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Three days Grace - The Good Life

Adam Gontier has had his well documented problems. However, he seems to have found a better balance in his life as indicated by the groups 3rd CD's title, "Life Starts Now". The album debuted at number three on the Billboard album charts. The overall sound of the album is less angry and more optimistic than previous efforts. Critics have been mixed in their reviews. A Toronto Star review said, "It posseses no sound of it's own, just a shallow range between Nickelback and Linkin Park. Hey, we like those bands! Allmusic reviewers however wrote "the album continues to reflect Gontiers personal demons, but with a hint of sunlight." They go on to say, "It treats well-worn metal themes of anger, isolation, heartache and redemption with the kind of begrudging respect they deserve, pumping out a flurry of fist pumping anthems."

Chevelle - Letter From A Thief

This Grayslake, Illinois band formed in 1995 with three brothers, Pete, Sam and Joe Loeffler. When Joe left the band, they kept it in the family by hiring brother-in-law Dean Bernardini. “Sci-Fi Crimes” is the bands 5th studio effort. Over the years member of Chevelle have been dogged by a label of being a Christian band. The group explains that while they are Christians (or as Sam said in an interview, “We're recovering Catholics”) they don't incorporate any Christian themes in their music or preach it from the stage. Initially their first album “Point #1” was on a label that was distributed by another company into Christian book and music stores. Later they were slammed by Christian groups for being a part of the Ozzfest lineup with bands like Cradle Of Filth. The band says “None of us feels being in a rock band on stage should be a pedestal for preaching”.

Billy Talent - Saint Veronika

One of Mississauga, Ontario's biggest (and perhaps only) musical exports is back with another single from “Billy Talent III”. The band can expect to pad their Juno tally in April after being nominated for their work in 2009. The boys just burned the SOEC to the ground with their high energy show recently, and continue to tour in support of this CD. Right now the biggest markets outside of Canada for Billy Talent are in Europe. Germany, the UK and the Scandanavian countries just can't seem to get enough of these popular canucks.

Matthew Good - Us Remains Impossible

Matthew Good is back with another of his trademark brooding, introspective songs, the second single off his latest disc “Vancouver”. The Burnaby born singer/songwriter has had his share of ups and downs, including the break up of his successful Matthew Good Band, a war of words and threats of violence with Chad Kroeger and dealing with a diagnosis of his bipolar disorder. Through it all however, Matt has continues to write and record some of the most thought provoking, intellectual and award winning music of the past two decades. There is no disputing Matthew Good is “good” at what he does.

Weezer - Let It All Hang Out

Another playful pop-rock tune from the fun loving band Weezer. “Ratitude” continues right where The Red Album left off. The two CD's came out so close together they might as well have been release as a double disc set. The group did tour between offerings. Putting together so called "hootenannies". The innovative idea saw the band inviting fans on-stage, sometimes by the hundreds, to play the bands songs. They would show audience members how to play the proper chords and let them play while the boys sang. While some groups kick stage crashers off the stage, Weezer gives them an instrument and puts them to work.

Fear Zero - No Way To Die

Another cool track from our favorite unsigned North Vancouver band Fear Zero. The boys are 3 studio albums deep now with the imminent release of their third disk "Whole Damn Nation". Power 104 has been a strong supporter of Fear Zero, and we feel that big things are just around the corner for them, so take a listen to their free dowload of their new single "No Way to Die" and let us know what you think.

Theory Of A Deadman - Little Smirk

From the platinum selling 3rd TOAD CD “Scars And Souvenirs”, yet another strong single. This marks the 6th single to be released, since the album came out in April 2008. Not many bands, let alone Canadian bands, can release that many songs as singles from a single album and have them all reach the upper echelons of the music charts. The disc has also sold an impressive half million copies in the always tough to crack American market. Givin the longevity of this album, it wouldn't be surprizing to see them release a new CD while this one is still churning out hits.

Foo Fighters - Word Forward

This single is the second of the 2 new songs on the gold certified “Greatest Hits” album. The song follows wheels which went to #1 on the North American charts. The Seattle band enter 2010 marking 15 years together. Following the demise of Kurt Cobain and the break-up of Nirvana, Dave Grohl almost accepted an offer to be the permanent drummer for Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Instead he opted to record some of his own songs. Over the course of 5 days he recorded all the music and vocals for 12 demos all on his own! That demo made the rounds of music execs and within a year he had fleshed out the the group, got a record deal, released the debut “Foo Fighters” album and had hit the road touring. Grohl has said the Greatest Hits album is the end of a chapter. At this point he doesn't even know whats next for the group, other than a long hiatus. He still has a small side project to keep him busy. A little group called Them Crooked Vultures that have become kinda popular.

Sick Puppies - Odd One

This Aussie group has had a not-so-prolific start to their careers. Since they formed in 1997 they have managed just 3 studio albums, the latest being “Tri Polar”. The first single did well at alt/modern rock radio, but failed to garner a larger audience. This song is a lot more radio friendly, and again shows the amazing talent of bassist Ema Anzai. The group gained prominence in 2006 when their song “All The Same” was uploaded with the free hug campaign video on youtube. That video has since been viewed more than 50 million times. Watch for Sick Puppies opening for Nickelback on their latest leg of touring.

Thornley - Man Overboard

To refresh your memory, Ian Thornley was the front man for Big Wreck until their break-up. Chad Kroeger of Nickelback signed Thornley to his 604 record label. His first solo album “Come Again” came out in 2004 and spawned 2 #1 singles and was certified gold in Canada. He was also nominated for 2 Juno awards for his efforts. “Tiny Pictures” was supposed to come out in 2007, but seling with record companies forced a delay of 2 years. Apparenly the wait was worth it. This new song will be the third single from the CD to date.

Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune

“Valleys Of Neptune” documents the final studio recordings Jimi Hendrix made in 1969 with the original Jimi Hendrix Experience line-up and the first efforts with new bassist Billy Cox. The songs are from a pivotal period after the release of “Electric Ladyland”, before the opening of Electric Lady studios and recordings that would later take form as the “Cry Of Love” album. All 12 songs on the disc have never been released, although a number of the song titles will already be familiar to die hard fans.

Muse - Resistance

This is the second single and title track from “The Resistance” which debuted at #1 and has now gone gold in Canada. Billed as alt rock, space rock, and symphonic rock, this UK band continues to break new ground with their fresh mix of rock and electronica. This new single evokes a sound similar to the stmphonic sound of E.L.O. Through their 5 albums they have garnered huge accolades and awards particularly in Europe. Their latest CD is the first to be produced by the group themselves, and critics have been almost universal in praising the effort. Particularly impressive is the albums ambition, classical influences and the 13 minute, 3 part “Exogenesis: Symphony”. Muse is also known for their energetic and extravagant perfomances.

Rise Against - Long Forgotten Sons

This Chicago band embark on their second decade as a group this year. “Appeal To Reason” was released in late 2008, and this will be the 4th single from their most succesful album to date. All of the members of the band are strict vegetarians/vegans and active supporters of PETA. The video for their song “Ready To Fall” uses images of factory farming, rodeos, sport hunting, as well as deforestation and melting ice caps. Last year they were voted best animal friendly band by PETA. IN addition to being vegetarians, all the members, except drummer Brandon Barnes, are straight edge, abstaining from alcohol and recreational drugs. We won't hold that against them as long as they keep churning out great rock.

Nickelback – Shakin Hands

The, believe it or not, 7th single off “Dark Horse”, the groups 6th studio album. Love em or hate em, and there are plenty on either side, there is no denying Nickelback is one of the biggest, hottest rock acts on the planet right now. They were recently named the rock act of the decade by Billboard magazine. They have sold over 30 million records worldwide since their first CD came out in 1996. Nickelback ranks as the 11th best selling act of the 2000's and are the 2nd best selling foreign act in the US, behind only the Beatles. Then there is the touring. Constantly ranking in the top 10 grossers. They have just extended the Dark Horse tour into 2010 including a wrap up date in Vancouver this summer. As far as critics, I like this one best. From Stephen Erlewine of allmusic; “Nickelback are a gnarled, vulgar band reveling in their ignorance of the very notion of taste, lacking either the smarts or savvy to wallow in bad taste so they just get ugly, knocking out knuckle-dragging riffs that seem rarefied in comparison to their thick boneheaded words.” He's just jealous of a very successful Canadian band.

Default - Turn It On

These Vancouver boys embark on their second decade together with another single off their 4th CD, “Comes And Goes”. Over the course of the past decade they have managed impressive sales of over a million copies of their albums, for the most part in Canada. The first single from their latest release charted in the top 5 on Canadian charts and this song looks to equal that. It is perhaps one of Defaults hardest rocking singles to date.

Airbourne - No Way But The Hard Way

The Aussie AC/DC clones are back with their sophomore disc “No Guts. No Glory.”, due for release on Feb. 23rd. Brothers Joel and Ryan O'Keefe began the band in the thriving metropolis of Warrnambool while stillin their teens. After rounding out the group with David Roads and Justin Street. The group moved to Melbourne and were signed to a 5 record deal with Capitol records. Two years later, in 2007, after releasing the international hit album “Running Wild”, an album that spawned 3 hit singles and made them international stars, their record company cancelled their contract. Apparently, despite their overseas success, Airbourne receive next to no airplay on Australian radio networks. Perhaps due to their sonic similarities to Australia's biggest hard rock export AC/DC. Their loss is our gain.

Pearl Jam - Just Breathe

This is the Seattle band's second single from the CD "Backspacer", a much slower, more melancholy song than we're used to from PJ. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Their first #1 debut in 13 years. The group has sold over 60 million copies of their albums world wide over their nearly 20 year carreer. As their 20th anniversary approches in 2011, the band is supposed to continue re-issuing their early catalogue, as they did with "10" last year. A pearl Jam retrospective movie directed by Cameron Crowe is also in the works for their anniversary. There are conflicting reports about more new material from PJ. In an interview Mike McCready said they may finish the Backspacer outtakes and release them on an EP next year. Eddie Vedder instead suggested the unfinished songs may wind up on their next full studio album.

Hollerado - Juliette

This Ottawa band just hit the big time, winning a battle of the bands competition in our nations capital netting them $250,000! Thats their big buzz right now. Earlier in the year they self-released their debut CD "Record In A Bag", and while is hasn't sold millions yet it has gotten them attention. Most notably by Jack White of the White Stripes who hand picked them to open for his side band The Dead Weather on tour. Back in February of this year they embarked on a 28 day "Residency Tour", which saw them play 7 bars in 7 cities for 7 days a week at each. While it was a grind, they plan to repeat the tour again, perhaps with some twists, in 2010.

Puddle Of Mudd - Spaceship

2009 marked the 15 anniversary of Puddle Of Mudd's recording carreer. Their first album "Stuck" came out in 1994. Since then they have sold over 7 million copies of their 4 major albums. This disc marks the return to their original harder edged sound, and it also marks the return of guitarist Paul Phillips, replacing his own replacement Christian Stone, who was let go on good terms. The new CD, "Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love And Hate" was recorded in Vancouver with Canadian producer Brian Howes at the controls. It was done in 3 sessions due to a hectic touring schedule. The disc, already in stores, features just 10 songs to avoid what the band calls "Filler Material". Or maybe they were just lazy.

Kings Of Leon - Crawl

2009 has been an amazing year for Kings Of Leon. "Only By The NIght" has been one of the biggest albums of the year. It's one of the top 5 selling CD's of the year. The single "Use Somebody" was the first track to top all four US mainstream radio charts since Green Day's "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" did it in 2004. The album is now triple platinum in Canada, "Use Somebody" and "Sex On Fire" both went to #1 on the rock charts, with "Notion" cracking the top 5. This is one of those rare discs where every song on the album is a must have for your ipod. This tack features some of the fuzziest sounding bass ever!