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