NEW MUSIC CORNER #33 (DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED and MICHAEL MONROE (ex-Hanoi Rocks))

[Niels (Mod)]

I'll be pretty busy this weekend, so therfore you'll get NMC a little early this week:

This is the first NMC from me with music from 2011. As we all know, there has'nt been that much to buy in 2011, yet. The two albums, I've posted, are a bit connected, or at least the artist's are. Too bad, I could'nt get the third album, I intended to: The new Sixx: A.M., because then all 3, would have some history together, but look out for that album in next week's NMC. What's the connection then, well Michael Monroe was the lead-singer with Hanoi Rocks, the finnish band, and I DO believe, that he appears on "Use your Illusion" I or II, and Duff McCagan is of course the former bass-player with Guns'N'Roses. The connection with Nikki Sixx, would then be, that Vince Neil drove the car, that killed the drummer from Hanoi Rocks, Razzle or something, but enough of that, and on with the music:


DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED - THE TAKING

1. Lords Of Abaddon
2. We Win
3. Indian Summer
4. Wrecking Ball
5. Cocaine


From WikiPedia: The Taking is the third studio album by American hard rock band Loaded. It was produced by Terry Date in Seattle, Washington, and was released on April 19, 2011 through Eagle Rock Entertainment. Writing for the album began in 2009, while the band were touring in support of Sick. It will be the first Loaded release, since Episode 1999: Live, without drummer Geoff Reading, who, after departing the band, was replaced by Isaac Carpenter in September 2009.A feature length film about the album, as well as Loaded, by filmmaker and documentarian Jamie Burton Chamberlin is currently being filmed, with the album serving as the films soundtrack.The Taking received generally positive reviews, scoring a 69 out of 100 ("generally favorable reviews") on Metacritic. Allmusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album three out of five stars stating that McKagan "turns in his hardest record in recent memory" and that the album "does make a brute impression [...] playing with a vitality that almost compensates for how they fetishize the past." Kerrang! magazine stated that with the album, "Loaded sound like a proper band now." Revolver magazine's Kory Grow complimented it's "big hooks and driving riffs" while noting punk influences on the album. Joseph Viney, reviewing for Sputnikmusic, gave the album a three-and-a-half out of five stars, noting a darker tone throughout the album, with songs such as “Lords Of Abbadon,” “Executioner’s Song” and “She’s An Anchor” earning comparisons to Down and Alice in Chains. Ultimate Guitar Archive commented that the album's music has "a bit of GN’R influence injected into it all, but [that] there’s just as much a heavy helping of punk and even 70’s glam" while they also complimented the lyrics stating they have "some fantastic moments." David Jón Fuller of the Winnipeg Free Press stated "it's clear McKagan hasn't lost any of his musical swagger" and while "his vocals are little more than shouting [...] the sound is powerful and bottom-heavy."

My favorite track is "Indian Summer".

MICHAEL MONROE - SENSORY OVERDRIVE





1. Trick Of The Wrist
2. Superpowered Superfly
3. Bombs Away
4. All You Need
5. Center Of Your Heart


From WikiPedia: After Hanoi Rocks broke-up in 1985, Monroe decided to kickstart his solo career, but first Monroe got to work with his good friend Stiv Bators. In the Fall of '85, Bators and Monroe were asked by Steven Van Zandt to record backing vocals for his song "Sun City" and appear in the music video. Both agreed and recorded backing vocals for the song and both can be seen in the music video.In December 1985, Monroe announced that he would be moving to New York, and in 1986 he assembled his backing band. In 1987, Monroe released his first solo record, Nights Are So Long. The album wasn't a hit (it was only released in Scandinavia and Japan), but it attracted record labels and in 1988 Monroe signed to Polygram Records.In 1989, Monroe's second solo album, titled Not Fakin' It, was released. The album featured guest appearances by many of Monroe's friend's and fellow musicians, including Axl Rose, Steven Van Sandt, Ian Hunter and Nasty Suicide. This was Monroe's first solo album to be distributed internationally and received praise from both the critics and the public, as well as fellow musicians. Among these musicians was Guns N' Roses, who had many times egnoliged Hanoi Rocks as a major influence. Monroe has also collaborated with the members of Guns N' Roses many times. Guns N' Roses -lead singer Axl Rose (a great admirer of Monroe's) appeared in the music video for the single "Dead, Jail or Rock 'N' Roll". Also lead guitarist Slash made a guest appearance at one of Monroe's Los Angeles -shows in December 1989, performing the song "Looking at You" with Monroe (Slash later joined Michael on stage in Chicago on the same tour). Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler had also taken notice of Monroe, and asked him to perform the song "Big Ten Inch Record" with Aerosmith at Les Paul's 75th birthday at the Hard Rock Café in New York.The rest of 1989 and 1990 Monroe spent touring the world, but unfortunately, due to disagreement's between Monroe and Mercury Records, the label hadn't focused on the marketing of Not Fakin' It, and the album wasn't even available in all stores, which was one of the reason why the album wasn't as successful as Monroe had hoped it would be.In 1990, Monroe was approached by guitarist Steve Stevens, to start a new group. The group turned-out to be the short lived Jerusalem Slim, which fell apart due to the musical difference's between Monroe and Stevens. The group did release one album in 1992, but Monroe had tried to stop the albums release (he considered it too "metal"). After Polygram Records released the album (against Monroe's will), Monroe wished to leave Polygram, to get his career back on track. He wasn't let go from Polygram until a year later in 1993.In 1991, Monroe was asked by Guns N' Roses to appear on their Use Your Illusion I album, where he plays harmonica and saxophone, on the song "Bad Obsession". Monroe later appeared on GNR's 1993 album, "The Spaghetti Incident?", where he sang on the cover of The Dead Boys' "Ain't It Fun". Also in 1993, Monroe joined Guns N' Roses on stage to perform "Honky Tonk Women", together with the band members and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones.After the demise of Jerusalem Slim, Monroe tried to form another band called Demolition 23., with Sami Yaffa, Jimmy Clark and Jay Fenning, who was later replaced by Nasty Suicide. Demolition 23. did release an album, titled Demolition 23. and they toured successfully in Japan and Europe, but broke-up after Suicide announced that he would be retiring from the music.During the rest of the 90's and the early 2000s, Monroe released four more solo albums, before re-forming Hanoi Rocks, with Andy McCoy.During the summer of 2010 Michael Monroe band played a number of festival gigs all over the world, including "Helsinki Live" in Finland (together with Guns N' Roses), the "Sweden Rock Festival" and the "Download Festival" in England. The band also performed at Ruisrock festival in Turku, Finland, where Slash was also performing. Monroe joined Slash on stage for a performance of "We're All Gonna Die" (from Slash's solo album) and "Up Around the Bend". At the Ankkarock festival in Finland, Steve Conte couldn't perform ex-Hanoi Rocks guitarist, Nasty Suicide, filled in for him. Since the early 90's and the Demolition 23. tour, this was the first time these three members of Hanoi Rocks had performed on stage together. Michael Monroe also performed at the "Summer Sonic" festivals in Tokyo and Osaka, where Slash was also performing. The two got together again, sharing the stage for a couple of songs. During the performance of the song "We're All Gonna Die", Monroe broke two of his ribs while hitting a metal barrel in front of the stage.In September 2010, Monroe also signed a recording deal with Spinefarm Records / Universal Music, which will distribute Monroe's upcoming albums. The first album by the Michael Monroe band, the live album Another Night In the Sun was released in late September 2010. The album was recorded at the Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland and mixed in Los Angeles by Niko Bolas and mastered by Grammy winner Richard Dodd.Also in September 2010, the band went into a studio to start work their first studio album. The album was produced in Los Angeles with the help of legendary producer Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, John Lennon).Through the month of November, the Michael Monroe band toured England, in support of Motörhead on their 35th anniversary tour. During the tour, Monroe performed the Motörhead -song "Born to Raise Hell" nightly with the band. Also during the tour, the Michael Monroe band also debuted a song from their new album, titled "Trick of the Wrist".On January 12th, 2011, the bands upcoming studio album was finally given a title and a release date. Titled "Sensory Overdrive", the album was released on March 16th and was made available on different formats, including a special two-disc edition and a limited colored vinyl edition. The album reached number one on the Finnish album charts and number 13 on the UK Rock-album charts. The band are currenttly on tour hitting dates in Finland, Sweden, the UK, the US and many other places. Michael Monroe was also the mastermind behind the "Save the Red Globe" charity concert for the casualties of the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The show featured some Finland's top artist and the tickets were quickly sold-out. The show was broadcasted live on the internet through "Yle Areena".

 

My favorite track is "All you Need".

and you can listen right here:

http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/541665132735d82e1ed8ab910a570583

[RJhog (Admin)]

Duff McKagan's Loaded (Thumbs Down)

Sorry, but I already bought this one.  I wish I wouldn't have.  However, it's not the worst CD I have bought this year.  More on that next week.  I had a lot of hope for this one.  I have the previous album and I actually thought it was very decent, it even had a couple of songs that I liked a good bit.  But this doesn't.  Although Duff's voice is pretty decent for a punk singer, it's just not good enough to front a mainstream band.  I do agree with Niels that Indian Summer is the best tune here.

 

Michael Monroe (Thumbs Down)

Sorry again, but this doesn't work at all for me.  He almost reminds me of Robin Zander in a couple of spots, but not overall.  The best thing about this is the album cover.  I read the Classic Rock Magazine glowing review of this as well, but I totally disagree with them.

 

[Scott]

DUFF MCKAGAN (Thumbs Down)

I really didnt want to go thumbs down on this because some of the riffs and beats are really good!  But the vocals are killing it ...  Thanks for saving me some cash, this has been removed from my "think about it" list.

 

MICHAEL MONROE (Thumbs Down)

I suppose the video of him in VOTW #46 created a bias for me in this NMC.  I dont get this one, his vocal style is not interesting and lyrically its somewhat juvenile.  This one isnt for me ...

 

As always, it is cool to hear new stuff and even cooler to hear different stuff - even if its not a style that works for me.  Nice Post Niels!

[Niels (Mod)]

It's cool. 4xThumbs down. Hey, this could be the first time, with only thumbs down. Jon? (I'll give my opinion after Jon).

By the way, RJhog. Is it Sixx: A.M. you're talking about, because then I don't want to look for that album any more?

[RJhog (Admin)]

Without giving too much away, I would not spend any more time looking for it if I were you...

[Niels (Mod)]

[Scott]

Hmmm...  I think Niels is going thumbs down too...  just sayin'

[Jon]

I'll give it a listen this weekend. I like MM so might be a bit biased unless it really sucks.

[Niels (Mod)]

If you like Michael Monroe, I don't think you'll be dissapointed, because it do NOT sucks. It's just not as good as Classic Rock Magazine says it is. There, I said it. It's not a "Thumbs down" from me.

[Jon]

Well, check out my thoughts on the video and you'll see where I'm leaning....

[Jon]

I actually listened to this yesterday and forgot to respond (actually listened to it twice!)

 

Duff McKagan--I liked "Indian Summer" the rest is just eh. Good thing he's making music though, a bunch of us thought he wasn't going to be around much after the 80's.

 

Michael Monroe--Me like. Me like Hanoi Rocks. Me thinks this is close to Hanoi Rocks. So, me likes. But does it warrnat a purchase?

[Niels (Mod)]

LOADED - THUMBS a little lower than EVEN

Yeah, "Indian Summer" is the best track on this album. A few other tracks are okay, but overall, it's not that good.

 

MICHAEL MONROE - THUMS a little higher than EVEN

I like this one. But Classic Rock Magazine should had given it 7/10. The last track on the (very short, only 33 min.) album is a stinker, though. A duet with Lemmy, who seems to be everywhere these days. Some of the lyrics are lousy, but it's probably at second spot, right after Foo Fighters, at the moment, on best albums so far in 2011. Hopefully that'll change??!!