Switches - Lay Down The Law
June 4, 2008
Switches came out with their first LP last year entitled Heart Turned to D.E.A.D. but it only was released in the UK. Import deprived US fans had to wait until the renamed disc Lay Down The Law became available March 2008. Despite the delay the second single “Drama Queen” has already been in commercials (Rimmel London), television shows (Ugly Betty) and even in video games (FIFA 08) before being released to US audiences. This was a cruel tease for American music fans who seemingly have an insatiable appetite for Brit pop.
Switches delivers a satisfying entrée of audio treats with this debut album. It is chalk full of upbeat punk anthems that are immediately addictive; you won’t be able to have just one listen. “Drama Queen” may be heavily borrowed from Electric Light Orchestra’s “Don’t Bring Me Down” but we can forgive them for this derivation as a flattering tip of the hat to their classic rock forebears. Plus it is a great song; the familiarity just further reinforces its catchiness.
This effort is a collection of highly radio friendly pop-punk tracks but it skirts the edges of mainstream banality with its inventive chords and tongue and cheek lyrics. The other single “Lay Down The Law” is a fantastically crafted glam riot featuring pendulous chords and swaggering vocals ala Franz Ferdinand. Lead singer Matt Bishop displays a strong vocal range from falsetto to tenor, well exhibited on “The Need To Be Needed”, the layered vocal composition, choral backdrop and balladic instrumentation is highly reminiscent of Queen.
These more dramatic and layered compositions are broken up by rambunctious and energetic tracks like “Message From Yuz” which is playfully satirical and irreverent. Bishop vaults from punk sneer to melodic sweetness with ease and keeps you guessing on where he’s going next.
By Shaun Flagg
Rating: 
Listen to “Lay Down The Law”
PUDDLE OF MUDD TOUR DATES HERE
June 4, 2008
As Puddle Of Mudd gear up for a summer trek through the U.S. their new single “We Don’t Have To Look Back Now” is making a splash at rock radio as well as at proms and graduations across the country!
R YOU II TRILL FOR BUN B AND ZUNE?!
June 4, 2008
Bun B and Rap-A-Lot Records Launch “R YOU II TRILL COMPETITION” to Discover Next Rap Superstar!
NEW VIDEO HERE FROM TOBIAS FROBERG
June 4, 2008
Swedish artist Tobias Froberg has recently spent his time hanging out with friends. Not only did he log production duties on the forthcoming offering from Peter Moren (the Peter of Peter, Bjorn & John) but he spent some time working on his own, third release, “Turn Heads”.
“Blissful”
JOSHUA RADIN SUMMER TOUR DATES HERE
June 4, 2008
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Joshua Radin will return to the road July 15, when he embarks on a six-week summer headlining tour that will preview new material from his forthcoming sophomore release on Columbia Records.
JUL 15 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
16 Phoenix, AZ Clubhouse
18 Austin, TX The Parish
19 Dallas, TX Palladium Lone Star Room
20 Houston, TX Warehouse Live Studio
22 Nashville, TN Exit/In (18+)
23 Atlanta, GA CenterStage
24 Birmingham, AL Workplay Theatre
25 Greensboro, NC Greene Street Club
26 Baltimore, MD Recher Theatre
28 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
29 Alexandria, VA Birchmere
30 New York, NY Irving Plaza
31 Boston, MA Middle East Downstairs (18+)
AUG 1 Montreal, QC Studio JPR
2 Toronto, ONT Lee’s Palace (Ages 19+)
3 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
5 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century Theatre
7 Detroit, MI Crofoot Ballroom
8 Chicago, IL House of Blues
9 Minneapolis, MN The Cabooze (18+)
10 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theatre
12 St. Louis, MO Duck Room (21+)
14 Denver, CO Bluebird Theatre
15 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
17 Seattle, WA Neumos
18 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret (19+)
19 Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre
21 San Francisco, CA Fillmore
22 Santa Barbara, CA Soho (21+)
23 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
24 San Diego, CA Belly Up (21+)
28 Los Angeles, CA House Of Blues
RAY LAMONTAGNE NEW ALBUM DETAILS
June 4, 2008
Lauded singer/songwriter, Ray LaMontagne is set to release his much-anticipated third album, Gossip In The Grain, on September 9th on RCA Records.
TWO HOT VIDEOS HERE FROM LIL LION
June 4, 2008
Such is the swagger and confidence of Lil Lion that he chose to premier two wicked videos in consecutive weeks.
NE-YO’S DAY IN COURT
June 4, 2008
Ne-Yo was in court Monday to settle his reckless driving case. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the singer pleaded guilty to driving without a license and no contest to reckless driving. As for his sentence, Ne-Yo will have to complete 24 hours of community service, pay a one-thousand dollar fine and attend a defensive driving class. In addition, Ne-Yo will have to perform a concert for the Boys & Girls Club.
FINGER ELEVEN CANCEL EUROPEAN TOUR
June 4, 2008
Finger Eleven has been forced to cancel their upcoming European tour due to an injury sustained by frontman Scott Anderson. The singer wrote about the news on the band’s MySpace page, “You see: I broke something in and around my neck area. Well, the doc says I sprained it. You know how they always say a sprain is worse than a break? Well, I think I’ll stick with a sprained neck over a broken one! Am I right, Internet?” Scott says all he’s good for is walking around like a hunchback looking for pain medication. To read the entire post, hit up www.MySpace.com/FingerEleven.
QUOTED: ONE MAN; 2 PISTOLS
June 4, 2008
2 Pistols has a hit on his hands with “She Got It” featuring T-Pain & Tay Dizm. When we caught up with the man, he told us how he got his name, 2 Pistols.
“My Name 2 Pistols, it came originally from the streets. Instead of calling me two-faced, two-personality, just based on me being a Gemini.”
2 Pistols’ album, Death Before Dishonor, comes out June 17th.
