READ: Soft Rock Renegade turns one year old

One year ago today, I made the first post on this blog. Running a blog that archives music from West Virginia was something I always wanted to do, but I'm a little surprised I have kept it up for a year. It wouldn't have happened without the support and encouragement of those who read SRR, submit material and send me comments. It makes me realize I'm spending time on something people enjoy. Appropriately on the day after Thanksgiving, I say, Thanks.

To celebrate the one year anniversary the best I can from my bed at home, I am reposting the Top 5 most downloaded albums posted to the blog. (And apologies for the cheesy image at the top. Thank Google.) Please take some time and go back through the last year of posts and check out some of the material that is on here. There are so many good bands, albums available for download, videos and more. I hope to be doing this for another year.

Top 5 Most Downloaded Albums on Soft Rock Renegade:

1. A Radio With Guts - Beat Heart Sweet Stereo

2. Lincoln - Discography

3. Meuwl - Soooooo Hot Right Now

4. Complete Strangers - Complete Strangers

5. Dirt Bear - Bear It All

DOWNLOAD: A Radio With Guts - Beat Heart Sweet Stereo

A Radio With Guts is best known as Brandon Tussey's band after the break-up of Connie Dungs. ARWG is a continuation of the direction Connie Dungs was taking with their final record Eternal Bad Luck Charm. Like a Charles Bukowski poem - from which the band's name is taken - 2003's Beat Heart Sweat Stereo is the product of booze and heartbreak. The music is poppy yet melancholic - not unlike Leatherface, Dillinger 4 or Samiam. Brandon's vocals are from the throat of someone who may often have a cigarette in one hand and a bottle in the other - not unlike Frankie Stubbs or Bukowski. And the lyrics are about such aforementioned products - whiskey, women, tragedy, Bukowski. (The band is from the Ashland, Kentucky-Ohio River-Tri-state area, of course they're miserable.)

In a genre hijacked by contrived desperation and hopelessness, A Radio With Guts offer a harsh reality of emotions while playing enjoyable, catchy pop punk songs without even hinting at over-production. This record comes highly recommended.

Artist: A Radio With Guts.

Album: Beat Heart Sweet Stereo.

Year: 2003.

For Fans Of: Leatherface, Dillinger 4, Samiam.

* DOWNLOAD: A Radio With Guts - Beat Heart Sweet Stereo.

* This record is still available via mp3 for purchase, so if you like it, buy it.