NEW MUSIC CORNER # 26 (ED KOWALCZYK/ONE LESS REASON/MY DARKEST DAYS)

[RJhog (Admin)]

by RJhog

 

I have 3 releases from 2010 for you this week, and I must say that although all 3 releases are rock albums, they are definitely different in style and message.

 

***Click any album cover to listen to these selections***

 

Ed Kowalczyk (Alive)

 

1. Drive

2. The Great Beyond

3. Grace

4. Rome

5. Soul Whispers

 

 

 

Ed Kowalczyk, widely known as the Lead singer/frontman/guitarist of the band Live, has built an impressive résumé that includes eight full-length albums, total CD sales exceeding 20 million, a huge international fan base and extensive touring all over the world. Live has been one of the most successful and enduring alternative rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s. 'Alive,' is Ed's first solo album that immediately ignites with his instantly recognizable vocals and trademark lyrics taking the listener to the place where they discovered the power of Live's music and urgency in Ed's voice.

from Amazon.com

 

One Less Reason (Faces And Four Letter Words)

 

 6. Love Song

 7. Four Letter Words

 8. Ghost

 9. Be The Same

10. The Distance

 

 

 

There isn't a lot of bio information available for this band, but I discovered them a few years back.  I think they are from Jacksonville, Florida, which is gator country.  That doesn't sit to well with me, but I can't blame them for that.  The bands vocalist is also the songwriter (I think), and somebody did a real number on him, cause his songs just keep getting more and more sad and bitter.  Give it a shot and see what you think.

 

My Darkest Days (My Darkest Days)

 

11. Move Your Body

12. Every Lie

13. Like Nobody Else

14. Come Undone

15. Goodbye

 

 

 

My Darkest Days is a new rock group based out of Toronto. The group was discovered by Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) and is signed to his production company Mountainview Records. The trio originally hails from the small town of Norwood, Ontario. This small town atmosphere did not offer a lot of activities for young kids, so the band members have made music a part of their lives from a very early age. In fact, Matt Walst (Singer/Guitarist) co-wrote on his older brother's, Brad Walst (bassist Three Days Grace) debut album Three Days Grace. My Darkest Days use high energy rock and roll, coupled with beautiful ballads to explore the feelings that burn inside all of us. With catchy melodies and lyrics to back them up My Darkest Days is slowly becoming a fan favorite. An energy filled live show combined with an energetic crowd make the band an unforgettable live experience.

from Amazon.com

[Scott]

Ed Kowalshcheckizbergenheim, or whatever his last name is... (One thumb up, the other trying to get there)
Im a big LIVE fan.  Cool band.  So I'm kinda excited to hear his solo stuff. However, I think you have to listen this two ways.  1)  As a Rock and Roll fan, and 2) As a Christian Rock release.  So here goes.  Its just OK for a first ROck and Roll listen, but for Christian Rock you have to account for the lyrics as well, and this is part Ed excels in.  He is a great lyricist and as such the songs have the potential to take on new meanings for the listener.  Live does this really well, so I like it OK musically, and I've got listen closer to see if they speak to me at that deeper level he is trying to get to.

One Less Reason ... (Thumbs slightly down)
Didnt like the first track at all.  Got ready to skip around a bit, but track two starts off kinda nice, and NICE is a four letter word, but it doesnt keep you interested.  I have relatives in Jax, and visit frequently.  One of my favorite pics is me at Ronnie Van Zants grave site (before they moved him) - and this is just a sad legacy to the Jacksonville sound I would have expected to hear, not southern rock or Skynyrd rock, but good time rock and roll.  This is depressing, kinda like watching a Jaguars game...

My Darkest Days ... (Thumbs down)
You sure this isnt Nickelback? I like them really, its good stuff, its just the same good stuff that they always do.  I like the Dark Horse album and couple other tracks, thats it.  This I'm gonna take a pass on...


Thanks for filling in RJ!!!!

[RJhog (Admin)]

You are welcome, like I said, I have several 2010 releases that I can punch in here until we get some new 2011 music.  Honestly, your ratings are about what I figured.  But you never know what somebody else may like, so I post what I have.  Also, it may save somebody 12 bucks if they realize they don't like it but were about to buy it.

[Jon]

Ed Kowalczyk--(Thumbs down) 

I'm not a Live fan. Sucky band. So I wasn't excited about hearing his solo stuff. And I wasn't let down. I didn't like it. (Thanks Scott!)

 

One Less Reason--(Thumbs down)

First song kinda sucked until the end. Second song sucked. Third song sucked. Fourth song was a-ok. Fifth song sucked. There a just to many bands sounding so angsty nowadays, that they all sound the same. Except for the 1 1/3 songs here, I am passing by a wide margin.

 

My Darkest Days--(Thumbs in the middle)  

This isn't too bad, kind of reminds me of Econoline Crush. Nice version of a Duran Duran song. Won't buy, but it's better than the above two.

 

Have fun Rjhog....there's not anything good coming out for awhile, so keep posting....one day I'll give something a thumbs up! 

[RJhog (Admin)]

Based on what I have available, I'm not so sure.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Ed Kowalczyk (Thumbs Sideways)

I think this is average.  I'm not a huge Live fan, but I do like a few of their songs.  In my  intro to this NMC, I mentioned that each of these 3 albums were different in style/message.  This is the uplifting message.  As Scott put it Christian Rock.  Although I only think the music is okay, I like this about it.  I guess as I get older, I'm moving further away from so much negativity.

 

One Less Reason (Thumbs Slightly Down)

I don't hate this at all, but I'm very disappointed with it.  I like this band.  They have a handful of songs that are outstanding.  But the songwriter is just continuously writing about being done wrong or losing somebody.  It never changes.  It's like he gets more and more sad everyday.  The message here is hurt and loss.  And while I generally like songs that deal with those subjects, these are just too much to handle.

 

My Darkest Days (Thumbs Slightly Up)

I kind of like this.  I hear the Nickelback influence as well, and that's a band that has totally sold out in my opinion, and I don't throw that phrase around lightly.  But they have some catchy hooks.  I'd call this modern pop rock.  I'd say their overall message is more debauchery than anything else (one song I didn't include is called Porn Star Dancing).  But I do like their cover of Duran Duran's Come Undone.  It is very well done.  I probably won't buy their next CD, but I don't regret buying this one.

[Niels (Mod)]

"Mr. LIVE" (Thumbs sideways)

I like LIVE's two albums "Throwing Copper" and "Secret Samadhi", but that's about it. This does'nt really do anything for me. His voice is okay, but I'm a bit bored.

 

One Less Reason (Thumbs down)

No, not my style at all. Again, I was bored, and more this time.

 

My Darkest Days (Thumbs slightly up)

This is more like it. I'm not bored, and that's rather impotent, but I don't think it's going to be a purchase. I think, you've heard this style a million times before, but the songs are okay. The Duran Duran-cover is really good. DD has some good songs.