Brandon Flowers - "Flamingo"

I can still remember the first time I sat down and listened to Hot Fuss. It was just one of those albums that stick with you, that you can listen to over and over. I imagine there are people all over the world who hate this style of music, but still can’t get Mr Brightside out of their heads. And so it was with this love of all things Killers that I sat down with Brandon Flowers latest offering.

Much in the style of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington’s off shoot project Dead by Sunrise,Flowers wrote this album while writing for The Killers, and pulled out tracks that he didn’t feel matched where the band were going at the time. With that in mind, the album still has a distinctly Killers feel (helped by Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci playing on first single “Crossfire”, and “Playing with Fire”). Tracks like “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts” and “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” are catchy enough to keep you listening, while slower tracks like “Only The Young” are classic Killers ballads. There are a few oddball tracks in there too (I’m not entirely sure what “Swallow” is about, nor am I sure that I want to find out...)

All in all, Flamingo is a must buy for Killers fans. For everyone else, there’s enough to keep you amused until the next band album, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of “Hot Fuss” and “Sawdust”.

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play

Some of my favourite Collaborations - Stephen King

And here we are! The very first article to be written for Audionaughts is ready to go. I have; for your listening pleasure, brought together some of my favourite collaborations of all time. Understand, that these are just in my opinion, so feel free to tell me I'm wrong. Or in a better case, that I am right!


Chase and Status featuring Plan B – “End Credits”

Check the song out here!

I am not a big fan of Plan B, but there is something about this song that just has an amazing energy. The drums and synths come in strong and leave you feeling like you have just drunk a 24 pack of Red Bull!


Black Eyed Peas featuring Papa Roach – “Anxiety”

Check the song out here!

This song provides a very odd clash of styles from one of the Black Eyed Peas earlier albums. It makes for interesting listening, with vocals and guitars provided by Papa Roach, with the hip hop lyrics of the Peas.


Santana featuring Rob Thomas – “Smooth”

Check the song out here!

An absolute classic there is no doubt! This song was everywhere; on TV and every radio station, and yet I have never grown tired of it. The song plays like its title; just so damn smooth.


Korn featuring Ice Cube – “All in the Family”

Check the song out here!

At the birth of the Nu metal genre there was no stronger sound than Korn’s. Add a little Ice Cube into the mix and you get a whole new beast. A song for when it has just been one of those days...


Eminem featuring D12 – “When the Music Stops”

Check the song out here!

This song catches Eminem and D12 at their finest. They have had a few great songs in their time, but now after the death of Eminem’s long time friend and member of D12; Proof, the songs have stopped. I find this to be an ironically named track as it seemed to foretell a point in both of their careers. Full of angst and great lyrics, definitely worth a listen.


B.O.B featuring Hayley Williams – “Airplanes”

Check the song out here!

A recent chart hit for new comer B.O.B and the ever popular Hayley Williams of Paramore. An unusual pairing, but one that worked to some success. Relevant lyrics rested upon a bed of pretty piano, with a chorus that you will be singing until you die makes this track an instant classic.


Well, there is my selection. Hope you like them, and if you have any favourites of your own leave them on the comments!

Stone Sour - "Audio Secrecy"

Audio Secrecy is Stone Sour's third studio album to date and naturally I was excited to give it a listen. With the uncharacteristic slow and subdued instrumental opening track, I was intrigued. This then leads into the second track 'Mission Statement', which is more like a typical Stone Sour song. Unfortunately this seems to be the theme for the majority of the album. Just more of the usual with very few songs actually standing out.

The format for this album is very similar to Come What(ever) May. We have the heavy, repetitive guitars and drums with focus on the vocals of Corey Taylor. These are broken up in the album with the slower acoustic tracks, like 'Dying', 'Imperfect' and 'Anna'.

There were only two songs that I enjoyed, 'The Bitter End' and 'Nylon6/6'. Audio Secrecy seems to lack the sheer genius that was in Stone Sour and Come What(ever) May. I'm not saying that it is bad album just that it is a lackluster effort which will probably be for the die hard fans only. If it's a true Stone Sour experience you are after then stick to the first two albums (especially songs 'Inhale', 'Bother', '30/30-150' and 'Through Glass').

What Should I do?
For fans only...

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play

Disturbed - "Asylum"

As a fan of the whole nu-metal genre, I was looking forward to this new outing from Disturbed. Every one of their albums has had its fair share of great songs, and this one is no exception. continuing with their usual styling, Disturbed have managed to put together yet another master class in metal!

The album is full of catchy riffs, piercing vocals and thrashing solos. Interestingly the band have written some material that sounds a little more old school, some more thought provoking songs and even a cover of a U2 track. Disturbed have not only continued with a great run of albums, but they have gone outside of their comfort zone and proved that they can be more than just your typical metal band.

If you are a fan of Disturbed this album is nothing less than essential. If you are a fan of metal, I would say the same thing. I might even go as far to say that most people could find something on this album that they like. I tremendous effort!

What Should I do?
BUY IT!

Where to get it?
Amazon
Play