Anthony Raneri & Vinny Caruana Show @ Maxwell's

Clear your calendars! Anthony Raneri of Bayside just announced in today's twitter he will be playing a show with Vinny Caruana @ Maxwell's on 6/18.

New Album Leaked: The Sleeping - What It Takes

The Sleeping's new album, What It Takes, was leaked on the internet about 18 hours ago.

Make sure you support these guys by buying the album on February 17th!

2008 Year In Music Review

I have to be honest....I didn't take the time to listen to much of anything in 2008 let alone anything new from the underground and indie scene. I'm not sure if it's me or the industry this year, but I'll make sure to include a more diverse interest in music in 2009. For the most part, I stuck to what I knew to be good in the past. A formula that proved to be a decent 2008.

Favorite Songs of 2008:

• Thursday - As He Climbed the Dark Mountain
• Rise Against - Hero of War

Hidden Jewel of 2008:

• Moving Mountains:
  

I saw these guys open for Thursday/The Sleeping at Toad's Place in December. All I can remember is I wanted a beer so bad, but I was too completely mezmorized to get one. In fact, I remember some random guy next to me saying, "Damn these guys are good." And, shit, they really fucking were.

Pretty Good Albums of 2008:

• The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound:

I didn't really care for Gaslight Anthem until I saw them play at Roseland in late 2008. It's nice to know that not all albums these days are centered around being angry or hurt. Instead, the '59 sound takes a more simple approach to life, which is why I think this album is embraced universally.

• Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

I get quite reminicsent of how happy California makes me feel when listening to this album. You can tell that California means happiness even to Andrew MacMahon, who had been going through Leukemia before the album was released. Aside from my obvious love of SoCal, this album incorporates influences from the great Tom Petty most notably in the track, "American Love."

• Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony

Truth be told, I never got into Alkaline Trio until I picked up Agony and Irony. I'm grateful for this album because although it's probably not Alkaline Trio's best work, it opened up my world to their first album, Goddammit. I soon understood why everyone has been embracing this band since infancy.

• Rise Against - Appeal to Reason

Some might say Appeal to Reason was an album too commercial for Rise Against. However, I absolutely have respect for a band that continues to produce great political music and promote it to the youth of America. I also give much respect to a band that can incorporate "Queen" influence into its melody. Lastly, any song that can make me feel so much emotion that I start crying while driving, is absolutely and positively worth every penny I spent on that album.

• Bayside - Shudder

Any band that can release an album, tour non-stop, somehow find time for the lead singer to get married, and then produce another album all within a little more of a year's timespan is quite accomplishing in my books. Although Shudder isn't Bayside's best album to date, it absolutely illustrates their strong work ethic and talent. For that, Shudder's B+ receives a strong A-.

Most Anticipated 2009 Albums:

• Green Day
• Our Lady Peace
• Thursday
• Circa Survive

"Seriously, what the hell was I thinking?" Album in 2008:

• Cobra Starship - Viva La Cobra!

New Found Glory, Set Your Goals, and Bayside

Looks like NFG, Set Your Goals and Bayside will be touring this spring! http://hawthornetheater.com/calendar.php

Thursday, The Sleeping @ Toad's Place

On December 12th, the Sleeping joined forces with Victory mates and NJ post-hardcore band, Thursday. The Dear Hunter and Moving Mountains supported the random get together show before the holidays.

To be honest, I wasn't able to stay for Thursday. Which is...believe me, a huge bummer. However, I did manage to hear some new songs from The Sleeping. Their new album is set to release on the 17th (same day as Thursday, which everyone should absolutely go buy). I'm still a little scared about The Sleeping's new songs, but I'm more excited than anything. I think their record is going to be one of those albums you need to listen to a few times before you somehow turn absolutely obsessed over the album (think...Incubus?).

I've heard of the Dear Hunter before and I was stoked to hear their music. However, I was a bit disappointed in how generic they sounded. That's not to say they weren't talented because they were absolutely beyond talented, but they didn't make me want to go out and buy their album the next day.

Moving Mountains did just that. Moving Mountains hails from Purchase, NY and just released their full length, Foreward, last week. WOW these guys are good. They're indie (not exactly my favorite genre), but you can just tell they're amazing musicians with whatever type of music genre they touch.

I walked into Toad's just as the lights were dimming for Moving Mountains. Man, I wanted a beer so bad as soon as I got there, but I kept telling myself, "ok when this 'no name band' plays a bad song...move to the bar." Yeah, I never got to the bar during Moving Mountain's set. They were just as undoubtedly fantastic from the first note until the last. Memorizing.

In fact, I overheard someone next to me exclaim about how awesome this band was (probably just as clueless about their existance as I was). When Moving Mountains finished, you could hear the genuine claps from people who had no idea who these guys were until that very night.

Props to Moving Mountains for outstanding musicianship in such a world overruled by scene and regurgitated music. They're doing something different. I wish them best of luck on being the next big thing.

Angels & Kings Show 12.05.08

Great showing for Vinnie from The Movielife at Angels & Kings in early December. Although it's been too long to really recall any of the acts from that night (sorry, laziness to blog set in, or maybe it was that no one really stood out?), I can tell you that I do quite clearly recall A&K being fully packed by 8pm. It was a fun night hearing the crowd sing along to Vinnie's jams (both from IATA and The Movielife). It also was nice knowing I'd hear Vinnie sing those Movielife songs at least one last time (although I'm sure it won't be the last *knocks on wood*). Vinnie did play again on the 12th which I missed to go see Thursday and The Sleeping instead @ Toad's Place in CT.

Anyone have comments about Vinnie @ A&K from the 12th?? I'd love to hear how that night went.

Vinnie Caruana: The Movielife Set at Angels & Kings

Vinnie Caruana of I Am The Avalanche will be playing songs from The Movielife @ Angels & Kings on Friday December 5th, 7:30pm.

Oh how I'm so unbelievably stoked about this!