Paradise_Valley_cover,_by_John_MayerWe’re picking up a little bit before the Summer ends with some big names and even bigger albums (We also have another contest to mention but more on that later)!

Honestly, regardless of the new albums from Blue October, Travis, Jimmy Buffett, or Earl Sweatshirt today, all eyes are looking at John Mayer and Paradise Valley. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of his last one (Born and Raised) but this one seems to be getting praise from everyone. It also features guest spots from Frank Ocean and Mayer’s on-again/off-again lady, Katy Perry. Check back here later today for a full review.

Our own KBOX has his hands full this week with not one, not two, but four reviews of 8/20 releases. His first was a review of the latest from hard rockers SOiL which posted on Monday (Read it here). Stay tuned to this space for his take on the latest albums from Blue October, blessthefall, and Travis all coming relatively soon.

 

Did you also know that there’s the Essential Britney Spears coming out today? That’s all. Nothing witty to say. Just feelin’ old.

And now a contest…

Let’s try this again, shall we? It’s time for a contest! Wanna win an autographed copy of Five Finger Death Punch’s The Wrong Side Of Heaven…Volume 1? All you have to do is give us the name of at least two bands that members of Five Finger Death Punch have been previously affiliated with (Meaning actually been in, not just guested on a track). Email your answer to popblerd1@gmail.com with the header “Autographed FFDP CD”. And if you don’t get your answer in first, we still have a few extra unsigned copies to give away as well. Good luck!

As always, check out Pause&Play for the full list but don’t forget to come back here next week as we talk up new releases from Franz Ferdinand and Devildriver! How’s that for extremes?