• Back of The Billboards: 'My Favorite Things' by Joey Alexander

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at 'My Favorite Things,' the debut album of jazz piano prodigy Joey Alexander.
  • Junk Mail: Zedd 'True Colors' Album Review

    Welcome to Junk Mail, where a few Music Times staffers email back-and-forth about each week's biggest release throughout the work day. This week, Ryan Middleton, Carolyn Menyes and Caitlin Carter chat about Zedd's sophomore album True Colors. Feel free to join the conversation in the comments section, and check back next week for more.
  • Junk Mail: Snoop Dogg, 'BUSH' Album Review

    Snoop Dogg’s new Pharrell-produced album BUSH has arrived. Although he adopted the monikers Snoop Lion and Snoopzilla for his past few projects, he’s back as Snoop Dogg for this effort, despite the fact that album isn’t very rap heavy. With Pharrell helming the production, I was expecting a sound closer to “Beautiful” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” however Snoop turned BUSH into a tribute to the funk and R&B of the ‘70s and channeled the spirit of an OG. I applaud the album for its cohesion, but only a few songs really grabbed me. I definitely see this as more of a background album for chilling out than for getting hyped or dissecting lyrically. What did you guys think?
  • Blanca Experiments in First Pop Album Away from Group 1 Crew; Lecrae and Tedashii Appear

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at the self-titled solo debut of former Group 1 Crew member Blanca Callahan.
  • Two Steps From Hell Bring Action Film Business to Billboard 200 with 'Battlecry'

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at soundtrack pros Two Steps From Hell and their newest collection of action-adventure music, 'Battlecry.'
  • Junk Mail: Mumford & Sons 'Wilder Mind' Album Review

    On its own merits, Wilder Mind is a very commendable The National record. I think some people may complain about the relationship-heavy lyrics, but I'm personally always down for a breakup album. Against the merits of Mumford & Sons' first two albums, I'd probably just totally leave Wilder Mind behind. I miss the banjo and the piano and the passion so much.
  • Back of The Billboards: 'On The Other Hand: All The Number Ones' by Randy Travis

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at country icon Randy Travis and his newest greatest hits compilation, showcasing his no. 1 country singles.
  • Junk Mail: Zac Brown Band 'Jekyll + Hyde' Album Review

    If Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways was an exploration of American rock cities, then Dave Grohl's buddy Zac Brown and his Zac Brown Band decided to explore American musical genres here on Jekyll + Hyde. The album title is very fitting -- there are at least 12 totally different musical stylings on this 16-song collection. Will ZBB be country on a song? folk? Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga? electronic DJs? Jimmy Buffett? There are so many clashing personalities here -- let's try and make sense of it all!
  • Calexico Continues Expansion of Sounds and Cultures in 'Edge of The Sun,' Follow-Up to 'Algiers'

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Calexico and its continuing expansion of sound, inviting in influences beyond its traditional Southwestern fare.
  • Junk Mail: Alabama Shakes, 'Sound & Color' Album Review

    Hands down a great sophomore record form a band that already seems regal. I almost always forget that don't have a handful of albums barreling behind them. Sound & Color is going to sound great live, much like Boys & Girls did. Some duds in here, I'll admit, but nothing worth omitting or a bad review.
  • Junk Mail: Tyler, The Creator 'Cherry Bomb' Album Review

    Welcome to Junk Mail, where a few Music Times staffers email back-and-forth about each week's biggest release throughout the work day. This week, Carolyn Menyes, Kyle Dowling and Caitlin Carter chat about Tyler, The Creator's new album Cherry Bomb. Feel free to join the conversation in the comments section, and check back next week for more.
  • Danny Worsnop's Transition from Asking Alexandria to Hard Rock Most Interesting Aspect of 'We Are Harlot'

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at We Are Harlot and the hard rock group's self-titled debut album, featuring members of Asking Alexandria, Sebastian Bach and more.
  • Junk Mail: Matt and Kim 'New Glow' Album Review

    This week, like most weeks, is really dragging for me. But Matt and Kim's new album New Glow kind of helped me pep up this morning and get to work. As far as I'm aware, this is a band that's always been infectiously peppy, maybe almost annoyingly so. But, it worked to jump-start my day. The first song, "Hey Now" is such a blast of energy. It's pretty much as effective as coffee.
  • Junk Mail: Wale, 'The Album About Nothing' Review

    The Album About Nothing, at the end of the day, is more interesting in its concept than in its execution. I really appreciate the lyricism and thought that Wale put into each of these songs, but there is little else to latch on to. Unlike Seinfeld the TV show, this album will be largely forgotten in the grander scale of pop culture.
  • 'Liv and Maddie' Soundtrack Flies on Dove Cameron's Voice, if Not Disney's Understanding of Hip-Hop and EDM

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at 'Liv and Maddie,' the soundtrack album for the Disney show of the same title, featuring the vocals of star Dove Cameron.
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