The Friday Refrain: What's New In Music
Dude, it snowed. Totally messed up the plans for the day, but we’re still going to have fun. Also, I really like snow.
New Music
Soul singer Charles Bradley would have been 70 and in celebration of his life the posthumous Black Velvet is released today. Rhett Miller of Old 97’s is going solo with The Messenger. J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. releases Elastic Days. Let’s stick with the era, Jon Spencer returns with Spencer Sings The Hits-but it’s new songs I believe not just redoing previous work. Don’t hold me to that, I’ve only got 40% attention right now. Anyway, Hanson does reimagine their work with String Theory. Pop rockers Imagine Dragons return with Origins. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra present us with The Capitol Studios Sessions. Adult contemporary star Sarah Brightman is back with Hymn. England rockers Muse release Simulation Theory. Prolific rapper Cupcakke has her second album out this year Eden. Indie rockers Little Dragon released the ep Love Chanting, and that wraps up the big news!
Should I Bother?
Hanson: If you are a fan of Hanson, I’m sure you’re already listening to this and enjoying it. Essentially it’s a bunch of their big songs with orchestration added.
Cupcakke: This is as far from Hanson as you can get. Once again, Cupcakke brings cleverly worded, raunchy, not appropriate for… well a lot of people probably, music.
Jon Spencer: Oo how I love my fuzzy guitar tones!
Charles Bradley: Definitely a listen for this one. What a voice.
Imagine Dragons: there are few and far between truly rock songs, mostly it’s more laid back and musing on love and life.
Muse: Why didn’t Bonnaroo get Muse to play when they were touring these songs? WHY? WHY? WHY? If you haven’t liked a Muse album since Black Holes & Revelations, this is the album you might have been waiting for. Starts off with a great keyboard song (maybe a little long) but sets the tone for the album well. There are a couple tracks where they try a few new tricks and I’m still debating where I sit on those- not that a band can’t do new things, but I can’t decide how they personally work for me. Definitely in my liked pile.
J Mascis: I think this seems pretty J Mascis-like from cursory listens of other works I’ve had.
Well, that’s what I got to this morning. Hope you find something that delights your heart and gets your day going. I have started my holiday album listening, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve discovered in a few short weeks! Until next time, Happy Listening!