Ah Hybrid Theory, the album that made American rock band Linkin Park. Perhaps it was the powerful lyrics and expression in its songs, maybe it was that Linkin Park’s Heavy Metal sound mixed with a synth was considered unique at the time, or it could have just been that millions of teenage kids wanted to scream along with a downtuned guitar, no matter which of the above you pinpoint to Hybrid Theory’s success there is simply no denying that it was huge. Let me define just big this album was, it outsold, Metallica’s, The Spice Girl’s and Lionel Richie’s best selling albums by give or take a couple of million each, . A feat which I doubt many other debut albums can come anywhere to claiming. MOAR »

An artist thats getting maximum exposure in the recent Sure for women ad, things are looking up for this 17 year old Aussie. Sweet About Me has gained popularity and will surely be a hit of the Summer, as she looks to cement her name at the top along with Kate Nash, Duffy, Amy Winhouse and the likes. Unfortunately, the album disappoints.

To my shock and disbelief, the opening song, ‘Save the Lies’, is a debacle. Roll on the cheesy synths and oh-so-predictable, vocals. She attempts to give the song a funky 70’s style disco ring to it, but fails miserably, even the Fast Food Rockers could do better than this(maybe an overstatement!). Thankfully, the pattern of awful songs isnt repeated in the all of the album, only some of it. The already popular ‘Sweet About Me’, already the flaglining the album, is the best song on the album. Easily constructed and sang, and so relaxing her voice is, it could but you to sleep. Its a shining example of a song that can be both actually good and be on the radio simultaneously, which is no mean feat.<

MOAR »

After waiting 4 long years, The Offspring are back with their eighth studio album!
“Rise and fall, rage and grace” shows signs of going back to their pre-”Americana” sound with tracks like “Trust In You” and “Hammerhead” which can compare with tracks from their album “Smash” which was released in 1994 and is still their best selling album.  But the album takes a different trip for almost each track. Some have the pop-punk sound that they have adapted to over the last few albums (i.e. tracks “Rise and Fall” , “Let’s Hear It For Rock Bottom”). There’s some signs of a Green Day style approach in the track “Fix You”. Good lyrics, but it’s been compared to Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends”. And if you listen to the two, you’d agree. But all in all, this album brings a diversity of styles to The Offspring’s sound compared to their last few albums.

This album also has something new to it: Dexter sings! He actually sings!! In the track “A Lot Like Me”, you can hear the heart and effort that was put in compared to “Splinter” which seemed to lack it compared.

This album also brings serious issues to it as well compared to singing about fly white boys like in the past. In the track/first single “Hammerhead” this is clear. This track brings up the serious issue of gun violence around the world; first looking at a soldier and then a school shooting. Such a change from the past. Sure, they have “Gone Away” which is clearly about the death of Dexter’s first wife, but no other track brings up a serious issue like such. MOAR »