Cyclists: Let the Backlash Begin (or Not)
'Citywide Operation Safe Muni' Results in 900 400 Citations, 9 Arrests
Grilled Cheese Coming to South Park
Lincecum Busted for Pot
Ocean Avenue Books Owner, Not So Nutso After All?
Each Tuesday we will feature new music that should (or whatever) be on your radar.
Standouts:
1. Nicole Atkins - Neptune City: This New Jersey native, reaches down deep to relate stories of her hometown, Neptune City on her debut release. "From the time I was a kid I started collecting these sad little tragically beautiful personal stories from the people in my life, and my own as well. That sense of history really appeals to me as an artist." Each song Atkins incorporates a little blues, rock, folk, musical, and country music. She meshes them together to create an incredibly beautiful masterpiece of songwriting and story-telling. Atkins' beautiful vocals on top of this creates something exciting and worth remembering.
Win a free copy of Nicole Atkin's debut album release, Neptune City after the jump.
Download: "War Torn" and "Maybe Tonight"
2. Graham Colton - Here Right Now: Produced by John Fields (Switchfoot, Rooney) Here Right Now, Graham Colton's second label release, is filled with familiar guitar-driven rock songs (though they have added keyboards since their last release) that sound familiar to Goo Goo Dolls, Switchfoot, Gin Blossoms and several other rock bands.
"Best Days," the first single, wants to be the next "High School Graduation" song. The cliché lyrics proves our point: "So I say let's make the best of tonight. Here comes the rest of our lives." The melody is somewhat reminiscent of Green Day's "Good Riddance" while the chord structure is oddly familiar with Edwin McCain's "I'll Be." (Trust me - I belted "I'll Be" over the chorus and it works perfectly.) Now, we wonder if this is bad? We answer, no. Clearly, Graham Colton (who wrote every song) has found the recipe of a good song and continually uses it. There are even several catchy love anthems declaring "I'm always in love with you" or "Can't get you out of my mind...You're in my telescope." (The telescope metaphor is a definite first - a bit creepy.)
He's found the formula - he's sticking to it - and we predict he'll even be successful at it. If you are into the aforementioned bands, then check him out, you'll find something similar and refreshing. He'll be in San Francisco on 11/8 at Swedish American Music Hall with Vanessa Carlton.
Download: "Best Days" and "If Love Was Enough"
To enter the contest and read more on other CD releases, take the jump...
Enter the contest below to win Nicole Atkin's CD and poster: (One winner will be chosen when contest closes on November 1st. Form must be filled out in entirety.)
Remember, if you win, a notification will be sent to you at the email address you provide in the contest form, usually a day or so after the contest ends. So please keep an eye on your inbox and junk mail folder for a message from us. Thanks, and good luck!
Please Let Us Know What You Think About:
1. Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold: The boys will be here Dec. 10, in the mean time work on your guitar solo and enter to win to meet the band. If you don't have the guitar chops then just check out their new tracks.
2. Saves the Day - Under the Boards: Says frontman Chris Conley: "Sound The Alarm is an expression of discontent. Under the Boards is reflection and remorse. Daybreak is acceptance." Apparently we are working through a lot of emotions in this band.
3. Blues Traveler - Cover Yourself: What? They are still a band? Who knew? Not sure if it's worth a listen but we rocked it out back in 1994...
4. Taking Back Sunday - Notes From the Past: This latest effort will feature four songs from Tell All Your Friends, six songs from Where You Want to Be, and two b-sides: "The Ballad of Sal Villanueva" and "Your Own Disaster."
Guilty Pleasure for the Week:
Really though, how could we not mention both. Ridiculously, we have been a fan of both at some point (and we have seen both in concert.) You decide, which one is better? Britney or Backstreet Boys. Now bitch it out.
Photos courtesy of:
Nicole Atkins: Press Release
Graham Colton: Press Release
Avenged Sevenfold: Press Release
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
I just got this in my email:
Single of the Week
Graham Colton has toured with John Mayer, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews Band, and Kelly Clarkson. We'll let you guess which one he ended up dating. His new album is out today, so we chose the incredibly upbeat "Best Days" as our free Single of the Week.