With a year off and nothing to do, 2021 unleashed a torrent of new music as many bands used the forced lockdown of 2020 to write new music. Veteran bands were especially prominent this year as aging rockers rolled back … Continue reading Top 10 Best Albums of 2021
With the Top 10 Best Albums of 2021 mostly wrapped up, I concentrated my listening efforts on music that came to mind or I heard about or that sat around a bit too long without listening. Def Leppard – Self-titled (album) The underrated and underappreciated self-titled Def Leppard album from 2015, also the band’s “latest.” This one sounds like a missing record or some type of vault release from the 1980s without feeling dated. The band didn’t give this one much play on ensuing tours either, despite plenty of worthy tracks. Where is Def Leppard anyway? Twice cancelled tour with … Continue reading The Weekly Playlist – Dec. 12 to Dec. 18
The reviews of all the albums reviewed this year continue to pile up. The Top 10 Best Albums of 2021 has been finalized, I think, with the final album added this week but some shuffling around of those picked has started the second-guessing. Oh! I also got a new Rush album. Don’t get too excited, see below. Merry Axemas – (album) I told you Merry Axemas would remain on The Weekly Playlist for a few weeks. Mammoth WVH – Self-titled (album) Wolfgang Van Halen’s debut album. Read the review. Duran Duran – Future Past (album) Still going after 40 years, Duran … Continue reading The Weekly Playlist – Dec. 5 to Dec. 11
A busy week as December rolled in with lots of listens for the forthcoming Top 10 Best Albums of 2021. The new releases have slowed down for the year as nothing has peaked my interest in recent weeks but just to mix it up I listened to a remixed album. But tis the season… 1. Merry Axemas (album) Expect this one to appear on this list for a few weeks. A fun guitar oriented approach to classic Christmas songs. “The Little Drummer Boy” my favorite for some obvious reasons. You can check out the artists and what they contribute here. … Continue reading The Weekly Playlist – Nov. 28 to Dec. 4
Just finished one of the busiest weeks in listening yet! I continued the process of getting reacquainted with those albums I reviewed this year to determine the Top 10 Best of 2021 but the big push came with the long Thanksgiving road trip that began today. My wife chose 80s music for the drive thus the reason for the two of bands with similar members. Usually, she doesn’t like what I bring but this time she asks, after we’re already underway, where is Metallica? Motley Crue? Styx? REO Speedwagon? I didn’t bring any of those because she only likes a … Continue reading The Weekly Playlist – Nov. 14 to Nov. 20
Must be nice to be a super fan of Weezer. They have been around for nearly 30 years now (forming in 1992) and instead of slowing down went on a recording binge releasing six albums in the last five years … Continue reading Album Review: Weezer – Van Weezer
Fun. Remember that band? Fun dot. Now relegated to the dustbin of music history. But not Weezer, a fun band celebrating 30 years next year, and in a bit of a surprise, released their 14th studio album today (Jan. 29) … Continue reading Album Review: Weezer – OK Human
The last time I saw Weezer was in the tiny confines of the Roseland Theater in Portland four years ago where they played an eclectic set in front of 1,000 fans or so that featured an acoustic first half followed … Continue reading Concert Review: Weezer Hits and Covers in Vancouver, BC
More than two years have passed since Rush performed the final show of the R40 tour. While it’s generally believed that Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart graced the stage together for the last time on August 1, 2015 at the Forum it’s widely hoped that despite their age and decades of touring a bit remains in the tank and eventually the three return to the studio for another album and at the very least an abbreviated tour to follow. Regardless, the absence of Rush on the lighted stage leaves their fans with fond memories, a vast catalogue of … Continue reading Profile: Mystic Rhythms – Rush Tribute Band
What an interesting concept it would be if a band released an album and then on the supporting tour of said album played all the songs. It makes sense. Why wouldn’t they? The band puts in the hard work, records the songs, so if they’re proud of their accomplishment and the tunes placed on the album then why not play all the songs live on the tour? Oh wait a second, that’s exactly what Weezer is doing. Save for some of the classic rockers playing iconic albums in their entirety in recent years bands typically don’t play all or even … Continue reading Concert Review: Weezer Gets Weird in Portland
Drew's Reviews 