What? Do you think I spend all of
my time compiling playlists of old songs?
Well, here is some relatively new music that I’m really excited
about. Yes, there is too much to cover
with a list of seven songs, and I’ll get to some more, but these are artists
that I follow preeminently. Concert
season is coming and most of these bands are going out on tour to showcase
their new music—I can’t wait!
Playlist for New Music Vol.1
1. Lacuna Coil – “Trip the
Darkness”(2011)
I’ve been following this band
since 2004 and am excited about the new release. They have been compared to Evanescence, but these Italian
Goth Rockers have been around since 1994.
The Album, “Dark Adrenaline,” has all of the ethereal dark
existential rock that you would expect in an empty spiral existence, but forge
ahead in the madness of life. They are
not afraid to put their heart and soul into the music, as well as vampiric
blood, cold sweat, and acrid tears. Cristina
Scabbia and Andrea Ferro create a vocal dichotomy that mixes melody
and dissonance into perfect harmony.
This band brings life illusions into crystal clear focus.
Official Video Release: October
17, 2011
US Release of Album:
January 23, 2012 by Century Media
Previous CD Review: Karmacode
Previous Concert Review: Lacuna Coil gets swamped
Previous Interview: Ozzfest2004 Interview
2. The Ting Tings – “Hang It
Up”(2011)
A friend of mine, from my
corporate job, introduced me to this group while she was on holiday a few years
ago. Back then, The Ting Tings were playing in a little Irish pub, which was
packed to the gills, and now they are doing festivals all over the world. The sophomore release, “Sounds from
Nowheresville,”(2012) is funkier, harder and infused with electricity than
their debut, “We Started Nothing.”(2008) With lyrics like, “Live up
tricks when you don't have a thing. Live like a hippy if you wanna be king.
People say is not worth the wait. Everybody loves somebody to hate,” Katie
White’s vocals have a playful banter like a little girl playing hopscotch
and throwing rocks at you in between hops.
Don’t piss her off—buy the record.
Official Video Release: October
2011
US Release of Album:
February 24, 2012 by Columbia Records
3. Our Lady Peace – “Heavyweight”(2012)
Our Lady Peace’s music comes
across like real life exorcisms of societal demise. Their anarchistic approach to music brings into view the
disparity of life and challenges you to address your own issues. With their new album, “Curve,” they
sculpt sonic stories that drag you in and pull no punches. Raine Maida’s atonal vocals (this is
a good thing) catch your ear so that the lyrics become more prevalent in your
psyche. This is not background music,
but a journey of the mind. Not many
contemporary groups can rock out and make you think, which makes their art
superb.
Official Video Release:
US Release of Album: April
3, 2012 by Warner Music
Previous CD Review: Healthy In ParanoidTimes
Previous Concert Review: Disturbing the"Peace"
4. Carrie Underwood – “Good
Girl”(2012)
Carrie rocks a little on this
song, though her country roots still show.
“Blown Away,” tackles a variety of emotional topics, including
abuse, infidelity, revenge and regret.
She shines brightly on this release and will no doubt add some more
awards to her repertoire. She has come
a long way from the fourth season of American Idol.
Official Video Release: February
24, 2012
US Release of Album: May
1, 2012 by Arista Nashville, 19 Recordings
5. Garbage – “Blood for
Poppies”(2012)
Even though I liked the show Terminator:
The Sarah Connor Chronicles, I am glad that the series was cancelled, so
that Shirley Manson could get back to what she does best. Yes, she was great on the show, but I missed
Garbage and am glad that they are back with a vengeance. “Not Your Kind of People” is released
on the band's own independent label, and showcases an artistic freedom that
many major record labels would stifle.
Manson’s Macabre and sensual lyrics rail against sinister guitar riffs
and danceable drum beats. They are
their own contradiction, but they are my kind of people.
Official Video Release: April
12, 2012
US Release of Album: May
14, 2012 by STUNVOLUME
Previous Concert Review: Madison Garbageloved in Chicago
6. Metric – “Youth Without
Youth”(2012)
This song is a scathing
commentary on today’s youth, and yet Emily Haines is playing her own
game. This slow groove song has all of
the intimidation of Metric’s music and has multi-layers of irony and shock
interwoven in its fabric. I live with
my own contradictions by fully embracing today’s technology and yet I long for
those days when I played kick-the-Can on a gravel parking lot behind. With a generation that grew up with the
Internet, they tune in by remote deviate from schoolyard play. Adult difficulties can be mitigated by the
simplest of things. It’s easy to get
too ahead of yourself in today’s society—we grow up too quickly.
Official Video Release: May
1, 2012
US Release of Album: June
12, 2012 by Metric Music International
Previous CD Review: Fantasies
Previous Concert Review: Metric– There's no right, there's no wrong, there's only popular opinion.
7. Sara Bareilles – “Stay”(2012)
Since I can’t find a proper video
for this song, this live version, taken from her concert April 21, 2012 at the
Wisconsin Union Theater, completely blows me away. Damn—this girl can ‘sang’!
This song is on her forthcoming EP, “Once Upon Another Time,” and
is slated for release on May 22nd. However, in celebration of Record Store Day
(April 21), you can get a limited edition 7-inch vinyl record, which features “Stay”
and the exclusive track “Beautiful Girl.” For a girl that doesn’t like writing “Love Song(s),” she seems have a few
of them in her repertoire. Sara keeps
busy by touring (and avoiding injury: IndianapolisStage Collapse) her second album “Kaleidoscope Heart”(2010),
appearing on the NBC television series The Sing-Off as a
celebrity judge, and collaborating with artists like Ingrid Michaelson, Jon
McLaughlin, Ben Folds, and Seth MacFarlane. When does this
girl have time?
Official Video Release: TBA
US Release of EP: May 22,
2012 by Epic
Previous CD Review: LittleVoice
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