Odds & Ends as of Late

Nothing super important to report lately, just a few loose ends to tie or just mention, really.

Firstly, I just saw this on Pitchfork. The Kinks are releasing a box set entitled Picture Book on December 8th this year. It's 6 discs plus a 60-page booklet containing pictures, timelines, bios, etc. Looks pretty sweet, if you ask me. Though, I really don't want to see the price tag on that sucker. I think I'll just mop up the drool on my laptop and move on.

Secondly, it appears that the Fray are releasing their sophomore album, The Fray, Feb. 3rd, 2009. Why do I mention this? I was marveling at the fact that I don't really care, if that makes any sense at all. Recently it came to my attention that I didn't buy many albums this year and the reason is that I usually don't invest in a disc unless I think I might follow the band or singer in the future. Buying the kinds of albums that have less shelf life than a jug of milk only bolsters the record collection on a superficial level. Total waste of time and iPod space. When How to Save a Life came out in 2005, everybody bought it. They were plastered all over the place but when the hype died down, how many people continued to care? I sort of forgot they existed.

Thirdly, Stephen Colbert is releasing an accompanying Christmas album with his television special. I smell a new holiday favorite at the Musically Inclined.

Fourthly, I'm wondering why I haven't gotten into John Legend before. Both "Green Light" and Legend are about six kinds of cool. Happily, Legend will be on Colbert's special this Sunday.

Fifthly, is that a word? If not, it is now. The Killer's album comes out on the 25th. I'll buy it, but for some reason I'm preparing to be underwhelmed. We'll see.

Happy Friday

The Killers on SNL

I tuned into SNL tonight to see if Tina Fey would reprise her role as Sarah Palin, which she did, and to to my pleasant surprise the Killers were the musical guests. To this point I haven't heard anything off the new album, though I hear that a couple songs leaked.

I'm writing this as I watch, so they've only done one song so far, "Human," to be exact. While the feathers on Brandon Flowers' jacket are inexplicable, the song is decent. The big line is, "are we human or are we dancers?" I think it's one of those situations where they're trying hard enough to be trying too hard and the lyric runs the risk of feeling contrived.

As far as the sound, it's definitely more Hot Fuss than Sam's Town. After the reception the latter received, I'm not surprised. That's one of the funny things about the Killers, they're the subject of some serious backlash. These days they don't seem to do much for the old credibility.

While that might be the case, I don't really like the idea of abandoning a band just because of a few opinions when I still like listening to them. Life is too short to be a snob.

Ok, here's song #2. I think it might be "Spaceman." There's a faint shadow of "When You Were Young" in there somewhere under the synth and Flowers' straining voice. I really can't make a call. It was a bit unimpressive, but I seem to remember my first exposure to Sam's Town tracks also being their SNL performance. I wasn't crazy about "Bones" but it definitely grew on me.

I guess we'll have to wait for the album before making any big judgments, but so far I'm not holding my breath.

Happy Saturday night, kids.

100th Post and Other Happenings

Yay! This is officially the 100th post of The Musically Inclined. Sounds like a good reason for a party, but really the purpose of this post is a little update about things around here...just some house keeping.

1. My Chris Walla/Ultimate College Bowl article is here if you want to read what that lovable, politically concerned, vegetarian had to say. After several hours of fine crafting, I have to say, I'm pretty happy with it.

2. Totally forgot to say that the Killers album, Day and Age, comes out November 25th-- right in the prime of Christmas shopping season. This should be interesting. Look for a review at least by New Years. Hey, I've got a Christmas list too, you know.

3. Another review to look out for came about when a band called Heavy Jack gave me a  shout out a few weeks ago and sent me a copy of their album Multiply. So far so good, there's definitely skill there. So, keep an eye out for that as well.

4. I've got two more reviews for Twisted Ear on the way, Max Tundra and Juana Molina. Those were fun.

5. Lastly, even though it has nothing to do with music, TMI is quite sad about the passing of Paul Newman. Cool Hand Luke is an excellent movie. Rent it.

Well, that's all I've got for now on this fine Sunday morning. Stay tuned, kids.

Peace

*Note: Those are not my cupcakes. I do not have that kind of time.

Killer's 3rd Slated for November

TMI has gotten wind that The Killers are liking November for releasing their third album. According to Rolling Stone, the band is working with Stuart Price, the producer largely responsible for Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor. Ew. Anyway, that's about the extent of the information...no album or track titles yet, but you've got to know that as soon as they hit, TMI's going to be all over it like synth on Hot Fuss. Stay Tuned.

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.

Summer Plans?

It's been a long time, I am fully aware of that and equally bothered. Sometimes there is neither the subject matter nor the time to keep the wheels turning, but here's to hoping that this funk will end shortly. After all, Death Cab's album is coming out in May and Coldplay comes out June 17. This will be nice. Until then though, I've got no idea what will be cooking. Sure, if you Google "music news" lots comes up but I don't necessarily think that the world needs another web site with stoned pictures of Amy Winehouse or the latest American Idol speculation.

Looking at web sites that claim to have release dates and such, it seems like every other band has got something slated, if not for 2008, then for 2009. I think I'll celebrate when the band decides to release the usual cryptic announcement via their own site. As always, The Musically Inclined is playing it cool for now.

A review that you will see, though, is Shine a Light. When this baby hits theaters, you better believe I'm there. I'm also plotting an album review of Vampire Weekend sometime this summer-- not sure when, but it will happen. Also, I'll be on a quest to find some new music that is not merely trendy, but actually good. From there, anything is possible. The Musically inclined is just stoked that summer is almost here and that means unbridled blogging...and lots of popsicles, of course.

So, don't go anywhere folks, we're still kickin'.

Coldplay: I Got A Bad Feeling About This

A few days ago Coldplay announced the name of their fourth album. Viva la Vida. But then they tacked on Or Death and All His Friends.....to do what, make people take them seriously? Dudes, it's too late for that. Ever since I read about how they're changing up their sound, incorporating latin beats etc., ever since I read about how they feel as if they completed some kind of trilogy and are now moving on, I can't help but smirk. We'll see how well this works. Coldplay is Coldplay. They're not the band that delves into the self-absorbed depths of experimentation. It feels like they are forcing an evolution, the kind of evolution that only works when it comes naturally. The likely outcome here, is "much ado about nothing." Not much good has ever come out of taking yourself too seriously. I think Coldplay fans will be missing that dreamy, flighty sound that they do so well. In any case, Viva la Vida or Death and His Friends, comes out in May. I hope I'm wrong.

The Raconteurs: When Did This Happen?

Apparently The Raconteurs are releasing their second album on the 25th of this month. How the heck did this slip by? That's talent, folks...and maybe a few threats to keep the information on the d.l. In any case, the title is Consoler of the Lonely and it will contain fourteen tracks. The band told Rolling Stone "we wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception, or perception." It's an interesting idea...what if people had to make up their minds about an album or single before any of the music critics could get their reviews out? I think that there would be less music snobbery and more pure appreciation for whatever genuinely is appealing to a particular person. Maybe this way of doing things is worth a shot...The Musically Inclined certainly doesn't get any advance copies!

Death Cab Will Possess Your Ears (but possibly not your attention span)

Amid much rejoicing, I tried to listen to Death Cab's single "I Will Possess Your Heart" as soon as I realized it had been released. Not bad timing considering it was only days I go that I revisited Plans with much renewed appreciation. So...there I was on their Myspace, recognizing the riff from the video they put on their web site in December, waiting for the lyrics to kick in. After about two minutes I said to myself, "Oh. This must be the track that's nine minutes long. Right." For the record, Ben Gibbard doesn't actually start singing until four and a half minutes in and when his voice does break though it's a tad startling. The effect is a musical parting of the sea. Running time is funny because there was a day when it would have been totally unacceptable, but broken confines aside, I'm still trying to figure out if the nearly nine minutes are artful or slightly self-indulgent. Oddly, it goes by surprisingly quick. This may be because the repetition has an entrancing effect, or maybe because of its newness. The lyrics themselves aren't anything spectacular, at least nothing to be compared to the excellence of "Title Track" or "Crooked Teeth," but the music itself is pretty decent by Death Cab standards...solitary piano, solitary guitar then a blend with some other stuff thrown in for that ethereal sound which they pretty much perfected in Plans. In any case, points for making such a confident declaration. Thankfully, May is not too far away. I want to hear the rest of this business. Stay tuned.

Death Cab's Picked a Title

So according to wonderous Pitchfork, Death Cab for Cutie has finally named their upcoming album. It's called Narrow Stairs...and that's all I've got. I was hoping for a little more information, like some track titles but I suppose that they're going to trickle little morsels of info until fans have worked themselves to a froth waiting for the album. There's more to come, kids.

Death Cab for Cutie in 2008

I've got to say that 2008 is shaping up to be quite a year for new releases. Death Cab for Cutie has put a video on their web site heralding a May 2008 album. There's no word yet on a name or anything of the sort, but if the song they were playing in the video is a part of the new album-- then I'm predicting good things. The group will be in the studio in the early part of this year. It'll be their sixth album(excluding You Can Play These Songs with Chords). Stay tuned.

Jack's Back Too

Yes, I know it's been a week and you've missed me greatly. These are busy times. That aside- I was clicking around and discovered that Jack Johnson is due to release a brand new CD in Feb. 2008. Let me just say I can't wait for another helping of mellowness from the king of Hawaiian chill. I just checked back on his site and found out the name of the album is Sleep through the Static and his new single "If I Had Eyes" can be heard at BrushfireRecords.com. More to follow on that later. The single will be available on iTunes Dec. 11.

Here's to sitting, waiting, and wishing for February.

Coldplay is Back-- Missed that Memo

It drives me crazy when I think I hear something or catch the very tail end of something that I no doubt would have loved to have heard. Allow me to explain. I caught a snatch of DJ blabber the other day and it sounded a whole lot like "Coldplay...new album...almost finished." Huh? I thought they were tucking themselves away for a while, or at least I remember specifically a conversation in which a friend told me that I was right and it was true what I read in a magazine. Yeah. I'd pretty much resigned myself to the fact that Coldplay was going to be gone for a while but I have to say-- I guess it's been a quick two years. After some internet surfing I confirmed that I did in fact hear the correct mix of words, but going back to that whole "what drives me crazy" thing is that Coldplay announced back in March that they were back in the studio. Not only that but they were already hyping one particular song as the greatest song in the history of their career. Hearing artists talk up their stuff too much gets old and is flat out disappointing from these guys.

And where was I in March that this got by me? I really wish I had a good excuse for that. In fact, I seem to remember March as being fantastically boring. In any case various articles claim that they are making progress and some track titles are available. There's no release date yet and no title. Great marketing strategy. What's a bit worrisome though is that they're talking so much about their new sound and their new direction, experimentation with some latin influence. I don't know folks. A lot of people like Coldplay because they sound like Coldlay. I'm all for adventure but really it feels like they're dabbling into that potentially obnoxious self-searching, so frequently found in bands with multi-platinum egos. These guys have been cool and successful, bordering on faceless at times and it works for their music which has got that ethereal touch to it. We'll see. I best I can relay is the early part of 2008.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Tranquilized Until 2008

The Killers are definitely a favorite here at The Musically Inclined and the eminent release is much anticipated. I've already soap-boxed on the album, but I wanted to go back and take a look at "Tranquilize," the only brand new song on the album. The Vegas band teamed up with Lou Reed from the legendary Velvet Underground and the product is pretty interesting. There's a darker quality to it, the same darker quality that was perhaps a bit underdeveloped on "Bones" off Sam's Town, but nevertheless present. It still definitely sounds like the Killers, which is a relief because it feels like they are taking a natural path when it comes to the stylistic progress of their music. There's even a small strain of "Read My Mind" in the chorus.

My initial reaction was that "Tranquilize" feels like that half step between Sam's Town and where ever they're headed with their 2008 scheduled release. That's a good sign.
Based on this song I'd say that they are going to hang on to a bit of the western influence but polish it with that sleekness that was so prevalent in Hot Fuss. Plus, if they are working with Lou Reed, there's probably going to be some other element thrown in there like a twist of punk, or whatever genre The Velvet Underground could be most accurately placed under. It seems to fit initial Killers tracks along the lines of "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine," at least in my mind.

The other cool feature of "Tranquilize" is the use of a children's choir. On one hand it sounds like these youths don't belong because of that afore mentioned darker side but oddly it makes for an intriguing sound. And I can't help but imagine that those kids are going to be able to claim someday that they sang on a Killer's album. Pretty cool.

Let's hope 2008 doesn't take too long to get here.