Tag Archives: new music

The New Music Drought Is Over

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Is it just me, or is spring in the air?

I’m sitting in New Jersey right now, looking outside at a beautiful sunny day, and the weather folks are promising temperatures in the 50s today. Winter is definitely in the rearview mirror…And I could not be happier!  Bring on sunshine!  Bring on 80 degrees!

Meteorologists are the only one with bright forecasts these days.  Seems like there’s beaucoup de new music on the horizon in my world.  Lots of my old and new favorites are putting out new music this spring.  Because I love ’em, I’m just going to make a short list here of the new music that’s come out recently or that IS coming out soon… So go pre-order and get your hands on some hot new stuff for spring!

New Alpha Rev EP Underway

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(A huge thanks to VideoBacon for posting this on YouTube for everyone to enjoy…He/she should get all the cred for the video!)

The boys in Alpha Rev are making a new EP and they need our help.  The band left the Hollywood Records label a few months ago – like many bands today, they found that labels want to control the music but give little support – and are now making a new EP on their own dime. So they’ve asked fans to chip in through their Pledge Music page.  They’ve got some fabulous rewards for donations to the effort!

And because Alpha Rev is comprised of one of the most phenomenal groups of musicians ever, they are setting the bar really high for themselves and recording the EP live.  If you don’t think that’s incredibly cool, you haven’t listened to enough old records. They spent some time rehearsing over the past few weeks and are in the studio this week to record.  Sending lots of luck their way.

As if doing a live EP weren’t badass enough, the guys have also made the decision that a percentage of whatever funds they raise for the EP will go to charity.  The band, and particularly Casey McPherson, has been hugely supportive of mental health charities in the past, and they continue their dedication by supporting Mental Health America of Texas.  They’ve also pledged a portion of the funds to Trade In Hope, an organization which crusades against child sex slavery in America.

Why should you support Alpha Rev when a million other bands are vying for your dollars?  I’ll give you a few good reasons:  1)  They are truly phenomenal musicians.  Listening to Alpha Rev is like a modern day rock orchestra.  They bend melodies in ways like I’ve never heard before.  2)  Alpha Rev left their label because they have standards for their music – they don’t want to compromise on quality to make money.  That, to me, says that they’re making music for the right reasons, for the music…and they want to share it with their fans on their terms.

So, if you’ve got a few extra bucks laying around and want to be part of something awesome, head on over and check out the updates on the record.  The boys are only 56% of the way to their goal with just under 50 days left to go.

The REAL Jersey Boys: Gaslight Anthem

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I will admit that I’m prone to falling in love with bands easily.

I was late on the Gaslight Anthem train.  I really didn’t pay them any mind until about a year ago when Bruce (Springsteen, for those of you completely outside of the Krissie world) got on stage with them at Glastonbury.  To me, that’s a big nod to your rock n’ roll prowess. I bought The ’59 Sound.  I liked it.  But it wasn’t love at first listen.

A few weeks ago, the band released their newest album, American Slang.  Um, big crush after the first run through it. Over the past ten days, I’ve driven a bit.  1,300 miles, give or take.  I listened to a lot of music.  But American Slang is the only album that got the repeat plays.  Blared “Diamond Street Church Choir.”  Widows down, sunroof open, full-on sing along to “Orphans.”  A little air guitar on “Queen of Lower Chelsea.”   Hit the back button to listen to “Stay Lucky” three times in a row.

This is a sign of me falling in love, my friends.  So much in love that I’m willing to post a marketing gimmick to get an acoustic track of one of their songs. Doesn’t hurt that they are Jersey boys, either.

#2 record of the year? Quite possibly!

I’m not going to attempt a review…I suck at them.  The fine people over at Paste Magazine don’t, though.  And they pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one.

“The Gaslight Anthem may not be the final answer to any bigger question, but they send you out into the night with your heart slamming and your fingers rapping the steering wheel and plenty of gas in the tank.”

Just buy the record.  You won’t be disappointed.

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