Fall Out Boy - American Beauty / American Psycho - ALBUM REVIEW

Fall Out Boy is a band that I've grown up with. Witnessing their rise and popularity through Kerrang!'s publications, I always enjoyed keeping up with the squad. Although I was never an all-out fanboy, the big bangers of Sugar, We're going Down, This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race & Dance, Dance are the definitive collection of FOB that were enough to keep me coming back and enjoying what they threw out but I never could see myself rushing out for a new album to add to my collection. Then it hit me in 2013 - Save Rock n' Roll jumped onto the scene with the ingenious plan of creating music videos for every song on the new album with one narrative that really captured me. At this point, I found the FOB album that I would go out and buy, the one that I can play endlessly without it going stale.

If you want to read my review of Save Rock n' Roll, Click HERE

Obviously, I was extremely excited to follow the developments of American Beauty and loved the full album release on Youtube. What defined the previous album was a compilation of featuring talents and obviously a Rock inspired composition. Now, FOB turn the tide with an album that has electronic flares, no featuring artists and a definitive style. With the bands desire to appeal to more than just the rocker community, they have diversified their style and blended catchy riffs and chorus' that'll have you itching for another fix. Its move into the mainstream music means a reliance on synth and auto-tune, albeit well balanced and not as potent as T-Pain's catalogue but a level of which seems out of place and character.

As ever, certain songs jump out to me. Centuries is the first single released then you have The Kids Aren't Alright and Uma Thurman that have some awesome sampling and little titbits that add individuality to each tune. Technically, the variation is great, each song is its own, flows well in and out of the structured playlist with alternating tones and emotions. Stump's vocal range and style is brilliant and flourishes with the backing vocals of his band mates, although we cannot define whose voice is whose. Although it is minor, I feel that they have been cut out and replaced.

The album is solid. Its loud, rhythmic and a must for any fan. Yet, we have the issue of length and with albums, the bigger, the better. American Beauty has fallen even shorter than Save Rock n' Roll with just less than 40 minutes. Its this sort of length which means albums can finish so quick, you didn't have time tidy yourself up. Although its move to a more mainstream audience has led some of their older fans to get their knickers in a twist, I feel that Fall Out Boy are pushing boundaries within the rocker scene and American Beauty extends these further. However, at this moment, I don't feel that this album is as diverse and exciting as Save Rock n' Roll and lean towards giving this outing a 7.5/10 in the hope it will grow on me like its predecessor and may warrant a higher score. Its ambition is reported positive and I'm inclined to agree with some of these groups out there.

Theory of a Deadman's Savages - Quicky Album Review

It feels very odd to review an album after so many movies and games, so please forgive the flow of my piece. If you have any music you'd like me to review please let me know! Upon the release of the album, you can catch the whole album on their youtube channel (Click here for the playlist). Its not in any order so be wary that the flow of the album may be a little different

Over the last few months, Theory of a Deadman have been releasing a series of lyric videos for their upcoming album "Savages" titled after the song of the same name featuring Rock legend Alice Cooper. As singles, the songs are strong both vocally and musically. With a blend of heavy, catch riffs, lyrical wit and Connolly's iconic tone, these singles rank up as some of my favourite songs by the group. One issue that has plagued the band is that any songs that aren't singles don't hold the same gravitas and appeal factor. Can they turn it around with Savages? I don't quite know.

With 4 of the songs getting their own music videos, the other 9 tracks were left completely in the dark. As I've already mentioned, the 4 tracks are brilliant and upon listening to the rest of the album, this time around it appears that they have kept to a slightly heavy trend for the majority of the album rather than a small sample of track. There is a healthy variation between tracks with "The One" & "Livin' My Life Like a Country Song" featuring Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts demonstrating a far slower, acoustic approach that's wonderfully contagious. Just prior to these tracks, I felt like I was listening to Rob Zombie rather the TOAD and its great to see the selection the band has chosen rather than lumping the same sort of things together that blend together into something that breezes by with no distinction.

My favourite part of this album is actually the lyrics of a fair few songs. The singles are obviously the strongest of the lot but "Blow" is probably one of their best written songs to date. I may even consider it one of the best I've heard in quite a while. Taking stabs at pop culture from reality TV too Kanye West and Chris Brown make it even better. Many of us will agree with all the points they say within the song and it shows that as a group, Theory of a Deadman really don't give a damn about what sort of flak they may get from the moronic state of individuals.

I'm no professional musician but listening to the album, the technique that goes into the pieces are great. Musically the album is solid. Its heavy, which can qualify itself for the Rock genre but its also catchy which make it extremely popular with a much wider audience and a great stepping stone for those interested in the genre. Canada appears to have released another group that can produce concrete music. Yes I'm talking about Nickleback and yes, I do like them. Alright, some tracks aren't up their with the greats and the singles but I feel that overall Savages deserves an 8/10. I'll end up having this album on repeat for a number of weeks and I doubt I will become sick of it!

Tinie Tempah - Demonstration - REVIEW

No, I don't get it either...

Tinie Tempah’s new album was released today. Seeing as I loved his first big album, I decided to actually go out and buy this one. First time in many years! With that in mind, I have really high hopes for the album and hope he shines through.

This time around, Tinie isn’t an unknown artist with very little supporting artists. Now he is teaming up with the new T-Pain/Lil Jon – 2 Chainz for his first single and as much as I tend to ignore 2 Chainz, I felt it was very good but still a huge rip off of Hopsin’s – Trampoline from a while back which consists of much the same material… Upon stating that one of his biggest inspirations for the album was Dizzie, you would expect a real grime element brought to the music and it’s safe to say, some of the songs do emulate the bass and aggressive beats really well. Don’t worry yourself, it’s now all smashing beats!

There is a nice variation of styles throughout, you can move from party tunes to a slow, mellow song and then to the catchy chart hits that made Tinie who he is today. Fortunately, he hasn’t forgot his beginnings on the streets of London. The variation of styles can be a bit confusing to listen first time around but they catch on after a full listen of the album. As I write this, I’m listening through for the 4^th time and I haven’t got sick of it but already have a few I adore so far. Each featuring artist has brought their flare to the song and the two that Labyrinth in resonate Pass Out which is quite possibly his best and key moment (Hipster moment – I loved it before it went big!).

Back on subject, Tinie’s flow is awesome and doesn’t made it hard to understand at any point. Yet, In Tears Run Dry, he sounds like he is having hairs plucked at the end of every sentence, making a little squeak which just destroys the song and emotion that it’s supposed to portray. With the variations, the lyrics have to switch consistently and thank god, a lot of it is logical, relatable and a little less about money, fame, women and drinking. Witch Doctor is a song that is a little confusing. The chorus and name don’t really reflect that it’s about a women, thus making it a little weird to hear. Typically, the bigger starts throughout talking about who rich they are. Lyrically, Don’t Sell Out, It’s Ok, and Children of the Sun are a few personal favourites and warrant a listen if you’re considering the album anytime soon. PS – If Tinie’s iconic “Yeeaaah” annoys you, expect to hear it a lot.

As a huge fan of Tinie’s and being that I have quite a hipster moment with his music, I felt I should go out and by the physical album. I would highly recommend that you go and get it too. As ever, I have a couple of songs that are weak compared to the rest but the album is really catchy and does show Tinie’s status within the music industry. 8/10 for this album – a few songs didn’t actually catch me and didn’t feel as strong as they could have been, especially when you are singing “A Heart Can Save The World”.

#WillPower Quicky Review

Welcome back to Black Ribbon Reviews, sorry I haven't had much, if any new content up but I have exams coming up and there is also little out at the moment!

Next Week : Star Trek - Into Darkness! 

As one of the biggest artists in our generation, you would suspect that Will.I.Am's albums should relate to his success. However, this album really doesn't fit.

The album is 1 hour 12 mins long with 18 tracks, so there is plenty for you money, yet it does feel as if that's all he really wanted. For instance, the song with Justin Beiber being a Single is actually not very good in comparison to another song on the album. While some of the songs seems to lack a punch.

The album is very bassy and has a nice variation of genres and backing tracks but lyrically, it is really lacking. Geekin' and Ghetto Ghetto songs are the perfect examples. It truly is weak, not Lil Wayne's new album bad but bad. Yet some albums are good with lyrics, for instance , Smile Mona Lisa is a very good song. Smile Mona Lisa has an Italian flair to it which sticks out prominently against the typically bass drops and dance music. Then you have Bang Bang straight after which feels like 40's swing music and is a great end to the album. The generic club tracks are alright. The bass drops are a particular favourite of mine. They are executed well and are grimy in comparison to the clean cut synth sounds. 

The variation throughout does make the whole album bearable but it's a very brain-dead, you don't really focus on the music until you are at the last 2 songs which are outrageously different. I feel that the album wouldn't appeal to those that have quite a substantial music taste and who pay attention to their music. So I shall be given this album a 6/10.

Fall Out Boy - Save Rock n' Roll - QUICKY REVIEW

Sorry for the late review!, I only just got my paws on it!

It's safe to say that this album truly is a refreshing reboot for Fall out Boy. Opening with the two singles you are left a little open to what is going to punch you on song #3 which packs one.

Sugar, we are going down is far, far away. This breaks new ground, into the pop/charts scene which some fans may really dislike. With the hiatus, the thought of an album was unlikely, but the drastic changes couldn't have ever been predicted.

Mr Stump's voice is far clearer and sharper than previous records and the lyrics are very good. His ability to appear that his voice leads the music really helps you to capture the lyrics and the extent of Patrick's vocal range, yet this can become over used when you notice the amount of crescendos that fill the majority of the songs. With a varied use of synthesisers and other musicians, the album is very strong with songs that stand on their own and don't fade away and a very positive feeling running throughout.

However, including Big Sean was a bit of a downer. He brought nothing to the song and doesn't blend in. Then you have Courtney Love. I don't like this women and it doesn't really help me listen to the song, yet the song has her influence within and is quite rockish in it's genre, but Courtney's lines (Rapping, singing, whatever it is.) are pretty poor. The 3rd noticeable featuring artist is Elton John. This is no surprise seeing he's performed with Eminem. Save Rock n' Roll takes Elton's classic love song and lumped it with Fall Out Boy's anthem capability and it's a magnificent tune. Elton's bass tones are exceptionally strong and great for that drive home...on your own with the tunes on full blast!

Musically the synth's made it sound like a show tune at the start and didn't fit with the songs it was used it. With an album length of 42 minutes (Yeah, I know right!) it certainly seems a stab in the back when they come back after 3 years. You would have expected something that was at least an hour long, with all the time to think about music, it doesn't truly reflect on the size and price of the album.

So, what do I rate this album? I feel that the album warrants 8/10. It's positive feeling to the album, keeps my head bopping and is very good as keeping me calm. Also, including Courtney Love and Big Sean were huge downers for me that didn't really push the songs to their full potential.

P.S - Save a bit of money and download it!

Imagine Dragons Night Vision album - QUICKY REVIEW!

We finally have it here in the UK!, it's only taken a few months...

Since the release of the single "Radioactive", I've been dying to listen to the album. On release, you notice that the tracks aren't as powerful as "Radioactive", yet they do still have a punch to them.

Unfortunately the album is 51 minutes long, which is a little shorter than I would like but the general quality of the music is brilliant, especially for a breakthrough album. The album is 13 songs long, which should technically be 14 songs when there is "Che-ching" missing from the US version of the album and "Fallen" from the UK version. This make me a little wary as the album lacks a great song to spread to their new audience but to also expand the length of the album to 55 mins.

Musically the album has the iconic indie style which varies song to song capturing your attention and avoiding the song feeling like they're dragging on. It's very calming and really is a nice album to cruise around with in your car...It works for me and my occasional spouts of 'road rage'. The instruments don't drown out the lead vocalist, but help to pronounce his lyrics and his distinctively powerful voice.

The lyrics are varied giving diversity to the album, moving from inspirational to stuff you could consider love songs. Every song has the catch chorus that wraps you into the song and gives even more power to each song! Vocally the lead singer has a very obvious style but manages to adapt to each song independently. With all the power and catchyness of these songs, you can see why they are getting used for adverts here, there and everywhere. I just hope that the songs don't get overplayed to the point that it can ruin this brilliant album.

Overall, I love the album. It doesn't blend into one big song, it has brilliant vocal and lyrically capability and has a nice mix of backing music. Occasionally however some song to appear a bit samey and catchy and strong songs are picked by advertisers to sell an item which may ruin some of the songs for me but I think this album deserves all the praise it is getting...8/10...maybe 9/10!

P.S - I also recommend buying the Amazon MP3 version, simply as it costs a lot less!