Basslines and Protest Signs is Brett Callwood’s column looking at the intersection of music and politics. This week talks about the Black Lives Matter protests and the response to it—both good and racist.
Packed with colossal hooks and melodies, State Champs’ debut album The Finer Things stands out as one of the best pop punk releases this year and raises the bar sky high for the genre.
Bayside have signed to Hopeless Records and will release their sixth full-length via the label sometime in 2014. Click “read more” to see statements from the label and frontman Anthony Raneri.
Think about if someone approached you in a record store asking for something that blends the unique vocal sound of Hit the Lights, the emo power of The Early November and the homegrown pop-punk sound that The Starting Line have perfected. If that person were savvy enough they would hand you a copy of Think Fast from Just Left, the band’s second album and debut for Victory imprint Standby Records.
The integrity of “American Idol” as a contest for raw, undiscovered talent was called into question again after an Irish singer who once had a major-label deal, and solo album that flopped, advanced to the top rung of the competition this week. Dublin native Carly Smithson, who formerly recorded for MCA Records under her maiden name, Carly Hennessy, was one of the 24 “Idol” contestants who made it on Wednesday to the semifinal rounds voted on each week by the show’s home TV audience. Online critics immediately seized on her initial success, and her professional recording background, as further evidence… Read more »
Less than one month after being released from prison, Keith Murray, pioneering rapper and one of the most recognizable stars of hip-hop, has entered into an exclusive recording deal with Def Jam Records. This announcement was made by Lyor Cohen, President of Island Def Jam Music Group and co-founder of Def Jam Records. A Long Island, New York native, Keith Murray quickly rose to prominence in 1994 with the release of his debut single, “The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World,” which shot directly to the top of the charts. In 1995, he released his first album, titled after his… Read more »
August Burns Red are streaming a new song, “Spirit Breaker,” from their upcoming record Rescue & Restore. The album hits shelves June 25th on Solid State Records.
Underoath have announced that they are breaking up after fifteen years as a band. They will be embarking on a farewell tour in 2013 as well as releasing an anthology LP November 6th on Solid State Records. Tonight’s episode of The Retrospect will pay tribute to the band; tune in at 7pm ET only on idobi Radio.
Silent Planet is in their A24 era with their new music video for their track, “SUPERBLOOM,” out via Solid State Records. The band says they were inspired by the horror flick Midsommar and the Heaven’s Gate cult when it came to the narrative. They also recruited actor Jenna Kanell, who starred in the first Terrifier movie. Read more: Maggie Lindemann Announces Her Second EP, ‘HEADSPLIT’ “We decided to make a video around an alternate interpretation of our title track, ‘SUPERBLOOM,” the band says. “A bunch of our listeners came along as extras. We feel that this video is our best… Read more »
Silent Planet have announced the details of their new album ‘SUPERBLOOM’, an expansive and extraordinary addition to their stunning story.
