Cedric Burnside Delivers Hill Country Blues in the 21st Century with New Album 'I Be Trying'

As someone who’s just recently started delving into all the incredible artists, albums, and songs the blues has to offer, it’s pretty exciting to have a new release to dive headfirst into. Just last week, Cedric Burnside came through with his latest record, I Be Trying. 

I Be Trying is his second full-length album as a solo artist, and you couldn’t ask for a better follow up to his 2018 release, Benton County Relic. The album itself is contradictory in a way, drawing on the hill country blues sound of his grandfather, the legendary R.L. Burnside, but still managing to feel fresh and unique. Cedric Burnside does his own thing and proves that he is his own artist, and what an incredible one he is at that. I find that even after 10+ spins all the way through, I can’t stop listening – that’s how amazing this record is!

Vocally, he is incredible, delivering rich tones on the deeper “Bird Without A Feather” (a cover of his grandfather’s tune), and beautiful falsetto on the chorus of “Love You Forever”. His vocals are strong, soulful, and emotive, making this record all the more enjoyable to listen to. 

He’s a remarkable storyteller - I Be Trying explores dark and unhappy themes as well as themes of love in an auditory mosaic of the human experience. Burnside’s strong vocals and stripped down use of instrumentation keep the listener engaged and on the edge of their seat for the next note and word.

There’s no distraction from over-production or overelaborate arrangements. There’s a beautiful simplicity to this record, with nothing more than a guitar, drums, bass, and vocals (with background vocals from Burnside’s daughter Portrika on the title track!) used to create the majority of this unique musical experience, and the talent he has joining him to put this whole thing together is impressive, with Zac Cockrell (Alabama Shakes) on bass, Luther Dickinson providing some licks on guitar, and Reed Watson doing some of the drumming. 

Each track feels raw and authentic, with the instrumentation and Burnside’s voice lending themselves to the differing themes of each track so perfectly, and with something so raw and stripped down, there’s nothing to hide mistakes or prop up any weaknesses. There has to be some talent there, and Burnside does not disappoint on a single track. You can’t fake it when it comes to the blues, and that’s what’s so great about it. It’s a raw genre, and if you’re lacking in talent or authenticity, the listener is going to know it. Cedric Burnside is nothing if not authentic, and his talent shines on this record. 

Whether you’re a long-time listener and lover of blues music, or you’re a newcomer like me, you’re going to fall in love with this record, I promise. 

You can catch Cedric Burnside all over the country the rest of this year solo, with the North Mississippi Allstars for several dates this fall, and with Greta Van Fleet for two dates this August, which is where you’ll find me singing along to every word. Until those shows roll around, you can find me spinning this record non-stop, which is exactly what you should be doing!

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Interview With Nashville's Fuzz Rock Band, Year of October

Chloe caught up with Year of October, a fuzzy rock soul out band of Nashville, TN.

FOLLOW YEAR OF OCTOBER

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Two Artists Who Inspired Us With Their Coming Out Story

This month, we were able to celebrate Pride thanks to incredible people who paved the way like Marsha P. Johnson, a trans woman who fought all her life to create a safe place for lgbtqia+ people. She was the founder of STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) along with friend Sylvia Rivera. She was one of the founders of Gay Liberation Front too. Marsha inspired countless people and in return inspire others.

This article is focused on poc lgbtqia+ artists who inspired us with their coming out story, advocated for their rights ,and are proud of their sexuality.

KEHLANI

Let’s start with something strong: World renowned singer, Kehlani.

“Wanna know what’s new about me? I finally know I’m a lesbian,” she came out in an instagram live this April. You may know her from her collaborations with Zedd, and Ty Dolla Sign or from her stunning release, “Gangsta” . She recently released a new song on 18 of May, “Back Together” about the will to not go back with the ex. The song is catchy and empowering, marking multiple times in the chorus her point that she knows she deserves better and doesn’t want to continue the relationship.

“Damn, I love who we are when we ain't back together
I love who we are when we ain't back together”“Need you to know we ain't gettin' back together
But that doesn't mean that we can't come together
I finally want better, so whatever, we made up
'Cause I love who we are when we ain't back together”

The singer spoke about her sexuality and related privilege sharing: “I think a lot of artists who we talk about and say, “Oh, they had to come out or they had to do this”, a lot of them can’t hide it. A lot of it is very much in how they present. It’s tougher for them. It’s tougher for trans artists. It’s tougher for Black gay men. It’s tougher for Black masculine gay women.

I didn’t even really have to come out in my private life. I don’t walk down the street and have people look at me and go, “Oh, I bet she’s queer. Or I bet that she’s into women,' or anything like that because of the way I present. That’s all privilege.

I think that there are quite a few artists who were truly at the forefront but weren’t able to make the strides that I was able to make being 100% myself because of the way they present, and the biases and the phobias of the American public and the world. I’ve been lucky, super lucky.”

Bronze Avery

Bronze Avery is an openly gay singer that loves to be fluid about his music from pop to dance-pop, talking about about his life in his music with a desire to be more authentic.

Asked by Gay Times how his coming out affected his career he answered:
“It changed everything. I wasn’t out for a lot of the beginning of my music, and I don’t think a lot of people were able to connect with me. There’s a certain level of authenticity, and everyone has their own timings as to when it’s right for them, but for me, it personally changed everything. I felt so much more confident in myself. I thought people were understanding my perspective more, and I was able to see that my audience are people just like me, which is amazing. I was out at a club in LA, just the other night, and someone said to me: “You make such good music for people like us!” I was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t realise this was something that could maybe change a lot of different perspectives.’ I was just making music and telling my truth, and I didn’t realise it was impacting other people at all.”

He also shared that artists are not obliged to tell their views on topics but when they’re sure about doing it “it can really change everything.”

The Breakdown Episode 19: Beartooth's New Album, Below

Welcome to another episode of the Breakdown, our weekly talk for everything in the rock world. Beartooth has a new album!! So, we did a special episode with a track by track breakdown of each song on Below.

Album Review: Wristmeetrazor's Replica Of A Strange Love

Very rarely does Alternative Press send me an email that I actually enjoy, it's become more of a spam nowadays, but for once they introduced me to a diamond in the digital rough: Wristmeetrazor.

Besides the name that caught my curiosity, the single being featured on AP was “Last Tango In Paris” featuring Isaac Hale of Knocked Loose. It was not yet released on Spotify for streaming but only as a music video on YouTube and from this one single, I already knew this band would be a breakout artist for the year.

“Last Tango In Paris” took me back to a time where 2000’s core had disgusting riffs, squeals, breakdowns and haunting lyrics. It is the best versions of Atreyu, Bullet For My Valentine, and Eighteen Visions presented to you in one perfect song. 

This recipe for 2000’s core greatness, lives up to the hype in their sophomore album Replica Of A Strange Love . In this digital age of thoughtless streaming, playlists and shuffle mode are a second hand, natural habit now for listeners. Listening to an album from front to back is almost an elderly idea. However, this album should not fall into this habit.

Replica Of A Strange Love is a 33 minute 57 second journey, that you will find yourself keeping on repeat finding new parts to fall in love with. Normally I have a distaste when a band uses filler tracks in their album, these are typically a minute in length and filled with negative space of ambient noise, where you add them all together, a whole song or even multiple could have been added in. This is not the case for this album. 

“Nietzsche Is Dead” and “99 & 44/100“ provide beautiful transitions into the art of this album. “99 & 44/100” is actually one of my favorite parts in the album as it resembles a Nine Inch Nails, gothic vibe, as if it was made for the vampire Lestat in Queen Of The Damned.

Replica Of A Strange Love is an absolute work of art. Songs such as “Sycophant”, “Dies Irae”, and A” Fractured Dovetail Romance” are an endless gorge of riffs and breakdowns. Lead singer Justin Fornof, truly pushes the extent of his vocals and gives you a baptism in metal core.

For their sophomore album, Replica Of A Strange Love is already a contender for metal album of the year, and perhaps even the revival of 2000’s core golden years. 

The Breakdown E18: Album Covers

Welcome to another episode of The Breakdown, your weekly talk for everything in the rock world. This week we discuss album art and some of the most iconic ones over the years, along with how it’s dying now.

Albums: Steve Vai 3:25 Avenged Sevenfold 6:46 Van Halen 10:16 Iron Maiden 14:06 The Rolling Stone 17:20 Godsmack 19:20 Teenage Wrist 21:45 Blink 182 23:56 Of Limbo 26:39 Architects 29:03 Crown Lands 31:09 Taking Back Sunday 33:58 Underoath 36:17 Cold 38:38 Starbender 41:12 Limpbizkit 42:45 Scorpions 45:37 Megadeath 47:43 Moon City Masters 51:33 Bullet For Valentine 53:52

Review: Jinjer Releases Atmospheric Heavy Hitter, “Vortex”

Jinjer never fails to deliver and they certainly didn’t hold back with their new single “Vortex”, serving it up on a silver platter.

This is another one of their atmospheric heavy hitters that you don’t know if you should head bang or twirl around to. For anyone wondering, I will be doing both. 

With the anticipation of their new album Wallflowers, set to release August 27th, the band has stated in many interviews that this new material is, and I quote, “The most intense and aggressive sound they’ve ever had.” This being the first single they’ve released from the album, I can definitely see what they’re talking about and you will too. 

The song starts off beautifully eerie with the music carrying you to Tatiana’s angelic voice that seems to entrance you. The first few lyrics being “like a lunatic, frantic” precisely tell you where the song is going and what their new material has in store for us. It’s not long until the song starts to pick up and Tati’s vocals get even more intense with those signature screams all Jinjer fans know and love. Make sure you listen to it all the way through so you don’t miss out on the spine chilling growl she seemingly pulls out of thin air. 

This track gradually takes you up, back down, and then up even higher. Essentially taking you on a massive journey that you’ll want to experience again and again. 

“Vortex” is perfect for anyone who loves a good prog rock song with huge vocals and a profound meaning that you can further explore with each listen. I can’t wait for the album but until then you can find me listening to this song on full blast while telling everyone I know to do the same! 

Celebrating 5 LGBTQ+ Artists That Inspired Us

As Pride Month continues, we wanted to celebrate a handful of artists from the LGBTQ+ community that have inspired us featuring The Aces, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Halsey, and the Scissor Sisters. Read 4 personal yet very different connections from 4 of our writers and be sure to check out our Pride playlist at the very end.

The Aces

By Baylee Avery

One band that I think deserves recognition from the LGBTQ+ community is The Aces, an indie-pop band that consists of four young women, two of them being sisters.  I first found out about The Aces a few years ago when seeing them perform on Late Night With Seth Meyers about a month after their debut album was released and immediately became invested in their music. 

Three out of four members of The Aces are openly gay - Cristal and Alisa Ramirez, as well as Katie Henderson. In fact, Cristal has a video uploaded on The Aces’ official YouTube channel about her coming out story, which I highly recommend checking out.

What I find admirable about them is the fact that even after being told to not sing about girls, they still sang about girls on their second album, Under My Influence. It was very refreshing to hear in the music and it made every lyric feel real and more realistic than the songs off their debut. Especially in tracks such as “New Emotion”, “Kelly” and my personal favorite track (and favorite The Aces Song in general), “All Mean Nothing”.

Whoever is reading this, I highly recommend going on whatever streaming service you use and listen to their music. Specifically, their Under My Influence album.

Elton John

By Isabel

My personal Elton John journey began with the release of ‘Rocketman ‘and the biography Me Elton John. Hooked by a film that is one of my personal favorites of 2019, I embarked on a journey into a world of color, music, and fun. 

Classics like 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' or 'Honky Châtea' helped Elton John to astronomical success. Together with his lyricist, Bernie Taupins, John composed countless albums and is one of the most successful artists in the world. 

What fascinates me about Elton John and his music is a theme that seems to run through it: an awareness of expectations and the urge to work against them. Someone who is unapologetically colorful, covered in glitter, and likes nothing better than his creativity running wild. 

Elton John has not stopped living music until today. Be it releasing songs with Rina Sawayama or chatting in Instagram lives with Dua Lipa. Such a long career and still an open eye for young talent - Elton John is simply a legend.

Freddie Mercury

By Evie Wagner

In the music industry, only a select few manage to achieve legendary status. In my book, Freddie Mercury is number one with a bullet. I consider him to be the greatest rock frontman of all time; going places with his music, style, performances and persona that no one else at the time dared to go. Freddie has always been a true inspiration to me in so many ways, I even have a tattoo dedicated to him, and during Pride Month it is especially relevant to talk about how his sexuality and individuality has impacted and inspired the LGBTQ+ community. 

Through the years, there has been much speculation about Mercury’s sexual orientation, and whether he was gay or bisexual. While Mercury never officially came out, many believed he was bisexual due to his relationships with both men and women. However, it may be true that Mercury was a gay man who got involved with women because he was trying to build a career - and survive - in an era of rampant homophobia. Famously, the lyrics to Queen’s smash hit enigma “Bohemian Rhapsody” have been analyzed to lead some to believe it was a coming-out story. This theory has never been confirmed. 

In 1987, Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS, and privately fought the illness for nearly five years, only revealing his diagnosis publicly to the world a day before his death. For gay men in the 80’s, AIDS was a death sentence. Misconceptions were everywhere, and the illness was often referred to as the “gay disease” because it affected mostly homosexual men. Already living through a time where same-sex attraction was considered a mental illness, tragedy, or joke, and whilst having parents who practiced Zoroastrianism, a religion that saw being gay as a type of demon worship, Mercury battled his illness bravely until his last breath. Through this time, he continued to work and record music, releasing two more studio albums with Queen and contributing vocals to their final album, Made In Heaven, released posthumously in 1995. 

Though he was taken from us far too soon, Freddie Mercury’s legacy will live on forever. He was strong, talented, daring, confident, kind, unapologetically flamboyant and unique, and inspired countless individuals, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. Freddie was 100% himself and never diluted who he was for anybody - and that’s what I love most about him. 

** Postscript: In 1992, Brian May and Roger Taylor founded the Mercury Phoenix Trust - a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting AIDS worldwide. To date, they have raised over 17 million pounds for more than 1,000 projects in 57 countries and counting. You can donate to the Mercury Phoenix trust here.

Halsey

By Giulia Sabatinelli

I chose Halsey because joking when I was little I used to say “she makes me question my sexuality.” Years after here I am, a bisexual nineteen year old with still a love for halsey (I even saw her live. Gay panic).

Halsey is a openly bisexual person that deals with many important current topics such as abuse and black lives matter. She took part in demonstrations and helped the injured people together with Dominic Harrison, known as Yungblud.

Despite the option many people have of her, she’s a good example of resilience and also a person who really cares about the world she lives in.

Scissor Sisters

By Sara Brown

Scissor Sisters might be the US’s best kept musical secret. Enjoying the majority of their success in the UK, the band is based out of New York City, beginning their career playing shows in various clubs all over the city. Throughout their career they’ve earned the favor of legendary musicians Roger Waters and David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) for their unique cover of “Comfortably Numb” that became a dance club hit in the early 2000s, as well as the favor of Elton John, who collaborated with the band for two tracks on their sophomore record, Ta-Dah, from 2006. 

I discovered this band completely by chance on Spotify when “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” popped up in a playlist I was listening to. I couldn’t get that song out of my head after I heard it, so I jumped into their full discography head-first the very next day. What’s most addicting about Scissor Sisters for me is their ability to blend elements of glam rock, classic rock, pop, and even disco and funk with unconventional sounds and eclectic lyrics that have always made them stand out from their musical peers. 

What I love most about Scissor Sisters is their refusal to be anything other than their true selves. They’ve always done their own thing, no matter how unconventional or controversial. I believe authentic bands make the best music, and Scissor Sisters’ authenticity shines through in their fun, upbeat tunes and their more serious tunes too. Their authenticity inspires me to embrace the things that make me unique, the things that make me stand out. Not every band has that kind of effect, and it’s so special when you come across one that does. 

If compliments from Pink Floyd and collaborations with Elton John aren’t enough to convince you how good this band is, you’re just being stubborn. Spice up your playlist with one of their tunes, or be like me and go ahead and jump face-first into all the incredible music they have to offer – you won’t regret it, and I think you’ll even show yourself a little self-love in the process!

Review: The Moon City Masters 'Starstruck'

The Moon City Masters have done it again! This time around with an original and I am ENAMORED.

The best kind of song transports you into a new scene, maybe an alternate universe, and that’s exactly what The Moon City Masters’ “Starstruck” does. Chord progressions swirl you around the stars like you’re soaring through galaxy. Their harmonies carry you along as the melody sweeps you up. You can’t help but sway.

“We are but temporary residents of this corporeal substance. From the stars we came. To the stars we return. And who can look at the star-filled expanse of the night sky and not be struck by the wonder that inheres in all existence,” shared the neo-classic rock duo.

For anyone who spends their time wishing they were around in the height of rock n roll, I’m telling you, The Moon City Masters are exactly what you’re craving. This track in particular reminds me of the 70’s with hints of our beloved, Fleetwood Mac. It’s truly a beautiful piece.

“Starstruck” is the perfect summer lovin’ track. Empty out that truck bed, lay down a blanket, snuggle up close, and enjoy the glimmer of the midnight skies while The Moon City Masters takeover your speakers….

Show Review: Motionless In White's DeadStream 2 at PennHurst Asylum

Deadstream 2 was the perfect farewell to a year of online concerts with an iconic performance that no band has ever done. 

Back in October of 2020, Motionless In White held a special one night only,  Halloween livestream, Deadstream, and dedicated it toward the 10 year anniversary of their debut album Creatures, and played it in its entirety, including a new track inspired from the album “Creatures X: To The Grave”. It was a truly heartfelt performance as Chris ( lead singer ) shared stories and took fans down memory lane as they reminisce on this iconic album. 

Now with concerts & festivals returning in 2021, the band put on one last livestream event and perhaps the last band to host one in 2021. 

For their first Deadstream, MIW were in a small studio environment decorated in their classic halloween theme set that they usually have on tour. Deadstream 2 went much larger. This second livestream took place at PennHurst Asylum in Pennsylvania. A closed asylum since 1987 where patients were horribly abused and is now even considered a haunted place in America. 

Their set was in what looked like the main entrance courtyard of the asylum with its front doors and statues haunting the the band viewers. The band members themselves were situated on their own platforms spread out in the courtyard and even moment around during the concert, which they weren’t really able to in their first livestream as their space was much confined. 

The appearance was awesome, I did notice a huge change in sound compared to their first stream, but I was expecting this. The acoustics in performing in an open area like a courtyard have little to no acoustics, while their studio performance sounded absolutely immaculate. Even Chris’s voice, at first, sounded condensed, however that was quickly gone after the first few songs and his piercing vocals graced fans. 

With their first Deadstream, they preformed Creatures in its entirety, and for Deadstream 2 it was best of hits as they would do on tour minus any songs from Creatures. They also surprised fans with their first ever live cover song from The Killers “ Somebody Told Me”

Their setlist for the night was: 

1. Disguise

2. Reincarnate

3. </c0de>

4. Headache

5. Contemptress

6. Soft

7. Thoughts & Prayers

8. Voices

9. If It’s Dead, We’ll Kill It

10. Somebody Told Me ( The Killers Cover )

11. Catharsis

12. Sinematic

13. Black Damask ( The Fog )

14. Another Life

15. Enterally Yours

For perhaps the last livestream concert of 2021, Deadstream 2 was the perfect farewell to a year of online concerts with an iconic performance that no band has ever done. 

ALBUM REVIEW: Hardware by Billy F Gibbons

Billy Gibbons, Matt Sorum, and Austin Hanks headed to the desert to record an album and what they came back with is righteous. Hardware is Billy’s third studio album and it’s everything I hoped and dreamed it to be. It's fun, it’s cool, and most importantly, it’s a hard rock album that’s gonna take you on a magical journey through the desert. 

Immediately, this album is off to a hot and heavy start with “My Lucky Card”. The song begins with a great riff, then Billy comes in with his signature raspy voice stronger than ever before. The music video perfectly illustrates the concept of the song. It starts out in black and white while Billy is the only one in color. He’s driving a massive truck in the desert, then goes into this little honky tonk type restaurant and goes straight to the bar to get a beer from the bartender. The two of them share a drink and the bartender is now in color along with Billy. Matt and Austin are playing on a small stage and Billy joins them for an epic guitar solo, but he is playing guitar with his beer. If that doesn’t scream “Billy Gibbons”, I don’t know what does. 

Next we got “She’s on Fire”. This one has a really fun, beachy, California surfer sound that makes you wanna groove along to it. Then we completely shift gears with “More-More-More”, which has more of a hard rock, grungy sound along with an epic guitar solo. To shift gears even more, we go into an older, swing styled song, “Shuffle, Step & Slide”. Already, we are hearing a wide range of different sounds but somehow they all fit together so perfectly. Not to mention “Vegabond”, a very beautiful and soulful ballad that follows. 

“West Coast Junkie” is one of the singles from the album. The song definitely has a mysterious sound to it along with a really fun groove that tells a story. This is another song that features a music video. Like before, they’re in black and white and they are driving through the desert but in the very beginning, the three guys are on stage and Billy says his line, “People say to me, have mercy”. As he’s saying that, you hear these faint angelic sounds in the background and Matt and Austin are looking at Billy with their hands in prayer. For me, this moment symbolized Billy Gibbons as God and I loved it. There’s a lot of great little moments like that in the video. There’s one point where the three of them are watching three go-go dancers dance on these giant rocks and the camera first shows them watching, and then shows them trying to dance like the girls. It was a cute moment and it made me laugh. 

The gem on this album is the very long awaited collaboration with Larkin Poe. “Stackin’ Bones” is such a cool tune with a little bit of that beachy, surf’s up vibe. Of course there’s Billy’s rough and raspy voice but then hear these smoothe, and beautiful background vocals from Larkin Poe. The contrast of their voices really takes the song to the next level and totally makes it stand out from every other song on the album.

The album ends in a really interesting way with “Desert High”. The majority of the song is Billy telling a story and then ends with this really raw instrumental. Billy has such an interesting voice for story telling. It’s deep, it’s raspy, it’s mysterious, and I want to listen to it all day long. When Billy explained this song he said, "The desert is a truly mysterious place and we were privileged to have spent all that time there absorbing the heat, the vibe and cranking it out." Between Billy’s storytelling, the desert visuals from the music video, and the rattle from the rattlesnake throughout the song, you start to get that mystery that Billy is talking about. 

I love the theme and the concept behind the album. I think it's very original yet very on brand for Billy Gibbons. Not to mention the whole idea of driving in the middle of a desert is honestly so badass. There is a lot of heat in this album and you might not understand what that means until you listen to it. Some of my favorite songs I didn’t mention are “Spanish Fly” and “I Was a Highway” but overall every song is a masterpiece. Something else I love about this album is that you can tell from listening to it and watching all the videos that they put out that they had so much fun making this album and that honestly makes it even more enjoyable to listen to. Overall, well done and have mercy! 

Stream Hardware here.

The Breakdown Episode 17: New Albums by Mammoth WVH, Atreyu, + WristMeetRazor

Welcome to another episode of The Breakdown, our weekly talk for everything in the rock world. This week we discuss the release of Mammoth WVH, Atreyu and Wristmeetrazor. We share our thoughts, opinions and favorite tracks from each album…

Review: Lorde Makes Her Grand Return With 'Solar Power'

It’s been a long and slow four years since Lorde has released anything new. The one question that would play throughout my mind during the pandemic would be, “When the hell is Lorde going to release new music? Seriously, that would save us all right now,” I would think of that question whenever I would decide to go on a Lorde listening binge, which happens a little too often. 

Now, she’s back! The queen of indie pop herself has returned with a new track, titled “Solar Power”, just in time for the summer and has officially saved every single one of us, after being out of the public eye for so long. 

The song is what I would call an ultimate summertime anthem. The acoustics bring a summertime, feel good touch and it makes you want to throw on your brightest, yellow shade outfit to date and just twirl around on the beach. Bring in that good summertime serotonin!

It feels so different, but also feels like the same Lorde I first got to know and fell in love with when listening to “Royals” for the first time ever. In fact, listening to “Solar Power” made me think back to when I first discovered Lorde and the feeling I felt when listening to her for the first time ever. That itself made me realize that the feeling never went away. 

Listening to the song again and again, I can say that “Solar Power” is a strong start to whatever it is that Lorde has in store for her fans. After four years, it feels great to see her grand return and I am absolutely certain that this new album is going to be just as amazing. All hail the power of Lorde, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Book Review: Heavier Than Heaven

[TW // mentions of mental health issues and drug addiction] 

Growing up with cool parents with cool music taste, my introduction to Nirvana came at the early age of three. One of my first memories is standing in my living room watching the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video on our giant box TV just absolutely enthralled. The older I got, the more I began to resonate with the lyrics of Kurt Cobain and his way of thinking. Almost every Christmas, I was blessed with magazines talking about his life, Nirvana CD’s, and posters of him. It’s safe to say I know an unhealthy amount about Kurt Cobain. This book was my first proper biography I had ever read on him. I went into it knowing about the mixed reviews but decided I needed to judge for myself. 

This book details Cobain’s life in a startling way. If you have any preconceived notions of who he was and how he operated, this book will most likely tear them to shreds. Heavier Than Heaven, although the name of a tour Nirvana was a part of, can easily be used to describe the soul of Kurt Cobain which is on full display in this biography. 

It starts out as any typical biography, detailing his birth, family life, and early childhood in a very efficient yet story-like way; a phrase that can be used to describe how this entire book is executed. A nice touch that I really love is that every chapter is named after a quote from Kurt or someone close to him which seemed to, at least in my case, reel in the reader and connect them straight to Kurt. 

Being completely honest, there isn’t much to absolutely love about the book. It’s just a typical biography but it is well documented, and almost everything comes straight from interviews the author held with people close to Cobain, so the facts and extra layers of the story are all there. If you know a lot about Kurt Cobain already you might not find much in this book you haven’t heard before. With that being said, there are many pieces of information inserted that I found to be unnecessary for people to know in order to understand who Kurt was as a person. Some of the unexpected tidbits of personal information led me to put the book down because I was deeply disturbed and felt like I was invading his privacy which, even in his 27 years of death, he still deserves. 

The first half of this book talks about his early life leading up to his musical career. I found everything to be very accurate to the point where you knew what he was thinking during those times and if you’ve gone through similar struggles in your adolescence, you’ll be able to relate to him immediately. The second half of the book details the bulk of his musical career and adult life. These are the parts most people know already since he’s become somewhat of a musical icon. With this half of his life came the bad parts of his drug addiction and mental health. While his struggles were a huge part of his life, a catalyst for his writing, and most accounts of his situation can serve as a cautionary tale, I found that the author of this book rushed through certain parts of his musical career and success in order to detail the tribulations of his addiction. Ultimately, the author seemed eager to talk of Kurt’s early demise as he alludes to his death several times throughout the book.

As the book winds down and you get to the final chapters, you realize what the book is going to end on and you dread it. This leads me to the major piece that I disliked about this book which was the last chapter. The author took many creative liberties to detail Kurt’s final moments as if it were a script from a movie. He tries to tell us exactly what Kurt was thinking and how he was planning, which is something no one truly knows except Kurt himself. Through reading multiple positive and negative reviews about this book, I noticed most people felt the exact same way about this. It’s just very off putting and plays into a bigger issue that a lot of people, especially in the media, are guilty of. They often assume they know exactly what a mentally ill person is thinking and why which only furthers the stigmas surrounding mental health. 

It did seem as though the author was only paying attention to the negative aspects toward the end of Kurt’s life but in reality, it pinpoints the exact moments where pieces started falling apart and how he was unable to piece them back together. It gets across the point that he was incessantly struggling to stay afloat which is a hard pill for some people to swallow. 

All in all, this book is incredibly telling and is a great starting point if you want to get to know and understand Kurt Cobain’s life. Even down to the stuff you’ll wish you didn’t read.

Album Review: Wolfgang Van Halen Makes His Album Debut with Mammoth WVH

I’ve been listening to Mammoth WVH’s debut album for almost a week now and every single time I press play, I feel an overwhelming sense of comfort wash over me and it’s weird. It’s a feeling my head can’t quite grasp but my heart certainly can. 

Rich in sound and genuine in its lyricism, Mammoth WVH feels new and exciting yet warm and embracing. The self-titled album is Wolfgang (Wolf) Van Halen’s debut as Mammoth WVH and it’s one hell of a first impression. Showcasing his talents, Wolf wrote every single song, handled all vocals, and performed all of the instrumentation on the album. The product is a multi-layered, goose-bump inducing, power loaded rock album. Sonically, the entire album packs a punch and gives listeners something to jam to from beginning to end. The 14-track album features everything from heavy to soft, headbangers to tear jerkers. There is truly something for every fan of rock. 

If you’re looking for a follow-up Van Halen album, sorry, you simply won’t find that here. Now, if you’re looking for a continuation of musical artistry and ingenuity, you’ve come to the right place. While you’ll catch some Van Halen nods like the name, an inspired lick or two, and a “So This Is Love?” quote, this album is distinctly Mammoth WVH. 

“You only have one chance to make a first impression, and I wanted to do so to the best of my abilities,” Wolfgang shared, “Throughout the whole process, I was finding who I am musically and by the end, I got a pretty good handle on a sound I can claim for myself.”

In a recent interview, Wolf mentioned that this album was the only thing Eddie Van Halen had on his phone, and now, it’s the only thing I’ll be playing for quite some time….

Mr. Ed:

BAM! Right from the start, the energy is high and the guitar wastes no time hitting you right in the face. The hard driving drum beat adds to the power, building into the chorus. Although the lyrics have absolutely nothing to do with Eddie Van Halen, you’ll catch some harmonic taps that give this song the perfect nod to the legendary guitarist that inspired so many. 

Horribly Right:

One of the grittiest songs on the album, “Horribly Right” brings in those heavy guitar riffs that make you feel like you’re caught up on stage, just rocking out with the band. 

Epiphany:

Powerful vocals and catchy guitar riffs, “Epiphany” is one you feel in your soul from start to finish. The deep bass pulls me in, the chorus explodes and the song completely envelopes me. I feel like I’m floating amongst the sound waves. Rocking around, the song takes the listener for a ride as the chord progressions switch up and the vocals are centralized. Wolf sings, “I’ve never felt more alive,” and I couldn’t agree more when listening to “Epiphany”. 

Don’t Back Down:

Most of us have had plenty of time to crank this one up at high volumes, and for me, it’s still on heavy rotation. “Don’t Back Down” was an incredibly strong single and really set the bar for what Wolfgang had to offer as a solo artist. Playing off of the lyrics, sonically “Don’t Back Down” chugs along as a continuous build up of swirling riffs and powerful vocals. It’s motivating and leaves me on an energy high. 

Read my full review of “Don’t Back Down” here.

Resolve:

Layered electric and acoustic guitars blended with a thick bass lead this story. The weaving in and out of the guitars allow for the solo to sneak in and ignite the sound of soul. With honest lyrics like, “Countless hours, only you can cure this pain, you fucking coward,” Wolf holds nothing back and you can hear the conviction in his vocals. 

You’ll Be the One:

Turning the temp back up a notch, “You’ll Be The One” is a great example of Wolfgang honing in on his own sound. Midway into the song, the guitar takes center stage raining down into echoed vocals creating an epic build into a short but explosive solo. 

Mammoth: 

“Mammoth” creates a sense of motivation with inspiring lyrics and uplifting instrumentals to back it up. As we reach the solo, it feels like we’re climbing to the top, “anything is possible.”  Knowing Wolf played the original Frankenstein on this solo only adds to the meaning. Incredibly guitar driven, the riffs in this track feel a bit pop-punk to me. 

Circles :

Guitars ricochet like something hitting the water creating ripples. “Circles” is moody and all consuming. A slowed tempo, smooth vocals and impassioned guitar riffs create an emotional build up that seems to wash over my entire being. Time slows down, Wolf softly sings “I’ll wait for you” closed with a single strum and a wave of emotions hit as the guitars and drums flood back in. I’d be dishonest if I said this one didn’t bring tears to my eyes.

The Big Picture:

Hope you’re ready to rock, because “The Big Picture” brings it! Heavier chord progressions and aggressive vocals help give this the 90’s rock sound we’ve all come to love (and miss). With no surprise, Wolf shared one of his inspirations was Alice In Chains. 

Think It Over:

Speaking of inspiration, Fans of Jimmy Eat World will appreciate the overall sound of “Think It Over”. The strong steady beat builds a wholesome rapport and make this song feel like home. The solo feels very down to earth, just enough umph without overdoing it. 

You’re To Blame :

THIS is the kind of song that makes me wish I was in a band. Though this song was released as a single and has been out for quite some time now, “You’re To Blame” is still one of my favorites to blast and sing like I’m putting on my own show. The passion in Wolf’s vocals and the solo layered onto the uphill chord progression  is enough to get you revved up for the unforeseeable future. 

Read my full review of “You’re To Blame” here.

Feel: 

The heavy continues and I am HERE for it! Get ready for a ride of multi-layered vocals and chugging riffs. Percussion builds intensity as we gear up for not only a guitar solo but a drum solo. And while the instrumentals are quite robust, we never lose the power of Wolf’s vocals. 

Stone:

Another full body experience, “Stone” cocoons the listener with fuzzy guitar and a down tempo. Wolf’s vocals melt into the slow yet constant build. Just as you get comfortable, the guitar “plugs in” and intensifies, making you feel like you’re ascending into the musical abyss. 

Distance:

Like any good album, it takes you on a musical journey. “Distance” may not have been planned to fit into this album but it became the perfect ending and I don’t think it would truly be complete without it. You can feel the love in every single note sung and strummed. This was our first introduction to Wolf as an artist on his own and it was the first time I found comfort in his music. “Distance” quickly became closure for all of us who kept Eddie Van Halen close to our hearts and It will continue to help heal hearts for years to come. 

Read my full review of “Distance” here.