New Music – Snow Patrol, Ryan Adams and Pink

By On 11/02/2008 · 9 Comments · In Uncategorized

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

What are you listening to this week?

Videos after the JUMP…

Snow Patrol – Take Back the City

Ryan Adams – Fix It – Letterman

Pink – So What

 
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  • Jlyn

    MJ, I’m with you on Pink. I love the new album. I woke up this morning with Bad Influence playing in my head, what a fun song. In fact I’m kind of surprised that it’s not the next single. I see Please Don’t Leave Me going up the charts. I like it, but if they wanted to go in a ballad direction I thought there were better songs. Sober -her ode to the TMZ party girls – would have been my pick. Pink has a unique ability to be fun and just a little heart breaking at the same time. There are very few artists out there who can pull that off. Crystal Ball, with just the guitar and her voice is lovely. And of course, So What just kicks ass. One day, when I couldn’t take the Doodlebops for one more minute I put on my music in the car. It took one listen for my daughter to end up dancing around the house yelling “So what, I’m still a rock star, and I don’t need you.” Sometimes a song can be too catchy.

  • sunchick

    Ryan Adams is, IMO, one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. Touch, Feel, Lose just hits me like a punch to the gut every time. Ah, Gold, that album never gets old. Seems that settling down with the Cardinals has grounded Ryan in a big way. My favorites from this album are Magik and Cobwebs. For now.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    I heart Pink, too. She kicks all kinds of ass. “So What” is a definite ear worm. Girl Power. LOL! I also love that she doesn’t shy away from topics like making fun of other pop tarts, like in Stupid Girl or her super emotional open letter to the President. Agree with her or not, the girl has heart.

    I haven’t listened to Ryan Adams new one yet, but if the video posted of “Fix It” above is any indication, I’d say he’s really strayed from his alt country roots, but not abandoned them. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Besides, I think Johnny Cash invented punk rock, so what do I know? ;-)

    Also haven’t checked out the new Snow Patrol. I find them pleasant when they come on my AAA station, but I don’t own their stuff. I”ll check it out on Rhapsody.

    Thanks again, MJ! You rock for doing this thread.

  • Michelle

    Hum, I’ll definitely have to check out the new Snow Patrol. Thanks for the reviews MJ!

    Gotta love Pink, she’s got spirit :)

    This is kind of embarrassing but two new songs I really like, I discovered tonight thanks to the Gears of War 2 ad that played during the Colts/Pats game:

    -Mad World by Gary Jules & Michael Andrews: cover of a Tears of Fears 80s song, redone as a slow haunting piano/vocal piece.
    -How It Ends by Devotchka: an epic 7 min piece of the same flavor as above.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Michelle, Mad World by Gary Jules is love. :) I agree.

  • Jlyn

    I checked out Snow Patrol. I liked them so much I downloaded the album. Great workout music. Thanks for this thread. I have been feeling more than a little embarrassed that most of my new music this year can be traced back to Nigel Lythgoe. (AI &SYYTYCD)

  • CathyMK

    I’m loving the new Snow Patrol album this week. Pink is growing on me, though I can only take so much synth pop.

    I’ve also been listening to Honeyhoney, who have the free video on iTunes this week. (I’ve had really good luck with the iTunes freebies lately.) The song in the video, Little Toy Gun, is fantastic and loads of fun. They’re signed to Keifer Sutherland’s label (guess he found something to amuse himself during 24′s year-long hiatus!), and he does a cameo in the video. Their album is pretty good too, though some of the songs are too slow for my taste, there are a few upbeat numbers that are similar to Little Toy Gun. Their style is sort of indescribable for me- maybe sort of jazzy/country/rockabilly/surf-inspired? They describe themselves as folk-rock/jazz/bluegrass.

    Little Toy Gun-

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3YmaADISlo

    http://www.myspace.com/honeyhoneyband

  • elisad

    Snow Patrol’s album cover is beautiful! And the album itself is great too. I’m a huge Pink fan, love her to death, love her tours, love I’m Not Dead. But the new album is just so bland to me the only song I like is Funhouse.

  • hardkandy

    I’ve been listening to lots and lots and LOTS of Lady GaGa. My favorite song from her is without a doubt, Papa-Paparazzi! =)

    Other current music obsessions:
    Jon McLaughlin – You Are The One I Love
    Sheryl Crow – Drunk With The Thought Of You
    The Weepies – All This Beauty
    Travis – Long Way Down