Mat Kearney

Back in 2006, while watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy (yes, I watch it), there was a song that played during an intense, emotional scene. That song was immediately tattooed on my brain, and I had to know what it was. Luckily, after the episode ended, a caption was posted saying "Music provided by Mat Kearney." Yes, got it! I immediately logged on to his official myspace page and was amazed. Mat Kearney is a gifted singer/songwriter. He is an excellent mix of John Mayer and Jason Mraz, with a touch of hip-hop. This is evident through his crooned choruses and rapped verses, with the addition of beautifully layered, echoed acoustic and electric guitars.

Mat's major-label debut album, Nothing Left to Lose, was a hit in numerous TV shows including Grey's Anatomy and Jericho. It even landed him a performance on Conan O'Brien playing "Nothing Left to Lose", the title track from his record. The album displays many epic, power-ballads and soothes the soul on certain tracks. One word of advice, the transition from rapped verses to sung choruses may take a while to adjust too. However, Mat does a decent job.

Be sure to check out songs such as "Girl America", "In the Middle", "Wait", "Bullet", "All I Need" and my personal favourite "Crashing Down."

In May 2009, Mat will release his second album, City of Black and White. His new single "Closer to Love" can be heard on his official website.

Nothing Left to Lose (2006)
City of Black and White (2009)

AIC Album Update

Here is a video update on the new album from Alice in Chains. As you can in the video, Dave Grohl admits that the recognizable AIC sound is back. So far, so good...can't wait for the album!

Week 11 Update

Domino Effect

In 2006, we saw Alice In Chains reunite with a new singer. In 2007, we saw Rage Against the Machine reunite. In 2008, we saw Stone Temple Pilots reunite. Now, in 2009, we are seeing Blink 182 back at the rock show, Limp Bizkit rollin' again and Tonic reunite. How about that!

Thanks to the news source on Ultimate-guitar.com, the rock scene is welcoming back some of the biggest bands of the '90s and early '00s. According to the various news stories, it seems that all party members have resolved their creative/personal differences and have realized that they miss making music together. Either that or they are reuniting purely based on greed. Who knows? People can have different speculations, but it's good to see these bands back!

Let's hope they are a success!

Looks like 2009 will be a great year for music. Well...Summer 2009 to be exact.

Album Review: "Tiny Pictures" by Thornley

After almost five years have passed since Thornley released their debut album, "Come Again." It was singer/guitarist Ian Thorney's first post-Big Wreck studio release...and it did well. The album spawned two No.1 Canadian hits with "So Far So Good" and "Come Again" and even received two Juno nominations, too. It also was certified Gold in Canada with sales over 50,000 copies.

Now, Thornley is back with their sophomore album, "Tiny Pictures." I purchased the album at 11:00am this morning and I haven't stopped listening to it. I figured if I was going to write an album review, I should wrap my ears around the album as much as possible. So hear it goes...

Whether you are familiar with Big Wreck or Thornley, one would agree that frontman Ian Thornley is a very good and experimental songwriter. All of his albums are different and special in their own way, thus offering fresh sounds for the listener. You never truly know what to expect when you hear new material from Ian Thornley. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect from "Tiny Pictures." Thornley's debut album, "Come Again" was a great hard rock album that offered fast, melodic riffs, loud vocals and heavily layered guitars.

With famed producer, Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains) behind the control board, "Tiny Pictures" is a decent alternative rock record that is densely-layered and offers a variety of rock, blues and even emits a hint of country. Most of the songs are definitely fit for radio and would attract many audiences. Led by first single, "Make Believe" which has a tremendous amount of anxiety, songs like "Better Side Of Me", "Your Song" and "Man Overboard" are equal contenders as future singles.

The album displays a tremendous use of different instrumentation, which keeps the listener on edge. Even though it's not as heavy sounding like "Come Again", you have to be open for experimentation. That's exactly what Ian Thornley is good at. In fact, Ian plays the guitars and bass on the album and does a fantastic job. Be sure to listen to the guitar solo in "Might Be The End." All in all, "Tiny Pictures" is a decent album that will leave Ian Thornley fans feeling satisfied.

Rating: 7.5/10

Track listing:

1. Underneath The Radar
2. Changes
3. Man Overboard *
4. Your Song *
5. Make Believe *
6. This Is Where My Heart Is
7. Better Side of Me *
8. Might Be The End *
9. Conscience & Consequence
10. All Fall Down
11. Be There For Me
12. Another Memory *

Blink 182...it's about time!

The Grammy Awards are over...now let's talk about it! Well, let's discuss one aspect of it. For the first time in five years, Mark Hoppus, Tom Delonge and Travis Barker shared the same stage as Blink 182 to present the award for "Best Rock Album." Even though they didn't get the applause they deserved, Travis announced that Blink 182 is back in full force.

If you don't believe me, check out this message from their official myspace:

"Hi. We're blink-182. This past week there’ve been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy.

Summer 2009.

Thanks and get ready..."

Right now, I would like to address their shameful applause they received at the Grammy Awards. Firstly, they are a punk band. In my honest opinion, punk bands and the Grammys don't mix well. They are two separate entities that either share the same audience or please completely different ones. It's a fact, you rarely see punk bands get nominated. Why you ask? It's mainly a statement of loyalty. Some punk bands choose not to have the extreme exposure through MTV or radio. They cut down on interviews and hit the road! To them, it's all about intimate shows with their hardcore fans/punkers.

Oh! Didn't you think Green Day looked sharp in their suits? I forgot they were punk...mhmm.

Anyways...Blink 182 is back! Just like the band said...GET READY!

Still rockin' in their 40's

As you know, I am keen on sharing the birthdays of rock stars. Over the last few days, there have been 4 birthdays:

February 4th: Happy 46th Birthday, Noodles! (The Offspring)
February 4th: Happy 40th Birthday, Duncan Coutts! (Our Lady Peace)
February 5th: Happy 45th Birthday, Duff McKagan! (Velvet Revolver / Guns N' Roses)
February 6th: Happy 47th Birthday, Axl Rose! (Guns N' Roses)

Mick Mars

What can be said about Mick Mars? How about very underrated! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mick Mars, he is the guitarist for the glam-metal band, Motley Crue. He also happens to be responsible for many of the bands infamous guitar riffs!

Like many guitarists from other hard rock and heavy metal guitarists of his era, Mick's guitar style is "steeped in the blues tradition", he uses frequent metal slides in his solos and acts as both the rhythm and lead guitarist in the band.

For most of his professional career, Mars has struggled with ankylosing spondylitis. This disease increasingly impairs the movements of an individual and causes a great deal of pain in the neck, back and spine. In 2004, Mick underwent hip-replacement surgery to relieve some of the pain. Overtime, Mick's illness caused his lower spine to seize up, making him lose inches in height and squashing him forward.

Under the circumstances, and at 57, Mars is still rockin' out and touring with Motley Crue. Here is a guitar solo from a recent show: Please notice the excellent use of his whammy bar, knobs and finger picking skills. Unreal!

Robert Deleo

Happy 43rd Birthday to Robert Deleo (STP), my all time favourite bass player. Cheers.