Smashing Pumpkins at United Palace on Thurs. & Fri. Nov. 6 and 7. At the Borgota in Atlantic City on Sat. Nov. 8 and at Mohegan Sun on Sun. Nov. 16. Pre-sale for American Express cardholders go on sale tomorrow Sat. Sept. 27 at 10:00 a.m. until Fri. Rocktober 3 at 10:00 p.m. General public on sale next Sat. Rocktober 4 at 10:00 a.m.$49 – $89.
The Killers at Hammerstein Ballroom on Fri. Rocktober 24. Tickets on sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. $45.50.
Usher at Hammerstein Ballroom on Mon. Nov. 3. Tickets on sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. $62.50 – $102.
Yes at Hammerstein Ballroom on Fri. Nov. 14. Tickets on sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. $83 – $123.
Puddle of Mudd at Highline Ballroom on Sun. Nov. 16. Tickets on sale today at noon.
Hall & Oates at the Mohegan Sun on Wed. Dec. 31. Tickets on sale Fri. Rocktober 17.
Other items:
TV on The Radio has a new album out called “Dear Science” and it is getting rave reviews. I-Tune listeners give it a 4.5 star rating (out of 5) and Rollingstone Magazine gave it a 4 star rating. From what has been written about this album it appears that this band continually redefines itself and many folks are saying there is no other band out today like them.The most popular downloaded song from this album is “Dancing Choose.” From the 30 second preview, it sounds pretty good. I myself need to give them a few more turns and then maybe it will click.
Speaking of Rolling Stone Magazine- did you see who is on the cover this week? That’s right Metallica– (you knew I was going to get them in again on the update) and the article is very cool. Pick it up at a newsstand near you.
I am so bummed I missed Weezer at the Garden this week- I heard the show was top notch- Have you picked up the Red album yet? What are you waiting for? “The Angel and The One” is such a phenomenal song. Buy it now!!!
Did you hear the nice story of how the band, Rush, made someone’s wish come true. With the help of the Make A Wish Foundation, a 16-year old girl from Georgia who has been diagnosed with cancer, was able to meet her favorite band, backstage at a July 20 show in Charlotte, N.C. The one song performed “Hope” really touched her and her cancer is now in remission. I applaud the boys from Rush-nice job!!
Been listening a lot to Tom Petty lately and my favorite song of the week is “Ankle Deep” from his Highway Companion CD. This album has pretty much gone un-noticed (but not by his fan base) because there really is no outlet on the radio for this. Funny how things are- you can’t find a way to play greatness on the air but a lot of crap gets airtime.
Chris Cornell is getting a lot of heat for teaming up with the hottest producer these days, Timbaland, and he is putting out a new album, Scream, on Nov. 4. It is a dramatic change for the former lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave and the reaction has been vile. Hey calm down already give it a chance. I give him credit for trying something else. He has also co-written David Cook’s first single to be released- “Light On.” It’s his “pop” side. Ease up people.
The Kings of Leon have new album out- “Only By the Night”- and it has received an average rating of 4 stars from I-Tune listeners. “Use Somebody” seems to be the most popular download.
My favorite “old school” song of the week is “I Write The Songs” by Barry Manilow. Yes there I said it- Barry Manilow. Now don’t give me any grief- you know there is at least one song by him that you love. I actually have many of his songs in my music library and am not ashamed to admit it. This guy has his place in music history and it can’t be denied.
My other “old school” song of the week is the freaking phenomenal “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home” by Grand Funk Railroad. My boys run out of the room when they hear it because they can not stand how long the song is but I love it, especially the sound of the ocean and the way it slows down. “Am I in my cabin dreaming…” C’mon top this song? “I’m getting closer to my home…” Very underrated band and it annoys me to no end. These guys in their prime were “the bomb.”
Akon has a new single “Right Now (Na Na Na) and I have to say I like it. Should be a hit real soon.
Kenny Chesney has released a new single “Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to Be” and I like this one as well.
Kayne West is taking a lot of criticism from I-Tune listeners on the release of his new single “Love Lockdown.” It has only received an average rating of 3.5 stars from almost 2,000 reviews. Not good for the self proclaimed best rapper out today.
“Do What You Do” is the hard rocking single released by Mudvayne this week. Sounds real good, check it out!!
Ok this week’s I-Tune shuffle landed on “Another Rainy Night (Without You)” by Queensryche from their 1990 release of “Empire.” So you know I had to go back and listen to the whole album and what a classic it is. Now I know many Queensryche fans will state that “Operation Mindcrime” is their best and I acknowledge the greatness of that album but for me- “Empire” is my favorite of the boys from Bellvue, Washington. Don’t kid yourself about this band- they have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, including over 11 million in the U.S. Now Empire was their fifth studio album and sold over 3 million in the U.S.- aided by the ballad “Silent Lucidity” which was backed by a full orchestra.
Empire starts off with “Best I Can” and I remember when I first heard this song- I was immediately hooked. Now I know for some out there- Geoff Tate’s vocals may be an acquired taste- but again for me he shines brightly on this song and the whole album for that matter. The song was written by the now departed Chris DeGarmo, lead guitarist, and it has his style all over it. It is a driving song that is kept rolling along by the drumming of Scott Rockenfield (how cool is his last name?). Track # 2 is the great “Thin Line.”“Another hungry look in her eyes again… skin tight leather…” This song has it all- soft parts, rocking parts and great vocals. Eddie Jackson’s bass work really stands out on this song. The arrangement on this song is very strong and you will be “air-guitaring” throughout. Track # 3 is one of the more recognizable songs that they have ever done- “Jet City Woman” – c’mon you can’t tell me you don’t like this song? It’s blasting right now and you guessed it- my wife is telling me to turn it down. “Waiting so long I can’t wait another day without you…” I love it when Tate screeches “all along thinking about you..” Listen to this song with a good set of headphones and you will be off on a cloud. Again the arrangement is so good on this song; it compliments Tate’s vocal range. Three songs and 15 minutes go by in a breeze and then it’s on to the aforementioned “Rainy Night.” This album is full of songs that are soft and then gradually builds into a powerful force of sound. This song is the epitomy of what I am talking about. You won’t be able to get the chorus out of your head “I’m all alone and its another rainy night without you…” Side 1 ends with the title track and this song rocks!! This band is known for its socially conscious lyrics and on this song it speaks to how much money the U.S. government spent on space exploration as opposed to putting the money to law enforcement. “Can you feel it calling.. EMPIRE!!..”
Side two starts off with another hard charging song- “Resistance” and this is one of my favorites on the disc. Take a listen to the guitar solo on this song, it is really good and again you will not be able to get the chorus out of your head. This is a perfect song when you are traveling in your car- you know those driving songs, right? Then, the often-criticized “Silent Lucidity” begins and I have to tell you I could never understand why so many do not like this song. Every time I hear the song, I stop what I’m doing and just listen. The arrangement is beautiful and Tate’s vocals blend in perfectly. Hey it was the late 1980’s and every rock band had a ballad, so why all the grief for them on this song? I like it, always have-always will. Track # 3 on side two is my favorite track-“Hand on Heart”- and again Eddie’s bass work shines through. I have always pictured myself being up on stage lip-synching this song as I wish I could sing the song the way Geoff does. His passion bleeds through on this song and the guitar solo is the icing on the cake. “One and Only” is a progessive song that changes styles throughout. The album ends with the epic journey- “Anybody Listening?” Listen to the lyrics-very deep- and if I had to pick a song that symbolizes this band- this is it. The song has many soft parts that ascend into a solid wall of sound.
This album is not “metal” by any means- that is how it is listed on I-Tunes, please do not be scared to give this album a chance. There are some heavy parts but overall this is a sing-along album and something you will find yourself playing over and over again-like I did. These guys don’t get the credit that they deserve- you don’t sell 20 million records- and not have a fan base. They are still going strong today and will be at a theater near you in the near future. I know my brother will be there as this band has to rank in his top 10 bands of all time. Rock on people!!!
If you were born on this day you share a birthday with Olivia Newton John.
Back on this day in 1970, Motown Records announced that in just nine months their new act, The Jackson 5, had sold 10 million records.
And sadly back on this day in 2003, Robert Palmer passed away at the very young age of 54. I know you have something from him in your music library, how can you not?
Errols Weekly Music Update. 