NewYearsDayProject | a song a day blog

  " Wonderful Christmastime " was rated as the worst Christmas song by   Ultimate Classic Rock . Recorded when 37-year-old rock legend   Paul McCartney   was recording his polarizing second solo record, just before the disbanding of his second band,   Wings ,   McCartney II  was a synth-pop, new wave record in a time when former   Beatles   fans were yelling, "Stick to the classics." Recently, critics have come to understand and even praise   McCartney II  for its pioneering in electronic music. The intentionally simple lyrics help to draw attention to the synths and the overall Christmasy atmosphere of the song. THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR SINGS A SONG.  "Wonderful Christmastime" has been covered by many artists, including  Diana Ross ,  Demi Lovato ,  Hillary Duff ,  Jump5 ,  Chicago and Dolly Parton ,  Pentatonix ,  Family Force 5 ,  Jars of Clay ,  Eleventyseven , and so many other arti...

  The Cure 's " Lovesong " peaked at number 2 on  Billboard 's Hot 100  in October of 1989.  Hit Parade 's 2019 episode " Lost and Lonely Edition ,"  detailing the British Post-Punk movement, views this unlikely pop hit as a kind of peak of the movement that continued into the early '90s.  Of course, The Cure's commercial success came after years of songs that didn't chart and even the invention of a music chart for Alternative Rock bands, at the time called  Billboard 's Modern Rock Chart.  HOWEVER FAR AWAY, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.  When  Billboard  launched the Modern Rock chart in 1988, "left of the dial" college radio stations began reporting the songs that they were playing. Some of the bands included on the predecessor to today's Alternative Airplay chart were established on other charts-- U2 ,  Elvis Costello , and  Tears for Fears  had mainstream rock and pop hits prior to charting on the Modern Rock...

  Acceptance 's story about the band that called it quits before they realized made the band a legend. In 2014,  Jesusfreakhideout   posted their top " One Album Wonders ," and Acceptance's  Phantoms   topped the list. According to lead singer  Jason Vena , when he sat down with  Billy Power   on  Urban Achiever Podcast  in 2015, the lead singer recounted about how he had no idea the cult status the band then had in the scene. In various other interviews, Vena talked about how other bands, namely  A Loss for Words  and  All Time Low  inspired him to consider an Acceptance reunion.  LAST SEASON OF THIS MASQUERADE.  In 2005, Acceptance after their failed attempt at major label stardom, Vena took a job in Seattle outside of music. The band dissolved, and some formed side projects with other musicians. Lead guitarist  Christian McAlhaney  talked with  Josh Coats  on  Your PUSH Coach Podc...

When  Acceptance  released  "Cold Air, " in the summer of 2020, I was immediately taken by the catchy, '80s New-Wave electronica meets  The Outfield -style harmonies sung by lead singer  Jason Vena . However, the rest of the album failed to pack the punch that their 2005 debut and 2017 sophomore record had. Acceptance had become known for their lyricism, Vena's near-perfect execution in his mid-to-high range vocals, and often haunting/ mysterious guitar parts--all mixed and produced by  Aaron Sprinkle . However, what  Wild, Free  offered was clipped guitars, electronics, and gruffer vocal takes by Vena. There were certainly some highlights, but other than "Cold Air," there hasn't been much to come back to--except for a song that got stuck in my head today: "Wasted Nights." I THINK WE MET AROUND THE FIRST OF MAY.  Billy Power  had an  interesting interview with Jason Vena  back in 2015, in which Vena talks about how his first ma...

In 2004, Relient K had two breakthrough hits: “ Be My Escape ” and “ Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been. ” The band attempted on the albums that proceeded Mmhmm with songs that could work on both Christian and pop radio, to limited success.   While Relient K’s music was often love songs rather than Christian songs, the breakup album, 2009’s Forget and Not Slow Down , marked a shift in the band’s overt Christian themes and started talking about adult relationships. The band followed up their sixth studio album with two covers EPs combined to form the album Is for Karaoke . The album features pop and rock covers in a pop-punk style. The band finally released their seventh studio album, Collapsible Lung , in 2013.    I PLAN TO TAKE THE RIGHTEOUS PATH. Rather than working with Mark Lee Townsend ,  who has producer credits on every Relient K album except for Collapsible Lung, the band worked with Nashville-based producer Paul Moak and Nashville transplant Aaron Sprinkle . Th...

  Anberlin had recorded their seventh studio album, Vital , with Aaron Sprinkle when they set out on an acoustic tour. The band known for their energetic live shows decided to create an intimate atmosphere, reinterpreting some of their classics, fan favorites, and deep cuts. Anberlin actually did two acoustic tours, one before Vital and one after the album’s release; however, the tour is only captured in a one-night performance in Williamsburg , later released as a bonus disc with Devotion , a massive repacking of Vital. The concert starts with an album cut , “ Take Me ” (As You Found Me), from Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place , the album the band was still promoting.  YOU’RE HERE WITH ME. If there is an album that Anberlin would say is their peak sound, they would probably say it was Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place. The band delves into their post-punk influences. From the album’s promotion-- the fashion chosen for the photoshoots, the talk of Dylan Thomas’ “ Poem on His...

  In 2017, Aaron Sprinkle released Real Life , his last release on Tooth & Nail Records . The legendary producer had released solo work sporadically since the ‘90s; however, being the go-to producer for some of the most successful bands in Alternative and Hard Christian Rock was time-consuming, and Sprinkle felt that producing great records was more successful than trying to promote a solo career. Sprinkle’s production always felt cutting-edge when he recorded, whether for Anberlin , Acceptance , Demon Hunter , Falling Up , or a host of other bands. Real Life, however, feels very 2017. Today, let's explore the album, track by track. 1. Invincible kicks off the album with that 2017 electronic sound. Featuring Poema ’s Elle Puckett contributing a spoken-word/ rap part, the song sounds nothing like what you’d expect from either artist. The lyrics seem to be the speaker coming to realize that he is not invincible. Puckett tries to convince the first speaker that he never needed ...