This week I am reviewing a release that is not so new to some of you but is new to me. I
have only recently discovered the Southern hard rock band known as Shinedown. The band mostly hails from Jacksonville, Florida (lead singer Brent Smith is from Knoxville, TN) the city that was put on the rock and roll map by the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Shinedown was formed in 2001 and came together using diverse influences such as Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Otis Redding. The Redding influence came from lead singer Brent Smith after his dad purchased him an Otis Redding box set. Smith became engrossed in the soulful emotion that he discovered in Redding and other Motown influences. This influence, I believe is what sets Shinedown apart from their hard rock peers.
Shinedown’s newest release is not so new. “Us and Them” was released October 4th of 2005. It is their sophomore follow up to the very popular debut album “Leave a Whisper”. I have read many reviews since listening through the album for the first time and I agree with many of them. But many of the reviewers state disappointment in this new release expecting the full bore rock sound of their debut album. Maybe I was a bit advantaged by having only recently discovered Shinedown and then listening to both albums sort of back to back. I can see the progression of the bands taste and influences from “Whisper…” to “Us and Them”, and I really like the progression and the diverseness of each of the songs. You can tell that they enjoy reinventing themselves.
Now it’s time for a quote from:
sarcasm or irony? I know I have. Some of the lessons I learned well I learned this way. Mind you I didn’t like it but it was a lesson learned. Learning through this method provokes an emotional response and engages the mind to think about something from an alternative angle. This method is used to teach the reader critical elements of the south in the 1950’s and 60’s through the fictional novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, considered one of the best books in American fiction.
have been reviewing. It is a refreshing change none-the-less. 
hear some theology promoted by a respected bible scholar that differed from a theology I had called my own. I would attend a conference and hear something from one scholar and compare it to something I heard or read by another. Why do they have to differ on things? Why can’t they all agree on everything? Do we take sides and oppose those who do not agree with a certain theology? Now I am only talking about secondary theological issues. For example I am not talking about a comparison of someone who believes in the Trinity and someone who does not. The one who does not believe in the Trinity should be opposed because it completely undermines the teaching of scripture. I am writing more about the differences such as 
new Rush release. Rush, and another favorite band of mine Kansas, introduced the mainstream to the sub-genre of progressive rock. With their dream-like lyrics and music that pushed the envelope of instrumental prowess, this genre of music appealed to many players and wanna be players such as I. In 1992 the progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater released their debut album “Images and Words”. Through relentless touring and a couple of fairly popular singles, “Pull Me Under” and “Take the Time”, Dream Theater was launched into the music industry. I remember the first time I heard “Pull Me Under”, I thought “what an incredible band.” Bands like Rush and Kansas introduced the world to progressive rock, but Dream Theater took progressive metal/rock to the next level. Progressive Rock II dude! (In my best Bill and Ted impression)
been written about it in the blogosphere. 
Upon This Rawk 