe even just a song to sing along to, from this album. The stand out tracks on this album are “Thriller,” “The Take Over, The Breaks Over,” “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,” Hum Hallelujah,” and my personal favorite, and most popular, “Thnks fr th Mmrs.” As Fall Out boy continue to grow larger and larger as a band, I feel it’s only appropriate to remember how some of it began. 

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As the year 2015 wraps up, it’s time for me to tell you about the top album of 2015, “The Desired Effect” by Brandon Flowers. This album not only has an air of heart and soul in it, this album appeals to all music lovers alike. Wether you like, pop, rock, jazz, indie, or just plain singer-songwriter, “The Desired Effect” is an album that will fill your ears with joy. 

“The Desired Effect” is Brandon Flower’s second album, following his 2010 release, “Flamingo,” and of course all those Killers albums his got under his belt. If I’m being completely honest, which I always am, I would have never expected this album to be so good. Brandon’s first solo release “Flamingo” was nothing to brag about, if even talk about. So when Flower’s announced he was releasing another solo album, (in lure of a Killers break, I suppose?) many were apprehensive. But this album exceeded my expectations.

The meaning behind this album is very deep and makes the listener think beyond when the record ends. Songs like “Can’t Deny My Love,” “Still Want You,” and “I Can Change” point the listener to believe that this album is about trouble in a relationship. While that might sound somewhat unoriginal, this album does something that most albums about troubled relationships don't, it talks about why it’s broken, how it effects the relationship, and the idea that it can be mended despite all of it. Hence, the term “The Desired Effect.” Few albums in 2015 brought this much emotion that resonates with it’s listener, and “The Desired Effect” provides the listenability that makes it the best. 

If you need more proof as to why you absolutely cannot miss listening to this album, take a listen to the more stand out tracks of the album “Can’t Deny My Love,” “Lonely Town,” “Untangled Love,” and the slow, contemporary, heartfelt winning track of this album “Between Me and You.” (linked above)

Overall, don’t waste anymore time having not heard this album. Buy, stream, or download “The Desired Effect” today. (Preferably you will buy the album, you won't regret it.) 

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This weeks throwback Thursday album is “Language and Perspective” by the New Mexico natives Bad Suns. This album is full of easy listening, nicely flowing songs. In a recent interview with Ernie Ball, Bad Suns say that they have been in bands before that just have cluttered sounding music, and that they wanted to produce something where every instrument and vocal could be heard individually, but also work together as a band. They have done exactly that with “Language and Perspective.”

Though this album was only released in 2014, it has produced timeless songs such as “Salt,” “Cardiac Arrest,” and “We Move Like the Ocean.” Though,if you ask me, all the songs off of this album could easily be your favorite. This album works together so well to bring together the idea behind naming it “Language and Perspective.” The lyric from the song “Matthew James” presents the lyric “Language and perspective shape the way we live, some things are hard to take and even harder to give.” I think that perfectly incapsulates what this album is and the message it was trying to send in 2014, and today; a desperately needed message. 

Overall, I think this album is worth streaming at VERY minimum. It’s an album that I think most people would be fond of. Though Bad Suns aren't taking leaps and bounds worth of risks in their music, who says you have to? They’ve gone back to the roots of indie rock and do it ver, very well. Bad Suns have been releasing statements claiming that they are busy making new music, so listen to “Language and Perspective” for you Bad Suns fix until then. 

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This weeks throw back Thursday album is “Brand New Eyes” by Paramore. Released in 2009, this album brings back a Paramore that we all know and love (of course, not that Paramore’s new sound is any better or worse, just different). This album is full of blasting rock guitars, bass, and drum sounds along with belting vocals that will make your vocal chords ache just by listening to it. 

Songs like “Careful,” “Ignorance,” and “Brick by Boring Brick” really set the album off, but songs like “The Only Exception,” “Playing God,” and “Misguided Ghosts” give the album a calmer tone that give it a nice versatility. This is a fantastic album and is defiantly worth the time to listen to.

Overall, this is the album of the past that you should be streaming this week while we patiently sit back and wait for more Paramore music in the future. Hopefully, that will be sooner rather than later, but in the meantime, listen to “Brand New Eyes” to get your Paramore fix. 

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Mid October, new artist Børns released his debut album “Dopamine.” The album includes hits like “Electric Love” and “Past Lives” that made an impact to the music scene as soon as they were released in early 2015. It’s safe to say that “Dopamine” is a refreshing album full of classic guitar tones, pop music influences, and catchy lyrics that will leave you listening over and over again.

The album begins with surprisingly melodic songs like “10,000 Emerald Pools” and “Dug My Heart,” which defiantly prove Børns rock and roll roots, but with a new age twist. Things quickly begin to pick up once the loud thudding drumbeat and distorted guitar riff of “Electric Love” come into play, though. “Electric Love’ is a lively tune that will keep you singing along in your head for days (and you won't even mind it). This song perfectly incapsulates just what “Dopamine” is; pop-rock love anthems. That may be the only place that this album possibly falters. The fact that very few, if any, of the songs are about something other that relationships or of human companionship. Not that this is a bad thing, but it would be nice to see some versatility. The title track song “Dopamine” is proof of this in and of itself. 

“Baby I don't wanna think about it, all I wanna be is under your control.”

Lyrically this album is quite clever and makes well enough sense, but doesn't have maybe as much substance as Børns may have anticipated, which judging by his recent interviews, he definitely intends to have substance in his lyrics. To me, this album doesn’t have much to say, but what it does say, it says well. 

All in all “Dopamine” is easily one of the best albums of 2015. I highly recommend buying the album (thats right buying, not streaming or downloading; buying). But if you need a little proof before you buy the album, the stand out tracks on the album are “Electric Love,” “Dopamine,” “American Money,” and “10,000 Emerald Pools.”

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Panic! At the Disco have released another song from their upcoming album “Death of a Bachelor” set to release on January 15th, 2016. “LA Devotee” starts out with a simple drum beat and a steady bass line that keeps up well with the signature sound of Panic low vocal versus, followed by the high pitched, falsetto chorus spitting out lyrics about someone who takes themselves a little too seriously. Sound familiar? More than likely. 

While I’m not trying to say Panic have become predictable (it’s actually quite the opposite of that, really,) I will say that this song is somewhat underwhelming to the banger hits that they’ve released recently. With the sing along aspects of songs like “Hallelujah” and the down right creepiness that you can't help but love from “Emperor’s New Clothes,” I suppose I just expected this song to have more of a punch to it, though the key change near the ending of the song was quite nice.

While “LA Devotee” is nothing to phone home about, that can't be said about the potential for “Death of a Bachelor” as a whole. I myself haven't the faintest idea where this album is going, but from what I've heard, I’m along for the ride. I can hear where songs like “Hallelujah” and “Death of a Bachelor” may go together on the same album, and the same could be said for “Victorious” and “Emperor’s New Clothes.” But mash those together, and throw “LA Devotee” into the mix and I can honestly say that the songs that have been released from this album this far are down right puzzling. I honestly cannot wait to hear the completed product. 

Overall, “LA Devotee” might not win over any skeptics, but Panic fans should be pleased. it definitely isn’t a dismissal on the album itself, as there are songs that have been released, this far, that are absolute winners. I recommend listening to “Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Hallelujah” before jumping into “LA Devotee,” but all-in-all, this album will be one to watch for.