Blog Archives
Coldplay’s Dreamscape
Your adventure of a lifetime has arrived.
Coldplay, taking charge of the Internet this morning, announced that their 7th studio album “A Head Full of Dreams” will be released to the world on December 4, 2015. And the Brits are continuing their tradition with yet another track list filled with imaginative song titles.
- A Head Full of Dreams
- Birds
- Hymn for the Weekend
- Everglow
- Adventure of a Lifetime
- Fun
- Kaleidoscope
- Army of One
- Amazing Day
- Colour Spectrum
- Up&Up
The new single sounds like Coldplay because of Chris Martin and his playful lyrics, but it doesn’t sound like Coldplay because they are taking chances with their newest song and not staying in their comfort zone Ramones-style.
These Brits have always expanded their musical vision with every record they conceptualize. Each album moves in an excitingly experimental direction.
Here’s our first glimpse into what’s been bouncing around the dreaming heads of Coldplay.
In one month, we’ll hear where this adventure will lead to…
Fly Us to the Moon (Again)
(U Discover Music)
As everyone knows by now, Frank Sinatra would have celebrated his 100th birthday Dec. 12. On Tuesday, a new addition was announced to the many celebratory projects planned.
The four-CD box set Frank Sinatra: A Voice on Air (1935-1955), due Nov. 20, will trace the singer’s evolution during that period with more than 100 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased performances.
— (USA Today)
Will the world ever see another Frank Sinatra?
Well, Michael Bublé is certainly trying.
And that’s a good thing, just like there needs to be rockers and rollers and big bands and pianos. Even outside of music, there is a firm belief that past greatness (movies, television shows, clothing, restaurants/dishes, technology or lack there of, etc.) should be replicated in the present. There is the notion that these movies or shows (as two examples) are bold indicators of the future. In some cases, this is true.
In other cases, not so much.
Hence the excitement for 20-year anniversary’s of movies (Jurassic Park) and television shows. Random reunions, official and unofficial (That ’70s Show, Friends, Frasier), remakes or series extensions (Girl Meets World, Fuller House) rejuvenate the hearts and minds of dedicated fan bases.
The fact that history repeats itself can be a beautiful thing. Regarding Sinatra, the new recordings arriving in November will again remind us of the talent and unique character of Ol’ Blue Eyes. His music and persona is iconic.
It will be fun to watch for that youngster who discovers Sinatra for the first time in a couple months and how that inspires a return in the future to the era of the impeccably dressed, cool gentleman with a style and voice that defines a generation.
And music will welcome a familiar, yet new way to entertain us for another 100 years.
Transcending Expectations
What’s the opposite of feeling like something’s new, yet with a contemporary twist?
For those who have listened to the single, “Absolution Calling” by the eternally stellar band Incubus, the question above is an appropriate adaptation (and observation) on a key lyrical phrase from the aforementioned song. Taking a bit of a hiatus, which included their iconic singer Brandon Boyd releasing a solo album, the group is thankfully back with new music. Two singles have been released, but when expectations are nearly astronomical, some time needs to pass to allow new material to mix in with their long list of iconic alternative rock hits.
And each listen proves they are still the same remarkable and innovative band, but with fresh stories to tell. In other words, they appear to be at the place any longtime fan would hope for. Their identity remains unambiguous, but with notes that offer an exciting unknown. “Absolution Calling” has produced a psychedelic vibe that’s sincerely driven by rock with peaks that stretches the creative minds of this band to the very ceiling of their studio. And still, the ceiling can be blown off and onto a Southern California beach under the stars without sacrificing quality or character whatsoever.
This next chapter, which will only involve a few new songs on “Trust Fall (Side A)”, sounds like a lost track that should’ve never been lost. It’s a genuine thrill to hear where they believe their music is after all these years and the point where they want to take off from with their fans.
It’s just very nice to know you are back Incubus.
The Wilder Mind’s Electric Belief
So open up my eyes
Tell me I’m alive
This is never gonna go our way
If I’m gonna have to guess what’s on your mind
Banjos still tightly locked in their cases, Mumford & Sons recently released their first single, “Believe” from their upcoming album Wilder Mind. Still a little less than two months from its full release date (May 4th) and the previously folk-driven British band has expanded their sound with a flurry of electric guitars and pounding drums in the purest sense.
“Believe” is a departure from their folk rock style in favor of a climbing rock ‘n roll modus operandi. The reason for delaying a reaction to this highly-anticipated single for a couple days was to give myself the time to listen to it at my desk, in my car and at home with enough patience to evaluate the song’s staying power.
Verdict: There is something special here.
One of the big questions that comes to mind is whether “Believe” will be a standalone rock hit or if this album is telling a story in a similar tone and that this is simply one chapter in a musical journey the band describes as a/the Wilder Mind? If Mumford & Sons wanted to be the next Ramones, they would’ve never put the banjos down. There’s no doubt the folk-inspiration and sound with the banjo is great and will always be fantastic. The banjo will likely return in future albums in some form, but this band is so much more than just that one unique instrument.
Believe me.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 