Mr. Music – Page 2

Album Review: Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025 by Public Enemy

Public Enemy‘s Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025, their 17th studio album and first in five years, arrived as a surprise Bandcamp exclusive, embodying the group’s unyielding spirit of rebellion.

Released on June 27, 2025, without fanfare and initially pay-what-you-want, it harks back to their golden era while confronting contemporary chaos.

Chuck D and Flavor Flav, at 65 and 66 respectively, deliver with undiminished fire, proving ageism in hip-hop is a fool’s errand.

Musically, the album recaptures the Bomb Squad’s dense, layered sound—think serrated guitars, chopped samples, live drums (courtesy of Tré Cool on “Fools Fools Fools”), and analog grit—handled by producers like C-Doc and DJ MROK. It’s not bloated; every beat pulses with purpose, blending old-school drums, funky basslines, and rock textures for a potent, urgent vibe.

Themes tackle political dysfunction, media decay, gun violence, social media frauds, and the erasure of elders in a youth-obsessed culture. Chuck‘s commanding bars call out corruption and complacency, while Flav injects chaotic energy, trading verses that affirm their legacy as the “last of a dying breed.”

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Album Review: Rock in a Hard Place by Aerosmith

Released on August 1, 1982, Rock in a Hard Place marks a pivotal yet precarious chapter in Aerosmith‘s storied career. As the band’s seventh studio album, it arrived amid chaos: lead guitarist Joe Perry had departed in 1979 following onstage tensions, and rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford followed suit during recording.

Replacements Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay stepped in, with Crespo handling most guitar duties under producer Jack Douglas. Frontman Steven Tyler, grappling with severe drug addiction, struggled through sessions that ballooned to a $1.5 million cost. This backdrop of instability permeates the album, making it Aerosmith‘s only release without their classic lineup.

Musically, the record blends hard rock grit with experimental flourishes. Opener “Jailbait” kicks off with frantic energy, recalling the raw punch of Toys in the Attic, driven by Crespo’s edgy riffs and Tyler’s snarling vocals.

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It’s Bandcamp Friday (8/1/25)

On select Fridays throughout the year, Bandcamp waives its share of sales for 24 hours, giving fans an opportunity to support the artist they love more directly.

Here are some of my recommendations:

<a href="https://vaureen.bandcamp.com/album/leveler">Leveler by Vaureen</a>

<a href="https://faetooth.bandcamp.com/track/hole">Hole by Faetooth</a>

<a href="https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/of-rot-and-rebirth">Of Rot and Rebirth by Tylo</a>

<a href="https://hailyourhighness.bandcamp.com/track/treegaze">Treegaze by Hail Your Highness</a>

<a href="https://melvinsofficial.bandcamp.com/album/colossus-of-destiny">Colossus Of Destiny by Melvins</a>

The Boys of Summer

You know the Don Henley classic, “The Boys of Summer?”

Of course you do. It’s a great song.

Well, it’s recently been covered by an up and coming metalcore band. It’s unoriginal and predictable right up to the breakdown, and I cannot stand it.

I’m not mentioning the band name. If you wish to have your senses tortured, you can look it up yourself.

South Park S27 – EP1

Have you seen the latest episode of South Park?

If not, you can watch it here.

27 years since its premiere, and the show and its creators continue to push boundaries and make the censors eyes and ears bleed.

I don’t want to give anything away. Instead, enjoy this clip of Les Claypool along with Matt Stone and Trey Parker performing the South Park theme song.