Mandolin Orange - Such Jubilee

December 28, 2016

Mandolin Orange - Such Jubilee

I really love this album. This album holds such a special place in my heart. So many of these songs are associated with the love of my life and I. These aren't just songs to me. I first heard of Mandolin Orange when they were promotion their album "This Side Of Jordan" at the time I had the free version of Spotify so I had to listen to all the ads. Mandolin Orange had an ad on there supporting that album, and they sampled some of their music and I loved it. So I searched them out and became a huge fan of theirs. My favorite genre of music is sing songwriter/folk music anyway so these guys really hit my interest. They feature so much of the folk genre that you would love if you love that style of music. They have two people in the band Andrew Marlin, and Emily Frantz. Em and Drew both play guitar and other instruments as well as both sing. Drew and Em are also in a relationship together which makes it easier for me to connect these songs to my own love. This album is so iconic to me and who I am. I make my own folk music as well and I feel like I can match Drew's voice pretty well so its nice to sing and warm up to their songs. There is one song on here that means the most to me, it is my love and I's song. We both sing it in the car, and it makes me fall in love ten times harder. I'm not here to tell you about my love life, but it is so ingrained into this album that I can't help but mention it at least. There are many great songs on here ranging from love, to old folklore stories. the instrumentals to this album are so simple, calm, but superb at the same time. As much as I love Emily; one of the best things about this album is that Drew does most of the singing which I prefer. I love Em, but like I've stated in a previous blog I like male singers more than I do female singers. Emily has a fantastic voice and I love it when her and Drew sing together. The songs that are just her singing though are my least favorite, just because I love Drew's voice so much that I want more of him. Mandolin Orange had three albums before this one. "Quiet Little Room" "Make "Haste/Hard Hearted Stranger" and "This Side Of Jordan". They also have one album after this one "Blindfaller". "Such Jubilee" is by far my favorite album of them all though, probably because of the emotional connection. If you love soft mellow singer songwriter/bluegrass/folk music this album is top notch and you should totally give it a go! I give this album 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. That Wrecking Ball
2. Daylight
3. Of Which There Is No Like

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Mandolin Orange, and Yep Roc Records.

http://www.mandolinorange.com/

http://www.yeproc.com/

August Burns Red - Sleddin' Hill A Holiday Album

December 25, 2016

August Burns Red - Sleddin' Hill A Holiday Album

Break out your ugly Christmas sweater and get ready to head bang! August Burns Red's Christmas album is nothing but fantastic (well unless you hate metal). I don't get in to much metal anymore, but it used to be the only thing I listened to when I was younger. August Burns Red however has been the only metal band that has consistently remained in my life. I have seen these guys three times now and they keep getting better every time I see them. This album is a great take and rendition to all your favorite Christmas songs. It's pretty much just and instrumental album except for the songs Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, and Joy To The World. The album features all the great things about August Burns Red. The melodic yet heavy guitar from Brent and JB, the masterful drums from Matt, and the deep bass tones from Dustin the only thing it misses is Luke's vocals. Since its mainly an instrumental album and there are no vocals. That might make it easier for people to listen to since it isn't near as aggressive. This is part three to my Christmas special blog and I felt like I needed to represent a wide variety of genres. Give this a listen if you want to be pumped up and still celebrate the holidays! I give this album 🍪🍪🍪🍪 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. O Come O Come Emmanuel 
2. Joy To The World
3. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to August Burns Red, and Solid State Records.

http://www.augustburnsred.com/

http://www.solidstaterecords.com/

Jeremih & Chance - Merry Christmas Lil' Mama

December 25, 2016

Jeremih & Chance - Merry Christmas Lil' Mama

Okay like I said in part one of this Christmas edition I don't listen to Christmas music however I saw this and had to. I am technically writing this blog on December 22, 2016 which is the same day this mixtape came out. I love Chance a lot. He is independent for starters which I always respect, because music labels always find ways to screw artists over. Chance has a fantastic voice, fantastic rapping skills, and all around musical talent. His flow and message is one of my favorite things about Chance. The fact that he isn't afraid to incorporate his faith into his music is admiral whether you believe or not. I wouldn't say he is a Christian artist, but he isn't afraid to show his faith. Jeremih isn't someone I have heard on his own, but I have heard many songs that he has been a part of and I've been super impressed. This is a mixtape which was released shortly after Chance released Coloring Book. Coloring Book was Chances first official album and its great too, but I'll review that later right now we will focus on Merry Christmas Lil' Mama. Is this a Christmas album? I will give you my opinion then you can form your own. I do think this is a Christmas album (kinda) it certainly has Christmas tones, but its not your traditional Christmas album, but what rap mixtape would be? Chance still covers the dangers of living where he grows up, and growing up as a person of color as described in the song Joy. There are numerous Christmas themes in this mixtape though like in the song Chi Town Christmas I mean it uses the rhythm of  Carol of the Bells! All around this is a nice mellow mixtape that really did come as a nice surprise on a Thursday morning. I always love to have more music from Chance! I'll give you guys a secret piece of info. Check out Favorite Song by Chance off of his Acid Rap mixtape. Its my two favorite rappers of all time (Chance & Gambino). I give this album/mixtape 🎄🎄🎄🎄 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. I'm Your Santa
2. All The Way
3. Joy

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Chance The Rapper and Jeremih.

http://chanceraps.com/
http://jeremih.com/

Willie Nelson - The Classic Christmas Album

December 25, 2016

Willie Nelson - The Classic Christmas Album

I LOVE WILLIE NELSON! I really do I love Willie Nelson. I should start off with saying that country music and I don't really mesh well. I do not like this twangy pop plastic modern day country, I hate it. Country to me is Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and etc. those were the country artist I know and love. I found my love for Willie from my grandfather, we would always joke about how goofy he was but yet seemed to coincide with the way we are as people. He is just a relaxed easy going guy and sure some of that probably has to do with the plethora of pot he smokes and has smoked, but still! I also hate Christmas music! I listen to Christmas music only on Christmas day and that's for only about two hours! I can tell you though if when I do listen to Christmas music it is this album, and Michael Bublé's Christmas album(s). This album just brings me so much joy. Not only do you have Willies classic pecky guitar and his tremendously unique voice that you just can't miss. I love that! Okay sure Willie is a very very very acquired taste, but I think that makes it so much better. Willie covers all the classic Christmas songs while putting his own flavor on every single one of them. You have to at least give the guy credit that each song is well done whether or not you like him or his style. Willie has been doing this music gig for a very long time so I wouldn't question his production quality or knowledge for the business. I can guarantee you that this won't be the only Willie Nelson album I review I just thought it would fit since you know its Christmas. Become like me and listen to this album every Christmas morning! Make it a tradition in your family like I'm sure I will when I have one of my own! I give this album 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. What A Wonderful World
2. Silent Night, Holy Night
3. Blue Christmas

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Willie Nelson, Legacy Recordings, and Sony Music.

https://www.legacyrecordings.com/

http://www.willienelson.com/

https://www.sonymusic.com/

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

December 21, 2016

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

This album is one of the best albums I have ever heard in my entire life. Actually Alabama Shakes is one of my favorite bands of all time. From the bluesy funky groove of the instrumentals, to the full powerful voice of Brittany Howard you just can't beat this band. They jolted semi-popular music with a refreshing sound. Popular music these days has become too pop and plastic sounding in my opinion, and having really great musicians bringing a blues sound to the radio was a great relief. Certainly they aren't as popular as most pop music these days, but just knowing they are commanding air time from some of the other artists is very nice to see. These guys deserve every ounce of success they gain. I remember listening to them when this album came out (which has only been since 2012) I didn't really give them a listen until I saw their video for "Don't Wanna Fight" from their album Sound & Color. After I saw that video on Facebook I instantly went to Boys & Girls and gave it a deep listening to. I honestly don't like female singers, but Howard is amazing! Not only is she one of my favorite female vocalists, she is one of my favorite vocalists in general! I really love blues music so I might be somewhat biased, but I think there is a great blend of other genres in their music for anyone to love what they got going on. If you love this album you will certainly love their follow up album Sound & Color! So get out there and check these guys out! I give this album 🎸🎸🎸🎸 out of five! Extravagant!

I know I keep doing albums that I give great reviews on, but I can't help it I love sharing the music I love! Recommend me some albums to review regardless of genre or artist. I will do a honest review, and would love doing so!

Favorite Tracks!

1. Hang Loose
2. Be Mine
3. Heavy Chevy

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Alabama Shakes and ATO Records.

http://www.alabamashakes.com/

http://www.atorecords.com/

Gorillaz - Gorillaz

December 18, 2016

Gorillaz - Gorillaz

Now this album, this album right here. This album is so influential to my music obsession, and my musical taste. Like most kids my age 2001-05 was prime for finding our music. Most of my favorite albums, songs, and bands all came around that era of time. Gorillaz released their self titled album in 2001 and it rocked my world man. Every song on this album is amazing minus "Latin Simone (Que Pasa Contigo)" in my opinion. It had two songs on it that I remember always hearing on the radio (Clint Eastwood, and 19-2000). This band, and album also hits me with intrigue, because of the Japanese anime animation feel of it. The fictional characters 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle are all animated and play a huge role in forming the image of the band. This is by far my favorite Gorillaz album to date, a lot of Gorillaz songs after this album had the tendency to be more of a instrumental sound. I prefer this album, because pretty much every song has lyrics accompanying it, and I love hearing Damon Albarn's voice the UK voice works with this project. This album also has one of my favorite rappers of all time in it. Del The Funky Homosapien, Del is on two songs on this album (Clint Eastwood, and Rock The House,) Del's 90's style rap and flow mixes well with the backing track and funky instrumentals of those two songs. This album is a real flowy and ambient sounding project, and I love it. Gorillaz are suppose to be releasing a new album in 2017 and I hope that its like this album. So give this album a listen to and get yourself ready for the new album coming soon! I give this album 🐵🐵🐵🐵.5 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. Rock The House
2. Clint Eastwood
3. Punk 

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Gorillaz and Parlophone Records.

http://www.parlophone.co.uk/

http://gorillaz.com/

Patrick - Monsters In A Monte Carlo

     

December 14, 2016

Patrick - Monsters In A Monte Carlo

First off, I know Patrick personally; he is a great guy and has a brilliant musical mind. That being said, I promise not to let it skew my review so.... let's get to it! I knew of Patrick's music, but I had never heard any of it until this album. I attended his album reveal party and bought the CD that night. I listened to it the whole way home and fell in love with it. You can tell the emotion that he puts into every single song he has on this album. You can experience and go through everything he was going through when he was making this album. There are catchy hooks and chorus' that will stick in your head for days after you've heard them. This album is one where you listen to it once and you know every word to every song by heart. It is that catchy! This album has five songs but I'm greedy.... I want more! Patrick does all the production himself which makes you forgive the album for being so short... again I'm greedy... I want more! However, I would rather have five well produced heartfelt songs than twenty generic songs. With there only being five songs this album is one that can easily be listened to, which makes it a good album to drive to. I have shown this album to many of my friends that don't like rap/hip hop music, and they absolutely loved it. This album has some of the best songs for this genre that I have ever heard. Even though he is an indie artist, his songs, in my opinion, extremely outmatch any mainstream rap/hip hop artist out there. This guy is a great guy and he really puts heart into his music that you can hear and even feel. I highly encourage you listen to this album and seek out the rest of his music. You will not be disappointed. I give this album 🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮 out of five lanterns. Follow Patrick on Instagram, Twitter, Soundcloud, and Facebook! @hisnameispatrick Extravagant! 

Favorite Tracks!

1. Some Other Girl
2. Faded
3. Monsters In A Monte Carlo

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Patrick.

http://patricksound.com/

Cruel Hand - Your World Won't Listen

December 11, 2016
Cruel Hand - Your World Won't Listen

With each album Cruel Hand releases they continue to grow, but still stick to the meaty roots that fans will love. The deep bass cuts, and pounding drums still rule as king. Cruel Hands newest album Your World Won't Listen gives you that aggressive punk "in your face" rock that will make you want to head bang while taking a shower(it certainly did that for me.) This album starts just as about as good as you could, the opening track Nowhere, Nothing, Never starts soft and slow, but builds into a hearty pounding rocker. This album makes you want to run to your nearest garage, crank the volume up, and jam out. Numerous tracks on this album sound as if they belong on any of the Tony Hawk video games on which I grew up on. Released on September 9, 2016 on Hopeless Records the same record company that works with some of my favorite bands(Emarosa, The Wonder Years, Moose Blood, New Found Glory, and The Used.) You'll find it matching that genre of music, but still finding a way it to pave its own sound, and place in the selection, so if pounding, headbanging, and pure adrenaline pumping jams are your thing then this album is a must listen to! I give it 🎅🎅🎅🎅 out of five! Thanks for reading everyone! Feel free to respond, comment, or talk to me! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. Deep Six Hole
2. Threes
3. Liquid Paper

I do not own, any of the pictures, or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Cruel Hand, and Hopeless Records

https://cruelhand.com/ 

http://hopelessrecords.com