If you’re anything like me, you were pumped to hear that AC/DC was releasing a new album. Although I was slightly less pumped to hear that it was being released exclusively at Wal*Mart. After waiting eight years since Stiff Upper Lip, it was nice to get some new licks from Angus and the gang.

The album features a load of songs packed with the classic AC/DC sound that is sure to be loved by any fan young or old. The unmistakable sound of the brothers Young on guitar, and Brian Johnson belting it out the album easily falls right into the groove that you’re used to. Although the first single from the album, “Rock N Roll Train” was really overplayed leading up to, and after the release of the album the rest of the tracks are pretty solid. Black Ice debuted at #1 in just about every country, with the exception of South Africa and Turkey.

My friend Nate said that he felt like Angus was holding back a little on the solos on this album, and I might have to agree with him. I didn’t get the rolling-around-on-the-ground-in-a-schoolboy-outfit feel that I was used to from Angus’ licks on most of the tracks. It was more like the shuffling-around-in-a-schoolboy-uniform that you’d expect from a 53 year old rock star. Nonetheless, a very solid release from the legendary AC/DC. Pick it up and have a listen if you’ve had that itch for something other than Dirty Deeds to jam out to in the car.

There is a lot to be said about this album, which for many people was anticipated about as much as Duke Nukem Forever. The release of Chinese Democracy marks the release of new studio material from GNR since Use Your Illusion I and II in September 1991. I can’t honestly say that I was expecting a whole lot from the album when I heard that it was really for real going to come out. But I decided that I would pick it up and give it a listen.

I will start out by saying that if you aren’t a fan of Guns ‘N Roses, or more specifically Axl Rose, you probably won’t like this album. There is no doubt in any of the songs that he is the one singing and he definitely want’s to you to know that it’s him. I also noticed that almost all the songs have some weird techno beats in the intro and throughout the songs. It threw me off a little at first, but it’s kinda cool on some of the tracks. I’d say that the two standout tracks for me right now are “Better” and “Sorry”. When I was listening to this album today I found myself repeatedly losing focus thinking that this didn’t sound enough like the Guns ‘N Roses that I know and love. But I had to stop and just let myself listen and take it in. When I was finally able to set aside the fact that there was no Slash, there was no Duff, just Axl; I was able to hear a whole new sound. A sound that is so close, yet so far from the sound that anyone would associate with GNR.

I am absolutely more than pleased with the album, and I recommend it to all who have ever been keen on GNR. Allow yourself at least one good listen to take it all in and let it grow on you. Just don’t drink any Dr. Pepper while doing so, please.

If you’re like me, you’ve never been a huge Nickelback fan. Sure they’ve had some good singles, but they all got overplayed and turned to shit on the radio. However, I picked up a copy of this album before ever hearing a single track from it, and now I can’t stop listening to it.

It’s definitely got the typical Nickelback sound, with Chad singing in his distinctive voice and pretty heavy backing riffs. I first listened to the album on the way to work, and much the same as the new Shinedown album that I recently listened to and reviewed, I found myself rating a lot of the songs pretty highly. The album flows really well and almost makes me forget that it’s Nickelback. With the exception of “Gotta Be Somebody” (which I don’t really care for), the whole album is pretty heavy. I really like “Something In Your Mouth”, “Just To Get High”, and “Burn It To The Ground”. Like I said, it’s definitely still Nickelback, but I personally think it’s better than most of the other stuff they’ve released.

I would say it’s definitely worth a listen if you’ve ever been a fan, or if you’re looking for some new rock with a rougher harder sound than a lot of the other stuff on the radio right now.

I picked up on this release a little late (it came out in June), and I’m regretting it. I heard the single Devour on the radio a few times, and I really liked it, but never got around to listening to the rest of the album. If you are a Shinedown fan, from either of their first two albums, you absolutely need to pick this album up and listen to the whole thing right now.

In typical Shinedown fashion, there is a pretty good mix of hard rock songs, and some softer ballads (for lack of a better term) with string accompaniment. Some of my favorite tracks are “The Crow & The Butterfly”, one of the softer songs on the record, “Son Of Sam” which is a bonus track, is one of the hardest and fastest songs on the album and really sounds more like a Godsmack song in some parts. And of course, there is also “Deovur” and “Second Chance” which are the first two singles from the album, and both are still getting pretty good play on local radio.

I would rank this as one of the best rock album to be released so far this year. Get your hands on it as soon as possible.