Week of Mar 6, 2022

 Less content this week after deciding to look for new candidates more vigorously. There are a couple of really good possibilities and a clunker. 

 News

Ukraine war by Russia continues, talk of chemical weapons possible

First Jan 6 conviction of sedition, obstruction by non-participant

Washington Post article suggests signs of civil war in the US by political extremists

Oil price climbs to $126 after Russia oil ban

Russell Wilson traded to Broncos

Baseball lookout ends

Music of Note

Uncomplicated straight forward rock that sizzles. It’s capable of being a hit machine with songs full of hooks at a pace that keep your feet moving. Not a dud on the album.

Ambient rock? An airy prog rock duo from England that use soaring melodies with occasional vocals succeeds most of the time. A band to keep an eye on.

Interesting Music

On again, off again band that power rocks in step with the bands they do other projects with (Tool, Puscifer), maybe a little softer touch.

Smart songs with keyboard centric arrangements and soft harmonizing vocals, there are moments they could be mistaken for “Trick of the Tail” period Genesis or Muse without the theatrics. Other times, the music sort of lays there and becomes Sanguine Ho-Hum. It seems the music and concepts have a potential to blossom but doesn’t try hard enough to put punch into the delivery.

I wanted to include a recent Chevelle release after being a big fan of some of the earlier hits from the last decade just to see if they have anything left. Fortunately, yes. A bit spotty, but tunes like “Piistol Star” and “Endlessly” have the hooks they are known for.

The Canadian thrash metal band has been around a long time, still using the pyrotechnics that define the genre, but with a sophisticated touch. The two drawbacks are the vocals and lacking any assemblance of a tuneful structure, both sap much of any enjoyment this album is capable of providing. Though, the 12-minute adventure called “Sonic Mycelium” may be one of the most bizarre compositions ever that would give the Beatles “Revolution #9” a real run for the money.

I liked the most current release, “Dream Weapon” and this is nearly as good. Very similar to Snow Patrol in many ways.