What struck me was how many catchy songs were on this album. While there is no common theme to this album, it’s exactly what we love about !!!. Tracks like “Slyd” and “One Girl / One Boy” highlight their funky side while tracks like “Fine Fine Fine” and “Except Death” showcase their live instrument talents.

I have been waiting for this album for months. For me, there is nothing better than a gorgeous day, a ride through the coast in a convertible,  and Thriller playing full blast as the wind blows through my hair. Thriller is full of complicated funk tracks as well as stripped down gems. I was impressed by the complex simplicity that makes any !!! album an instant classic.

Bottom Line: This is easily one of the best albums of the year. It seems like funk/disco is making a comeback. With the new Daft Punk and Robin Thicke track climbing the charts, !!! shows that they have been ahead of the trend for years.

Rating: 9/10

http://www.claylancaster.com

June 3rd will see the release of the band’s sixth studio album, …Like Clockwork.

The biggest thing I noticed with this new record is the maturity of the songwriting. The tracks seem more hand-crafted this time around, and the styles range from gritty rock and strange melodies to almost piano pop (e.g. “Like Clockwork” intro). The overall attitude sits in the bluesy, heavy and dark section of the room.

…Like Clockwork is definitely not an in-your-face release, but it arguably stands as Queens’ most confident effort… and the personnel here is borderline insane. Aside from the usual suspects, we see the return of Dave Grohl on drums for most tracks, Jon Theodore (the original Mars Volta drummer, who is now a full-time member of QOTSA), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) lends some vocals, Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor contributes to a couple of tracks, and even Sir Elton John (yes, Elton John) can be heard on piano and vocals on “Fairweather Friends”.

Tracks like “My God is the Sun” and “I Sat by the Ocean” are very recognizably Queens of the Stone Age.

“The Vampyre of Time and Memory” is a sultry descending track that I felt would have been a great soundtrack to the recently re-imagined Great Gatsby film. More-so than the ridiculous existing soundtrack.

Bottom Line: …Like Clockwork has a lot to offer, and it changes up the mood just enough to remain interesting throughout it’s 46-minute length. As some previous QOTSA releases are hit or miss with me, I thoroughly enjoyed this one from front to back. Upon first listen, my stand-out tracks are “Keep Your Eyes Peeled”, “My God Is The Sun”, “Fairweather Friends” and “Smooth Sailing”.

Rating: 8.5/10

Like Michael Jackson or Prince before them, Bad Rabbits is seemingly on track to win over fans in multiple arenas of music. Upon first listen, the music is blatantly in the R&B or Soul categories. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find rock, funk, or even New Jack Swing influences.

In 2008 Bad Rabbits hit the scene with a self-titled EP that sounded like modern-day Bobby Brown… or anything that Teddy Riley put his hands on in the early 90′s. It was slick, with big beats, soulful vocals, funky synths, and some damn good grooves. Not only did their crowds grow at home, but (despite the genre differences) the band garnered attention from the hardcore/punk crowds on Warped Tour as well as landing a touring spot with alt-punk band Taking Back Sunday.

So, after four years of waiting, how does American Love stack up?

It’s awesome. Much more refined than the earlier EP. We have some layered song structures, aggressive vocals, big beats… the works. As well as elements of humor.

The only track I’d maybe skip is “Take It Off”, as it repeats a little too often for my taste. But highlights certainly include “We Can Roll”, “Dirty”, and “Dance Moves.”

If you longed for an updated revisit of the New Jack Swing era like Bobby Brown, Bel Biv Devoe, or New Edition, then go purchase American Love right now. Right now. Do it.

Bottom Line: Beats and energy for days. This won’t leave your car stereo this summer.

Rating 9/10.

Be sure to catch one of their crazy live shows this summer!

Jim Breuer has been making people laugh for decades. From his work on Saturday Night Live to his one man specials, Breuer has been a favorite of rockers and comedy fans alike. Mixing references to rock n’ roll and parenting advice, Breuer is looking to make a comeback. He sat with JC to talk about what new Comics need to do to find their style, what’s it’s like to be the Father of a teenager, and what you can expect from him soon.

WHO: Jim Breuer and RNDM
WHEN: Monday May 20th, 2013 @ 8pm (PDT)
WHERE: RIGHT HERE!!!

Fall Out Boy Tour Dates:

9/5 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
9/6 – Lowell, MA @ Tsongas Arena
9/7 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
9/8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Liacouras Center
9/10 – Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center
9/11 – Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University
9/14 – Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
9/15 – Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach at Molson Canadian
9/18 – Broomfield, CO @ First Bank Center
9/20 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
9/21 – San Francisco, CA @ America’s Cup Pavilion
9/22 – San Diego, CA @ Valley View Casino Center
9/25 – The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
9/26 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
9/28 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore
9/29 – Tampa, FL @ USF Sun Dome

For Su!, it’s clear 2013 will be just as busy if not busier than 2012 was for him. Last year, he collaborated with Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent, and E-40, was hailed by SPIN, Stereogum, and The FADER as one the best rising artists of the year, and ended the year converting more fans with the release of his $uzy 6 $peed mixtape. Problem has been just as busy, working with artists like Snoop Dogg, E-40, Chris Brown, and releasing his own solo tape, Welcome To Mollywood 2,in late 2012, with the project earning accolades from SPIN (“Rap Release Of The Week”), VIBE, Complex, and more. Now, after the February release of the two rappers’ Million Dollar Afro mixtape and storming through Austin at SXSW, Iamsu! and Problem will team up in April and May tearing up the West Coast and NYC, proving why everyone wants a piece of them.

Million Dollar Afro Tour Dates:

4/12 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
4/14 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
4/19 Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre
4/21 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
4/24 Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
4/25 Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones
4/30 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
5/01 San Luis Obispo @ SLO Brew
5/08 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
5/15 New York, NY @ Santos Party House

The band will be celebrating the release of Patterns with a select number of headlining shows, including a special hometown Record Store Day show in Detroit at The Majestic Theater for the second year in a row. They’ll also be performing in NYC, Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. All confirmed dates are below. 

“Queens of the Stone Age will release its six studio album …Like Clockwork this June on Matador Records, which is part of Beggars Group, the largest independent label group in the world. Described by Queens principal Joshua Homme as “an audio documentary of a manic year,” …Like Clockwork is the band’s first full length collection of all new material since 2007′s Era Vulgaris, as well as the band’s debut release on new label partner Matador.

…Like Clockwork will be supported by an extensive world tour, marking Queen of the Stone Age’s return to the stage for the first time since the limited dates that commemorated the 2011 re-release of the band’s self-titled 1998 debut.

 …Like Clockwork was produced by Joshua Homme & QOTSA and recorded by Mark Rankin at Pink Duck Studios in Burbank, Ca. 

As previously reported by the internets, …Like Clockwork includes drums by Dave Grohl, Joey Castillo, and Jon Theodore, and guest appearances by Sir Elton John, Mark Lanegan, Nick Oliveri, Trent Reznor, Jake Shears, James Lavelle, and Alex Turner.”

Keep checking back for more information. We’ll post it as it becomes available.

Mumford and Sons Tour Dates:

May
21 – Calgary, Alberta @ Scotiabank Saddledome
22 – Edmonton, Alberta @ Rexall Place
24 – Surrey, British Columbia @ Holland Park
26 – George, Wash. @ Sasquatch Music Festival
27 – Portland, Ore. @ Rose Garden Arena
29 – Berkeley, Calif. @ Greek Theatre
30 – Berkeley, Calif. @ Greek Theatre
31 – Berkeley, Calif. @ Greek Theatre

June
2 – San Bernardino, Calif. @ Glen Helen Regional Park
3 – Chula Vista, Calif. @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
5 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Desert Sky Pavilion
6 – Taos, N.M. – Kit Carson Park
8 – Austin, Texas – Austin 360 Amphitheater
9 – Austin, Texas – Austin 360 Amphitheater
11 – Dallas, Texas – Gexa Energy Pavilion
12 – The Woodlands, Texas – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
13 – New Orleans, La. – Mardi Gras World
15 – Manchester, Tenn. – Bonnaroo Music Festival
17 – Bonner Springs, Kan. – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
20 – Telluride, Colo. – Telluride Bluegrass Festival

August
2-4 – Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
23-24 – Simcoe, Ontario – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover
30-31 – Troy, Ohio – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover

September
6-7 – Guthrie, Ok. – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover
13-14 – St. Augustine, Fla. – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover