Hollywood Undead "American Tragedy"

     Not only is this band is not only able to maintain their sense of humor, but come back stronger than ever. They say through suffering can great inspiration and ideas come alive. This is far from a sophomore slump, and is proof that the band can easily replace the likes of Limp Bizkit and 30H3. You may laugh at this notion because that may not be saying much to most people, but I don’t know who else to compare them to, and I can’t really compare them to Faith No More. It would be an American Tragedy if this band, or their album did not receive the recognition they deserve; a little too dramatic? Absolutely so. They still party, but their sound is a little more serious and filled with more emotion. If you have "Been To Hell" you would understand why they open the album ready to bust some balls and grab the devil by the horns. It has the voracious power and anger that could only be replicated by someone undead. These guys do not have to “Apologize” for making a song as addictive or fun as this; this is one of their poppiest songs that could have a lot of success on the radio, or should, due to the chorus full of clean vocals and its saccharine rhythm and hook. “But we can harmonize/ Even if we sound like s***.”                                                                                               Even the next song is “Comin’ in Hot.” It is definitely a party song; full of auto tune, drinking, references to a certain appendage, and girls. So the subject matter is not very different from a majority of rap artists played on mainstream radio, and that is why it would succeed. It is another hooky ode to the power of “party juice” and its many varieties; 30H3 and Toby Keith come to mind when I hear this song. A word of advice; avoid becoming a c***block, because they have ways of making you wish you hadn’t. From the first somber notes played on the piano you know this song is going to attempt pledging empathy. The majority of the human population, that aren’t suffering in some way, proclaim “I Don’t Wanna Die.”   The clean vocals of Danny succeeds at attaining empathy, and the verses by Charlie Scene and J3T are a suitable match; both are filled with emotion and imagery that would form a short film in your mind. If you cannot “Hear Me Now” then you will miss out on one of their most distinctive and thrilling songs cut to tape. It’s like a short trip into a gangster’s paradise thrown in an existential filter +44 more (especially the synths) attached to slow moving rhythm and a chorus that will stick in your head like gum on your knees after praying on the ground; it is a shame that the lyrics might be missed because of what the instrumentals offer.  “Gangsta Sexy” borrows half of the instrumental accompaniment to I saw the sun for the majority of the song; it is a definite attribute, and the lyrics can be pretty funny as well.                                                                                                               This song is almost like a simulation of what a collaboration between Linkin Park and Pitbull would sound like; with a sound that the latter would feel comfortable in being a part of the “Glory.” “The men of treason are the ones who live/They'll take what you got, what you got to give/Then pyre, a trial by fire “ may be some of the strongest lines, but you cannot help but notice their reference to making a deal with someone you know “That deal is forever; as long as you breathe.” “Lights Out” is like a lyrical boxing match, one-sided, with plenty of jabs at someone who believes he is too great to even show up, “What kind of sane person drops his own name/What kind of sane person boos his own band off stage,” or even give the crowd credit for making his name? The first single from the record had the listener “Coming Back Down” from a high, as they wait for someone special to return from the sky, this feeling you might experience can possibly make you cry, and no, listening to it will not make you wish to die. The next song’s combination of instrumentals and lyrics are pretty ironic though; you would believe the song is so happy if you did not pay attention to the lyrics. Johny 3 Tear’s daughter sings the last verse in the song, and is so cute that you forget the subject matter and decide to place that “Bullet” somewhere else.                                                               This song may not make you “Levitate” as promised, but the song will have you singing that slightly whiny/shouted chorus as you listen to a different rendition of  Usher’s ode to DJ Cupid. “What's life inside a bottle if it's gone?” Maybe that’s why Danny sings “Pour Me” to write a better song, a second chance, and there’s nothing wrong. It’s sad when someone runs to the bottle this long.                                                           Their lyrics have “Tendencies” to get a little violent, but then it wouldn’t be the same without that fire every now and then. Danny sounds like Chester Bennington as he stares “Mother Murder” in the eyes, but in actuality it is Charlie Scene who unravels a tale of deceit: “I have nothing to give, so I gave you my life!/ Didn't want to see me live, so you gave me your knife/Didn't hear you as you tiptoed coming from behind./You took away my kids, so I guess you killed me twice.” You may have heard this all before, but the instrumentals are given with such vivacity that you’ll be dancing to it before you “Lump Ya Head.”  “Le Deux” is an anthem for the purveyor of the drunken one night stand, and after listening to this song and its technorgans might give you the urge to Smash it up! The final bonus track sounds like it is an epilogue to a concept album about judgement day and the last words of an atheist  ccompanied by soaring strings, piano, and the grandiosity of FFTL, Chiodos, and/or Circa Survive; the guitar at the end of the song really improves the ending of “S.C.A.V.A.” 

Chris Brown "Fortune"

     Only a year and several months after we hear an album documenting Chris’s struggle with F.A.M.E., we are graced with another record that we have the (good or bad) Fortune to listen to. He has been getting better with age, as his last two records were a sonic improvement over his first two.                                         “What is that Brown kid talking about in his first song? Could you 'Turn Up The Music' please?” Yeah, I’ll absolutely “turn it up louder.” At first, I thought the song was just ok, but after listening to it more it grew on me. If you like dub-step, you might like the production of this next song, and I’m sure girls like more than just your “Bassline” Chris; the lyrics could not be more aware of this fact. "Til I Die" would be classified as a party anthem, and while his last record had two fantastic double features that were both singles as well, this one isn’t as good;  respect to Big Sean and Wiz though.                                                                                 Brown thinks he’s a well sex-sperienced rasta, and Nas is actually in the song; it’s not a “Mirage.” It could refer to the attraction that is bestowed on the famous and the fake love. I do not like the things he has done, but I will still give him another chance because no one is perfect. I can say “Don’t Judge Me,” but chances are you still will; regardless, I will not return the favor because that is who I am. December 21, “2012” is the year we were supposed to perish, and guess what C Breezy is planning to do before that fateful day? Hint: you don’t have to do it in a bed, but that is the first place people usually think to do it. I’m sure his “Biggest Fan” would love to go as deep as they do in the previous song. The beat sounds pretty confident it can make “Sweet Love” the listener, but three songs in a row? C’mon Chris! For those who prefer to avoid sex, and watch the girl “Strip” then this song is for you, but you know what happens next? Kevin McCall drops a pretty good verse. I’m “Stuck on Stupid” because this is one of the best songs I’ve heard from Chris in the second half so far. I can say this sounds like it could have been written by Chris at “4 Years Old,” but I refuse to because this is another song that focuses on something other than sex; I can feel the sentiment, and he has everything he could want, but not what he needs. The first part of “Party Hard/Cadillac (Interlude)” sounds classier than some of his other songs concerning this subject (and the lyrics are not as explicit), while the short barbershop quartet-esque interlude is a nice touch, even when it follows suit. Another song whose subject is not sex, and the production values are pretty high? “Don’t Wake Me Up” because this sounds too good to be true. Anybody happen to think of tribal rain boots when they hear that beat? I love the whole production of this song, even the slight jazzy “Trumpet Lights.”                                    The album would be over if there was not a deluxe edition, and for those desperate to hear all of his songs you might wanna “Tell Somebody” you know. The first bonus track is not bad, but more ammo for the misogynist.  “Remember My Name” can be classified as a dream sequence speckled with some dub-step, and an arpeggio that recalls the classic deuces. The production and hook in “Wait For You” have to be one of my favorites, and most distinctive out of the bonus tracks. The album was good, but I would have liked a longer gap between releases. I’m sure he could have written some better songs if he took more time, and usually I can ignore some of the lyrics if it has a good accompaniment, but there were just too many songs about fornication to be honest. Favorites: Turn Up The Music, Bassline, Mirage, Don’t Judge Me, Stuck On Stupid, Party Hard/Cadillac (Interlude), Don’t Wake Me Up, and Trumpet Lights. Bonus Tracks: Remember My Name, Wait For You, and Touch Me.

fun "Some Nights"

       If your music goes by this name, it had better be fun! The music lives up to its name, and we all know that Some Nights are better than others. The sophomore effort is not better than the debut, just different; it sounds more influenced by hip hop. The Queen-influenced introspective opener to the title track may keep captivate you in disbelief; while the title track itself is a call to arms, for those musicians a decade deep or longer, and feeling like it was all for naught. The percussive intro to “We Are Young” fades into that bombastic chorus; almost giving you an empire state of mind.  Like all resilient souls they “Carry On” because “It Gets Better.” The solo in the former has to be my favorite part of the song, or the reverb towards the end; let’s make it the final thirty seconds. The latter sticks out as a sign of the times, yet does not sound like a hit on the radio. It’s a great song, but it may be too odd: drum-machine and auto-tune mixed with a little Plus 44 and Blink 182.                                                                                                                             “Why Am I The One” is for the troubadour looking for some substance “cause my life’s become as vapid as a night out in Los Angeles/and I just want to stay in bed, and hold you like I used to, but always.” This is where it becomes more apparent that he might be looking for a different line of work; every dream has its price. Am I “All Alone” in thinking that hip-hop beats sound great with neo-classical synth? Or am I the only one seeing the halo over Ruess’ head? It’s “All Alright.” “Stars” is a fitting finish, with an orchestra and choir, but I think he takes too much liberty with all the autotune; that is what makes it oddly endearing and brings the empathy forward.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Hoobastank "Fight or Flight"

  My favorite album was when they were actually under a different spelling, before they had a stylistic change to be signed to the major label. Their most popular album would have to be their second, and The Reason for that was understandable. I prefer Every Man for Himself for its little experiments and well-crafted anthems such as born to lead and first of me. We knew that their forth would fornever be their last, and in that moment of adrenaline arises Fight or Flight.  Let’s say they choose to come out swinging! I had higher expectations for their previous outing because of their third; there were some songs that experimented, but it didn’t sound like it. Don’t get me wrong I did like the album, just not as much as I would have expected.             “This Is Gonna Hurt” if you were expecting a song much more aggressive sonically; the hook is a fighter, and you may find yourself singing it soon enough. While “You Before Me” is practically the main rule for a relationship in a song. “The Fallen” may not sound like something new, but there is an added dimension present that cannot be identified. I’m not even talking about the lyrics; they seem to hold more weight, and may have caused the descent into this hole he digs himself in. Their muse may have enlightened their creativity, but they still have “No Destination.” On to Sparta, then!                                                                  This may be cliché, but these statements and sentiments are overused because they are true! Sometimes you just need to “Slow Down” so you can actually live your life. Not working to be able to enjoy it later on. This relationship sounds like such a “No Win Situation,” which has served as inspiration for hit songs from the likes of U2 to N’Sync. It is unfortunate that such a good song has to come from a dark place. The sentiment to “Sing What You Can’t Say” is still as relevant now in time of subtweets, tweet in general, facebook posts, and text messages, because music has a way of expressing emotion that words often falter. “Magnolia” would have to be one of my favorites; what I would call their “twilight moment.”                               Hoobastank sound so upbeat, it is odd because they’re “Incomplete.” They fare real well as a trio, but to be serious it is about finding that final piece of the puzzle that makes life…you know where this is going. It would also be redundant to mention “better half,” but it seems like I already have. We know the worth of pictures, even though there are those pictures where not even one word comes to mind. Anyways, this song is “A Thousand Words” because actions often speak louder than those. Favorites: This is Gonna Hurt, The Fallen, No Destination (Fight or Flight), Slow Down, Magnolia, and Incomplete.