New Music - Snow Patrol, Ryan Adams and Pink

Here’s this week’s New Music post. A little late, but I didn’t want to skip it, ’cause there’s been some good stuff this past week.

A Hundred Million Suns – Snow Patrol – I previewed Snow Patrol’s single “Take Back the City” a couple of week’s ago, and since then I’ve been pretty excited about the release of their new album. The band’s ubiquitous hit, “Chasing Cars” nearly drove me crazy earlier this year, but I can forgive the band’s commercial impulses, when the rest of their output is so satisfying. If you’re into soaring melodies with layered arena-filling arrangements, this album is for you. They get a little over-ambitious–the last song clocks in at 16 minutes (!!!) and is meant to be an opus of sorts. Stick to the guitar-driven Brit-pop guys, and all will be well. I like: “Take Back the City”, the driving “Please Take These Photos From My Hands” and “Disaster Button” – Amazon – iTunes

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals – Cardinology – Ryan Adams was a member of the influential alt/country band Whiskeytown, and after the group disbanded in the late 90’s, Adams moved on to a prolific solo career. His most well-known song is “When the Stars Go Blue”, a country hit for Tim McGraw. And, of course, Blake Lewis sang it for S6 country week. My romance with alt country began with–get ready–The Monkees, and Mike Nesmith, who was one of the pioneers of country rock. Ryan Adams carries on the tradition started then by artists like Nesmith and Gram Parson’s. The achingly melancholy songs explore loss in its many forms. While the single “Fix It” features steel guitar and has a decidedly countrified, other tunes like “Magik” are full on rockers while “Cobwebs” and “Crossed Out Names” have a Brit-pop feel. My faves: “Cobwebs”, “Crossed Out Names, ” the sweet country prayer, “Let Us Down Easy” and the aching piano ballad, “Stop.” – Amazon – iTunes

Funhouse – Pink – Pink is my guilty pleasure. I’ll admit it. I dig her. What could be more fun than the sh*t-kicking “So What”? Pink splits from her hubby, and rather than whining or feeling sorry for herself, she hits the town, “ready to start a fight.” Ha ha. Turn that sucker way up on my radio, please. Besides fun dance pop, (“Funhouse”), and guitar driven pop/rockers, (“Ave Mary A”), she’s got a bit of blues (the awesome “Mean”), and of course the ballads. “I Don’t Believe You, ” “Crystal Ball, ” and “Glitter, ” reveal a potent, vulnerable side that can bring a tear to your eye. I also like: “It’s All Your Fault.” – Amazon – iTunes