Album Review: Pop Psychology by Neon Trees

Neon Trees first came on to the music scene in 2008 with their mega-hit "Animal." Then the hits just kept pouring in. After that came "Everybody Talks" and "Lessons In Love." They are very slowly becoming very popular. The Quartet from Murrieta, CA (20 minutes from where I live) now has come out with another huge single "Sleeping With A Friend." That is off their 3rd studio album "Pop Psychology," which just released on April 22nd. They seem to keep a sound that you don't hear with any other band. They are almost a cross between The Killers and Katy Perry. I love the sound and if you like pop/rock music, I guarantee you will love this album.

The album starts out with the fun song "Love In The 21st Century." Like most of their songs, it is about a relationship. The song talks about how relationships these days have a lot of consequences. It hurts when you go through a break up and that is basically what the song is about. The second song on the album "Text Me In The Morning" is about any college party you will go to. You get drunk, meet someone and you can't remember any of it. (FYI, I have never done this.) That's why the song says "text me in the morning and tell me you still love me" because sadly, a lot of people have one night stands at these parties.

The third song is the album's lead single, "Sleeping With A Friend." I actually like this song because, although it is supposed to be a "sex song," it doesn't really get too sexual with the lyrics. It is basically a song about how you are and aren't in love with someone at the same time. The next song, "Teenager In Love," describes how every teenager's first relationship is, awkward. Once again another fun song and one of my faves.

I love "I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)." The title basically describes what the song is about. Its about a relationship that your significant other's friends don't approve of but you still love each other despite judgements. "Unavoidable" is my favorite is my favorite on the album and if you know me, you will know why. I am a sucker for a good ballad and the guys (and girl) of NT are really good at writing them.

"Voices In the Halls" is another one of my favorites. Its a song about a break up. Everyone goes through a hard break up and you try to remember them in anyway possible. In this particular situation, they are trying to hear the lover's voice in the hallway. I feel like "Foolish Behavior" could be played at the end of a romantic movie. Its about a couple who start out strangers but then they fall in love.

"Living In Another World" almost has a punk-pop feel to it. The lead singer of NT, Tyler Glenn, recently came out of the closet and this is what this song is about. He always denied because he was afraid that "the world wasn't ready for an actual gay pop star instead of straight people being gay spokespeople" (Quote from Rolling Stone Interview with Tyler Glenn). The closing track on the album, "First Things First," (ironic name for a closing track, eh?) is about the band's journey. Every band starts out playing small coffee shops and only like 25% make it. They started out small and look at them now. One of the world's biggest bands.

Overall, the album is a good Wake-Me-Up album. You could probably even listen to is when you are at the gym or having a run. I suggest this for fans of pop or rock or even a little funk.

Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes (has a bonus track), Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)," "Living In Another World," "Unavoidable"

For Fans Of: The Killers, Katy Perry, Michael Jackson

Album Review: Rivers in the Wasteland by NEEDTOBREATHE

It is crazy to think it has been 2 1/2 years since I did a review for NEEDTOBREATHE's 2012 release The Reckoning. For the record, that is still one of my favorite albums of all time. But forget about the NTB you knew from the first 4 records. The band has taken an almost indie sound on their latest release, Rivers in the Wasteland. It is yet another excellent release from the band. After lineup changes and struggling to finish the album, the guys are back and I'm very glad they are. But like I said previously, forget the old NTB, they have matured both with sound and lyrically. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you NEEDTOBREATHE's latest release, Rivers in the Wasteland.

The album starts out with the title track, "Wasteland." That is also what their current World Tour is called. The song deals with the struggle the band has had. It seems as if everyone is against them but they find light, "If God is on my side/Who can be against me?" The second track, "State I'm In," is my favorite song on the album. Once again, it is another personal song and the band doesn't know about the state they are in and that they have a long way to go yet.

NEEDTOBREATHE started when the band was finishing up high school. This song is about their journey from then to now. The band almost ended during the absence (despite various amounts of success) and they are asking that they aren't done just quite yet after all the success that they have had (ie touring with Taylor Swift or how big "Keep Your Eyes Open" got). The band is originally from North Carolina. Which is more than likely why the next song is called "Oh, Carolina." When you are a fairly big band, you spend 200-250 days of the year on the road. That's what the song is about. Once they get back home, they have quite a few stories to tell.

One of the album's lead single's is "Difference Maker." This song is a story of Bear (lead singer's) past life. In the song, he talks about how he used to be a broken man and now God has taken him and made him a difference maker. With this record, the band almost had to start over. The album is 11 tracks, just like their debut. "Rise Again" is a song about how the band, although with struggles, they will rise again.

"The Heart" is another one of my favorites on the album. Its just a simple and happy love song. I have a feeling Bear wrote it for his wife. When your heart knows what it wants, there is a reason to celebrate, right? Tune in to the Ellen DeGeneres Show this Friday to see it performed on her show. A lot of the time, bands play and make music more for the fun of it because they don't make as much money as you think (75% of music is stolen for free). That's what "Where the Money Is" is about. They don't want to know where the money is because they don't make a lot of it, as most bands.

"Multiplied" is a beautiful love song to God. Its worshiping all that he is. It is one of their most beautiful worship songs to date ("Garden"is easily at the top). In the song, they want all the hallelujahs to God to keep on Multiplying until everyone knows who He is. When you are in a band, your band-mates become almost like family. Which is what "Brother" is about. In the song, they vow to never leave each other and they will be each other's shelter through the storm.

The last song on the album is "More Heart, Less Attack." Once again, it is a personal song for the band. Its basically a song that says to leave the past in the past. Never dwell on what has happened in the past.


The album is really good and may even be better than The Reckoning. On the album, the band combines Rock, Country , and Indie and they fit the three together perfectly. Although not as much Rock as the past records, they come through amazing once again. Whether you are a new fan or a fan since the beginning, you will enjoy this album and will have it on repeat.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Multiplied," "The Heart," "State I'm In"

For Fans Of: Mumford & Sons, Taylor Swift, Rend Collective

Why Taco Bell Should Make the Beefy Crunch Burrito a Permanent Item

I know that this post will probably get little or even no attention but I just thought I needed to write this. First of all, I am really missing the Beefy Crunch Burrito. In fact, if someone walked up to me and said "If Taco Bell makes the Beefy Crunch a permanent item, you will never find your true love," I would accept in a heartbeat. I love the food at Taco Bell, but when this was an item, it was the only thing I ate. I have probably consumed about 50 of these since its first appearance in 2010. That year, my family took a trip to Texas and this was one of the only things we ate (I'm from California and its a long trip). The hotel we were staying at for my uncle's wedding in Texas had a Taco Bell right across the street, so I bet you can guess how I celebrated the New Year that year. With about 2 or 3 of these bad boys. I never have understood why Taco Bell has this a temporary item. It was the best seller both times they have had it and they can't seem to keep it on the menu. This could be because they aren't making enough money off of it. Here is a genius idea: Why don't you raise the item $.50 which it would only $1.49, like some of the most popular items on the menu. Raising it at such a small margin would make customers still want it because it still wouldn't break the bank. No offense to Taco Bell, but it is really dumb that you have this for a month or so and then remove it from the menu. You make a crap load off this burrito. People will go crazy over it and get it every day. I recommend bringing this back, Taco Bell, because many fans don't go to your restaurant just because of this.