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MOTORHEAD “The World Is Yours” – Official Release Date Is January 18, 2011!

MOTORHEAD – On January 18, 2011, the ultra-iconic Motorhead will be releasing their 20th studio album, (21st studio album if you count On Parole from 1979). The new Motorhead album is titled – The World is Yours. The first opportunity to purchase a “pre-release” of The World is Yours, is by buying the upcoming issue of the (UK) Classic Rock magazine. This issue of Classic Rock has a release date of December 28, 2010, on Amazon.com.

* The Classic Rock edition comes as a 132 page deluxe magazine, dedicated to Motorhead as a “Motorhead fanpack”, with the CD of The World is Yours, a poster and metal pin badge. A career spanning overview of Motorhead with interviews of each band member are featured in this issue as well. Classic Rock Magazine.com reports this special Motorhead fanpack issue will be available for sale on December 14, 2010.

* The CD/DVD release date is January 25, 2011. The DVD includes the following:

– Documentary on the recording of The World is Yours

– Manchester Apollo live footage (30 minutes)

– Ace Of Spades (acoustic version)

– Get Back In Line (video)

– I Know How To Die (video)

(Source for release dates: The official Motorhead website referred me to Amazon.com, once I clicked on the album cover for This World is Yours on the Motorhead homepage. Therefore, Amazon.com is where the release dates were found.) **Release dates vary from country to country, plus, if you subscribe to Classic Rock magazine, the release date may be different from what date I’ve posted. Metal Odyssey is just reporting what dates have been found from researching through the official website of Motorhead, Classic Rock Magazine.com and Amazon.com.

* For more info on Motorhead, just click here: MOTORHEAD – Official Website

* For more info on Classic Rock Magazine: Classic Rock Magazine.com

* The World is Yours will be released on Motorhead Music via EMI distribution.

2010 – the 35th Anniversary of Motorhead Rock ‘N’ Roll!

MOTORHEAD:

Lemmy Kilmister – vocals & bass

Phil Campbell – guitar

Mikkey Dee – drums

Above is the Classic Rock Magazine “Motorhead Fanpack”. You can pre-order it at Amazon.com, the only thing is… get ready to shell out $47.68 (U.S. funds) for it.

Track Listing For The World Is Yours:

Born To Lose

I Know How To Die

Get Back In Line

Devils In My Head

Rock ‘N’ Roll Music

Waiting For The Snake

Brotherhood Of Man

Outlaw

I Know What You Need

Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye

MOTORHEAD FOREVER.

Stone.

4 Comments »

BOSTON – Classic Self Titled/Debut Album On 180 Gram Vinyl Releases December 7, 2010!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags 1970's rock albums, 1970's rock music, boston, boston 180 gram vinyl, boston debut album, classic rock, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news on November 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BOSTON – Attention audiophiles worldwide! The self titled/debut Rock Classic from Boston will be released on 180 Gram Vinyl, (Friday Music), on December 7, 2010. Yes, I will readily admit to playing the debut Boston album more times than I could ever remember, so many years ago. I can recall having this album on my turntable for days, being the only album I was listening to. Personally, the songs on this album Rocked my head off as a young lad. My favorite song on this Boston album was and to this very day is… Something About You. I extremely dig Rock And Roll Band too… oh yeah I do. Gee Metal whiz, this entire Boston album has never grown stale for me.

There was and still is something mystical about hearing my favorite albums on vinyl. Just seeing vinyl spinning on a turntable today, brings me back to a time when “holding” and looking at an album jacket was part of the listening experience. The whole connection to a band I was listening to was through their music and the album jacket… with whatever artwork and liner notes that was part of it. There was no myspace music, MTV or youtube videos back in those late 70’s, … just the needle on the vinyl and my ears listening intently.

Loaded with more amazing melodies and vocal harmonies than I can count, this Boston album is a monumental Rock Classic. Plus… Boston belongs in that absent minded place that’s called The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. This Boston debut was one of the first albums I ever owned, well before I became a Metalhead… Metal be thy name. Do I feel old stating this? Heck no. Feeling old is a state of mind and I’m not approaching 90 anytime soon. I’ll be blabbing, ranting, writing and raving about the music I love when I do hit 90 years of age… I hope.

* Boston was released back in America’s Bicentennial Year of 1976, during the month of July.

* Boston was originally released on Epic Records.

* This 180 Gram Vinyl of Boston will be a “limited edition”… so I guess the number of pressings are low, just how low is the million dollar question.

Track Listing For Boston:

More Than A Feeling

Peace Of Mind

Foreplay/Long Time

Rock And Roll Band

Smokin’

Hitch A Ride

Something About You

Let Me Take You Home Tonight

LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OF BOSTON.

Rest In Peace, Brad Delp.

Stone.

13 Comments »

SWEET “Level Headed” – Looking Back Fondly, On A Rock Classic

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's rock albums, 1970's rock music, classic rock, hard rock music, heavy metal music, level headed album, love is like oxygen, rock music, rock music history, sweet, sweet rock band, the sweet on November 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SWEET – Yes, some call them The Sweet. I prefer to call this British Rock Band by their name that appeared on 8 out of the 9 studio albums they released between 1971 and 1982, which is Sweet. Only their first album, (Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be) has “The Sweet” as their band name on the cover. Whatever, I guess. The plain fact of the Rock ‘N’ Roll matter, is that Sweet was one damn decent Rock Band of their time. Caught in the midst of a post British Invasion and winding down amongst the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Sweet still played their unique brand of Rock… and caught my attentive ears.

The first song that caught my attention from Sweet and had me very psyched-out was – Love Is Like Oxygen. This forever memorable song is from Sweet’s sixth studio album – Level Headed, released back in January of 1978, on Polydor Records. As it always seems to go, so many songs from my Rock fan past still psyche me out like never before. This terrific song from Sweet is no exception. I actually listened to it several times, while writing this post… and I just can’t grow weary of it. Metal be thy name.

Love Is Like Oxygen carries it’s Rockin’ delight through a synthesizer intro, with a most memorable guitar riff that follows… then the combination of these and a rhythm section so bold and pronounced, unveils an all encompassing meaty sound to follow. There are those “breakdowns” in Love Is Like Oxygen, (of the keyboard and acoustic kind), that teeter on the super mellow, only this song is so refreshingly far from being an AM gold hit from yesteryear. This song was born for FM, I can’t even consider trying to recount how many times I heard it played on those cool Connecticut radio stations back then.

When I first bought Level Headed, it was on vinyl and it was stocked at my local Caldor department store. I only knew of Love Is Like Oxygen… so I took the plunge and bought the entire album that one day. It was a gatefold album cover, with a black & white band photo taking up both inside covers. I believe, from my (gasp) memory, it was the band photo that appears on the U.K. cover of Level Headed. The Level Headed cover at the top of this post is the U.S. version. Check out what that U.K. version looks like below:

California Nights is a song with a chorus that tantalizes with that “sing-along” spirit. Bass guitarist Steve Priest sings lead on this song. (Guitarist Andy Scott sings lead on Dream On and Fountain. Brian Connolly sings lead vocals on Love Is Like Oxygen and the remainder of the songs on Level Headed). With a song like California Nights, it came across to me with a wide open vibe of feel-good. This was a song that was tailor made for cruising with the windows down on a hot Summer night… it still is that kind of song to me in 2010.

Dream On, (no it is not a cover of the Aerosmith classic), is a ballad which resonates with an overwhelming “heartfelt” emotion. I can remember the first time this song reached my ears, as this Level Headed album spun on my turntable. Whoa. My Judas Priest and Iron Maiden albums were in full view… I felt as if I got lost and woke up in mellow, mellow land. You want to know something? I loved it. This song may have sappy lyrics and is a ballad, only it was done “right”. As I listen to this song so many years later, I love it still. Honestly, if someone like Chris Daughtry covered this song today… it would be a top ten smash on the charts. I predict it would hit #1. I’m not being a wise-guy and kidding around either. This ballad could be re-released as a single today, in all of it’s original glory and be a hit just as well.

Strong Love is a tad Funky… in a pseudo-Disco sense of the word. This is actually the one song that could be accused of sounding “dated”, the only thing it is a downright catchy listen. This song is not The Village People, so there is no need to worry, all you Classic Rock folks. Anthem, No. 1 (Lady Of The Lake) and Anthem No. II are both strong with their European sounding vibe, these two songs are significant in separating Sweet from the “American” Rock sound of those late ’70’s. The keyboards and string arrangements on both Anthem songs certainly help in providing that European and “royalty” feel.

Level Headed is a Classic Rock album that I shall always look upon very fondly. Sweet seemed to weave their way around in the ’70’s and very early ’80’s with their own style of Rock that won’t be forgotten by me. If anyone out there wants to listen to an album that is diverse with songs, Rocks with efficiency and holds up extremely well with relevance after three decades, this is an album for you.

SWEET as they appeared on Level Headed:

Andy Scott – guitar, synthesizer, lead vocals, background vocals

Brian Connolly – lead vocals, background vocals

Steve Priest – bass, lead vocals, background vocals

Mick Tucker – drums, percussion, background vocals

Track Listing For Level Headed:

California Nights

Silver Bird

Dream On

Fountain

Love Is Like Oxygen

Anthem, No. 1 (Lady Of The Lake)

Strong Love

Lettres D’Amour

Anthem, No. II

Air On ‘A’ Tape Loop

LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OF SWEET.

Rest In Peace, Brian Connolly.

Rest In Peace, Mick Tucker.

Stone.

4 Comments »

MEAT LOAF “Bat Out Of Hell” – A 1977 Rock Classic That’s An Ageless Wonder

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's rock music, bat out of hell album, bruce kulick, classic rock, classic rock albums, hard rock music, jim steinman, meat loaf, meat loaf rock singer, metal odyssey, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history on November 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MEAT LOAF – I don’t know why I do this. Do what you ask? Why do I think about when I first heard a particular song or album. What age was I? What year was it? How did this song or album affect me then, compared to now. Then, I begin to realize just how important, on a personal level, a respective song or album has been to me throughout my life. I’ve written about many songs and albums like this. I’m amazed as to how many songs and albums there are, that I hold so tremendously tight to my heart… and soul. Step in please, Meat Loaf… Bat Out Of Hell.

When I first heard that Classic Rock Ballad “of all ballads” – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, it was definitely on the radio. As I look back on this tiny portion of my life now, owning the Bat Out Of Hell album then was not important to me. As a young lad… it was all about this song and having it on a 45 rpm, to play it anytime I wanted. Trust me, I eventually owned Bat Out Of Hell on vinyl and later CD. I just could not see my music collection complete without it. Then again, when is my music collection ever complete?

Paradise By The Dashboard Light and You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) were the next two songs I discovered from this prolific album. Yes, I felt spellbound by these Meat Loaf songs, hearing them on the radio back then made me feel like I was “getting older” and I could maybe get a chick and fall in love. These three songs had me maturing in my Rock Music listening habits, without my never knowing it at the time.

Metal truth be told, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) still gives me ostrich bumps up and down my arms and face, to this very day. The louder I play this song, the greater the emotional impact it has on me. (Not every song in the world is like that). Jim Steinman was, is and forever shall be a songwriting genius. The combination of Jim Steinman’s soul grabbing writing and Meat Loaf’s soul stirring vocals were a match made in Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven… for me anyways… and I’m certain I’m not alone in this Metal thought too.

I’m not going to get into “factual numbers and certification” here, however, Bat Out Of Hell is one of the greatest selling Rock albums of all-time. I can understand why. It seems as if this album never loses it’s relevance for me. The songs on Bat Out Of Hell can be lyrically accepted today as they were in those late ’70’s… there really is nothing corn-dog about these song’s themes. As for the Rock Music as a whole, what other album out there today can drop some teary-eyed ballads in the midst of such Rockin’ cool songs and still come across as not selling out with bubble gum? It’s difficult to do.

All Revved Up With No Place To Go is the oft overlooked “hit” from this Meat Loaf album. It registers definitively with all Rock ‘N’ Roll glory. Only Meat Loaf can give this song it’s roller coaster emotion that it fosters. Meat Loaf surely showcased his theatrical Rock vocals on this song… and many other of his songs without a doubt. The title track, Bat Out Of Hell, can be stamped as epic for both it’s length and layering. This is a song that arguably best exemplifies what 1970’s Rock was all about. Bat Out Of Hell was that song on an album that was never meant to become FM friendly due to it’s length, a song meant for the fan of that generation… the astute Rock enthusiast that wanted more than the Bay City Rollers.

For an album of seven songs, Bat Out Of Hell did something that many studio albums of ten, twelve or more songs doesn’t… providing no filler songs. As for the musicians behind Meat Loaf on Bat Out Of Hell, well, all I can say is quality creates quality. Todd Rundgren on guitar, Edgar Winter on saxophone… not too shabby.

My advice to those who never have listened to this tremendous album of Rock is simple: go out and buy it. Listen to it. Take it in. Then, realize, that this is what Rock Music song writing is all about. Afterwards, you shall know as to why the genre of Classic Rock exists in the first place. Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman and Bat Out Of Hell are just three of the reasons… that gave Classic Rock it’s name. Bat Out Of Hell, a Rock Classic… an ageless wonder.

Original Track Listing For Bat Out Of Hell:

Bat Out Of Hell

You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)

Heaven Can Wait

All Revved Up With No Place To Go

Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad

Paradise By The Dashboard Light

For Crying Out Loud

* Reissued Bonus Tracks:

Great Boleros Of Fire (Live Intro)

Bat Out Of Hell (Live)

* All songs on Bat Out Of Hell were written by Jim Steinman.

* The late, Hall Of Fame Baseball legend, Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto, from my beloved New York Yankees, is credited with the “spoken word” for the play-by-play during Paradise By The Dashboard Light.

* Bat Out Of Hell was originally released in October of 1977, on Epic Records.

LONG LIVE MEAT LOAF & JIM STEINMAN.

Rest In Peace, Phil Rizzuto.

Stone.

4 Comments »

BLACK SABBATH “Live Evil” – Some Metal Reflections On This 1982 Live Classic…

Posted in classic rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, Black Sabbath, black sabbath live evil, hard rock music, heavy metal music, live evil album, live heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music on November 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BLACK SABBATH – Released back in December of 1982, on Warner Bros. Records, Live Evil was the first “official” live Black Sabbath album. (Live At Last was released around 1980 and was not sanctioned by Black Sabbath. I picked up Live At Last on CD years ago, ditching my cassette version, sometime in the early 90’s). When Live Evil hit the store shelves, (which was a Caldor department store for me), it was like knowing something special was waiting for my ears… this was Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio and it was live.

The double gatefold album jacket was something else for my eyes all those years ago. So many of the songs characters, from the Black Sabbath catalog, finally came to life, on one album cover. I remember adhering to this Black Sabbath lineup, with Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice as being almost sinister, yet so alluring, due to the dark themes heard on the Heaven And Hell and the Mob Rules albums.

There was this extra special mystique happening with this Live Evil album… as it came across to me, upon my first few listens to this album. I still feel this way to this day. Live Evil seemed to emit a certain Metal mystique that only the Heaven And Hell and Mob Rules albums bestowed before it. As Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale and I have discussed over the years, this Live Evil album just seems to ignite with atmospheric waves of mysticity. At least we both know what each other means, in describing this overwhelming vibe that comes across to both our senses.

Since the first time I listened to Live Evil until this very day, the atmosphere of sound that this live album projects makes me feel like I am actually there, witnessing this Black Sabbath lineup jamming out their songs. No, I don’t feel as if I’m front row and center stage either… it’s as if I’m hovering around the outskirts of the crowd, all the while taking in each moment these songs provide. I envision a really dark arena that Black Sabbath performs in too. This may sound crazy to some, only it’s just the way I hear this Live Evil album, especially when I close my eyes and drift off to this highly underrated, live Metal classic.

I no longer have the double vinyl of Live Evil, the double CD I received as a gift from Scott Coverdale, some years ago. Sometimes it’s not all about reviewing an album based on “the standard formula”. There are those times, where I want to reveal just how an album affects me or reacts to me, on a personal level. Live Evil just makes me realize I’m listening to real Metal again… as the songs play, my mind then wanders off to those days of yesteryear, of waiting to catch my ride to a keg party in the woods… as I stand outside in the cold New England snow.

Long Live The Metal Mystique Of Black Sabbath… and Live Evil.

Stone.

5 Comments »

DIO “At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987” Releases November 9, 2010!

Posted in classic rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, live rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags dio, dio at donington uk live cd, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, live heavy metal albums, metal odyssey, Music, rock music news, ronnie james dio on November 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DIO – The late, ultra great and infinitely legendary Ronnie James Dio will be celebrated once again, on DIO – At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987. This double live CD, power packed with 25 songs, will be released on November 9th, 2010. This extremely cool DIO double CD will be released on Niji Entertainment Group.

By looking at the track listing, (see below), there is an excellent mix of DIO, Rainbow and Black Sabbath songs on this double live CD! I can no longer pick my favorite band that Ronnie James Dio had fronted… I love each one to the fullest. Each band that Ronnie sang for had their unique style, sound and character… that can never be duplicated. Yes, this DIO release I will be purchasing without a hiccup of uncertainty. Metal be thy name.

* 1983 = DIO – Holy Diver Tour and 1987 = DIO – Dream Evil Tour.

Front Cover:

Back Cover:

Track Listing For DIO – At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987:

Disc 1 (1983):

Stand Up And Shout

Straight Through The Heart

Children Of The Sea

Rainbow In The Dark

Holy Diver

Drum Solo

Stargazer

Guitar Solo

Heaven And Hell

Man On The Silver Mountain

Starstruck

Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)

Disc 2 (1987):

Dream Evil

Neon Knights

Naked In The Rain

Rock And Roll Children

Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll

The Last In Line

Children Of The Sea

Holy Diver

Heaven And Hell

Man On The Silver Mountain

All The Fools Sailed Away

The Last In Line (Reprise)

Rainbow In The Dark

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF RONNIE JAMES DIO.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

Stone.

14 Comments »

Alice Cooper “Love it to death” = Essential Rock History To Own!

Posted in classic rock, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's rock albums, 1970's rock bands, Alice cooper, alice cooper the band, black juju, classic rock music, hard rock music, heavy metal music, love it to death album, metal odyssey, rock music, rock music history on October 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALICE COOPER – Love it to death is the third studio album from Alice Cooper (the band), released back in January of 1971. Whoa… 1971! I’m not trying to make Alice Cooper himself or me feel old here, it’s just that this album was released 40 years ago… and it still Rocks like there’s no tomorrow! I’ve been listening to this CD for a few days now and for some reason or another, I can’t get enough of it.

Maybe the reason for my always liking Love it to death so tremendously, is due to it being a 100% Rock Classic? Could it be that all 9 songs are memorable… and the tenth song probably would have been filler? Whatever the Metal case may be, I revere this Alice Cooper album. My favorite song on Love it to death is… Black Juju… all 9:09 of it too. Black Juju just has that ultimate creepy vibe happening, the tribal like drumming of Neal Smith, the chilling vocals of Alice Cooper and the haunting organ just does it for me. This song’s dark and macabre style of psychedelia, wraps itself around me and tightens it’s eerie grip harder, each time I listen to it. Black Juju can easily be my favorite Alice Cooper song ever… if I was forced to choose one.

I’m Eighteen is an iconic song in and of itself, only it’s not the only great song on this album. This Alice Cooper album is a prime Metal example of just how the totality of quality songs can elevate an album into the Rock Historic Stratosphere. Really, to say Love it to death is an essential Alice Cooper album to own, is like saying water is essential for human survival. Even after I state this, I feel like telling myself… no shit Stone?

Alice Cooper as they appeared on Love it to death:

Alice Cooper – vocals

Glen Buxton – lead guitar

Michael Bruce – rhythm guitar, keyboards

Dennis Dunaway – bass

Neal Smith – drums

* Bob Ezrin played organ and piano on – Caught In A Dream, Long Way To Go, Hallowed Be My Name, Second Coming and Ballad of Dwight Fry.

Track Listing For Love it to death:

Caught In A Dream

I’m Eighteen

Long Way To Go

Black Juju

Is It My Body

Hallowed Be My Name

Second Coming

Ballad Of Dwight Fry

Sun Arise

* Love it to death was produced by Jack Richardson and Bob Ezrin.

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER.

Stone.

15 Comments »

THE CARS – DEBUT ALBUM FROM 1978 REVISITED

Posted in Album Review, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave music, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's new wave bands, 1980's rock bands, alternative rock, benjamin orr, classic rock albums, classic rock music, elliot easton, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave bands, new wave music, ric ocasek, rock music, rock music reviews, the cars, the cars 1978 album, the cars album review, the cars debut album on October 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Cars have always been summed up and best described as a New Wave Band. Alright, I’ll let that jive with me, only on their first album, The Cars had some serious Rock in their Wave. Missing Persons were a New Wave Band too, so was Men Without Hats and neither of those two bands come even remotely close in sounding like The Cars. So, were The Cars really a New Wave Band after all? A Flock Of Seagulls… now that’s what I consider a New Wave Band from the 80’s to sound like.

Due to the timing of The Cars being released, I gather it is probably “convenient” to lump this band into the New Wave crowd too. The debut and self titled album from The Cars was perhaps, just a few hundred slivers heavier, than your standard New Wave Band of the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. Sure, Missing Persons had a few “heavier” songs for their New Wave sound and style, with very decent drumming from Terry Bozzio, his playing and songwriting really was standout with that band. (Plus, Terry Bozzio was and still is an excellent drummer and all around musician too… in my Metal opinion).

I can recall hearing the “first” single off of this album, it was Just What I Needed. Can I recall the actual year I first heard this song? Ugh. Maybe it was 1979. No, I think it was 1980. Who really gives a flying elephant crap about when I first heard Just What I Needed. The simple fact is that I loved this song from the opening note. Seriously, this song’s significance lies in it’s originality for no other song really sounded like it, back in 1978.

I’m trying to “think back” and remember if there was another band out there that sounded like The Cars did, at the time of their 1978 debut album. This was 1978, not 1988, when a decade later you could swoop up a hundred New Wave Bands or so and compare them all against each other. Growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I just accepted The Cars and their sound without giving any thought as to what music genre they belonged to. (Now that I’m a cranky old man, I scrutinize music genres like there’s no tomorrow). As each new song from their debut album trickled onto FM radio, I became more of a fan of them and this album.

Out of the nine songs heard on The Cars, seven of them made it to FM airplay. Seven! That is nothing to sneeze at either… how many Rock or Hard Rock bands can any of us name in 2010, that can boast seven songs from one album, being accepted into FM airplay and becoming hits? A “debut” album no less! It’s not as if these songs on The Cars were “Poppy” either, they were mainstream certainly, still a far cry from sounding “bubble gum”. These seven songs were played so often on the Connecticut FM radio stations, (WHCN, WCCC and WPLR), that I am guilty of never having bought this album, many years after it’s release.

Elliot Easton played guitar on The Cars with an obvious hard edge, his solo on Just What I Needed is an example of what I mean. It’s guitarists like Elliot that really exemplify playing for the song unselfishly and skillfully, versus the household name guitarists out there, who have accentuated their fame through piles of average solo albums throughout the decades.

Ric Ocasek’s vocals were meant for The Cars. I know that sounds rather cliche, only it’s so true. Ric Ocasek gave The Cars a booming personality with his vocals. The “modern” vibe that The Cars pulsated with through their songs seemed to stick to Ric’s voice like glue. The late/great Benjamin Orr not only played bass for The Cars, he was the lead vocalist on All Mixed Up as well. Benjamin Orr’s vocals were perfect for this song, giving it that added emotion and personal element befitting of the lyrics. (His vocals on The Cars 1984 hit Drive, from their Heartbeat City album is another memorably gigantic performance from him as well).

The Cars presented an edgy futuristic listen into Rock’s eventual “wide-open” Pop feel of the 80’s, courtesy of Greg Hawkes on keyboards and an open mindedness of this band to create songs that were fabulously accessible. Regardless of the Rock/Pop direction The Cars did take into the 80’s, this debut album is by far, their best full-throttle, Rock teetering on Hard Rock effort… with a New Wave approach, let’s not forget.

Moving In Stereo can be the cornerstone New Wave song for The Cars. There was and still is something almost fantastically mystical about my never wanting to turn this song off, when I hear it on the radio. Could it be that The Cars really are moving me, through stereo? I feel semi-scared now. Good Times Roll has all the ingredients of bursting out of it’s seams with a loud guitar solo and a psyched out tempo that doesn’t relent. It does not happen that way though. It’s the keyboards that administer the melancholy antidote of calm, making this song still feel like the good times are rolling, nonetheless… in a Logan’s Run sort of cosmic way.

The Cars as I look back upon them now, were a mighty decent Rock, I mean, New Wave Band. After all these years, however, it is more beneficial for me personally, to call The Cars debut album a Classic Rock gem. If I was to recommend that “one” album from The Cars to a civilization outside of our Milky Way, it would no doubt be their debut album. For those on this planet, that are just being introduced to The Cars, I would recommend their debut album as well. These excellent musicians that decided to call themselves The Cars, as I look back now, are a symbolic example of their era, showing just how dynamic and memorable a band could become, by solidifying a unique sound from a Rock meets New Wave fusion.

* THE CARS was released in June of 1978, on Elektra Records.

Track Listing For The Cars:

Good Times Roll

My Best Friend’s Girl

Just What I Needed

I’m In Touch With Your World

Don’t Cha Stop

You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

Bye Bye Love

Moving In Stereo

All Mixed Up

Rest In Peace, Benjamin Orr.

Stone.

24 Comments »

World EXCLUSIVE Premiere – The Jimi Hendrix Experience “HEY JOE” Is Covered By THE NEW CZARS! LISTEN HERE FIRST!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags breaking news in rock music, classic rock, greg hampton musician, hard rock music, hard rock songs 2010, heavy metal music, hey joe cover song the new czars, jimi hendrix, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, the jimi hendrix experience, the new czars, the new czars cover hey joe, world premiere exclusive hey joe cover song on September 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Metal Odyssey is extremely proud and honored, to present to the Rock Music world, the World Premiere Exclusive listen of Hey Joe covered by The New Czars! Metal Odyssey is the only place you will hear this cover version right now! *(Just click on the arrow in the bar below, to hear this song, in it’s entirety for yourself!). This ultra classic song from the ever legendary and late Jimi Hendrix is timeless. Hey Joe was released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, on their debut album, Are You Experienced in 1967.

This cover of Hey Joe by The New Czars is solid in both it’s relevancy and classic heaviness carried over from it’s time. Greg Hampton adds his unique vocals and guitar skills to a song that some may consider sacred and does so with such rightful Rock reverence, which makes me say whoa, well done! Greg’s vocals have an instilled “Classic Rock sound and vibe” that only makes his singing Hey Joe that much more real to me. In my Metal opinion, Greg Hampton and The New Czars have nailed down the true Rock essence of Hey Joe. Jimi Hendrix is probably smiling from above, as he hears this cover version of Hey Joe.

Greg Hampton tells Metal Odyssey: “I have been a lifelong fan of Jimi Hendrix. With the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing approaching, I’ve been listening to a lot of his music. I wanted to do something to commemorate Jimi Hendrix on this important anniversary, through song. This cover of Hey Joe I’ve been working on for quite some time and I am very proud of it. I hope the fans will appreciate this cover of Hey Joe and like it as much as I do”.

* This cover version of Hey Joe by The New Czars will be available for purchase on itunes, on October 5, 2010.

* Hey Joe will also be featured on the forthcoming EP from The New Czars, titled: Mining The Ruins. This EP is slated for a November 30, 2010 release.

* Greg Hampton, (founding member of The New Czars), plays all instruments on this cover of Hey Joe, except for drums which are played by The New Czars alumni and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier.

* To listen to the World Exclusive Premiere of Hey Joe by The New Czars, click the arrow in the bar below!

Long live the music of Jimi Hendrix!

Long live The New Czars!

Stone.

15 Comments »

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – “MY REGENERATION” GENERATES A ROCKIN’ GREAT ALBUM!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags classic rock albums, classic rock music, cover song albums, def leppard, down 'n' outz, hard rock albums 2010, hard rock music, heavy metal music, joe elliotts down 'n' outz, metal odyssey, mott the hoople, Music, my regeneration album review, rock albums 2010, rock music, rock music news on September 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – The news is out… the very famous lead singer for the very legendary Def Leppard has revealed his favorite Rock Band and he has done so through My ReGeneration. The band? None other than… Mott the Hoople. Not too shabby of a favorite I might add. Apparently, Joe Elliott was invited by Mott the Hoople to “participate in some capacity” in their reforming for a week’s worth of shows at the ol’ legendary… Hammersmith Odeon, (now named Hammersmith Apollo), last October of 2009. This experience proved to be the incubus for Joe Elliott forming Down ‘n’ Outz and making an album of cover songs from “spin offs” of Mott the Hoople.

My ReGeneration contains cover songs from Mott, Ian Hunter and British Lions. The last song on this album, The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk, was written by Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh. Quite honestly, it is refreshing to hear songs, good Rock ‘N’ Roll songs, that I would probably never have listened to if it wasn’t for this Rockin’ grand idea by Joe Elliott. Um… thanks Joe… and Down ‘n’ Outz too! To absorb what Joe Elliott and his band has assembled here play, is a lesson in British “Old School” Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Mott the Hoople obviously spawned some inventive and historical Rock Music during their too brief, six year tenure of existence – 1969 to 1974. The creative Rock Music minds that did “spin off” from Mott the Hoople are impressive to say the least. Guitarist and founding member of Mott the Hoople, Mick Ralphs will always be my sentimental favorite… for Mick being a founding and current member of Bad Company is all that to this Rockaholic.

While listening to My ReGeneration, I found that yes… this is Joe Elliott singing, only this is not the lungs of power, ultra charismatic, throat scorching vocalist that has fronted Def Leppard either. What I do hear is Joe Elliott – Rock ‘N’ Roll vocalist extraordinaire. Man, do I dig the vocals of Joe Elliott on My ReGeneration. Now, don’t get too down, all you Def Leppard fanatics out there. Joe Elliott has taken his vocals to a magnificent level here, he has in essence, proven to be as well rounded a Heavy Metal meets Rock vocalist as any other, in my most humble and Metal opinion.

Overnight Angels more than stands out as an incredibly memorable song to my Metal brain, this song just unequivocally makes me feel really good. As a bonus, Joe Elliott more than flirts with delivering some Def Leppard vocals on Overnight Angels, he flat-out sings this song as if it could have been on 1999’s Euphoria album as well. A Hard Rockin’ good time listen that doesn’t subside with it’s up-tempo. Alright, you got me, this song is my favorite on ReGeneration. Hey Joe Elliott… this one cover song alone is worth the purchase of ReGeneration! There, I said it, just like the corn dog I sometimes am.

After a couple of listens to England Rocks and I honestly have to agree… ENGLAND ROCKS! ENGLAND ROCKS! ENGLAND ROCKS! Please excuse me… this song really does ROCK. Shouting And Pointing has an overwhelmingly great Classic Rock vibe from beginning to end. The guitar solo by Paul Guerin is very cool, to be quite simplistically honest. Paul Guerin lays the Heavy down on Shouting And Pointing and Heavy is always welcomed in Stone’s ears. Joe Elliott has some fabulous vocal moments on this song, playing around with his pitch and melody only adds more psyche-out flavoring to the overall dish.

Hey Joe… this Down ‘n’ Outz band does… ROCK. Uh… YEAH! Obviously this band behind Joe Elliott is seasoned, knows their Rock ‘n’ Roll and how to play it.

O.k., here comes the sad and short ballad. Apologies is this song. Clocking in at 1:02 long. Stone don’t likey. Now, that is not to say it is a lousy song, I just don’t do very short and sad ballads. Metal be thy name. Down ‘n’ Outz still does ROCK, um, Joe. Who Do You Love is a bar hoppin’, foot stompin’, beer mug clangin’, it’s Friday night even if it’s Sunday, damn good Rock ‘N’ Rollin’ song. Turn it up!

By Tonight kicks in with a familiar guitar segue that is startling close to that from High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night) from Def Leppard’s sophomore album from 1981… High ‘n’ Dry. Stone does likey very much though. This is a Hard Rock song personified and Down ‘n’ Outz jams on it, pushing this song to it’s maximum Rock-Out potential.

I do enjoy the cover songs that Joe Elliott and Down ‘n’ Outz have compiled on ReGeneration. This album is a fun trip down Mott the Hoople’s “spin off” memory lane. Thanks to Joe Elliott though, now I’m gonna have to spend more $$$ and buy all those really cool albums from Ian Hunter, Mott and British Lions. Gee Metal whiz, Joe. I’ll Let It Go though, Joe. Joe Elliott’s Rockaholism only fuels mine and what am I supposed to do? Cranking up the volume on ReGeneration is really the only option here… (make sure to turn it down for Apologies though).

Good Times is a fitting song to be included on this album, this is a good times listen after all. This song is what Rock ‘N’ Roll is all about… “gonna have a good time tonight, Rock ‘N’ Roll Music’s gonna play all night”. This Good Times song is one big blast of feel good vibe. The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk plays out as a 1:38 long take from a jam session and it Rocks along with cool ease, putting a close to this ReGeneration album.

As noted earlier, it appears that Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh wrote The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk, I am coming to the conclusion that Down ‘n’ Outz jammed on it. There are no details other than (Elliott/McHugh) within the liner notes regarding this last song, so if anyone out there knows more about it, please feel free to comment. Up to this point of writing this review, I have no further information on the song – Apologies, other than (Major) as a writing credit. Anyone with further knowledge on Apologies as well can comment, it’s very welcomed.

Fans of Joe Elliott, Def Leppard, Classic Rock, Mott the Hoople and every spin off band from them should give a thorough listen into what Joe Elliott’s Down ‘n’ Outz have done with My ReGeneration. These cover songs are dripping with relevancy, giving these true Classic Rock songs a spotlight and new Rockin’ life. It has been fun for me, to branch off into the direction of the spin off bands of Mott the Hoople and listening to these great songs. Now I have more bands from Rock Music History to delve deeper into and that doesn’t bother me at all!

* My ReGeneration was released on July 13, 2010, on Mailboat Records.

Down ‘n’ Outz:

Joe Elliott – lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, some piano, various percussion

Paul Guerin – lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Guy Griffin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Keith Weir – keyboards, backing vocals

Ronnie Garrity – bass guitar

Phil Martini – drums, backing vocals

* Ron Garrity is the bass guitarist for the Rock/Hard Rock Band – Raw Glory. Paul Guerin, Guy Griffin, Keith Weir and Phil Martini are all members of the Hard Rock Band – The Quireboys.

Track Listing For ReGeneration, Listed With Original Artist:

Golden Opportunity (Ian Hunter)

Storm (Mott)

Overnight Angels (Ian Hunter)

Career (No Such Thing As Rock ‘n’ Roll) (Mott)

England Rocks (Ian Hunter)

Shouting And Pointing (Mott)

By Tonight (Mott)

Apologies (credited to “Major”)

Who Do You Love (Ian Hunter)

One More Chance To Run (British Lions)

3000 Miles From Here (Ian Hunter)

Good Times (Mott, originally recorded by The Easybeats)

The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk (Elliott/McHugh)

Stone.

5 Comments »

HEART “RED VELVET CAR” – IS 100% PURE CLASSIC HEART!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags ann wilson, classic rock bands, classic rock music, hard rock music, heart, heart hey you song, heart red velvet car, heart rock band, metal odyssey, Music, nancy wilson, red velvet car album review, rock albums 2010, rock music, rock music news on September 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HEART – Ann and Nancy Wilson have revived their very own Classic Rock roots, to such an extent that Red Velvet Car is unmistakably 100% pure Heart Classic Rock. I don’t think I can hear a single note on this new Heart album to tell me otherwise. Released on August 31, 2010, on Sony Legacy, Red Velvet Car is the thirteenth studio release from Heart. This new album of Heart songs won’t reveal an Even It Up from 1980’s Bebe le Strange, nor will you hear anything remotely close to What About Love, from their 1985 self titled album Heart. What I hear is Ann and Nancy Wilson making a triumphant return to the sound that captured my very own heart, some thirty plus years ago.

Throughout the decades, I’ve listened to so many bands try to reinvent themselves, through sound, style and/or persona. Sure, Heart may have dabbled in some of their very own “change” in the mid 1980’s, only it was never drastic enough for these two incredibly talented sisters to cease making memorable Rock Music. I went along for that stylistic ride back in 1985… seeing Heart in the arena setting of The Hartford Civic Center, with the ever charismatic Autograph as the opening act. There was always a place for Heart… in my Metal heart, ever since my first album of theirs was spinning on my turntable, that album being Bebe le Strange.

While there are those bands that changed and never recovered, there are still other’s that seem to have forgotten their Rock ‘N’ Roll roots with an almost defiant glee in their eyes. Not Ann and Nancy… not Heart. These two gals have taken not just a piece of their Rock ‘N’ Roll past for Red Velvet Car, they have taken it all and this album essentially salutes it with a double high five… throughout all ten songs. As I took a ride inside the Rock Music of Red Velvet Car, I not only took a ride into the Classic Rock past, I am also taking a ride into the Classic Rock present of Heart for as the legendary Bob Seger has sung… “Rock ‘N’ Roll never forgets”.

Ann Wilson’s vocals on each and every song she sings comes through with the same spirit and resonance as the earliest of Heart albums. To listen to Heart’s 1976 debut album, Dreamboat Annie, immediately following Red Velvet Car is quite the Rockin’ treat, realizing that both albums are nearly 35 years apart is astonishing. The same can be said for Nancy Wilson’s guitar, being over three decades removed from Dreamboat Annie doesn’t seem real when the similarities in sound, style and fresh energy are so comparable.

There is even a slight demo-esque feel and quality about Red Velvet Car that makes it all the more alluring to me, whether this is intentional or not, the end result separates this album from having that overly polished and deliberate commercial gloss. From the onset, There You Go sets the tone as to the exact direction Red Velvet Car steers towards. There You Go is acoustically brash with an attitude usually reserved for a hungry up and coming Rock band, only this is Heart in 2010 and thus they are rejuvenated with their song writing. It only get better…

WTF has Nancy’s guitar tone emanating the feeling and desire of 1977’s Barracuda, making me wish I owned a vintage Chevy Nova jacked up and ready to go for that Summertime road trip to the beach. If WTF doesn’t grab you, then you have never listened to Heart before. Ann sounds as invigorated and Rockalicious as ever on the song Red Velvet Car… velvet vocals and all. If I am to drift off into Heart never, never land… then this is the song to bring me there.

Alright, this is the “stand up” and get your groove on portion of Red Velvet Car… Queen City is now playing. When Ann cry’s out – “yo-ho, yo-ho gotta keep afloat” it’s enough to make me feel like Heart has taken back what once was old and made it new again. Let’s not forget that Nancy Wilson can sing with a sparkle like a dew covered peach in the morning Summer sun. Hey You is an acoustic, up-tempo, semi-sweet ballad that carries it’s Rock fragrance of Heart with it’s infectious melody and Nancy’s sweet harmony.

Wheels and Safronia’s Mark both have the atmospheric sound and sensory feel of all things glorious about Classic Heart. Ann and Nancy please, take a bow now for you both have put me on a Classic Rock cloud that is drifting me further away from the lame-o and negative laced Rock Music that devoured everyone in the ’90’s. Hallelujah and Metal be thy name.

I’m going to make it a point to listen to Death Valley and Sunflower, while laying on the grass of my backyard on one of these last hot Summer days… and stare up at the blue sky and puffy white clouds with a retro grin on my middle-aged face that stretches from ear to ear. Is it wrong for my classifying Red Velvet Car as a Classic Rock gem? Calling out Heart’s return to Classic Rock prowess? I don’t think so. Exemplary Rock Music will always rise to the top, despite what is being played on radio or (gasp) MTV. Classic Rock exists for it will never go away, as it rears it’s triumphant head whenever a legendary band such as Heart brings it to life through their albums… both past and present with Red Velvet Car.

Classic Rock has rescued me once again, thank you Ann and Nancy. Red Velvet Car has the Classic Rock ‘N’ Roll fuel and I’m telling anyone whose listening to hitch a ride. Heart has pulled up in their Red Velvet Car and taken me for ride that I’m looking forward to taking again on a consistent basis… for a very, very, long time.

* I have not yet obtained any bonus tracks from the European release of Red Velvet Car, nor was I aware of the two bonus tracks found on the Target version of this CD, until it was too late. (I bought Red Velvet Car at f.y.e. before knowing of the “Only At Target” release).

* For more info on HEART, just click here: HEART-MUSIC.com

Track Listing For Red Velvet Car:

There You Go

WTF

Red Velvet Car

Queen City

Hey You

Wheels

Safronia’s Mark

Death Valley

Sunflower

Sand

LONG LIVE HEART!

Stone.

4 Comments »

BLACKMORE’S NIGHT “SECRET VOYAGE” – I’M ON BOARD FOR THIS MUSICAL JOURNEY!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, folk rock music, metal odyssey, Music, renaissance music, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags 1970's rock guitarists, 1980's rock guitarists, 1990's rock guitarists, blackmore's night, candice night, classic rock music, folk music, folk rock, guitar legends, metal odyssey, Music, renaissance music, ritchie blackmore, rock guitarists, rock music, secret voyage album review on September 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – Ritchie Blackmore has never abandoned his love affair for creating incredible classical sounds with his guitar. The lure and attraction for Renaissance music has made Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night become an impeccable duo of musical minds and talent since their 1997 Blackmore’s Night album debut – Shadow Of The Moon. With 1970’s era Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore intertwined the Renaissance sound with bluesy Rock and Hard Rock like no other. It only makes sense to me, that Ritchie has taken his immeasurable musical talents to this extraordinary level of existence with Blackmore’s Night, so many years ago.

No one will find the supercharged Hard Rock sound of Straight Between The Eyes or Bent Out Of Shape with Blackmore’s Night. This is another world of music prowess for Ritchie Blackmore and I’m admittedly hooked on this Secret Voyage… it’s an impossible thought for me not to embrace this music. If it’s not the guitar virtuosity of Ritchie, then it’s the beautiful and mesmerizing voice of Candice Night that thrills my ears and mind into a state of… joy.

Rainbow Eyes is such a wonderful song to hear and Candice Night’s vocals just might have me growing wings and flying through the sky… in my Secret Voyage dreams that is. Taking a Rainbow classic, such as Rainbow Eyes from the 1978 album Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll and covering it this way is certainly a musically credible move by Ritchie Blackmore, in my Metal opinion.

The liner notes to Secret Voyage characterize the music created by Blackmore’s Night as Renaissance/Folk/Rock and I won’t disagree. What should be conveyed here to all, is this style of music should not be judged until it is heard. Anytime the words “Folk” or “Renaissance” come into view of a Rock/Hard Rock or Heavy Metal platform such as Metal Odyssey, it can become quite deceptive. Music genres unfortunately can fall victim to stereotyping, sad but true.

In listening to Blackmore’s Night, I have become all the more rich in my quest for hearing all the great works of Ritchie Blackmore. The elements and styles of music heard from Blackmore’s Night are not worlds apart compared to that of early Rainbow and many of the works of Yngwie J. Malmsteen. I can even go further by adding in The Electric Light Orchestra or The Moody Blues as well, when it comes to stylistic comparisons.

Can’t Help Falling In Love is easily guilty of being the “heaviest” song on Secret Voyage, with both it’s tempo and overall energy of sound. Trust me, this is not the molasses sweet and teary eyed original version of Can’t Help Falling In Love made famous and sung by the unreal legendary Elvis Presley in the 1961 film – Blue Hawaii. Forget the UB40 cover version of this song as well… for Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore make Can’t Help Falling In Love an upbeat, Rockin’ and inspirational listen, like it has never been done before.

The Renaissance fair kicks into high gear with the song – Peasant’s Promise. Once again, the music shares center stage with Candice Night’s vocals. As I listen to this song, I surely wish I owned and could play a shawm, so I could bounce around my surroundings while I gleefully take part in this Renaissance Folk euphoria that I’m experiencing. I’m not kidding or being a wise-guy here. The more I listen to Secret Voyage, the more I wonder as to why this album did not win one of those coveted Grammy’s? Politics I reason.

Far Far Away has a tinge of Enya “style” background chorus/vocals, which only enhances the sensory backdrop of this earthy fortified song. Very mellow, very soft are the vocals of Candice Night on Empty Words… coupled with the acoustic magic that resonates from Ritchie’s guitar are enough to make my Metal heart melt, like a slab of butter on an open fire. Hey Celine Dion… I have two words for you… Candice Night. Metal be thy name.

Guitar enthusiasts, Rainbow and Ritchie Blackmore fans should already be in the know with Blackmore’s Night. Fans of Folk, Renaissance Folk/Rock may very well become enriched with the sounds of Secret Voyage. Any Old School Metalhead like myself, that has a spot in their Metal heart for the guitar greats of our generation, might just take a dive into Blackmore’s Night and fall victim to this living legend’s guitar once again. Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night come across to my ears as two musicians who were born to be together, not only as husband and wife, as Blackmore’s Night as well.

* Blackmore’s Night – Secret Voyage was released on July 15, 2008, on Steamhammer/SPV. Secret Voyage is the seventh studio album from Blackmore’s Night.

* For more info on Ritchie Blackmore, Candice Night and Blackmore’s Night, just click on the link below:

THE RITCHIE BLACKMORE & BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – Official Website

* A special thanks to Metal Mark at Heavy Metal Time Machine for pushing this album my way.

Track Listing For Secret Voyage:

God Save The Keg

Locked Within The Crystal Ball

Gilded Cage

Toast To Tomorrow

Prince Waldeck’s Galliard

Rainbow Eyes

The Circle

Sister Gypsy

Can’t Help Falling In Love

Peasant’s Promise

Far Far Away

Empty Words

LONG LIVE BLACKMORE’S NIGHT!

Stone.

RAY LAMONTAGNE and the PARIAH DOGS – “GOD WILLIN’ & THE CREEK DON’T RISE” CAPTURES STORYTELLING THROUGH SONG

Posted in classic rock, folk rock music, metal odyssey, Music, music reviews, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags album reviews, classic rock, easy listening music, folk rock, folk rock albums 2010, folk rock musicians, folk rock songs, god willin' & the creek don't rise album, metal odyssey, Music, ray lamontagne and the pariah dogs, rock albums 2010, rock music, soft rock music on August 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RAY LAMONTAGNE and the PARIAH DOGS – If music is the soul of mankind and a man needs to mellow out his soul, then Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs are a band to drift off to. With that said, anyone who really knows Stone, realizes that besides being a Metalhead-Rockaholic, I’m also an admirer of quality music of any genre. Doesn’t the word “genre” come across as intellectual sometimes? It is a “must” word to use when you have a blog about… music. I’ve never been bashful to use this word, Metal be thy name. Well… onward to Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs album – God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise.

There are those moments in my life where I turn to some good old fashioned Easy Listening music to chill out my senses. Why do I need to “chill out my senses”? Really, I don’t have a clinical answer for this, other than soothing sounds of music and vocals can relax me and make me look at my life from a different angle. The vocals of Ray LaMontagne I find to be somewhat captivating, it’s almost as if he sings the way he damn well feels and never gave a damn about trying to fit in with any specific group of contemporary male vocalists.

Besides being the vocalist for his band The Pariah Dogs on this album, Ray LaMontagne also plays acoustic guitar and harmonica. The acoustic guitar can justifiably emit as distinct and powerful a message through it’s tone as it’s muscular counterpart… the electric guitar. Soft Rock or as it’s also called, Easy Listening, has always benefited from the mellow side of an acoustic guitar. Folk Rock’s foundation is centered around the acoustic guitar and this new Ray LaMontagne album exploits the easy listening sound of Folk Rock to it’s ultimate potential. Ray’s vocals and the acoustic guitar are like soul mates to one another, the combination of the two brings about reflections of what the song is conveying lyrically as well as emotionally.

As I listen to New York City’s Killing Me, the mental imagery of the New York City sky-scape stays with me. I see the subway, crowded streets and Summer time smog as Ray sings about how this city is killing him. I love New York City myself, still I can understand how some visitors to The Big Apple could easily not become acquainted with it’s social pace and maximized energy. God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise has a Pedal Steel played by both Eric Heywood and Greg Leisz, it’s a sound that just hits me perfectly. I just seem to experience that “open country field” feeling while listening to this song, the Pedal Steel only helps to interpret this all the more for me.

Beg Steal Or Borrow is as blatantly fabulous of a song as there could be on this album. The tempo, beat and totality of sound resonating from The Pariah Dogs reminds me of an early ’70’s Fleetwood Mac. I can easily understand there being some Fleetwood Mac influence within the musical veins of Ray LaMontagne or any of his band members.

Are We Really Through is a somber ballad that is about… breaking up with someone. Ray’s vocals on this sad sounding song has an unbelievable Joe Cocker quality. Trust me, Ray LaMontagne is no copycat vocalist to my ears. Just think for a second as to how difficult it would be, to even try to sing like the legendary Joe Cocker. The vocals of Ray LaMontagne spill over these songs, as natural and free as a waterfall spilling over moss covered river stone. Often times, the word “unique” is overused, therefore, I shall state Ray’s vocals are stunningly unique.

To think that maybe Ray LaMontagne is a fan of Neil Young’s Harvest album is a credible thought. The mellowfied Country Rock that sticks it’s happy face out during this album during such songs as Old Before Your Time and For The Summer, comes as a welcomed listen for my retrospective ears and thoughts. These two songs would have been a smash for AM radio back in those satin days of the ’70’s. The interesting aspect of Old Before Your Time and For The Summer is that they are realistically relevant now.

Like Rock & Roll And Radio opens with Ray playing the harmonica, setting the stage for what I would consider his best vocals on this album. Ray is a storyteller and he tells stories through his songs like he has been doing this for decades. There are moments when I have to look at the liner notes of God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise, look at the photos of Ray and make sure he’s not a legend from the early ’70’s.

Devil’s In The Jukebox is a glistening finish to an album that was already glistening. The back country woods sound, feel and foot stompin’ character to this song makes it a prize worth listening to repeatedly, making me wish this song would just carry on for another five minutes or more. It’s quite obvious that Ray LaMontagne has a skilled band of musicians behind him. The Pariah Dogs compliment Ray’s vocals as if it was meant to be and it was written to happen this way, hundreds of years ago, on a scroll.

Not to sound as a wise guy here, yet as I listen to God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise, the feeling that overrides me from these ten songs are that of AM gold. These songs, practically this entire album is one big hit. If I am to point out one song that doesn’t “do it” for me, it’s Are We Really Through. Regardless of how I feel, this sad song might just touch someone differently with it’s meaning. These are the songs that I don’t mind hearing while taking a long ride in the country or while reading a good book. To listen to this album while sitting on my back patio and staring up at the blue Summer sky, while looking over my gardens and enjoying a couple of cold brews, is on my to-do list.

* God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise was released on August 17, 2010, on RCA. This album is the fourth studio release for Ray LaMontagne and first album being named alongside his band The Pariah Dogs.

* For more info on Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs, just click the link below:

Ray LaMontagne – Official Website

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs:

Ray LaMontagne – vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica

Eric Heywood – pedal steel, electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Greg Leisz – pedal steel, lap steel, acoustic resonator, steel guitar, mandola, banjo, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric baritone guitar

Jennifer Condos – bass

Jay Bellerose – drums

Ryan Freeland – accordion on For The Summer

Patrick Warren – keyboards on This Love Is Over

Track Listing For God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise:

Repo Man

New York City’s Killing Me

God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Beg Steal Or Borrow

Are We Really Through

This Love Is Over

Old Before Your Time

For The Summer

Like Rock & Roll And Radio

Devil’s In The Jukebox

Stone.

2 Comments »

Ten Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Songs That I Can Do Without

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, lousy hard rock songs, lousy heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music on August 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Here at Metal Odyssey, not every Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song ever created is going to be praised. There are those songs that give me an instant headache. Then, there are those songs that make me want to barf. Of course, there are songs that make me wonder… why? Here is a list of 10 songs that I honestly cannot listen to ever again. It’s all personal preference here and just because I may dislike the song listed does not mean I don’t like the band that recorded it.

There are bands and musicians on this list that are beyond legendary. Enjoy or become annoyed with this list, regardless, these songs are NOT going to ever “psyche out the party”. God forbid if these songs were to psyche out a party… then that party must be at the Lame-O Ranch At Rolling Hills.

01 – White Lion – When The Children Cry: Yeah, yeah, yeah… it’s a serious song about a sad and serious topic and I truly respect that aspect of this song. It’s just so damn sad that for years it made me want to scream every time I heard it. Now, one micro second of this song’s beginning is enough for me.

02 – Twisted Sister – Leader Of The Pack: Of course Twisted Sister is a legendary band. The only problem is this cover song they did way back in 1985 is not a crowning moment for this icon band. The silver lining about this cover song is it made me appreciate the albums Under The Blade and You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll all the more.

03 – Ozzy Osbourne & Lita Ford – Close My Eyes Forever: Just like When The Children Cry, I realize this is a serious song with a deep and somber meaning. However, this would be a much more tolerable song if the duet performing it was Celine Dion and Josh Groban… and then I still wouldn’t listen to it.

04 – Metallica – One: Back in 1989 I was the biggest Metallica fan on the Metal block. Upon my very first listen to One… I was clutching onto my Slayer, Overkill, Anthrax and Exodus albums and running for cover. My Mercyful Fate albums too. Oh, for the record, I was 0% impressed by the music video for One as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a Metallica fan. Just realize there is no law that requires me to love everything that Metallica ever did.

05 – Honeymoon Suite – New Girl Now: Um, again… not every Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song is gonna get Stone psyched out. Two words of note here – bubble gum.

06 – Ozzy Osbourne – So Tired: Look, I revere Ozzy, he’s the Godfather of Heavy Metal for Metal sakes. Regardless, I grew tired of So Tired the very day I bought Bark At The Moon back in 1983. If I whined just like Ozzy does on this song… my wife would slug me in the head and boot me in the butt.

07 – Ace Frehley/Frehley’s Comet – Dolls: C’mon. The lyrics are just plain weird. Space Ace is another musician I have revered since the late ’70’s and I’m a KISS fan for life. I love every song Ace Frehley has ever played guitar and/or sung on. The exception is this song.

08 – Metallica – Turn The Page: This is one instance where nothing beats the original. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band never created this Classic Rock masterpiece for Metallica to improve on it. Sure, it’s a multi-million dollar seller for Metallica… and multi-millions of turtleneck wearing Bananarama fans bought it too.

09 – Styx – Mr. Roboto – I can vividly remember, like it was yesterday. Either WHCN or WCCC FM, (which FM station is not vivid), out of Hartford, Connecticut was announcing the “new” Styx single… Mr. Roboto. I was ecstatic. Bring on the “new” Styx is all I was saying. Then… this song played. Ouch. At the end of Mr. Roboto, the DJ asked listeners to call in and give their opinion on the song. Back then, (1983), my family and everyone else I knew had the clunky… rotary phones. The phones in which you had to “dial” by finger, one number at a time. Anyways… I was in a state of despair… too upset to call any damn DJ at that moment anyhow. All I do remember is clutching onto The Grand Illusion album, slowly rocking back and forth as I sat there on the floor, half crying, muttering this one lone word over and over… why?, why?, WHY?!

10 – Queen – Radio Ga Ga – I also remember too vividly this song being released as well. Queen is so enormously legendary, it’s just a shame there is a Queen song out there that I cannot listen to. Radio Ga Ga is that song. Look, I already took a beating in 1983 with Mr. Roboto… now only a year later, it’s another revered band of mine taking a stylistic music detour as well. I don’t care if this song’s meaning is about radio playing lousy songs and programming back in the day. This song was not the Queen I fell head over heals with as a young lad. To this day, I cannot figure out what the “Ga Ga” was suppose to mean. Maybe Lady Ga Ga figured it out.

Stone.

13 Comments »

MUSIC OUTLET – ENFIELD CONNECTICUT STORE HAS HEAVY METAL APLENTY!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, travel with tags death metal music, enfield connecticut, extreme metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal music, mail order record stores, metal music, metal music stores, metal odyssey, Music, music outlet, Power Metal, record and CD stores, rock music, rock music news, thrash metal music, travel destinations on August 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MUSIC OUTLET – I journeyed back to Connecticut last week, the state where I was born and lived forty years of my life. Usually, the words: very expensive are always used to describe Connecticut on Metal Odyssey. Connecticut is very expensive, I should know. However, there is one store up in very expensive Connecticut that isn’t expensive at all. IT’S AN INDEPENDENT RECORD AND CD STORE! Located in the very friendly and cool city of Enfield, this store is called – Music Outlet. (See store contact info at bottom of post).

Scott Coverdale, our Metal Odyssey correspondent and Heavy Metal think tank, took me to Music Outlet on Friday, August 13th. Always bragging about just how incredible the selection of Metal is at this Music Outlet, Scott couldn’t wait to get me there. It felt like 1988 all over again… two Metal buddies, taking a long cruise to buy some Metal. Scott is a loyal customer at Music Outlet and has longed for the day, when I could finally browse through the vast selection that this store carries for Hard and Heavy Music.

Gary, the owner of Music Outlet, is very knowledgeable about Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Rock ‘N’ Roll. That is exactly how a record and CD store owner should be… knowledgeable about the product, the bands, the musicians and their music. I have to admit, it is always an unreal thrill to find an independent record and CD store, especially when we live during a transitional period of how Rock ‘N’ Roll is being listened to, bought and sold. This is the age of the mp3 and itunes. We can buy mp3’s on Amazon, Best Buy and countless other websites 24/7. Despite this unbeatable technology of digital downloading… I’m steadfast Old School and damn proud of it.

After one visit to Music Outlet, I have come to the realization that Gary is Old School too. There is a market out there that wants their Rock ‘N’ Roll on vinyl and/or CD still. I’m a part of that Old School market. Gary’s store has the goods… and there is Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Punk Rock and Rock ‘N’ Roll aplenty to be found at this Music Outlet. From vinyl to CD’s, from the obscure to posters, with band t’s and music DVD’s in-between, Gary’s store is bolstered with every sub-genre of Metal Music that is known! As an added bonus… Gary has all upcoming Metal and Hard Rock album release dates posted up for all customers to see.

There are the “little things” that an Old School Metalhead may need to buy at Music Outlet as well… blank cassettes, vinyl album sleeves and CD jewel cases are also available to purchase. You read that correctly… blank cassette tapes! Now… that’s Old School! Plenty of promo posters from various record companies are hung about Music Outlet and the Metal is played loud throughout the store.

The prices are very competitive to any online record/CD store, with both used and new albums & CD’s being sold at Music Outlet. There are many great CD titles being sold new for around $10, with used CD’s being around $6. I found the selection of new CD’s to be the best I’ve come across in years, at an actual physical location and not online! Whoa. Easily, I could have spent well over my budgeted limit… it took some very strong Metal will power to not go overboard! Admittedly, I was semi-shaking at the overall selection of Metal CD’s that Music Outlet had for sale.

Gary told me I can call him anytime to order by phone, he said he has no problem in shipping out the Metal! Mail order Metal! I’m more than happy to pay for shipping, especially when a hard to find or highly sought after Metal CD can be found at Music Outlet. Meeting Gary, perusing his abundant supply of Metal CD’s and taking in the Old School, independent Record & CD store experience at Music Outlet, was a fabulous way to spend some of my time while back in Connecticut.

* Here are the 3 CD’s I bought at Music Outlet:

Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier (Mission Edition)

Primal Fear – Metal Is Forever

Bonded By Blood – Exiled To Earth

Scott Coverdale’s 3 CD’s purchased at Music Outlet:

Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier

Holy Mother – Toxic Rain

Michael Schenker Group – Built To Destroy

* I without hesitation, recommend any Metalhead or fan of any Rock genre to stop by Music Outlet in Enfield, CT… or give Gary and his Metal crew a call and order your Metal fix by phone! Patronize Music Outlet… it will serve you right. Tell ’em Stone and Scott Coverdale sent you.

Music Outlet Contact Info:

Owner: Gary

Store Location/Address: 151 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT, 06082

Phone: 1-860-749-2050

ROCK STEADY MUSIC OUTLET!

Thanks Scott Coverdale for hooking me up with Music Outlet!

Stone.

36 Comments »

GLENN HUGHES – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags 1970's classic rock, black country communion, Black Sabbath, celebrity birthdays, classic rock music, Deep Purple, glenn hughes vocalist, hard rock music, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music legends, rock music news, rock vocalists on August 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GLENN HUGHES – “The Voice of Rock”. Metal Odyssey extends a loud Happy Birthday to vocal and music legend Glenn Hughes! On August 21, 1952, Glenn Hughes was born. Glenn turns a Rockin’ 58 years old today! Glenn Hughes has been the lead vocalist for both Deep Purple and Black Sabbath during his unreal legendary music career. Those are two bands that paved the road for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal as we all know, listen to and love it today.

In 2010, Glenn is Rockin’ better than ever with his new band – Black Country Communion, which also features Jason Bonham on drums. Glenn Hughes can easily be considered as one of the all-time greatest singers in Rock history… in my Metal opinion, Metal be thy name.

The genres of music that Glenn Hughes has performed, as both a vocalist and musician, coupled with being a songwriter and producer, are many… Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Blues, Funk and Soul to name quite a few. To say Glenn Hughes is a diverse vocalist and musician is an understatement. Glenn Hughes belongs in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, his contributions and talent stand alone, as he has stood the test of time.

* For more info on Glenn Hughes, visit his “official website” by clicking the link below:

GLENN HUGHES – Official Website

* For more info on Black Country Communion, just click the cool link below:

Black Country Communion – Official Website

Black Country Communion will be released on September 21, 2010, on J&R Adventures.

* Pictured at the top of this post, is the album cover for: Glenn Hughes – Feel, which was released in 1995 on SPV.

Here are just a few albums, where Glenn Hughes is featured on, that are lifetime favorites of mine:

Black Sabbath – Seventh Star (1986)

Glenn Hughes – lead vocalist

Deep Purple – Burn (1974)

Glenn Hughes – bass & vocals

IOMMI With Glenn Hughes – The 1996 Dep Sessions (2004)

Glenn Hughes – lead vocalist & bass

On October 20, 2009, I reviewed this IOMMI With Glenn Hughes album. You can read all about it by clicking the oversized link below:

TONY IOMMI & GLENN HUGHES – 1996 DEP SESSIONS ALBUM- OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL

LONG LIVE GLENN HUGHES!

Stone.

2 Comments »

SANTANA AND THAT SUMMERTIME VIBE

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Guitar, guitar legends, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music with tags 1970's rock music, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock music, carlos santana, carlos santana guitarist, classic rock bands, classic rock music, guitar legends, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame bands, rock legends, rock music, rush progressive rock band, santana, santana supernatural album, summertime music on August 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SANTANA – I am guilty of associating many songs, albums and even bands/musicians to a certain season of the year. In the past, I wrote that RUSH is my Winter band… a band I turn to when I’m driving in snowstorms. Maybe the whole music imbedding “thing” comes into play here. When I used to live in Northwestern Connecticut, the snowstorms were very generous and very consistent, couple that with RUSH being a super HUGE band in that area of the world and maybe the exposure factor really left it’s mark with me.

Come Wintertime, it just felt as if FM stations played RUSH every 5 minutes while I was growing up, in very expensive Connecticut. Therefore, I gather that all the parameters were lining up for my RUSH/Winter imbedding many years ago.

I led with my RUSH and Wintertime “vibe” (as I’ll now call it), to introduce what is my Summertime “vibe” band… or musician… take your pick for it’s Santana. Yes, we all know that Santana is an exemplary musician and yes, Santana has always had a fabulous band behind him, (the original Santana band lineup is in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame). Therefore, referring to Santana as either a band or musician can go both ways. Now, if you want to get picky, I can say… Carlos Santana, the exemplary and legendary guitarist. I’ll just stick to “Santana” and hopefully we can all agree.

Since I was a young lad, Santana always had an open sound to his guitar tone… a feeling of sunny days and hot weather just seems to drift over me when I hear him play. Driving to the beach comes to mind each time I listen to Black Magic Woman. This song has me seeing visions of ocean waves slapping against the hot sand of the beach, while I feel my feet burrowing into the deeper depths of the cool sand. Black Magic Woman has always been a Summer chill-out song for me… so listening to it while driving in a snowstorm would ruin it’s ambiance, in my own mind.

Santana can tell a story with his guitar, having a lead vocalist on his songs proves to be a bonus for my ears. If there ever was a song that Santana speaks that mystical guitar language through his playing, it is Black Magic Woman. Captivating is the word.

Back in the Summer of 1999, my wife was expecting with our twin daughters… and so was I expecting too. We were on the threshold of a forever life changing event, the birth of our daughters with a target date of late September. That Summer of ’99 was extremely hot and humid… abnormally humid as the “weather experts” were saying back then. (You know those “weather experts”… they get it right every time). One album that kept my wife and I from going bananas during that period in our lives was… Santana – Supernatural.

As Metal as my witness, this Santana album chilled us out, as well as it lifted our spirits and made us feel very comfortable… on our journey to becoming first time parents. This Supernatural album just cast a magical spell on us… we would listen each day and night to those Summer Grooves and melodies of Santana’s guitar and be glad we did. Our favorite song from Supernatural was of course, Smooth, with Rob Thomas on lead vocals. That song is a quintessential Summertime Santana song if there ever was one. The music video for Smooth was a hit back in ’99 too… it radiates Summertime cool in the city streets.

It has gotten to the point, that when I see a photo of Carlos Santana, I think of Summer. Carlos “Summertime” Santana. Gee Metal whiz… it’s just me I guess. The same can be said for Jimmy Buffet, only equating Summertime and the ocean to Jimmy is way too obvious. Jimmy Buffet is all about songs that stir up images of the Tropics and fun in the Summer sun. However… I can never eat a cheeseburger without thinking of Jimmy Buffet… (I don’t drink Margaritas by the way).

I never want to resist or ignore the positive memories and images that music provides me. Just as I equate a song, album, musician or band to a season, I can equally equate them to specific moments in my life. Santana just happens to be an example of just how good music makes me feel.

* Santana (entire original band), was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1998.

* For more info on the ever legendary guitarist, songwriter, musician and Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer – Carlos Santana, just click on this link: SANTANA – Official Web Site

* For more info on my favorite Wintertime band, RUSH, click here: RUSH Aw, heck, RUSH is a favorite of mine all year long.

LONG LIVE SANTANA!

… AND RUSH & JIMMY BUFFET TOO!

Stone.

2 Comments »

AGGRAVATION FILE: OPENING A SEALED CD JEWEL CASE

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, humor, metal odyssey, Music, personal stories, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags aggravating stories, aggravation file, cd jewel case story, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, humor, metal odyssey, Music, nuisance things, personal stories, Punk rock, sealed cd's on July 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

AGGRAVATION FILE: I most certainly am not alone, when I grumble and whine about opening a sealed CD jewel case. When I buy a new CD at whatever store, I’m usually psyched out of my Metal mind once I get to my car. Why am I psyched out of my Metal mind you query? For I want to hear the new CD that I just bought! It’s what I call: being self-psyched about having new tunes for my ears euphoria. However, that euphoria soon becomes… aggravation once I try to take off the CD plastic wrap.

As I sit in my car and begin the task of peeling off the plastic wrap, I realize my utility knife is needed, as always. That’s right. I need to use a damn utility knife just to get the plastic wrap off the CD! For some reason or another, some bright engineer somewhere, decided that shrink wrapping CD’s was cool and/or ingenious. Not for Stone. Once I get the shrink wrap off my new CD, it’s not over. Oh, no… not by a Metal long-shot. The evil sticker strip seal is still on the jewel case… and it needs to come off as well in order to access the CD.

I could easily just dislocate this jewel case at it’s hinges and basically tear it apart to get the CD out. That’s not cool though, I like to keep my CD collection in mint shape, so destroying a jewel case is an irrational and moronic action to take. The sticker strip seal is meant to prevent shoplifting of CD’s, it’s a necessary evil, I do understand. Still, does the manufacturing process really call for using super glue when adhering these sticker strip seals to jewel cases? Give me a Metal break.

As I am fighting, cursing and moving about strangely in my car, trying valiantly to remove the super glued, sticker strip seal from my new CD jewel case, people that walk by my car, in the parking lot, look over at me with either alarm or disgust on their faces. For real. What in Metal creation do these strangers think I am doing? Sometimes I have to actually abort my mission and wait for these nosey strangers to move on. I am just trying to open up my new CD… it’s not an act of felony for Metal sakes!

Once I do succeed at getting this sealed sticker strip off, there always remains… the sticker strip… residue. Ew. Sometimes there is more of this residue sticking to the jewel case than I could ever imagine. It’s sticky and it’s gross. No one knows, exactly how much Goo Gone I go through in a calendar year, due to sticker strip seal residue. Metal be damned. My most recent CD purchase was Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare… and it was a nightmare trying to peel off that F’n sticker strip. It’s not funny, especially when it’s the new A7X CD that I so desperately need to ingest.

Many may think that this is silly crap that I’m aggravated over. It’s not that silly when you spend five minutes or more picking away at this sticker strip and beads of sweat begin to swell on my forehead. Now I know why I feel so stress-free when I make a purchase on itunes… no damned sealed sticker strip, to hold me hostage from the Metal I need to hear.

GO TO HELL SEALED STICKER STRIPS ON CD’S

Stone.

16 Comments »

LYNYRD SKYNYRD – PERFORMING IN STUDIO ON A&E PRIVATE SESSIONS AUGUST 1ST, 2010!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock, southern rock music with tags 1970's southern rock bands, 1980's southern rock bands, a&e private sessions, classic rock bands, classic rock music, hard rock music, lynyrd skynyrd southern rock band, metal odyssey, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock bands, southern rock bands, southern rock legends on July 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

LYNYRD SKYNYRD – The always and forever legendary, Lynyrd Skynyrd will be interviewed and performing live on A&E – Private Sessions this Sunday, August 1st, 2010! Lynyrd Skynyrd will be jamming out their Southern Hard Rock Classics: Free Bird (extended version), Sweet Home Alabama, God & Guns and Still Unbroken. As an added Rockin’ bonus… Bret Michaels makes a surprise stop to visit Lynyrd Skynyrd and chat about their tour! Stone will be tuning in… that’s a Metal promise.

* A&E Private Sessions airs on Sunday, 9 AM EST, 8 AM CST. The host of A&E Private Sessions is the super cool Lynn Hoffman.

* To find out more info on A&E Private Sessions and this Lynyrd Skynyrd appearance, just click on this very helpful link: A&E PRIVATE SESSIONS

* For more info on Lynyrd Skynyrd, all you have to do is click this link below:

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Official Website

*On October 2, 2009, I reviewed the latest Southern Hard Rock album classic from Lynyrd Skynyrd, God & Guns. You can read all about it… by clicking the big header link below!

LYNYRD SKYNYRD – “GOD & GUNS” IS ALREADY A SOUTHERN ROCK CLASSIC

* Lynyrd Skynyrd – God & Guns was also chosen as Metal Odyssey’s Hard Rock album of 2009! On December 26, 2009, the Metal Odyssey Top Ten Hard Rock Albums of 2009 were revealed… you can check it out by clicking the oversized header link below!

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN HARD ROCK ALBUMS OF 2009

LONG LIVE LYNYRD SKYNYRD!

Stone.

1 Comment »

CHEAP TRICK – “FOUND ALL THE PARTS” VINYL EP FROM 1980… I FOUND!

Posted in classic rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history with tags 1970's rock bands, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, cheap trick albums, cheap trick rock band, classic rock music, found all the parts ep, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music history, rock music memorabilia, rock n' roll on July 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHEAP TRICK – Earlier this Summer, I took the family on one of our trips to Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As I have stated in past posts… I like to hunt for Rock ‘N’ Roll, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal memorabilia and/or music anywhere I go. Antique stores are around Lancaster County, that is for certain. One particular stop, to a second hand memory shop uncovered the Cheap Trick – Found All The Parts EP from 1980, on vinyl. The asking price was $10… sold!

The total condition of this Cheap Trick EP’s album jacket and vinyl is mint, as if it was just opened from it’s original plastic factory wrap. (Check out my pics below of this EP I found). On the backside of this EP, at the top left corner, there is a gold embossed stamp that reads: “For Promotion Only, Ownership Reserved By CBS, Sale Is Unlawful”. Cool… a promo copy. The only bugaboo about my finding this Cheap Trick EP is that it does not have the bonus promotional 7″ single – Everything Works If You Let It. That is now a Cheap Trick 45 rpm that I will be on the look-out for.

I have seen this Cheap Trick EP for sale on Amazon ranging from $25 to $91 in new/sealed condition with the 7″ single included. I have also seen the used versions of this EP on Amazon ranging from $6 to $58. (Used conditions do vary though). The highest priced used copies don’t specify if the 7″ single comes with it, yet a couple of the lower priced used copies do state the 7″ single comes with the EP. Go figure. Nonetheless, I’m pleased that I found this used promo copy of Cheap Trick – Found All The Parts EP for $10, especially since the condition is so mint and I’ve never owned it before.

Track Listing For Found All The Parts EP:

Day Tripper (live)

Can’t Hold On (live)

Such A Good Girl

Take Me I’m Yours

* These same four songs heard on this EP can also be heard on the studio release: Cheap Trick – All Shook Up – (remastered/reissued version). This EP was originally released on Epic Records.

* For more info on Cheap Trick, just click the link below:

Cheap Trick – Official Website

Album Jacket Front:

ALBUM JACKET BACK:

CHEAP TRICK ARE:

Robin Zander – lead vocals

Rick Nielsen – lead guitar

Tom Petersson – bass guitar

Bun E. Carlos – drums

LONG LIVE CHEAP TRICK!

Stone.

* Note: The word “bugaboo” was used on Metal Odyssey. Yes it was, in paragraph two of this post.

2 Comments »

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2010 – the 35th Anniversary of Motorhead Rock ‘N’ Roll!

MOTORHEAD:

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LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF RONNIE JAMES DIO.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

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Alice Cooper as they appeared on Love it to death:

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