You may or may not remember, but the darling of this Blog way back when I first launched Jill's World into cyberspace was a young Canadian boy by the name of Lukas Rossi. He was competing on the U.S-based build-a-rock-band TV show called "Rock Star", vying among other rockstar-wannabes to join the likes of ex-Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newstead, and ex-Guns'n'Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke (although baby brother Lukey likes to remind me that Gilby barely played for G'n'R) - in a new, edgy, unique band with a CD already in the works and a nation-wide tour being promoted each and every week on the show.
Lukas ended up conquering over Dilana and Toby to take the Rock Star honours, and then he and the rest of the guys in the band all but disappeared for a few months while they worked on their album and prepared for their tour. But I didn't forget about them, and when it came time to make my Christmas list, one of the top items for Santa to bring me was Rock Star Supernova's self-titled debut album.
I've really enjoyed the album, mainly because it doesn't sound like anything else I have in my CD collection. It's new rock, but there's some audible classic rock influences (likely thanks to the fact that the dudes in Lukas' band are all old fogies). But then, when you add in Luke's gravelly, punk voice, you've got a sound that it is electrifying and completely....well...different.
Several of the songs were already familiar to me, as they were showcased on the TV program, either by Lukas himself ("It's On", "Headspin"), or by Dilana ("Leave the Lights On"), Toby ("Be Yourself (& 5 Other Cliches)"), and Magni ("It's All Love"). "Headspin" was Lukas' original that really made me sit up and take notice of him as a pure and enigmatic talent. I love that song, for it's melancholy undertones and the chorus that got stuck in my head 6 months ago and never really went away. The other songs that were played on the show are all catchy, and Rossi has brought his own touch to each and every one of them, making them sound different from the way the other competitors sang them during the show.
My favourite song before the CD even came out was "It's All Love". It's not as raucous and upbeat as some of the others; it has more of an acoustic sound to it, which I'm always more partial to. It allows Lukas to show his wide range of vocals, from low and sexy to that high-pitch, spot-on upper register that drew fans up out of their seats so many times on the show (especially when he sang "Creep").
However, the song that really grabbed me after listening through the CD the first time was "Can't Bring Myself to Light This Fuse". It was never played on the TV show, so it was completely brand new to me, and it's so hauntingly beautiful that it just made me stop in my tracks the first time I heard it. Luke's voice mingled with the piano in this slow ballad is just a terrific and profound combination, and it really is an amazing song.
Overall, I've really enjoyed listening to the new and original sounds of Rock Star Supernova, and it's definitely in regular rotation in my CD player. I think TLee, Jason, and Gilby have brought enough of an old-school touch, that combined with Lukas' young influence, they've created a sound like none other out there. And it's music to my ears!
Pick it up if you like: Motley Crue, Metallica, Guns'N'Roses (OK, it doesn't really sound like any of those bands, but I don't know what else to compare it to!)
Instant Hits: "Be Yourself (& 5 Other Cliches)", "It's All Love"
Skip-able Tracks: "Make No Mistake...This is the Take", "Social Disgrace"
Jill's Picks: "It's On", "Can't Bring Myself to Light This Fuse", "Headspin"
Rating: 4/5
15 comments:
Sad news today - Curves is closing, and will be closed by the end of the month! Everybody who has already paid is supposed to get their money back. This sucks. Now I'm going to have to start doing weights at home, and I guess biking or something in the summer. I will have to catch lots of big fish to keep my arms in shape. I know it has been for sale for a while now, but my understanding was that it would stay open until it was sold. I guess nobody was interested. It's really too bad.
Well frig. I can't believe it!! That's soooo disappointing. I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't think I'm athletic enough to join Shawn's gym...Dammit, dammit, dammit. Kathy had told Mom a few weeks ago that even though it was for sale, there was no danger of it closing because they had bought into the franchise and had to fulfill their 10-year contract or something like that. So I guess that didn't happen. FRIG!!! Curves was my lifesaver...Seriously, what am I going to do?? AGH!!
Hi guys. Thats really too bad about Curves. Someone told me that Shawn's is really busy, so may not get a very good time, but you could also pay 30 dollars and you can go whenever you want (when he doesn't have a class) on your own. Also, there is Gale Graham who lives on the highway. I went to her a few summers ago, she also give you a pretty good workout.
I thought of Gale Graham. Depending on what she charges, I might think about that. She's closer to me too. It's probably a more intense work-out than Curves, but I might be able to handle it!!
It is 90 dollars for 10 sessions. Which I guess will get pretty expensive if you go three times a week.
Ooooo...Ya, I guess it would. lol...
I'll be fine in the summers, I walk enough and that. But it's the winters that suck...It's too cold to walk, and there's no alternative other than biking in my basement, and I always find an excuse not to do that. Maybe it's time to lose the excuses, I dunno...*sigh*
Oh I hear ya!!! I have an eliptical at home and Tom has a lot of weights, so really I don't have to join the gym, but I was going to because I find it hard to work out at home because of like you said the excuses. Its hard to work out for 20 minutes starring at a blank wall. But, you just have to get into a routine and do it! This is my third week and you just have to do it and not say oh Im too tired, I have to much stuff to do...blah blah blah! lol
Well Jill,
You could always come out to Ottawa 2 times a week for AquaFit with me... I go 3 times when I don't work Fridays, the class is at 6:15 at the Sportsplex which is just a stones throw from the college. I really like it.
And then on Tuesdays and Thursdays I do my Denise Austin tape, if only Laura would bring me the better of the two then I could really work out.
Does Gale do like an aerobics class or is just weight training and cardio stations?
Curves' last day is January 27th. When I was doing my workout at lunch time it was kind of sad. I thought I'm only going to be here 4 more times! Chad does weights, maybe I could use his and we could workout together. Wouldn't that be romantic? He will be happy that I'm saving $45 a month, but mad if I don't get some other kind of exercise. Oh yeah, and they are taking tenders on their furniture and eliptical machine and bike are for sale for $150 each. I think the sale is probably only for Curves members though.
Hmmm...Maybe I'll buy their eliptical machine. Gosh, this seems to be happening very quickly. I just saw new people in there the other night doing the orientation. I'd be super pissed if I just signed up and it closed. Luke's got lots of weights and stuff in the basement too, I guess I could do some of that, and maybe buy some good aerobic tapes (the 1 I have is really stupid & old)...Anyways, I guess I'll go up tonight to work out and get the scoop!!
Hello Jill and Everybody!
I go to Gayle on MOnday and Wednesday nights. Its a preety good workout. 26 mins of cardio ( you choose the machine you want) and the other half is weights/ab workout. YOu leave sweaty for sure!
When I think of "punk rock vocals" I think of Mike Ness from Social Distortion, Tim Armstrong from Rancid, Joe Strummer from the Clash (the best band ever), Pete Shelley from the Buzzcocks, Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day and Joey Ramone from the Ramones. Not whats it Lukas.
He's got to be better than Jacob Hogwash and Shitley though, right?
I have the feeling Lukas would just be a joke to you Kathleen. But I learned a long time ago that it takes very little to please me when it comes to music, and in my mind, Lukas is unique, raw, and such a mesh of different sounds, including rock & punk - and yeah, I love him, I think he's awesome, and I didn't recognize the names of half the singers or bands you mentioned, so I'm probably not the highest authority on the matter...But I think Lukas and Supernova are great. That's all. (And I'm not a big fan of Hedley either, but I do like this one song called Gunnin'...and I liked Jacob on Canadian Idol. But comparing them to Supernova is like comparing apples to oranges - not even in the same vein).
I'm not an authority either, and you would actually probably like most of those bands, they aren't the stupid hardcore scary punk. the Ramones are truly awesome pop music with loud guitars. And I know if you heard Social Distortion you would love them, they sound sorta like Bruce but with more of a hard rock punch. Their songs are very life affirming and positive and all about overcoming bad stuff that happens in everyday life.
Green Day of course is probably the defining band of our generation...
You know, I went back and read the names of those bands, and I really know more of them than I thought. I like the Ramones, the Clash, and Green Day, and I've at least heard of Rancid. And you're right, Green Day is the defining band of our generation. I still remember "When I Come Around" and "Basketcase" - they were THE coolest songs when I was in Grade 6. ;o) But yeah, I steer clear of the scary hardcore punk. I like punk lite. And I don't know if blink-182 is considered punk, but I loved them. And even some of their branched-off bands. If branched-off is even a term. haha...
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