Who knew?

The other day I saw this story come up on my Rolling Stone news feed. 3 Doors Down's new album hit no. 1. Seriously. I did not see this coming, in fact I wasn't completely sure they were together anymore. The fact is that in my mind, 3 Doors Down is one more blah bland, the perfect example of weak 90s "rock," barely hanging on to the fading strains of "Kryptonite." No where have I witnessed the anticipation that has accompanied Death Cab or Coldplay. I didn't even know they'd been working on an album. When was the last time anyone was heard talking about this band? When was the last time anyone was seen in one of their concert t's? I don't mean to sound snobby, but boy does this feel like it came out of left field. Even crazier is that this is their second consecutive album to debut at no. 1. Right now the Musically Inclined is a mix of flabbergasted and disgusted. Honestly, they're just not very good-- better than Creed, less nauseating than Third Eye Blind, but that's where the compliments end. They're weak and the only thing worse than a rock band being weak, is a rock fan who will buy that album. Hey, if they can sell any albums these days, kudos...but don't expect TMI to be happy about it.

Incomparable Cool: Coldplay & iTunes

The Musically Inclined isn't too big on posting video for the sake of maintaining clean aesthetics, but this iTunes commercial for Viva La Vida cannot be denied. Enjoy.

Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs

The waiting finally ended and merely a week ago, Narrow Stairs hit shelves just in time to get the summer off to a good start. The verdict is simple. It's a good album. Death Cab has created another finely crafted piece of work with real depth and dimension. Take the third track, for example. "No Sunlight" is a relatively bouncy, up tempo song that has a lightness to it which is completely ironic in context of the lyrics which speak of the death of idealism and optimism. They're keeping us on our toes. Normally brooding wears thin on me, which could be problematic for Death Cab fan like me, but what saves them is that most of these songs are at least mid tempo...plus they've perfected what I call, "dark but pretty." They possess a certain grace.

An interesting aspect of this album is that Ben Gibbard wrote most of it at Big Sur, channeling Jack Kerouac. "Bixby Canyon Bridge" is the most obvious tip of the hat to the country-crossing scribe and full time mad man. With regards to the song, it's probably one of the best on the album-- clear, hauntingly descriptive, with Gibbard's voice sounding like it's straddling worlds-- his and Kerouac's. There's also a distinct flavor of California in the arrngements. Rocking the retro vibe, "You Can Do Better Than Me" is oddly amusing with that same juxtaposition of more serious material with a lighter presentation. Other great tracks include the apocalyptic "Grapevine Fires" and "The Ice Was Getting Thinner."

I wasn't grabbed as quickly as I was by Plans but there's no doubt that this is a solid album that grows on you. Death Cab doesn't tell happy tales but they don't drag you down either. It's an enjoyable album to listen to and I think that's an often underestimated quality. Look's like Death Cab's done it again, kids.

The Weepies: "Hideaway"

Paste Magazine recently did an article on a folk duo by the name of the Weepies and their happy fusion into a group and a couple. They made it sound rosy, two people (Deb Talan and Steve Tannen-- try keeping that straight) blissfully making music out in Topanga, CA. with an obnoxious sense of amazement as to how they found each other. Naturally I figured there was a high likelihood it was crap.

I'm glad to say, that at least for two songs I've heard, this is not the case. Specifically though, there's "Hideway," the title track off their April release. It's a simple song with a catchy little hook. Sometimes that's all you need. Talan sings lead and sounds like Amy LeVere, but to a lesser degree. The song is a pleasant, self-contained jaunt that accomplishes what it sets out to do and wraps up without any loose ends. The Weepies are definitely worth checking out. Plus, they've got a smiling whale on the cover of the album. That's pretty cool.

Also listen to: "Antartica"

Thrill on Violet Hill

Ok, well maybe not "thrill" exactly, but to be concise, "Violet Hill" is a solid song. For all the talk of changing their sound and breaking away from the "trilogy" of the first three albums, it's really not that much of a departure. Granted, it's got a little tougher edge...but it's Coldplay. That's not hard to do. Beneath the smidgen of distortion and spattering of crashing guitar, the band's core sound is still there. Overall, this feels like a promising progression and I hope the rest of the album follows suit. Plus, the chorus offers sound advice "if you love me, won't you let me know." Coldplay, The Musically Inclined loves you.

Peace, kids.