| Simple Plan No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls Written By: Sarah Herman Simple Plan's debut album is a must buy if you are a fan of Good Charlotte, New Found Glory or Blink 182. Their pop punk combination makes them the next big thing to hit the mainstream punk scene. The album itself combines all the elements that make any record a good one. Their catchy songs will have you singing along the whole time. Not to mention their great instramentals. These guys surely known their craft and are not sketchy with their talent. With their first single "I'm Just A Kid", they are becoming a well known band among most music fans. The album itself is twelve songs packed with energy and meaning. They take you through a bunch of different emotions from being happy to wanting to cry. Each song seems to cover a different subject that most people deal with when they are young. From love to heartbreak to absolute happiness to sadness, which definately helps to make this a great album. "Perfect" is a great example of a song that could possibley make you feel like you want to cry. Everyone can relate to this song in some way or another. Everyone has felt like they have not done enough to make their parents proud. This song shows a boy explaining to his dad that he can't be perfect and does everything he thinks is right or wants him to do. This album is great and is definately on my top ten list. So if you like fun loving bands, that can be serious when they need to, the you'll love Simple Plan's debut album. I recommend you pick up a copy now, if you don't already own one. And if this is Simple Plan's debut album I can't wait to see what they have in store for the next to come. I have a feeling that this band has just started to shine and wont be stepping out of the limelight anytime soon. The Distillers Sing Sing Death House Written By: Maureen Benedict If you are a fan of Rancid or Pennywise I suggest checking out The Distillers fronted by Tim Armstrong's (Rancid) Australian wife Brody. She rocks harder than any other chick in the music industry, possibley harder than most of the guys. Their sophomore release is packed with killer songs from the opener "Sick Of It All" to the closing song "Lordy, Lordy". "Sick Of It All" is about how punk rock saved their lives while "The Young Crazed Peeling" discusses the childhood of Brody. The third song "Seneca Falls" is about Susan B. Anthony and how she fought for women's rights. This is one band that you don't want to miss out on. Brody's voice is so distinguishable compared to many female singers today. With music so in your face that it will leave you begging you for more! Kittie Oracle Written By: Maureen Benedict Like just plain straight up metal? If so then this album is for you! Kittie's sophomore effort has proven they are more than just a "chick band", with it's crunching basslines and pounding guitar riffs. Frontwoman Morgan Lander fills in on both guitars on this album due to the departure of guitarist Fallon Bowman last summer. When the first single "What I Always Wanted" was released to radiostations last fall, fans were more than eager to hear what else they had in store when the album came out. Kittie covered Pink Floyd classic "Run Like Hell", a song they played a lot on previous tours. So all you metal fans should pick up a copy of this album because you will definately love it! Mest Destination Unknown Written By: Maureen Benedict If you haven't heard of these guys before you don't know what you are missing out on! They know how to rock and piss you off at the same time. They tell you how it is and if you don't like it too bad! They pour their hearts and souls into songs like "Chelsea" and "Mother's Prayer". Frontman Tony Lovato even wrote a song about his favorite type of car, the cadillac. On the songs "Misunderstood" and "Yesterday" guitarist Jeremiah Rangel steps up to the mic to take on lead vocals. So if all of you want to hear any good ska/punk bands check out Mest! Flaw Through The Eyes Written By: Maureen Benedict Having toured with bands like Kittie and My Ruin, Flaw has been getting very popular really fast. With their emotional lyrics and hardcore sound, they stand out from today's top metal bands. Through The Eyes discusses everything from from depression to the suicide of singer Chris Volz's mother. Their current video "Whole" seems to be getting really positive feedback from MTV viewers. Be sure to catch the band as they are currently on this years Ozzfest. Good Charlotte The Young And The Hopeless Written By: Maureen Benedict It has been over two years since Good Charlotte released their self-titled debut and now they are back with their sophomore release, The Young And The Hopeless. Their first single "The Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous" has recieved a great response from listeners because of it's catchy heart-felt lyrics and enduring instramentals. This album has shown how much they have grown and matured musically over the past two years. The song "Wondering" was inspired by Benji Madden's dog Cashdogg and the guys even wrote a song for their fans called "Hold On". The album shot up the charts to #7 when it was released back in October. If you liked their debut album you'll definately love this. Congratulations to these guys, their album was recently certified platinum at Billboard.com. Avril Lavigne Let Go Written By: Maureen Benedict The young, talented Miss Avril Lavigne first hit the airwaves back in the spring with her first single "Complicated" off her now three times platinum debut Let Go. The fast upbeat second single "Sk8er Boi" about a guy getting rejected by his crush because her friends didn't like him has gained Avril new listeners due to it's catchy lyrics and slamming guitars. Her newest single "I'm With You" is more mellowed out but still has very powerful lyrics. Other songs on the album like "Mobile", "Anthing But Ordinary" and "Things I'll Never Say" have very catchy choruses and melodies. In 2002, Let Go sold more than 3.9 million copies and landed her at #2 on the Billboard charts. Miss Lavigne will be heading out on a huge headling tour within the next month or so. New Found Glory Sticks And Stones Written By: Sarah Herman New Found Glory's third album Sticks And Stones is 60 minutes of energy filled high-octane songs. Then again, coul we expect anything less of New Found Glory? The boys hit it strong when the first single off the album "My Friends Over You" got major radio and video play. Make it one of the theme songs of the summer of 2002. This CD contains 12 tracks that will have you singing along and jumping around your room through the whole CD. Not only does this CD have tons of energy included in the package, it also features songs with deep meaning. Such as the song "Sonny" which is about losing a loved one. It also includes songs of heartache, such as the track "Forget My Name". Which shows these five goofballs from Florida have more under their belt than just their pranks and humor. The album is a big jump from the bands 1999 releae self-titled album. With the second single off the album titled "Head On Collision"{ about to hit radio and MTV airwaves, I am sure that this album will have some more growing success. The band has proved themselves as artists who are here to stay. They have a strong future in store for them if they keep going at the pace which they are at now. But the world we have to wait and see what they have in store and just enjoy this album until the next comes out. Though if you can't wait that long, you can catch the band out on tour in a few weeks with Something Corporate, Finch and Further Seems Forever. That tour is guaranteed as a must see and it should be nothing but great artists and music thrown into one ultimate show. Something Corporate Leaving Through The Window Written By: Sarah Herman Something Corporate's debut album Leaving Through The Window show how much talent these five guys from Southern California really have. The tantalizing lyrics and genious instramentals are on reason why these guys are becoming a household name. The melodic sound to their music is from the piano that was added into the mix and it is no wonder they are becoming such a big success. The CD contains 14 tracks of pure raw emotion and talent, showing that these guys aren't just here, but they are here to stay. With catchy songs like "Punk Rock Princess" and "If U C Jordan", it is no wonder why these guys pick up fans whenever they perform. With their second single "I Woke Up In A Car" being hit on some radio stations, we know these guys are in it for the long run. The guys of Something Corporate made a big impression by playing this year's Warped Tour. Not only did they gain a lot of fans but turned plenty of people on to their new style of rock. I have a feeling these guys are going to be around for awhile and be gaining more and more success as they go along. The album is a combination of pure heart and soul such as songs like "You're Gone" and "Not What It Seems" that reflect on lost loves and broken families. Their unique sound is what makes them stand out the most and the album is a must buy if you love great artists who write incredible music. All I have to say is I can't wait to see what they have in store for the world in the future. This album ranks etremely high on my top ten list of favorite CDs of the year. If you love their CD and are thirsty for more, make sure to catch them out on tour this fall with New Found Glory and Finch. That tour is sure to be packed with non-stop great music. |