Metallica to release new EP

Metallica were celebrating their 30th anniversary last week. They played every night during that week. They revealed three previously unheard songs from Death Magnetic recording sessions, which didn't make it on the album. They are called "Hate Train", "Just A Bullet Away" and "Hell And Back" (you can listen to them all at the bottom).

However, that is not everything. Metallica have decided to release these three songs + "Rebel Of Babylon"(you can hear live version below) on EP entitled Beyond Magnetic.

Metallica said about the EP:

"During the Death Magnetic album sessions in 2007 and 2008, we originally recorded 14 songs. When it came time to pick the songs for the final album, we decided on 10 songs that you’ve all come to know over the last three years… Some of you may have heard bits and pieces of those other songs on ‘Mission Metallica’ (remember ‘Mission Metallica’?!) or heard rumors about them during the recording process, and wondered, ‘What ever happened to those other four songs???.’ We kept them in the vault and decided to pull them just for this special celebration, so here are the four leftover tracks from the Death Magnetic sessions. They are ROUGH mixes, unfinished to their original degree of mixing from March ’08. These four songs were released as gift to our closest fans, the members of our Fan Club, to enjoy. Now they’re being made available to you."

Tracklisting of Beyond Magnetic:

1. “Hate Train”
2. “Just A Bullet Away”
3. “Hell And Back”
4. “Rebel Of Babylon”

Sinéad O' Connor to release new record next year

Irish singer Sinéad O' Connor will release her 9th record in two months. It will be called How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?. She announced it one week after celebration of her 45th birthday during which she married Barry Herridge. She did so two months after she met him.

How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? will officially be out on February 20, 2012. It will be her first new album in long five years. She is also set to tour in support of this new album. O' Connor will also release reissue of her debut The Lion and the Cobra in 2012.

Best Albums of 2011: The Strokes - Angles

The Strokes is a band, which showed everybody back in 2001 after releasing their debut Is This It that guitar scene is not dead. I think that it is one of those memorable, unique albums that will still kick your ass even after 10 years after its release. There is no doubt that they will never release as good record as Is This It, however, this band shouldn't be considered dead and they proved it when Angles came out this year.

The Strokes were almost done after their third record First Impression Of Earth, which was released in 2006. After the tour in support of this LP, band went on hiatus and many believed they may not come back. Some also thought that it wouldn't be worth it to come back because their last record didn't earn much success. I have to agree that it is probably their worst album, even though I like there a several songs like "Electricityscape" or "Vision of Division".

However, they started working on their fourth record in 2009 and released Angles in March, 2011. Band stated that it is their first album on which everybody from band contributed. Funny thing is that they communicated mostly via internet because they were away from each other. I really can't imagine such collaboration, but maybe some people like it that way. Anyway, the album is really diverse probably because almost all members of the band worked on different projects during the break. That way everybody brought something else to the table and you can really hear it.

I like diversity of this album a lot, but in my opinion, it is little short when we consider they were working on it almost two years. Despite that, there is nothing I can bitch about. I enjoy listening to every single song - it's got catchy songs ("Under Cover Of Darknes", "Taken For A Fool"), weird songs ("Machu Picchu", "Games"), slow song ("Call Me Back", "Life Is Simple In The Moonlight") and typical The Strokes tracks ("Metabolism", "Taken For A Fool").

They proved that they are not done yet and can still make a great record. We will have too see if they will continue in this trend with their next, fifth record.

Best Albums of 2011: The Kills - Blood Pressures

The Kills is alternative duo consisted of singer Alison Mosshart and guitarist Jamie Hince. They released their first LP called Keep On Your Mean Side in 2003. Since then they had achieved critical acclaim. Then they released No Wow in 2005 and Midnight Boom in 2008. They were both as successful as their debut.


Their fourth record Blood Pressures came out in April this year. I have to say that it is their best record. It is much more mature while still being The Kills record. The sound of this record is so full when we consider  they are just duo. Of course, there is much more instruments than just electronic drums and guitar, but there is still no bass. When I compare this record with other three, the sound have improved magnificently.

Also, Alison's voice is so rock and roll and sexy at the same time, especially in the third song "Heart Is A Beating Drum". It is probably my favorite one.

I need to mention Jamie's guitar skills, too. He has always used unique guitar style, but it sounds somehow more awesome on this album. He added more effects during the recording process and it really made magic.

Blood Pressures is definitely great record and I still enjoy coming back to it and listening to it. It's got guts and unique sound - perfect combination.

Best Albums of 2011

Like many other music bloggers and sites, I have also decided to create a list of best albums of 2011. I will put up one album (maybe two) and write something about it every day until the end of the year. I won't put them here in any order, just randomly. First one should be up later today.

The Black Keys have sold out Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes

The Black Keys have recently announced North American tour dates in addition to their already scheduled European tour dates. In fact, they surprised many people that they are set to play big arenas. They were skeptical and claimed that they will have difficulties with filling such big places.

However, they sold out New York's Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes! Well, I think they proved
everybody they are big enough to play arenas.

Drummer Patrick Carney tweeted on December 9:

"We sold out msg in 15 minutes, I feel like a Jonas brotha."

I think it's awesome they achieved this when we consider that they are rock-blues band and not some mainstream band. Way to go Black Keys!

Radiohead to release Live From The Basement performance + "The Daily Mail” and “Staircase”

Radiohead have decided to give really nice Christmas presents to their fans.

First, they will release two new songs - “The Daily Mail” and “Staircase”. They will be released digitally over the iTunes on December 19. You may have already heard them because the band played them both during their Live From The Basement performance (you can listen to them below).

Second, also on December 19, they are set to release digitally the whole Live From The Basement performance. There will also be DVD and Blue-ray available in 2012. It features all 8 tracks from The King of Limbs,  “The Daily Mail” and “Staircase” + "Supercollider" which will be bonus track of DVD.

Tracklisting of Live From The Basement:

1. Bloom
2. The Daily Mail
3. Feral
4. Little by Little
5. Codex
6. Separator
7. Lotus Flower
8. Staircase
9. Morning Mr. Magpie
10. Give Up the Ghost
11. Supercollider

The Stone Roses to record album in 2012

The Stone Roses has recently reunited. They are set to play several reunion shows. No information had been revealed about new music.

However, now they have confirmed that they signed two record deals. On Saturday (December 10) they revealed that they signed with Universal Records in the UK and worldwide, while Columbia, owned by Sony, have signed the band in the US.

The band is currently recording new material during their rehearsals for reunion shows.

They haven't released new record since 1994's Second Coming. Hopefully, new record will have as big significance on music as their first two records...

Song of the day: Uriah Heep - "Child In Time"

One of the most epic songs of all time ever written. I just feel like this is music at its best...

New Releases: 50th Week

Christmas is coming and that means that there are not a lof albums coming out this time of year. The only record I suggest you tu consider buying is from pop-punk band Bowling for Soup - Merry Flippin' Christmas Volumes 1 & 2.

I think I never get tired of these guys. They have been doing their thing for more than 15 years now without any changes. You just know what to expect from them. They can't betray you...ever.