Recharged - Linkin Park

The excitement I'm currently experiencing is pretty fantastic; getting to review new Linkin Park, remix album or not, is something I've been looking forward to since I started my blog. While it isn't a studio album, which hopefully there will be one next year, it still includes a brand new song, and a slew of fantastic remixes from their last studio album, Living Things. This is the second remix album they've done, with Reanimation in 2002 containing remixes of songs from their first album, Hybrid Theory.

All of the songs but "A Light That Never Comes" are remixes, and so I thought to talk about the original song first before getting into the others. This song has a big dance vibe, due mainly to the collaboration with Steve Aoki, who is a rising DJ. While some fans may complain about the band "going mainstream", remember that this song, and the entire album, is geared towards remixes, which nowadays are mainly dance and EDM oriented. A driving beat really pushes this song, overlaid with some gritty and smooth synths, Mike's raps, and Chester's vocals. It also stays away from the more expected dubstep sounds, and sticks to a club anthem type of vibe. This may sound weird for Linkin Park, but they are always dying to try out new and exciting sounds, and incorporate them into their repertoire. This song does not mean that they are going to become a dance/EDM group, but that it might show up within their ever evolving sound.

Now, the remixes. There's a wide variety of sounds within the songs, and it makes for some great contrasts as you listen through the album. There's a few guest spots from some great rappers, such as Pusha T, Bun B, Cody B. Ware, and Ryu, some of whom I've heard before and some I haven't. They all had good features on their respective songs, and brought a hip-hop element to a dance heavy crowd. "I'll Be Gone (Vice Remix)" was a great example of this, taking a rock-based song and giving it a some serious rap vibes. It worked fantastically, with not only Pusha T providing some great rhymes, but Mike writing a new rap for the song as well, which came off as hard and aggressive, something he does very well. The booming kick drum and the tight-hitting drums helped to complete the hip-hop orientation. "Roads Untraveled (Rad Omen Remix)" did this partially, keeping the more emotional drive that the original version contained, but adding some dance and hip-hop vibes to create an entirely new feel for  the song, especially in the chorus, where Chester's vocals are interwoven with huge hitting sounds and thumping drums. Bun B, a rapper I had never heard of before, fit perfectly on the track, throwing lines down as the song shifted into a true hip-hop nature. The crowning jewel of the songs with guest artists, however, has to go to the "Skin To Bone (Nick Catchdubs Remix)" which takes one of the most different sounding songs on the original album and turning it into a fast-hitting, insanely catchy track that incorporates some wobbly synths and electronic distortion. The raps are the centerpiece of the song, starting with Cody B. Ware's opening rhymes, building in intensity with Ryu's, and ending with another new set of rhymes from Mike. I've heard Ryu before from Fort Minor, and Mike's rap further revealed his mastery over words and his ability to come up with fantastic lines.

While these songs were heavy on the hip-hop, most of the others leaned more towards the dance and dubstep areas. "Lost In The Echo (Killsonik Remix)", for example, throws in some epic and grinding dubstep wobbles that make me excited every time I listen. The drop is so in your face and unexpected, and I absolutely love it. It's a great fit, and matches the intensity of the original song. The beauty is that it repeats the drop again in the song, letting the listener enjoy the awesomeness of it again. This and the "Until It Breaks (Datsik Remix)" are really the only two that venture into dubstep, with the later not nearly as obviously wobble oriented as the former. The wobbles in "Until It Breaks" are not so in your face, but still add to the intensity of the song. Another song that delves into dubstep influences is the "Lies Greed Misery (Dirtyphonics Remix)", which gets gritty, loud, and picks up the pace. It has some fantastic moments, especially during the second drop, where the beat switches to half time but the synths continue at the same rate, creating a syncopation that gets me every single time; I can't get enough of it. Chester's screams also are incorporated very well into this remix, fitting the face-melting vibe given off by the monstrous synths.

Dubstep does not dominate, however; the dancing vibes are prominent throughout the album. Songs like "Burn It Down (Tom Swoon Remix)", "Powerless (Enferno Remix)", and "I'll Be Gone (Schoolboy Remix)" all could be played at clubs and raves and fit right in."Burn It Down" had a dance/pop feel to begin with, the the transition to dance was no big surprise. It works really well, with the existing synth lines making great hooks, and Chester's vocals working perfectly with the mood. "Powerless" was a surprising twist, going from a more somber and moody tune to an upbeat and almost cheery song. The high-soaring synths, steady beats, and driving nature turned this song into a huge and epic sounding song. "I'll Be Gone" was remixed again, but this time with a dance flare. The pulsing beat and distorted synths give it a lighter feel, but it is still able to retain a bit of darkness that the original contained. Now, while these remixes were well done, I personally felt that they were a bit lackluster. They were't bad, but I preferred some of the other remixes on the album.

As I mentioned earlier, Mike contributed a few new raps for some of the songs; that wasn't all he did for the album thought. He also remixed two songs himself, being "Castle Of Glass" and "Victimized". Both were very different songs to begin with, and became even more different after being remixed. "Castle Of Glass" took on a dance vibe, with a lot more synths and electronic drums leading the way. The song ebbs and flows, with moments of pausing and moments of building into epic, pulsating sounds. "Victimized", on the other hand, became even more intense than the original, thanks to huge, booming beats and an even faster tempo. There is an immense presence of sounds on this song, creating an in your face feel.  Chester's screams from the original song integrates very well with this mix of sounds as well, feeding the intensity even more.

Lastly, there's two more remixes that were, interesting, to say the least. One of them, "Until It Breaks (Money Mark Headphone Remix)", was a collection of weird and odd sounds that worked much better than I would have thought. It goes from moments of heavy electronic influence to a classic rock sound, to even a western sound that works, surprisingly. It wasn't my favorite track, but makes for an interesting listening experience for sure. The last song on the album is "A Light That Never Comes (Rick Rubin Reboot)", which just didn't do it for me. It comepletely changes from the original, taking on a tribal beat in the beginning that is mixed with a little bass guitar and some piano chords. It doesn't have the same intensity that the original had, and I think that is where it lost it for me. It wasn't bad, but just not the best.

All in all, I was very excited for this album, and was not disappointed. There was a lot of really well done remixes, and gave fans something to listen to while they wait for the next studio album. 4.5/5

Track-list:
A Light That Never Comes (feat Steve Aoki) - 3:49 (5/5)
Castle Of Glass (Mike Shinoda Remix) - 6:20 (5/5)
Lost In The Echo (Killsonik Remix) - 5:09 (5/5)
Victimized (Mike Shinoda Remix)  - 3:00 (5/5)
I'll Be Gone (Vice Remix) [feat. Pusha T] - 4:01 (5/5)
Lies Greed Misery (Dirtyphonics Remix) - 4:51 (5/5)
Roads Untraveled (Rad Omen Remix) [feat Bun B] - 5:28 (5/5)
Powerless (Enferno Remix) - 6:08 (4/5)
Burn It Down (Tom Swoon Remix) - 4:46 (4/5)
Until It Breaks (Datsik Remix) - 6:01 (4/5)
Skin To Bone (Nick Catchdubs Remix) [feat. Cody B. Ware & Ryu] -3:54 (5/5)
I'll Be Gone (Schoolboy Remix) - 6:12 (4/5)
Until It Breaks (Money Mark Headphone Remix) - 4:30 (4/5)
A Light That Never Comes (Rick Rubin Reboot) - 4:40 (4/5)

Five Song Friday - November 1st

This week has been exciting in music, thanks to a new (sorta) release from Linkin Park, which is my favorite band. So look for a few songs from them, another new release, and some of that pop-punk kick I've been on recently...

1. Pawner/Killin It - Polar Bear Club
   This is technically two separate songs, but they flow together so well that I had to include both. These guys are a pop-punk group, but not as intense and fast-paced as other groups. These two songs especially exemplify this, with "Pawner" being a more extended intro that builds gradually into "Killin It". Both have a similar feel and sound, but they also have their differences, creating a great listening experience when played together. "Pawner" feels more drawn out, while "Killin It" has more grit and packs a bigger punch. I really enjoy this group, as they offer a different sort of sound within the pop-punk family tree. 5/5 
2. Lost In The Echo (Killsonik Remix) - Linkin Park
   The original version of this song was one of my favorites off of the album, embodying the true nature of Linkin Park while embracing new and exciting sounds. It was also one of the more intense songs, and this remix brings that intensity to an entirely new level. Now, some people are going to complain about the presence of dubstep, but I think it fits the feel of this song perfectly. Also, it's a REMIX album. Remixes nowadays are usually dance/dubstep oriented, and so this is expected. But the drop that Killsonik adds is insane; I was caught off guard when I first listened, and have been listening again and again because it's simply so good. This is definitely one of my favorites off of Recharged, the new remix album from the band, and I am excited for the next studio album they put out. 5/5
3. Skin To Bone (Nick Catchdubs Remix) [feat. Cody B. Ware & Ryu] - Linkin Park
   Now, this song was an unexpected addition to the remix album, but was easily one of my favorites. The reworking to make it a hip-hop oriented song, and the addition of rappers made it a completely different song. It's much more intense than the original, and gets the listener pumped. Having Ryu as a guest rapper was a pleasant surprise as well, since he was such a big part of Fort Minor, and his hinting at another album from Mike Shinoda's side project makes me very excited and hopeful. I also very much enjoyed Mike's new rap on the song, which continues to reveal his lyrical mastery and aggressive rapping nature. 5/5
4. Late Nights In My Car - Real Friends
   I am completely hooked on these boys. They have such a raw and honest sound, it's addicting and refreshing. They aren't looking for a polished and primed sound, but just making music that they love and that is true to them. It makes for awesome songs, like this song. It has angst, heartbreak, and self-evaluation. Line's like "If you never break, you'll never know how to put yourself back together" stick in the listeners minds as clever and impressive. I keep delving more and more into this group and love every bit of it. 5/5
5. It's About Time - Young The Giant
   This song is aptly titled. Being over 3 years since their last album, Young The Giant made a solid impression on fans when they first debuted. Now, they've announced their signing to Fueled By Ramen and their sophomore album coming out early next year. While it's a bit odd that they're signing with this particular label, I'm just glad that they're putting out new music. If this lead single is any indication of the direction of their upcoming album, then I'm very excited. It retains their essence, but displays it in a new package. With a bit more edge and a lot of energy, it reveals a maturing since the last record. Their vocalist, Sameer Gadhia, has a very unique voice, and is one of my favorite aspects of the group. With a driving sound and great energy, this song brings the band back into the spotlight, and excitement to fans who have been waiting. 5/5

Playlist - Halloween

Happy Halloween! I'm sure you are all out having fun and being safe on this spooky holiday. If you're looking for some haunting tunes to play at whatever Halloween bash you've got going, then I hope this list can get you started! Enjoy all the candy!

1. True Blood - Justin Timberlake
2. Thriller - Michael Jackson
3. Forever Halloween - The Maine
4. Highway To Hell - AC/DC
5. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
6. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers
7. Runnin' With The Devil - Van Halen
8. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
9. Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo
10. This Is Halloween - Marilyn Manson

Now, some of these songs might be ones you'd expect, and others, maybe not so much. Classics like Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash" have been staples at Halloween parties for years now, and are only expected. Others that's I've chosen, such as Justin Timberlake's "True Blood" and The Maine's "Forever Halloween", are newcomers to the Halloween scene, but I think belong on a well made Halloween mix. "True Blood", off of Justin Timberlake's excellent latest release, The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2, channels the spirit of Thriller and combining it with modern sounds and "horror-filled" lyrics. With a solid beat, howling wolves, and Justin Timberlake's voice, this will surely be a hit at a party. "Forever Halloween", the title track from The Maine's most recent album, takes on a more emotional and slower approach to Halloween. While this may not be a pump up jam, it works as an eerie and soulful slow dance tune that builds from acoustic guitar and piano to crashing drums and John O'Callaghan soaring high vocally. The majority of these songs are older, drawing mainly from the 70's/80's eras with the likes of AC/DC, Van Halen, and Stevie Wonder, which are sure to be crowd pleasers. Oingo Boingo, of the same era but not quite as acclaimed, have some great party tunes, with "Dead Man's Party" appropriately fitting the description, and will make listeners laugh and nod their heads along. Another favorite will be the Ghostbusters theme, as performed by Ray Parker Jr. This theme song is not only from a fantastic 80's film, but sure to get a sing-a-long started and good times ensuing. The last addition to this list is a bit of an oddity, but necessary for this time of year. Performing a cover from the classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas", Marilyn Manson comes through to create an edgy and thrilling version of this song. It will bring back memories for many folks, and add some rock to your shindig. 

I hope this adds a few tunes to the playlists you guys have going for whatever event you're throwing or attending, and if you're not doing anything, then play these songs and have a great, safe night. Happy Halloween!

Concert Review - Anberlin, The Maine, Lydia, and From Indian Lakes

It's been a few weeks, but I wanted to share my thoughts about this show that I went to. It was by far one of the best concert experiences I've had overall, and it was an absolute blast. The line-up was near perfect, the venue was awesome, and the crowd was great, for the most part. I will remember it as one of my favorites, that is for sure.

First off, let me start with the venue. It was at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA, which is not what you expect in the slightest. I was anticipating a somewhat shabby place in a sketchy downtown area, but instead found a modern building at the edge of an upscale business park. It also had free parking, which is always welcome, (since most places charge $10-$20), and the parking was right by the venue was well. The inside of the venue was fantastic as well. It was very modern, with some simple yet interesting architecture. The layout was awesome, with 5 different levels of viewing areas on the first floor alone, and a balcony level as well. Each level was different enough in height that you could clearly see the stage from each one, and there was plenty of room. The show was sold out, but the spaciousness of the venue made it feel not so crowded. My friend and I were on the third level, and ended up having a fantastic view the entire show, especially when the people in front of us left after The Maine, and we had the railing/wall of our level to lean on for Anberlin. It was glorious.

Anyways, the show. So, we got into the place about 15 minutes before showtime, bought some shirts, and made our way into the main concert section to discover that the opening band, From Indian Lakes, was already a song into their set. I never learned why they had to start early, but apparently that was something that happened on other stops during the tour. We found our spot, and started listening to the group, whom neither of us had really heard before. To our surprise, From Indian Lakes was much more than you would expect from an opening band. They knew their songs, they knew their instruments, they had confidence, and they had stage presence. Not to mention that they played some solid songs. I failed to catch the name of their first song, but the remaining songs rocked. They had a variety in sound and intensity, and it was great. Their finishing song, "Till I Can Walk", built up to an incredible finish. Within moments of their set ending, I made my way over to their merch table and picked up their sophomore album, Able Bodies, which I highly recommend.

After a brief stage switching, the next band came on, which was Lydia. I had listened to a few songs beforehand, and liked what I heard, so I had some anticipation. I have to be honest, I just wasn't that impressed. They have a good sound, and they put on a decent show, but it was lackluster. Not only that, but my biggest problem was with their lead singer. He has a very unique voice, which I enjoy, but his mannerism while on stage made their performance a bit of a drag. He was almost like a rapper, constantly moving his hands as he sang, and he kept coming close to the microphone and backing up from it, making it sound as if he was cutting in and out all the time. This grew wearisome quickly, and my friend and I agreed that we wanted the act to be over soon. I have respect for them as musicians, but I think that the singer's way of acting on stage was a big turn-off for me, as well as some of the other audience members.

With a little bit more lengthy stage change, we had to wait for The Maine, but not for long. A large part of the crowd seemed to be waiting for them, for the reaction to the dimming lights was intense. The Maine immediately got into the music, playing through a set list that covered the entirety of their catalog, ranging from their early days till their latest release, Forever Halloween. I had already seen the main once this year, and very much enjoyed their live performance. I was not disappointed this time either. They had a great stage performance, taking time in-between some songs to talk to the crowd and say hello. It was entertaining, most definitely, and showed that they really do care about their fans. I will be honest, I thought some of their song choices were not what I expected, but they were all good songs nonetheless. They brought the lead singer of Lydia back out to do some guest vocals on one song, which wasn't as bad as my friend and I first imagined. One of my favorite things was that they closed their act with "Misery", which I consider to be one of their best songs they've ever done. All in all, I was very pleased with The Maine's performance, and the love and affection they had for their fans.

Finally, after a even more lengthy stage change, the final group hit the stage; Anberlin. Coming out to booming bass and ethereal synths, Anberlin immediately kicked up the intensity level of the night, diving right into one of my favorites of the group, "Paperthin Hymn". They continued with the driving energy, slipping from song to song of crashing drums, roaring guitars, and Stephen Christian screaming and singing his lungs out. About halfway through their set, they slowed things down a bit, switching from their latest single, "City Electric", which was much less intense than the previous songs, to the stripped down and acoustic feeling "Unwinding Cable Car", a favorite among the fans. After that, they picked the pace back up again, and thrilled the crowd until the moment they left the stage. The added amount of smoke also helped create the intense ambiance they were looking for, which I particularly enjoyed. They took some time to talk, but made sure to focus on performing their music, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. They managed to make it a good thing, keeping to the music while not seeming detached. I was incredibly impressed with Christian's vocals, which were exactly on point with how he sounds on all the records. It seems that nowadays, it is increasingly rare to find artists who can truly perform what they record, and so it was refreshing to not be disappointed. I feel like they could have played a song or two more, but besides that, I very much enjoyed their set.

Now, the after concert experience was one of the best I've ever had. My friend and I decided to hang around outside to see if we could meet some of the bands, because we had always wanted to do that, but never had been able to. Even though I ended up waiting a fair amount of time (2 hours or so), I managed to meet all of the members of The Maine and get their latest album signed by them. It was a real honor to meet them, and I was very impressed with their commitment to their fans. They stayed out there 2, 3 hours past the concert to meet with and talk to their fans. It showed their love of their supporters and their humility in not being too big to talk to the people who support them. It was the cherry on top of a fantastic night.

Set-lists:
From Indian Lakes -
(Unknown)
Breaking My Bones
I Don't Know You
Stay Outside
'Till I Can Walk

Lydia -
The Exit
Devil
This Is Twice Now
Best Nights
Knee Deep
(Unknown)
Hospital

The Maine -
Listen To Your Heart
Happy
Kennedy Curse (Extended Outro)
Like We Used To
Waiting For My Sun/Some Days (feat. Lydia)
White Walls
I Must Be Dreaming
Run (Outro)
Don't Stop Now
Into My Arms (Piano Intro)
Love & Drugs
Inside Of You
Girls Do What They Want
Misery

Anberlin -
Paperthin Hymn
We Owe This To Ourselves
The Resistance
Someone Anyone
Breaking
Impossible
City Electric
Unwinding Cable Car
Take Me (As You Find Me)
The Other Side
Feel Good Drag
Self Starter
Godspeed
(Encore)
A Day Late

Five Song Friday - October 25th

This week has been busy, and hectic, but music has found its way to me despite the chaos of the week. This week has been a Pop-Punk sort of week, so that will be apparent with some of my song choices. Check out the tunes, read my thoughts, and see which ones you like. Thanks for reading!

1. Floorboards - Real Friends
   Real Friends. A friend of mine tipped me off to these boys, and I've been getting more and more addicted each day. This group makes some fantastic pop-punk; some honest, down-to-earth music. I discovered I had this song from some free sampler, and have been jamming it as much as I can. I love the rawness of their lead singer, Dan Lambton, and his lyrics are very revealing and personal. These guys have the same sort of vibe as Relient K did in its earlier days, and I absolutely love that. It's upbeat, it's driving, and it rocks. Definitely excited to explore more of their music soon. 5/5
2. Hostage - Dangerkids
   I cannot help but hear early Linkin Park when I listen to these guys, which by no means is a bad thing. I love that they're so heavily influenced by my favorite band, and it attracts me to them even more. This song in particular does a great job of balancing hopelessness and hope within the same song. It's high moments lift you up, and the low moments remind you that everything isn't always great. Their lyrics are fantastic, in my opinion, and are revealing while sending a positive message to their listeners in hopes to build them up. That is a common thread amongst hardcore/metal bands today, and I think it is a trend that is forcing people to rethink their preconceived ideas of this genre. 5/5
3. Hard To Please - State Champs
   This is another pop-punk band that I have been listening to more and more lately, and slowly getting hooked. This song in particular is my favorite so far, with the line "maybe I'm a bad person" showing a willingness to accept imperfections, which is fantastic lyrical honest. The song itself is very catchy, with an upbeat nature of crashing drums and gritty guitars going through great riffs while their lead singer sings and yells his heart out. It's very personal feeling music, and it's what I love about it. 5/5
4. Saturday - Fall Out Boy
   I know this is a little old-school compared to the rest of the songs, but it fits well with the pop-punk thing I've got going on. This is Fall Out Boy in their early days, which I think is nice to listen to sometimes. I love their newest album, with it's variety of influences and sounds, but this early stuff is good as well. I hadn't really heard this song until I went and saw them live, for they closed with this tune. I can see how these guys influenced the pop-punk scene, and how they set standards with this first album. It's cool to see the roots of bands that have evolved in sound over time. 5/5
5. A Love Like War (feat. Vic Fuentes) - All Time Low
   All Time Low has been constantly putting out solid records the last few years, and I always keep an eye on their latest releases. This song, off the bonus version of their newest record, Don't Panic, is one of my favorites from the group that I've heard in a while. It has that more lighthearted nature they have perfected, but it also hits heavier than anything I've heard from them. It features guest vocals from Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil, who I think complements the band well with his higher range and selected screams here and there. The guitar really leads this song, with some sweet riffs and chords driving over clapping beats and then pounding drums. I very highly recommend it if you like Yellowcard, Tonight Alive, or The Wonder Years. 4/5

Devotion - Anberlin

Now, this won't be a full length review, since this release is essentially a deluxe version of Vital, Anberlin's last album. However, I will say a bit about the songs on the initial release before getting into the songs that have just been added.

I discovered this album more by accident; I have listened to some Anberlin for a few years, but have never been a huge fan. I happened across their latest release, Vital, and slowly fell head over heals for the album. Vital is a true masterpiece, an album that is a fantastic listen from beginning to end. From the explosive guitar and synth-led "Self-Starter" to the epic piano filled closer, "Unstable", Anberlin created an aggressive, passionate, and intense record that the listener becomes immersed in. Songs like the 80's reminiscent ballad "Innocent", and the emotional, marching "God, Drugs, & Sex" provide stark contrast to heavy hitters such as "Little Tyrants", a raging kick that is fueled by roaring guitars and near-scream vocals, and "Desires", which comes directly after "Innocent", which immediately opens into blistering guitars and pounding, crashing drums and contains an intensity that is hard to meet with vocals that soar and shout on the chorus. The album isn't all contrasts, however, and a middle ground is found between calm and storm on songs like "The Other Side" and "Orpheum". "The Other Side" opens and continues with echoing synths that flow between heartfelt verses and raw choruses, and "Orpheum" builds into an epic sound thanks to a resounding piano intro and driving drums that push into choruses of questioning and urgency. Overall, I was incredibly impressed with this initial release, and, especially after seeing them live, was very excited to hear the new additions to the album.

So, for the new songs. There is the same sort of divide found amongst these new tracks as with the rest of the album. At the same time, however, these songs have a different sense to them; you can tell why these were not included in the album, although I'm very glad they decided to release them. Lead single "City Electric" has a much more alternative-pop vibe than anything else on the album, and stands apart because of this. It also has a more happy tone, which is not saying that the rest of the album is depressing or gloomy; it just is much darker than this particular track. Led by a somewhat distorted guitar and steady drums, the positive aspect is due mainly to Stephen Christian's vocals and the gang vocals shouting "oh, oh" repeatedly through the chorus. It's definitely a solid song, revealing the diversity which Anberlin can draw upon in creating music. Another aspect revealed in their songs is their passion for the music and what they're writing about. Some examples of this can be found in songs like "Dead American", "Said Too Much", and "Safe Here". "Dead American" is possibly my favorite of these B-sides, with it's ethereal sound that explodes into fast-paced rock. The lyrics are simple for the chorus, but the repeated nature and that they're screamed out shows their importance. Other spots lyrically caught my attention, such as "don't care about those who you try to impress, hide the demons they're under the dress; you really got them, you think you really got them", which really grabbed me once I listened carefully. "Said Too Much" continues this same urgent nature, with a gritty and low bass line that subtly grabs your attention and draws you closer in as Stephen cries for someone to "stay where I can see you" in a desperate manner. This desperation is further exemplified on the bridge, where he continues to yell and scream increasingly, which is definitely one of my favorite parts of the song. "Safe Here" continues this urgency, opening with a dirty synth line that kicks into high gear with a steady drum beat and Stephen utilizing his vocal diversity with a lower line to build up to the chorus. He gets quite up there, which is always impressive (especially since he can get that high live), and the drums and guitars come together to create ebb and flow within the chorus itself.

Not all of the songs are this intense and gritty, however. The remaining two new songs, "IJSW" and "No Love To Speak" fall more towards the affectionate and gentle side. "No Love To Speak" is a nice transition between the edginess of the previous songs, retaining the faster pace and more full instrumentation, but a newfound tenderness is evident in Stephen's vocals. He brings the urgency that is consistent with the other songs, but also a sense of weariness, specifically found when he says "I'm tired" (which sounds obvious, but the way he says it speaks volumes). This more gentle side is also accentuated by the piano and staccato bell-like synths found throughout, subtle in the background, yet present if given attention. The only song I haven't discussed, "IJSW", is a fitting final song to talk about. It is the most different track out of all the new songs, in direction, instrumentation, and overall sound. Driven by echoing electronic beats, layered synths, and Stephen's voice covered in effects and even auto-tune. This last part is very fitting, given the heavy electronic influence on the song. The usual distorted guitars are replaced by the flowing and clean synth lines, and Stephen's usual aggression and rawness is tuned towards a more gentle and synthesized sound. It all comes together to display the musicality with which Anberlin approaches their work, and the diversity in which they can create music. I very much enjoyed the flowing and digitalized nature of that song, and the contrast it presented to some of the other songs.

I was very impressed with these new songs and B-sides, more so than I think I was for the initial album, which I enjoyed greatly. These additional tracks further reveal the talent and impressive creativity the band members have. I loved listening to all of them, and cannot wait to hear what's next from them.

Overall Ratings:
Vital (Initial Release): 4.5/5
Devotion (New Songs): 5/5

Track-list: (Including Vital songs)
Self Starter - 3:17 (5/5)
Little Tyrants - 3:21 (5/5)
Other Side - 4:06 (5/5)
City Electric - 4:28 (4/5)*
Someone Anyone - 3:30 (5/5)
Unstable - 3:35 (5/5)
Intentions - 3:08 (4/5)
Innocent - 4:18 (5/5)
Dead American - 3:10 (5/5)*
Desires - 3:04 (5/5)
Said Too Much - 3:32 (5/5)*
IJSW - 5:26 (5/5)*
Type Three - 3:57 (4/5)
No Love To Speak - 4:09 (5/5)*
Orpheum - 3:52 (5/5)
Safe Here - 3:41 (5/5)*
Modern Age - 4:12 (4/5)
God, Drugs, & Sex - 6:14 (4/5)

*Designate new tracks with Devotional release

Five Song Friday - October 18th

Friday is here, finally! And with Friday comes the new music I've been listening to this week, so check out the songs and see what tickles your fancy.

1. Casual Affair - Panic! At The Disco
   This song is one of my favorites off of Panic!'s newest album, and for one particular reason; it just sounds cool. From the opening synth to Brendon Urie's slightly distorted and echoing vocals, the song will have you coming back for more with its haunting undertones. The addition of strings, and the striking beat help to further this spooky, yet beautiful nature. If you haven't checked anything out from the album yet, at least try this song. It's a great work from the group. 5/5
2. Bitter Rivals - Sleigh Bells
   Sleigh Bells has such a peculiar sound, and I have grown to love it more and more. I have yet to listen in depth to the new release, but I have found a few songs that I am hooked on, "Bitter Rivals" being one of them. It's combination of acoustic guitar and poppy synths with explosive beats, gritty electric guitars, and intense vocals. The blending of hip-hop, alternative, and pop comes together to create a catchy song with some fantastic arraigning. 5/5
3. Dead American - Anberlin
   This song has got gritty and dirt smeared all over it, but has moments of complete clarity and serenity. It's ethereal nature draws you in, and it's passionate and intimate sound get your blood pumping. The chorus is simple, but definitely catchy, with Stephen Christian screaming that "we want it right, we want it right now", coming off as aggressive, yet urgent. I've listened to this song at least once every day this week, and I absolutely love it. 5/5
4. Can't Hold Us - Pentatonix
   Pentatonix is one of the most talented groups out there, and I love everything the release. This latest single is no exception, with the song choice being simply perfect for the dynamic of the group. Their choice to showcase each member's abilitys throughout the song shows their humility and unity as a team. My favorite part of the song is when they do the horn line a capella, which sounds spot on and powerful. The energy level throughout the song is constant and explosive, making you happy after every listen. 5/5
5. Survival - Eminem
   Eminem's return to rap after his last huge album has been fantastic, plain and simple. His first single, "Bezerk", showed his ability to switch things up, pulling from an 80's influence and coming at the listener hard and fast. "Survival", his next single, is filled with raw passion, and much darker undertones than the first single. His raps are intense and incredible, although sometimes graphic, showing off his mastery of language and ability to rhyme and articulate, The song fires me up with the energy it puts off, and makes me want to get out there and do something. Definitely a worthy purchase if you enjoy his work. 5/5