I couldn’t sleep last night as I was in the enthralls of a particularly stubborn sinus infection so I was begrudgingly flipping through late night television when I came across Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. I’m not a fan of Jimmy Fallon (his incessantly shifty and nervous behavior causes me anxiety) but I stopped channel surfing due to finger fatigue and found myself struck by the originality and authenticity of Joanna Newsom’s performance. I made a mental note this afternoon to see if last night’s over the counter drug binge (resulting in a semi-hallucinogenic state) temporarily clouded my musical palate. Definitely unique…Joanna’s latest album, Have One On Me, hit stores on February 23, 2010.
A great way to discover new music is to start with a band/album you enjoy and utilize Amazon’s user purchase trend data to follow what folks worldwide are listening to that dig similar music. I came across New York-based The Bravery via this method and have thoroughly enjoyed listening to their discography’s Punk/New Age blend over the past few weeks. Their latest album, Stir The Blood, dropped on December 1, 2009.
The Sterephonics’ last few albums have been hit or miss but the bands’ seventh album (titled Keep Calm and Carry On, released on November 16, 2009) sees them back at the top of their game again. The album’s debut single was Innocent (see first video below). The second single from the album, Could You Be The One?, will be released on February 15, 2010 (see second video below from Later…with Jools Holland):
Bono, Edge, Jay-Z and Rhianna performing Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) live at “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” hosted by George Clooney, Wyclef Jean, and Anderson Cooper to raise funds for earthquake relief. Too bad Bono’s microphone volume was too low during chorus.
Added U2 Concert Album to?Picasa Web Albums. I have been a dedicated U2 fan since the early 90’s when I got into Achtung Baby so this mini-review is more than a little biased. I caught U2 live in Toronto during the PopMart Tour in 1997 but, due to varying circumstance, regret not being able to attend their last few tours. There was a lot of fuss in the media with regards to the 360? stage concept and it’s been widely reported that U2 won’t break even on this tour until mid-2010 which, if nothing else, demonstrates their commitment to putting on a good show (and /or poor business sense). However, in my opinion, the 360? stage with all it’s bells and whistles, was a silent partner in the overall production and did not distract from the music. All in all, it was a great show that Lisa and I will remember for years to come. Below is some video footage we took of the concert.
Part I: U2 hitting the stage with Kingdom of Your Love (rumoured to be on potential U2 2010 summer album called “Songs of Ascent”) then breaking into Breathe off New Line on the Horizon (released February, 2009).
Part II: U2 finishing up Get On Your Boots from No Line on the Horizon (released February, 2009). Incidentally, this song was the lead single for the album (to mixed reviews) but it broke through in the 5 year-old demographic as Natalie was running around the house singing “let me in the sound” for a few weeks.
Part III: Bono injecting some “Torontoisms” into the concert between Magnificent and Beautiful Day.
Part IV: Arguably, one of the most fun parts of the show (for band and audience alike) with remix of I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.
I bumbled across Carolina Liar on Amazon the other night and enjoyed “I’m Not Over” off their debut album Coming To Terms (2008) so I grabbed the entire album and it’s a good listen.
I’m a self-confessed U2 fanatic so it was only logical that the first thing I did this morning was hop on my computer to hunt down the new U2 single Get On Your Boots that dropped overnight (for folks in North America) on Dave Fanning’sradio show.?Get On Your Boots is the lead single from U2’s twelfth?studio album, No Line On The Horizon which comes out on March 2/3 (depending on where you live). Somewhat different sonically and lyrically…
After listening to virtually any?Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC for short) track, you’ll get over their name (comes from 1953 outlaw biker film The Wild One starring Marlon Brando). Formed in 1998, BRMC hail from San Francisco, California, BRMC’s first two albums (B.R.M.C. [2001] and Take Them On, On Your Own [2003]) were inspired by classic rock while their third album (Howl [2005]) was a throwback to their folk revival roots. Baby 81 [2007] is their latest album and sees them back into classic rock. On November 1, 2008 BRMC independently released?The Effects of 333 which is comprised of completely instrumental arrangements.?Check out Baby 81 – Sneak Peek for an additional video sound byte.
The Killers are an American post-punk band who are scheduled to release their fourth studio album (Day & Age) on November 25, 2008. Human is the first single.?Spaceman was leaked and is being touted as the second single (unconfirmed).
