Tom's WEB Blog

For years, the former members of Genesis have said that they are ready, willing and able to reform the group at original frontman Peter Gabriel's whim -- and for years Gabriel has adamantly refused. Until now. "The odds of a Genesis reunion are better now than before," Gabriel tells Rolling Stone. "We're going to have the conversation." Aside from a one-off concert in 1982, Gabriel has not stood on stage with the classic five-man Genesis lineup since the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour ended in May of 1975. Phil Collins, who had played drums since joining the group prior to its third album in 1971, took over as vocalist in 1976 and lifted the British art rockers to stadiums all over the world. Collins quit the group after 1992's We Can't Dance tour to focus on his successful solo career. Remaining members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford recruited former Stiltskin vocalist Ray Wilson for the 1997 release Calling All Stations, which fared so poorly that Genesis were forced to cancel a tour of American theaters. The group quietly folded in 1998. Since then, a large cult of fans, particularly of the Gabriel era, have kept the Genesis flame alive. Phil Collins played with Genesis tribute band the Musical Box, who recreate the Gabriel era with frightening precision when they visited his hometown of Geneva, Switzerland recently. Earlier this week, Collins reaffirmed his desire to drum again for the real thing during a Tel Aviv press conference. Last month, guitarist Steve Hackett told the Chicago Sun-Times that he received a phone call from Genesis management. "There's a movement to put us all together again," he said. "I do think it will happen." Notorious perfectionist Gabriel warns that any reunion concert would require serious preparation time. "When we got back together in 1982, I don't think we rehearsed," he says. "To really do it properly, we'd have to take more time. It's quite a commitment." This is big! I would so like to see this happen. Genesis was always better with Peter signing and Phil druming.

Music review time again!

This album is the fifth Nickelback album and is easily their best. Overall, this CD is mixed with slow and fast paced songs.Their lyrics are better, their vocals are better. "ALL THE RIGHT REASONS" gives fans of all music the chance to enjoy what they have to offer. It's one terrific album with crossover potential that should please the group's strongest followers as well as endear new listeners to the fold. If you possess any Nickelback CD's you'll like this one.

Track Listing
1. Follow You Home
2. Fight for All the Wrong Reasons
3. Photograph
4. Animals
5. Savin' Me
6. Far Away
7. Next Contestant
8. Side of a Bullet
9. If Everyone Cared
10. Someone That You're With
11. Rockstar

:)

Trapts' self titled debut in 2003 is one of my favorite albums released in the last decade. Needless to say "Someone In Control" has been greatly anticipated on my part. I've listened to the CD several times now. While the album provides plenty of catchy chorus's and edgy riffs, it lacks in truly special songs that their previous release was loaded with. The opening track "Disconnected" is a solid opener to the CD. "Stand Up", the first single off the album, sounds entirely like "Headstrong". Again, a solid song thats catchy enough to bring in new listeners, but nothing special like its predecessor was. Another good track on the album is "Lost Realist". One of the few slower tracks on the CD, its absolutly keeps the listener hooked and wanting to replay the track over and over. While not as good as "Made of Glass", it is far and away tops on the new release. I don't want to say the new release is bad, because it isnt. Being a fan of the first album, I was simply expecting and hoping for more from the band. It is worth picking up, I doubt anyone would be disappointed from the purchase. If you are a fan of nu-metal and enjoy listening to bands like Breaking Benjamin, and Linkin Park, then you will enjoy this album. If nu-metal isn't the genre for you, then don't waste your time on this album. I, however, think this album is a good follow up. There's nothing really different then the first one, so its more Trapt. If you were a fan of the first album, then you won't be disappointed. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Pink Floyd have been offered a staggering 100 million to tour the States. However, the band, who reformed especially for July 2nd Live 8 concert, has turned down the lucrative offer. According to Britain's "The Sun" newspaper, guitarist Dave Gilmour was stated as saying: "We've been offered 150 million to do gigs in the States. It's completely mad and we won't do it. The idea was a one off for Live 8". Apparently we should look forward to a new album. Dave must really hate Rodgers guts :)

Video of the Pink Floyd Live 8 apperance is now available from off the video download page http://tomschrimp.com/Videos/ There is the standard avi file that will play in Media Player 9 or better and the higher resolution Divx file in Zip format. You will need An unzipping program such as Winzip http://www.download.com/3405-20-960683.html?idl=n to extract that file and the Divx player to view that file http://www.divx.com/divx/play/download/ It's a free download and a great program. The divx zip file is larger and will take longer to download, those on slower connections may want to stick with the avi file. Right click on the files and "save as" to your local drive. Please don't try to stream the avi file as I do not have the bandwidth. These files are the full set without any commercials or talking heads. Enjoy! :)

Defaults first CD, "The Fallout" is one of my all time favorite CD's. There is always a copy in my car and I know there's another in my AV Rack CD changer too. Plus the album is in MP3 format on my computer at home and work! So, it comes as no surprise to me that their second CD is even better than the first! If you haven't heard of Default here's a little history for you. Default can be classified as a cousin to Nickelback, the hit-making Canadian band lead by Chad Kroeger. Kroeger helps manage Default. Kroeger also produced and cowrote many of the songs on "The Fallout". So, chances are if you like Nickelback to any degree you will also like Default. I actually prefer them over Nickelback.
As to this CD. The guys did a great job on their second try. Not many bands can put out good second albums, but these guys did. Every song is worth listening to. A trait shared with their first CD. With great guitar solos and catchy melodies, there is not one song that I dislike. Tracks such as Taking My Life Away, Alone and All She Wrote showcase the groups talent. In my opinion, this is one of the best CD's I've bought. If you like the sound of groups like Nickelback, Fuel, Trapt and Breaking Benjamin, then this CD is for you!
Default is: Dave Benedict (bass), Danny Craig (drums), Jeremy Hora (guitar), Dallas Smith (vocals)

"In Your Honor" is fantastic! If you like this band run out and get the 2 CD set now! If you have been living under a rock these past few years and never heard of the Foo Fighters, run out and get this 2 CD set now! :) No kidding, I like The Foo Fighters better than I ever liked Nirvana, but this new CD set is fantastic. The first CD is made up of 10 rocking tracks starting with "In Your Honor" and ending with "End Over End" and every track in between is fantastic. But, that's not all! Disc 2 is made up of 10 acoustic tracks that show case the unbelievable talents of this group. The acoustic disc is a great surprise. "Friend Of A Friend", written back while Dave Grohl (the lead singer) was still drumming in Nirvana, broods with a dark intensity, while the appearance of guests John Paul Jones (Yes, that John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame) and Norah Jones, who duets with Grohl on "Virginia Moon", a soft jazz number, gives "In Your Honor" an extra dimension that should grab even the non-fan. I highly recommend this CD for your listening pleasure!

note: Foo Fighters - Dave Grohl (vocals, guitar, drums); Taylor Hawkins (vocals, drums); Chris Shiflett (guitar); Nate Mendel (bass instrument). Additional musicians: Norah Jones (vocals, piano); Josh Homme, Joe Beebe (guitar); John Paul Jones (mandolin, piano); Petra Haden (violin); Danny Clinch (harmonica); Rami Jaffe (keyboards); Nick Raskulinecz (double bass, bass guitar).