Category Archives: Music

Review of albums and singles. CD, LP, and MP3.

“Father Christmas” (Single) by The Unlikely Candidates

Artist: The Unlikely Candidates
Title: “Father Christmas” (Single)
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: 11/9/2018
Genre: Holiday Rock
Rating: 4/5

The Alt-Rock band The Unlikely Candidates have offered up their take on the 1977 holiday classic “Father Christmas” which was an original composition by the legendary British Rock band The Kinks. This was my first time hearing the band do anything and I was glad to find a holiday track from them since around this time of the year I love to offer up spirited narratives that fit best with the season. The original Kinks version surely rocks but how did The Unlikely Candidates do with it? Let’s discuss.
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“Masquerade Of Madness” (Single) by King Diamond

Artist: King Diamond
Title: “Masquerade Of Madness” (Single)
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 11/8/2019
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating:

It was only a few short hours ago that the legendary King Diamond took over NYC with a show at Brooklyn’s beautiful King’s Theatre. While we were not in attendance to be able to share much about the show with you, I did learn that a brand-new song called “Masquerade Of Madness” was performed mid-way through the show. Now that the clock has struck midnight, the rest of the world can absorb it via whatever their preferred streaming service might be. The song is available on all of them and comes care of Metal Blade Records. Let’s discuss in brief.
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“Fear Inoculum” (Single) by Tool

Artist: Tool
Title: “Fear Inoculum” (Single)
Label: RCA Records
Release Date: 8/7/2019
Genre: Alt-Metal
Rating: 4.5/5

While we are only about 23 days away from the release of the first Tool album in 13 years, the music world was buzzing about the band based on their back catalog being made available on the popular digital platforms of the day for the first time ever. I discussed that monumental news HERE in case you missed it and this morning the world at large got their first taste of new Tool music with the single from the “Fear Inoculum” album and its title track. The number runs a good 10 plus minutes long and I’ll try to make some sense of it all for those fans of the band who are reading my narratives.
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“Til The Light Guides Me Home” (Single) by William DuVall

Artist: Willliam DuVall
Title: “Til The Light Guides Me Home” (Single)
Label: DVL Recordings
Release Date: 7/22/2019
Genre: Acoustic Rock
Rating: 4/5

You know his name from being the crushing register behind the last few Alice In Chains albums and if you were following him before that position you might be ahead of a lot of us when it comes to the overall body of work by singer William DuVall. Recently the musician released the first single from what I believe to be his first ever solo album and this is an acoustic effort to boot so a very different perspective can be taken on it. The song is called “’Till The Light Guides Me Home” and I’ve put together a few thoughts after giving this the once over on Spotify.
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“Back To Life” (Single) by Paralandra

Artist: Paralandra
Title: “Back To Life” (Single)
Label: Legend Recordings
Release Date: 2018
Genre: Hard Rock/Alt-Rock
Rating: 4/5

While the band has been around for a couple of years by my research, my first knowledge came of them when I noticed they would be opening for the famous Yngwie Malmsteen at his NYC show. The plan was to catch his gig and lend some love to the supporting act which is my common practice but when my plans changed neither of those options would happen which brings me here. I’d been spinning the bands 2018 single “Back To Life” which is also going to be a part of their upcoming “Ascension” EP in preparation for the show and since I liked the number, decided to throw together a quick single review for the readership. Let’s go.
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