Hey to all you Social D fans! You can stream their new album Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes right now by clicking HERE.
For each 100,000 plays the the price on Amazon.com’s preorder for the album will drop $1.
The album drops on 01/18/2011 and is the first release from the band since 2004.
I’ll have a review of the album shortly once Apple decides to call me back and tell me my Mac Mini is repaired (faulty hard drive). I sure hope that is today…
Philadelphia punkers Dirty Tactics are officially the band I overlooked last year. In a day and age where punk rock music is taking all sorts of diversions into different genres, sometimes I am just hesitant of checking out newer acts.
Maybe it’s the old man in me telling me to hold back as I sadly think I have heard it all or perhaps I’ve just grown tired of band after band sounding alike. Whatever the reason is, I am glad I took a moment to pop in It Is What It Is, the bands sophomore album on Say-10 Records.
From the very start of the CD I was into it. It was not because the band exploded into a infectious jam (that was later), it was because of a certain dated excerpt of an interview that opened the album. Where as I can not pinpoint who the actual band is that is being interviewed, someone who sounds an awful like Mick Jones of the Clash says “it’s just like, there just has to be new groups and that’s just what you got,” when asked where punk rock started. Without time to agree with that statement, Dirty Tactics jumped into “When You Wake Up” a dirty DIY sounding catchy-ass song.
“Baltimore” followed the opening track continuing with an infectious pop-punky (see, I told you that happened later) song that won me over mostly thanks to the use of the organ throughout. Begging to be sung along to was “The Process”, a pop-punk heavy track wit a dab of clapping to keep that good feeling going.
“Secret Lives” had an interesting prelude to an amazing track. “Train Song” proved it is ok to play organ in a punk rock song and have fun doing so. All I could think to myself is how amazingly talented these guys were and I was only halfway thought the album.
“Arkansas” was unlike any other song previously heard and perhaps my favorite. Upright piano, almost whispering gruff singing, and distant percussion brought together this quick gem of a track that begged to be listened to over and over again.
The shift in sound also applied to the final track “Blind Man”, a trippy track that sounded almost as if Jeffrey Lewis wrote it. Even if it was out of the norm I loved it and especially appreciated the repeat of “it’s what you got” taken from the opening sample at the songs end.
Dirty Tactics are group of talented and hardworking musicians that make punk, well…punk. They recorded the It Is What It Is themselves, work their day jobs when home, and tour when the time is right. I only hope to catch this band live one day.
It Is What It Is just isn’t just an album that I’ll be listening to a couple of times and forget about…and yes I mean that. I am pretty sure they will remain in regular rotation for me for quite some time. If you have not heard of Dirty Tactics yet make sure you put that on your to do list.
It’s that time of year everyone (in case you forgot), the time of the year where I look back at all that defined 2010. I am sure many of you can agree that 2010 was not that bad of a year and there were some pretty good releases / events that happened.
I had a good 2010 thanks to all of my great friends. I went on two mini road trips to see bands I adore and had good times doing so without injury. There were plenty of albums to keep me going and a good share of bands made their way to play Cleveland.
So, as a blogger I feel it is my duty to continue my “Best Of…” posts yearly. I am sure I will miss something but here we go:
Best Punk Albums:
Iron Chic – Not Like This
-Hands down my favorite release this year. Catchy punk rock at its finest. They kick ass live too.
Menzingers – Chamberlain Waits
–Easily my second favorite release of the year. This band is going places. I can not wait for a follow-up release. They kick ass live as well.
Bad Religion – The Dissent Of Man
-It’s Bad Religion, need I say more? 30 years as a punk rock band with no sign of giving up any time soon. It is as if getting old is cool…well it is if you are Bad Religion.
RVIVR – RVIVR
-It was brought to my attention that I overlooked this important release. I knew I was forgetting something as I thought of what albums I really enjoyed… Ex-members of Latterman as well as a few whose roots cross with members of Jawbreaker in a band? Yes please.
Best Rock Albums:
J. Roddy Walston & The Business – J. Roddy Walston & The Business
-I’d be lying if I said that I did not listen to this album 3 times a week. A few of my friends have been fans of J. Roddy for a couple of years now and thanks to them so am I. This album is so fun to listen to and so well written that I am shocked all those mainstream music magazines failed to put them on their “Best Of” lists… Jerks.
Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
-I am sure many of you know my slight obsession with this band. Their new album slid more towards the rock and less of the punk but I am ok with that. From start to finish this is an excellent release.
Against Me! – White Crosses
-Kind of funny how much I love these guys seeing how I used to hate them 5 years ago. I love the direction they are taking with their new material and I am sure many will disagree. Yes, it is not anything what they used to sound like and that is why they are considered to me now as a rock band.
The Black Keys – Brothers
-I have to give some love to this Akron, OH duo not just because I reside near the city they started in but also because they dropped a solid album. If you have not listened to this album yet, do it.
Foxy Shazam – Foxy Shazam
-Here’s another album I almost forgot about! Some might think these guys are going to just be another one hit wonder but I disagree. Foxy Shazam kicks some serious ass!
Best Metal Albums:
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Option Paralysis
-Love this album. So much better, to me, than their last release. Heavy and full of energy. They put on a killer set at the Warped Tour this past summer too.
Deftones – Diamond Eyes
-Nice to see the Deftones continue moving on. I was super excited when this album dropped earlier this year.
Best Folk Rock Albums:
Frank Turner – Rock N Roll EP
-All I have to say about this EP is that if you are a fan of Rock ‘n Roll you need to hear the song “I Still Believe”.
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
-Still in shock these guys are from the UK… Not that it is a problem or anything, but they play Americana folk-rock as if they grew up in the mountains. This album was a suprise listen for me in 2010. Very addicting if you like this kind of music.
Best Indie Rock Albums:
Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
-Never thought in a million years I would admit be being an Arcade Fire fan, but this album brainwashed me into one. Catchy as hell and just a solid release.
Bars Of Gold – Of Gold
-I love surprises. Bars Of Gold surprised me with how awesome they were. Best underground album I have heard in a while.
Band Of Horses – Infinite Arms
-This album snuck up on me. It took three listens and now I can not get enough of it.
Best Hip-Hop/Rap Albums:
Sage Francis – LI(F)E
-Oh Sage Francis… You are a talented talented man. I was not too sure about this album upon my first taste of it, but it is exceptional. Love the way this guy puts words together. I also really liked how he got some of the music for some of the tracks – he had indie bands work with him.
Eminem – Recovery
-This guy is good once again. The end.
Best Film Soundtrack:
Tron: Legacy Soundtrack – Music By Daft Punk
-I had bee waiting for this release since early 2010 when it was announced that the French dup would be providing the soundtrack. It is insane. Insane as in good.
Best Shows I Attended:
The Avett Brothers @ House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH
Frank Turner / Social Distortion @ House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH
Bed Folds @ House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH (minus the douche I almost got into a fight with)
Dale Watson & His Lone Stars @ Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH
Most Fun Shows I Attended:
NOFX @ Madison Theater – Covington, KY
Gaslight Anthem @ Lifestyles Pavilion – Columbus, OH
The Facials as NOFX @ Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
-Seriously, one of my favorite memories of 2010. My pals The Facials practiced their butts off to do a Halloween-inspired NOFX cover set. They nailed it. It was just one of those nights where I was surrounded by friends and felt like a kid. That right there is a show.
Worst Shows Attended:
Van’s Warped Tour
–I did not even make it past 5 o’clock this year. I got to see some of my favorite bands including Face To Face, but overall it was far too hot outside and I just was not feeling it as I had no clue who most of the bands were on the tour. I guess a time comes one day when a punker gets too old for this shi-, not to mention, my circle of friends dwindled significantly (2). After being at almost all of the Warped Tours since they started – I am done (I say this every year…).
Worst Albums Released:
Brokencyde
–Words can not describe how I feel about this band. I will not even go there.
3OH!3
–Any band that collaborates with Keisha or however she spells it is instant THE SUCK. I really liked the band’s first album but could not stand their recent effort. Nice guys, but just not my cup of tea.
Album I Did Not Get Whatsoever:
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
-Why is everyone giving this album 5 stars? I do not get it, am I missing something. I do not think it is that good at all. That is me of course… Give me his older material any day.
Looking Forward To In 2011:
Social Distortion’s New Album
Those Darlins’s New Album
–I got a sample of their new material when I saw them play at the Beachland Tavern and I must say…impressive. I look forward to their new release as it appears as if they have changed up their sound a little.
The Bonnaroo 2011 Line-Up
–This will be the ten-year anniversary and I am hoping for a line-up unlike any other)
SXSW
–I think I am actually going to be able to make it this year finally…
Making new friends and hearing new music. I always look forward to something new.
What are your favorites of 2010? I want to hear! This comment section below doesn’t fill itself out you know!!!
Thanks to all my readers. 2010 was fun – here’s to 2011. Happy holidays everyone!
Today is a lot of things really. History happened, history might be made, and people will be talking about things based upon events from today for years to come.
I know, deep…
I will be ignoring everything today except for the fact that Mr. Frank Turner released an EP today entitled Rock & Roll. The 5 song EP dropped today on iTunes and is available in limited quantities on CD (here’s hoping for a 7″). It’s a sample of what Frank Turner is working on for his 2011 release and I have to say that I love it.
What’s that you say?
Of course I love it you say?
What’s that?
I am Frank Turner obsessed?
Yes I am and I fully admit it.
Turner is a kick ass musician and there is no reason for a music lover like myself to not adore his music. This EP is great start to finish, especially the highly likable anthem “I Still Believe”, a track I was introduced to in October when I got to see Turner open for Social Distortion. Even if it was a new song, it was so infections that by song’s end, everyone was singing along.
See for yourself:
Fun note: The gang vocals on the track were actually taken from the crowds at various live shows.
With non-stop touring all year, Frank Turner may be one of the busiest musicians out there. Somehow between playing cross-country tours as well as festivals the guy found some free time to record new material and I could not be happier with the results on the EP.
Here’s to the full length release in 2011.
Proof I like Frank Turner and all he does…
A review I did of Poetry Of The Deed
An interview I did with Frank Turner
A review I did of Frank Turner opening for Flogging Molly
Another review I did of Frank Turner when he opened for Social Distortion
I’ve been slacking on this site. Don’t worry, I’m still around.
School has been taking up a lot of my free time as of late. I am loving it.
I might be seeing Tiger’s Jaw and The Sidekicks this weekend in Kent at The Rathskeller should things pan out right…
