Have you ever waited 10 years for an album to release? After a decade, the concept album series of a Kid named Cudi finally has its third installment in Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. The long-awaited follow up to Kid Cudi’s debut LP, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, and his sophomore release, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, MOTM3 finally dropped last Friday, marking his seventh solo studio LP to date. Much like its predecessors, this album showcases Kid Cudi’s unique style of hip-hop, mixing in plenty of other familiar forms of the genre as well. And with production by Dot da Genius, Plain Pat, Finneas, Take a Daytrip, Nosaj Thing, FnZ, Teddy Walton, Mike Dean, WundaGirl, Kid Cudi himself, and more, there is a lot this album has to offer for both old and new fans. With all that said, how does this entry hold up after such a long wait?

Return 2 Madness

There is a seamless transition from the dark themes in MOTM2 to MOTM3, but featuring noticeable growth. Beginning with the familiar “Cudder Anthem” melody, the intro leads into "Tequila Shots", the first true song on the tracklist, and features narration reminiscent of Common’s contributions to MOTM. "Another Day" has an early Cudi style, while "She Knows This" takes a hard turn. "Dive" is another strong track, featuring samples from Tame Impala, and displaying the fluid style Kid Cudi masters so well. This first act sends the listener back into Kid Cudi’s convoluted mind, with sprinkled references to past albums.

The Rager, The Menace

"Damaged" is a dark ballad with an emotional hook, as the album slides deeper into Kid Cudi’s mental state. "Heaven On Earth" and "Show Out" dive into familiar hip-hop styles from recent years, while maintaining an undeniable Cudi personality. Show Out also features Skepta and posthumous vocals by Pop Smoke. "Mr. Solo Dolo III", is the third part to "Solo Dolo" (from MOTM) and "Solo Dolo, Part II" (from Indicud), and is just one of the highlights from this album. This act shows how Kid Cudi’s music has evolved, as he takes influence from artists who initially took their influences from him.

Heart of Rose Gold

"Sad People" is another track that feels fitting for the times in style, but still uniquely Cudi. "Elsie’s Baby Boy" recalls Kid Cudi’s past, and utilizes a familiar sample from The Animals rendition of "House of the Rising Sun". This section of the album takes a breath with "Sept. 16". Then, "The Void" has a groove switched up from the songs immediately prior, and its outro calls back to "Marijuana" (from MOTM2), more references to the previous entries in this concept. This act initiates a turning point in the album, with "Lovin’ Me", which features Phoebe Bridgers.

Powers

The final act presents Kid Cudi’s triumphant return with "Pale Moonlight", "Rockstar Knights", featuring Trippie Redd, and "4 Da Kidz", all of which are more upbeat, and mix the classic styles Kid Cudi is known for with the more experimental routes he’s taken since, wrapped up with influence from the various forms of “rockstar” hip-hop that’s hot today. The album concludes with "Lord I Know", with a relatively positive message behind it.

Altogether, Man on the Moon III was an appropriate next step for this concept, and was a beautiful showcase of emotion and mental hardships. So, does it hold up after such a long wait? The truth is, it’s difficult to meet everyone’s expectations after a decade of anticipation, but this album stands as one of Kid Cudi’s best. It goes back to the roots, without forgetting the growth, and provides something for Cudi fans of any preference. Man on the Moon III an instant classic.

Be well and keep groovin'!    Hunnypot Approved!     Overall Rating:  8.8 out of 10

Artist:  Kid Cudi,  Album: Man on the Moon III: The Chosen,   Release Date: December 11th, 2020,  Label:  Republic Records

"Just when you figured Dream Theater could not get any better, they drop another bombshell with the release of Distant Memories – Live in London.  It’s 100% unadulterated perfection from start to finish in a year that’s seen its fair share of failure, disappointments, along with a complete shutdown of the live music industry.  If this Dream Theater release doesn’t get your juices flowing for live music’s return in 2021, nothing will..!"

It was just a few short years ago that Dream Theater hit the road in support of their latest studio album, Distance Over Time. In addition to hearing this masterpiece live, fans were also were treated to the critically acclaimed, Metropolis Part 2 – Scenes From a Memory, in its entirety.  As one of the band’s initial live music photographers on that tour, I can honestly say I had never experienced a concert like that before.  The lighting was perfect, the sound quality was off the charts, and the musicianship (as one might expect) was second to none.   And after capturing two full Dream Theater shows at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, I honestly felt I never would experience a live performance like that again.  To my surprise, Dream Theater had the forethought to capture this tour’s brilliance and finally released their latest live installment, Distant Memories – Live in London. 

From the first notes of “Untethered Angel” to the final crescendo of “Pale Blue Dot”, it was clear that James LaBrie (Vocals), John Petrucci (Guitars), Jordan Rudess (Keyboards), John Myung (Bass), and Mike Mangini (Drums) were all dialed in for this one.  The chemistry that I felt lacked on The Astonishing Album (and subsequent tour) roared back to life on this one and quite possibly may have taken it to a whole new level (if that’s even remotely possible). Then just when you thought it could not get any better, fans were treated to a near perfect recreation of Metropolis Part 2 – Scenes From a Memory.  Nearly 20 years since its initial release, this opus is still the standard-bearer for past and present concept albums and their live version of this opus was nothing short of progressive perfection.

What stood out the most about Distant Memories – Live in London, was the albums cinematic brilliance.  Throughout the release, there was a noticeable tension that ebbed and flowed within each song.  One moment you are pushing the boundaries of what musical instruments are capable of, the next moment you are free-floating in a dreamlike state.  And this one isn’t a ‘one-trick’ pony by any means.  It’s replicated over and over in unique and innovative ways that keeps listeners engaged throughout the entire live performance.  I found myself going back to the well many times and each time walked away with a new favorite. I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

At the end of the day, I believe that Dream Theater is once again sitting on a progressive goldmine with their latest release, Distant Memories – Live in London.   It has everything fans would want in a live album and so much more.  The amazing musicianship that LaBrie, Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, and Mangini have harnessed on this album sets it apart from other live performances in their legendary discography (and that’s no small feat).  Pound for pound, Distant Memories – Live in London, is one of Dream Theater’s finest live recordings to date and is poised for greatness in the not-so-distant future. 

As always, rock on my friends!     Hunnypot Approved!     Overall Rating:  9.4 out of 10

Artist:  Dream Theater,  Album: Distance Over Time,   Release Date: November 27th, 2020,  Label:  InsideOutMusic / Sony Music

Never one to be predictable, the sci-fi, progressive metal exploits of Canadian metal legends, Voivod span time and space. Recorded live in Québec City, Voivod’s latest release, Lost Machine - Live,  consists of 13 tracks spanning their epic journey across the cosmos while promoting their latest album, The Wake. After nearly 40 years perfecting the Voivod machine, Vocalist, Denis “Snake” Belanger; guitarist, Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain; bassist, Dominic “Rocky” Laroche; and drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, sound invigorated and sharp as ever.

Rocky’s opening bass chug launches the album with the opener, “Post Society” and continues on through the stratosphere with “Psychic Vacuum” from their groundbreaking offering, Dimension Hatröss. Evolving their sound into the modern day, “Obsolete Beings’, “Iconspiracy”, “The End of Dormancy”, and “Always Moving” from their latest epic, The Wake, sound right at home with “Overreaction” off of 1987’s Killing Technology. Circling back towards the band’s beginnings, the album closes with their namesake, the self-titled, “Voivod” off their inaugural release, War and Pain.

Having been fortunate enough to experience this tour first-hand, I still get goosebumps remembering the sudden shift in atmosphere as the cosmic dissonance reverberated my skull as Snake towered right over me while the band transported us all into a Voivodian wasteland while igniting the crowd into a state of frenzied psychosis.

Lost Machine - Live is Voivod’s legacy preserved in time. It serves as a primer to those new to the Voivod mythos and also a tribute to those who have welded themselves on board since the beginning. While the world seems to be spiraling endlessly into a black abyss, we can at least count on the legacy of Voivod to offer us a new way to look at the sky.

As always, rock on my friends!     Hunnypot Approved!     Overall Rating:  9.0 out of 10

Artist:   Voivod   LP: Lost Machine - Live,   Release Date: November 27th, 2020, Label:  Century Media Records

As a young music publisher I came across the Seattle band Sky Cries Mary back in 1991. Around the time SCM released the EP Exit At The Access. The moment I heard Roderick Wolgamott and his forever evolving cast of incredibly talented creators and musicians, well, I instantly fell in love and have been a lifelong fan and supporter. Their blend of space rock mysticism, psychedelic tribal jam band mixed with ethereal vocals has always come across as profound.

There's deep affection for the group in the Film Music Supervisor community. "The Elephant Song" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Harvest. "Shipwrecked" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Tank Girl and their song "Cornerman" was featured in the movie Higher Learning.

Sky Cries Mary recently released their 11th album entitled Secrets of a Red Planet. Featured here is the single/video for "Waves of Morning". It's memorizing and a suitable preview for the rest of the album.

I encourage all to dive in to the full Secrets of a Red Planet album. Much more to come from Roderick, Ben Ireland, Debora Reese, Curt Eckman, Kevin Whitworth and Jack Endino.

-John Anderson a.k.a. Hot Tub Johnnie

What does it take to do three sets, in three time zones, in 15 hours? Ask Fozzy, as that is exactly how they kicked off their Judas Rising Tour, with a marathon of sets in Fort Myers, El Paso, and Las Vegas in a single day. Clips from these concerts were included in documentary fashion, in Fozzy Across America, as part of a live-stream concert produced over the weekend and filmed live in Atlanta, GA. The roughly two-hour event began with the mini-doc hyping up the tour, as well as the work ethic and all around energy Fozzy brings to the table, then led directly into Capturing Judas, featuring the band performing their tour set, live in the studio. It was a unique experience, which not only highlighted Fozzy’s creativity, but also showed the potential for live music in a time of scarcity.

Fozzy Across America gave a peek into the quick mini-tour of the same name, which launched the Judas Rising Tour. Interviews with the band and crew at the various locations, backstage and in-flight footage, and shots from the shows, featuring a soundtrack of music from the tour, not only made for an incredible promotion piece, but also gave insight into Fozzy’s personalities and relationships with each other, in a way that is not often seen for touring bands. Hearing about and seeing how those concerts came together, and witnessing the commitment to entertaining bona fide Fozzy fans was inspiring. Fozzy Across America seemed to be the perfect first step of Fozzy’s most recent tour, and seeing that come to life, along with the concert which followed, was the perfect way to cap it off.

As the world put restrictions on large gatherings, Fozzy had to improvise regarding their Judas Rising Tour, which is what led to Capturing Judas: a live-streamed, in-studio concert of the tour setlist, performed by Fozzy, and featuring story-telling about stops on the larger tour, as well as how the production was formulated. It was another creative glimpse into Fozzy’s personal sides, as well as a memorable performance, by more than live-stream standards. Performances live in the studio have a vibe that’s not quite the same as a traditional concert recording, and far different from polished studio albums. This performance allowed each song to have a composition and identity contrasted from their original album counterparts. Getting to see, and hear Fozzy talk about their techniques for these songs on tour was fascinating. It was also refreshing to get a live-streamed concert, which totally immersed the viewer, not only with the intro film, but with an elaborate audio and video setup. It is not easy for these types of events to hit as hard as they do in person, but Fozzy nailed it.

The entire production was thoughtfully pieced together, and was an oasis in what has mostly been a desert for new and interesting live showcases of music. Fozzy clearly cares about their true fans, and has an ongoing desire to bring their energy and hospitality, even in rather unconventional situations. In fact, it is in those situations Fozzy seems to be at their most creative; and we are all the more blessed for it.

If for some strange reason you missed the initial Livestream on November 14th, stress not.  Tickets are still available to purchase and will be available to watch until November 29th. Purchase tickets HERE. 

It is hard to grasp the full force of an artist without first witnessing the raw, spontaneous energy of their live show. Live albums have always been the highlight reel into an artist’s back catalog. While the days of stuffing a tape deck into your pants to record the blown-out audio of your favorite bands are long gone, there will always be a place for live recordings in any music die-hard’s record collection.

For the last 16 years, ALTER BRIDGE has been the embodiment of creative triumph in the face of scrutiny and uncertainty. After the massive commercial success of 90’s hard rock juggernauts, Creed came to its highly-publicized conclusion due to the band’s golden child, Scott Stapp succumbing to his own personal struggles; the remaining members of Creed remained steadfast while refocusing their efforts on a new project. Guitarist, Mark Tremonti; bassist, Brian Marshall; and drummer Scott Phillips enlisted ex-Mayfield Four vocalist, Myles Kennedy to round out the line-up just months before Creed’s official end.

Walk The Sky 2.0 is a 7-song EP, from veteran hard rockers, ALTER BRIDGE that showcases an impressive mix of live recordings of songs off their latest album, Walk The Sky as well as a newly recorded and surprisingly massive, original track.

The EP wastes no time launching headfirst into the pulverizing opener, “Last Rites”, their latest track that was written and recorded entirely during the Covid-19 pandemic. A crushing, Alice In Chains-esche riff propels the album forward as Kennedy’s impressive vocal range is front and center, weaving a not-so-subtle nod to Seattle grunge, while infusing his own unique voice to the track.

The bulk of the album focuses on live performances of set list favorites from Walk The Sky. “Wouldn’t You Rather” is a fitting opener to the pseudo live set that gets the energy flowing and ready for a night of fist-pumping, anthemic hard rock. The Synthwave infused, “Pay No Mind” maintains its intense, melodic complexity while title-track, “Native Son” never misses its target with those infectiously catchy choruses, easily-digestible yet complex riffs and impassioned lyricism. The EP comes to a massive close with “Dying Light”, an emotionally-charged, arena rock anthem that showcases the band at its emotive peak with Kennedy’s soaring vocals cutting through the complexity of Tremonti’s impressive guitar work.

While darkened clouds seem never ending, Walk The Sky 2.0 is a welcome patch of blue in these uncertain times. Grab your headphones and transport yourself to a time before the fires, the ideocracy, and the self-isolation.

ALTER BRIDGE will be there to welcome you.

 As always, rock on my friends!     Hunnypot Approved!     Overall Rating:  9.3 out of 10

Artist:  Alter Bridge LP: Walk the Sky 2.0,   Release Date: Nov 6, 2020  Label:  Napalm Records

--Robyn Dee

I have been a fan of Hands Like Houses for a hot minute now and they've always been a band I’ve always enjoyed listening to. They are everything you want in a hardcore band but without the screams.  It took me a while to get used to their unique sound, but in the end really digging their style. I’m excited to get the opportunity to review their new self-titled EP. I know based off the singles that is was going to be a new type of sound and so I wasn’t surprised that it was going to slap.

First, I would just like to say that I’m sad it was only an EP because every song was so good. They took it in a new direction that gave it a poppy feel while still keeping their roots. Trenton Woodley has a very unique and memorable voice and what he did on this EP was nothing short of fantastic. These are songs I can see being heard on the radio, especially “Dangerous”. It's catchy pop-rock for sure but still keeps that Hands Like Houses signature heaviness we all love. It’s also very technically sound with many different elements going on throughout each track. You can tell they didn’t sleep on any of these songs because they are all jam packed with incredibly big sounds and I really enjoyed the vibe that each gave off individually. It’s unlike anything else they have put out in the past but I’m definitely down with it.

From a quality and production standpoint, this EP was mixed and mastered so well. In the song “Stranger”, you can tell they spent time making sure that every transition was seamless without skipping a beat. Hats off to the band for writing such a unique song.  Furthermore, I really dig the background noises you hear in every song. They are very subtle but add so much to the complexity of each song. I speak mostly to the sounds in the song “Wired”, which has such a calming feel to it. The reverb on the guitar is simply beautiful. It’s a solid upbeat song that keeps your head bobbing due to the great drumming courtesy of Matt Parkitney.

Overall, I think Hands Like Houses latest EP is awesome. It's the perfect mix of incredible musicianship combined with solid production which seems rare in this day and age.  Sprinkle in the bands unique intangibles and its a recipe for greatness now and in the foreseeable future.  Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this instant classic today.   As a long time fan, I love it and am sure you will too!

As always, be well and rock on!     Hunnypot Approved!     Overall Rating:  9.3 out of 10

Artist:  Hands Like Houses  LP: Self-Titled EP,   Release Date: October 23rd, 2020,   Label: UNFD

I was pretty hyped when I received Sevendust’s new album to review. I have been listening to them ever since hearing “Enemy” off their 2003 album, Seasons. Sevendust has such a great sound musically and has always kept it in the same realm from album to album. When they signed to Rise Records, I was like no way! Rise being one of my favorite labels, I could tell Sevendust was still in for the long haul and would continue to crush it. It’s been a little bit since I’ve dove into their discography, but I am excited to share my thoughts on their newest album Blood & Stone, formally being released  today. Let’s not waste too much time and jump right into it.

Sevendust doesn’t skip a beat from their last to present, kicking off Blood & Stone with “Dying to Live”. The incorporation of the electronic elements with hard-hitting riffs was an immediate attention grabber. I really wasn’t expecting that but I’m glad they did . I also really enjoyed the low tones on “Blood From A Stone", very crisp sound which adds a ton to the ultimate vibe of the track. And you have to give it to Lajon Witherspoon for always keeping his vocals consistent on each of their albums. You know you’re listening to Sevendust the moment you press play on this one - so killer! 

I love where we are in 2020 with music production because of how full you can make a song feel and Blood & Stone exemplifies that with every instrument. You get that full effect of that about 3 quarters of the way through “Feel Like Going On” where the riffs are just encapsulating your ears. The mixing done on this album is insane so props to their producer, Michael “Elvis” Baskette on a tremendous job. From a production perspective, I want to highlight “Kill Me” as well. The intro picking is the perfect dreamy feeling which keeps you tuned in waiting for more. And to top the entire album off, they end it with the Soundgarden’s “The Day I Tried To Live” and absolutely slayed it. A fantastic tribute to the late Chris Cornell.

I feel there comes a point where you have to ask yourself as a band if you keep making music or consider calling it a day.  Many bands of Sevendust's era have come and gone, but these guys continue to push out consistently solid jams that are technically solid and extremely relevant in the crazy world we all inhabit.   I have to give it to Sevendust for the dedication to their craft because some 25 years later, they continue producing mind blowing music that keeps fans coming back for more.  I love seeing bands I grew up listening to continue to succeed, and the moment live music returns, I am putting them on my bucket list to see live.

Overall, Sevendust's latest is 100% fire. I enjoyed Blood & Stone from beginning to end, and part of me wished there was more because of how much I loved it. I’m excited to see what this album does for Sevendust and their incredible legacy of high-octane metal madness going forward. Definitely give this album a spin because it is probably some of their best work to date - I can't get enough!

As always, be well and rock on!     Hunnypot Approved!     Overall Rating:  9.5 out of 10

Artist:  Sevendust  LP: Blood & Stone,   Release Date: October 23rd, 2020,   Label: Rise Records

The development of the collaboration took place during the quarantine period of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The only communications between HD & Wolf were thru via-text & email. Allowing one another to creatively and artistically express themselves without limitations or restrictions during their solitude of creativity.

The track begins in a Dark cinematic lullaby, setting an eerie sonic illusion of lifeless momentum before falling into the abyss chaotic beauty. As the tension builds before the drop, the last notes of the melody brings you into a jigsaw workflow of carefully placed sound design, drums, and glitches. Wolf's vocals effortlessly swim through the harsh digitals waters of progression and heaviness, allowing the lyrics to create a hypnotic anthem that will leave you wanting more or this track on repeat. 

HD's creative goal on "Death Awaits" was to push the limitations of today's bass music, fusing IDM and Wolf's vocals in creating an oppressive and domineering marriage between the two, allowing one another to breathe in the chaotic realm that both channel, a cosmic conversation between life and death, hence the title "Death Awaits". More collaborations are currently in the works, so keep an ear out for this artist. 

-Drew Hollinger