Florida Georgia Line: ‘Anything Goes’

Posted on by Hannah Smith

Florida Georgia Line released their second installment to their discography Anything Goes on Oct. 14.

Since the duo released their first single “Cruise” in 2012, their career has exploded. Every single released since then has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Their debut album Here’s to the Good Times was certified double-platinum earlier this year. It is very rare for an artist to be this successful on their first try, but Florida Georgia Line has been breaking records since they launched onto the music scene. Given their success up until now, the latest album appeared at No. 1 on the day of its release.

If you’re looking for an innovative, enlightening country album, avoid this like the plague. From the first song, it’s clear the album is just a washed-up bundle of repetitive songs. Their first single from this album, “Dirt,” gave listeners the assumption this album would be more mature and possibly revert back to country’s traditional roots. But it appears that may be the only stand-out song on the album. Just by looking at the song titles, one can infer that they all sound relatively the same. Their debut album was mainly about partying as well, so it would be expected a second album should move on from that scene. Unfortunately, it doesn’t and basically repeats everything they’ve already covered, but in a less unique way. The songs overlap and cover the same material. The album begs the question, “If the song doesn’t reference alcohol, did Florida Georgia Line really sing it?”

While their first album contained much of the same material, it didn’t rely nearly as heavily on techno or drum beats through each song. There was more reliance on instrumentals, which helped the duo to still have some ties to country music. Any of the last remaining ties to the genre were thrown out on this album. Country artists are free to be innovative and break away from “traditional country,” much like in any genre. This is generally welcomed among newer generations of fans.

Many criticize the duo for not staying true to the genre, but the real issue is not making good music. This album belongs to a whole different genre of fans, specifically pop. The duo is following in the footsteps of Taylor Swift, who was reluctant to be called a “pop” artist until this year despite the undeniable shift in her music that occurred soon after she got her start. But her success hasn’t faltered, and I doubt the duo’s will either.

Fortunately, the album doesn’t contain much of their “hick-hop” style like on songs such as “This is How We Roll.” The album is more consistent than their debut, but in a way that makes it almost boring. Despite how repetitive it may be, the duo built up an enormous fan base with their touring and first couple of singles. Because of the massive amounts of fans they’ve acquired, this album will likely rise to the top just as their debut did, despite the differences between the two.

2/5

The 10 Best Albums of 2014 (So Far)

Posted on by Hannah Smith

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This year has brought some of the best, most unique music heard in a while. Across all genres, new and established artists have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their craft. Many are making a return to music after a break of multiple years. For many artists, it has paid off as 2014 has been a year for some of the best albums of the 2000’s. There have also been many brand new artists who’ve achieved substantial popularity and No. 1 singles with their debut albums

10. Hozier – Hozier

A newcomer to music, Hozier released his debut album this year. His self-titled album is incredibly intimate and personal, filled with emotional depth. The album is everything an artist’s debut could hope to achieve.

9. Conor Oberst – Upside Down Mountain

This year produced some of the best in songwriting, apparent on Conor Oberst’s Upside Down Mountain. The Bright Eyes front man is still fairly new to the solo scene, but has no problem finding his niche, even though his last album was released two years ago.

8. Miranda Lambert – Platinum

Miranda Lambert released the album Platinum this year, titled for her expectation of its success. Containing some of the best songs of her career, the album emphasizes how honest her songs can be. From sassy songs like “Little Red Wagon” to nostalgia-filled “Automatic,” the concepts on her album are vast and relatable.

7. The Black Keys – Turn Blue

Returning from a three-year break between albums, The Black Keys decided to explore their psychedelic side with their eighth album Turn Blue. While the sound of this album strays from their well-established hard rock, bluesy style, the change of pace was generally welcomed among fans. Critics have even noted the album as the duo’s best yet.

6. Mac DeMarco – Salad Days

Mac DeMarco graced us with another album this year, just his second to date. Salad Days favored well among the rock and independent charts, as well as the Billboard 200. The album contains somewhat odd beats and lyrics that are weirdly calming and interesting.

5. Eric Church – The Outsiders

The Outsiders has proved to be Eric Church’s most experimental album to date. The country artist opts for more rock-influenced music, instead of the incessant “hick-hop” that has proven popular over the past year.

4. Jack White – Lazaretto

There is never enough music by Jack White. His second solo album Lazaretto was released earlier this year, nearly two years after his first solo release. Despite his ever-present role in the music industry, his music is just as enthusiastic and creative as when he got his start in 1990.

3. Hurray for the Riff Raff – Small Town Heroes

The trend of simplicity reached the album Small Town Heroes by Hurray for the Riff Raff. The album shows how acoustic sounds can prove beneficial in an age of technology-ridden music. Hurray for Riff Raff sets simple lyrics to simple music and the result is a much more appreciated style of music.

2. Beck – Morning Phase

This year welcomed Beck back with open arms. He released the mystical Morning Phase, his first album since 2008. The lyrics are saturated with truth and simplicity. The album itself is incredibly personal and well worth the wait.


1. St. Vincent – St. Vincent

One of the most talked about albums of the year belongs to St. Vincent. Her self-titled album was her fourth solo album and has topped nearly every chart available in the music industry. Rolling Stone claims her album is “her best set of songs to date, with wry, twisty beats pushing her lovable ornery melodies toward grueling revelations.”

Murder By Death x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Emily McBride

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Murder By Death is a genre-defying, whiskey-soaked five-piece originally from Bloomingon, Indiana.  They’ve graced us with six full-length albums and are gearing up to release a seventh (hu-freaking-zzah).

I got a little phone time with Adam Turla (vocals, guitar) recently to talk about the album, as well as their upcoming tour dates (below – Athens readers, I better see you on the 25th), their Halloween plans, and their annual show at the Stanley Hotel.

Vinyl Mag: I saw on Facebook that y’all were listening to the master recently. Where are you in that process now?

Adam: Record’s done. I actually ordered all of the vinyl yesterday. I put it all out myself. We haven’t released our record, and we haven’t announced it yet, but we do have a release. All the wheels are in motion…now we’re planning the tour for the album, and we’re planning the special edition vinyl, and we need some t-shirts. It’s especially a really fun time, because the creative work is done, and now I just look for artists I like to get involved; there’s a side of it where I get to just say, ‘I like this’ or ‘I don’t like this.’ It’s a lot easier than trying to write a song that means something.

VM: You said you’re looking for artists you like.  How do you find them?

AT: At this point, having been around for a long time, we just know a lot of artists…that’s been one of the things that I never really thought about when I started playing music is how cool it is that, even though you’re in a different field, you get to associate with people who have other creative jobs, and that’s been a real pleasure. Like some of the t-shirt designs – they’re just shirts – but some of the designs for this record release were just amazing. If you’re selling something, I want it to look good. I don’t want to just slap my name on some junk and tell people to buy it.

VM: You always package your LPs really awesome, and I know you just said you like to collaborate with artists. Are you doing sort of the same thing for the vinyl?

AT: Yeah, with the new record, we hired a friend of ours who is an art teacher and artist. We’ve never done this style of album design. We often do images or wood carve, that kind of thing. This time it’s like a mixed media centered around photography…it’s got a different feel to it…we’re doing some cool, special stuff for the new one. We’re doing mirror board; we got a lot of stuff. I’m really excited. I get a sample in a couple of weeks.

VM: Specifically for vinyl, why is it important to you to put so much design into it, especially now that a lot of people are doing Spotify and MP3’s?

AT: That’s how some people get their music; I never really did it. I like records, and the whole reason the band got into to doing vinyl was because we just happen to listen to vinyl. The label, back in the day for our first record I’d asked them, ‘Hey can we do vinyl?’ and they said, ‘Eh, we don’t really want to spend the money.’ I get that. So I thought, ‘Well, can I do it?’ So I started putting it out just because nobody else would, and it ended up becoming this thing where now the fans know we put it out, and they like that, and they know that we’re going to do a cool design. It also ends up taking away the middleman or middlemen who are all seeking a cut…I think an album represents more than just the music. I was one of those kids who sat with the record and poured over everything, reading all the details that they’d give me. It’s nice to include that; it’s nice to have the lyrics and to have the whole impression of the project.

VM: Yeah, I think that’s interesting what you said, because I do tend to think about musicians collaborating with musicians, but it’s cool that you’re collaborating with artists of different media.

AT: Yeah, I love it! For example, I have a friend that I grew up with who is a comic book artist. I wrote a song for his Kickstarter that he did last year, and he did some design work for me. It’s really cool, because I’ve known this guy forever, and we like each other’s art, but there’s not an obvious way to collaborate, but we’ve found ways to do that. Like, he just did a really cool poster design for us. It’s just nice to brainstorm ideas and come up with fun ways to work together.

VM: Can you tell me more about the concept for the upcoming record?

AT: It’s a little different than some of our other records. Sometimes I’ll do more ‘concept-y’ records where it’s a story that I’m telling with the songs. There is a link that kind of popped up as we were writing it – there are a lot of songs that are more sort of darker love songs or non-traditional love songs. I’ve always been bored out of my mind by radio love songs usually. Sometimes there’s great stuff out there. Especially modern stuff just seems really convoluted in the lyrical content, so I was trying to write songs about love that is not just unrequited love with teenage lyrics.

There are songs about the love and the fear that comes with a parent’s love; there’s a song that’s about a totally unacceptable, obsessive love. It just explores the idea of love in different layouts. I was trying to write songs that I thought were interesting but still love songs. So that was actually a really a fun experiment.  At times it was actually really difficult.

It really developed…the coolest part about it is that sonically, we were able to finally choose some stuff that we’ve been working on a long time, and it really suited the songs.  I think the thing we had to struggle with the most was playing less, basically. It’s a struggle for everybody to be playing all the time. It’s really hard to sit back and let somebody else do a bunch of work, and then when your entrance comes in, it’s even more dramatic. I think for the first record, we really felt like we nailed that idea of, ‘I’m just going to sit out for a minute, and when I come in, I’ll do something really special.’ We just kept cutting parts, and that was really satisfying, and the record sounds bigger for it.

VM: Possessed by Paul James covered “I Came Around” for the 20-year compilation for Bloodshot [Records]. The track list I read is really awesome, but how did that come about?

AT: You know what, I haven’t even heard it yet, but I’m going to. I’m glad you brought that up; I need to check that out. I didn’t know it was happening. I just heard about it from the label. I knew our label was doing a release where artists were covering Bloodshot songs – it’s a cool idea. It’s their 20-year celebration, and the label’s been around for a long time and put out a lot of great stuff. I think it’s a really fun way to celebrate those releases, also to bring them back to people’s minds. I didn’t realize that was happening until a couple days ago, so I need to give that a listen.

VM: So, you’re playing the Stanley Hotel again. Is that going to be an annual thing?

AT: I think it is. Basically it was intended to be a one-time thing. It started as two nights, 300 tickets a night. We thought, ‘okay, we sell out at 600 capacity in Denver. This is like an hour and half from Denver. We’ll be able to sell 600 tickets for this.’ It was really fun, and it’s really interesting.

That’s one of the main things; we try to do interesting things. If we were bigger, we would do really crazy thing, but we just do as much as we can with the amount of fans we have. We try to keep the job interesting for everybody. I had that idea a couple years ago; we actually pulled it off. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing in this band. The shows were awesome, and everybody dressed to the nines. It was just really fun and positive. Everyone was saying, ‘you gotta do this again, you gotta do this again.’So we announced it again with an expanded capacity.

We had it a third night last year, so we ended up doing 900 tickets. We had an expanded capacity this year, so it was like 500 for three nights – sold out right away. It’s just crazy, because when we did it, it was for the idea.

It’s great for us, because if [fans] want to do this every year, we’ll come up with more ideas like this. We’re really lucky to have an audience that wants to think outside of the box. It’s more than just going to a regular club; they just want to do something fun and interesting. That’s something I’ve loved about them for a long time, and I’m just starting to realize we just need to take that idea and basically just host a bunch of parties.

VM: Yeah, it’s really cool, because a lot of people just want to passively go to a show, but this is an interactive thing that your audience is getting behind.

AT: Yeah! The show’s over at around 11:00, and I close the bar every single night at three in the morning, because usually people want to talk to the band; they want to talk to me about shows, the band, and their experience. I just want to be available to the people. It ends up being more personal, because it’s also a slumber party since you’re all staying at a haunted hotel. That’s awesome! It’s the sort of thing where I would have lost my mind as a kid if I had heard about it. If I were 18, and a band I was into was doing something like that, it would’ve been the best thing!

VM: Are y’all doing anything special for Halloween?

AT: No, actually. The band doesn’t have any plans. We’re playing a show right before that. I might just pass around candy.

VM: Do you have a costume?

AT: Yeah, I’m working on it. I think I’m gonna go with Macho Man Randy Savage. Sarah [Balliet – cello, keys] and I have been talking about it, and she’s thinking about going as the Undertaker. I have this cursory interest in wrestling. When I was a kid I thought, ‘this seems kind of cool.’ I didn’t know much about it, but I loved those guys when I was a kid. I thought they were just crazy dudes.

VM: You’re ‘working on’ your costume. Does that mean you’re making your costume?

AT: Oh yeah. I’ll make a sweet champion wrestling belt. You have to make some of it; that’s the fun part. We had a costume where Sarah and I went as the old man who’s trapped inside the whale. So we had raggedy clothes with beards, and we made an eight-foot long, cardboard whale. I just sat inside the whale at the party we were at. Definitely my favorite costume I’ve ever done.

VM: When was that?

AT: Maybe about five years ago.

VM: Y’all moved from Bloomington.  Why the move?

AT: Well, 15 years there was great, but it was just time to try something else; move to a bigger city to some extent. I love Louisville, because it feels like a big and a small city. It feels like you get both sides of it. We started realize that Bloomington had a smaller feel. Personally, I think that it’s a good thing to be from a small city, just having a quiet place to go back to when we were on the road all the time. It was really nice. You get the modest town. There’s a college there, but it doesn’t really enter people’s lives unless they’re a student or you work at a bar. I think it was just time to try something new. We have some family down here, lost of friends have moved down here, so it was kind of an obvious choice.

VM: Is this going to affect your Thanksgiving plans with Lil Bub?

AT: [Laughs] Good question. I haven’t seen her in four months. I actually need to repost that video, because we are big fans. She’s awesome.  Her owner is such a good dude. He’s got the right idea…he’s not an Internet guy; he doesn’t give a sh*t about memes [and Internet fame] and things like that. His friends convinced him to start posting photos, and it just took off and happened to him, and he went with it, and he went in the best possible way. He’s raised something like $100,000 for animal charities. It’s insane. The guy has turned down so many opportunities to make money in order to fundraise instead.

VM: Are you excited for your tour?

AT: Yeah, it’s just a short, little one. It’s just four shows. It’ll be fun, and we’ll dust off the cobwebs. We’re so focused on the record this year, so we just haven’t really done much live playing. I feel like when you do less, not a lot of shows, you’re a lot more fun at each show, because there’s kind of a danger that you might screw up.

VM: Y’all are coming to Athens, so I’ll be there for that.

AT: Awesome, yeah we’re excited. I realized that it is the first headlining show that we’ve ever done there, which is crazy. We’ve been there a million times.

VM: Yeah, I saw y’all last time you were here with Say Anything. So, it’s been a while.

AT: Yeah, we hadn’t played in Athens since 2002 before that show.

VM: I did an interview with you at SXSW 2013, and you recommended that I listen to Shovels and Rope, which I totally have.

AT: Oh cool! They’ve gotten huge since then!

VM: Yeah, I got in before, so I appreciate that. I was wondering what you were listening to lately and if you have any new recommendations.

AT: I have not been listening to that much stuff lately. I think because when I get into writing, I get so focused on the song…the thing I’ve been listening to most lately is David Bowie, because I went to the exhibit in Chicago. They had a bunch of music and costumes and all sorts of stage stuff. I’m a big Bowie fan. For the exhibit, we drove to Chicago just to see that.

VM: I saw the “Dance Magic Dance” thing on Facebook.

AT: Still going strong.

Post by Murder By Death.

VM: Such an awesome movie, good call!

AT: Probably time for a re-watch. We’re doing scary movie days for October.

VM: So what’s today?

AT: I don’t know yet – probably something bad. That’s the fun thing about horror movies is that it’s not all good movies. We’re due for a crappy one.

VM: What’d you watch last night?

AT: We watched Wake in Fright, which is an Australian movie from the 70’s. It’s weird, because it’s not really like a horror movie in the traditional sense, but it’s really unsettling, and it has this really strange vibe to it. It’s more like an art movie than it is a horror movie.

VM: What is next for y’all?

AT: Getting the record out and letting people know it’s out there. It’s crazy, because I’ve been working on it for a year and a half, and what happens next is we wait for it to come out and get promoted for a while. By the time it’s actually out, some of the vinyls have been out for a while. Right now it’s just in a holding pen, waiting until people can hear it.

VM: What are you going to do as soon as we hang up the phone?

AT: Eat a sandwich.

 

Tour Dates:

Oct 22    The Concourse at The International    Knoxville, TN
Oct 23    The Jinx Nightclub    Savannah, GA
Oct 24    New Brookland Tavern    Columbia, SC
Oct 25    40 Watt Club    Athens, GA
Dec 30    The Gothic Theater w/ Lucero   Englewood, CO
Dec 31    The Gothic Theater w/ Lucero   Englewood, CO
Jan 02    Stanley Hotel Concert Hall    Estes Park, CO Sold Out
Jan 03    Stanley Hotel Concert Hall    Estes Park, CO Sold Out
Jan 04    Stanley Hotel Concert Hall    Estes Park, CO Sold Out

Lia Ices at Tabernacle on October 14

Posted on by Michelle King
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How many pop stars do you know from Westport, Connecticut? Didn’t think so. Allow me to introduce Lia Ices, the experimental pop songstress you may not yet be familiar with, but will be soon enough. Having just released her third full-length album (second for Jagjaguwar) and currently touring with Phantogram, it won’t be too long before Lia Ices is a more commonly mentioned name.

Ices released her first album in 2008, but it was 2011’s Grown Unknown LP that first found her spot in the public eye, featuring a duet with Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon as well as the single “Love is Won” which scored a placement in HBO’s Girls.

Compared to the likes of Bat for Lashes and Feist, Ices’ vocals certainly stand at the forefront of her music, but there’s a lot more going on here than a pretty voice. In describing the influences on her recently released self-titled LP, Ices explained, “We allowed everything we loved to find its way in: Persian percussion, hip-hop beats, lo-fi, hi-fi, Pakistani pop, Link Wray, Jason Pierce, gospel, dub.”

Tuesday night at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Ices took the stage sporting a jersey printed with her name across the chest and a pair of white high top basketball sneakers. Dressed for the game, indeed. And credit to her confidence as a performer to take hold of the microphone and the stoic crowd’s attention simultaneously, making no delay in marching with conviction and charming smiles onto the faces of a room full of people awaiting a more melancholic experience with headliner Phantogram. Not the most perfect fit for a pairing, in my opinion, but I’m sure she made more than a few fans that night.

Her tour continues with dates in Philly, DC, and Brooklyn and wraps up in the Hudson Valley, where Ices was conceptualized. You can pick up the LP at the Jagjaguwar store, and do keep an eye out for more from Ices. Her quirky pop sensibilities have the kind of charm that won’t leave her under the radar for long.

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DOUBLE Song Premiere: Witchsister

Posted on by Vinyl Mag

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Witchsister is an all-girl rock band made up of sisters Stevie, Skylar, Kelsey, and Stephanie Petet.

They released their five-song EP back in January, and now they’re gearing up to release their first full length album in December.

For a first look at their upcoming album, we’ve got a double song premiere for you!

Check out their tracks, “Stuff” and “Face” below!

Be sure to follow Witchsister on their Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp for updates!

ICYIMI: Everything That Happened This Week

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

Every week, the entertainment world brings us new music, TV shows, movies and, sometimes, celebrity break-ups. A lot can and does happen in seven days, but with a busy schedules, you can’t possibly keep up with everything out there. So to help, here’s everything that you missed in the week of Oct. 12-Oct. 18.

1.) Neil Patrick Harris will be hosting the 2015 Oscars

After hosting the Tonys and Emmys, it is only fitting that NPH would go on to host the most sophisticated award show – the Oscars. The former How I Met Your Mother star was will have some big shoes to fill, following 2014 emcee Ellen DeGeneres. But I don’t think that’ll be a problem.  NPH has the support of many fans including funny man Seth MacFarlane. The Oscars premiere Feb. 22, 2015 on ABC.

(The Los Angeles Times)

2.) Afroman got high again

Rapper-singer Afroman released a remix of his 2001 hit “Because I Got High” earlier this week to show his support for the legalization of marijuana across the nation.

The song has been making waves with the YouTube video reaching over 2 million views since it was released last Wednesday. Check it out for yourself below!

(Rolling Stone)

3.) Foo Fighters released a new single!

In preparation for the release of their upcoming album Sonic Highways, rock band Foo Fighters premiered their new single “Something from Nothing.”  The single is the first song on the tracklist for the album and was produced with the help of Steve Albini. The album will be available in stores everywhere Nov. 10.  Check out “Something from Nothing” below.

(Consequence of Sound)

 

 

Listen: Angelo De Augustine: “Old Hope”

Posted on by Sarah Bennett

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Newcomer Angelo De Augustine’s eerie new single, “Old Hope”, has arrived just in time for your fall playlist.

The hauntingly calm ballad is the second single from his debut album, Spirals of Silence. At a mere two minutes, “Old Hope” is short and sweet enough for your drive home or as a studying staple.

De Augustine’s mellow guitar riffs and soft vocals make this a perfect listen for fans of Elliott Smith and Nick Drake.

The Los Angeles native stepped on the scene at the beginning of September with his first single, “How Past Begins.” Although this is his first full-length album, he has already succeeded in captivating audiences with simple serenades produced in his bedroom with a reel-to-reel recorder. De Augustine is currently touring with singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen.

“The title, to me, means to be caught in the endless loop of silence, where you very much desire to live in the world, but are too afraid to be the one to initiate the first step, and are therefore sent back to the beginning,” the 22-year-old says in a press release about the title Spirals of Silence, which is set to be released on November 18.

Tour Dates:

11.20.14 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up Tavern*
11.21.14 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre*
11.22.14 – San Francisco – CA @ The Chapel*
* w/ Noah Gundersen

 

Cursive to Reissue The Ugly Organ

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

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American indie band, Cursive, is reissuing their acclaimed 2003 album, The Ugly Organ, as announced on the band’s website.

The album, which received nods from publications such as Rolling Stone (as well as being in our own Editor-in-Chief’s top 10 albums of all time), will be an expanded to a deluxe version available on both 2XCD and 2XLP vinyl. The additional disks will include eight additional tracks that were originally created for the 2003 copy’s tracklist.

Other goodies included in the 2XCD and 2XLP vinyl are a medley of handwritten notes, lyrics, artwork crafts, and rare photos.  Get your pre-orders here.

Curvise will be on tour starting next year with their kick-off show being February 10 in Denver, Colorado. The tour will last until March 21, when the finale is held in their hometown, Omaha, Nebraska.

Tickets are available for pre-order here!

Check out the “Art Is Hard” remaster below

Weezer: ‘Everything Will Be Alright in the End’

Posted on by Hannah Smith

Weezer released their ninth studio album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End, on October 7.

With only one single and various song leaks released from the new album just a few months prior, the band accumulated intense buzz, especially since they haven’t released an album since 2010’s Hurley. Much to fans’ approval, the band reunited with the producer of two earlier albums, the Blue Album and the Green Album. Many of the songs are reminiscent of the Weezer we fell in love with in the ‘90s and signify a change of pace for the band. Rivers Cuomo, Weezer’s lead vocalist, pulls from earlier inspirations, which established the band’s reputation. With their last couple of albums failing to claim positive reviews, the new album gives some hope into Weezer’s future.

A return to basics is the theme of Everything Will Be Alright in the End. The album kicks off with some heavy guitar riffs, signaling nostalgia for lifelong fans of the band who have a particular love for Pinkerton. “Ain’t Got Nobody” also calls on those heartbroken lyrics the band has carried with them throughout their entire musical career, also apparent later in “Cleopatra.”

Next comes “Back to the Shack,” which was the only single released before the album. The single’s lyrics show, at least in the lead singer’s perspective, how the band wishes to return to their ‘90s-era style and feels the album can provide a new start for the music.

“Eulogy for a Rock Band” is exactly what it sounds like: a eulogy. Weezer could be singing to themselves with the lyrics, “Goodbye heroes/You had a good run/15 years of ruling the planet/But now your light is fading” (or, if you can’t bear the thought of the band quitting music, just dedicate it to a band who needs to step down). These first three songs are some of the most notable.

Of course, no Weezer album would be complete without songs about girls – welcome “Lonely Girl,” “Go Away,” and “Da Vinci.” “Go Away” is a particular treat, featuring vocals from Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino.

Similar to other albums, Cuomo writes about his absent father with “Foolish Father.” The album concludes with a three-part incredibly dramatic finale, showcasing the band’s musical talent.

Everything Will Be Alright in the End is a completely decent album. When compared to the magic created on Pinkerton, the Blue Album, and even the Red Album, this one comes up short. This is the best album Weezer has come out with since 2008. It’s filled with stabbing lyrics and pop-infused rhythms, while still being completely unique. The songs are catchy and fun but cannot capture the perfect mix of seriousness and creativity achieved in their earlier career, lacking the raw intensity that we know the band is capable of.

However, given the less-than-mediocre attempts at their two previous albums, this is a welcome change of pace for the band. If they continue along this revert to their classic style and expand upon it, their next album could be just as, or even more, successful.

3/5

Hozier: ‘Hozier’

Posted on by Hannah Smith

With his first single gaining momentum on the top charts, Hozier released his debut studio album October 7.

While the name may point to a band, Andrew Hozier-Byrne acts all on his own. The Irish musician released two EP’s previous to the studio album, one in 2013 and another earlier this year. What set the artist’s popularity off was the release of the video for his first single “Take Me to Church.” The music video for this powerful song shows a relationship between two men that takes a turn as the couple faces the consequences of a masked anti-gay group. When asked about the video in interviews, Hozier said the video is a statement against the anti-LGBT laws and oppression in Russia. The single has favored well in the U.S., topping numerous Billboard charts, such as Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs. After his Saturday Night Live debut this past weekend, he is sure to have gained even more fans with his album predicted to land in the top 10. Already awarded with a No. 1 album in his home country of Ireland, Hozier has become a worldwide sensation.

“Take Me to Church” launches the album and immediately draws the listener in with church acting as a metaphor. Hozier sings, “The only heaven I’ll be sent to/Is when I’m alone with you.” While the video depicts a relationship between two men, the song uses female pronouns.

The second song on the album was debuted on Saturday Night Live alongside “Take Me to Church.” “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene” is a more upbeat and less heavy song than the previous. The next song, “Jackie and Wilson,” continues with the same attitude. While the songs are more upbeat, their meaning isn’t lost. The artist sings, “I need to be youthfully felt ‘cause, God, I never felt young” about raising children on rhythm and blues.

The album reverts back to its original feel of seriousness with “To Be Alone.” A few songs later comes “In a Week,” the only song that features someone other than the artist. The duet is haunting and deeply moving with the two vocalists acting as a deceased couple, repetitively singing “I’ll be home with you.”

Another notable song comes later, called “Work Song,” which provides a feel similar to the first.  Hozier sings, “I’m so full of love I could barely eat/There’s nothing sweeter than my baby” in this romantic ballad. The album nears its end with “It Will Come Back,” a hypnotic -and possibly the most blues-inspired – song on the album. A live acoustic version of “Cherry Wine” is the last song on the album, showing off the artist’s talent with simply a guitar.

The album revolves mostly around women, but the context of each song is different and meaningful in its own unique way. Hozier is a real gift to the music industry. His lyrics are insightful and easily relatable. In times of happiness or incredible sadness, every song provides an aspect of a relationship. While the album can be a little morbid at times, it doesn’t offset the natural flow from one song to the next. This album is comprised of 13 songs filled with raw emotion that encapsulate some of the best, extremely personal songwriting produced this year.

4/5