Headstones Are Getting It Right. And By "It", I Mean "Everything".

When Headstones announced they were finally getting together for a new record (a decade since they'd released one, as the band drifted apart and Hugh Dillon's acting career began to pay dividends), they did so by letting their fans get in on the ground floor.

Headstones got self-promotion right.

They started accepting pledges toward the funding of the new record on October 19th at their official Pledge Music site, with pledge items ranging from $10 (digital download of album) and $5,000 (a private Headstones unplugged show for you and your friends). Within a day, they'd reached 90% of their goal; as of this writing, they sit at 283% reached.

Headstones got funding right.

With a planned release date of March 26 looming, something happened. They messed around and got a record deal after a subsidiary of Universal Music (who had originally signed the band back in '92) loved what they heard, and wanted to release it worldwide. The logistics of these things tend to delay plans somewhat. Now, they couldn't just put it out, they had to work it. A single had to be chosen, serviced to radio; anticipation had to build. Reluctantly, the release date got pushed back to May 14. But, for those of us who have pledged toward the album's completion, a simple email containing a link to an update that (if you're signed in to the Pledge Music site) houses Love & Fury streaming in its entirety.

Headstones got apologies right.

So, having pre-ordered my CD a couple of months back, I got to give it a spin. Longwaytoneverland (unsure if we're actually supposed to be titling as such, or they're just temporary file names) gets released to radio this week. It rocks like you remember them, but with a slight tinge of country twang (emphasis on slight). It'll sound great on the radio, as will a few others (if Farawayfromhere isn't next down the pipeline, this album isn't being given a fair shake); however, the overwhelming sense while listening to Love & Fury is its commitment to raw, hard rocking, honest music. Not "songs" constructed using computer programs and studio trickery, but music created by the hands of capable men; sweat, blood and spit guide their creation. Closer in spirit to the iconic Hard Core Logo soundtrack than any of the band's 90's releases, Love & Fury is exactly as advertised: no bullshit, real motherfucking rock and roll.

Headstones got the new album right.

I can't wait to share more news (and a sample or two) with you as we get closer to its release; if you really can't wait, here's a friendly reminder that all it takes is a $10 pledge to unlock the mystery, so to speak. They clearly worked hard on this one, it's going to kick your ass, and it deserves to be rewarded in the name of honest rock and roll.

To tide you over, here's a video they did about a year ago for Binthiswayforyears, which made the cut for the new album:

Love & Fury comes out May 14 on Frostbyte/Universal.

Year in Rock 2025

Alright, I've got some explaining to do. By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but: a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...

Year in Rock 2013 Nominee: Arctic Monkeys

ARCTIC MONKEYS Do I Wanna Know? From: AM Released: September 10 That Year in Rock 2012's Single of the Year R U Mine? ended up on this album is pleasing, and it fits the motif well enough. But R U Mine? isn't what makes Arctic Monkeys' fifth album an Album of the Year contender. Sweaty, sultry and pulsing with sexual energy, AM is the kind of record that's just as effective whether you're chilling out after a long day, staring into a mirror prepping yourself for a late night clubbing session or setting the mood for some escapades in the boudoir.

Year in Rock 2023: Album of the Year #10-1

Now we're getting somewhere; the top ten, where there are no duds or mids, only bangers. Also, no more teasing it out; let's wrap this up! What I've learned this year from my ten faves this year is that it is indeed still possible for a dude approaching his fifties to more or less stay up to date on the new school. Of course, there are some listed here that got a boost from playing tribute to the old school, but there is an undercurrent happening in rock that points to the future. But, I'm getting ahead of myself; here come the champs. 10 MILITARIE GUN Life Under the Gun June 23, 2023 • Loma Vista Highlights Very High Will Logic Never Fucked Up Once Rising from the ranks of the still-potent L.A. hardcore scene, the debut record from Militarie Gun (following a trio of EPs) bears a dash of polish that's expected with backing from a larger label; the tension and energy remain, though, resulting in one of the catchiest hardcore albums I can think of in recent years. 9 ...

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