OK...so it's safe to agree we've established a couple of things; COREY FELDMAN is not only a veteran actor, but a recording artist, he isn't afraid to mix it up at all when it comes to his music, combining elements of pop, dance, dub, rap, funk and soul...and we know he has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to collaborations, with DOC ICE and SNOOP DOGG already featuring on the album...but for all intents and purposes, this is a concept album and this isn't over...we've had "Funkadelic"...but we still have disk two to get through; "Rockadelic". Is this the hell to disk one's heaven on "Angelic 2 The Core"? Let us pray...

We continue with "Seamless" and hold on...we've got mother-fucking Freddy-D in the house! Yes straight away we've got none other than LIMP BIZKIT's own FRED DURST lending his voice to proceedings, this is incredible! There's a huge, jazz-inspired, soulful introduction to this song but as soon as Durst opens up, the guitars kick in and you really can't help but enjoy this track...even with some questionable gang-vocals. A good start!

"Wanna Break Free" starts peacefully enough, to a degree and without the vocals you could mistake this for elevator music, but this track is a song of two halves, and with a little help from TRUTH MOVEMENT it bursts into this angry, post-grunge monster of a song. The feeling of this disk couldn't be any more opposite than it's predecessor. "Negativity" also retains some of that post-grunge feel but with a sprinkling of Nu-Metal giving it that, certain familiar early 2000's feel, while album highlight "Ya Got Me" is a decent dose of punk-inspired rock 'n' roll.

Again though, we have a couple of short-falls and for the most part, it's actually frustrating. "Baby Blue Eyes" starts off so softly, the keys so gentle and Feldman's vocal approach for the most part, tender and sincere, this could be a great soft-rock ballad, if there were just a few seconds taken off the beginning and end, the bits about daddy, and the lullaby bits...it tips the sweet scale into cringe-worthy, but it's "Remember 222" where the biggest disappointment hits you hard. For a song made in dedication and memory, to former friend and co-star COREY HAIM, it could be SO much more. It contains the soundbites from films like Lost Boys, giving the listener a fond trip down memory lane, but the song itself sounds...bad. This is the song that should have been "Baby Blue Eyes", in tone, in everything. "Mercy" has a great, soulful feel to it, there's a gospel vibe towards the songs climax and it sounds big...but...that climax...it goes on, and the song would have easily benefited from being at least a minute shorter than it is, and cropped.

​So...after everything...after a truly mesmerising arrangement of styles, genre's, ideas and collaborations...what can you say about Corey Feldman and his musical endeavours?  Well as stated previously, he is a man with a vision, a burning ambition and drive. He wants to work, he wants to create, he wants to try, be it on screen or behind the microphone. He does still act, just last year he was in SHARKNADO 3...and it's safe to say his music career is still a fledgling one, despite a handful of releases. He wont be bothering the likes of DRAKE at the top of the charts, but he IS on the Billboard, so there are people taking notice. With a little polishing, some good production, less gimmick and random concept content...he could, release a solid record. There are hints of that spread throughout these two CD's...he maybe angelic to the core but, he just has to dig a little deeper, and, as he said; Go 4 It! [5]

The Goonies...Stand By Me...The Lost Boys...Friday The 13th...I could go on. No I'm not having a nostalgia trip and mistaking this for an old movie reviews blog, no, all of these have one thing in common; COREY FELDMAN. Yes this successful former child actor made his name in the 80's in some truly memorable films, and some of the biggest cult franchises of our time, but, like most kids in Hollywood, his star faded and a lot of his work going through the 90's on wards went largely unnoticed...but that doesn't mean he disappeared. Far from it in fact, for as well as acting, Feldman also has a musical career under his belt too, releasing solo work or with his band TRUTH MOVEMENT, and 2016 see's the release of his new double album "Angelic 2 The Core". Part concept album surrounding his lady friends or, "Corey's Angels" to be precise...part tribute to childhood friend and mentor MICHAEL JACKSON...part...god knows what...let's take a listen. Did I mention is was a double album? I did? Here goes...Disk 1: "Funkadelic"

​We get going with the initial first single; "Ascension Millennium" which was originally released back in 2013 and this gives you a general idea of how this album is going to pan out over the course of the next...22 songs. It's got an overly dramatic spoken-word intro; you've got God, heavens gates opening, angels...it's like Feldman is transcending being a regular artist and this is his message to all. It's very positive and very simple; believe in yourself. Be true to yourself and you will succeed. Musically, and especially visually when you watch the video, he's very unashamed of his homage to close friend Michael Jackson...some maybe look upon this as silly, but, it was shot in one take which is impressive in it's own right.

"Lovin Lies" takes a completely different direction and actually utilises a solid, dance-anthem style beat, the use of auto-tune during the chorus segments suit this style of music and for the most part, the whole track flows, but there are parts where Feldman's vocal is too gruff, or rough even and those moments bring an otherwise decent dance-pop track down. "Everybody" features rapper DOC ICE and here we have a genuine album highlight. The beat and rhythm is smooth, Feldman's approach is far better vocally and Doc gives the track a strong, FLO RIDA summer beach vibe, it's a pleasant listen. Speaking of established rappers...the one and only SNOOP DOGG features on the new single "Go 4 It!" and here again, we find a genuinely enjoyable track. There are more dance / dub elements, the collaboration works really well but, the video could have done without more MJ reference in dancing...best listened to, not watched this one.

​Disk one isn't without it's flaws either...for example "4 Bid In Attraction" featuring KAYA JONES starts off with more angels reference to the point its just, corny, though even following this, the track itself is underwhelming in it's own way, there's a slow funk / techno feel to it and it just sounds, off...while "Duh!" is just...WELL DUH! No seriously...I can't cognitively put words to this, for that I will applaud Feldman. What has to be said here really, is that I will legitimately applaud Feldman for his vision and self belief, it's got funk, rap, dance, pop, soul and this...is just part one...where on earth is this going?...we'll find out on disk two! [TBC]

Nothing says "review this" more, than a spot of trepidation...and by that I mean, when an EPK literally opens up with; "Taking musical inspiration from so many broad and distinct outlets and squeezing it all into one neat four-piece package can sometimes be a recipe for disaster."...it's like you're trying to butter me up for something truly horrific...like someone going on Dragon's Den purely to troll (the Reverse Microwave from Haggard anyone?)...part of me even expects to be Rick-rolled...nevertheless, I continue on and discover "Translucent Fears", the debut EP from Nottingham based 4-piece THE SPECIES. Be afraid...or?

We kick off with "Aether" and we're immediately hit with a sludgy barrage of no nonsense rock 'n' roll riffs, it's fast paced and really energetic and genuinely catches your ear, before Gary Nelson chips in with his vocals and the whole thing becomes this, dark, angry indie-inspired monster. It's got the angst within its tuning, it's distortion but it's also got a melancholy to it, there's a sorry drawl in places resembling everyone from FRANZ FERDINAND to MUSE and it's an interesting start.

"Peep Show" continues on and here we have a short, scruffy dose of indie rock resembling an ARCTIC MONKEYS demo...initially at least. It becomes terribly messy in parts, wailing guitars fuel what you think is a solo, bordering on MISFITS-era dark punk and despite its brief play-time, it asks the more questions than supplies answers. "Cause And Effect" tones things down, and its here that for the most part, it all falls into place, the tone is on the verge of being creepy, as is the the same as closing track "Broken Glass"...its like...for want of a better explanation, imagine indie-rock for a haunted house attraction. It's got that extra something to it's core sound, it plays on it's darkness, it's deep and musically just has subtle spooky elements to it, allowing for an interesting listen.

When you think about the notion that, there were so many broad and distinct inspirations for this record, you can sort of see why they would prepare you in such a way. Yes there's primarily a target audience of indie-rockers but you have to give them credit, they've incorporated a touch of rock 'n' roll, a little punk pick-me-up, an old-school alt. rock darkness and they have mixed it up relatively well. The four tracks on offer could quite easily be the ALPHA stage, or BETA even depending on their goals, but this EP is clearly work in progress. They've put on solid, entertaining live shows, dangerous even...but the record you sell needs to put asses on seats at live shows...huge potential here but work in progress, this species is still evolving. [5]