The Seven Song Itch - New Music Vol.1

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

The Seven Song Itch - Soul Searching Songs

In the midst of trying to accomplish something in life, I wonder if all of the effort I’m going though is worth the outcome?  Should I give up on the long-term objective and settle for the short-term goal?  Settling into something is not the same as settling down.  The latter implies that all of the peaks have been passed and you are on the windward side of the mountain.  But what really is settling down?  Is it giving up on goals, hopes, or dreams?  My go to band in the midst of melancholy is SheDaisy.  I know this sounds odd, but hear me out.  I was listening to one of their songs ("5 4 3 2 Run") the other night and a lyric struck me, “There’s more to life than just takin’ up space.”  Wikipedia defines Introspection as “the self-observation and reporting of conscious inner thoughts, desires and sensations. It is a conscious and purposive process relying on thinking, reasoning, and examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and, in more spiritual cases, one's soul.”  This song has always given me perspective in that life doesn’t always have to be heavy, and there are moments when it should be fun.  But can I relate to other introspective songs, even though they may be heavy, and find some sort of resolve in my life without going all emo?  The answer is yes, because I get perspective from the music in my life. Listening to the same selection of songs, or genre, for me, seems limiting because I can learn from the diverse musical landscape.  I find connections in music and discover that I’m not as different as somebody else and maybe their situation can give me perspective.  Searching your soul is a good thing, but remember that you have a physical presence as well, and it’s about time to go out there and feel the warmth of each other, just not in a perverted way, unless you have permission of the other party or parties.

Playlist of Soul SearchingSongs

1. Natalie Merchant-“Carnival”(1995)

When I moved to Chicago, this was the song that carried me from academic meandering to city dwelling.  It took me several years to discover this song's importance to my life.  At first, I thought it was transition from an acrimonious existence to chaotic indifference.  It now feels like the need for exploration, for it's own sake, has a cost that takes away the innocence of discovery and puts the burden of being self aware upon your psyche.  I've seen two many friends destroyed by their own revelations and wish for amnesic resolve.  A gift I sometimes wish I could afford.

2. Dixie Chicks–“Wide Open Spaces”(1998)

Taking that first step out into the wilderness can be very daunting, but it’s a move that you should make.  Life keeps moving forward, even though we may want the world to stop so that we can catch our breath.  Though daunting, new experiences can be exhilarating and you can discover new things about yourself.  I’m not saying that we learn these life lessons because I see situations repeat themselves.

3. Stacie Orrico – “(There's Gotta Be) More to Life”(2003)

In the midst of attaining some sort of success in my life, this song really struck me.  I had corporate job and was financially successful, and yet I still felt empty inside.  I stockpiled material things in the hopes of Keeping up with the Joneses.  When it all crashed down around me, it was those material things that became a burden and the maintenance cost was more than I could bear.  I began to wonder, is this all that there is in life?  This song made me seek out the answers.  I don’t have them yet, but I feel like I’m upon the path to finding happiness.

4. Chantal Kreviazuk-“Invincible”(2009)

It’s really easy to get turned around in this life, but what makes things bearable is to have a partner in crime.  Sometimes you just have to laugh at the insanity that comes your way, and it’s better when you have a kindred spirit along for the ride.  Taking solace in someone is sometimes the only solution to an insolvable situation.  Perspective and a good sense of humor heals a suffering soul.

5. Our Lady Peace-“Innocent”(2002)

Oh how we ponder our problems, and everyone has them regardless of status or situation.  What we have to realize is that difficulties happen to you, not because of you.  I don’t know how many times that I’ve focused on my life as a failure, instead of the failures in my life, because when I view it in this light, I also have to factor in the successes I’ve had as well.  Life is just a ride and there will be high and low points, but you have to remember that not everything is meant to drag you down.  “One day, you’ll stand up on your own,” is a lyric that I think goes to the heart of the matter.

6. Switchfoot-“The Setting Sun” (2005)

If I had to come up with a list of my favorite albums, which would not be easy, a sure selection that would make the list is this band’s “Nothing Is Sound,” record.  The collection of songs, including this one, has a great wide-open sound that just revels in power cords and larger than life lyrics.  I really feel alive when I listen to this song.  It’s a heavier album than their previous releases.

7. Green Day-“Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”(1997)

For what it’s worth, this song is worth a spin.  Yes, it’s cliché and has been played at more commencement parties than I care to think about, but I think its simple message is profound.  It’s easy to get caught up in the events of the day and we sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses.  I like this band, they seem to get it, and are more punk than I’m willing to acknowledge, but there it is anyway.