I just downloaded “Last One To Die”, Rancid‘s latest release from their upcoming Let The Dominoes Fall. You should too:
Normally I would just include a link to download the MP3 but that has not been made available to me yet so just enter your email address and they will send you a link for a download of the song. That is all you have to do, I promise.
I am pretty sure you will dig the song as much as I have too if you are a Rancid fan. The song is catchy and maintains the Rancid standard, meaning it will not shock you and it keeps with the sound you expect to come from Tim Armstrong and crew.
It’s been over 5 years since Rancid pushed out an album. Good things come with time and I am honestly glad they were not putting together a mess of a release just so they could offer something for their fans. I have high expectations from this CD. I also have a feeling that this is NOT going to be their last effort. Some people are thinking it might be time for these punk rockers to hang up their guitars and take a seat but I really have the feeling that these guys are going to be cranking out material for years to come.
Just checked Altpress.com on my break and found out Rancid has determined a release date for their new album titled Let The Dominoes Fall. This is the band’s first release since 2003. I am beyond pumped to hear them.
Altpress stated:
Legendary punk outfit Rancid have set a June 2 release date for Let The Dominoes Fall, their first studio album since 2003’s Indestructible. The band recorded the album which will be released on Hellcat/Epitaph with Epitaph Records founder and Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz at George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound Studio.
The album features 19 tracks and the first single, “Last One To Die,” will premiere April 7 in a widget available now at Rancid’s MySpace page. The 25 fans who spread the widget the most online will receive tickets to Rancid’s summer tour with Rise Against.
Let The Dominoes Fall tracklist:
1. East Bay Night
2. This Place
3. Up To No Good
4. Last One To Die
5. Disconnected
6. I Ain’t Worried
7. Damnation
8. New Orleans
9. Civilian Ways
10. The Bravest Kids
11. Skull City
12. L.A. River
13. Lulu
14. Dominoes Fall
15. Liberty and Freedom
16. You Want It, You Got It
17. Locomotive
18. That’s Just The Way It Is Now
19. The Highway
Want to hear the first release from the album? Well check back on April 7th and I do believe the widget will change and you will be able to hear “Last One To Die”…
New album means tour!!! My wife and I have decided to hit up four of the shows this summer in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Hamburg, and Toronto. Should be awesome! For more tour info check out Rancid’s website.
The Faint bring yet another installment of their new wave/dance/indie tunes to your ears with Fasciinatiion. Once a solid staple to Saddle Creek Records, the band parted ways in spring of 2008 stating they would be releasing material on their own label blank.wav. This is their first album in four years and is also the first to be entirely fashioned by The Faint. Fasciinatiion proves that this five-some has no problem doing things all by themselves.
Formed in Omaha, Nebraska around 1995 the band lured me in thanks to the release of 1999’s Blank Wave-Arcade. Their unique sound that had similarities to 80’s dance but with indie rock and even a little punk rock flair; something I had not found myself getting into before. Soon thereafter, I was listening to them on almost a daily basis. They were one of the original bands that introduced me to Saddle Creek records and helped get the indie label some well deserved recognition.
The Faint
I was excited to check out their latest release seeing how I really have not listened to The Faint in quite some time. Fasciinatiion started out strong with “Get Seduced” refreshing me on their dance rock style. Their electronic rock music was not missed by my ears. It would appear even after four years the band still has it.
“The Geeks Were Right”, the band’s first single off the album, was my favorite track. The more indie pressed song reminded me of She Wants Revenge and Interpol, but heavy on the electronic side. The music video for the song is extremely interesting too almost visualizing what a Max Headroom acid flashback might look like. Even better there are remixes of this track floating around on the internet; my favorite was “The Geeks Were Right (Does It Offend You? Yeah Remix).
The album seemed to stray away from the Faint’s unique sound I had grown accustomed to with more experimental tracks like “Machine In The Ghost” and “Fulcrum And Lever”. The vocals were a tad too robotic for me and the sounds were too experimental and unhurried.
The funky “Psycho” saved the album for me as it took direction back away from the slow, unusual songs previously mentioned. Deep blimps and bleeps at the beginning of the song kind of exceeded it’s welcome, but soon it mellowed out building for an good listen. “I Treat You Wrong”, with poor lyrics, really was a good track but was nothing to dance about.
I really feel that The Faint created a roller coaster effect on Fasciinatiion. The album does not seem nearly as constant and up-tempo as prior releases nor was there any of that punk rock flair that could be heard on Wet From Birth. It is one of their more unique albums, but certainly not their best effort. I am not saying this album is bad, but it does not compare to their more recent efforts.
One of the more unique acts out there in the music world, The Horrorpops, released their third studio album Kiss Kiss Kill Kill earlier this year. The Danish act with original members (who are also married to one another) Patricia Day on stand up bass and Kim Nekroman on lead guitar have been rocking out since 1996, thanks to their unique mixture of rockabilly, surf, psychobilly, and punk rock music. They were a huge success overseas but it was not until around 2003 that the band got their US break thanks to Tim Armstrong’s (Rancid) label Hellcat Records.
Recently finishing up their mini-set tour on the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour, the band just announced their headlining fall tour in support of Kiss Kiss Kill Kill. With bombshell Patricia Day’s giant stand-up bass and smoky singing, layered with Kim Neckroman assaulting his guitar, and Niedermeier’s drumming, the band should have no problem entertaining the masses.
The CD seemed to have a rebel theme with the song titles and lyrics, with many in reference to many female films. The CD cover mimics a poster for a B-Movie. The sound on their third release seems to keep the same as previous without going over any boundaries to make a significant change.
Opening track “Thelma & Louise” of course makes suggestion of driving just like Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis did in their girls gone wild of a film. Patricia Day sings strongly in this track and the music backing her up is very catchy. “Heading For The Disco?” already is played a lot over the airwaves, especially on Sirius Radio’s Faction. The song is a bit poppy but still delivers the pop-rockabilly feel with bass plucking and drumming making you want to boogie down.
“Kiss Kiss Kill Kill” really sounded like the Cure at the beginning, that is until the harmonies began. The song holds Patricia Day’s cries “Kiss kiss kiss me dantly, kill kill me quietly…” with a “whoa oh oh oh” in the wake. The song is a little gloomy, but I really dig the guitar playing. It is a simple riff but is the type that sticks out.
Starting with what sounded like a repeat of a bass line from another Horrorpops release was “Everything’s Everything”. The track about not wanted to let go of a complicated relationship was a reminder that this band is not about sunshine and rainbows. Nekroman strums away during “Private Hall Of Shame” with almost a southern rock feel to his playing.
By no means is this a traditional rockabilly/psychobilly band. They stray away from the rest and incorporate their own style to make for a more unique feel. On their third release, I say the Horrorpops still have it and I really enjoyed what I heard. If you want real rockabilly this band may bestow you mixed feelings but if you are looking for something fun to listen to and have a good time, then this is the perfect release for you.
Brian "Head" Welch w/ daughter Jennea (still sporting ADIDAS!)
Remember a few years back when the guitarist from Korn up and left the band due to his own personal beliefs? Everyone thought either Head went crazy or was just pulling a huge publicity stunt.
I thought it was a big joke at first. Slowly I forgot about it.
Today I found out he has released his solo CD three years after he departed from the nu-metal rock band Korn. I honestly thought he just fell off the face of the earth. Then again I really was not looking for updates on him. I respected his decision at the time and left it at that.
There was a lot more to the story though.
Brian"Head" Welch - Looks like someone I have seen before...
Truth be told; him leaving the band was not a stunt at all. Brian “Head” Welch left the band to focus on more important things in life like being a father and following his belief as a born again Christian. The guitarist fought a terrible battle with drugs throughout his rock star years and once he departed from the band he soon weened himself from his addiction. After being baptized in front of the world, he began a new life. He started traveling to other countries to help the poor and while doing so wrote material for himself.
Last year Brian “Head” Welch released a book titled Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, And Lived To Tell My Story. The memoir is all about the rock star’s lifestyle he had, didn’t want, and how he changed it. I have not had the chance to check it out just yet, but from what I hear it is a good read.
His new solo album titled the same as his book, Save Me From Myself, dropped yesterday in many stores. I have not had a chance yet to check it out but I did find this video he just released as well of the song “Flush”.
This video is proof he has not completely lost it…or has he? You can be the judge.
Note: To each their own on beliefs upon religion. I request that no one discuss religion on this site. I respect your opinion and all, but there are plenty of other forums and blog-sites that cater to religion discussion. This blog was about a musician and even if I did include his choice in religion, that is as far as I am taking it. If you do, I’ll be sure to delete it.
