EP Review: “Ledger” by Ledger

I know I don’t usually publish a review on Tuesdays anymore, but I didn’t have any other ideas for today so I decided on scheduling this for today since it would be somewhat shorter compared to the other reviews. Now that we have that out of the way, we can discuss everything about LEDGER!

If you read my four songs that got me through high school post I put up last month, you already know the story of how I got into the band Skillet. Well, I have to say finding out that their drummer Jen Ledger was breaking out a bit and releasing a solo record didn’t surprise me one bit, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t nervous though. Skillet is a big rock band, so I didn’t know what kind of direction she was going with her music. I was open to it, but like I said, a bit nervous too! The EP was released on the 6th of April and it has six songs on it.

We start with “Not Dead Yet” and from the start of it, I knew that I would like it. It’s kind of different to only her voice on entire song. Since she joined Skillet, she’s only been a very noticeable background singer, so it’s something to get used to, but it’s really nice though! The song itself has a very pop-rock vibe going on, I really like it. Second is “Warrior” and you instantly hear this static-y, but jam packed introduction. I really like the lighter notes, but it is definitely a mood booster, I will say that! This actually features John Cooper, the lead vocalist of Skillet. I feel like this is kind of like payback, but in a good way! He gives it an added edge to it.

Next we have “Bold” and it has a mellow sound, but on top of that, whereas the first two had a strong rock influence, this one doesn’t. It has a little bit urban flare to it, but it also goes with the meaning of the song, so I really like it for being unique in that way! Fourth is “Foreigner” and if you didn’t know Jen and the rest of the members of Skillet are Christians, the band itself is considered a “Christian rock band,” so I figured she’d speak about different things and incorporate God in some way. This one is very interesting, because I thought it also plays with her heritage too. She’s actually from England, you can kind of hear it in her voice in different songs, I actually like it, because it’s all about perspective, you can say she’s talking about one thing but really it’s about the other.

Last two songs, we have “Ruins” and it’s the only ballad track on the EP. You really get to hear the beauty in her voice. I’ve actually heard her sing a few slower songs on YouTube before, but it’s nice to finally hear her do her own music. And then, we have “Iconic” and we’re back on this pop-rock sound, but thankfully I really like this subgenre anyways. It also plays with some electronica elements too, so it’s like a best of all three worlds! After this one was over, I wish there were more. Hopefully one day, she’ll finally release a full album!

I thought this was a really good release, it wasn’t what I was expecting by any means, but I’m really glad I was wrong! I liked the fact that she didn’t have a full on rock record. People would have probably grilled her for going in that direction. I don’t want to hear Skillet music, I want to hear what she enjoys and basically get a look inside her mind as an individual musician.

Have you heard of Ledger’s first extended play? What did you think of it? Do you have any favorite tracks?

Album Review: “Unleashed” by Skillet

This is happening!! A new album review thanks to YouTube! I honestly didn’t expect to be able to listen to Skillet’s new album Unleashed, I figured I’d have to wait until my own sister caved and purchased the album, but now at least neither one of us would have to wait!

I was going to do a song review of their first single, “Feel Invincible” back in June, but I had a lot on my plate and decided against it. Parts of me wished I had done it. It’s the first track off the album, and I am in love with it! The band is sort of known for their more symphonic rock sound, using a violin and cello in a good amount of their songs, but this one has more of an electronic vibe. It seems Korey has double duty again, as she plays rhythm guitar and keyboard. Despite having a slight electronica feel to it, it’s still very heavy! Great song to listen to as you work or get ready for the day!

I heard the second track a couple of weeks ago, maybe the actual day it was released! I was in between of deciding if I liked it or not. It’s called “Back From The Dead” and I have to say, I am still undecided. It’s good, it has some interesting parts to it. I like how John does the “ba-ba-ba-ba” saying in rhythm of the chorus. This one isn’t as heavy as I thought it would be, but still. Third song is  “Stars” and from the first time I saw the title I knew it would be slower… I’m not going to lie, I am a little hesitant when it comes to the band’s ballads. However, I knew if I wanted to complete this review I would have to listen to it. The track has an electronic introduction. This time you can clearly hear both John and Jen’s voices throughout the song. I do like the message and surprisingly the sound as it goes on the tempo increases. It’s pretty good too!

Next is what I like to call, “a Skillet song.” I know, that’s so clever Meghan! “I Want To Live” sounds like their older songs, like the ones we replay in our iPods and phones everytime we are in the car. It starts out with the nice and easy orchestra sound, Jen has more than just backing vocals on this track. I really love Jen’s soft but fierce voice on the band’s songs! Anyways, I sent this one to my sister and she seemed to like it a lot considering she liked and retweeted it on her Twitter account! Next up is “Undefeated” and oh my gosh! This one is powerful! It doesn’t sound like their others but it is heavy, which is a plus! After “Undefeated,” is a track called “Famous” and is it weird to say that John sounds like he is rapping in the beginning? This one is okay, but I don’t like it, at least not right now!

Now is time for “Lions”.  This has more of an airy, almost gives out a serene kind of feeling. In a way, it sounds like “Stars” and what’s weird is that it sort of sounds like it in parts too, mostly in the choruses and at the end of the verses, where Jen joins in with John. Other than that, the actual song is pretty good! The eighth track is called “Out Of Hell” and of course my brain went, please be heavy! With that kind of title, you’re hoping it is! Thankfully, this one is glorious! I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but this reminds me of a Five Finger Death Punch song! And I mean that in the nicest way possible! It still has the essence of Skillet, but it is extremely heavy and so good!

Next up is a song called “Burn It Down” and yes, I immediately thought of Linkin Park. Sorry, but it happens everytime I see these three words together! This is another heavy track, but there’s nothing about it that makes it special. It just sounds like a regular rock song. So that’s bit of a let down! This next one, I heard it and I kind of got happy. It’s “Waiting For Comets” and again, like “Stars” and “Lions” it has a calming vibe to it. It’s not at all heavy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not good. I can see this one becoming a favorite, as I am starting to like more and more tracks that are meaningful in both lyrics and sound. Perfect harmony.  After is a song called “Saviors Of The World,” and when I heard it and was completely caught off guard. It has a strong electronica beginning, but it almost has like a whimsical vibe too! It was strange, but in a good way! The only thing I really have a problem with is the fact it has so many elements to it, that while you listen to the choruses, you can barely hear what John is saying. I can only properly hear one line out of that section before that part goes blurry. Maybe it’s my ears who knows!

Last but not least, is “The Resistance” and again, I hoped for another heavy as I always love a banger to start the album and finish it out. And this did not disappoint. We even have John doing a little screaming and if I’m not mistaken, he hasn’t done that since “Monster” from Awake right?  This is another “Skillet” song, but as I’ve seen through listening to this album, maybe I don’t know what a “Skillet” song sounds like anymore? Is it the lyrics or the sounds that creates that label? I’ve always thought it was a mixture honestly.

So what do we think? Do you like Skillet’s new album? Yay or nay? Leave me some comments!

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Finding The Perfect YouTube Video of Concerts.

We can all relate when somebody asks us, if we look up live videos from concerts on YouTube. It’s not a secret, we all do it. For a lot of people, such as myself, it’s our way of finding peace to not being there in real life. Something I’m always doing is, trying to find really good live videos. Everybody knows that even though the video title will say “HD” that usually means one thing will be that and not both. For me, when I go to look like live videos, it’s the picture that is awesome, but the sound quality sucks. I was watching a bunch of videos of different concerts just a bit ago. The first band I looked up was RED. They have amazing songs and I love the screaming and the sound of the band, so I wanted to find good videos of their concerts. The first video I found, was really good. It had a nice picture and sound quality, but when the song first starts up, you can hear static-like noises and then when the lead singer was doing the screaming, the sound was really low. Then from there, everything I liked about the video sucked.

I am missing Skillet. After being let down from the other videos, I went back to watch some live videos by them. Skillet is an awesome band to listen to. I still can’t believe my sister Emily, almost got everybody in my family into them a few years ago. She was really into them and even went to the Rock The River tour in 2009 with her church. I was very jealous when she went but I was very excited for the pictures and stories she brought back with her. Once she went to the concert, she got some of the free podcasts they had on iTunes, and I love watching them on my iPod. I think the whole band is kind of hilarious. Jen Ledger is probably the most awesome drummer in the world. Anyways, finding live videos of Skillet was fairly easy. I love finding perfect with both great picture and sound quality. Here are two awesome live videos I found today. (:

and…..

Modern Christian Music.

I’m in a unique state of mind today. I’ve been listening to lots of different Christian bands/artists. I’ve been watching Live videos of Skillet. I love Skillet. My sister Emily got pretty much everyone in my family into them. We practically have every song from the “Comatose” and “Awake And Alive” albums. My favorites are “Rebirthing” from the “Comatose” album. I am addicted to “Hero” and title track “Awake And Alive.” My sister and I love the remixes too! Before I was looking up Skillet songs, I was watching and listening to Toby Mac. I don’t really like Christian rap and I don’t have any idea why.  Emily got me into “Tonight” like always, and she was right again. John Cooper is hot! But my favorite will always be Jen Ledger! I found some songs from the “Tonight” album. I liked “Captured” and “Changed Forever.” Another band my sister got me into is Fireflight. I’m listening to right now, the song is “Desperate” and I love it deary! I love “Unbreakable,” “Stand Up,” “You Decide,” and “Those Who Wait.” 

There’s a Christian band that my sister didn’t have to get into and that is Flyleaf. I love Flyleaf! I got into Flyleaf in 2008 after they released their song “All Around Me” and I was hooked ever since. Lacey is such a good singer! I actually like a good number of their songs! I’m that addicted. I was tempted to buy a whole album of their’s when it came out but I had only known 2 songs and I didn’t want to rish buying something that I wouldn’t like later. Apparently, I like it now! My cousin Kristi got me into Pillar. That was interesting I heard a good song from Pillar after we listened to Hollywood Undead. Nice combination! I’m trying to think of more Christian bands that I listen to, but I have no idea who else I listen to. I listen to Krystal Meyers, and Philmont too.