Tracer
Spaces In Between
Cool Green Recordings
Released October 3, 2011 UK: CD
October 18, 2011 U.S.: CD

Recently my concern with new rock music is that musicians have stopped listening to blues. The old blues masters is where rock originated and just about every great rock song has a heavy blues foundation. Sure, the new guys say they love the blues but then rip into clone riffs of AC/DC, Led Zep, and all the usual classic rock bands ignoring the nuggets that made those bands great in the first place.

It takes balls to create a new sound by taking the most interesting parts and the intricacies of the greats to form something (almost) entirely your own. Tracer are not concerned with just copying the greats on debut album Spaces In Between. They’re interested in balls.

Batman: Arkham City Soundtrack
Various Artists
CD | MP3
WaterTower Music
Release date: October 4, 2011

As I’ve stated previously, I am huge fan of the soundtracks from all the Batman films. That might have something to do with the fact that I’m a huge Batman fan, which most of you may know by now, but you may not know my love for music. So, when the two are combined, it’s a perfect storm for pure Hunter Camp enjoyment. I mean, Batman-related songs from artists like Prince, Method Man, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Offspring have been featured on various Batman soundtracks. That’s a great thing. So, when the announcement of the Batman: Arkham City soundtrack came out, to say that I was excited would be an understatement. It has literally been 14 years since the last high profile Batman soundtrack filled with popular music has come out. You may have noticed that Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies have only been accompanied by purchasable score audio, and the Arkham Asylum game came with no soundtrack.

Sebastian Bach
Kicking and Screaming
Frontiers Records
Released September 26, 2011 (UK) CD | MP3
September 27, 2011 (U.S.) CD | MP3

No matter how many years go by, how many reality TV shows he appears on, or how many times he defends Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach will always be the voice of Skid Row. It may be 15 years since he was part of that band and he has even tried to distance himself from that era. Despite these attempts it is clear on his new album Kicking & Screaming that this kind of music is what he does best.

This is not Bach copying his work of old, but being given the creative freedom to fine tune the sound he wants to make. It has a very distinct hard rock sound that he is famous for, but thanks to chugging riff-heavy tracks like “One Good Reason” and “Lost In The Light” with their feisty lyrics it becomes immediately more refreshed.

Alice Cooper
Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Universal Music Enterprises
Released September 12, 2011 UK: CD | MP3
September 13, 2011 U.S.: CD | MP3

After the disbandment of the Alice Cooper band, its frontman went solo and in 1975 released his first album: Welcome To My Nightmare. 36 years later Alice Cooper has released its follow-up, Welcome 2 My Nightmare. And you thought Chinese Democracy took a long time to make.

Ok, ok, so it’s not the same thing. Alice has released 17 albums in between (not including the many live albums and countless best of’s) and been constantly busy. His albums have ranged from the brilliant (Hey Stoopid) to boring (Dragontown). Those who were disappointed with 2008’s Along Came A Spider will be delighted with this return to gruesome form.

As with most of Alice’s past albums, much of this is playful in a twisted way. The one-two of the beautiful “Something To Remember Me By” followed by a tale of grizzly revenge in “When Hell Comes Home” is sure to raise an evil smile.

Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’m With You
Warner Bros.
Produced by Rick Rubin
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD | MP3
Release date: August 29, 2011

A lot has happened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the last 5 years. Since the release of their last album, 2006’s Stadium Arcadium, drummer Chad Smith joined Chickenfoot, bassist Flea went to school, singer Anthony Kiedis grew a moustache, and guitarist John Frusciante left due to “˜musical differences’ (why won’t bands just tell the truth and put out a statement that reads – to paraphrase Friends – “˜it’s just…we hate that guy’?). Now with Josh Klinghoffer on guitar duty, the Chili’s have released album number 10, I’m With You.

As I opened the case I kept repeating to myself, “don’t let me down, don’t let me down…”

Someone heard me. Loud and clear.

Stadium Arcadium had, apart from a small selection of songs including “Dani California” and “Hump de Bump,” had very little to revisit. At 28 tracks long, it was too much and a little self-indulgent. I’m With You includes half its predecessor’s number of tracks and twice the quality.