Cults announced 2012 tour dates

Cults have released their self-titled debut album this year, which people liked. They had really successful year also because of their hit "Go Outside". They have already started making plans for 2012. They are set to go on tour, which will start on New Year's Eve in W. Hollywood, California and will end on April 29 in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Cults 2012 tour dates:

December

31 – W. Hollywood, Calif. @ The Standard West (with Jenny and Johnny)

January

13 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Union Transfer
14 – Washington, D.C. @ The Black Cat
19 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
28 – Brisbane, Australia @ Laneway Festival
30 – Auckland, Australia @ Laneway Festival

February

4 – Melbourne, Australia @ Laneway Festival
5 – Sydney, Australia @ Laneway Festival
10 – Adelaide, Australia @ Laneway Festival
11 – Perth, Australia @ Laneway Festival
12 – Singapore @ Laneway Festival
15 – Tokyo, Japan @ Unit

March

2 – Hoboken, N.J. @ Maxwell’s
3 – Baltimore, Md. @ Ottobar
4 – Carrboro, N.C. @ Cat’s Cradle
6 – Atlanta, Ga. @ The Earl
7 – Birmingham, Ala. @ Bottletree
9 – Orlando, Fla. @ The Plaza
10 – Baton Rouge, La. @ Spanish Moon
11 – Houston, Texas @ Fitzgerald’s (with Of Montreal)
17 – El Paso, Texas @ Lowbrow Palace
18 – Tucson, Ariz. @ Club Congress
21 – Solana Beach, Calif. @ Belly Up
23 – Pomona, Calif. @ The Glass House
24 – Santa Barbara, Calif. @ Velvet Jones

April

3 – Santa Ana, Calif. @ Constellation Room
4 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Great American Music Hall
5 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Slim’s
6 – Portland, Ore. @ Wonder Ballroom
7 – Seattle, Wash. @ Neptune
9 – Vancouver, B.C. @ Venue
11 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Urban Lounge
12 – Denver, Colo. @ Bluebird Theater
13 – Boulder, Colo. @ Fox Theater
14 – Lawrence, Kan. @ Granada Theater
16 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ First Avenue
17 – Madison, Wis. @ Majestic Theater
18 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ Turner Hall
20 – Chicago, Ill. @ Metro
21 – Bloomington, Ind. @ Rhinos
22 – Ferndale, Mich. @ The Magic Bag
23 – Buffalo, N.Y. @ Mohawk Place
25 – Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
26 – Montreal, Quebec @ Corona Theatre
27 – Burlington, Vt. @ Higher Ground
29 – Northampton, Mass. @ Pearl Street

The Subways announced 2012 tour dates

The Subways recently finished their tour in support of their latest record Money and Celebrity. Now they revealed their first tour dates for 2012. Royal Republic and Turbowolf will be Subways' support bands for this tour.

The tour will start in Belfast on April 27. It will end on May 10 in Manchester. Check all the dates below:

April:
27 - BELFAST The Limelight
28 - DUBLIN Academy 2
29 - CARDIFF University
May:
01 - BOURNEMOUTH Old Fire Station
02 - MIDDLESBOROUGH Empire
03 - COVENTRY Kasbah
05 - LEEDS Live At Leeds
06 - EDINBURGH Liquid Rooms
08 - MANCHESTER HMV Manchester Ritz
10 - MANCHESTER O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

Song of the day: Ben Howard - "Old Pine"

First song of Ben Howard's debut record Every Kingdom called "Old Pine". Awesome album. I think we will hear about this guy more in the future.

Best Albums of 2011: Metallica/Lou Reed - Lulu

Yes, I consider this album to be one of the best ones that came out this year. I know that many people hate it and, in fact, I am not surprised, because many Metallica fans feel betrayed. However, this isn't regular Metallica record. This is something different, something weird, shocking and maybe little odd, but I like it.

Anyway, I reviewed this record. Check out my review to see what I think of Lulu.

Best Albums of 2011: Beatsteaks - Boombox

This German band isn't really famous outside of Europe even though they formed in 1995. It is shame though because these punk rockers know how to make good energic music. Their seventh album Boombox isn't exception. In compare to their previous records, this one is little slower, but it still kicks some serious ass.

What I like about this record is its overall sound. Especially third song - "Cheap Comments". It is catchy and raw at the same time and what I like the most about it is Arnim's singing. In fact, his charisma is present in every song on this record and it is probably one of main factors of their music.

I think that this band is underrated and I don't know why. They play music like million other bands, but you can hear right away it's Beatsteaks. You can't make a mistake because they have unique, great style. If you haven't heard them, it is worth checking them out.

Song of the day: Kings Of Leon - "Use Somebody"

Probably their biggest hit. It is really awesome.

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.