How To Perturb Fans With Exclusive Tracks: By Sony Music

Okay, I'm patiently awaiting the moment when my sister and I can go to Target tonight. Not because Target is a dirty whore and always cleans out my wallet, but because Alanis Morissette's new album Havoc and Bright Lights releases today.

Though you might be asking "Joe, why Target? Can't you just download the same album right now?"

And I'd say to you "No. No I fucking can't."

As much as I love Alanis (and I really do), her label (RED Distribution, part of Sony Music Entertainment) has given me prime evidence of how NOT to handle exclusive tracks for an album.

Just look at this Wikipedia entry for Havoc and Bright Lights.

LOOK AT IT! The standard physical release only has 12 tracks on it. Unless you find the deluxe edition, which has two extra tracks (good luck getting it through Amazon). But those tracks aren't the same as the Target exclusive disc, which has THREE extra (and different) songs on it. Of course iTunes gets a third bonus track for its version of the "Deluxe Edition" while Amazon gets the shaft with a singular bonus track and no digital version of the deluxe edition for download. And apparently if you buy the Japanese version of Havoc and Bright Lights, your lucky ass gets a totally unique thirteenth track!

Are you following me yet? Because everything I typed in that paragraph is accurate. I get the idea of exclusive tracks. I do. But do you know where they should ALL be found? On the physical "deluxe" release. There shouldn't be any need for cross-buying off iTunes, Amazon, Target, and from wherever the hell I'd get the Japanese track just so I can obtain the complete song list.

Suck my balls Sony. 

...But do it quickly because I have to go out and buy part one of your incomplete album.

Album Review: Forever the Sickest Kids

After leaving my last writing gig to focus on my own work, I knew music reviews were going to continue to be a large part of any new blog/venture I undertook. But I didn't just want to review everything under the sun. I'm going to be picky about what artists/albums I choose to bring to your attention, whether it be in a negative or positive light. For the second music review for TRROJA (that acronym actually isn't awful), Forever The Sickest Kids' recently released self-titled album serves as a worthy act. A band I've had on my iPod for some time, I had no qualms about blind-buying their latest.

Dropped on March 1st, Forever The Sickest Kids is an infusion of digitized pop-rock awesome-sauce. You read that right. Formed by Jonathan Cook, Austin Bello, Caleb Turman, Marc Stewart and Kyle Burns, this is one band whose engine is just beginning to rev. On the scene since their debut EP in 2007, FTSK marks their second full-length release.

"Keep On Bringing Me Down," the first single off FTSK, jump-starts the disc with a quickened tempo and some well-placed keyboards. Even on this first track, you can hear the distinction in singer Jonathan Cook's amazing vocals (especially in his belt-ier moments), giving the group an advantage over the genre's competition. He's not a choir boy, but Cook has a style of wailing that just feels right, tweaking slightly with each song's instrumentals.

On "King For A Day," the boys put their talents towards the love song genre, furnishing a tune that would surely make the teen girls swoon and scream... if I were near enough to them to witness it. (The idea of being in the same room with them and a young rock band scares me.) Even if you're not of the feminine variety, you'll probably dig it.

Do you remember Nickelback's "Rockstar," that douchey track that described everything a famous a-hole musician would want? Well, FTSK's "Good Life" is the same general idea, but somehow it doesn't feel quite so skeevy. Wait, maybe because it doesn't mention doing designer drugs at a club with washed-up celebrities. That's probably it. This song manages to capture all the fun aspects of getting rich and slaps them on top of a hook-laden melody that keeps your toe tapping.

For "Same Dumb Excuse," Cook's refrain humorously rattles through all the activities that sound easier than telling a girl how he feels. Personal songs like this are where FTSK really shine, because their words keep you engaged as the riffs keep you energized. Other tracks to check out include "I Guess You Can Say Things Are Getting Pretty Serious," "Robots & Aliens" and the softer "Forever Girl."

To be perfectly frank, it was difficult to find songs I didn't like on FTSK. They have catchy hooks, a rich sound and a unique digital power-pop style. Their lyrics don't read like retreads of other modern teen draws, instead  achieving a level of fresh originality while retaining classic relate-able themes for the young and not-quite-as young. (I mean, they're probably not for your parents, but what band of youngins really is?) Go snag it on Amazon Music, where it's only 5.99... for now.

If you're on the ole' Twitter, you can follow each member of the band as well as keep tabs on the official Twitter page. They're on a national tour (with Good Charlotte) as we speak, so don't miss a chance to snag tickets if they're appearing in your general vicinity. I won't.