letlive. - The Blackest Beautiful

Five days ago, letlive., four guys from LA, released their new record The Blackest Beautiful and if you haven’t already listened to it, I recommend you do so immediately. Before I started to write about it, I listened to the commentary given by Jason Butler, lead vocalist of the band, on Spotify and let me tell you, the thought and work alone that have gone into these 11 songs is nothing short of impressive.

The Blackest Beautiful kicks off with Banshee, a song which is intended to reflect the different stages the album went through until it became the beautiful record that we can listen to today. Empty Elvis follows this, as a sequel of sorts to Banshee. It deals with the way the entertainment industry works, and explains the changes that people can go through as they entirely devote themselves to their dream.

Some culturally conscious topics are also brought up in this record. For example, in song number three, White America’s Beautiful Black Market, the issues of being born into restrictive environments are explored, especially discussing how differing circumstances of birth can determine people’s futures. Furthermore, this song is also a commentary on the state of the health system in America. Of this subject, Jason says the following: “There is a sickness that is spread throughout societies and it’s intentional. They want to keep us sick." A statement which arguably says a lot in itself.
The Priest And Used Cars discusses faith and the ignorance which results from the blind following of ideology, whether it’s religious or scientific. One of the most important things gained from this is that having individual opinion is imperative to the wellbeing of society.

As well as covering political arguments, this album handles some of Jason’s personal demons. In Dreamer’s Disease he discusses his struggle to place someone in a position of trust and to be able to open up, while Virgin Dirt is meant to reveal how he has difficulty with love in general. He tries to live his life as normal as possible and yet he says that relationships are tightly connected to self-sabotage. Pheromone Cvlt even describes how Jason failed being “the" man for a woman, how he failed being in a relationship; he even provides conflicting imagery by describing love as a war.

Concluding the record is 27 Club, a song that reflects the recklessness in Jason’s life and an amazing end to an amazing record.

The Blackest Beautiful turned out to be a challenge for me. The lyrics caused, and still cause, me to reflect a lot. Jason has a very special way of handling words and putting them together and sometimes it is difficult to understand what his intentions are. If you’re already a fan of letlive., I’m sure you’ll love this album as much as I do and if you’re going to listen to them for the first time, you’ll get used to their sound. All in all I believe that this is one of the best records of 2013 so far.

Go To Hell For Heaven's Sake - A Playlist

I'm in the best mood today *raising my sarcasm sign*, so I felt like doing a nice little playlist for everybody who pisses me off and who pisses my readers off. Let's kick some asses!

Bring Me The Horizon - Go To Hell, For Heaven's Sake

The title speaks for itself, I suppose; I chose this video because a) I couldn't find the album version and b) I was there and it was awesome. 

Bring Me The Horizon - Antivist

Middle fingers up, if you don't give a fuck!! Also this song contains so many swear words to scream that you'll immediately feel better. 

Bullet For My Valentine - Leech

Hey, leech, no longer will you suck my blood, you can't keep away, you need another taste.

Hey, leech, you think that you are here to stay, you can't keep away, you need another taste.

Memphis May Fire - Generation: Hate

This one is for our whole generation, especially for those who are so brave and cyber bully others. 

Of Mice & Men - I'm A Monster

Austin (or whoever wrote this song), is better with words than I am, so I'm just gonna quote again: "For every backstabbing lie and the whispers, I'll shove this down your throat!"

I can only recommend to sing/scream/yell along. 

Of Mice & Men - Ben Threw

Gather around children, I'd like to tell you a story. In my last year at secondary school, I had one friend. We were close, it was great, I really liked her, I thought she'd like me, too. I was pretty unstable around the time of final exams, I made it through somehow when suddenly this girl stopped talking to me. I tried talking to her but she always ran away until I called her and asked what her problem was. The reply I got was the following: "You're so depressed, I can't do this anymore."
Well, you know, good thing that you never walked a single mile in my shoes, so of course to you, my time at school didn't seem as horrible as I experienced it. That's okay though, fuck you. :-) 

Paramore - Anklebiters

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Hayley comes to me, speaking words of wisdom: "Fall in love with yourself because someday you're gonna be the only one you've got."

It's sad enough that she's completely right with this. Sooner or later, everybody's gonna leave you, apparently that's how life works. 

Pierce The Veil feat. Kellin Quinn- King For A Day

So sick of playing, I don't want this anymore. The thought of you is no fucking fun, you want a martyr, I'll be one because enough's enough we're done!

Sleeping With Sirens - If You Can't Hang

It took me quite a long time to learn that you can't force people to stay. If they don't want to be your friend anymore, alright. If they want to go, let them go. In 99% of all cases you're better off without them and in a couple of years you'll look back and think "Thank God I got rid of that *insert whatever you like*"

Asking Alexandria - A Lesson Never Learned

Because no matter how many people I will meet in my life, I will always make the same mistakes and trust the wrong ones. 

New Discovery: Military Arcade

It's been forever since I got in touch with a band who'd like me to write about them, so I'm very happy about introducing Military Arcade from Newbury, UK today.

Military Arcade was formed in 2008 by Aaron (lead vocals & bass) and Ashley (vocals & guitar) Miles and with their drummer Mark Bilton, they released a 2 track EP.

However, Mark left in 2012, so Tom Hutchings took his place and has been the drummer ever since.
Military Arcade won Best Live Act 2012 at the Exposure Music Awards in London, in 2013 they released their first full-length album Revolution Is Imminent and toured the UK.

I had a closer look (and listen) at this album and if you like rock music, you’ll definitely dig this record.  

Revolution Is Imminent offers 11 energetic, passionate tracks which make you want to jump around and flip your hair because they all sound different from each other. I’ve never heard these songs before, but when ‘The Grouch’ came up, I turned up the volume and felt like I’m at a huge concert with thousands of other people.

Aaron definitely convinced me with his vocals. He sounds great when it gets loud in ‘Reptilia’, he sounds great when it gets quiet in ‘Fountain Of Youth’, he sounds great when he screams in ‘Viva La Revolution’. I'd love to hear him do an acoustic performance though, that could be interesting!

I’d also like to talk about the intro of ‘No Money’. It’s one of those intro’s that make me want to learn how to play the guitar because it just kicks ass along with the whole song. 

This record is a win in every way, as you might have figured out I fell in love with it a little so you should go and check it out! I seriously can’t wait to see (and hear) what these guys will create throughout their career!

Revolution Is Imminent is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer and Google and for those of you who still think hardcopies are cooler than digital copies, you should go here: 

http://www.militaryarcade.co.uk/

Another way of supporting these guys is giving them a thumb up on Facebook and/or following them on twitter. 

Album Of The Week: Imagine Dragons - Night Visions

I'm always literally five years too late with everything I put on this blog, simply because it takes me forever to realise how good certain bands actually are. This time four guys from Vegas are the lucky ones, they're also known as Imagine Dragons and supply the soundtrack of my week. I haven't bought the record yet, so Spotify had to help me out for this review. 

Imagine Dragons are obviously too great to "save the best for last" because their debut album kicks off with their most famous song "Radioactive". At first I didn't like it at all, then Rock am Ring happened and did its magic - I didn't even see this band live but it was enough for me that they showed their performance on the huge screens next to the stages while we waited for the next band (can be watched here: [x]). Meanwhile I sing along to this song from the top of my lungs and it's the best feeling ever (sidenote: If you don't do this heavy breath right at the beginning, you can't enjoy the song at its fullest). 

The next two songs, Tiptoe and It's Time, are perfect for summer. For that time of the year when everybody is in a good mood simply because it's warm and you can sit outside for the whole night.
As happy as these songs sound, the next one is a lot calmer. I really like how Demons slowly builds up and then explodes in the chorus, it makes the whole song sound even more powerful.
On Top Of The World gives us some life advice we all should definitely keep in mind: "If you love somebody better tell them while they're here 'cause they may just run away from you." 

The last song I'd like to talk about is "Bleeding Out". I don't exactly know what it is, but something about it makes me want to be in a relationship and have a dramatic fight while this song is playing in the background. This is the kind of song you listen to on repeat for hours when you feel horrible and it actually helps.

All in all this is an amazing start for an even more amazing career. I'm one gazillion percent sure that Imagine Dragons will take over the world sooner or later (rather sooner I suppose) and I'm very excited to see what else they'll come up with in the future! 

Interview: The God We Create

I worked with Ben before what you can read here: [x] 
He's making music on his own, so if you're looking for a band you could play in, hit him up!

Here are his answers to my questions: 


Q: Story behind your band name:

A: I feel people create and put things ahead of what really matters and the name comes from that idea. 

Q: How long have you been making music? 

A: Several years

Q: Who's your biggest inspiration? 

A: That is a tough one. I'd say life, as cliche as it sounds. As far as music, I listen to just about everything but I am a punk, hardcore, and metal fan for life.

Q: What's your biggest dream concerning your career? 

A: Hard to say since it is just getting started. It is currently just myself (Ben Thomason) writing, producing, etc.. So hopefully a band and extensive touring. 

Q: What are your plans for the future? Is there new music coming soon? 

A: Again, touring. I also just finished Pre- pro for the EP. I can't promise a date, but I'd say before the end of the year.

Q: If your house was burning, what would you take outside with you? 

A: My cats. 

Q: Would you rather do a world tour with Justin Bieber or listen to nothing but Taylor Swift for the rest of your life? 

A: Tour with Justin! Im not a huge fan of his music but I have a lot respect for him for living the dream!

Q: Message for your fans: 

A: If you have supported me in any way, THANK YOU! If you have never heard of me check it out! I love you all and appreciate the support! Keep an eye out for the EP. It will be available on all digital outlets once released. Again thank you and hit me up on twitter @thegodwecreate

Go follow Ben on twitter, give him a like on Facebook and check out his music here: [x]

Interview: Liar, Liar

Good morning guys! In order to keep this blog a bit more interesting, I've been trying to get e-mail interviews with some bands. I already worked with most of them so it was easier to get in touch. However, I also sent out requests to some "bigger" bands but we'll talk about it again if I get a reply from their press contacts. 

The first interview was with Liar, Liar from the UK. I introduced them here: [x]

Enjoy!

Q: What's the story behind your band name?

A: Joe was looking through his DVD collection for some inspiration for band names and the only two that stood out were Legally Blonde and Liar Liar. 

Q: What inspired you to make music in the first place?

A: listen to bands such as Blink 182, New Found Glory and Sum 41 growing up.

Q: If you could play in any music video, which one would it be and why?

A: Hmm, tough question. It would have to be the First Date video from Blink 182, wearing wigs and fake moustaches would be a treat.

 Q: With which band would you like to work in the future?

A: bands such as The Story So Far and The Wonder Years, those guys are going to take over the world.

Q: Who's your guilty pleasure?

A: Music-wise? As a band I think our guilty pleasure would be the Bee Gees. Those guys are legends.

Q: If your house was burning, which three items would you take outside with you?

A(Liam):  My bass, my dog and any bags or Doritos or tubes of Pringles that are stashed away in the cupboard.

Q: Would you rather play a world tour with Justin Bieber or listen to nothing but Taylor Swift for the rest of your life?

A: Play a world tour with the Bieb!! Playing in front of 30,000 people every day would be more than amazing. Even if they are Beliebers.

Q: Message to your fans:

A: We have a new single coming out at the end of the summer! Keep your eyes peeled! It's quite possibly our best music yet. Peace!

Go follow them on twitter and like them on Facebook !

Album Of The Week: Paramore - Paramore

With over 26 million likes on Facebook and over 2 million followers on twitter, Paramore belongs to the most popular pop punk bands our generation has to offer. I never really liked them; I thought they're okay and there must be something about them that makes people like them but I never understood. Well, then Rock am Ring came, Hayley Williams totally blew me away and literally the first thing I did when I came back home was buying this album. 

Paramore's self-titled album kicks off with a song called "Fast In My Car", a very catchy and promising start for the record itself.
Even if you don't know who this band is, you definitely know the song "Now" because they play it everywhere. Paramore has a rather troubled past and this song deals with it in an impatient way ("If there's a future, we want it now!").
The next few songs deal with topics like growing up and the effects it has on you, leaving people behind who aren't good for you anymore and it sounds a lot like Hayley is processing a relationship which didn't work out. Furthermore there's no way of denying what a great lyricist Hayley is, for example in Last Hope: "Every night I try my best to dream tomorrow makes it better and I wake up to the cold reality and not a thing is changed but it will happen."
My favourite song on the record has to be Still Into You. It sounds so unburdened and happy and when you take a closer look, that's exactly what it's about. "It's not a walk in the park to love each other but when our fingers interlock, can't deny, can't deny you're worth it cause after all this time, I'm still into you."
I'm just going to quote the next song, Anklebiters, here because it contains some very accurate life advice: "Fall in love with yourself because someday you're gonna be the only one you've got!"
These were the songs that made an impression on me right after listening to them for the first time, all in all this is a very successful album everybody should have in their CD collection.