The Rolling Clone Blogazine

 In addition to writing and recording my own music, I thoroughly enjoy writing reviews of other artists' work.  If you desire to have your work reviewed, please email info@danmiraldi.com.

The Rolling Clone Blogazine!

Best Albums of 2016 

1. David Bowie - Blackstar 
  
Two days before he died, David Bowie left his fans with one doozy of a parting gift.  Blackstar is a masterpiece that shows that even in death this icon was still pushing boundaries and finding ways to surprise, challenge and delight his audience.  From front to back, this album is worth multiple listens. 
  

2. Green Day – Revolution Radio 

  
Forever youthful, Green Day made the record we needed in 2016.  It’s an honest portrait of the struggles facing this world and call to action.  They know to make politics catchy, but also can deliver power-pop gems like “Youngblood.”  There is not a dud on this album.  
  

3. Eleanor Friedberger – New View 

  
Eleanor Friedberger continues to be one of the most underrated lyricists around.  Her third solo album expands upon the ground of 2013’s Personal Record.  She mixes in more flavors of early 70s Dylan and it works.  “Sweetest Girl” and “Cathy With the Curly Hair” are simply excellent.  
  

4. Weezer – Weezer (White Album) 

  
On the band’s tenth album, Weezer capture the joy of awkward young love.  The album’s huge choruses sound both distinctively Weezer and fresh.  Songs like “California Kids,” “Thank God For Girls,” and “King of the World” stand proudly with the band’s best work. 
  

5. Eric Clapton – I Still Do 

  
Despite fighting a neurological illness that make playing guitar difficult, Slowhand released a stellar blues-rock jewel of an album.  Read the full RCB review here
  

6. The Thermals – We Disappear 

  
The Thermals continue to be one of the most consistent and underrated punk bands around.  The band does not stray from the formula of their earlier albums and that is totally fine.  The Thermals are fierce and so is this record.  Don’t miss out on great songs like “Thinking of You” and “My Heart Went Cold”. 
  

7. Blink-182 – California 

  
A Tom DeLonge-less Blink-182 circled the wagons and made a sonic sequel to 2001’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket.  It’s not the deepest album of the year, but it sure is a lot of fun.  Read the full RCB review here
  


8. NEEDTOBREATHE – HARD LOVE
  
Yes, I spent three months hearing this material played live over and over while traveling with them on the Tour De Compadres this fall, but this genre-bending album rocks.  It fuses newer pop textures with old school rock, soul and Americana.  The title track and songs like “Great Night,” “Money & Fame” and “Let’s Stay Home Tonight” anchor this album as one of the year’s best.   
  

9. Brian Fallon – Painkillers 

  
The Gaslight Anthem frontman’s solo album continues his exploration of neo-Springsteen rock.  Fallon is a great excellent songwriter and lyricist who wears his influences on his sleeve.  Highlights include the title track, “Wonderful Life” and “Mojo Hand.” 
  

10. Rolling Stones – Blue & Lonesome 

  
Any new material from the Stones is welcomed.  On Blue & Lonesome, the guys get back to the music that first brought them together.  Take this gift and be grateful.  
  
  
 

Chestertons Release New Single “Heaven” 


Cleveland’s Chestertons have dropped a new jam, “Heaven,” from their forthcoming EP.  The song begins with an ambient arena rock guitar build that recalls bands like U2 and Angels & Airwaves.  However, as soon Kevin Bianchi’s beautiful vocal kicks in, you know that you’re listening to something distinctive and different.  The song shifts into a driving and memorable chorus that asks: “Do you know what it’s like to be recklessly loved?”  “Heaven” is accessible and likeable on the first the listen.  If the Chestertons keep up this kind of momentum on the rest of the EP, we’re all in for a treat.  You can hear the song by clicking here

Out of the Shadows . . . 

Meet the Shadow Division, the four-piece rock outfit based out of Cleveland, OH featuring: Max Espinosa (vocals and guitar), Michael Ridley (guitar), Joe LaGuardia (bass) and Kevin Hannah (drums).  On their self-titled debut EP, the band weaves a sonic tapestry that fuses the best elements of 80s and 90s alternative, 2000s indie and modern punk.  Think of bands like the Explosion, U2 and Midtown mixed together with a hint of Taking Back Sunday (minus the screaming).  Shadow Division’s songs have heavy hooks, pop sensibilities and well-crafted lyrics that balance between themes of angst and vulnerability.  The group worked with producer Jim Stewart, and each track cuts through with a crisp excitement and urgency.  Honestly, the EP flows from front to back without a dud in the batch.  It’s a promising debut by a band with ambition and potential for great things.  Check this record out and catch them in the clubs of Cleveland and beyond . . .

Blink-182 Go Back to the Basics 


With California, we have a rebooted Blink-182 deciding how to carry on after parting ways with co-lead-singer and guitarist Tom DeLonge.  In many ways the album is very nostalgic and plays heavily to the music of the band’s Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket commercial glory days.  However, do not be critical of this choice.  The band is refinding its footing by going back to the sound that first made kids love them.  California is an album made with an eye on the fans.  Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker and new member Matt Skiba (of Alkaline Trio-fame) knew that this album would be scrutinized to death, especially given the absence of DeLonge.  Teaming with producer John Feldmann, they circled the wagons and delivered the most Blinky-sounding Blink-182 album they could muster.  This concept may drive some cynicism among listeners.  Fans will miss the Mark Hoppus-Tom DeLonge back and forth vocal deliveries, but when you focus on the songs, you realize that this record sounds like the Blink-182 that made you want to fall in love with the girl at the rock show.  Also, Matt Skiba is no slouch.  He may not have been the immediate obvious choice for a replacement for DeLonge, but he’s a pretty solid “step-dad” and shares similar musical roots to Barker and Hoppus.  Skiba fills the DeLonge roll guitar-wise, but he sings like Matt Skiba.  
  
Kick back and enjoy the early-2000’s throwback sounds of “She’s Out of Her Mind,” “Kings of the Weekend,” “No Future” and the lead single “Bored to Death.”  The album hits a few less inspiring moments with “Rabbit Hole,” “Home Is Such a Lonely Place” and the title track.  Goofy mini-tracks like “Built This Pool” and “Brohemian Rhapsody” recall the sophomoric charm of old-school Blink-182.  Keep an open mind.   There is plenty of summer fun to be found on this record. 
  
Essential tracks:  “Bored to Death,” “She’s Out of Her Mind,” & “Kings of the Weekend.” 
  
 

Tegan and Sara - Love You To Death 


Having reached a new level of commercial success on 2013's Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara continue in the same indie pop vein with their latest effort, Love You To Death.  However, the follow up is not as compelling.  LYTD is certainly not bad, but when held up against its predecessor and masterpieces like So Jealous and The Con, LYTD’s limitations show.  There are solid songs like “Faint of Heart” with its big eighties pop chorus, also the anthemic "Stop Desire" as well as the harshly honest ballad “100x.”  Yet, LYTD lacks a monster single like “Closer” (from Heartthrob).  “Closer” was infectious but had an explosive emotional weight that made it great.  Further, Tegan and Sara up until this point have always been a band that always moved forward and evolved with each release.  Each album was united by similar lyrical themes, but the production style shifted.  LYTD is less ambitious and feels more like they are treading water.  Again, LYTD is not a bad album.  Tegan and Sara are still a great band.  It is just that they've been better.

Essential tracks: "Stop Desire," "100x" & "Faint of Heart."

Clapton Still Does  


At 71, Eric Clapton proves that he still has his fire.  The icon's newest record, I Still Do, is a swampy and soulful blues journey that is arguably the man's finest album since his 2004 tribute to Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson.  Although Clapton has admitted that a neurological disorder is making guitar playing more difficult for him, none of that shows as Old Slowhand gracefully feels his way through a collection of originals and covers.  I Still Do is produced by the legendary Glyn Johns who helmed Clapton’s 1970s classics Slowhand and Backless, which contain some of Clapton’s biggest hits.  
  
I Still Do does not have any real duds.  There are some more forgettable tracks like Clapton’s “Catch the Blues” and “Little Man, You’ve Had a Busy Day.”  However, they do not detract from the overall listening experience.  Clapton really grooves on his covers of JJ Cale’s “Can’t Let You Do It” and “Somebody's Knocking'”.  “I Will Be There” features Ed Sheeran (credited as Angelo Mysterioso, a pseudonym first employed by George Harrison when he guested with Clapton’s band Cream in 1968).  Other standouts are his take on Dylan’s “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine,” Robert Johnson’s “Stones In My Passing” and the opener “Alabama Women.”  
  
On his original “Spiral” he sings: “You don't know how much this means to have this music in me.  I just keep playing these blues hoping that I don't lose.  I just keep playing my song hoping that I get along.  You don't know how much it means to have this music in me.”  On I Still Do, these words are especially poignant.  The bluesman sounds inspired.  Despite Clapton’s physical ailments, the guitarist says he is not done.  Let’s hope so.  

Essential tracks: "Can't Let You Do It", "Somebody Knockin'", "Spiral" and "Stones In My Passing."
 

Rocky Return of P!ATD 


Brendan Urie is a great vocalist and front man.  He is the sole remaining original Panic! member and has been dutifully keeping the brand alive by delivering inspired live shows and a steady flow of new music.  However, in a nutshell, the new Panic! At The Disco album, Death Of A Bachelor, is cripplingly uneven.  The greatest flaw of the album is that the albums worst songs all hit at the beginning of the album.   “Victorious,” “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time,” and “Emperor’s New Clothes” come off as substance-lacking Fall Out Boy throwaways.   “Hallelujah” is the exception to this on the album’s opening with its sampling of Chicago “Questions 67 and 68” and catchy chorus.  So if you wade through the garbage at the front of the album, you actually hit some good stuff.  
  
Urie’s love of Sinatra is a good thing.  He lets that flag fly on the album’s title track as well as on the closer “The Impossible Year.”  Then, you also get your more traditional Panic! songs with fun jams like “LA Devotee,” “Golden Days,” “House of Memories” and “The Good, The Bad And The Dirty.”  It’s in these songs that the merit of Death Of A Bachelor comes through.  This album is probably the band’s least compelling album, but there are enough redeeming moments for us to not write Urie and Co. off.  
  
Essential tracks: “Golden Days,” “Hallelujah,” and “House of Memories.”

5 Under-rated Bowie Deep Cuts 


I have not felt this bad about a legend passing since Lou Reed left us.  Today I have had nothing, but David Bowie on my mind.  I’ve eulogized about him on Facebook and been listening to him constantly on Spotify today.  Here are five Bowie deep tracks that you should check out as you explore his rich and inspiring catalogue.  I’ve avoided tracks included on the greatest hits compilations Nothing Has Changed and Best of Bowie. I’ll go chronologically.  A Spotify playlist of the tracks can be accessed by clicking here
  
“And I Say To Myself” (1966) 
  
“And I Say To Myself” was one of Bowie’s early singles pre-Ziggy.  It’s now featured on the collection I Dig Everything the 1966 Pye Singles.  He had not quite yet found his voice as a songwriter when he recorded this, but this track is a delight.  It blends a little bit of Sam Cooke with the Beatle-tinged tones of the British Invasion.  
  
“Queen Bitch” (1971) 
  
This gem is tucked towards the end of Hunky Dory.  It’s got bite to it and shows Bowie’s movement towards glam-rock as well as the influence of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. 
  
“TVC15” (1976) 
  
“TVC15” track comes from Bowie’s Thin White Duke era and is featured on the funk-infused Station to Station album.  It’s a great dance track that shows that Bowie was far beyond glam and finding new sounds. 
  
“Cactus” (2002) 
  
This Pixies cover is off of Heathen.  It’s got a groove and Bowie’s vocal is compelling delivered.  Just great.  
  
“Never Get Old” (2003) 
  
“Never Get Old,” from Reality, was played regularly on his 2003-2004 final tour.  Its energy and fight are a testament that Bowie will never get old or be forgotten.  His legacy is secure and his music makes him immortal.
  
There are many more great songs for you to find on your own.  Hopefully this gets you started and looking beyond the “hits.” 
  
 

The Best Albums of 2015 

1. Sleater-Kinney – No Cities To Love 

 
For their first album in 10 years, Sleater-Kinney returned with a fierce pop-vengeance.  Every track on this album is killer from the opener “Price Tag” to the closer “Fade.” 
  
2. Carl Barat & the Jackals – Let It Reign 
  

Carl Barat had a busy year.  In addition to making an excellent reunion album with Libertines, he also put out Let It Reign.  Although the Libertine’s disc got more press, Let It Reign is the better work.  It blends punkish-Clash-inspired rock with garage-rock self-righteousness.  Check it out and don’t miss “Glory Days” or “March of the Idols.” 
  
3. Fall Out Boy – American Beauty/American Psycho 

  
This band continues to evolve from emo heroes to arena rock superstars.  Love them or hate them, they have never made the same album twice.  Read the full RCB review here
  
4. Florence + the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful 

 
On her third album, Florence Welsh gets in touch with her inner Fleetwood Mac and the results are great.  From “Ship to Wreck,” “What Kind of Man,” “Third Eye,” “Mother” . . . this album is packed with great songs and powerhouse vocal performance. 
  
5. Grace Potter – Midnight 

  
Her solo debut ruffled some feathers as she explored a more pop-oriented sound and sidestepped from her usual classic-rock roots.  However, haters need to get over it.  Midnight is pretty damn great.  “Your Girl” and “Empty Heart” are knockouts and the outro of “Delirious” shows why Grace Potter is the greatest current voice in rock and roll. 
  
6. Mike Posner – The Truth 

  
I try to stick to full-length albums for this list, but Mike Posner’s EP The Truth consisted of four pretty much perfect songs.  The tracks are brash, personal, beautiful and really catchy.  “Not That Simple” is one of the year’s best songs.  
  
7. New Politics – Vikings 
  

This album is pure indie-rock fun.  It’s a great album all around, but some standouts are “Everywhere I Go,” “Girl Crush” and “50 Feet Tall.” 

8. Motion City Soundtrack – Panic Stations 
  

It was looking like MCS peaked back in 2007 with Even If It Kills Me.  2010’s My Dinosaur Life was alright, but 2012’s Go was pretty darn forgettable. Although the bands’ days of greatest commercial success are probably behind them, their core fans should be pleased, because Panic Stations finds the band making its most compelling and rockin’ album in years.  The boys are back!  
  
9. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Chasing Yesterday 
  

Everyone’s favorite curmudgeon shows that he’s still got the chops that helped him write some of the biggest songs of the 90s.  Chasing Yesterday blends his Oasis roots with his love of 60s pop.  Check out the whole album, but “You Know We Can’t Go Back” is a track not to be missed.  
  
10. Chris Stapleton – Traveller 

  
Chris Stapleton has long been writing hits for some of country music’s biggest stars.  His solo debut beautifully introduces us to the voice behind those songs.  Even if you’re not really into country music, don’t write this guy off – Traveller is awesome. 
  
  
 

My Favorite Beatles Song From Every Album 

For those of you who know me, you may know that the Beatles are my all-time favorite band.  Their catalogue is a constant source of inspiration.  I have made this little list of what is my favorite song off each album.  It was actually A Hard Day’s Night where I had the greatest difficulty picking my favorite - all are so good.  Anyway, as of this posting here is my favorite Beatles song off of each album (UK editions).
 
Please Please Me – “Please Please Me”
With the Beatles – “It Won’t Be Long”
A Hard Day’s Night – “I’ll Be Back”
Beatles For Sale – “Every Little Thing”
Help – “I’ve Just Seen A Face”
Rubber Soul – “I’m Looking Through You”
Revolver – “And Your Bird Can Sing”
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – “Lovely Rita”
Magical Mystery Tour – “Strawberry Fields”
The Beatles (White Album) – “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey”
Let It Be – “Let It Be”
Abbey Road – “Something”
 
Favorite non-album single – “Paperback Writer”
 
There you have it!  Feel free to comment back with your own list! - DM