95%

Author’s Rating Vocals 9.5 Musicianship 9.25 Lyrics 9.5 Production 9.5 Creativity 9.25 Lasting Value 9.5 Reviewer Tilt 9.75 Final Verdict: 95% Member Ratings Vocals 9.42 Musicianship 9.56 Lyrics 9.33 Production 9.33 Creativity 9.28 Lasting Value 9.31 Reviewer Tilt 8.89 Average: 93%

Butch Walker and the Black Widows – I Liked It Better… Reviewed by: Chris Fallon (02/16/10)

Butch Walker and the Black Widows – I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart Release Date: February 23, 2010 Record Label: One Haven Music Butch Walker is not a man who likes to settle for routine. Judging from his artistic merits, one could imagine he doesn’t pick the same meals each day or ultimately settle on the same girl to divulge poetic tragedies about on nearly every record. Big shiny arena rock, grownup pop rock, glam-infused indie rock, blue-collar Americana… it’s obvious there isn’t much of a “rinse later repeat” mantra hanging above Butch’s bathroom mirror. Certainly Mr. Walker is a well-known man-about-town who works with big-name acts and writes big-hit songs — he just isn’t as household as some of his pop tunes are. ‘Tis a shame, too, considering after decorating the first ten years of this millennium with several solo efforts that pass through every rock sub-genre out there, he has yet to gain recognition in the mainstream community (minus his accomplishments with Avril Lavigne, Weezer or Secondhand Serenade). I Liked You Better When You Had No Heart pretty much sums it all up in its title. Familiar with Butch Walker’s material? You know what’s coming, at least in terms of lyrical wisdom. However, when it comes to his style and approach, even longtime Butch aficionados can’t guarantee the odds are close enough to bet on. In case you were unable to pinpoint it… no, the title is not an emo-type phrase you should have tattooed across your forearm; it’s actually country-inspired wisdom. The self-indulgent confessionals about loving damaged goods due to your own insecurities, patching up wounded souls (including your own), chicks who basically got dealt a bad hand (that will be my only & final vague reference to Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler) — it’s all a part of Walker’s world that he has conjured up for his fifth solo outing. Still harping on the softer delicacies of his intimate, more somber record, Sycamore Meadows, Walker has truly outdone himself with an album that captures all the nuances that made Letters and Meadows shine, and extracts them bit by bit to give every individual track its own breath. The record slowly builds a sense of rhythm as it trounces along, yet it’s still just as heart-shatteringly poignant (”Canadian Ten”) and pockets that trademark wink-and-a-smile charm (”She Likes Hair Bands”) with a good sensibility that doesn’t appear cheesy. Letters was a monumental growth spurt for Walker’s solo career, and after everything he went through to release Meadows, it’s even more amazing to see him come through stronger with the follow-up to such a deeply personal record. While tracks like “Stripped Down Version” do hint at a life of remorse and promiscuity, drenched in heavy indie rock inspiration, all-together it is a far less constrained piece of work. Pulling influence from Jeff Lynn to John Lennon to Ryan Adams, Walker and his band are obviously having a fantastic time together, and it all flows loosely and breezy like a pleasant rock record should. Country, folk, pop — it’s all thrown into an infectious creation that slaps eleven tracks down without much hesitation of ever looking back. “Pretty Melody” is laced with strings like Spector-produced Beatles with a harmony that doesn’t sound too far off from something ELO would have penned. “Temporary Title” again uses a big ELO/Beatles influence to weave its manic string melodies through your ear canals, and if “House of Cards” doesn’t make a splash with the McCartney fan in you… there’s no hope for classic pop music enthusiasts. Take note the influence is no mistake — the strings were recorded at none other than the Abbey Roads Studios in London. A flurry of small details like that add up to show just how diverse Walker is (and has been), and that his idea of what goes into his solo records is far separated from what he produces with other more mainstream-oriented bands. “She Likes Hair Bands” is good old-fashioned rock n’ roll with a Steve Miller sing-along chorus — not the first time Butch has “borrowed” from the Joker himself (Marvelous 3 fans, what up!). “Don’t You Think Someone Should Take You Home” is a faux-country ballad that gains influence from a more mature source Walker hasn’t truly tackled since “Promise,” off of Letters. From the get-go, even upbeat tracks that are written about Beverly Hills residents who gorge on medication (”Trash Day”) are big country-influenced numbers (with perhaps a hint of Tom Petty’s songwriting style), and when paired next to songs that divulge the inner weaknesses of a man who has seen the light, so to speak, this might be Walker’s most volatile, creative and memorable album to date. Trying out new lyrical tactics, a various combination of style and having free-range to essentially do whatever the hell he wants, it’s truly glorious to see a man who can write sugar-soaked melodies for pop-rock bands be so grounded & adventurous all at once. Consider it Butch’s ode to Nashville, because as much as this is a classically themed rock album, it’s also a tip of the hat to Nashville — a city that started it all — and to the musicians who embraced the melodies of a good pop song within while exposing themselves through the words & the music they created along the way. If Elvis Presley was able to lift Nashville off the ground, Butch Walker certainly has the means and the ways to spin it on his fingertips. On the final track, another nominee for Best Overall Song at the semi-annual Butch Walker Awards (hyperbole, yes, but honestly, there is always new material vying for this award), Mr. Walker offers up a slice of life and plenty of nuggets to make your days on this earth far less cynical. It’s a healthy piece of pop genius that not only serves a positive dose of reaffirmation, but proves how sincere music can be, and just how powerful the words & melodies are to the right people (in this case, his son). For a guy who lost it all a couple years back, to come roaring back with such fervor and remain as pivotal as ever, it really showcases the strength art has — even when you find it in a pop song. And hey, when was the last time you could honestly say that? Recommended if You Like The Beatles playing in a Nashville bar with Ryan Adams & Electric Light Orchestra while Brian May makes a few cameo appearances. Choice Cuts” “Be Good Until Then,” “She Likes Hair Bands” and “Canadian Ten” Tracklisting 1. Trash Day 2. Pretty Melody 3. Don’t You Think Someone Should Take You Home 4. Stripped Down Version 5. Canadian Ten 6. Temporary Title 7. She Likes Hair Bands 8. House of Cards 9. They Don’t Know What We Know 10. Days/Months/Years 11. Be Good Until Then Band Members Butch Walker / Fran Capitanelli / Chris Unck / Jake Sinclair / Michael Trent / Wesley Flowers / Darren Dodd Stream Full Album here! Online Vitals Official Site | Official Myspace | Official Twitter | Official Blog Purchase ThinkIndie (Now Available!) | Amazon MP3 | iTunes

Butch Walker And The Black Widows

I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart

One Haven

—by Olivia Taubner, February 15, 2010

We always knew Butch Walker had some pretty sharp producing skills, having worked on albums with Pink, The Academy Is… and Weezer, but we had no idea his carving handiwork extended beyond the recording studio.

In celebration of Butch’s latest solo album I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart, the former Marvelous 3 frontman auctioned off various pre-order packages on eBay. The most expensive of the bunch went for a mere $25,000 and auctioned off the following to one lucky super-fan:

• A signed collector’s edition vinyl, CD and lithograph
• An exclusive T-shirt
• A personal Facebook or Twitter message
• An instant download of three new Butch tracks, and… wait for it…
• A weekend in Butch’s spare bedroom where the winner will collaborate on a song that will appear on his new album and a chance to play the song live on stage together during Butch’s next tour

Now, not many people have $25,000 burning a hole in their pocket—well, not many people except Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie, who bid on the extravagant package.

See what kind of American Psycho-esque action happened when the two frontman met up and Butch took an axe to—er, walked Brendon around the Walker compound.

http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/02/19/butch-walker-ends-panic-at-the-disco/

]]> http://www.onehavenmusic.com/mtv-com-video-butch-walker-attempts-to-end-panic-at-the-disco/feed/ 0 http://www.onehavenmusic.com/butch-walker-goes-american-psycho-on-panic-at-the-disco%e2%80%99s-brendon-urie/ http://www.onehavenmusic.com/butch-walker-goes-american-psycho-on-panic-at-the-disco%e2%80%99s-brendon-urie/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:26:35 +0000 ohm http://www.onehavenmusic.com/?p=337 BUTCH WALKER GOES (AMERICAN) PSYCHO ON PANIC! AT THE DISCO’S BRENDON URIE

Butch Walker got together with Panic! At The Disco lead singer Brandon Urie and video director Shane Valdes to film a clever spoof on the cult film, American Psycho. Panic!’s Brandon Urie plays the super-fan who purchased the fake $25,000 preorder of Butch’s  forthcoming album ‘I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart’ (Feb. 23, One Haven Music < http://www.onehavenmusic.com/butchwalker>) to spend a day with Butch Walker. Urie’s dream day turns into a nightmare as Butch does his best impression of Christian Bale, polyurethane suit, ax and all. See the hijinx that ensued at the link below.

Panic! At Butch Walker’s
http://www.youtube.com/butchwalker

Pre-order now available from One Haven Music: http://gomerch.com/butchwalker/preorder/
Butch Walker on iTunes: http://bit.ly/BWalker_iTunes

Butch Walker on the Web:
http://www.butchwalker.com
http://www.twitter.com/butchwalker
http://maybeitsjustme.biz
http://www.shorefire.com/clients/bwalker
http://www.onehavenmusic.com/butchwalker

Butch Walker Photos, Bio and More:
http://www.shorefire.com/clients/bwalker

# # #

For more information on Butch Walker please contact Carrie Tolles (ctolles@shorefire.com), Andy Silva (asilva@shorefire.com) or Matt Hanks (mhanks@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media: 718.522.7171

They Will Rock You:  CD Review: Butch Walker / I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart

Butch Walker and The Black Widows
I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
Pre-order link

Rating:
Reviewed by: Ryan Labbe

It’s been a little over a year since the release of Sycamore Meadows, Butch Walker’s emotional and critically acclaimed fourth solo album named after the street in Malibu where his home, and all of his master recordings, burned down in the California wild fires in late 2007.  On February 23^rd he  makes his return with a revamped band and a new album.  Butch Walker, musician/singer/songwriter/producer calls his gaggle of band mates The Black Widows, and their new album, I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart, showcases Walker’s knack for unparalleled musicianship and innate lyrical storytelling.

Over the years, Butch Walker’s music has gone from the big arena rock sound that he honed with his former band, The Marvelous 3, to a much more stripped down acoustic style.  Along with The Black Widows, Walker keeps on that path, as well as continues to thrill fans with honest, sometimes whimsical lyrics, set to raw and exciting melodies.

The album’s opener, and first single, “Trash Day” is one of the album’s more upbeat numbers, revisiting a common theme in Walker’s music – Los Angeles, and concludes with another common theme – Atlanta (Walker hails from Cartersville, Georgia). “Trash Day in Beverly Hills, all the sad little mamas with their happy little pills,” sings Walker as The Black Widows, comprised of Fran Capitanelli (guitars), Chris Unck (guitar/lap steel), Jake Sinclair (bass), Darren Dodd (drums) and Wesley Flowers (keyboard), provide the energetic soundtrack. (Not sure who’s playing strings, but thanks in advance!)

The next track, Pretty Melody, has a subtle air of Elvis Costello to it.  Considering Costello and Walker are two of the best out there at weaving a story through a kaleidoscope of music it’s no surprise that they might draw influences from one another.  It’s a beautiful arrangement of keys and strings framed beautifully by Walker’s longing vocals. “You’re such a pretty melody, I’m just another tattooed tragedy, oh baby we don’t have to be like the rest of them.”

Michael Trent (who co-wrote some of the songs on the album) joins Butch and company on the sweet and swaying “Don’t You Think Someone Should Take You Home,” a story of a woman fallen on hard times, including the death of her “old man”.  The percussion is represented only by hi-hat cymbal and bass drum, as a violin weaves a melody over strumming acoustic guitar.  Butch’s descriptive lyrics paint a heartbreaking picture as he sings, “Her smile is like a Jack O’ Lantern trying not to cry” and “She holds her head like she’s got something heavy hangin’ round her neck.”  Walker and Trent sing chorus together, their harmonies simple and sad, yet a perfect complement to each other.

It’s hard to listen to any Butch Walker song without envisioning how it would play out live, because after all, there’s no denying that the live stage is Walker’s true playground and until you’ve seen him live you’ve yet to see the best live performance of your life.  “Temporary Title” stands out as one of the new songs that’s going to be fun to see performed live including a mid-song breakdown that seems like almost perfect placement for a fan favorite cover tune or two.

“She Likes Hair Bands”  opens up with quick acoustic riff that is joined by a mid -temp bass to snare drum beat that reminds me of Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How it Feels.” Sings Walker, “She’s got a birthmark on the inside of her thigh, ask me how I know (laugh) about the inside of her thigh.” The chorus is light, memorable and one of the album’s finest.

On all of Butch’s albums’ there is always one song that stands out to me as the most emotional.  2004’s Letters had “Joan,” and 2006’s Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let’s Go Out Tonite’s had “Dominoes.”  It’s now 2010, and I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart has “Be Good Until Then,” a solo acoustic performance showcasing a vulnerable side to Butch, and one that we have not seen before; the voice of a parent.   Not in a “eat your veggies” way, but advice that a loving father might impart on his son in hopes that he grow up to be a better man.  The music is stark and beautiful, but it’s the lyrics that really take center stage.  Sings Walker, “Always know the road you’re riding on, always know the words to your baby’s song, try to make the most of Friday nights when they come.  Maybe turn a stranger to a friend, never break a heart that’s on the mend, never let the romance ever end like I’ve done.”  In the chorus, Butch sings, “It’s okay to cry, if you feel it coming on.  It’ll let you know you’re human in the end.  All these things will mean more when I’m gone, just be good until then.”  It’s the album’s final track and, as the final notes ring out, the listener may find themselves a bit teary eyed. “Everybody loves a hero, not so much when they fall short, so try to keep your cape on underneath.  You don’t have to try so hard, to be the best, just know you are, that’s all that’ll matter to me.”

From “Trash Day” to the charging rhythm of “Temporary Title,” the romping “Days/Months/years” to the emotional “Be Good Till Then,” Butch Walker and the Black Widows make you want to listen, to know what happens next and to enjoy every moment as you find out.  I Liked It You Better When You Had No Heart shows that while Butch Walker can write, record and produce with a variety of artists, he always saves the best for himself and his fans.

Track Listing:

1. Trash Day
2. Pretty Melody
3. Don’t You Think Someone Should Take You Home
4. Stripped Down Version
5. Canadian Ten
6. Temporary Title
7. She Likes Hair Bands
8. House of Cards
9. They Don’t Know What We Know
10. Days/Months/Years
11.  Be Good Until Then
Bonus Track

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*To Pre-Order I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart head over to Butch’s website
*Stream the album now
*Butch Walker and The Widow Makers will be hitting the road with Train, check here for a full list of dates

Butch Walker admits his appearance last night on the Grammys playing banjolin in Taylor Swift’s backing band may have confused some viewers. “I’m sure there were plenty of people going, ‘Who’s the idiot with tattoos up there with her?” he laughs. While Walker is a singer-songwriter in his own right (his new country-rock-pop collection, I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart, is out February 23) he is best known as a behind-the-scenes producer and tunesmith who has collaborated with the likes of Avril Lavigne, All-American Rejects, and fellow Grammy performer Pink. But it was a YouTube video of Walker recording his own version of Swift’s “You Belong With Me” —a clip which has so far been watched a quarter of a million times—that resulted in his Grammys appearance last night. After the break, Walker recalls his night of glory, addresses the subject of Swift’s somewhat off-key performance, and reveals that not everyone likes to watch him pee.

Read More HERE:

Taylor Swift’s massive Grammy night included four victories, two acceptance speeches and one big performance of “Today Was a Fairytale,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” (with Stevie Nicks) and “You Belong With Me.” The special guest on the last track was singer-songwriter Butch Walker, who nabbed the gig the most 21st century way possible: via Twitter.

Read More here...

WRXP features Trash Day in their New Music spotlight tonight.

Butch Walker to Release New Album

Updated: Thursday, 14 Jan 2010, 9:00 AM EST
Published : Thursday, 14 Jan 2010, 9:01 AM EST

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/good_day_atl/Butch-Walker-to-Release-New-Album-011410