The Friday Refrain: What's New In Music
It’s the night before PreThanksgiving and I am actually getting a Friday Refrain done, I’m not going to spend time looking back to see how often this happens. I’m guessing it happens every time I’m having trouble sleeping… Onward:
New Music
Pop Siren Mariah Carey releases Caution today. Mumford & Sons who made their name known with their folksy crazy playing continue expanding their poppy sound on Delta. Rapper Anderson .Paak releases Oxnard today. Big K.R.I.T. returns with the ep Thrice X. In the rock world, Smashing Pumpkins have their return with Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol. 1. Singer-Songwriter Mark Knopfler is here with Down The Road Wherever as well today. Jazz singer and heartthrob Michael Buble releases Love. Ah, and the supergroup The Good The Bad & The Queen bring us Merrie Land, the band is comprised of Blur’s Damon Albarn, The Verve’s Simon Tong, Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen and The Clash’s Paul Simonon. Release of interest of the day: Glen Campbell’s lost album Glen Sings For The King. Intended only for Elvis Presley to present demos of songs, this newly discovered reel to reel is one of those found in an attic treasures that brings a little musical history to light. Oh - let’s just do a quick holiday update because I thought the big releases today are a great juxtaposition: Tyler, The Creator is a contributor to the new Grinch movie soundtrack and surprised us with an ep today, Music Inspired By Illumination & Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. And indie rockers Old 97’s released Love The Holidays which has a classic Christmas band album cover, if I do say.
Should I Bother?
Mariah Carey: I am enjoying this pop album. It’s just got some nice grooves on there.
The Good The Bad & The Queen: It’s always interesting to listen to an Albarn album. The musicianship is of course all there but nothing really drew me in. But I put that more on me, so if you are a fan of Albarn or anyone in this supergroup, I think you’ll enjoy at least a listen.
Mumford & Sons : I think the craziest track is one where they go pretty dark with their sound, about as real rock as they can get really. It opens with a pretty classic Mumford-sounding song and then weaves it’s way through the album.
Smashing Pumpkins: You know what? I really like the single “Solara” so I guess if making an entire album is what was necessary to get that song, then it’s worth it.
Mark Knopfler: just finished listening to “Just A Boy Away From Home” and what starts out as this standard song, ends with this jam that borders a little rocking jazz.
Michael Buble: he has a really nice voice and it’s a nice album of standards
Anderson .Paak: He continues to build and change his sound while keeping that West Coast feel
Glen Campbell: He really does have that Presley sound on these songs, especially the fun “I Got Love
And another Friday Refrain has come and gone. Hope you find something to fill that new release void in your life today, and Happy Listening!