Marianas Trench - "September"

September won’t you bring me some rain again? This sun is melting my skin And I would give you anything to feel something else

Rating: 6/10

In 2006, the Canadian pop-rock band Marianas Trench released their debut album, Fix Me. As the band evolved they changed more to a pop sound. "September" is a rock song with a heavy use of only guitars and drums; despite the fact that front man Josh Ramsay alone can play 9 different instruments. The Vancouver-based band matured over the years and improved their music from the more simple first album, however, the first record is the only real rock album they have released. The song, like most of theirs, is fun and energetic. Ramsay produces great vocals with a wide range and switches off with guitarist Matt Webb on the echos. The track and the album are good, the band is talented, and their music continues to change and improve.

Magica - "King of the World"

Hear the king of the world, listen now for his words are coming out, like thunder.

Rating: 6/10

The Song: King of the World is a fairly average symphonic metal song, the vocals are very high and somewhat difficult to comprehend (although they are much easier to understand than most of the rest of the album).
The Album: Center of the Great Unknown is the 6th studio album by Magica and was released in 2012, the vocalist sings very high and often times is difficult to comprehend but overall I really like the album, it is nice to discover an album from a band I haven't heard of before, give it a listen, and really enjoy it.
The Band: Magica is a Romanian power metal band with some symphonic metal formed in 2002. To date they have released six studio albums with the most recent being Center of the Great Unknown.

Pet Shop Boys - "Axis (Boys Noize Remix)"

tonight...electric...turn it up...electric

Rating: 4/10

As far as repetitive pop goes, this pretty much takes the overfrosted cake. Drilling beeps and a kick snare pattern bring nothing to this song, but the low synth wobbles rumble enough to make you want to pump your fist. Pet Shop Boys transition to techno was a well-intentioned play, but it brings nothing new to the song. In short, mediocre, but alright if you just need a simple step track. Best of luck to their new album Electric, slanted to come out this July, but I can't say I'm all too excited.

Skillet - "Falling Inside the Black"

I'm falling in the black Slipping through the cracks

Rating: 7/10

The Christian rock band known as Skillet is difficult to classify because they have such a mix of genres; it is how they decided on the name: throwing a bunch of different styles into a skillet and blending them together. When the band started in 1996 they were more grungy and as they developed more, they turned more to symphonic metal. The song "Falling in the Black" is from their sixth studio album Comatose. It is a great rock/metal track with electric guitars and drums, but also integrates the sounds of other string instruments that are more orchestral; their presence is subtle in this song, but they are there and they add to the beauty of the song. Alongside the skillful and strong vocals of John Cooper, his wife Korey Cooper and former bandmate, Lori Peters supply backing female vocals. The lyrics do not recite the over-told love story of many songs, but speak of losing a fight to darkness. This is one of their most talented songs even though it is not as well recognized as others on the album.

Morningwood - "Nth Degree"

He bangs the drum...She's vip...He's never done...Got OCD

Rating: 7/10

You're scrolling casually through your extensive (and well selected) music collection, when a stray song catches your eye. You hit play, mostly out of curiosity, and are immediately thrown by the candyland vocals and murmuring string lines reverberating from your speakers. This is the Nth Degree, the 2005 hit from Morningwood's premiere album, Morningwood. Creative name, right? Nonetheless, it's a great song for traveling and/or rocking out. Its pace flips on a dime, from a slow-stepping guitar to the blindingly flashy chorus, and you can't help but listen.

Axxis - "Flashback Radio"

I turn the radio off Don't wanna hear that crap All this computer stuff Sounds like a handicap

Rating: 3/10

The Song: Honestly, I don't want to hear this crap. Although to be fair the music isn't that bad, the word choice is like a handicap. Calling for a return to classics without being remotely close to a classic song. Overall, it's not that great of a song and quite hypocritical. If I had a radio station, I would certainly not play Flashback radio.
The Album: Back to the Kingdom is fairly average metal album released in 2001. It is their 7th studio album.
The Band: Axxis is a German hard rock/metal band. Their first album, Kingdom of the Night is the best selling album by any German hard rock band. They are characterized by lead singer Bernhard Weiß's somewhat unique vocal style.

The Dead Weather - "Hang You From the Heavens"

I like to grab you by the hair and drag you to the devil

Rating: 8/10

The Dead Weather is one of Jack White's numerous music groups. He is known for his eccentric style and immense talent; and although he does not sing lead vocals on this particular track, Alison Mosshart does a fantastic job, while White is on percussion. The guitar and bass do not seem too complicated, but they sound spectacular with the drums. Like much of Jack White's music, it takes a while to recognize how incredible the song really is because it is so strange. The bizarre lyrics made me wonder about the mental state of the writer, but then I could not get the song out of my head. After listening to it more, I began to hear the brilliance in the music. The track is odd, but it is catchy and quite amazing. If you are like me and think the song is too weird at first, give it a couple listens before you judge it too harshly.

OMG & ShockWave - "Funky"

funk, funk, funk, funk...

Rating: 5/10

OMG & ShockWave have been known for always bringing something new to their music, and this new track is a prime example of their utter strangeness. Skipping from dubstep to glitch hop, they've been able to whip up some seriously funky dance tracks. Some high synths pattern well with a complex kick-and-snare beat, and are filled occasionally by a jittery radio static. Lead by a defining, solid piece, this new direction for the dub duo will be an interesting path to follow.

Thirty Seconds to Mars - "Up In the Air"

You were the love of my life, the darkness, the light This is a portrait of a tortured you and I

Rating: 7/10

Thirty Seconds to Mars is set to release their new album LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS on May 21st and on March 4th they launched the album's first single into space with the support of NASA. "Up In the Air" was then let out to the public on March 19th. The band commonly known as 30STM has changed their style from their first album in 2002. These new songs hold a new synthy style continued from their last album, This Is War, but still have Jared Leto's amazing vocals and his brother Shannon's skillful drumming, not to mention Jared's brilliant lyrics. The song is upbeat and fast with somewhat of a pop feel on their usual alternative rock. It still has the band's traditional sound, but their style continues to change. It is not their best work, but 30STM still puts out great music.

Breaking Benjamin - "Dance With the Devil"

Easy to find what’s wrong Harder to find what’s right

Rating: 8/10

In 2006 the American rock band known as Breaking Benjamin released their third studio album, Phobia. The song "Dance With the Devil" is not the most popular, but it is one of the best. The catchy guitar parts build in the beginning and grow, adding drums in a fast-paced rhythm; then it all softens again. Benjamin Burnley supplies the band with fantastic clean vocals. The music and singing intensify and calm in time along with each other. The instruments in the track are beautiful and all in all the song is pretty great.

Hawthorne Heights - "The Business of Paper Stars"

it's easy to forget where you are and where you've been so far in this business of inconsistent paper stars

Rating: 6/10

The Ohio rock band known as Hawthorne Heights released their third studio album back in 2008. "The Business of Paper Stars" is the first track on Fragile Future. The powerful drum and guitar intro is one of the best parts of this song; it was the only piece of the song I heard at first and with that I decided I needed to hear more of it. After that the song lightens as the singing begins. Although the vocalist is not one of the best, he is pretty good and fits the song well. The somewhat eerie guitar parts and drums of varying intensities lift up the song and make it energetic and interesting.

Pendulum - "Girl in the Fire"

Rating: 6/10

Pendulum's album Hold Your Colour was released in 2005. It quickly became a major hit in the UK, and one of the bestselling drum and bass sets of all time, but several excellent songs have gone unrecognized on this track, with "Girl in the Fire" among them. Switching between strummed acoustic melodies and reversed loops, this track sets off on a casual, funky journey. However, in typical Pendulum fashion, it's not long before the atmospheric space sounds are filled with a two-four breakbeat pattern, rounded off by the murmuring bass and electric guitar. Pendulum plays this eclectic mix off quite well, and I think this song deserves more credit in bringing together their album.

Rush - "BU2B"

I was brought up to believe The universe has a plan We are only human It's not ours to understand

Rating: 8/10

The Song: BU2B (standing for Brought up to Believe) is the second song on CLockwork Angels and was released as a single along with Caravan shortly before the album was released. It is a song about questioning whether peace and stability are really good for the world. Generally, the song seems to be a good summary pf the album, it is basically a parody of conformity, it's about conformity but it clearly makes fun of the it with the tone of the voice and the lyrics.
The Album: Clockwork Angels is the 19th album by Rush. It a concept album about a young man's quest to follow his dreams where he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. It was written into a novel by Kevin J. Anderson. To me, the album and the novel have two possible interpretations. First, it is a criticism of communism and conformity. The main character comes from world of conformity but goes on an adventure and goes against the conformity. The second interpretation is that they are a criticism of organized religion. Again, going against conformity.
The Band: Rush is a progressive/hard rock band from Canada lead by bassist/lead vocalist/keyboardist Geddy Lee. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame this year. Their musical style evolved from a hard rock and heavy metal focus on their first album to a more prog rock style with a heavy use of synthesizers.

Catching Flies - "Sunrays"

Rating: 5/10

Catching Flies creates a beautiful atmosphere of spacey sunshine in their track "Sunrays." The first song on his 2012 "The Stars EP," the lyrics are brief but subtle, telling of bathing in sunshine. The entire song is reminiscent of a peaceful voyage through nature or spacetime, while still making the listener feel like a cat napping on a sunny windowsill. This artful song is perfect for anyone who wants to chill or cheer themselves up. :) Check it out here.

Manic Focus - "Learn How to Drop" (Explicit)

he said: "crank up that s*** and learn how to drop"

Rating: 7/10

A word of warning, this song is not what it seems. Brilliantly crafted to surprise the unsuspecting viewer, I still remember jumping in my seat on my first listen, before my foot started tapping. An excellent wobble bass rumbles under a sharp tempo, bringing this dance track to life. Manic Focus, self-described as "exploring a world of new sounds and producing pure musical magic", has brought in some funky tones to his album, Expanding Mind.