I'll Take Power-Pop For $200, Alex

So I bought some really corny but good albums today. Both debut albums, one a "super-group"(I hate that fucking term) and one is some "new" shit. The super-group is Tinted Windows and they are comprised of Taylor Hanson(yes that Taylor Hanson), James Iha, Bun E. Carlos and Adam Schlesigner. Pretty rad mixup if you ask me and they pull the album off believe it or not. Granted its obvious they wrote this album in about 3 weeks and recorded in about 2, but its 35 minutes of pure sugar-coated guitar pop and I am a fuckin sucker for that. The other album is the debut from Chester French and I dont know much about them aside from the fact that Pharell seems to worship every sound they make, and with decent reason. The album is definitely a fun listen, but I get the feeling that alot of the ideas on the album are overthought and it makes them sound a little out of place. Case in point the track "Country Interlude" is five and a half minutes of eerie sounds and just randomness that doesnt tie the album together in any way and is the longest track on the album by a minute. Great first try from the duo and I expect much bigger things to build from their year or two of pre-album release hype and mix tapes and EPs etc. The debut I DIDNT BUY today was from Asher Roth because he is a clown. I have heard some of his mixes and its obvious he has flow, but the album is straight gimmicky bullshit, halfassed hooks and guest spots. Garbage.

Oh! Listen to the new Manchester Orchestra album! It sounds like In Utero era Nirvana mixed with Pinkerton era Weezer and....country. Slide guitar and all. Get on that shit. Its called "Mean Everything To Nothing".

Fall Out Boy is totally fucked..

At work today I came to a giant realization...Fall Out Boy doesnt stand a fucking chance when Blink and Green Day make their rounds this year. Sure they still have a loyal fanbase because they are huge at the moment, but I really cant see this band in the arena circuit past this year with these bands back. The resurgance of 90s pop punk is really going to do number on either a)how long all these shit ass emo bands out now last or b)what these bands sound like. Personally I would love another abundance of shitty 4-chords or less pop/punk bands circulating the airwaves because eventhough it was the flavor of the year dominating everything you listened to, it was at least a little more honest and fun and not paraded by synth and boring acoustic songs(that means you plain white t's).

And allthough I am not sure I want to admit it, i really think Blink is gonna have a much bigger impact on pop punk coming back this year and bands changing to sound more fun and "real" than Green Day will for sure. While Green Day will sell more albums and have a bigger tour(unless they tour together), they are more interested in U2 heights than Blinks "lets just get back out there and play to the fans we have now and more will follow" approach.

In closing, a new Friday the 13th comes out tomorrow which rules, its windy as dick out, and I am getting better at guitar...hooorah

Cheers

I Love the 90's Part 9

I wanna start by talking about the best thing ever from the 90s. My family got my dog Buster in the summer of 1996 and he was the best friend I ever had. One year ago to the day we had to put him down because he got sick and he went into liver failure and it was one of the hardest/worst days of my life, but all the fun memories and pictures make it a little better. I miss you pal. I know it sounds funny if you arent a dog lover or even if you are, but he is one of the most inspirational things in my life. He was real sick soon before we put him down and the vets found that he had a tumor in his belly. He went into surgery and had it taken out...the tumor weighed 8 pounds! Buster got home from surgery and the next day was walking around just doing his normal business like nothing had happened. I am certain no person has ever had a tumor taken out of their bodies and went to work the next day like they had gotten a cavity filled or something routine the day before. It was kind of an amusing sight, but it opened my eyes to how strong it is possible to be in any situation. So heres to Buster, I miss the shit out of you!

And since Buster always made me happy, heres some amazing news about this year that really make me happy...

The things that I loved about the 90s that inspired me to play drums, listen to every band I could and spend every dollar I earned on music or concerts are all making huge moves this year.

1. Green Day is putting out their new album "21st Century Breakdown" in May and following it up with a world tour.

2. Blink-182 is releasing an album and touring this summer.

(I get the feeling they may tour together)

and 3. No Doubt is touring again this summer.

No Doubt was the first real rock concert I ever saw, Weezer opened for them and it was right as Pinkerton was coming out and Tragic Kingdom was at its height of fame...amazing amazing times.

Green Day was my second real rock concert and it took place at what would ultimately become my favorite place on this planet to see a concert.

Special times, special bands...this is going to be a special year.

P.S. I am 1110% aware of the corniness of this post, but its a meaningful one to me so im gonna shine it on with a smile.

P.P.S. I am also 1110% aware of how corny that P.S. was.

Cheers

I like surprises

The Grammys are tomorrow and this year I have reasons to give a shit. Green Day is presenting and so is a reunited Blink-182.

Green Day's official site is now buzzing of a surprise during the Grammys tomorrow....and theyre famous as shit so this surprise is probably pretty legit.

Theres also buzz that Blink is making a new album...will their presenting spots be related? Maybe.

Summer joint tour again? I hope so, but American Idiot came out over 4 years ago so I will take anything new album related.

Also, its Saturday night and im blogging about pop-punk bands from the 90s so sucks for me :)