Today's Pick

Veteran punk rockers Rise Against have just debuted the video for "Satellite," the the third and follow-up single to "Make it Stop" from their most recent sixth studio album "Endgame," which was released back in March of this year. The punk outfit know that without their fans, success would not be a reality. And their latest for "Satellite" takes a much less serious path.
Rise Against have never been afraid to provoke with their lyrics, and this song finds vocalist Tim McIlrath crying: "We can't feel the heat until you hold your hand over the flame and you won't find the beat until you lose yourself in it." McIlrath told Spin magazine: "For a band that has always been against popular opinion and been thrown into the world of popular music - it goes without saying our opinions will ruffle feathers."
The video, which was directed by Marc Klasfeld, is dedicated to the loyal fans that have stuck by Chicago straight-edgers Rise Against throughout their entire career. It takes a look at the band's tour from all angles on stage, backstage, and even from the fans' perspective. The band talked about the idea and inspiration behind the video saying: "We finished our new video for the song 'Satellite' and can't wait to share with you because, well, it's about you, our incredible fans! As soon as we started playing this song live this year, it was amazing to see the audience react, come alive, and go nuts. So we thought that this video should be just that, pure and simple."
The clip opens with behind-the-scenes footage of Rise Against and their life on the road. Shots display production crews setting up the stage, the band soundchecking and people waiting in line for the show to begin. The music video is done very well and I like the profile shots of fans near the end. The tribute has been in the works for some time according to the band. I've seen a lot of behind-the-scenes videos shot while the band is on tour. This is simply one of the best. It's about Rise Against and their fans, nothing more. The video’s simplicity is elegant and powerful.

JoJo is back with an all-grown-up image and music video to match. The 20 year-old songstress has just dropped the video for her love-gone-wrong lead single "Disaster," the lead single from vocal powerhouse's forthcoming comeback third album "Jumping Trains," which she says is "pop with an anger management problem - Aggressive, a little rough around the edges, little crazy. But it's met with an honest, transparent vulnerability."
JoJo has traveled a long and winding road since releasing her sophomore album in 2006, but she's finally ready to step back up to the plate. Musically, "Disaster" is a mid-tempo pop ballad with R&B and pop rock influences. Another acoustic pop driven and break-up themed song, which the protagonist reflects on a relationship and wondering how it became a "disaster." It is such a powerful tune, cleverly structured, where Jojo slays vocally and lyrics narrates a 'relationship coming to an end' story flawlessly.
The singer revealed a new, more rock-based sound on the track and some fierce eyeliner. JoJo explained to AOL Music that the song tackles the perils of a disastrous relationship. "'Disaster' is basically about how sometimes you get so deep into a relationship that kind of takes a turn for the worst, and it gets progressively horrifying and real disastrous," she explained. "Whether it be emotional abuse or another type of abuse, it's like, 'How did I end up in this storm?' So it's an emotional record, but it's definitely resilient in the end."
"The [video] concept is, I wanted to show young, crazy love and how passionate it can be - how you get wrapped up in it, and it's awesome and it's fun and sexy," JoJo told us recently. The 'young, destructive love' theme clip was directed by Benny Boom depicts all-growed-up JoJo gains the strength to walk away from her dangerous biker boyfriend, played by British actor Rafi Gavron before any real damage is done. While the video sounds like a bit of a bummer, it's an anthem to stay strong during a bad breakup. Things may not always be perfect, but they will always get better - just like JoJo's voice.

Canadian rock band Nickelback have premiered the official music video for "When We Stand Together," the lead single from their upcoming seventh studio album "Here and Now," in stores on November 21. The follow-up to 2008's multi-platinum effort "Dark Horse," was recorded in Mountain View Studios in Vancouver and saw the band themselves acting as producers. Directed by Justin Francis, the hairy rockers' new video finds them rockin' out in a field, and made its debut on Big Morning Buzz Live on VH1 channel.
Thanks to their omnipresent No.1 song, "How You Remind Me," Nickelback became the leader of the post-grunge generation in 2001, carrying a heavy tendency towards straight-ahead, hard rock. Now, a decade later, we know that while Nickelback can be raw and raunchy, there's also an unpredictably sentimental slant in frontman Chad Kroeger and the band's music, and it ranges from heart-pouring power ballads to songs about poverty and helping the greater good. "When We Stand Together," falls into the latter category, as it strives to raise awareness about world poverty and war.
The Nickelback quartet's new pop song shows a lighter, more emotional side of the band. With swelling, warm guitars, it sounds touching and tugs at the heart strings. After a catchy blend of drums, guitars and keys starts off the ballad, Kroeger's gruff vocals step in, pleading, "One more depending on a prayer, and we all look away, people pretending everywhere, it's just another day. There's bullets flying through the air, and they still carry one. We watch it happen over there, and then just turn it off." Apparently, Nickelback address the problems of the world in "When We Stand Together."
Fitting for a song that finds Nickelback's emotional breadth opening up, the guys experiment with some new flourishes here, adding in pianos and keyboards. They also sound a bit lighter than usual, bringing some relief from the heavy guitars upon which Nickelback were built. All of this makes for a more varied Nickelback song. Despite its somewhat gloomy subject matter, the song is very upbeat musically, with more beats per minute than the typical Nickelback song. Foot-stomping drums and a lively acoustic guitar give the song a definite kick as Kroeger sings about public indifference to societal ills.

Jason DeRülo has just unleashed a music video to support his latest dance track "Breathing," the third promotional cut taken from his sophomore set "Future History," which he once said, "People talk about the second album pressures all the time, but when you're writing your own material I think the pressures go away." The singer called the album the "greatest accomplishment in my life right now." The "Watcha Say" hitmaker is coping with a heartbreak and he visualizes it in his dark video.
Surprisingly, this video was quite engaging for a Dance/Pop release and thanks to clever vocal production, his voice sounded great. DeRülo once said: "There's a song on album called 'Breathing' where a lot of influences took part: African chants, Euro-dance, rock guitar and bits that you can't even hear on the finished version." He continued: "That song means a lot to me as it's serious and heartfelt, but the melody is the exact opposite. It's about my cousin, who recently passed away."
The 22-year-old Miami native explained why he made such an uptempo song about his cousin's death: "It's partly about my cousin's passing and partly about a relationship I was in. It has a positive-negative vibe to it. If you're going through something you don't have to dwell in it. You can pick yourself up and that was the thought process behind writing this song and during the recording process, during the writing process it was pretty emotional and pretty rough for me. I was actually in tears when I was making the record."
DeRülo brought back director Colin Tilley for "Breathing" video, and exposes his inner turmoil so thoroughly in the video he's practically iridescent. He's stuck in an old chair surrounded by cobwebs singing about his lost love. When he reaches the climactic yell of the chorus, stretching out the word "breathing" for several seconds, he starts twitching and finally jumps out of his chair and shows off seizure-stimulated moves to the rhythm of the tribal-sounding music. Well produced and a far cry from the cliche ridden affairs that have been his previous efforts, the song and the video are impressive from start to finish.

Matt Cardle has unveiled the video to promote the latest tune "Starlight," the second cut to be lifted from from the 2010 X-Factor winner's debut record "Letters," which is described as a collection of guitar riffed and string sectioned smashes, "reminiscent of Snow Patrol's biggest hits." Following his singles "When We Collide," and first single proper "Run For Your Life," the new track "Starlight" will hits shelves on December 5th.
Gary Barlow may have penned "Run For Your Life," but Cardle gives the take that mastermind a run for his money with this stunning album opener. "Starlight" is far and away the best track on the set, and an euphoric pop tune, which he described to The Sun as "a depressing happy song about the insignificance of everything." Discussing "Starlight" as the lead song on the album, Cardle said: "It's a banging tune. "We wanted to open up with something that was edgy, something that was strong. Something that wasn't X Factor."
The 28-year-old's first single "Run For Your Life" was a bit of a disappointment but I think "Starlight" will end up doing much better for him. Cardle co-penned the pop-rock track with guitarist Seton Daunt, who is the lead guitarist for the British rock band Fiction Plane, along with Spice Girls collaborator Richard "Biff" Stannard, and Ash Howes, whose other credits include tracks recorded by Westlife and Kylie Minogue. Cardle may not have the most welcoming personality but there is no doubt the man can sing.
The video for "Starlight" showing us loads of Cardle fans eager to get a glimpse of him sans hat marching down streets with what can only be described as furious passion. It's as if Greggs are giving away free cake. Now, with X Factor fever in full swing once again, Cardle releases his debut album, "Letters." But can the guitar-weilding reality show winner keep up with his younger rivals, who have already scored No.1 singles in 2011? "Starlight" is pounding slice of epic, guitar-led pop music which is a dead cert for Cardle's next single and the album's most uplifting moment.

Yellowcard have unveiled a brand new music video on MTV for their song, "Sing For Me," which is one of the most touching songs on band's stellar comeback full-length, "When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes," which marked the band's reunion after a four year hiatus. With positive and heart warming messages, the video featuring real-life stories from real people talking about their real situations.
Yellowcard knows how to write a catchy tune and win critics' hearts, so what to do with all of the attention? Make sure the message matters. The song was written from the perspective of Key's terminally ill aunt Stephanie, who passed away earlier this year from brain cancer. Florida punk-pop quintet showcases their motivational and inspirational side in this new video for "Sing For Me." The group intersperses footage of the band with a cavalcade of motivational aphorisms and messages from those who have seemingly overcame difficult obstacles. The sentiment is truly inspiring.
The band's frontman Ryan Key turned a personal struggle into inspiration, gathering an army of survivors along the way and passing on warm and fuzzies to the rest of us. It may seem cryptic until you learn the song's backstory: "About a year and a half ago, I found out that my Aunt Stephanie was diagnosed with brain cancer. She has been a positive force for me throughout my entire life," Key told MTV. "We were working on material for 'When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes' when I received this news, so I knew it was something I wanted to write about. The idea for the video came completely from our director, Robby Starbuck. It was perfect."
Yellowcard highlight Post Secret-like confessionals in "Sing For Me" video. Confessions run from personal anecdotes and testimonies of survival to admitted vulnerabilities and the simple thanks for people and things. Even the band gets involved, holding up their own note cards in memory of lost loved ones and in dedication to those that give strength. The effect does not go unnoticed in relation to the song's overall message to "follow your heart" and to not "second guess the note you're on." It's a beautifully orchestrated and emotionally invested song, and the video's seriously a heartfelt. Key took time out to give us the lowdown on how it came about.

It's not just a rumor anymore. Punk rock band We Are The In Crowd finally released a video for their first single "Rumor Mill," taken from the band's latest record, "Best Intentions," which came out in early October via Hopeless Records. Filmed in the former Linda Vista Community Hospital in L.A. the video features performances shots of the band in peak form. They go down the list of good deeds gone wrong, and fortunately, despite a busted foot and top-down muddiness, all's well that ends well and they rock out pretty hard in that dingy basement.
A few weeks ago, the band finished recording their debut full-length. Describing the album, vocalist Taylor Jardine told Friends or Enemies, "You can expect more dynamics for sure. On the EP, we only had so much room. Now with 10 songs, you'll hear [everything from] fast pop-punk vibes to ballads. We also dug a little deeper into our personal lives lyrically this time around." "Rumor Mill," is a lighthearted, poppy, guitar heavy song with a catchy hook. It goes at a frantic pace and the video matches it, as the pop punk band kids suffering for their attempts at doing the right thing.
There's the splashed-with-mud snafu, the classic "old lady mistakes your altruistic assistance for a mugging" situation, and something involving a cat, a tree and a hard fall. But no one's as stuck as Jardine, who's literally trapped in an elevator but still finds time to showcase her pitch-perfect powerhouse vocals, which sound better than ever backed by Jordan Eckes, Cameron Hurley and Mike Ferri who crank out some finely synthesized power-pop chords and Rob Chianelli, who adds some expert drum fills and flairs.
The "Rumor Mill" video, directed by Kevin McVey, isn't just a series of misfortunes. In the video, the band faces the judgements of people who see them as typical rebellious teenagers. But, in the end, your friends are the ones who know the truth about you, and that is all that really matters. "Everytime I turn my back I wonder what you'll say to make me sound like someone different. It's not worth it anymore." In most situations, rumors speak louder than words. At times, they can become a force we can not control. But we all fight threw it, making those people regret ever thinking of us as someone we never were.