"I Have Not Seen The Wind" Review

Artist: Arthur Alligood

Album: I Have Not Seen The Wind

My Rating: 8/10 (A MUST HAVE!)

Today, on March 15^th, the world is blessed to finally have the newest release from singer/songwriter, Arthur Alligood. Hailing from Nashville, Arthur shows his country music roots with his new album titled I Have Not Seen The Wind.

Sounds from lap steel guitars, violins (or should I say fiddles), mandolins, and warm acoustic guitars make for an incredibly well done and well-rounded folk album. But that isn’t all. Alligood throws some electric guitar and drums into the production of this record to liven it up a bit, and songs such as “Keep Your Head Up,” and “ Make Her Smile,” prove to do that.

Kenny Hutson (producer of the album) and the people at Red Rose Studio did an excellent job of making this the best record Alligood has ever released. The production quality is pristine and it naturally compliments the quality of the written song. Finally, Alligood’s songwriting ability is seen at its full potential and can be appreciated through the quality it is presented in.

Like any Arthur Alligood release, I Have Not Seen The Wind is full of heartfelt lyrics that explain real life hardships with very great melodies. Except this time, I believe that just like his music has matured, so have his lyrics. The lyrics of I Have Not Seen the Wind come from a songwriter who has grown immensely in not only the art of writing songs, but also in life. This is most evident in his song, “Come On Something,” which I urge you to listen to. But Arthur wouldn’t want you to “judge his album by one song”. That’s why you should either pick up his album at a show or purchase it online at the following links:

http://www.arthuralligood.com/discography/i-have-not-seen-the-wind-2010/

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/arthur-alligood/id175780822?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Support Arthur through Facebook and/or Twitter!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arthur-Alligood/260741779160

http://twitter.com/#!/ArthurVAlligood

Long Live Long Live!

This review is a couple of months late and for that I apologize for that. But it's better late than never. Basically, I just want to talk about how much I love The Chariot's new album titled "Long Live."

First let me just say that a lot of the music that I've listened to since I've been an old man in college has been really chill. I would find myself listening to folk or indie music and sometimes I'd realize that I was listening to... wait for it... indie folk. I know, I know. I sound like a Starbucks addicted, Yagoot loving, Borders shopping Hipster. And I am, I can't deny that, but this album re-awoke the Scenester in me. It helped me start listening to the music that I really enjoy again. And I don't mean metal music, I just mean music with life to it. Music with an energy in it that can get your adrenaline pumping through your veins.

This album, like any Chariot album , is chaotic and angry. Josh Scogin, the singer, screams lyrics about revolution. What is the revolution? Well, he speaks out about a revolution in Christianity, alongside a revolution in music. That this subculture of being in a ministry band and/or the supporters of these bands aren't going to fade away, but rather we're going to change the world. They're chanting "Long Live" to this movement. In their song "The City", Scogin screams, "We can't hope that somebody else takes our place." Meaning we need to spread the Gospel and not rely on others to do it for us. We need to revolt against this world and change it.

I love this album because it has one of the greatest calls to actions that I've ever heard in song. And if you're looking to get pumped up this is where you have to go.

For fans of: Norma Jean, mewithoutYou's (A to B:Life), riots, and raw steak.

I considered it.

So the other day I was shopping on iTunes and sometimes I like to go to my favorite artists and see what "Other Listener's Bought." It's the easiest way to find new bands and most the time I like what I hear. When I was viewing My Epic's page I came across Consider the Thief. Out of each 30 second preview I liked what I heard and so I bought it. Usually when I do this I just end up with some alright album, but Consider the Thief's Signs and Wonders is different. And it's EXACTLY what I needed for my musical taste buds. This album sounds like a blend of Thrice's Water EP from The Alchemy Index and The Recieveing End of Sirens' The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi except way more melodic. It's a really great album with solid songs that talk about faith and the glorious things God has done. I would recommend giving this album a try if you're looking for something that has amazing lyrics, a good beat, and some ambience to it. But don't take my word for it listen to it by clicking on the link: Signs and Wonders by Consider the Thief.

Favorite Song: "Son of Hell"

Bbank's Top 5 Albums for 2010

1. OMNI by Minus the Bear

(Released May 4, 2010)

The album, OMNI, is not unlike it's predecessors, Menos El Oso and Planet Ice, in that it shares the same groovy bass parts, interesting keyboard/synthesizer sounds, and beautifully done guitar parts. But it does stand apart because the songs are more singable, with lyrics that vocalize a summer relationship that just goes wrong. If you listen to this album you will not be able to stop. I've had this album since May and I still can't stop listening to it. Thus why it is my number 1 album for 2010.

2. Year of the Black Rainbow by Coheed and Cambria (Released April 13, 2010)

When I was told that Coheed and Cambria was releasing their fifth album on April 13th, I was scared. I didn't like the sound of their prior album, No World For Tomorrow, and this was the last chance I was going to give one of my favorite bands to show me they still had it. And with the release of Year of the Black Rainbow, I believe they still do. This album was such a redemption for NWFT and is arguably my favorite album by them. Claudio's voice has never been so melodic, nor their music so driving.

3. Yet by My Epic (Released July 6, 2010)

Thanks to a tour that My Epic had with So Long Forgotten, I heard about these guys, and I'm so glad that I did. Their album, Yet, is filled with amazing lyrics that are honest and well put together. And although they are only a trio, they do a good job of making their sound full and huge. This album was a huge relief to hear because it shows that there can still be bands that sound similar to acts such as As Cities Burn, but still have a very definite sound to themselves as well.

4. Blue Sky Noise by Circa Survive (Released April 20, 2010)

Of course Anthony Green and the rest of the guys from Circa Survive would release their Junior album on 4/20, and maybe that worked for them, because it is incredible. It was their first release on their new major record label, Atlantic, and it seems this forced them to make their vocals more melodic. Granted, no one can really sing along with Anthony Green, but the vocal lines in this C.D. makes the listener more willing to try. The many pump-up songs in this album will make it an album that is worth listening to year after year. PLUS I love how dirty the bass player is.

5. Cleanhead-EP by Oceana (Released May 10, 2010)

No one saw this coming, including myself. I never got into Oceana's older stuff, because well, I was fed up with that type of metal music. But when I heard that some changes were being made to the lineup and that instead of screaming they were going to sing, I could think of only one thing: As Cities Burn's transition from "Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest" to "Come Now Sleep." I had to hear this new EP that Oceana was releasing and when I did, I figured I was right. This EP only has 4 songs, but it's 4 songs with heavy guitar tones, catchy rhythms, and a rawness about them that makes me think that despite it's length it still deserves a spot in the top 5 of 2010.