Albums From Across The Musical Universe Proved Themselves Among 2022’s Top New Albums

Courtesy: C Squared PR

As the final hours of 2022 tick away and all eyes and hopes look forward to 2023, there is still a little bit of time to look back on the year that is now ending in regards to the year’s top new albums.  This year produced so many impressive new albums across the musical universe, from rock to rap to jazz, blues, classical, world, and even family music, as Phil’s Picks has shown.  Looking at all of those genres, many of them have produced records that are clearly among the best of the best, and they are presented here in the last of this year’s new music lists.

This year’s list of the year’s top new albums includes Machine Head’s new album, Of Kingdom and Crown, percussionist Tom Collier’s new album, The Color of Wood, and even Pimps of Joytime’s new album, Reachin’ Up among so many others.  Between these and all of the other albums included in this final music list for the year, it is clear that this year’s overall field of new music was rich with enjoyable content.  It made creating this list so difficult, but the list was created, nonetheless.

As with each Phil’s Picks list, this one consists of the year’s top 10 new albums and five additional honorable mentions for a total of 15 titles.  The top 10 records are the best of the best and the honorable mentions are records that are appealing in their own right and deserving of attention, too, thus their inclusion here.  Without any further ado, here is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Albums of the Year.

PHIL’S PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW ALBUMS

1. Bloodywood – Rakshak
2. Danilo Perez – Crisalida
3. Derek Sherinian – Vortex
4. Machine Head – Of Kingdom and Crown
5. Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – Variants of Vibe
6. Devin Townsend – Light Work
7. Joe Satriani – Elephants of Mars
8. Sabaton – The Symphony to End All Wars
9. Pimps of Joytime – Reachin’ Up
10. Tom Collier – The Color of Wood
11. The Jorgensens – Americana Soul
12. Mark Tremonti – Tremonti Sings Sinatra
13. Playing For Change Band – The Real Revolution
14. Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint The Town
15. Bobby Watson – Back Home in Kansas City

That’s it for this year’s new music year-enders.  There is still time for at least a couple of TV pieces to go through before the year officially ends, so stay tuned!

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com. 

‘Tremonti Sings Sinatra’ Shows Mark Tremonti Has A Future In Jazz Just As Much As Rock

Courtesy: PFA Media

Frank Sinatra and Mark Tremonti are about as opposite of one another as two artists can get in terms of the musical universe.  Sinatra made his name in the jazz and film community and remains one of the most revered figures in the musical universe today.  Tremonti on the other hand has gained fame through his work with Creed, Alter Bridge and his eponymously named band, so when it was recently announced that Tremonti was going to release a compilation of Sinatra covers, it went without saying that there was plenty of surprise from members of both genre’ communities.  Released May 27 the 14-song record is quite the surprise in the best way possible.  Right from the record’s outset, audiences think they are hearing Sinatra as Tremonti sings so smoothly in the cover of ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin.’  That performance will be discussed shortly.  ‘My Way,’ which everyone knows was among Sinatra’s least favorite songs in the long run, is another notable addition to the record and will be discussed a little later.  ‘In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ is yet another key addition to this set.  It will also be examined later.  When it and the other songs noted here are considered along with the rest of the content featured throughout the collection, the whole makes this record arguably the single best covers collection of this year so far.

Tremonti Sings Sinatra, the new Frank Sinatra covers collection from rocker Mark Tremonti (yes, a rocker covering a bunch of jazz standards) is one of the biggest and best surprises of the year so far.  That is the case even with the recording being a covers set.  It is a presentation that proves if Tremonti ever decides to call it a career on the rock side of the musical universe, he would easily have a future in the jazz side.  His cover of Sinatra’s hit single, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin,’ which opens the collection, is just one of the songs that serves so well to make that clear.  Right from the opening strains, audiences would swear they are hearing Sinatra himself as Tremonti starts singing.  The pleasant surprise is instantaneous.  The low end from the saxophone line and the accents from the muted horns and the gentle work of the brushes on the snare are a near mirror musical image of Sinatra’s original hit.  Even the gradual buildup exhibited in the source material is here in Tremonti and company’s cover.  The whole makes the song a wonderful start to this compilation and just one of the fully engaging and entertaining additions to the album.  Tremonti and company’s take on ‘My Way’ is another notable addition to the collection.

The cover of ‘My Way’ stands out because it is so much unlike the rendition made so famous by Sinatra and others.  In place of the overly schmaltzy semi-orchestral version that everyone knows from Sinatra, Tremonti opts instead for the simplicity of an acoustic guitar and piano line as he sings the famous lyrics.  Even as the arrangement here reaches its peaks, Tremonti avoids the over-the-top trappings of the source material, instead opting to keep the approach minimalist.  That reserved approach actually gives the song even more emotional impact because it gives the song a whole new identity that is still so endearing.  It is just one more of the songs that stands out in the presentation.  Tremonti and company’s cover of ‘In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ is yet another notable addition to the whole.

‘In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ stands out because again, Tremonti and company have taken a different path than that in the source material.  At the same time, it is still as engaging and entertaining as its source material.  Tremonti’s rendition replaces the strings in Sinatra’s version with a grouping of saxophones and low brass, giving the song a whole new warmth while still staying true to the source material.  The big band ballroom approach that the group takes here gives the song a whole new mood that audiences will still enjoy.  When it is considered along with the other covers examined here and with the rest of the covers featured throughout the record, the whole makes Tremonti Sings Sinatra a record that even being a covers set, a fully engaging and enjoyable presentation for fans of Tremonti, Sinatra, and jazz in general.

Tremonti Sings Sinatra, guitarist Mark Tremonti’s new collection of Frank Sinatra covers, is a unique addition to this year’s field of new covers sets.  It stands out in the very fact that it is a jazz collection assembled and recorded by a figure from the rock community.  Some of the covers are close renditions from their source material while others are unique updates on the originals.  Each offers listeners its own presentation that is enjoyable in its own right.  All things considered the songs featured in this recording make it the best of this year’s new covers sets and one of the biggest and best surprises so far.

Tremonti Sings Sinatra is available now. More information on the collection is available along with all of Tremonti’s latest news at:

Website: https://marktremonti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tremonti Debuts ‘Now And Forever’ Lyric Video

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Tremonti is giving audiences one more preview of its new album only days ahead of the record’s release.

The band premiered the lyric video for its new single, ‘Now and Forever’ Tuesday. The song is the fourth single from the band’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time, which is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records. It has also produced the singles, ‘A World Away,’ ‘Marching in Time,’ and ‘If Not For You.’

The musical arrangement featured in the new single is another heavy composition. That is a trend that runs through the majority of the band’s new album. It takes the influences of the work that the band’s namesake and band leader Mark Tremonti has crafted with Alter Bridge and steps up that work even more in this case along with his band mates.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the video’s premiere. However in watching the video, it would seem that the song’s theme focuses on getting past the events of the past and moving forward. That seems to be a central theme of the album, especially considering the album’s title.

The song’s video is its own interesting presentation. It finds the song’s lyrics placed over a very cinematic type backdrop of various graphics and lighting tones as the song plays over the presentation.

In other news, Tremonti will celebrate the release of its new album (its fifth so far) by hosting its first-ever livestream at 10 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Friday. Tickets are available here.

Marching in Time is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records.  More information on the album is available along with all of Tremonti’s latest news at:

Website: https://marktremonti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tremonti’s ‘Marching In Time’ Is Among The Best Of The Band’s Albums To Date

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti is wrapping up his current tour with Sevendust and Lydia Can’t Breathe.  The tour, which launched Sept. 3, is set to wrap Sunday in Orlando, FL at the annual Rebel Rock Festival.  Tremonti’s tour is in support of his latest album, Marching in Time, which is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records.  The 12-song record is a successful offering from the veteran musician.  Its success is displayed through its musical arrangements and lyrical content alike, as has already been shown through the singles that it has already produced, ‘A World Away,’ ‘Marching in Time,’ and ‘If Not For You.’  ‘Would You Kill,’ the album’s penultimate entry, is another example of how the record’s musical and lyrical content make it successful.  It will be discussed shortly.  ‘The Last One Of Us,’ which comes just past the album’s midpoint, is another example of how that content will keep listeners engaged.  It will be addressed a little later.  Much the same can be said of ‘Under The Sun’ as has been noted of the other songs addressed here.  It will also be examined later.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of this record.  When these songs are considered along with the album’s current singles and the rest of its entries, the whole makes Marching in Time an overall successful new offering from Mark Tremonti and company.

Tremonti’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time is a strong new offering from the band and its namesake.  That has already been proven easily through all three of its current singles.  They are just some of the songs that serve to exhibit the album’s strength.  ‘Would You Kill’ is another example of what the album has to offer.  Just as with so much of the album, its musical arrangement is a heavy, intense composition.  The energy in the composition exuded from all involved is powerful to say the very least.  At the same time the more melodic choruses make for an interesting contrast to those heavier moments in the verses.  The whole of that musical arrangement makes for plenty of engagement and entertainment for audiences. 

While the musical arrangement featured in ‘Would You Kill’ is instantly infectious and memorable, it stands out even more when it is set alongside the song’s lyrical theme.  The lyrical theme that seems to be presented here is a contemplation of life in general; about taking chances and risks.  This is inferred in the song’s lead verse and chorus, in which Tremonti sings, “Why does it take so long/Some of us, we bear this weight alone/How do the rest survive/Some of us, we fight to stay alive/Would you know if it might be the end/Would you kill if the chance came again/Are you brave when you can’t see tomorrow/Would you kill/Would you beg, steal or borrow.”  Again, this all comes across a rumination on knowing how to handle situations.  At this point, he seems to be inferring that some people are able to just naturally make choices and do what needs to be done while others of us have more trouble making those decisions.  From there, he asks, what one would do, in relation.  It is a strong seeming contemplation that while hardly anything new, is still unique in its presentation and relatable for audiences.  The songs’ second verse seems to point in that direction, too, as Tremonti sings, “Why does it go nowhere/Time and time again/Another year/Why do we take the fall/Why don’t we just turn and take it all.”  This overall statement goes somewhat in line with the album’s title because it takes on the whole matter of “marching in time” by asking people about how they would react about the unknown of the future.  Adding to the interest is that being so seemingly contemplative, it would have been easy for Tremonti and company to craft an arrangement to match.  Instead the group took a different road, evoking more of a sense of frustration at trying to deal with such a matter.  It makes for an interesting approach to the song overall.  In turn, the whole of the song proves unquestionably why it and the album stand out.  It is just one of the songs that shows the album’s overall strength.  ‘The Last One Of Us’ is another example of that appeal.

‘The Last One Of Us’ presents that mildly contemplative arrangement not presented in ‘Would You Kill.’  It presents a deeper emotional approach than that song and others throughout the record.  In this case, the arrangement lends itself to comparison to works from Alter Bridge and Sevendust with its melodic approach and sound.  It is one of the rarer softer moments featured in the record, too.  That in itself generates its own engagement and entertainment here.  When the emotion generated through the song’s musical arrangement is paired with the composition’s lyrical theme, the song in whole becomes even more interesting.

The lyrical theme featured here is even more contemplative than that in ‘Would You Kill.’  It even leaves this critic wondering, but that it can be so much left to interpretation shows its strength.  Tremonti sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Leave now while you still can/Down that last road/So the story goes/To where nobody’s been/Devotion and the lost time/Been left here on the vine/And seasons fade so fast/Someday you’ll find the truth/Now don’t you fear/I’m told it lies within/You’re the last one of us/Don’t have the answer/But I know where to find it/You’re the reason to change/You’re the reason/I awaken each and every day.”  Looking at the chorus and comparing it with the content in the song’s lead verse, it seems like the song’s subject is going on about time passing (again matching with the album’s title) but not wanting to lose someone even as time goes on.  This even though the subject seems to know he/she has to let that other person go, as is hinted in that line about the second person finding the truth because “it lies within.”   So this could be interpreted as someone coming to terms with letting someone go in a plutonic or romantic fashion.  This is, as always, just this critic’s interpretation.  The song’s second verse seems to hint at that even more as Tremonti sings, “Unbroken but so unsure/Just maybe you’ve got nothing more/For what else could you write/Too late to turn back now/This road ends a world away/Forever starts today/Today you’ll find truth/Now don’t you fear/I’m told we now begin.”  Again, this is some deep contemplation that is unlike most if not all of the album’s content.  The discussions that it is certain to generate along with the engagement and entertainment that the song’s musical arrangement will generate makes the song overall that much stronger and an even stronger example of how much the album in whole is of a presentation.  It is yet one more example of the album’s strength, too.  ‘Under The Sun’ is one more example of what makes Marching in Time well worth hearing.

‘Under The Sun’ is a heavy, melodic rock style composition that is just as engaging and entertaining as either of the songs examined here and the rest of the album’s entries.  It is just as easy a fit on any active rock radio station’s play list as those songs, too.  It really is everything that audiences have come to expect from Tremonti both as a solo artist and as a member of Alter Bridge.  It is that familiar.  Keeping that in mind, the song’s lyrical content becomes that much more important to the whole here.

The lyrical content featured in ‘Under The Sun’ is unique because on the one hand, its choruses make it come across as another song that centers on the all too familiar topic of relationships.  At the same time, the verses seem to address a wholly other topic, in this case, standing up for something, not being afraid to face difficult situations.  It collectively makes for an intriguing presentation that, once again, is certain to generate its own share of discussion, engagement and entertainment.  To that end, the lyrical theme here pairs with the song’s rich musical arrangement to make it stand out in its own unique way, too.  When it is considered along with the other songs examined here, the album’s current singles, and the rest of the album’s entries, the overall body makes the album a successful presentation in whole.

Tremonti’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time, is a strong new offering that the band’s fans and those of its namesake front man will equally appreciate.  That is proven through its musical and lyrical content alike.  Each of the album’s existing singles do well to support those statements.  The same can be said of the songs examined here, too.  When all of these songs are considered in regards to their lyrical and musical content along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole makes the album one more of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums. 

Marching in Time is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records.  More information on the album is available along with all of Tremonti’s latest news at:

Website: https://marktremonti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tremonti Premieres ‘Marching In Time’ Video

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Tremonti premiered the video for the lead single from its forthcoming album this week.

The band debuted the video for the title track to its new album, Marching in Time Tuesday. The song and its video are the album’s second and come barely more than a week after the band premiered the video for the album’s lead single, ‘If Not For You.’

Marching in Time is scheduled for release Sept. 24 through Napalm Records. Album pre-orders are open, and audiences who pre-order the album now will get ‘If Not For You’ as an instant grat download.

The album will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below.

Marching In Time will be available in the following formats:
-CD Digipak      
-Digital Album  
-2LP Gatefold Black      
-2LP Gatefold Pink Transparent (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)
-Die-Hard Edition: 2LP Marble Transparent Black + Guitar Pick + Print (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)  
-Deluxe Box: Flag, Wristband & More! (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)

The video for ‘Marching in Time’ is a black and white presentation. It features footage of band front man and namesake Mark Tremonti and his band mates performing, and pairs that with a variety of artistic imagery, such as a rose and random video effects.

The musical arrangement featured in the nearly eight minute opus is a melodic hard rock style composition. Its balance of heaviness, vocal harmonies and rich drums and bass easily lend it to comparison to works from Tremonti’s main band, Alter Bridge and to those from Sevendust.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical content in the press release announcing the video’s premiere. However, a close listen leads to the inference that the song’s lyrical theme delivers a message of someone trying to convince perhaps a friend to not give up on his/her life, despite so much turmoil. This is, as always, just this critic’s interpretation and should not be taken as the only interpretation.

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Courtesy: Napalm Records

In other news, Tremonti has an extensive live schedule planned for the remainder of the year. The band is scheduled to tour with Sevendust and Lydia Can’t Breathe from September 3-26. Following that run, the band will take some time off to rest and recharge Daughtry, Sevendust, and Travis Bracht from Nov. 3 – Dec. 17.

More information on Tremonti’s new single, video, album, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://marktremonti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tremonti Premiere’s Video For New LP’s Lead Single

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Tremonti premiered the video for the lead single from its forthcoming album this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘If Not For You’ Thursday. The single is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time, which is scheduled for release Sept. 24 through Napalm Records. Album pre-orders are open, and audiences who pre-order the album now will get the track as an instant grat download.

The album will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below.

Marching In Time will be available in the following formats:
-CD Digipak      
-Digital Album  
-2LP Gatefold Black      
-2LP Gatefold Pink Transparent (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)
-Die-Hard Edition: 2LP Marble Transparent Black + Guitar Pick + Print (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)  
-Deluxe Box: Flag, Wristband & More! (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)

‘If Not For You’ is one of the heaviest songs that Tremonti — the brainchild of Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti — has released to date. It is a heavy, melodic hard rock opus that builds on everything that Tremonti himself has composed over the years as a member of Alter Bridge. This is especially evidenced in the song’s bridge, which finds Tremonti offering up a riff that can be argued to present some thrash influence. The contrast of that against the melodic hard rock approach of the rest of the song makes for an interesting overall presentation.

No information was provided as to the song’s lyrical theme in the press release distributed about the video’s premiere. A close listen is certain to generate its own share of discussion and interest. That is especially the case considering the chorus, in which Tremonti sings, “If not for you/Then I might be dead/So run while you can/I will follow from now/Until the end.” Additionally, the mention of leaving “here without a trace” and to “take me far from this place” pairs with the earlier note of someone else trying to “erase me once more” adds to some interest here. It is almost as if the song’s subject is one of those figures that is just completely reliant on someone other, almost to the point of desperation. This is all just the interpretation of this critic and should not be taken as the only interpretation.

The video for ‘If Not For You’ is more simple than the song’s lyrical theme. It features Tremonti and his band mates in a studio setting composed of video walls that play various, random images as the group performs its new single.

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Courtesy: Napalm Records

In other news, Tremonti has an extensive live schedule planned for the remainder of the year. The band is scheduled to tour with Sevendust and Lydia Can’t Breathe from September 3-26. Following that run, the band will take some time off to rest and recharge Daughtry, Sevendust, and Travis Bracht from Nov. 3 – Dec. 17.

More information on Tremonti’s new single, video, album, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://marktremonti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Lydia Can’t Breathe Tapped To Support Sevendust, Tremonti On Upcoming Tour

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Independent hard rock band Lydia Can’t Breathe will join Sevendust as support for its joint headline tour with Mark Tremonti this fall.

The tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 3 in Pryor, OK and to run through Sept. 26 in Orlando, FL. It features performances in cities, such as Joliet, IL; Cleveland, OH, and Flint, MI.

Along with the support shows, Lydia Can’t Breathe also has a brief series of shows by itself between Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. The announcement of the band’s appointment comes less than two months after the band premiered the video for its latest single, ‘Sheep.’

Front man Kyle Boduc said in a prepared statement, he and his band mates in Lydia Can’t Breathe are looking forward to hitting the road with Sevendust and Tremonti.

“We are super excited!,” he said. “It’s surreal to play with legends in the game like Sevendust and Tremonti that we look up to. Can’t wait to show the people what we have to offer on this tour! Make sure everyone knows the party starts early!

The bands’ tour schedules are noted below.

Sevendust/ Tremonti/ Lydia Can’t Breathe Dates:

9/3 – Pryor, Oklahoma – Rocklahoma ^^
9/4 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theater
9/5 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
9/7 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora
9/8 – Rochester, NY – Anthology
9/9 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
9/10 – Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Fest ^/^^
9/11 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
9/13 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
9/15 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
9/18 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
9/20 – Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theater AC
9/21 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
9/22 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room
9/23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life ^/^^
9/25 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
9/26 – Orlando, FL – Rebel Rock ^/^^

^ no Tremonti
^^ no Lydia Can’t Breathe

Lydia Can’t Breathe Solo Shows:

9/10 – Martinsburg, WV – Bad Habits Bar & Grill
9/23 – Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse
9/24 – Huntsville, AL – Shagnasty’s

More information on Lydia Can’t Breathe’s upcoming live dates and music is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://lydiacantbreathe.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydiacantbreathe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lcbmusic

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Mark Morton’s Solo Debut LP Will Leave Listeners Anything But Numb

Courtesy: Spinefarm Records

It’s hard to do the same thing over and over for years at a time.  Everybody knows that.  It’s why people change jobs.  It is also why members of musical acts across the musical universe decide at one point or another to branch out and try their hands at something new (I.E. solo albums). Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton joined those ranks in March with his debut solo album Anasthetic.  The 10-song, 42 minute record shows Morton as not just a metal guitarist, but rather a multi-talented musician who has the capability to succeed in any musical genre.  This is proven in part late in the album’s run in the form of ‘Reveal.’  It will be addressed shortly.  The surprisingly subdued ‘Axis,’ which comes early in the album’s run, is another way in which Morton’s wide range of talent is exhibited in this record.  ‘Save Defiance,’ the album’s mid-point is yet another way in which Morton’s full talents are put on display and will also be addressed later.  Each song noted here is important in its own way in proving Mark Morton is more than just another metal shredder.  When they are examined along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole of the album creates a new and deserved respect for Morton and his abilities.

Mark Morton’s debut self-titled album Anasthetic is a strong first solo outing for the Lamb of God guitarist.  That is because it allowed Morton to fully put on display, his talents as a guitarist.  It allowed him to show he is talented at doing more than just churning out heavy, shredding riffs.  Rather, it shows he can handle his own in almost any genre of music.  ‘Reveal,’ which comes late in the album’s run is just one of the album’s entries that supports those statements.  The song, recorded with singer/songwriter Naeemah Maddox, is the polar opposite of anything that Morton has ever done as a member of LoG.  The work presented by Morton here, is gentle and bluesy.  It expertly compliments the Philadelphia-born vocalist’s delivery and the work of their fellow musicians.  His bluesy guitar solo lends itself so easily to comparisons to the best work of Derek Trucks and Carlos Santana.  It is a true, full departure from everything that fans of Morton’s work have ever known, and it is so in the best way possible.

The song’s musical arrangement is just one part of what makes it stand out.  Its positive lyrical content couples with its musical to make the song in whole even more interesting.  Maddox sings in the song’s lead verse, “Could be all for sale/Or could be smoke and mirrors/The end is growing near/Or could be smoke and mirrors/Say who you are/Go set your truth/Don’t be the rude in another’s fair/See how you feel/And the nreveal/You may not be who you are/Right at this moment in time.”  She continues in the song’s second verse, “Go and dig a well/And hide as you abide/See, I’m fragile as a shell/And echo like a bell.”  She adds in the song’s third and final verse, “Willing, you have your own mind/You can think for yourself.”  She is saying here that things aren’t always just black and white.  There are shades of grey, so be you and be the best you can be.  That is at least this critic’s own town on this.  It is just one interpretation.  Hopefully it is somewhere close to being right as it certainly seems to send a rather positive message to listeners.  That, taken into consideration with the song’s musical arrangement, makes the song just one of Anasthetic’s most notable tracks and just one of the most notable examples of Morton’s wide range of talent.  ‘Axis,’ which comes much earlier in the album’s run, is another key example of Morton’s abilities and, in turn, most notable additions.

‘Axis’ is another key example of Morton’s talents and by connection another of this record’s most notable entries.  Crafted with vocalist Mark Lanegan (ex-Screaming Trees), the song’s subdued arrangement lends itself to comparisons to works from the likes of Tom Waitts and Bruce Springsteen.  That is most evident in Lanegan’s vocals and Morton’s guitar work.  Again, this is a stark departure for Morton from the intensity of the work that he has done over the years with Lamb of God.  It shows he can do so much more than jus play fast and loud, but rather also slower and with great dynamic control.  It makes for that much more respect for Morton and his abilities.  The song’s musical arrangement does a lot to make this work stand out, and is just one part of what makes it stand out.  The song’s lyrical content adds its own share of interest to the song’s whole.

Lanegan sings seemingly in this song, about someone who has been through quite a bit of adversity in life and is struggling to get through it.  What’s interesting here is that for all the adversity, the song doesn’t come across as some sort of emo type song.  Rather, it harkens back to the great blues songs of days long ago through its lyrical delivery.  He sings in the song’s lead verse, “I came down with a fever/The catacombs, they were filled/Lucifer within my larynx/Clothing a sarcophagus/Baby, set my head on fire/Every man is born to die/The Captain called me out on a carpet, boys/You know I got a tear in my eye/”  he continues in the song’s second verse, “I have been lost and wandering/A wanderer I remain/Met Judas in West Texas/Tried to take my name/Now I am lost and wandering/And wandering, I am blind/Will the moon come off its axis/Before I lose my mind/I came down with a sickness/Pouring down just like rain/Red, red sun in the evening/Red, red heart full of pain.”  He adds a touch more in the song’s third and final verse, but the song in whole is pretty clear.  Again, this is someone who has gone through so much.  It is just a classic, retro style country blues type work even in its lyrical presentation.  That content, coupled with the song’s musical arrangement, makes it a piece that is sure to appeal to plenty of listeners.  It will appeal so widely because of that aspect and because, again, it shows that Morton is not just a one-trick pony.  It shows he can do quite a bit more than just metal, and can do so quite well at that.  It still is not the last of the songs featured in this record that serves to exhibit that talent and interest.  ‘Save Defiance,’ the record’s mid-point, is one more example of Morton’s broad range of talent.

‘Save Defiance’ was recorded with Alter Bridge front man Myles Kennedy.  Fittingly, this song’s arrangement presents Morton as an able mainstream hard rock driver just as much as a metal guitarist.  What is truly interesting here is that the grouping of Morton, Kennedy and the rest of the song’s featured musicians immediately leads to comparisons to some of Alter Bridge’s best works.  Again, this is a good thing because it shows how much more Morton can do than just shred really fast and hard.  It shows here that he can create some really heavy, melodic riffs, too.  Morton’s ability to so easily liken himself to Mark Tremonti shows yet again just why he is such an important figure not just in the rock community, but in the music community in whole.  As much as Morton’s abilities do for himself and for the song, they are just one part of what makes the song stand out.  The song’s lyrical content plays its own important part to the whole of the song.

Kennedy sings in the song’s lead verse, “Into the last refrain/As your empire falls/World in decay/Our backs against the wall/Tell me, now/Is it too late/Tell me, now/Who’ll pay the cost/For all the times you’ve disengaged/Tomorrow could be lost/Stop what you started/Open your eyes/The truth is the hardest thing to deny.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Save defiance/And hope you’ve got one last shot/Blood of tyrants running cold/They will never stop/Save defiance/You alone will resist in time/Break alliance to behold shifting paradigms/There is no time to waste/This you can’t deny/The truth you embrace was only just a lie/Now do you see you’re betrayed/now you must keep your resolved/Or everything you sacrifice to keep/Will forever be dissolved/Stop what they started/Open your eyes/They’re reaping a harvest/And bleeding you dry.”  He reminds listeners in the song’s third verse, “This is your season/Take it and rise/The battle’s drawing/Fight for your lives.”  This is a call to action, point blank.  This is a socio-political commentary that is urging people everywhere to not sit idly by and allow those who do bad in the world to continue their heinous acts.  He is telling listeners to stand up and do something and make a difference.  That is at least this critic’s own take on this content.  The power and urgency in the song’s musical arrangement works to make this seem the case, so hopefully it is at least somewhere in the proverbial ballpark.  Thinking about the power of the song’s combined musical and lyrical content along with that of the power of the other discussed songs’ power and variety, they show clearly together just how talented Mark Morton really is.  When the variety and power in the songs discussed here is considered along with that of the rest of the album’s songs, the whole of the record becomes a strong solo debut for Morton.  It serves to show regardless of where his future takes him, Morton can and will be successful.

Mark Morton’s debut solo album Anesthetic is a strong first effort from the Lamb of God guitarist.  That is because while it does continue to display his metal chops throughout, it does more than that.  It also shows his abilities in other regions of the musical universe.  That, combined with lyrical content that is just as certain as the record’s musical content to keep listeners engaged, makes the record a positive offering from Morton and all involved.  All things considered, the album proves to be a presentation that will leave listeners anything but numb.  More information on Anasthetic is available online now along with all of Mark Morton’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://markmortonmusic.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/markmortonmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarkDuaneMorton

 

 

 

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Like A Storm Unveils New Single

New Zealand hard rock outfit Like A Storm released its latest single this week.

The band released the song ‘Pure Evil’ this week.  The song is a brand new offering from the band.  Guitarist Matt Brooks explained the religious and political commentary contained within the song in a recent interview.  He said it takes on the contrary nature of so many of the world’s political and religious leaders.

“Those members of our society who are supposed to be a shining example of morality are so often revealed to be corrupt, immoral and even dangerous,” Brooks said.  “The cover-ups, scandals and exploitation that pervade the highest levels of church and government are just sickening.  So ‘Pure Evil’ seemed like the perfect way to sum up this absolute hypocrisy – these people appear so righteous, but at their core they are the worst of the worst.”

Courtesy: Century Media/Century Media Records

Brooks said the inspiration for the hard-edged approach to the song’s arrangement came from the band’s time on the road.

“After playing festivals to crowds like Download and Graspop, we started approaching music in terms of what we could envision seas of people rocking out to in unison,” he said.

He added the band’s current tour of Europe played a part in its new approach to songwriting, too.

“From all of our touring here we got turned onto a lot of heavier music coming out of Europe/Scandanavia like Dimmu Borgir and Gojira.  We’ve always loved writing music that’s layered and epic, and wanted to keep pushing that.”

Brooks said the band was especially excited to perform live in Europe.

“From the very first time we came over, we knew that this was a special part of the world to come and play,” he said.  “Rock and metal are definitely not dead here!  People wear their hearts on their sleeves.  We’ve never had a bad show here, so we’re very stoked to be back.”

Like A Storm’s new sound has not gone unnoticed.  Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti, who recently shared time on stage with Like A Storm, had high praise for the band and its new single.

“‘Pure Evil’ is totally killer!,” said Tremonti.  “This song will be so badass live!”

Tremonti’s band mate, Myles Kennedy, praised the band’s work ethic.  He said the band has earned its success.

“They’re hardcore,” he said.  “I see them show up on stage every night and give it 10,000 percent.  They definitely have proved that they deserve every bit of success that they have coming to them.”

The band recently filmed a video to accompany its new song.  The video will be unveiled later this month.  The video, filmed in an abandoned church, required the band to hire armed security for the shoot, said Brooks.  He said the security was necessary because of the reputation of the unnamed city where the video was shot.

“We actually filmed in a place considered to be one of America’s most dangerous cities,” Brooks said.  “We had to hire armed police officers as security – that was a different experience, coming from New Zealand!”

Like A Storm’s current European tour schedule is noted below.

 

LIKE A STORM – Europe/UK Tour with Alter Bridge & Special Guests

Nov. 8th – Paris, FRANCE @ Zenith
Nov. 9th – Brussels, BELGIUM @ AB
Nov. 10th – Amsterdam, HOLLAND @ HMH
Nov. 13th – Berlin, GERMANY @ Columbiahalle
Nov. 14th – Vienna, AUSTRIA @ Gasometer
Nov. 16th – Katowice, POLAND @ Spodek
Nov. 18th – Stockholm, SWEDEN @ Annexet
Nov. 20th – Oslo, NORWAY @ Sentrum Scene
Nov. 21st – Copenhagen, DENMARK @Falconer Theatre
Nov. 23rd – Manchester, ENGLAND @ Manchester Arena
Nov. 24th – London, ENGLAND @ O2 Arena
Nov. 26th – Nottingham, ENGLAND @ Motorpoint Arena
Nov. 27th – Birmingham, ENGLAND @ Genting Arena
Nov. 28th – Cardiff, WALES @ Motorpoint Arena
Dec. 1st – Glasgow, SCOTLAND @ Hydro
Dec. 2nd – Leeds, ENGLAND @ First Direct Arena
Dec. 4th – Frankfurt, GERMANY @ Jahrhunderthalle
Dec. 5th – Cologne, GERMANY @ Palladium
Dec. 6th – Hamburg, GERMANY @ Mehrl Theater
Dec. 9th – Bologna, ITALY @ Unipol Arena
Dec. 10th – Munich, GERMANY @  Zenith
Dec. 11th – Basel, SWITZERLAND @ St Jakobshalle

 

More information on Like A Storm’s new single is available online along with all of the band’s latest tour updates, news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.likeastorm.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/likeastormofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RealLikeAStorm

 

 

 

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‘Dust’ Won’t Gather Much “Dust” In Listeners’ Music Libraries

Courtesy: Fret 12 Records

Mark Tremonti is one of the hardest working people in the rock community today.  Between working on the next Alter Bridge album, scheduling dates for the band’s tour, and promoting his latest solo album Dust Tremonti definitely keeps himself busy.  Speaking of Dust, it was released worldwide this past April.  This latest album, his third solo recording, is a good fit for anyone that is a fan of his solo work and for those that lean more toward his work with Alter Bridge.  That is clear from the beginning to the end of the ten-song, forty-three minute record.  It takes the mix of heavy and softer sounds that are so prevalent in Alter Bridge’s albums and uses them as the foundation for its songs in considering its musical arrangements.  The lyrical themes that are presented throughout the record are insightful in their own right.  The combination of the two elements together makes the album in whole one that definitely won’t gather any “dust” in audiences’ music libraries.

Mark Tremonti’s latest solo recording Dust is a respectable new offering from the Alter Bridge guitarist.  It is a record that definitely won’t gather any “dust” in listeners’ personal music libraries.  That is due in part to a sound that is very familiar for fans of Alter Bridge and lyrics that offer their own share of insight for audiences.  One point at which this is clearly exhibited in Tremonti’s new album is the album’s title track.  Its musical arrangement creates a solid foundation for the song.  That is because while it does offer some clearly heavy moments, it also includes some moments that are equally moving, and in turn heavy in a different way.  What is most noticeable of the song’s musical arrangement is that Tremonti and company obviously put some thought into the arrangement.  That is because the heavier, and emotionally heavy moments aren’t just tossed in randomly over the course of the song’s nearly five-and-a-half minute run time.  Rather it is clearly deliberate in its gradual growth over that time.  The end result is a song that in regards to just its musical arrangement is one of the album’s best moments.  Its lyrical content presents a clear mirror image to the emotional growth presented in its musical arrangement.  That is clear as Temonti sings of a person who apparently did quite a bit for everyone else yet who it seems refused help from others.  This can be inferred as Tremonti sings in the song’s lead verse, “Cut through the fetters/Reach the end/Only to fight yourself again/Who would believe that you’re now done/You carried the weight of everyone/After all the time we spent/Rewriting the rules that we now bend/The whole d*** thing has turned to dust/You left us alone/Defeated us.”  That last line, “You left us alone/Defeated us” seems to hint that whoever this person was, he or she might have had something to hide.  This is inferred even more as he sings in the song’s second verse, “Once fell behind to carry me/You know it was never meant to be/Bled for the right to see it through/And now is the time to carry you/Why were we afraid to go/We asked for the truth and now we know/The whole damn thing has turned to dust/The ashes you left to bury us.”  Audiences will note that the same musical arrangement used in the song’s lead verse is also used in this verse, too.  It is that arrangement that gradually grows over the course of the verse, thus illustrating the emotion of the song’s subject.  It plays into that belief that perhaps the person being addressed here is someone with some personal demons that have got to be handled.  It would be interesting to find out if this was perhaps in reference to a certain individual from the band’s (or Tremonti’s own past).  Regardless of the possible story behind the song, the combination of that insightful lyrical content and its equally balanced musical arrangement makes this song just one of Dust’s standout moments.  It is a clear example of why this record won’t gather much, if any, “dust” in listeners’ music libraries.  Audiences can hear the song for themselves online now via Tremonti’s official YouTube channel.  It is just one supporting piece of evidence in these arguments, too.  ‘Catching Fire’ is another of the album’s inclusions that supports that argument.

‘Dust’ is one of the best moments of Mark Tremonti’s new album.  That is because the song, which is also the album’s title track, combines some rather thought-provoking lyrics with a musical arrangement that expertly mirrors the emotion exhibited in the song’s lyrical content.  Both elements together not only make the song one of the album’s best moments but also show why this record is one that won’t gather much “dust” if any in listeners’ music libraries.  It is just one of the songs featured in this record that supports both arguments.  ‘Catching Fire’ supports both statements just as much.  In regards to its musical arrangement, it is one of the album’s heavier moments.  It is not heavy in terms of its softness, but heavy as in heavy.  And as with the rest of the album’s songs, it is driven largely by Tremonti’s work on guitar.  While the song’s musical arrangement is one of the album’s heavier moments, that heaviness is not random.  As in the case of ‘Dust’ it is in fact quite deliberate.  That is because it mirrors the song’s lyrical content just as much as that of ‘Dust’ does its lyrical arrangement.  This is clear as Tremonti sings here, “Take what’s yours/It’s your turn/Leave the rest to burn/Keep your sights down below/Hold on tight or let it go/With your back to the wall/You refuse to crawl/Bury the weak in your soul/Grasp the light and let it go.”  Needles to say there is some real *ahem* fire in this lead verse.  By direct contrast, there is just as much fire but in a different fashion as he sings almost angrily in the song’s second verse, “It once was clear and now you’re blind/The fear found shelter in your mind/Just on word and I will go/The sands of time are running low/When you’re awake for the war/When the shadows fall/Set your sight down below/And you will know/Yeah, and you will know.”  Simply put the contradiction of the two subjects being addressed here presents a different kind of energy in the song’s musical arrangement.  In both cases, it shows why the arrangement wasn’t just heavy for the sake of heavy.  It was in fact quite deliberate and thought out.  The energy in the song’s lead verse is an energy that encourages the seeming determination of the subject in that verse.  On the other side there is almost a sense of anger as the subject in that verse is being chided for allowing fear and doubt to sneak into his or her mind.  It makes for a truly interesting composition.  It makes the song yet another example of why Tremonti’s new album won’t gather much “dust” in listeners’ music libraries if any.  ‘Unable To See,’ the album’s closer is another of the songs that supports that statement.

‘Dust’ and ‘Catching Fire’ are both key compositions in Mark Tremonti’s new album Dust.  Both songs show in their own way why this record will likely gather very little “dust” in listeners’ music libraries.  That is due to the combination of the songs’ musical arrangements and lyrical themes.  While both songs are important in their own right to the album’s presentation they are not its only key compositions.  The album’s closer ‘Unable To See’ proves to be just as important to the album’s presentation as those songs.  The central reason for its importance is in fact its musical arrangement.  Where ‘Dust’ and ‘Catching Fire’ harken back to Tremonti’s work as a member of Alter Bridge, this song reaches even farther back.  It reaches back to his time with Creed.  That is clear in the song’s ballad-style approach.  Said approach makes the song bear a noticeable stylistic similarity to Creed’s hit ballad ‘My Sacrifice.’ Even with the songs’ stylistic similarity, audiences will be glad to know that this piece isn’t just a re-creation of the previous composition.  It is just similar stylistically.  The song’s lyrical content is just as different from that of ‘My Sacrifice’ as the songs’ musical arrangements are similar.  That should appease audiences just as much.  Whereas ‘My Sacrifice’ was an uplifting rock ballad, ‘Unable To See’ bears a bit more cynicism to say the very least.  That is inferred as Tremonti sings, “Well I don’t think that I’ll ever know/What it’s like to just let it go/And I don’t think that I’ll ever be/Able to trust/’Cause I’m unable to see/I think back to the times that I’ve lost/But who am I to just want it all/Now don’t you feel sorry for me/If I’m unable to trust/’Cause I’m unable to see.”  That seeming cynicism is just as evident later in the song’s second verse as Tremonti goes on to sing, “Well I don’t think that I’ll ever get/To find a trace of what we had left/And I don’t think that I’ll ever learn/ To see the moment’s right/To just wait my turn/I forgot any fool that I was/But who am I to just think he’s gone/Now don’t you feel sorry for me/If I’m unable to care/’Cause I’m unable to see.”  These are some pretty strong statements coming from the song’s subject.  What is really interesting to note here is that for al of the seeming cynicism exhibited in the song’s verses, the song’s chorus hints at some cynicism but also some determination at the same time.  That is hinted as Tremonti and his band mates sing, “And I swear/I’ll never fall from here/I’ll never fall from here/And I’ll be forever in a dream/And I know/I’ll never let it go/Still we sing tonight/And it will last forever and ever/So we sing tonight/And it will last forever and ever/So we will love to see a smile/When we are wronged by the ones that would never.”  Those last two lines are among the song’s most intriguing.  Tremonti sings, “So we will love to see a smile/When we are wronged by the ones that would never.”  On one hand, that could be inferred to mean, “we are glad to see the true colors of the fake people because it proves us right.”  On another it could mean we like to see a caring smile from others when the fake people show their colors.  It is really an interesting statement and one of the song’s most intriguing.  Considering that and the rest of the song’s lyrical content, the whole of the song’s lyrical content couples with its musical arrangement to prove without a doubt why it is one more of the album’s best moments.  It also serves to show once more why Dust is a record that definitely won’t gather much “dust” if any in listeners’ music libraries.  Together with ‘Dust,’ ‘Catching Fire,’ and the rest of the album’s included compositions, the record proves in whole to be a viable candidate for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new rock records.

Mark Tremonti’s new solo record Dust is a record that will hardly gather any “dust” in listeners’ music libraries.  It is a viable candidate for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new rock records.  These statements are supported through both the album’s musical arrangements and its various lyrical themes.  The album’s musical arrangements mostly echo Tremonti’s work with Alter Bridge.  Though, there is at least one composition—the album’s closer—that goes as far back as Tremonti’s time with Creed.  All three of the songs that are noted here are clear supportive examples in these statements.  The songs not noted here could just as easily be cited in supporting them, too.  All things considered, Dust proves in the end to be a record that fans of Mark Tremonti, Creed, and Alter Bridge will appreciate.  It is a record that, again, is a viable candidate for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new rock records.  It is available now in stores.  More information on Dust is available online now at:

 

 

Website: http://fret12.com/marktremonti

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fret12

 

 

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