Unconventional Love Songs for an Unconventional Valentine’s Day

Tired of the same overplayed love songs? Does your love not fit into a neat little box?

Not all love songs have to be the sappy numbers we all know and have heard a thousand times. There are plenty of tunes that convey love in all its offbeat, unconventional forms.

With Valentine’s Day coming up this Friday, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is looking at some of the more unconventional love songs out there in the world. Ranging from pop to punk and everything in between, here are five offbeat songs to listen to with your other half.

1.       Ludo, “Love Me Dead”: Late 2000s pop-punk band Ludo’s biggest hit, “Love Me Dead” is about being in love even if the other person drives you crazy. Singer Andrew Volpe’s lady in this “cancerous” relationship is referred to as a “high-maintenance” narcissist, “bitter and dumb” and a “parasitic psycho, filthy creature,” among other things, but she is still his “sugarplum.” He still sees the beauty in her and loves how she knows him so well. No matter how “awful,” he loves her. (video)

2.       Pinhead Gunpowder, “On The Ave”: An acoustic track from punk band Pinhead Gunpowder’s short 2008 reunion, “On The Ave” details a couple living and loving in the moment. The details in the song are a bit messy for your typical love song (it’s not every day a couple in love brags about being bloody from hopping over a fence or having to kick down a door in a burning building), but it’s chorus about time being fleeting, taking things slow and savoring the memories is a nice sentiment that you don’t care about the gory details. (video)

3.       Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Maps”: Written by Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O about her then boyfriend Angus Andrew (Liars), “Maps” begs for the singer’s love to stay with her. O’s vocals are vulnerable as the chorus of “Wait, they don’t love you like I love you” intensifies with every repetition. (video)

4.       The Darkness, “I Believe In A Thing Called Love”: One of the most over-the-top rock songs of the early 2000s, “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” takes the 80s classic rock sound and turns it on its head. It’s a love song in hyper overdrive about the way his girl makes him feel. He talks about how his heart pounds when she touches him, making him believe that they can do anything together. The lyrics are a bit silly and “daft” (to take a quote from frontman Justin Hawkins himself), but sometimes love is that intense. (video)

5.       Say Anything, “Alive With The Glory Of Love”: Love conquers all, even Nazis. Say Anything frontman Max Bemis wrote “Alive With The Glory Of Love” about his grandparents who survived the Holocaust. The song is intense in a hopeful way, with a bursting, full-volume chorus that lets you know that no matter what, everything will be okay. (video)

When it comes to love songs, there is more out there than just the sappy, overplayed songs you hear on the radio. Whether it’s an over-the-top rock song about your heart being aflutter, one that details a dysfunctional relationship filled with admiration or one that tells a story about how love conquers all, there are some unconventional tracks out there that fill in the broader scope of what a love song can be. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what your favorite offbeat love songs are in the comments below.

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Find the perfect music for your Valentine’s Day playlist at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a range of genres to satisfy most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (February 2-8, 2020)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This week was no exception, as we saw a plethora of new songs and music videos hit the internet. That was especially true for rock and pop this week, as Green Day, Hayley Williams and 5 Seconds of Summer were just some of the artists who released tracks this week.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for some of the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are six (and a few more) of our favorites that we think are worth another listen.

1.       Beach Bunny, “Promises”: There’s something raw about Lili Trifilio’s vocals on “Promises.” The way her voice stretches to be heard against the thick-layer of garage-rock-y guitars and percussion feels almost desperate and angry, adding to the song’s punchy lyrics. (video)

2.       The 1975, “Me & You Together Song”: The 1975 have finally released a video for their latest single “Me & You Together Song.” The 90s nostalgia vibe of the video goes well with the lightly 90s-inspired melody of the song. It kind of makes me want to listen to “Kiss Me” for the millionth time, which is a plus in my book. (video)

3.       5 Seconds of Summer, “No Shame”: Another highly catchy pop-rock track from 5SOS, “No Shame” hits on elements of both late-2000s pop-punk (think All-American Rejects’ “Gives You Hell”) and swoon-worthy 2010s boy bands (who they’ve been lumped with in the past). The video is full of zany vignettes that get stranger and stranger as the clip progresses, something you’d expect to see out of pop-punk bands in the 90s. (video)

4.       Green Day, “Meet Me On The Roof”: Green Day released one last single to coincide with the release of their new album, ‘Father of All Motherf******,’ on Friday. “Meet Me On The Roof” is an upbeat, 60s-inspired early-rock jam spun through the Green Day lens. The song’s sock-hop vibe is fun and the Evel Knievel / ‘Happy Days’ “jump the shark” video concept is apt as a visual.  (video)

5.       Hayley Williams, “Cinnamon”: Hayley Williams released yet another solo single this week. “Cinnamon” starts off with the same withdrawn but jazzy melody and off-beat percussion of “Leave It Alone” and “Shimmer.” Then, something clicks about 2/3 of the way through the song, prompting the tempo to increase and the mood to change. The song suddenly becomes more alive and confident, something approaching closer to what she’s crafted for Paramore over the last couple of years. (video)

6.       Grey Daze, “Sickness”: “Sickness” has a much more familiar, Linkin Park-like vibe than “What’s In The Eye.” You can hear the heaviness and struggle in Chester Bennington’s voice as he powers through the heavy, low rumble of the guitars, bass and percussion. The stray saxophone near the end is a nice touch, summing up the gravity of the song. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Christine and the Queens, “People, I’ve Been Sad”:  (video)

·         Pottery, “Texas Drums Pt I”: (video)

·         Le Couleur, “Concorde”: (video)

·         Dogleg, “Kawasaki Backflip”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now’s a great time to take a look back at some of the best and most memorable. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s largest independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Artists Who Keep/Kept Their Identity a Secret

Slipknot’s most mysterious new member has been unmasked. Lovingly referred to as “Tortilla Man,” a social media post from the Postojna Cave in Slovenia revealed that Michael Pfaff was the unknown masked percussionist that took Chris Fehn’s place following a lawsuit. The band had been refusing to divulge who Tortilla Man was, as none of the band’s members ever had an official reveal.

Like the masked members of Slipknot, there are many other bands out there that would prefer to remain anonymous, whether their identities have been revealed or not.

In honor of Slipknot's new member, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of these mysterious bands. Here are seven artists/bands who started out or remain anonymous behind their masks.

1.       Iamamiwhoami: In December 2009, a mysterious electronic artist going only by iamamiwhoami went viral on YouTube, producing short bites of well-produced, genre-defying music coupled with videos that would completely conceal her and her collaborators’ identities. Diligent followers of the singer continually tried to decode who might be behind the channel, whether it was someone well-known (among the names being thrown around were Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera) or someone trying to gain traction with some brilliant marketing. Speculation came to an end in March 2010 when the video for “t” revealed the singer’s full, undistorted face, showing her to be Swedish artist Jonna Lee.

2.       Ghost: The entire idea of metal band Ghost was meant to be shrouded in mystery. Aside from their lead singer, who has gone by various stage names (Papa Emeritus I, II, III & Nihil, Cardinal Copia) over the years only to be revealed as Tobias Forge in 2017 during an intense legal battle, all of the band members are corralled into the designation of “nameless ghouls.” Each member wears identical outfits and face-concealing makeup, giving them no identity at all.

3.       The Network / Foxboro Hottubs: It’s fairly well-known at this point amongst fans that both The Network and Foxboro Hottubs feature members of perennial pop-punk favorites Green Day. However, none of their identities have ever been officially revealed. That’s especially true for The Network, who came on the scene in 2003 and released one album through Adeline Records that same year (a mistake if they wanted to remain anonymous from Green Day as the label was run by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong). The six-member band all wore masks and claimed to have been “brought together by an ancient prophecy.”

4.       Static-X: In 2019, industrial rock pioneers Static-X revealed that they would be reuniting for their first album in 11 years in memory of their late frontman, Wayne Static and to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of their breakout album, ‘Wisconsin Death Trip.’ For the tour they planned to mount, the band hired a singer, who decided to go by the name Xer0 and wear a mask designed to look like Static’s. Though people have tried to decipher who Xer0 might be (Edsel Dope, frontman for Dope and an opener for the Static-X reunion tour is generally thought to be behind the mask), his identity has not yet been revealed.

5.       PPL MVR: Dressed as yeti-like creatures, PPL MVR blew up in 2014 despite no one knowing who was behind the masks. According to their website, they are: “A band of unknown origin, the one and only PPL MVR explores myth and mystery through hefty guitar riffs and transmogrified vocals. They venture outside the selfie-obsessed waters we all willingly swim in to find solace in ritual and our pure animalistic nature. There is an ancient power in coming together to stand in a sacred place and chant, sing songs, pump our fists in the air, and venerate.” For a while it was speculated that the band could be a side project of New York hardcore band Brand New, especially when a link on Brand New’s website brought fans to a PPL MVR video. This theory may have been debunked, but my research can’t find where that information comes from.

6.       The Residents: Around since the 1960s, The Residents is as much an art collective as they are a band. Releasing over 46 works together, the group’s identities have never been known due to their signature giant eyeball helmets and refusal to grant interviews. Over the years there were many speculations about who could have been in the band, including members of The Beatles, the Dead Kennedys, Devo among them. In 2017, it was revealed that Hardy Fox, one of the band’s Cryptic Corporation crew members, was one of the primary composers for the band.

7.       Masked Intruder: One of the hottest and most intriguing up-and-coming punk bands of today, Masked Intruder keep their identities a mystery in conjunction with their convict stage personas. Instead, all four members go by the color of their ski masks.

There are many artists and bands that choose to be anonymous with the world. Some start their rise to fame this way, like iamamiwhoami, creating an air of mystery and getting people to sleuth out who they are. Others choose to continue and grow their careers anonymously by embedding it in the fabric of their act, like Ghost or Masked Intruder. Whether people end up finding out who’s behind the mask in the end or not, there is one thing that’s clear: everyone loves a little mystery.

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Find music from some of these mysterious artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide range of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (January 26-February 1, 2020)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week and this one was no exception. This week saw a plethora of great new songs and music videos hit the internet, especially when it came to rock and pop.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are six (and a few more) that we think are worth a second listen this weekend.

1.       Gorillaz feat. slowthai & Slaves, “Momentary Bliss”: The first installment of Gorillaz’s teased ‘Song Machine’ project, “Momentary Bliss” takes elements of reggae, hip-hop, punk and indie-rock and mashes them into something cohesive and downright enjoyable. Slowthai’s rapping is rhythmic while Slaves frontman Matt McAndrew’s vocals are reserved and gentle. The change in dynamics throughout the song’s instrumentation, from loud choruses to softer verses, is also remarkable. (video)

2.       Neon Trees, “Used To Like”: “Used To Like” is the kind of pop-heavy dance-rock song you expect from Neon Trees. The lyrics, which find frontman Tyler Glenn trying to salvage a dying relationship, are less upbeat, though you can’t really tell from the melody. There’s no desperation audible from the melody, just the last bits of optimism in trying to keep things the way they are. In that instance, it’s a bit more of a “grown-up” feel than the band’s previous music. (video)

3.       Hayley Williams, “Leave It Alone”: Paramore’s Hayley Williams released a second single from her upcoming solo debut. With “Leave It Alone,” she goes in a bit of a jazz-infused indie-pop direction. The song’s drum machine beat and slow, calculated vocals have a steady, minimalist vibe. It’s not as dark and eerie as the electronic vibe of “Simmer,” but you can tell the sounds are related. (video)

4.       Dua Lipa, “Physical”: “Physical” feels like such a darker song than it actually is. The 80s-inspired dance track has this rough, sexy vibe to it, accentuated by Dua Lipa’s powerful performance. As she describes it, there is a bit of “Flashdance” to it, but with a modern take that makes it perfect for hitting the club. (video)

5.       Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, “Blue Moon Rising”: “Blue Moon Rising” is an unexpected dance-pop mover from Brit-pop legend Noel Gallagher. The song’s snare-heavy percussion and soft vocals and ethereal guitars and synths are a welcome change, and new perspective on his rock sound. (video)

6.       H.E.R., “Sometimes”: Premiered on stage at the Grammy’s, H.E.R. blew people out of the water with her latest single “Sometimes.” The song is soulful and upbeat. Her voice and sound remind me of Alicia Keys, but with more of a bluesy vibe. (video)

Further Listening:

·         The Men, “Breeze”: (video)

·         The Black Watch, “Brilliant Failures”: (video)

·         The Suicide Machines, “Awkward Always”: (video)

·         Pearl Jam, “Dance Of The Clairvoyants (Mach II)”: (video)

·         Braids, “Young Buck”: (video)

·         The Rentals, “Great Big Blue”: (video)

Over the last week, we saw a lot of great new songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to look back at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a broad array of genres to satisfy the tastes of most music lovers. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums to Watch for in February 2020

We’re only a month into 2020 and the music being released is getting more and more epic. February is looking just as good with a lot of highly anticipated albums set for release in the next month from the likes of Justin Bieber, Green Day, Ozzy Osbourne, BTS and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re taking a look at some of the new albums hitting shelves in February. From the highly anticipated to the highly recommended, here are seven albums (and a few more) we think will be worth keeping an eye out for.

1.       Green Day, ‘Father Of All Motherf******’: A noted departure from the pop-punk/arena rock sound Green Day has cultivated over the last three decades, ‘Father Of All Motherf******’ finds the band experimenting with a new Motown-meets-garage rock sound. While I can take or leave “Fire Ready Aim” content-wise, I find a certain appeal to singles “Father Of All” and “Oh Yeah” in terms of groove and style. These are influences that came to the forefront in Foxboro Hottubs (a completely different band that just happens to share a few members) and it’ll be interesting to hear how they put the Green Day spin on it. (2/7)

2.       Stone Temple Pilots, ‘Perdida’: ‘Perdida’ is supposed to be an album unlike anything Stone Temple Pilots have released before. An acoustic album recorded with “unexpected instruments,” including flute, alto-sax, vintage keyboards, guitarrón and Marxophone, ‘Perdida’ is meant to showcase the emotional place these songs come from. Many of the tracks were written by singer Jeff Gutt about the “difficult moments in his life,” leading to a vulnerability you don’t always get from the full-fledged rock sound.  It will be interesting to hear a different side of this iconic band with this new album. (2/7)

3.       Huey Lewis and the News, ‘Weather’: It’s been 10 years since Huey Lewis and the News released ‘Soulsville’ in 2010. Since then, a lot has happened, including Lewis’ 2018 revelation that he’d been suffering from hearing loss brought on by Ménière’s disease that ended the band’s touring prospects. Even with the diagnosis, he and the band will be releasing a new album, ‘Weather,’ in February. Their first featuring original songs since 2001’s ‘Plan B,’ ‘Weather’ finds the band back to their 80s Americana rock sound. Singles “While We’re Young” and “Her Love Is Killin’ Me” sound as if no time has passed. (2/14)

4.       Justin Bieber, ‘Changes’: It has been nearly five years since Justin Bieber released ‘Purpose,’ which featured his most mature music to date, as well as his biggest hits ever. Since then he’s done even more growing personally, taking a wife and dealing with the harsh realities of life (a.k.a. his struggles with Mono and Lyme Disease). Beiber is ready to face the world of music again with is upcoming album, ‘Changes.’ While I don’t quite understand the appeal of “Yummy,” there are plenty of people who seem to love it, as it debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Because of this and the hype surrounding its release, ‘Changes’ is guaranteed to be one of the biggest album releases of the year. (2/14)

5.       BTS, ‘Map Of The Soul: 7’: K-pop superstars BTS had a big year in 2019 with their EP ‘Map Of The Soul: Persona,’ breaking chart records left and right. The band’s upcoming full-length, ‘Map Of The Soul: 7,’ is poised to be even bigger. In pre-orders alone, the album blew past three million units, breaking the record they set with ‘Persona.’ Listening to the album’s first single, “Black Swan,” there’s a definite pop and hip-hop influence, but also a classical one with a beautiful string arrangement accompanying the beat, together guiding the song’s rather deep lyrics. If you’re into K-pop, I’m sure this will be an album not to miss. (2/21)

6.       Ozzy Osbourne, ‘Ordinary Man’: Osbourne has had one heck of a year, first with all of the side-lining injuries and then with the latest diagnosis of Parkinson’s. The one lifeline, what brought him back from the brink, is the music. In all of the chaos, Osbourne wrote a full album, set for release this month. His first in nearly a decade, the singles released so far prove that while his physical strength may be going, his ability to write great songs has not. “Under The Graveyard” and “Ordinary Man” are personal, thought-provoking tracks that find the Prince of Darkness looking back at his life and career while still managing to rock. (2/21)

7.       Five Finger Death Punch, ‘F8’: According to Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory, the band’s upcoming album, ‘F8,’ represents a “rebirth” for the group. It’s their first album since frontman Ivan Moody got sober, which is very much reflected in the album’s songs. You can hear the reflection and a bit of anger in the album’s first single, “Inside Out,” which was written about Moody’s addiction and the people and relationships that suffered because of it. Bathory says that the album sounds like the band, but it’s not the same band. Fans should definitely look forward to finding out what that means next month.(2/28)

Further Listening:

·         Best Coast, ‘Always Tomorrow’: (2/21)

·         Nada Surf, ‘Never Not Together’: (2/7)

·         Oh Wonder, ‘No One Else Can Wear Your Crown’: (2/7)

A lot of highly anticipated albums are set for release this February, as well as some hot LPs you didn’t know you needed to hear. Check out some of our upcoming album picks above and let us know what albums you’re looking forward to in February in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs/Music Videos You Need to Check Out (January 19-25, 2020)

Another week has come and gone and with it came a wealth of new music. The rock and pop worlds have been particularly productive, with new songs and music videos from the likes of Sheppard, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Pearl Jam and more hitting the internet.

 

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are seven (and a few more) that we think are worth a second listen this weekend.

1.       Sheppard, “Phoenix”: Written in the wake of the devastating Australian fires, Australian family band Sheppard released “Phoenix.” It’s a heavier song than what you usually get from the band, given the gravity of its subject, but it’s also a hopeful reminder that the country/continent will unite and come out the other end stronger than before. (video)

2.       Louis Tomlinson, “Walls”: “Walls” has this almost mid-2000s pop rock feel to it. Tomlinson’s vocals are pleasant and calming as he sings about breaking through his personal “walls” and letting someone in. Like Keane or The Script before him, the mellow melody is sure to find a place on the adult contemporary dial. (video)

3.       Hayley Williams, “Simmer”: Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams announced her debut solo album this week and gave everyone a taste with its first single, “Simmer.” The track goes in a different, darker direction. Its sound is very pop-punk-meets-new age-meets-indie-rock. There’s a heaviness to the track that makes Williams’ light-yet-strong vocals feel even weightier. (video)

4.       All Time Low, “Some Kind of Disaster”: Pop-punks All Time Low are back with a new single. “Some Kind of Disaster” takes what the band has learned in experimenting over the last few years and brought it back to their original mid-2000s sound. The result is a song with a soaring chorus and catchy melody that will please fans new and old. (video)

5.       Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Stefani, “Nobody But You”: “Nobody But You” is a catchy piece of pop-infused country that’s easily accessible and catchy. Shelton and Stefani’s voices complement each other’s well as they harmonize throughout the song. The only unfortunate part is that Stefani gets virtually no solo singing time with the exception of the song’s final line. It’s clear that it’s Shelton’s song and not a fair duet. (video)

6.       Sparta, “Believe”: Sparta, featuring members of At The Drive In, has announced their first new album in more than 14 years, ‘Trust The River,’ this week. With the announcement came a video for the album’s first single, “Believe.” The track has a great garage-rock beat and melody, driven by lightly distorted guitars and steady, snare and bass-heavy percussion. The final, distorted, soaring notes feel almost U2-esque, an impressive way to end the song. (video)

7.       Pearl Jam, “Dance Of The Clairvoyants”: The first single from Pearl Jam’s just announced new album ‘Gigaton,’ “Dance Of The Clairvoyants” has a funky groove and experimental vibe that gives it a totally different sound than anything one would have expected from the band in the past. The melody moves past grunge and hard rock and inch closer to dance territory. It’s beat is much more defined in the mix and the guitar lines are more scaled back, leading to a lighter overall sound. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Lewis Capaldi, “Before You Go”: (video)

·         La Roux, “Automatic Driver”: (video)

·         The Word Alive, “No Way Out”: (video)

·         Lennon Stella, “Kissing Other People”: (video)

·         Disturbed, “Hold On To Memories”: (video)

There were a lot of great new pop and rock songs and music videos released over the past week. With the weekend here, now’s a great time to take another look at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs and music videos you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or rediscovering the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Bands Reuniting on the Road in 2020

The world loves a good reunion tour. Getting to see your favorite disbanded band one more time can be exciting for fans nostalgic for the “good old days.” Lucky for us, 2020 already has a handful of big name reunion tours announced, many just in time for the summer festival season.

With a whole lot of reunions in the news, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the most anticipated. Whether it’s only been a few years since disbanding or nearly a decade, here are seven reunited groups heading out on tour in 2020.

1.       My Chemical Romance: One of the biggest announcements of 2019 was when mid-2000s “emo” favorites My Chemical Romance announced that they were getting back together. The band has already played one very successful show together in Los Angeles, CA and will be heading overseas in 2020 to play shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. This past week, the band announced another UK show, only this time they also included two minutes of unheard music that have fans wondering if a new album could be on the horizon from this reunion too.

2.       Mötley Crüe: Another of the biggest tour announcements late last year was that of hair metal legends Mötley Crüe. The band had signed a “cessation-of-touring” agreement in 2015, which the group symbolically torched in the tour’s announcement video. It doesn’t feel like Mötley Crüe have gone anywhere, given that the band has recorded and released new music in the last two years (though not a new album, they haven’t done that since 2008), but it is that success that prompted the band to do their first tour in half a decade in the first place. The North American tour kicks off July 7 in Miami, FL and wraps up September 5 in Los Angeles, CA with a stacked line-up of openers including Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

3.       Pussycat Dolls: Mid-2000s girl group the Pussycat Dolls are getting ready for their first tour in nearly a decade. Disbanding in 2010, the girls went their separate ways towards their own solo careers, the most successful of which being that of Nicole Scherzinger (whose most known for being a reality competition judge these days). The group got back together (sans Melody Thornton) for a performance on ‘The X Factor UK’ (which Scherzinger judges) late last year and will be heading out on the road for the ‘Unfinished Business’ tour around the UK in April. New music is also on the horizon, as the group debut a new song, “React,” during their ‘X Factor’ performance.

4.       Rage Against The Machine: It’s hard to believe that Rage Against The Machine’s last reunion was already eight years ago, but the political rap-metal band is back again! So far, the reunion tour is limited to five west coast dates around their appearances at the 2020 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April.

5.       Faith No More: It’s been five years since metal outfit Faith No More capped off their first reunion with their last album, ‘Sol Invictus,’ and disbanded after a year of touring. Now the band will be returning to Europe for a festival tour throughout June and July. A new album, however, may not be in the cards, as Roddy Bottum said in an interview with ‘Kerrang!’ that the band has “no plans right now to record any new music.”

6.       Bright Eyes: Conor Oberst has not been a stranger to the music scene over the last ten years, presenting his own solo works and leading various groups, the most recent of which was the duo Better Oblivion Community Center with Phoebe Bridgers last year. But after nine years, Oberst is getting his most well-known band back together, Bright Eyes. It was announced this week that the band had signed to Dead Oceans and will be releasing their first album since ‘The People’s Key’ in 2011. A short tour was also announced, featuring dates in Tokyo, Japan in March, Los Angeles, CA in May, Queens, NY in June and an appearance at the End of the Road Festival in the UK in September.

7.       Circle Jerks: Punk Rockers Circle Jerks’ debut album ‘Group Sex’ turns 40 this year and the band is celebrating by playing their first shows together in nearly a decade.  Dates announced so far include Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas, NV and the Wiesen, Austria, Berlin, Germany and Munich, Germany dates of the re-launched Punk In Drublic Festival.

With disbanded acts in pop, indie rock, metal and punk gearing up to reunite on the road in 2020, now’s the time to see them live before it all goes away again. Check out the reuniting bands listed above and let us know what bands you’re excited to see/would like to see reunite in the comments below.

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Find music from many of these reunited bands and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (January 12-18, 2020)

A lot of new music gets released over the course of any given week. This was no exception as we saw a plethora of new songs and music videos hit the internet in the last seven days, especially when it came to the rock and pop genres. Green Day, Missy Elliott, James Blunt and Grey Daze were among those who released tracks this week.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Here are seven(and a few more) that we think are worth taking another look at this weekend.

1.       Green Day, “Oh Yeah”: Green Day came back with a third single from their upcoming ‘Mother Of All Motherf*****s’ album this week. “Oh Yeah” puts a rough, grimy spin on the garage-rock genre. It’s so catchy that I, personally, can’t stop listening to it once I start. The unfortunate downside to the track is it’s sampling of a Joan Jett cover originally by convicted pedophile Gary Glitter, which the band hopes to remedy by giving their royalties from the single to International Justice Mission and RAINN. (video)

2.       Missy Elliott, “Why I Still Love You”: In all the years that Missy Elliott was on top of the world with her raps, I don’t remember any time that she let her singing vocals take the lead. Such is why “Why I Still Love You” is such an unexpected, delightful curveball of a song. Elliott shows off her soulful pipes on this retro, R&B-inspired track. The simple beat and classic vocal style make this song an easy listen. The video is classic Missy Elliott, jumping between different the visual styles of various musical genres, in particular 50s, 60s and 70s girl groups (and punk). (video)

3.       James Blunt, “Monsters”: “Monsters” is a tear-jerker of a song, written about his ailing father and coming to terms with his possible mortality. The song finds Blunt trying to comfort his dad and tell him that he’s going to step up and make him proud. The simple video the single comes with also speaks volumes, focusing on Blunt’s face as he sings and emotes, giving you a real glimpse of his pain and what he’s feeling. (video)

4.       Trophy Eyes, “Figure Eight”: “Figure Eight” is an upbeat pop-punk track with a driving beat, pounding guitars and soaring vocals. The song’s already catchy melody is given extra texture by the little details, especially it’s echoed vocals on the chorus and saxophone breakdown. (video)

5.       Hayley Kiyoko, “She”: “She” is a bright and uplifting pop song that takes you by surprise. The 90s-inspired beat gets you pumped for the upbeat “popified” late-era Weezer melody and message-filled lyrics about loving yourself. (video)

6.       Emarosa, “Ready To Love”: “Ready To Love” mixes 80s power-pop with melodic rock for a song that evokes the essence of 80s metal balladry while staying completely current. The song’s melody and power immediately drew me in and made me want to sing along at the top of my lungs every time. (video)

7.       Grey Daze, “What’s In The Eye”: Late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington’s first band, Grey Daze, were planning to release a new album before the singer’s untimely passing in 2017. Now the band has released the first single from that album. “What’s In The Eye” is a hard rock jam with swirling guitars and haunting vocals that beg to be heard. It’s a different, more melodic vibe than the near-nu-metal of Linkin Park, but the emotion is classic Bennington. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Four Year Strong, “Talking Myself in Circles”: (video)

·         Best Coast, “Everything Has Changed”: (video)

·         Brian Fallon, “21 Days”: (video)

·         Jonas Brothers, “What A Man Gotta Do”: (video)

·         The Grievance Club, “Marathon”: (video)

·         A Girl Called Eddy, “Someone’s Gona Break Your Heart”: (video)

·         Kodaline, “Wherever You Are”: (video)

Whether you enjoy rock, pop or R&B, there were a lot of great new songs and music videos released this week. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take a look back at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites in the list above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Turning 20 in 2020

It’s hard to believe that 2000 was 20 years ago. The turn of the century brought about a lot of culturally important albums that would define where music would be heading in the new millennium. Pop artists from the late 1990s would further establish their careers in the bubblegum sphere that defined those early years of the 2000s. Bands who found their niche earlier in the previous decade would continue to reinvent themselves as musicians and songwriters for an ever-changing world. 2000 also saw the emergence of new artists and sounds that would have a major impact on what tastemakers would be listening to another decade later.

In the spirit of nostalgia, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the most important albums of 2000. From one-hit-wonders to pop, hip-hop and rock’s heavy hitters, here are 10 albums from 2000 (and a few more) celebrating their 20^th anniversary milestone.

1.       Radiohead, ‘Kid A’: ‘Kid A’ was a controversial album when it was first released in October of 2000, but eventually became one of, if not THE most revered of the band’s works to date. Radiohead’s fourth studio album was supposed to be a departure from the guitar-rock sound they had been known for all throughout the 1990s, instead opting for a more synth-heavy touch. Pitchfork described it at the time as “the sound of a band, and its leader, losing faith in themselves, destroying themselves, and subsequently rebuilding a perfect entity. In other words, Radiohead hated being Radiohead, but ended up with the most ideal, natural Radiohead record yet.”

2.       Coldplay, ‘Parachutes’: It may not be their biggest-seller or even the band’s favorite album of theirs, but Coldplay would not be in the position they are today without the success of debut album ‘Parachutes.’ “Yellow” was a breakthrough track for the band, first at college radio and then on a wider scale. It led to the album reaching double-platinum status and an even more revered album, ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head,’ two years later.

3.       *NSYNC, ‘No Strings Attached’: Freshly independent from the slug that was Lou Pearlman after several years of legal issues, *NSYNC were ready to show off who they really were, and ‘No Strings Attached’ was the magnum opus that did so. The hysteria that ensued after the release of first single “Bye Bye Bye” said it all for the kind of career trajectory the group and pop music in general were taking in the early 2000s. ‘No Strings Attached’ became the best selling album of the year and led to a first-week sales record that would not be broken for 15 years. Justin Timberlake became a star. The album still holds weight today, as *NSYNC mania has increased with nostalgia for the late 1990s and early 2000s coming into fashion.

4.       Britney Spears, ‘Oops…I Did It Again’: After the runaway success of Britney Spears’ 1998 debut ‘…Baby One More Time,’ the singer “did it again” with her sophomore effort, ‘Oops…I Did It Again.’ Thanks to singles “Oops…I Did It Again,” “Stronger” and “Lucky,” the album sold half-a-million copies in its first day and more than 1.3 million in its first week, a record for sales by a female artist that would also last for 15 years. The album proved that Spears had staying power past her first album, as well as the place pop would take in the musical spectrum over the decade.

5.       Linkin Park, ‘Hybrid Theory’: The debut album from “nu-metal” juggernauts Linkin Park, ‘Hybrid Theory’ introduced the world to the band’s aggressive sound and personal, emotion-fueled lyrics. “One Step Closer,” “Crawling” and “In The End” found endless rotation on MTV and radio, leading the album to sell millions of copies and going on to become the “best selling debut album of the 21^st century.”

6.       Green Day, ‘Warning’: By no means their most popular (the album didn’t sell as well as any of their previous releases), ‘Warning’ brought Green Day into the new millennium with as much brash force as their 1990s fare, only with a little wiser, more eclectic touch. Songs like “Minority” and “Macys Day Parade” marked the first time the band got truly political on a record, giving rise to what would be coming from them just four years later.

7.       Dashboard Confessional, ‘The Swiss Army Romance’: The debut album from Dashboard Confessional (the solo project of Further Seems Forever’s Chris Carrabba), ‘The Swiss Army Romance’ is a necessity for anyone who claims to be into “emo.” Led by single “Screaming Infidelities” the album is full of passionate, at times self-deprecating lyrics and acoustic melodies meant to be sung along to at the top of your lungs.

8.       P!nk, ‘Can’t Take Me Home’: P!nk’s debut solo album ‘Can’t Take Me Home’ proves she’s always been a no-nonsense powerhouse pop singer, acrobatic live shows or not. “There You Go” was the big “f--- you” that most of the pop princesses weren’t doing with their music. The rest of the songs follow suit in being fiercely independent, slightly rock informed pieces.   

9.       Eminem, ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’: After finding a bit of fame the previous year with ‘The Slim Shady LP,’ Eminem returned in 2000 with the even more polarizing ‘The Marshall Mathers LP.’ While the album had its humorous, tongue-in-cheek moments with songs like “The Real Slim Shady,” it also got dark and violent with songs like “Stan” (about an obsessed fan who kills himself and his pregnant girlfriend) and “Kim” (which made up a scenario where he killed his wife). Despite the album’s intense nature, it became one of his most successful, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide and going diamond in the US.

10.   Baha Men, ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’: Hard to imagine, but “Who Let The Dogs Out” (both the single and album of the same name) turns 20 this year. The song became inescapable that year, and even breaking the top ten on charts all over the world. It continues to be used during sporting events to this day (although not as heavily).

Additional Selections Turning 20:

·         Nelly, ‘Country Grammar’

·         Matchbox 20, ‘Mad Season’

·         Nelly Furtado, ‘Whoa, Nelly!’

·         Outkast, ‘Stankonia’

·         Papa Roach, ‘Infest’

·         Eve 6, ‘Horrorscope’

·         Disturbed, ‘The Sickness’

The musical landscape has changed a lot in the last 20 years. However, looking back on the popular albums of 2000 gives you a unique perspective on where certain trends came from. Reminisce with us on the albums above and let us know about your favorite albums turning 20 in the comments below.

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Fuel your nostalgia at Vinyl Bay 777! As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres from throughout many decades. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.