While She Sleeps - "Silence Speaks feat. Oli Sykes" Single Review

As far as British metalcore goes, While She Sleeps are one of the rising stars to watch. 2 solid albums already under their belt, the band continues their road to the forefront of their field with their new single off their 3rd full length album, "You Are We". Throwing in Oli Sykes of Bring Me the Horizon doesn't hurt either. 

To preorder the band's album on iTunes click the following (link). And to check out the band's tour dates go to their website. 

All Time Low - "Dirty Laundry" Single Review

All Time Low made some big changes recently. Moving from Hopeless Records to Fueled By Ramen, and then seemingly ditching their pop punk for some smooth electronic rock. It's got fans excited, confused, and most of all anxious for their upcoming album "Last Young Renegade". 

To preorder the album click this (link), and to get check dates for the band's headlining tour with SWMRS, Night Riots, Waterparks and The Wrecks go to their website. 

2017 Update

2017 has been a crazy year this far. The world around us is changing, and so are we! That's right, we're making some big changes at IBR.

Change #1 - Bimonthly featured bands. Your favorite bands will now be featured for 2 months
Change #2 - We are actively looking for new reviewers to join our ranks. If you are interested please message us via Facebook, or through our email (which is change #3!)
Change #3 - We've got a brand new email address that reflects out brand. inspiredbyreviews.IBR@gmail.com is our new email. But don't worry, we're forwarding our email from our previous account platypusreviews1486@gmail.com to our new address.
Change #4 - As of recent we haven't been posting much content, and that is due in part to our switch from Blogspot to our own website! Scheduling conflicts also plays a large part in lack of activity, but our main goal is getting ourselves a place of our own to share our content.

So please bare with us as we make these changes, and hope to see our new site in the coming months! And remember, if you would like to contribute content to our site, please message us and be patient.

Featured Post - Saosin

Unfamiliar with this band? Shame on you. If you're a fan of early 00s emo, The Used, or just looking for something to jam out to, then you should listen to this band. Saosin have a lengthy legacy, that more than suits them given their accomplishments. 

To buy their most recent album, "Along The Shadow", on iTunes click this (link). 

As It Is - "okay." Album Review

Though this has to be one of the weirdest album covers we've seen, don't judge an album by the seemingly Normal Rockwell inspired cover. A year and a half after their debut, As It Is are back on the scene with their sophomore effort, "okay.". A more mature outing for this young band, that still holds all the charm of their debut. It's "okay" and more. 

To buy "okay." on iTunes please click the following (link).

You Me at Six - "Night People" Album Review

The title track will have you thinking this album is going to be dirty, gritty, and full of soul. The album instead delivers some surprisingly mellowed out tracks. You Me at Six shift gears for this record, trying to shake things up and keep fans interested. Let's see how well they did...

To purchase the album on iTunes please click this (link).

Chasing Safety - "Nomad" Album Review

Upping the ante, Chasing Safety move from their symphonic, gothic metalcore to a more accessible hardcore sound that will have you banging your head in no time. Is the shift for the better, and what does this mean the band's future? Hopefully good things. 

To pick up the album on iTunes click the following (link).

Most Disappointing Albums of 2016

Some really are the worst, while others were just disappointments. Here, we look back at the albums that failed to impress, made us cringe, or were just plain bad. Keep in mind, we can only listen to so many albums, and take each into consideration. So if you think we missed something, comment and let us know. 

To see our "Top 10 Albums of 2016" or "Top 10 Songs of 2016" click the respective links.
Also, we note that we shy away from "mainstream" acts, so don't expect to see acts like Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth (no matter how tempting it was to include his debut on this list), or OneRepublic here.  

Quick Picks: Best Songs of 2016

The best songs, from some of the best artists, from some of the best albums. Please keep in mind, we can only listen to so many songs before our heads explode. We also shy away from "mainstream" songs, so don't expect to see things from Beyonce or the like. 


If you think we missed a song, be sure to check our honorable mentions. Leave a commend to tell us what songs you loved the most this year. To see our other Top 10s of 2016 click this (link). 

Top 10 Albums of 2016

It's always hard to nail down the best albums of the year. They're so many to consider. The list may change in the future, and we'll put a notice on the post if it does. Anyway, here are our picks for the Top 10 Albums of 2016. To read the companion post, "Top 10 Songs of 2016" click the link. 

Please keep in mind, we can only listen to so many albums. If you think we missed one, leave a comment and tell us why you think it deserves to be on the list. Also, check out Honorable Mentions list. We only consider full length albums for this list, not EPs. 

To see our "Top 10 Songs of 2016" click the following (link). And remember, we try to shy away from "mainstream" acts, so don't expect to see Queen B, David Bowie, and the like here. 

Memphis May Fire - "This Light I Hold" Review

Memphis May Fire's new album rocks, that's all that needs to be said to describe it. Pulling out new tricks, as well as some old ones to deliver an album that will go definitely appear on a few best of the year lists. 


Click this (link) to buy the album on iTunes. And be sure to catch the band on tour with The Devil Wears Prada this fall. 

**This was supposed to be posted on November 7**

Our Last Night - "Common Ground" Single Review

Taking a little bit of old, but more of the new, Our Last Night continue their progress from misunderstood metalheads to a slick, mature alt-rock group. Their newest single, "Common Ground" was released just in time for their tour with Hands Like Houses, The Color Morale, and Out Came the Wolves. 

To buy this single on iTunes click this (link). And don't forget to catch them on the "Face to Face" Tour later this month.

Youth in Revolt - "The Broken" Single Review

From the falsetto of the frontman, to the well timed screams and subtle (or not so subtle in some instances) breakdowns, Youth in Revolt definitely prove they have staying power. The proof? This single. Could we be looking at the new Sleeping with Sirens, don't rule it out Youth in Revolt might just be. 

To preorder their album,"The Broken", and get the titular single, click the following (link).

I Prevail - "Lifelines" Review

It's tough being caught in the shadow of a cover. Especially a Taylor Swift cover. But I Prevail have worked long and hard to make a name for themselves outside the realm of "cover band". Though it's safe to say that cover is always going to be looming over them as their big break.

To buy the band's album on iTunes please click this (link).

Dance Gavin Dance - "Mothership " Review

Unconventional is the best way to describe this band. Dance Gavin Dance added their names to the list of bands who owned 2016. The end of the summer saw a string of singles, and now it's time for the main event. Let's dive into their 7th album, and see what the band has to offer this time around. 

To buy the album on iTunes click the following (link).

Featured Band - Too Close To Touch

Too Close To Touch are rising higher and higher with every passing second. Their debut album seemed to be their peak, but it was just the beginning. We're pleased to feature them as our "Band of the Month". You can be sure to expect to see them featured in the near future, as no amount of words can do them justice.
Click this link to read our review of the band's latest album, "Haven't Been Myself". 

We Came as Romans - "Wasted Age" Single Review

SharpTone Records brought back the heavy We Came as Romans everyone has been asking for since their last album. Thank the rock gods! The future looks bright as they balance their alt. rock and electronic with their classic metalcore. 

To buy the new single on iTunes click the following (link). 

Too Close To Touch - "Haven't Been Myself" Review

If you only listen to one album this year, make it this album. Too Close To Touch knock this out of the park, and then some. Should NASA do another one of those "send Earth shit into space for some alien race to find" let's make sure this album is on that capsule. Words can't express how incredible this album is. TCTT set the bar high for themselves on album one, and on album two they surpass it with plenty of leeway. 

Click this (link) to buy the album on iTunes. And catch them on tour this fall with Crown the Empire. 

Featured Post - A Day to Remember

One of the pioneer's of "easycore" A Day to Remember released their 6th album, "Bad Vibrations" earlier this month. The band are in top form, and have given listeners  a strong reminder why they're a headlining act. 

Click this (link) to read our review of the band's latest album, "Bad Vibrations". To get their album on iTunes click this (link). 

A Day to Remember - "Bad Vibrations" Review

A Day to Remember's new album is finally here! Ready? Well then get ready. This album delivers on the band's promise to make this their heaviest in years. They're heading back to their humble beginnings, and cranking out that familiar gritty, grimy punk rock we all knew back in 2005. 

Click this (link) to buy "Bad Vibrations" on iTunes