If it hasn’t been made expressly clear yet that Fresh Scouts is a strong supporter of the Flobots, then allow us to put a postage stamp on this thing and mail it in. Few bands out there take themselves as serious as these guys, and few mix genres as successfully. Few put more effort into the messages of their lyrics. Few truly attempt to inspire change in this world, and even fewer have the audacity to believe that what they do and say could actually have such an effect.
But the Flobots can do all of these things, which is why their new album, “Survival Story,” is just as high on our Good-Music-o-Meter as their first album was. Jonny 5 can rap, folks, but these guys are legitimately challenging the wrongs of our society and are looking for real change. It’s deep stuff, but it rocks and hips and hops, too. Any time you can do that with the viola as one of your signature instruments, you’ve done something special.
Obviously, “White Flag Warrior,” which features Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, is already one of our favorite songs of the moment, but other tracks on this record that peaked our interest include “Cracks the Surface” and “Defend Atlantis,” and we also loved “Infatuation,” which features another FS favorite in Matt Morris. Towards the end of the record the gang goes acoustic for two songs with “Good Soldier” and “Superhero,” both of which walk a tightrope between folk and hip-hop I haven’t really heard anything like. And no, Mat Kearney doesn’t count.
It’s a really solid album that sounds fantastic and actually has positive messages about priorities, personal wealth, and sticking up for yourself in a world where we so often can get pushed around. So don’t let yourself get pushed around, and buy this CD.
Now, try to decide if you need to do what we say and purchase the Flobots album, or if you won’t allow yourself to get pushed around by us because the Flobots said so. Quite the conundrum, isn’t it?
Check out the new official video for “White Flag Warrior” courtesy of Flobots.com:
Listen to the album
Buy the album
Apparently Mickey Mouse does rock the house. The 90′s television phenomenon, The Mickey Mouse Club, has created and churned out pop stars such as Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. Add singer-songwriter Matt Morris to that list. Matt worked side by side with the previously mentioned pop icons and he is now getting his turn in the pop limelight.
Matt appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club from 1991 – 1994. So where has he been since then? Oh, he has been busy. For one, he has been getting tattoos. Besides painting his skin he has been painting notebook paper. With a pen. He’s been focusing on song writing. That’s what I am getting at. Morris wrote a handful of track’s on Aguilera’s Stripped album. He also hit the top of the charts when he penned the song “Miss Independent” for Ms. Kelly Clarkson. Maybe you have heard of that song? And back in 2003, Morris released an independent album for which he supported with touring and festival appearances. So yeah, Matt has been busy and he is gearing up to put a lot more on his plate.
Matt’s brand new release, When Everything Breaks Open, is on Tennman Records. The record label is co-owned by his good buddy, Justin Timberlake. It certainly helps to have friends in high places. Thankfully Matt Morris doesn’t have to rely solely on his connections, because he is one talented cat. He has a knack for song writing, knows his way around the guitar, and he has one helluva smooth voice. When Everything Breaks Open is an album full of emotion and meaning. The driving focus is on Morris’ voice. He reminds me of a more folksy mix of Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke. Tracks like “Money”, “Bloodline” and “Eternity” certainly caught my attention. Morris and Timberlake recently performed together on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and it seems Morris is ready for the next step in his career.
Check out his Paste in-studio performance of “Bloodline”
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Like Matt Morris? Check out Andrew Ripp!
