Bowling for Soup's eleventh studio album 'Fishin' for Woos' is maybe there best in years. After being dropped from Jive Records after their last major label release, 2009's 'Sorry for Partyin',' the band took the independent route so that they could focus on what they wanted to do as a band and release they music they wanted to as frequently as they want. This and more is shown with Fishin' for Woos. The band does not focus as much on studio magic like their previous two albums ('Sorry for Partyin'' and 2006's 'The Great Burrito Extortion Case'), and instead is more like the band's 2002-2004 sound. Many fans of BFS's trademark sound will love the album, and new fans will enjoy it just the same. The album features catchy songs like "Here's Your Freakin' Song," co-written by frontman Jaret Reddick and frequent collaborator, songwriter/producer Linus of Hollywood, as well as having guest apperances like Gabirel Mann (of the band The Rescues) on the ballad "Turbulence," and Kay Hanley (of the bands Letters to Cleo and Palmdale) on "I've Never Done Anything Like This." The album also features the first recorded version of fan-favorite "Guard My Heart," written by bassist Erik Chandler for the HBO movie 'Sardines.' Altogether, the album is fantastic vocally, musically, and lyrically; one of their best since 2004's 'A Hangover You Don't Deserve.'
Tracks to check out: (Well, all of them!) "Here's Your Freakin' Song," "Smiley Face (It's All Good)," and "I've Never Done Anything Like This"
We Are the Fallen, consisting of former Evanescence members Ben Moody, John LeCompt, and Rocky Gray, seasoned bassist Marty O'Brien (Static-X, Disturbed, Tommy Lee, Kelly Clarkson), and American Idol season 7 finalist Carly Smithson, released their debut album "Tear the World Down" May 11th to rave reviews. Gaining mass media attention for the combination of former Evanescence members teaming up with a vocalist from American Idol fame, "Tear the World" down has reached the top 40 on five U.S. charts, four of which are top 20, an two of those are even top ten spots.
The album itself combines Moody's trademark "wall of sound" guitar playing and deep lyrics with the soul of Irish rocker Smithson's epic vocals. Mainstream music fans will go crazy for tracks like lead single "Bury Me Alive" and "Without You." The whole album is fantastic, but other great tracks to check out are "Through Hell" and "St. John."
We Are the Fallen is taking the world by storm after being a band for only about a year and we are far from done hearing from this talented group of musicans for some time to come.
The third Case Closed movie, The Last Wizard of the Century, contiunes Case Closed's trend of not disappointing. Voice actor/writer Eric Vale is head writer of the film and Vale was also head writer for the entire 5th season of the english adaptation, so fans of the show's 5th season should be excited. The film captivates viewers with its mystery and voice acting, pitting Conan against his rival The Phantom Thief Kid, as well as trying to keep his secret from being revealed! These reasons and more make Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century a must have for Case Closed fans!
What's great about it: It's a great mystery and it's also a crossover!
Bowling for Soup does it again with their tenth release, Sorry for Partyin'. Their tenth release in their fifteen years of being a band, and there are no disappointments. Still complete with the lyrics and hilarity BFS fans have come to know and love, but at the same time, brand new. Lead singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jaret Reddick, and producer/songwriter, Linus of Hollywood man the album at the producer helm, being the group's first album not produced by Butch Walker since 2000's Let's Do It for Johnny! The duo are responsible for some of the more humorous tunes on the album, such as, "A Really Cool Dance Song," No Hablo Inglés," My Wena," and "Hooray for Beer." Other collaborators and musicians include: frequent BFS collaborator Zac Maloy, Nerf Herder's Parry Gripp, All's Scott Reynolds, and more. This album will please any BFS fan and others. All I have to say is thank you Jaret, Erik, Chris, and Gary for making your tenth release another great one.
What's great about it: Everything, really. I'm very happy with it.
What's not so great: I wish the CD were longer so I could have even more!