Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Black Clouds and Sliver Linings by Dream Theater is in my opinion a return to form for the leader in progressive metal. Beautiful and heavy all at the same time. I like to think of Dream Theater is a safe band, the lack of screaming vocals is one reason, but the other would have to be the almost pop influence, its easy on the ears. There are only 6 tracks on the album but like all Dream Theater stuff they clock in at about 10 minutes each. If you can listen to Maroon 5, and crap like that I don't see a reason why you wouldn't like Dream Theater.

Album's

• When Dream and Day Unite (1989)
• Images and Words (1992)
• Awake (1994)
• A Change Of Seasons (1995)
• Falling into Infinity (1997)
• Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999)
• Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002)
• Train of Thought (2003)
• Octavarium (2005)
• Systematic Chaos (2007)
• Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)

Devin Townsend Project - Ki

Devin Townsend Projects album "Ki" was one of the first albums by the monster that is Devin that I had to take a second listen to get. Its different, and in this case different is amazing! I really recommend this album to anyone, its chill but at the same time it will knock you on your face. I love how everything Townsend does has beauty with equal parts of brutal. Its funny because none of these song's could technically be categorized as metal. I would say this has more of a grungy sound, and when I say that I hope I don't offend my favorite artist of all time.

Album's
Ocean Machine: Biomech
Infinity
Physicist
Terria
Accelerated Evolution
Devlab
Synchestra
The Hummer
Ziltoid the Omniscient
Ki
Addicted

For fans of music in general.

I love this song.

On Your Side lyrics

I’m outside your house
2 am it’s dark
So many mistakes
Come back home from bars

I am on your side
I just want to tell you off

So many lies
Are taking hold
It’s not your fault
There’s many scars

I am on your side
It’s taken me a long time
I am on your side
I’m on your side

And I listen
Yeah I listen
Can you listen?
Now I’m listening

I am on your side
It’s taken me a long time
I am on your side
I’m on your side

(And I listen) I am on your side
(Yeah I listen) It’s taken me a long time
(Can you listen?) I am on your side
(Now I’m listening) I’m heading out tonight
(And I listen) I'm heading out tonight

Between the Buried and Me - "The Great Misdirect" Review

Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect
Seems it's hard to have a best of list without at least one of the BTBM albums. Colors was my favorite album from last year, and while "The Great Misdirect" is in the same vein as its counter part, its a whole new thing. Some people say that they hate it when a band flaunts their talent and that's what BTBM are doing as of late. I respectfully disagree. One of the great things about progressive music is the complete disregard for conventional song writing. It gives the artist's more play room. There's nothing better than hearing a solid 9 min song that doesn't seem like to was very long. Again I wish I was about to say "listen to this song, you'll get it instantly", that's just not the case. Listening to the entire album is the only way to truly get the full experience.

Band members :

• Tommy Rogers – vocals/keyboards
• Paul Waggoner – guitar
• Dustie Waring – guitar
• Blake Richardson – drums/percussion
• Dan Briggs – bass guitar

Album's

• Between the Buried and Me (2002)
• The Silent Circus (2003)
• Alaska (2005)
• The Anatomy Of (2006)
• Colors (2007)
• The Great Misdirect (2009)

Megadeth - "End Game"

Megadeth - End Game

I'm a diehard Megadeth fan. If you know me you know I have passion for good streight forward metal and this is Megadeth's true return to form. "United Abominations" was good, but no where near the assult of "End Game". Seriously, I dare you to listen to this album without having to take a nap after. Song after song of punishing trash metal, beautiful and disturbing at the same time. I would give examples of songs to start you off on, but really there's little point, its just one of those albums that you must listen to cover to cover (not sure that makes sense). I also dare you to tell me that "Death Magnetic" by Metalica is better than "End Game", you would be dead wrong. While Death Magnetic maybe on this list it doesn't touch the awesomeness that is "End Game".

Megadeth are :
Dave Mustaine – lead vocals, guitar (1983–present)
Chris Broderick – guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
James Lomenzo – bass guitar, backing vocals (2006–present)
Shawn Drover – drums, percussion (2004–present)

Album's :

• Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985)
• Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
• So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
• Rust in Peace (1990)
• Countdown to Extinction (1992)
• Youthanasia (1994)
• Cryptic Writings (1997)
• Risk (1999)
• The World Needs a Hero (2001)
• The System Has Failed (2004)
• United Abominations (2007)
• Endgame (2009)

Devil Wear's Prada - With Roots Above and Branches Below

The Devil Wear's Prada - With Roots Above And Branches Below
How can i put in to words how surprised I was by the awesomeness of this album. Its seriously stellar, with a cleaned up version of their orignal sound. Very effects heavy, heart crushing songs, great vocals, great mixing, awesome lyrics (for a metal band). I believe there is something on this record for everyone, from the darkest of emo kids to the most pure metal head. "Dez Monines", "Danger : Wildman", and "Lord Xenu" are the names of some of the awesomeness that is on this record.
The Devil Wears Prada have been about for a while now. First starting out to take advantage of the Horse the Band keyboard sound. They did a pretty damn good job at it. Though I wasn't a huge fan of them before "With Roots" I did enjoy most of their work. Their band members are as follows.
Mike Hranica - lead vocals
Jeremy DePoyster - rhythm guitar, clean vocals
Chris Rubey - lead guitar
Andy Trick - bass guitar
Daniel Williams - drums
James Baney - keyboard, synthesizer, piano

Awesome SNL sketch.

Notice that Ozzy is played by Dave Matthews.

Cage the Elephant - self titled

Cage the Elephant, a band that I wouldn't normally listen to, but for some reason I'm drawn to it. I first heard this band on the intro for the exceptional and very entertaining game Borderlands. The song "There aint no rest for the Wicked" was the theme, and it fit so nicely that I had to listen and it almost forced me to enjoy it. I've found that this band actually takes its sound from many exceptional bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blur, Oasis, bands that made their marks by being unique and ground breaking. Do I feel that CTE have the ability to be the same? Well not yet. This album is great for the most part, but this isn't for everyone. I seriously recommend you listen to "There aint no rest for the Wicked" It will better inform you of the style and sound better than I ever could.

Cage The Elephant - Ain't No Rest For The Wicked
by UniversalMusicGroup

Regina Spektor - far

Its hard for me to put into words how I feel about Regina Spektor. Its unique music that goes from the completely absurd to the truly beautiful. Her new effort "Far" is no exception. With a bit more poppy sound, or those who can't go five minutes without listing to Lady Gaga for some shit. This album will truly test your ability to really listen to music and appreciate what it is. I would descibe it as piano pop, but that really doesn't fit well. It, again, is truly beautiful stuff.

for fan's of - Feist, Nora Jones, Female vocalists, Piano

Regina Spektor- Eet (Official Music Video)
by Winch37

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

I've been listening to Pete Yorn for a long while now. He's has some ups and downs, but from what I am hearing now it seems like working with the hotness is good on him. This is a poppy soft rocky collaboration with the one and only Scarlett Johansson. Songs are infectious and very easy to listen to. Scarlett actually has a very nice voice and it goes well with this style of music.

For fans of Kings of Leon, John Mayer, Feist, and a good time!!

Not Heavy and Heavy

King of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
For those not into metal, I'm not sure you could get more far away... unless it was country. Great sound, almost that of an updated Simon and Garfunkel. Great easy listening. With the holiday's coming up I couldn't recommend a better album to play while entertaining guests.

Zimmer's Hole - When You Were Shouting at the Devil... We Were in League with Satan
A great album, one of the more funny that I'll ever recommend. While the humor isn't for most people (very off colored) it is very effective. Songs like The Vowel Song (feat. Nathan Explosion of Dethklok) keep it interesting to say the least. With memebers from "Strapping Young Lad" and "Fear Factory" this band it worth your time if you love metal.

Devin Townsend Project - Addicted

Devin Townsend Project - The new album addicted... coming almost directly off the heals of "ki" one of Townsend's most unique records to date. Addicted is Townsend returning to what I feel he knows best. Great progressive metal with a quality that has a universal sound that makes even the most critical music buff take a second to appreciate what Townsend does. The sound quality is again unmatched due to the fact that Townsend is almost insane when it comes to production values. Even though the production is great you never get the feeling that its fake, which is a trade mark of Townsend's.

The album starts off with the song "Addicted" which is reminiscent of "Ocean Machine", a streight forward crushing metal track. Its followed up by "universe in a ball" again a song that goes back to the earlier efforts of "The Devin Townsend Band". Then we come to the track "Bend it like Bender" a reference to the show "Futurama" One of the most unique songs on the record. Almost has a brit pop or power pop feel to it. Infectious drums and great vocals make's this song the song that will get stuck in your head and not let go. "Supercrush" is the next and by far my favorite, its haunting yet empowering sound leaves you in wonderment. Anneke van Giersbergen the female vocalist that Townsend use's in this record does an amazing job.

Every song on this album is memorable and its not one of those "I need to be in the mood to listen to it" albums. I strongly encourage you to check it out, and while your at it check out Townsend's other works. He truly is one of the greats of our and anyone generations at what he does.