Special: First Listen Thoughts: Weezer "Van Weezer", '68 "Give One Take One", Escape The Fate "Chemical Warfare"

Weezer - Van Weezer

Label: Atlantic Records

Press release: The inspiration for this album derives from the deepest roots of Weezer — metal!  What has metal got to do with Weezer, you ask? In his earliest years, Rivers was a huge KISS fan; Brian was a big Black Sabbath fan; Pat worshipped at the altar of Van Halen and Rush; Scott loved Slayer and Metallica. The last time this vein of harder rock was mined by Weezer was on their much-loved 2002 album Maladroit; Van Weezer is primed to take that album's sonics many steps further courtesy of producer Suzy Shinn. 

My thoughts: The Crazy Train rip-off riff on Blue Dream didn't sit well with me and the final 3 songs could use some fine tuning to be better but overall this is a pretty fun Weezer record. I was ready for the cheese and Rivers and the boys brought it and I enjoyed it.

'68 - Give One Take One

Label: Cooking Vinyl

Press release: Atlanta noise punk duo ’68 have confirmed that their third album is on its way. The record, ‘Give One Take One’, is due for release on March 26 via Cooking Vinyl. “I travel down several roads that are equal parts therapeutic to get off my chest and terrifying to share with the world. I believe you can feel the tangible joy that music gives each of us in this album" says singer Josh Scogin.“I’m so proud of this album and humbled by the journey that it took to get here. And if I’m honest, the vast majority of my thoughts are circled around the hope that we will be able to perform these songs live one day soon.”

My thoughts: The best way to explain this '68 record is to imagine an Every Time I Die record and make it danceable. It's got that southern metalcore twang to it with noise music blended in making loud music you can Zemo Dance to. This usually isn't my cup of tea and although there are some misses some of these tracks deserve your attention even if you tend to avoid stuff like Death From Above 1979.

Escape The Fate - Chemical Warfare

Label: Better Noise

Press release: Escape The Fate have announced their seventh studio album Chemical Warfare, releasing on February 21st via Better Noise Music. The album was produced by esteemed music producer John Feldmann (5 Seconds To Summer, The Used, Blink 182) as well by the band’s guitarist Kevin Thrasher.

My thoughts: John Feldmann's finger prints are all over this release. Which you'd expect since he produced, co-wrote (all but one song) as well as released the album. I didn't mind some of the singles that were released. They were cheesy but as stand alones I could enjoy them. But a whole album of it was not as good. This is a classic example of why sometimes leaving singles alone on their merits is perfectly acceptable.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Weezer "OK Human", The Dirty Nil "Fuck Art", We The Kings "Saga EP"

Weezer - OK Human

Label: Atlantic Records

Press release: Weezer’s 14th studio album OK Human is due out on January 29, with a lead single entitled All My Favorite Songs arriving this Thursday (January 21). ​“Hold on to your hard drives,” Rivers Cuomo and co. announced on social media. ​“OK Human, the new album, arrives 1/29.

My thoughts: I was really looking forward to Van Weezer set for release in May (the band states that's still happening). OK Human ditches the guitars for synths, piano and orchestral arrangements which is just not all that strong but I get why they felt the need after likely going guitar heavy on Van Weezer. The album is an overall meh for me with a few highlights (Grapes Of Wrath, Dead Roses). Weezer returns to the dark imagery and tone they explored on the superb album Pinkerton back in the mid 90's but without the aggressive instrumentation it's hard for me personally to enjoy it front to back. 

The Dirty Nil - Fuck Art

Label: Dine Alone Records

Press release: The Dirty Nil, the amp-blowing, JUNO Award-winning trio have embraced, torn down, and then reinvented the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll star archetype for years. Now the band has announced the title of their hotly anticipated new album, Fuck Art, set for release later this year via Dine Alone Records. The Dirty Nil’s third LP is an unabashed concoction of classic-rock heroism, pop-punk horsepower, ’80s indie scrappiness, ’90s alterna-crunch, and speed-metal adrenaline.

My thoughts: The Dirty Nil's combination of all things punk makes for a hell of a ride. Fuck Art released on New Years Day kicked off the new year with a bang and is a very early contender for album of the year. Possession and Doom boy are the highlights once through but the whole album deserves your attention.

We The Kings - Saga EP

Label: S-Curve Records

Press release: For a majority of 2020 while We The Kings were at home, the band carefully put the final touches on ‘SAGA’ and dropped new singles from the EP, giving listeners a taste of what to expect. Fans, old and new, have been thrilled to hear a familiar sound that the band has been known for while delivering an exciting, bold mix of pop songs that include acoustic, electric guitar and electronic instrumentation. Songwriting has always been at the forefront of We The Kings as a collective as they aim to bring listeners and fans even closer together with their most thought-provoking music to date.

My thoughts: We The Kings don't really do anything to surprise anyone anymore. You know you're gonna get a series of pop-rock songs with some synths mixed in for good measure. They did go heavier on the synths with this EP (but really who isn't?) I liked most of the songs on this EP upon first listen but I feel like the tracks will likely be forgotten as more releases come out in 2021.

Special: 2020 In Review: Top 100 Singles Of 2020: 80 - 71

PREVIOUS

80. jxdn Ft. Iann Dior - Tonight

79. Against The Current - That Won't Save Us

78. All Time Low - Some Kind Of Disaster

77. Weezer - Hero

76. Run The Jewels - Walking In The Snow

75. Goldfinger - Wallflower

74. Our Last Night - Ignorance Is Bliss

73. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Leave Me Alone

72. Four Year Strong - Brain Pain

71. Emarosa - Ready To Love

NEXT

Top 10 Countdown: July 25, 2020

10. I Prevail Ft. Joyner Lucas - DOA
Last week: NEW!


9. MxPx - Worries
Last week: 9.


8. The Used Ft. Mark Hoppus (blink-182) - The Lighthouse
Last week: 10.


7. Weezer - Hero
Last week: 7.


6. Machine Gun Kelly - Bloody Valentine
Last week: 8.


5. A Day To Remember - Mindreader
Last week: 5.


4. Neck Deep - When You Know
Last week: 4.


3. Silverstein Ft. Princess Nokia - Madness
Last week: 3.


2. blink-182 - Happy Days
Last week: 2.


1. All Time Low - Getaway Green
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: July 18, 2020

10. The Used Ft. Mark Hoppus (blink-182) - The Lighthouse
Last week: NEW!


9. MxPx - Worries
Last week: 10.


8. Machine Gun Kelly - My Bloody Valentine
Last week: 9.


7. Weezer - Hero
Last week: 8.


6. Four Year Strong - Get Out Of My Head
Last week: 1.


5. A Day To Remember - Mindreader
Last week: 6.


4. Neck Deep - When You Know
Last week: 5.


3. Silverstein Ft. Princess Nokia - Madness
Last week: 4.


2. blink-182 - Happy Days
Last week: 3.


1. All Time Low - Getaway Green
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: July 11, 2020

10. MxPx - Worries
Last week: NEW!


9. Machine Gun Kelly - Bloody Valentine
Last week: NEW!


8. Weezer - Hero
Last week: 9.


7. Hot Mulligan - *Equip Sunglasses*
Last week: 1.


6. A Day To Remember - Mindreader
Last week: 7.


5. Neck Deep - When You Know
Last week: 6.


4. Silverstein Ft. Princess Nokia - Madness
Last week: 5.


3. blink-182 - Happy Days
Last week: 4.


2. All Time Low - Getaway Green
Last week: 3.


1. Four Year Strong - Get Out Of My Head
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: July 4, 2020

10. The Used Ft. Caleb Schomo (Beartooth) - The Lottery
Last week: 10.


9. Weezer - Hero
Last week: NEW!


8. All Time Low - Sleeping In
Last week: 1.


7. A Day To Remember - Mindreader
Last week: 8.


6. Neck Deep - When You Know
Last week: 7.


5. Silverstein Ft. Princess Nokia - Madness
Last week: 6.


4. blink-182 - Happy Days
Last week: 5.


3. All Time Low - Getaway Green
Last week: 4.


2. Four Year Strong - Get Out Of My Head
Last week: 3.


1. Hot Mulligan - *Equip Sunglasses*
Last week: 2.

Special: A Decade In Review: Best Songs of the 2010's: 90 - 81

PREVIOUS

90. Locket - Hunnie


89. Hands Like Houses - I Am


88. Go Radio - Goodnight Moon


87. Boys Like Girls - Heart Heart Heartbreak


86. Weezer - The End Of The Game


85. Fever 333 - Burn It


84. Jack's Mannequin - My Racing Thoughts


83. We Were Sharks - Beyond Repair


82. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket


81. Marianas Trench - Here's To The Zeroes


NEXT

Special: 2019 In Review: Best Songs of 2019: 30 - 21

PREVIOUS

30. Steve Aoki Ft. blink-182 - Why Are We So Broken


29. Fever 333 - One Of Us


28. Weezer - The End Of The Game


27. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever


26. Sleeping With Sirens - How It Feels To Be Lost


25. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Choke


24. I Prevail - Hurricane


23. Sleep On It - Under The Moment


22. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me


21. State Champs - Criminal


NEXT

Top 10 Coundown: January 18, 2020

10. Weezer - Lost In The Woods
Last week: 10.


9. Fall Out Boy - Bob Dylan
Last week: NEW!


8. The Used Ft. Jason Aalon Butler (Fever 333) - Blow Me
Last week: 9.


7. A Day To Remember - Resentment
Last week: 8.


6. Anti-Flag - Hate Conquers All
Last week: 7.


5. Simple Creatures - One Little Lie
Last week: 5.


4. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 4.


3. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: 3.


2. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 2.


1. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 1.

Special: 2019 In Review: Best Songs of 2019: 90 - 81

PREVIOUS

90. Roam - Turn


89. We Came As Romans - Carry The Weight


88. Angels & Airwaves - Kiss & Tell


87. Senses Fail - Bastard Son


86. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Teeth


85. Bayside - Interrobang


84. Locket - Out Of Sight


83. The Used Ft. Jason Aalon Butler – Blow Me


82. With Confidence - Drops Of Jupiter


81. Weezer - Lost In The Woods


NEXT

Top 10 Countdown: January 11, 2020

10. Weezer - Lost In The Woods
Last week: NEW!


9. The Used Ft. Jason Aalon Butler (Fever 333) - Blow Me
Last week: NEW!


8. A Day To Remember - Resentment
Last week: 10.


7. Anti-Flag - Hate Conquers All
Last week: 8.


6. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 2.


5. Simple Creatures - One Little Lie
Last week: 7.


4. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 5.


3. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: 4.


2. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 3.


1. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: December 7, 2019

10. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: NEW!


9. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 10.


8. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 9.


7. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 7.


6. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 1.


5. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 8.


4. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 5.


3. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 4.


2. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 3.


1. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: November 30, 2019

10. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: NEW!


9. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 9.


8. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 8.


7. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 7.


6. Waterparks - Watch What Happens Next
Last week: 1.


5. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 6.


4. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 5.


3. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 4.


2. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 3.


1. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: November 23, 2019

10. Jimmy Eat World - All The Way (Stay)
Last week: NEW!


9. State Champs - Real World
Last week: NEW!


8. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 9.


7. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 8.


6. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 7.


5. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 5.


4. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 4.


3. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 3.


2. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 2.


1. Waterparks - Watch What Happens Next
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: November 16, 2019

10. Roam - I Don't Think I Live There Anymore
Last week: 5.


9. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: NEW!


8. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 9.


7. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 8.


6. Sleep On It - Under The Moment
Last week: 2.


5. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 7.


4. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 6.


3. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 4.


2. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 3.


1. Waterparks - Watch What Happens Next
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: November 9, 2019

10. I Prevail - Gasoline
Last week: NEW!


9. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: NEW!


8. Grayscale - Young
Last week: NEW!


7. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: NEW!


6. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 8.


5. Roam - I Don't Think I Live There Anymore
Last week: 5.


4. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 5.


3. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 4.


2. Sleep On It - Under The Moment
Last week: 1.


1. Waterparks - Watch What Happens Next
Last week: 1.

Special: 2018 In Review: Best Songs Of 2018: 90 - 81

PREVIOUS

90. Weezer - Africa


89. Broadside - Summer Stained


88. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Do It All The Time


87. Homesafe - Run


86. Paramore - Rose-Colored Boy


85. Like Pacific - In Spite Of Me


84. Story Untold - Chasing Feelings


83. Arkells - Relentless


82. MxPx - Best Life


81. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood


NEXT

Special: 2018 In Review: Top 10 Music Videos of 2018

10. With Confidence - Moving Boxes (ASL Video)


Why? This one pretty well speaks for itself. Big ups to With Con for learning American Sign Language and doing a video with the band signing all the lyrics for their hearing impaired fans. Bonus points awarded to drummer Josh's Seaway shirt.

9. Grayscale - Fever Dream


Why? After placing 3rd on this exact list last year, Grayscale is one of two bands to repeat this list on back to back years. Last year was an anthem for self-love, this year it's this creepy flick for the song Fever Dream. Yeah in case you couldn't tell by the thumbnail, it's creepy. The group filmed it in a supposed haunted house and they have a great behind the scenes on YouTube that had them questioning if it was indeed haunted.

8. Weezer - Africa


Why? Okay. So... Weezer has been teasing us with this cover for years and finally in 2018 we got a video for it. So what happens when Weezer caves and finally gives us the cover that fans have been asking for for years? Well they decide to parody their own video (The Sweater Song) and since you're doing a parody you have to get the parody king himself, Weird Al, to play Rivers Cuomo don't you? Most excellent.

7. Real Friends - Me First


Why? Firstly, this is a really emotional song. Real Friends usually keeps meaning ambigious but given lead singer Dan's struggles with mental health issues, to me it's about not putting yourself second, make sure you take care of your own health. So does the video mirror that? Nope not at all. It's about a lady murdering her home staff (the band) after chasing them through the house with an axe. Unlike Grayscale above though, this is done for humour as we see in the final act as the band's decapitated heads finish singing the song on a silver platter. Bonus points for the obvious comic book inspiration.

6. As It Is - The Stigma (Boys Don't Cry)


Why? Yet another emotional song about the nature of toxic masculinity that society currently forces upon us. As It Is are doing their best to put an end to it with this gem of a song and accompanying video that sees a militaristic teacher at a boarding school stripping students of their identities and telling them what they need to be and how they need to act. The band put it best when describing the song "In these increasingly disconnected times, where empathy is seemingly on a decline at many levels of everyday modern life, it is vital to stand up against such outdated tropes".

5. Fall Out Boy - Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)


Why? If you like infomercials, like my fiance does then this is the video for you! Fall Out Boy reference their past eras in the video featuring Patrick's severed hand from the Young Blood Chronicles and the sheep from the Infinity On High cover. Overall it's just a fun, quirky video we don't usually get to see from Fall Out Boy, especially this era of Fall Out Boy.

4. Frank Turner - Little Changes


Why? Honestly, I could've used any of Frank's videos from 2018 on this list but I went with Little Changes for a couple reasons, firstly I like awkward choreography. Secondly it's just good clean fun but also speaks to the times we live in. Oftentimes people get so caught up in what people around them are doing we don't stop to focus on what we're doing and making sure we're enjoying our own lives instead of living it through other peoples lens.

3. Fever 333 - Burn It


Why? Obviously not the most political music video of the year, but certainly the most political of our scene. Fever 333 may be more underground for now but this movement is quickly changing as they've notched a Grammy nomination and are preparing to take over the world and become an important voice in it as we await their debut full length "Strength In Numb333rs" in early 2019.

2. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)


Why? Yet again, like Frank Turner I could've used any of Panic's videos this year as all 3 were masterpieces but I decided to use the first one as I love that the music video has been telling a story over several albums starting with This Is Gospel in 2013 and it's sequel The Emperor's New Clothes in 2015. Say Amen acts as a prequel to both and damn the fight scenes are the best I've even seen in a music video.

1. Childish Gambino - This Is America


Why? Well, come on. There's been enough essays written on this video for me to NEED to give you my two cents so I'll leave it at this. This is the song and the video America needed. It hit on all the right chords at the absolute best time. Just like Legend Has It... last year we applaud the stance Donald Glover has taken and gave people a video to look at things a little differently.