The Killers – “Battle Born” (album review)

Tags

battle born, brandon flowers, dance, day & age, electronic, entertainment, guitar, indie, music, piano, rock, synth, the killers

The fabulous Las Vegas band is back, Brandon Flowers and the gang bring once more a great album completly distancing themselves from the critically aclaimed “Day & Age” that was released in 2008 and brought some major hits like “Human”, “Spaceman” and “The World we live in”. But when you listen to this album you’ll notice a major difference between them: “Battle Born” is a more rock oriented album reminding us of “Sam’s town” the 2005 album that by that time also changed completelly the genre of music they had previously worked with and was very much criticezed.

It’s like history repeating itself but this time we meet “Battle Born” as a very strong album and we can say that there’s a bit of a consensus between reviewers of the album noting that this one is a good album.

Apart from all those reviews it would be best to say that we meet a very mature band with an album full of rock influences, from Bruce Springsteen to U2.

Now off with this review.

Genre- Rock/ Indie Rock

1-      Flesh and Bone

This song starts with a very electronic tone hinting us a bit of Hot Fuss. The haunting vocals and synths give Brandon the best entrance ever to the chorus. Great riffs and drumming with flawless vocals marks a position on the opening song of the album, I’d say that this song is a very strong one, probably a good choice for a second single. Simple rock-ish song with all the ingredients a good rock fan would look for, this is not the rock music bands are doing these days, this reminds us of the good old late 70’s, early 80’s rock. This is a good reminder that this band is one of the most polivalent around in the business. 5/5

2-      Runaways

Here is the first single the band has decided to show us. Good opening with once again flawless vocals from what I consider to be one of the best frontmen of all time. Good riffs reminding us of Bruce Springsteen and mezmerizing drumming by Ronnie Vanucci. The chorus might remind some of us of some Meatloaf songs (not in a bad way) showing us once again those 80’s influences the band keeps showing on their albums. Good lyrics though.  5/5

 

3-      The Way it was

Amazing intro, the instruments blend so well leading to the powerful vocals and classic drums of the first verse, calm and sweet lyrics towards a good chorus, an overall good song where everything sound pretty amazingly arranged. This song has surprised me and has grown on me, I’d probably say that this one, apart form “Flesh and Bone”, is one of the highlights of the album. 5/5

4-      Here with me

Piano, vocals and synths – there is the combination to make a slow, calm and mezmering song work. Brandon nails this song so well. Apart from the great beginning drums explode leading for the entrance of the guitar and bass making a fantastic instrumental around the beautiful voice and heartfelt lyrics on this song. Maybe this is one of the slowest songs on the album but nevertheless the quality of it doesn’t diminish, on the other hand, this one is a strong candidate of best song on the album. 5/5

5-      A matter of time

For someone first listening to this song the first impression will be “Is this one from Sam’s Town ?” – Yeah it sounds like it also once again like on that amazing album we see Bruce Springsteen influences here on the guitars. Good use of backing vocals without beeing annoying throughout the song. This song screams “80’s rock” from the very first guitar riff. Good but not the best on the album. 4/5

6-      Deadlines and Commitments

Relaxing song almost reminding me of Brian Ferry’s solo work mixed with a bit of Alphaville’s “Big in Japan”. Amazing synths and drumming embrance the strong vocals leading to a very interesting chorus, an overall good song in my opinion one of the strongest songs on the album. 5/5

7-      Miss Atomic Bomb

Alphaville’s “Big in Japan” keeps showing up on my mind as I’m listening to this song as well as in the last just because of that electronic like feel in the intro. After the intro we find an explosion of sounds leading up to very intricate drum section guided by a classic rock guitar feel. Props to Ronnie Vanucci for the amazing work behind those drums and to Brandon Flowers for the amazing vocals that never fail to amaze us. Not my favorite song but it’s a good one. 4/5

8-      The Rising Tide

One of the most electronic oriented songs on the album almost winking their eye to “Hot Fuss” but quickly we notice it was only a wink once the guitar and the energetic drums make an appearance. I don’t know why but this song just doesn’t click with me, maybe is the background synth or something else. 3/5

9-      Heart of a Girl

Very country-like song, interesting instrumental, great guitar and bass, the vocals once again never fail but besides all that this song – one of the calmest ones on it – fails to impress (at least it fails to impress me).  2/5

10-   From Here On Out

One of the most uptempo songs on the album, good instrumental, once again Bruce springsteen influences all over the place. I love the guitar on this song; it feels so, so good, besides that it fails to impress as whole. 3/5

11-   Be Still

Haunting vocals, beautiful lyrics and strong beginning of the song. Synth, strings, piano – all blended with Brandon’s vocals just make it one of the best songs on the album. Amazing song but don’t expect for strong guitars or drums, this is the beautifulness of this song – doesn’t need a big fuss around it, it just works fine without it. 5/5

12-   Battle Born

The best song on the album is the one that gives name to it. It has “Sam’s town” written all over it. Great intro with synths reminding us of “Read my mind”. Strong chorus, great lyrics and instrumental, I guess this song is the strongest of ‘em all and I can say that in some parts it reminds me of some of Queen’s work. Have I talked about the guitar in the outro? God it is amazing. Props to the whole band because this song is the best one – it rocks like it should and nothing fails on this one. 5/5

 

Overall the album is 4/5. Good comeback from the band but not quite close to the “Day & Age” success – of course because the genre is completelly different but we shouldn’t forget that compared with “Sam’s town” I think this album is a bit inferior to it – but not necessarily a bad album.

I enjoyed it a lot and I would recommend to anyone.

On a first listen this album seems pretty weak but on the second and third listens it just keeps growing and growing on you, almost like “Sam’s town”. For the most skeptical fans that hate when bands change their genres/don’t stick with the genre of their most “known” or best selling album: bands change and The Killers have shown us once again that they don’t pretend to stick to one genre and also remind us that their roots are well around the rock universe so expect more from them on that genre instead of the alternative rock/dance genres we got with “Day & Age”.

 

More reviews on the following weeks of:

Linkin Park “Living things”

Papa Roach “The Connection”

Julien-K release “We’re here with you” deluxe version

Tags

amir derakh, anthony valcic, deluxe, entertainment, frank zummo, julien-k, music, remix, ryan shuck

 

September 11, 2012 marks a day quite important for fans of the american band, Julien-K. Today the album “We’re here with you” receives a new image with this deluxe version.

When acquiring this fabulous package you will be amazed by the amount of extra music and videos that’ll please all fans.

10 songs bonus being the following:

01. We’re Here With You
02. Surrounded By Cowards
03. Cruel Daze Of Summer
04. Breakfast In Berlin
05. Palm Springs Reset
06. colorcast
07. Close Continuance
08. Nights Of Future Past
09. Flashpoint Riot
10. I’ll Try Not To Destroy You
11. Dregs Of The World (WHWY Mix)
12. Whore (Julian Kaye Version)
13. 1000 Years Of Destruction – unreleased song
14. Colorcast (Decode Radio Remix)
15. Breakfast In Berlin (LA-Ex Remix)
16. Palm Springs Reset (Battle Tapes Remix)
17. I’ll Try Not To Destroy You (Remix Forums)
18. Nights Of Future Past (Polar Moon Remix)
19. We’re Here With You (Craig Williams Remix)
20. Breakfast In Berlin (The Situation handclap Remix)

It’s best not to forget that the official videos that have been released this year, ie, “Breakfast in Berlin”, “Cruel Daze of Summer,” “We’re here with you” are present on this deluxe version and it’ll also feature another bonus for fans: the exclusive video for the electrifying “Flashpoint Riot”.

 

In my opinion I have never seen an album that had so much bonus material and was as cheap as it is (only € 9.99 on iTunes and Amazon), I recommend buying this fabulous album, being a die-hard fan or even just a supporter of the band, this will be something you will not regret it.

Follow the links to your desired store to buy this amazing album:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Were-Here-With-Deluxe-Edition/dp/B0098YYQYA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347400576&sr=8-3

http://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/were-here-you-deluxe-edition/id561117013

 

Thanks once again to our friends at Julien-K Portugal http://julienkportugal.wordpress.com/

Dave Gahan Collaborates On New Soulsavers Album “The Light The Dead See”

Tags

2012, Dave Gahan, depeche mode, entertainment, guest vocalists, music, new album, news, soulsavers, vocal contributions

Soulsavers will release their new single ‘Longest Day’ through V2 Records on 2nd April (and on Mute US on April 3rd). Taken from their forthcoming album ‘The Light The Dead See’ (out 21st May, and May 22nd on Mute US), the single will be available as a digital download. A limited edition etched 7″ version of the single, of which only 300 have been pressed, will also be released on Record Store Day (20th April). ‘The Light The Dead Sea’ is the follow-up to 2009′s critically acclaimed album ‘Broken’. Recorded at various locations and mastered at Abbey Road, the record will be available on CD, LP and as a download.

“It was a complete collaboration. There was no real script, Dave brought a lot to the table” says the laconic Rich Machin of the extraordinary fourth album ‘The Light The Dead See’, a set of songs of majesty and momentum. “It just rolled and rolled; it was effortless.” Joining forces with Dave Gahan it immediately became clear that this was going to be something very special. “We realised we were coming from the same place in so many ways,” adds Machin. “He’s really laid himself bare on this record, his contribution is astonishing.” Says Gahan, “Everything about it was relatively unplanned, surprising: a magical thing. We were a perfect match and I’m very, very excited about this record.”

Soulsavers – the music and production team of Rich Machin and Ian Glover – have been a growing force since 2003′s debut ‘Tough Guys Don’t Dance’. 2007′s ‘It’s Not How Far You Fall, It’s The Way You Land’ brought their dark flair to a wider audience. The inimitable Mark Lanegan served as primary singer, though there were also vocal contributions from Will Oldham and Jimi Goodwin. In 2009, third album ‘Broken’ confirmed that Soulsavers were moving away from early electronica to earthier guitars, use of space and what Machin described as “a soulful twist”. Lanegan again led the vocals on stand-outs such as ‘You Will Miss Me When I Burn’ and ‘All The Way Down’, with other guest vocalists including Oldham again, Jason Pierce, Richard Hawley, Mike Patton and Gibby Haynes. Clearly, there was no shortage of acclaimed singers ready to lend their lungs to Soulsavers’ stirring, seductive, soothing or startling creations.

Venturing out from the studio to the road, Soulsavers were invited to support Depeche Mode on the European leg of their vast and eventful 2009-10 Tour Of The Universe, during which tour Dave Gahan bounced back from more than his fair share of illness and injury. Here, the seeds of ‘The Light The Dead See’ were sewn. “We got to know each other,” says Machin. “I really warmed to him, thought he was a particularly nice guy. Dave said he was a fan of our previous albums, and watched us almost every night, and, as you do, we said: Hey, we should work on something, at some point in time…”

“The tour together was great,” recalls Gahan enthusiastically. “I love Soulsavers and I’ve also been a Lanegan junkie for years. Rich mentioned doing some writing, and I told him to send over any pieces he liked, however minimal. What Rich does – big grinding bluesy organs, gospel choirs – somehow that touches something in me.”

Gahan’s lyrics and melodies came to him with spontaneity and passion. “About five songs in, I realised I was writing outside myself. I was having a go at myself, to be honest: my questions around faith, and God, or the lack thereof at any given moment. Sometimes I’m full of faith, but there are always questions. And I struggle with letting go of control of what’s going on around me. This album became very therapeutic. No restrictions. Coming out of getting sick myself, I found I HAD to get this stuff out of me. This music gave me the perfect palate to play with the BIG questions that we all ask when life becomes less about what can we GET, than: what can we DO? I’ve been very fortunate, and I’m privileged in my life, so I want to do things I feel really connected to now, otherwise there’s no point. Rich and I had both come out of something difficult. This is something to do with that. It was a wonderful experience.”

SOURCE: Depeche Mode dot com

Trent Reznor: ‘I’ve tried to block out Nine Inch Nails shows supporting Guns’N'Roses’

Tags

celebrities, entertainment, guns n roses, Q magazine, the girl with the dragon tattoo, Trent Reznor

Trent Reznor has told Q that supporting Guns’N'Roses were the worst shows Nine Inch Nails ever played.

Speaking in the Q Interview in our brand new issue - Q308 out now – about his life, his soundtrack work on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, his demons and more, Reznor singles out the 1991 shows with Axl Rose and co as a nadir.

“It was only a couple of show and they were some of the worst performances we [Nine Inch Nails] ever had in front of the most hostile, moronic audiences I’ve ever experienced,” he recalled.

“They were there to rock; what they didn’t want was some homo-looking dudes playing noisy synths and they made that very clear to us.

“Our first show was in Mannheim, Germay. There were thousands of people standing there going [raises middle finger] and there were bits of sausage on the stage. I’ve tried to block it out.”

SOURCE

Dave Gahan Discusses Depeche Mode’s Upcoming Album

Tags

entertainment, music, production responsibilities

Depeche Mode are just about ready to record their 12th album, says frontman Dave Gahan. The record will be produced by Ben Hillier, but Gahan says Depeche Mode co-founder Martin Gore will step up with more production responsibilities than on previous LPs. “We’ve got about 20 songs demoed and we’re going to begin recording at the end of next month,” he recently told Rolling Stone. “It’s a very different process from what it used to be. You’ve got to put interesting people around you, you’ve got to work with people who are gonna inspire you to take the songs you’ve written into a completely different direction, because there’s nothing more boring than going to the studio and predictably knowing what is going to happen.”

Interview by Patrick Flanary, video by Eric Helton and Matthew Murphy

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/video-dave-gahan-discusses-depeche-modes-upcoming-album-20120302#ixzz1o6BaP0Vx

Soulsavers Announce New Album Featuring Vocals And Lyrics By Dave Gahan

Tags

entertainment, music

Soulsavers release their new album ‘The Light The Dead See’ through Cooperative Music/V2 Records on 21st May. Featuring vocals and lyrics by Dave Gahan, the record is the follow-up to 2009′s critically acclaimed album ‘Broken’. Recorded at various locations and mastered at Abbey Road, the record will be available on CD, LP and as a download.

“There was no real script,” says the laconic Rich Machin of the extraordinary fourth album ‘The Light The Dead See’, a set of songs of majesty and momentum. “It just rolled and rolled; it was effortless.” Yet the writing was on the wall from the moment Dave Gahan stepped in to tackle vocal duties that this was going to be something very special. “We realised we were coming from the same place in so many ways,” adds Machin. “He’s really laid himself bare on this record, his performances are astonishing: he really is a terrific singer.” Says Gahan, “Everything about it was relatively unplanned, surprising: a magical thing. We were a perfect match and I’m very, very excited about this record.”

Gahan’s lyrics and melodies came to him with spontaneity and passion. “About five songs in, I realised I was writing outside myself. I was having a go at myself, to be honest: my questions around faith, and God, or the lack thereof at any given moment. Sometimes I’m full of faith, but there are always questions. And I struggle with letting go of control of what’s going on around me. This album became very therapeutic. No restrictions. Coming out of getting sick myself, I found I HAD to get this stuff out of me. This music gave me the perfect palate to play with the BIG questions that we all ask when life becomes less about what can we GET, than: what can we DO? I’ve been very fortunate, and I’m privileged in my life, so I want to do things I feel really connected to now, otherwise there’s no point. Rich and I had both come out of something difficult. This is something to do with that. It was a wonderful experience.”

‘The Light The Dead See’ track listing:

1. La Ribera
2. In The Morning
3. Longest Day
4. Presence of God
5. Just Try
6. Gone Too Far
7. Point Sur Pt.1
8. Take Me Back Home
9. Bitterman
10. I Can’t Stay
11. Take
12. Tonight

SOURCE

Julien-K are unstoppable: here’s the new video

Tags

entertainment, industrial films, julien k, music, video

Just last month the video for ”Breakfast in Berlin” was premiered but the band wasted no time and already has a new video, this time it is the song that gives name to the fabulous album “We’re here with you” that we already reviewed – HERE. This time the video counts with the participation of the drummer Eli James who was one of the choices to replace Elias Andra on the bands’ drums.This song had the collaboration of Bryan Black of Motor who had previously worked with Julien-K mainly in the remix of the song “Someday Soon”.This video was produced by Industrial Films and the director was Vicente Cordero.

SOURCE

Duran Duran’s new live DVD coming this summer

Tags

entertainment, fashion, style

Duran Duran has announced the name of their forthcoming DVD, A Diamond in the Mind, Duran Duran – A Performance – 2011, which was filmed live in Manchester at the MEN Arena on December 16th, 2011 . The film, directed by Gavin Elder, is to be released in early Summer, 2012.

SOURCE

Julien-K “We’re here with you” (Album review)

For a long time I’ve been following this bands’ development and the paths of two of my favorite musicians Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck, most known from their work with the multiplatined band “Orgy”. These guys along with Anthony “Fu” Valcic and Elias Andra (now is replaced by Frank Zummo but he played his part on the album) make an amazing quartet that is here to make good music rather than caring about charts and airtime plays on the radio or tv. The album I’m reviewing is the follow up to “Death to Analog” whose review was already done and you can find it here. Now off with the review:

Genre: Indietronic

1 – “We’re here with you”

Good track, I’ve heard that a few times still as a live recording only, I must say that it’s better than I was hoping it would be. The synths and the guitar flow so well together making a good beat that leads to great lyrics. But this is not the most adequate music to dance to but you will certainly feel an urge to move to the groove. Not my favorite song on the album but nevertheless a good song. AV: 4/5

2 – “Surrounded By Cowards”

If there was a song I was really hoping to hear it was this one. The guitar, oh my god, the guitar parts are amazing and the synth that paints the background of the song along with Ryan’s high notes (which I think that he has fairly improven since DTA) makes this piece one of the must listens of the album. I dare to say it’s one of the more rock-ish songs on the album. It’s an amazing song, definetelly on my top #10. AV: 5/5

3 – “Cruel Daze of summer”

This song is pure electro perfection, the guitar once again is amazing throughout the whole song (props to Amir that never ceases to amaze us with his work) and the piano/synth intro leading to Ryan’s vocals is perfect, I couldn’t find a better way to start the lyrics. Amazing work on Ryan’s vocals once again hitting those high notes, well done Ryan, he’s clearly showing and proving to be a great frontman with both the charisma, vocals ability and range improving significantly from the last album. One of my favorites. AV: 5/5

4 -“Breakfast in Berlin”

Although this is the single the band has chosen to promote the album I have my doubts if it was a wise choice… I really respect bands’ choices but this one never really clicked with me, this was the one song on the album that I wasn’t looking forward to hear. Good electro vibe, great bassline, addictive drum beat but the lyrics don’t make any sense at all and there’s an excess os “ahhh, ahhhs” during the song. Good song but not my favorite. This song is available for free download on the bands’ official website (julienk.com) AV: 2/5

5 – “Palm Springs reset”

This song has a great intro, reminding a bit of Depeche Mode, not the most dance oriented song it’s a good one but don’t expect to dance throughout this song. Deep lyrics sang on a very sweet tone, good job once again on vocals. AV: 4/5

6 – “Colorcast”

This song has the best background ambient of the whole album, I was very curious of this one since from the snippets I could notice that this was nothing they have ever done earlier. Very Depeche Mode inspired. Very dancy chorus, this will certainly make you dance, at least in chorus. I can tell that this song is totally focused on Ryan’s vocals since there’s little guitar on this one and not heavy synths. The instruments make and interesting background, almost like if you were travelling through space, at least that’s the feeling I get from listening to this song for the first time.  AV: 5/5

7 – “Close continuance”

Addictive chorus, guitars, drums and synths work together giving us one of the best songs on the album. Once again Ryan gets hard vocal duty with some high notes. The outro is amazing, great guitar part and the lyrics are really good a great part leading to yet another chorus, that I must say is totally addictive. AV: 5/5

8 – “Nights of future past”

This one is dark, the bassline is so NIN-esque, Ryan’s vocals are haunting and at the same time sweet. The chorus has an amazing synth/piano part on background giving it an even darker tone. Guitars really “explode” on the chorus, a very addictive chorus. The outro is quieter and leads to a synth part with a simple yet amazing work on guitar. The guitar solo guides Ryan’s high notes in this part. This is a major song on the album; I’d dare to say that this would be an amazing second single. AV: 5/5

9 – “Flashpoint Riot”

The most dancy and electro song of the whole album, Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails colide with Julien-K making this song one of the best on the album. Addictive chorus, the synth work is unbelievable; this one will make you dance as soon as you hear it. Dark, dirty synth guides you through the song. This song shows that Julien-K is more than ready to distance themselves from the Orgy influences of the previous work “Death to Analog”. The band shows that they don’t fear touching new ground and try something they have never done before. Electrifying song, easily one of the best on the album. AV: 5/5

10 – “I’ll try not to destroy you”

This is the best Julien-K song I’ve ever heard.  Once again some Depeche Mode influences are noticed on the background sounding a bit like “I want it all” from the Basildon trio.

Difficult high notes with Ryan showing once again that he can and is able to reach those plus those are so beautiful, haunting and heartfelt lyrics. This one literally blew my mind especially when my idea of the song from the snippet available on iTunes was very misleading, I thought it was only a song to fill the album but I was clearly wrong. This one is, ladies and gentleman, the best song of the album. The whole band deserves props for the amazing work. AV: 5/5

Overall: 4/5

This album is clearly an improvement knowing that “Death to Analog” was a good dark and aggressive album but wasn’t a very challenging one. Don’t get me wrong, I love DTA but “We’re here with you” gets away from all that agressiveness and charts new territory for the band, new territory that is opening new doors for these electro-rockers from Long Beach, California.

Clearly their base influences stood out on this album on the synths and basslines. Amazing vocal and guitar work. An overall masterpiece, clearly the album of the year, and we have just started 2012. Julien-K are back and better than ever!

“We’re here with you” is available on iTunes and Amazon. Make sure you buy this amazing album.

Julien-K are: Amir Derakh (guitar/synths), Ryan Shuck (vocals/guitar), Anthony “Fu” Valcic (programming/synths/bass) and Frank Zummo (drums/backing vocals)

Julien-K new album “We’re here with you” is officially on sale

Tags

amazon, electronic music, nine inch nails, synthesizers

This week so far has been filled in for the american electronic rockers Julien-K. Their new album ”We’re here with you,”available on iTunes and Amazon, is officially on sale since 23 January. Following this news is noteworthy that Julien-K on iTunes USA managed to take second place in the table of sales of electronic music, behind  M83 and in front of electronic giants like Nine Inch Nails and Daft Punk.

If you haven’t bought the new album you should, and I say this why? Well if you noticed all the reviews made related to the same album you’ll hear it is the best album they’ve made, if you like the heavier sound and darker Death to Analog perhaps you can’t sympathize much with the new sound at the beginning but I assure you that as a whole you will love the album. Much more electronic, danceable, NIN inspired basslines, the lyrics are still sometimes very dark and the synthesizers dominate, and very well I must say, this fantastic masterpiece. As I have repeatedly said that to some members of Systeme The Street (the official fanclub), this album is probably one of the best of 2012 and the year has just begun.

To purchase the album (digital / physical):

iTunes / Amazon

Until the end of this week we will post a review of the album. Stay tuned and for more news regarding Julien-K visit us or our friends of Julien-K Portugal .