Albums: Songs For A Nervous Planet

 

Released on 25 October "Songs For A Nervous Planet" is the brand new album by Tears For Fears, featuring four new studio tracks and live recordings of the band on tour and at their best of course. The album features the live performances of hit songs like  "Shout", "Head Over Heels", "Everybody Wants To Rule The World", "Mad World" &  more spanning all eras of the band from The Hurting to The Tipping Point and beyond, this is record takes you on the incomparable sonic journey that is a Tears For Fears live show and their career to date.

Obviously a full new material album would be great, but in this case, you got both, classic Tears For Fears music live as four brand new songs, the title of the album was inspired by Matt Haig's book Notes "On A Nervous Planet", which talks about how modern life can feed into our anxiety, subsequently helping you to live a better life. 

The new studio tracks fit in effortlessly with a curated smorgasbord of the band's most-loved tunes which were performed live last summer in Franklin, Tennessee as part of their "The Tipping Point" tour and features a number of songs from "The Tipping Point" album itself, another thing, this is the band's first official live album and as one of the best touring bands around, you have to question why it took them so long to release a live album which has been released simultaneously to coincide with a feature film which is out this week. But it’s here and some things are worth waiting for.

Unfortunately, there are certain things the critics quite don't like, the artwork of the album that used elements of AI, the digital collages for the creative process, which actually pays homage to classic Tears For Fears imagery with its blazing yellow sunflowers coupled with the juxtaposition of the new with the graphic of an astronaut which represents one of their latest songs "Astronaut",

The brand new tracks features and intense and enigmatic bassline in "Say Goodbye To Mum And Dad" which still feels uplifting, the gorgeous "The Girl That I Call Home", is the Roland’s love letter to his wife Emily where he tells her ‘You are everything I ever wanted’, the new songs are well-crafted and captivating definitely, the emotional "Astronaut" that sounds like a song taken from the epic "Songs From The Big Chari", with Roland's intense falsetto with expansive psuchedelic crescendos, to cover the story of feeling alienated and you simply have to escape, with a more prog rock and dreamy new wave sound that highlights upon the rest of the new tracks.

About the concert tracks, these are a remainder of the glorious past legacy of the band,  some of the band’s most-loved cuts, such as the superbly-arranged "Everybody Wants To Rule The World", with its climatic bridge and upbeat riff which tells the story of a myriad of contemporary issues that encompass financial, political and environmental issues as evidence, "The Tipping Point" is incredibly moving, telling the story of the ‘tipping point’ between life and death as is ‘No Small Thing’ with its Cash-esque riffs and folky vibe which again demonstrates the heart and soul of the bands lyrics. You have the epic drums and psychedelic-pop beats of "Sowing The Seeds Of Love" where you get a true sense of the power of Roland and Kurt's vocals to the meticulous arrangement of "Shout" from their seminal album "Songs from the Big Chair" which always is mind-blowing on the live stage, this album really spirits you away to the joy of watching Tears for Fears live.

It's nice to see the band is releasing a more uplifting material afther the emotive "The Tipping Point" which was used as a way to channel Roland's artistry and grief after the tragic loss of his first wife who sadly passed away in 2017, in exchange, this album is more positive, celebrating life, love and the band as a way to focus on light.

 

Songs For A Nervous Planet Track List: 

 

CD1:

 

1. Say Goodbye To Mum And Dad

2. The Girl That I Call Home

3. Emily Said

4. Astronaut

5. No Small Thing (Live From Franklin, TN)

6. The Tipping Point (Live From Franklin, TN)

7. Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Live From Franklin, TN)

8. Secret World (Live From Franklin, TN)

9. Sowing The Seeds Of Love (Live From Franklin, TN)

10. Long, Long, Long Time (Live From Franklin, TN)

11. Break The Man (Live From Franklin, TN)

 

CD2:  

 

1. My Demons (Live From Franklin, TN)

2. Rivers of Mercy (Live From Franklin, TN)

3. Mad World (Live From Franklin, TN)

4. Suffer The Children (Live From Franklin, TN)

5. Woman In Chains (Live From Franklin, TN)

6. Bad Man’s Song (Live From Franklin, TN)

7. Pale Shelter (Live From Franklin, TN)

8. Break It Down Again (Live From Franklin, TN)

9. Head Over Heels (Live From Franklin, TN)

10. Change (Live From Franklin, TN)

11. Shout (Live From Franklin, TN)

Albums: The Night The Zombies Came

Released on 25 October, "The Night The Zombies Came" is the ninth studio album by alternative/grunge pioneers and enduring alternative culture icons "Pixies", is also their first effort containing new bassist and vocalist Emma Richardson, after a long-standing 11-year stint of bassist Paz Lenchantin, who departed from the group earlier this year. 

The album contains 13 songs and incorporates a fresh theme of horror, never before seen before in the band discography, but despite this new motif, the haunting melodies and unsettling concepts weave flawlessly with the band’s prior work, and the feeling of existential dread, especially tied with the band’s unique and era-defining instrumentation left no doubt that this was a Pixies album.

The album needs several listenings to finally get hooked, and please avoid every comparison with the other classical albums the band departed between 80's and 90's, this album hhas a cohesive themes of strangeness, the dynamics omnipresent in all that they do and the unstable, captivating melodies that could only belong to Pixies.

The brilliant tracks starts with "You're So Impatient" that reminds a still how brilliant and enduring the Pixies are a horror-themed punk tune showcases everything the band do best, the volume dynamics of the track and the punk-pace blaring; from Joey Santiago’s chaotic, distorted guitar and Black Francis’ unmistakable voice and lyrics. "Jane (The Night the Zombies Came)" it feels that the Pixies created this project’s themes around this song, the instrumentation is just as perfect as always and know how to create this new sound that’s fresh and pleasing yet still uniquely Pixies, on top are layered vocals of Black Francis and Emma just creating this satisfying layer for the listener that the track couldn’t have without. For me as well the song is just so damn catchy with the chorus and melody being stuck in my head for ages now, I’m not complaining though.

Other fantastic tracks are "Chicken" one of the singles off the record, stands fine alongside the other single "Motoroller", the last tracks are fantastics from "Earnest Evans", passing thru "Kings Of The Prairie" and the closer "The Vegas Suite", even the slower one "Mercy Me" deserves a nice shot, the energetics "You're So Impatient" and "Oyster Beds". 

Perhaps a big part of the album are a reminder of "Bossanova" and "Doolittle", the classic elements are here, the surf-guitar of Joey Santiago, the restrained vocals from Black Francis, and the collaboration of their brand new bassist, it's not a band album actually sounds quite good, depens upon your thoughts, my best advice is to enjoy it with thinking you're hearing an echo album of brilliant former glories of the band.  

The Night The Zombies Came Track List: 

2 You're So Impatient
3 Jane (The Night the Zombies Came)
4 Chicken
5 Hypnotised
6 Johnny Good Man
7 Motoroller
8 I Hear You Mary
9 Oyster Beds
10 Mercy Me
11 Ernest Evans
12 Kings of the Prairie
13 The Vegas Suite

Rocktrospectiva: The Powerful "Big Music" Turns 10

Released on 31 October 2024, "Big Music" was the 16th., studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, the album spawned three singles "Honest Town, "Let The Day Begin", & "Midnight Walking".

The story of the album began in the days of their previous studio album "Graffiti Soul", according to Jim Kerr, the band had a lot of ideas at the moment, so the chance to write two albums simultaneously was something for real, indeed several tracks were omitted from "Graffiti Soul" the vibe full of passion, power, raw urgency and vitality was a plus. 

The retunr of Mel Gaynor to drums brougth a familiar propeller to band itself, this aided a lot the classic foundation of Charlie Burchill on guitars and Andy Gillespie on synths supporting Kerr's roaring voice, so this album practically finds the band as a complete circle, gaining inspiration from 1979 rediscovering the urgency of certain record such as "Empires And Dance" & "Sons And Fascination", but instead to recreated they just integrated with the guitar-focus on works suchs as "NEw Gold Dream", "Sparkle In The Rain" and "Once Upon A Time" and you can notice this on three tracks such as "Blindfolded", "Midnight Walking" and "Imagination" draw inspiration on the band's 1982-1985 period full of big beats and drums programming with and edgy guitar. 

Jim Kerr's phrasing and trademark voice is remarkable on "Honest Town" which was written by Iain Cook of Chvrches, "Someone Somewhere In Summertime" is brilliant with Kerr pulsating narrative through the track, "Blood Diamonds", the other Cook written by Cook, gathers a a synth-driven vintage sound to a modern dance pop, "Kill Or Cure" is fantastice with its fat bassline, synth pulses and shimmering guitars in the verses, "Imagination" has a certain The Cult guitar intro influence, other irresistible tracks are "Concrete And Cherry Blossom" and "broken Glass Park" both cotains irresistible hooks and warm atmosphere supporting Kerr's dramatic voice, and finally The Call's cover "Let The Day Begin" surrounded by zig-zagging synths and roaring guitars by Burchill.

Practically the album has everything you can expect drom the band, who finally seems to come to gather all the pieces of their identity to turn this album into their most consistent work since "Once Upon A Time".

The critics were positive considered the album as their best in decades, matching the bold music within with the title, embracing their past and looking forward the future, an album to fully appreciate again the band, that helped the album to reach No. 12 on the UK Albums chart.

 

Big Music Track List:

 

1. Blindfolded

2. Midnight Walking

3. Honest Town

4. Big Music

5. Human

6. Blood Diamonds

7. Let The Day Begin

8. Concrete And Cherry Blossom

9. Imagination

10. Kill Or Cure

11. Broken Glass Park

12. Spirited Away

Rocktrospectiva: The Finest "Can't Fight Fate" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, although some other recalled it was on 7 October "Can't Fight Fate" was the second studio album by American singer Taylor Dayne, the album continued her chart success spawning four massive singles "With Every Beat Of My Heart" No. 5, "I'll Be Your Shelter" No. 4, "Heart Of Stone" No. 12 and of course he brilliant and her most synonymous song "Love Will Lead Your Back" that peaked at No. 1

One of the most fantastic and truly gifted vocalist of the late 80's., early 90's, her powerful and incredibly soulful vocals would go on to help secure her as not only one of the ‘80s strongest voices, but also one of the strongest of all time for certain people. The artist went on to do something that most artists struggle with, she released an equally, or maybe better, follow-up album. Like its predecessor, Can’t Fight Fate also delivered ten strong tracks, this time with the likes of the legendary hitmaker Dianne Warre.

On "Can’t Fight Fate" the artist gently tried to move away from the dance tracks from their Tell It To My Heart days. You can find a much more adult contemporary feel about this album, certain tracks from this album had supposedly been offered to Dayne’s peers at the time, perhaps Tina Turner or Whitney Houston, but were ultimately turned down. So they looked forward to Dayne and she not only gained some incredible songs, but she now had the music and production to sink that enormous voice into. 

Although the album is set in the adult contemporary genre, notable tracks like "I’ll Be Your Shelter" sit firmly in the pop arena, but with Warren"s artistry, they paved the way for Dayne’s vocals to remain unrestricted. The album's lead single "With Every Beat of My Heart" appeared as if it was designed to capitalize on the formula that had so clearly worked prior, and it did, confirming that Dayne was anything but a one hit wonder with a big voice.

The track "Heart of Stone." showcases the strength and soul in Dayne's vocals, and what about the feeling on "Love Will Lead You Back" one of the most heartbreaking power ballads ever released, "You Can't Fight Fate," also penned by Warren, and "Ain’t No Good" continue with this adult contemporary feel, heading into rock territory, something that worked wonders with Dayne’s voice. The dance floor was not forgotten either so she included "Up All Night," now this is a pure club classic.

Critics noticed and declared the album was lush and dramatic, especially for the power ballads, but the rock tracks here were the real killers, delivering a true rock star sound, the album is considered one of the most diverse and exciting dance pop and rock album from that magical and golden era in the late 80's/early 90's, unfortunately, she would not go on to achieve the same commercial success that both of these albums, in particular Can’t Fight Fate, went on to achieve. Even the phenomenal balladry that Dayne delivered on “Love Will Lead You Back” was not enough to see the singer secure the same commercial success she had become accustomed to, maybe because the times and sounds changed in the years to come, nevertheless, this is Dayne’s finest work to date. 

 

Can't Fight Fate Track List:  

 

1. With Every Beat Of My Heart

2. I'll Be Your Shelter

3. Love Will Lead You Back

4. Heart Of Stone

5. You Can't Fight Fate

6. Up All Night

7. I Know The Feeling

8. Wait For Me

9. You Meant The World Of Me

10. Ain't No Good 

Rocktrospectiva: The Rawer "Book Of Days" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, "Book Of Days" was the sixth studio album by the English alternative rock band The Psychedelic Furs, the album peaked at No. 74 in the UK and No. 138 on the Billboard 200, spawned two singles "Should God Forget" and "House" which peaked at No. 8 and No. 1 respectively on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. 

 

Co-produced by David M. Allen, the album marked the return of original member Vince Ely,  the album was deemed as dense, murky, agitated, dark, raw and hauntingly pretty that captures the attention of long time fans, the voice of Butler was so intense and the guitars were perfectly rawer to create an alternative rock sound that was emerging back then.

The band was looking to return to their roots, so this album was a rawer return thanks in part to Ely's return, the sound caught everyone as a surprise, cause the public expected more of their polished pop hits but nevertheless, the album is still highly regarded and remains an integral part of their canon today.

 

The album has interesting tunes such as the brilliant "All That Money Wants", propelled by Vince Ely fine work on drums, definitely "Book Of Days"  benefited from a great producer Dave Allen, whose work with the Cure is partially echoed at many points on this textured and intense collection of songs. Perhaps Richard Butler's voice isn't remarkably different than before but he sounds better all the same, this was taking in count by Allen letting his voice through the mix while John Ashton's rich and ringing guitars fill out the mix instead of keyboards. 

 

The strong part relies on the Tim Butler & Ely rhythm section, if not always as frenetic as in early days, shows a partnership well reestablished, and the end result can often rival the early Furs at their best, unfortunately, the set hadn't hook mainstream songs althought this never was a problem for the band, often the best moments aren't the individual songs but their differing approaches like the heavily distorted bass rumble of "Entertain Me," the stripped-down blend of acoustic guitar and cello of "Torch.", you can also notices the echoes of The Cure and The Chameleons here on the finest "I Don't Mine", the killer "House" offering an intense explosion of modern rock alternative sound with the Furs at its prime.

 

Book Of Days Track List: 

 

1. Shine

2. Entertain Me

3. Book Of Days

4. Should God Forget 

5. Torch 

6. Parade

7. Mother-Son

8. House

9. Wedding

10. I Don't Mine

The Event: Pet Shop Boys At The EMAs 2024

Pet Shop Boys will receive their first MTV EMA, Pop Pioneers Award at the 2024 MTV EMA, The event is set to take place on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. 

The legendary English duo, consisting of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, will also perform on the show with the Manchester Camerata, an orchestra that has been working in Manchester and beyond since 1972.

The award recognizes "their contribution to the world of pop music, including the groundbreaking sonic and visual spectacles they create for their fans. The award also honors their unique style, enduring influence, and their army of steadfast fans around the world," according to a statement.

This 2024 marks 40 years since the first Pet Shop Boys record was released. The duo has notched 22 top 10 hits on the Official U.K. Singles chart (including four No. 1s) and five top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (including one No. 1)."West End Girl"  reached No. 1 on both charts. "It’s a Sin," "Always On My Mind" and "Heart" were their other U.K. to hit the No. 1

The Item: Celebrating The Pet Shop Boys 40 Years Of Career With Fine Bone China Tea Set

Pet Shop Boys are celebrating 40 years of career with a campaign called "Since 1984", with a commemorative set which marks four decades since the duo – starring Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – emerged on the scene

The duo said: We are promised a series of exclusive products, under this brand, and in true PSB style the first is rather un-rock ’n’ roll – a fine bone china tea set!

The 22-karat gold-plated range has been designed by longtime design partners Farrow and encompasses cups, saucer, tea pot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Each piece is "hand-finished" and decorated with PSB symbols (pointy hats, silhouettes, Chris' glasses from the Suburbia single sleeve, etc) and has been made in the UK by Duchess China.

Each set comes with a certificate of authenticity and prices start at £200 (for a milk jug and sugar bowl). They will be ‘released’ in November and can be pre-ordered vía the PSB site: petshopboys since 1984

In Memoriam: The Beloved "Teri Garr " Dies At 79

Teri Garr, que fabulous and hilarious comedy actress who rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star "Tootsie," she was 79. Garr died Tuesday of multiple sclerosis surrounded by family and friends, said publicist Heidi Schaeffer. Garr battled other health problems in recent years and underwent an operation in January 2007 to repair an aneurysm.

The actor, who was sometimes credited as Terri, Terry or Terry Ann during her long career, seemed destined for show business from her childhood. Her father was Eddie Garr, a well-known vaudeville comedian; her mother was Phyllis Lind, one of the original high-kicking Rockettes at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Their daughter began dance lessons at 6 and by 14 was dancing with the San Francisco and Los Angeles ballet companies. She was 16 when she joined the road company of “West Side Story” in Los Angeles, and as early as 1963 she began appearing in bit parts in films.

From there, Garr found steady work dancing in movies, and she appeared in the chorus of nine Presley films, including "Viva Las Vegas," "Roustabout" and "Clambake." She also appeared on numerous television shows, including "Star Trek," "Dr. Kildare" and "Batman," and was a featured dancer on the rock ‘n’ roll music show "Shindig,2 the rock concert performance T.A.M.I. and a cast member of "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour."

Her big film break came as Gene Hackman’s girlfriend in 1974’s Francis Ford Coppola thriller "The Conversation." That led to an interview with Mel Brooks, who said he would hire her for the role of Gene Wilder’s German lab assistant in 1974’s "Young Frankenstein" — if she could speak with a German accent. The film established her as a talented comedy performer, with New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael proclaiming her “the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen.”

Her big smile and off-center appeal helped land her roles in "Oh, God!" opposite George Burns and John Denver, "Mr. Mom" as Michael Keaton's wife" and "Tootsie" in which she played the girlfriend who loses Dustin Hoffman to Jessica Lange and learns that he has dressed up as a woman to revive his career. She also lost the supporting actress Oscar at that year’s Academy Awards to Lange.

Garr showed in other films such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "The Black Stallion" and "The Escape Artist" that she could handle drama equally wellI would like to play "Norma Rae" and "Sophie’s Choice," but I never got the chance, she once said, adding she had become typecast as a comic actor.

Often playing David Letterman’s foil during guest appearances on NBC’s “Late Night With David Letterman” early in its run. Her appearances became so frequent, and the pair’s good-natured bickering so convincing, that for a time rumors cropped up that they were romantically involved. Years later, Letterman credited those early appearances with helping make the show a hit. It was also during those years that Garr began to feel "a little beeping or ticking" in her right leg. It began in 1983 and eventually spread to her right arm as well, but she felt she could live with it. By 1999 the symptoms had become so severe that she consulted a doctor. The diagnosis: multiple sclerosis.

For three years Garr didn’t reveal her illness."I was afraid that I wouldn’t get work," she explained in a 2003 interview. After going public, she became a spokesperson for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, making humorous speeches to gatherings in the U.S. and Canada. She also continued to act, appearing on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Greetings From Tucson," "Life With Bonnie" and other TV shows. She also had a brief recurring role on "Friends" in the 1990s as Lisa Kudrow’s mother. Garr married contractor John O’Neil in 1993. They adopted a daughter, Molly, before divorcing in 1996.

Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and a grandson, Tyryn.

Rocktrospectiva: The Darkert And Conceptual "Road To Hell" Turns 35

Released on 30 October 1989, "The Road To Hell" was the tenth studio album by British artist Chris Rea, considered the most successful studio album by the artist, topped the UL for three weeks and it was considered as a modern masterpiece, the album contains strong elements of social commentary, addressing alienation, violence and redemption. The album spawned four singles "The Road To Hell", "That's What They Always Say", "Texas" & "Tell Me There's A Heaven".  

Written and recorded within four weeks. Rea had a lot of trouble with the album arising out of the attitude of his record company, so he recorded the next album – Auberge – before, as an agreement with Warner Brothers. So if Road To Hell didn’t work – and they said it won't – we would jump straight away to Auberge and forget about it, of course things work for this album, so there was no need to do what was agreed.

The Road To Hell is a concept album about the problems of modern society, and while this subject recurs throught the album, it is balanced by another recurring subject, the solace of love and family. The album begins with the sound of a disturbing phenomenon: a traffic jam. This leads into "The Road To Hell Parts 1 and 2", with lyrics evoking impending doom and fears of technology, economic collapse fear of violence on city street, other highlights includes "You Must Be Evil" deals with the irresponsible depiction on television news, "Texas", which depicts the feeling of being trapped economically or socially, and seeing escape to a new environment as the only way out; "Looking For a Rainbow", a cathartic anthem which describes the search for a better life by those who are economically disadvantaged, but reflects the struggles we all face to improve ourselves; "That's What They Always Say", a song about the special kind of hell experienced by those whose ambitions are thwarted; and "Tell Me There's a Heaven", whose lovely orchestral atmosphere belies its bleak message and "Daytona" which is about the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

Is definitely darkest and best album , a concept album about the horrors of the modern age . Still potent with a message for modern days, and the effect was inmediately cause this is Rea's most exciting, potent and comercially succesful album to date. 

 

The Road To Hell Track List:

1. The Road To Hell (Part 1)

2. The Road To Hell (Part 2)

3. You Must Be Evil

4. Texas

5. Looking For A Rainbow

6. Your Warm And Tender Love

7. Daytona

8. That's What They Always Say

9. I Just Wann Be With You

10. Tell Me There's A Heaven

New Music: A Fragile Thing

           

 

Taken from The Cure's forthcoming new album "Songs Of A Lost World", here's the second single "A Fragile Thing", which is a lush, expansive rock tune that evokes the deep feeling of what is considering the band's masterpiece "Disintegration", actually this song if you hear properly has that certain 1989 vibe, although this is not a new proper song, it has been on the band's set list almost two years ago, when the band debuted the song, the songs reflects on how two people can be completely isolated from one another, no matter what they might feel for each other, while bass and guitars and and pianos churn all around Smith's still-remarkable voice, the new album will be released this 1st., November.

New Music: Lewis In Pomona

          

Underworld has evolved from electronic punk to dance music, and now with their brand new single "Lewis in Pomona", they continue their audiophile-focused direction. looking to chase mainstream exposure this time, their new material demands to be experienced on quality speakers or headphones, staying true to their commitment to sonic detail something that audiences thanks a lot because it'srefreshing to see artists who still prioritize the complete listening experience. Beautiful and Brilliant.

Rocktrospectiva: The Massive And Succesfully "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" Turns 40

 

Released on 29 October 1984 "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" was the debut studio album by English synth-pop band Frankie Goes To Hollywood, the album was a massive chart succesful topping the UK charts, and then coquered the rest of the world including the United States, spawning four singles "Relax", "Two Tribes", "The Power Of Love" & "Welcome To The Pleasuredome". Produced by the giant Trevor Horn, in which he had and active role.

 

It was 1984, and this band was so courageously by declared themselves openly gay, so this stir up a lot of hype, controversy, including a shocking cover art refused to be printed, this helped a lot to increase the sales and the interest on this band, their first singles "Relax" and "Two Tribes" chartered well in the United States, but the album had other curious and nice tracks such as "Welcome To The Pleasuredome", the less-know tracks "Krisco Kisses", "The Only Star In Heaven", the UK hit "The Power Of Love" still sounds glorious this hyper-ballad. 

 

Despite the album is far considered as a Trevor Horn new extension on his catalogue at the time, this affirmation is that the result was catchy and massive and almost a top chart breaker synth rock of the early 80's that still sound fine and refreshing 40 years later, another remarkable tracks are "War" the cover of Edwin Starr, "Born To Run" of Bruce Springsteen, "San Jose (The Way)" and "Ferry (Go)", even though Holly Johnson's voice needs more passion sometimes, this wasn't the case for the album or at least for the fans and listeners back then. 

 

Come critics reviewed the album as an overkill, overjoy and overcompensation sound, almost a guilty pleasure to listen, and superb production, with inteligence, real sexual glamour and certain sense of gun that put them apart of other contemporaries in pop music back then a fun released boosted by Horn's production skills than anything else paving the road for future acts such as Erasure. 

 

Welcome To The Pleasuredome Track List: 

 

1. The World Is My Oyster

2. Welcome To The Pleasuredome

3. Relax (Come Fighting)

4. War (...And Hide)

5. Two Tribes (For The Victims Of Ravishment)

6. Tag

7. Ferry (Go)

8. Born To Run

9. San Jose (The Way)

10. Wish (The Lads Were Here)

11. The Ballad Of 32

12. Krisco Kisses

13. Balck Night White Light

14. The Only Star In Heaven

15. The Power Of Love

16. ...Bang

New Music: I Was Born With A Broken Heart

          

The Måneskin musician Damiano David has released a new single "I Was Born With A Broken Heart", is the follow-up to last month's track "Silverline", Damiano says he wrote the track when he was getting out of a very dark place, the emotionless feeling in which he was afraid to lost the ability to feel things either good or bad, so the song was a way to make mayself make sense of what I was feeling and look at it from a less scary perspective. Featuring a video directed by Aerin Moreno, which Damiano decribes as being his personal fantasy, a world where no matter what, once you step through the door, everything becomes magical and beautiful, recreating a fancy era in hte 1950s/1960s.

Books: A Portrait Of Radiohead

This is a collection of never-before-seen photographs of Radiohead by their bassist Colin Greenwood, with a ten-thousand-word essay by him about the band that has been his life since they formed at school.

 

According to Greenwood: 'For years now, I've been taking snaps of my band, Radiohead. I've tried to catch out my friends with my small black Yashica T4 Super. They are so lost in their own moment of performance that hey don't seeme with the camera. "How To Disappear" is bassist Colin Greenwood's stunning portrait of Radiohead in his own photographs. Two decades in the making, he takes us on a journey into the hear of the 21st-century'most influential band, a maverick collective who have vastly broadened our musical landscape while they dominate and distort it. 

 

On stage, backstage, in the rehearsal room, behind the scenes, on tour, at work and at play, Colin's photographs, and the stories and memories they evoke for him in his accompanying text, form an intimate portrait of the musical and cultural iconoclasts as they travel through 'our middle years: all the joy and doubt and confidence and uncertainty we would oscillate between.  

 

Colin Greenwood is from Oxford and has played bass in Radiohead since their formation in 1985. He's also recorded and toured with Tamino, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis and has written for publications like the Guardian and the Spectator. 

 

Title: How To Disappear "A Portrait Of Radiohead" 

Author: Colin Greenwood

Pages: 136 Hardcover

Laguage: English

Publisher: Mobius

Albums: Cutouts

 

Released on 4 October, "Cutouts" is the 3rd., studio album by The Smile, under Sam Petts-Davies production. The album has been promoted by the previous singles "Don't Get Me Started", "The Slip", "Foreign Spies", "Zero Sum" and "Bodies Laughing", with music videos by the digital artist Weirdcore, and a series of cryptic messages on social media.

 

The Smile is the project by Thom York and Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) with the drummer Tom Skinner, they been performing, recorded in Abbey Road Studios and Greenwood's home studio, just like their previous album "Wall Of Eyes", according to Greenwood, half of this record was done when their previous recording was released, the rest of the album was finished while the band were on tour. 

 

The album title refers an espionage term that Yorke discovered while reading about Russian interference in western politics something like this: "Cutouts are like two-dimensional characters placed to facilitate backdoor connections with an asset ... I think it was the two-dimensional nature of the description I got stuck on. A new Cold War world of two-dimensional proxy characters." 

 

So, Yorke felt connected this to the "atomisation and isolation from world events" caused by social media, and asked: "Why the fuck would we be online with two-dimensional avatars of each other as if they are really us, and try to engage with complex issues using two or three sentences?". The Music on this records seems to be more challenging that its predecesor, in where the air and atmosphere is a priority over che conventionalism, with lyrics that addesses capitalism, climate change denial and sociopolitical dread. 

Certain tracks such as "Don't Get me Started" as propulsive and synth intense, "Zero Sum" is high-tempo and rythmically busy with and intense lead guitar, the fabulous "Eyes & Mouth" is tremendous, combined with drumbeats and jazzy piano chrods, "Colours Fly" is a combination between certain Radiohead songs from the late 90's and early 00's that has an Egyptian scale and several clouds of noise, "Instant Psalm", features strings with a curious melody and a remarkable acoustic guitar with a pedal note, "Tiptoe" a pinao ballad with orchestral strings,  

Compared with its predecessor, "Cutouts" is relaxed, funkier and loosier, wehich proves the big chemistry these three musicians have honed across two years of touring. The stage is where many of these songs first premiered, for instante, the pastoral brooder "Bodies Laughing" written by Yorke more tanh 20 years ago, is the last track of the record and debuted in May 2022, a mere day after the band wrote it, and "Colours Fly" the following month in Paris, where guest musician Robert Stillman—then playing sax, now on bass clarinet—triggered the song’s ascent into squealing free-jazz delirium. Greenwood’s omnivorous curiosity is a big theme here, now this track has its frantic Egyptian scales, reflecting on Greenwood's recent immersion in Middle Eastern music, now "Foreign Spies," repurposes elements from Greenwood’s 2019 classical piece Horror vacui.

 

Greenwood used a delay pedal extensively for his guitar parts. "Zero Sum" which was inspired by footage of Microsoft executives dancing at the Windows 95 launch event.  "Tiptoe" was played at global promotional listening parties for Wall of Eyes". While the brilliant riff of "Eyes & Mouth" was first performed by  Greenwood on Radiohead's 2016 tour during performances of their song "Talk Show Host". Tthe burbling panic attack on "The Slip" with skittering hip-hop beats that resemble readymade sample packs, and gives us one of his most restlessly percolating grooves on the set.  

 

While Greenwood is full committed to his life’s work of coming up with mangled guitar riffs that no human has ever played before, Thom Yorke is having his time of his life letting loose with the Smile, at least his lyrics remain consumed with dread. There certain things on the record that the singer appeals off, for instance the sociopolitical dread on "Foreign Spies", late-capitalist dread on "Zero Sum", climate-denial dread he warns on "The Slip", existential dread on "Instant Psalm" Yorke still has the ability to pull a gorgeous piano ballad out of thin air like it’s nothing, and the lush, trembling "Tiptoe" is one for the ages. “We are just baggage with no label/You will find us in the rubble,” the singer croons in communion with the gentle swells of the London Contemporary Orchestra, offering a grim prophecy that could refer to any number of world-historical crises.

 

Cutouts Track List:

 

1. Foreign Spies

2. Instant Psalm

3. Zero Sum

4. Clours Fly

5. Eyes & Mouth

6. Don't Get Me Started

7. Tiptoe

8. The Slip

9. No Words

10. Bodies Laughing

New Music: Afterlife

          

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory announce their self-titled debut album, out February 7th, and release the lead single, "Afterlife." Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory presents an exhilarating new dimension of Van Etten’s sound and songwriting. For the first time, it was written and recorded in total collaboration with her band — Jorge Balbi (drums, machines), Devra Hoff (bass, vocals), and Teeny Lieberson (synth, piano, guitar, vocals) — allowing Van Etten the freedom that comes by letting go. The themes are timeless, classic Sharon, but the sounds are new, wholly realized and sharp as glass. This new approach began while rehearsing in the desert for an upcoming tour when Van Etten invited her band into the creative process. The video, directed by Susu Laroche, collects footage of the band debuting many of the album songs in London’s intimate 100 Club in the midst of recording the album.

New Music: Hiding In Plain Sight

          

Manic Street Preachers have announced their 15th., studio album "Critical Thinkings" due to be out next January 31st., according to Nicky Wire: This is a record of opposites colliding – of dialectics trying to find a path of resolution,”. “While the music has an effervescence and an elegiac uplift, most of the words deal with the cold analysis of the self, the exception being the three lyrics by James (Dean Bradfield) which look for and hopefully find answers in people, their memories, language and beliefs. The music is energised and at times euphoric. The band just share their new single "Hiding In Plain Sight" which is kinda of historical, because it's the first single sung by bassist Nicky Wire, so definitely he brings a different vibe to the band’s anthemic style.

New Music: Freedom Of The Night

          

Sophie Ellis-Bextor new disco-pop single "Freedom Of The Night" it's a follow-up of her 2001 classic Murder On The Dancefloor" a song that went viral thanks to "Saltburn", so, the pop star returned to disco flair on her new single, the artist commented:  “I have always been someone that needs music to help me recalibrate, and ‘Freedom of the Night’ is all about that feeling," the video is a recreation of her 2001 classic, directed by Sophie Muller & Theo Adams starring Sophie and Harrier Rodgers as the mini-Sophie.

New Music: Little Shrew

          

Kate Bush is back, as she launched a new short film she has written and directed to raise money for children affected by war. The black-and-white, four-minute animation, called "Little Shrew," is set to her 2011 track Snowflake and aims to raise money and awareness for the charity War Child. To donate: https://WarChild.org.uk

News: Kate Bush Reveals Plans To Name New Music

The iconical female singer, Kate Bush has shied away from the spotlight in recent years, her last  studio album released was in 2011. But now, she is very keen to start working on new music.The singer said there are lots of ideas she wants to pursue on BBC Radio 4's show. "I'm really looking forward to getting back into that creative space, it's been a long time."

Her last record "50 Words For Snow", was released in 2011. Since then, her only releases have been live or compilation albums. Bush gave a rare interview to presenter Emma Barnett as she launched a new short film she has written and directed to raise money for children affected by war. It's a black-and-white, four-minute animation, called Little Shrew, is set to her 2011 track Snowflake and aims to raise money and awareness for the charity War Child.

Attracted a new generation of fans in 2022 when one of her biggest songs, Running Up That Hill, was used in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Asked whether she was currently working on new material, Bush said: "Not at the moment, but I've been caught up doing a lot of archive work over the last few years, redesigning our website, putting a lyric book together. "And I'm very keen to start working on a new album when I've got this finished. I've got lots of ideas and I'm really looking forward to getting back into that creative space, it's been a long time."

Little Shrew is released on Bush's official website on Friday. It is free to watch, but encourages viewers to support organisations helping children in conflict. The short film, which Bush worked with an illustrator to create, was partly inspired by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"I started working on it a couple of years ago, it was not long after the Ukrainian war broke out, and I think it was such a shock for all of us," Bush explained. "It's been such a long period of peace we'd all been living through. And I just felt I wanted to make a little animation that would feature, originally, a little girl. It was really the idea of children caught up in war. I wanted to draw attention to how horrific it is for children. "And so I came up with this idea for a storyboard and felt that, actually, people would be more empathetic towards a creature rather than a human. So I came up with the idea of it being a little shrew."

The 66-year-old added: "I think we've all been through very difficult times. These are dark times that we're living in and I think, to a certain extent, everyone is just worn out." "We went through the pandemic, that was a huge shock, and I think we felt that, once that was over, that we would be able to get on with some kind of normal life. "But in fact it just seems to be going from one situation to another, and more wars seem to be breaking out all the time.

Rocktrospectiva: The Smooth And Powerful "Bedtime Stories" Turns 30

 

Released on 25 October 1994, "Bedtime Stories" was the sixth studio album by American singer Madonna, released after another controversial title "Erotica" and the table book "Sex", and her performance in the erotic thrille "Body Of Evidence" all of three project  received negatively comments from critics and fans alike due to their sexually explicit nature. 

 

So, Madonna decided that she needed to soften her image if she wanted to regain her audience. The first attempt was the ballad "I'll Remember" from the soundtrack to the 1994 film With Honors, and then "Bedtime Stories", her sixth studio album, in which she decided to incorporate R&B elements, and collaborated with Babyface, Dallas Austin, and Dave Hall. She also chose to explore the British club musical scene, where genres such as dub had been growing in popularity, and hired producer Nellee Hooper. 

 

Basically, it's a pop album with elements of R&B and hip hop, exploring lyrical themes of love and romance, but with a toned-down, less sexual approach. In the song "Human Nature", Madonna explicitly addresses the backlash and controversy surrounding her previous projects, whereas title track "Bedtime Story" saw her working with Icelandic singer Björk. The album yielded two top-three singles, "Secret" and "Take a Bow"; the latter stayed at number one for seven weeks on the chart. Follow-ups "Bedtime Story" and "Human Nature" were both top-ten hits on the UK Singles Chart and peaking the No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Regarding a controversial period of her career, the singer recalled: "I feel I've been misunderstood. I tried to make a statement about feeling good about yourself and exploring your sexuality, but people took it to mean that everyone should go out and have sex with everyone. I decided to leave it alone because that's what everyone ended up concentrating on". Madonna came to the conclusion that she needed to "soften" her image in order to reconnect with her audience. The album was recorded at nine different studios. 

 

Madonna started to work with powerful R&B producers such as Babyface, Dallas Austin and Dave Hall, with the first one, worked on the songs "Forbidden Love", and the ballad "Take A Bow" following her desires to chase lush ballads, then with Dallas Austin she created "Secret", "Don't Stop" and "Sanctuary" and with Dave Hall the sexy "Human Nature" the song "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" was recorded as a duet with Tupac Shakur, in a time Madonna had an affair with the late rapper, but after the rapper became involved in a sexual assault case, she decided to replaced his parts with Meshell Ndegeocello. 

But despite Madonna's desires to had a huge impact on the R&B her voice wasn't powerful enough so, turned to the British club scene, focusing on dub genre thanks to Björk, Massive Attack and Soul II Soul impact, so checked for producer Nellee Hooper and added a certain European sensibility creating the songs "Survival" and "Inside Of Me", Madonna was a huge fan of Björk's "Debut" album and asked Hooper to contacted her to write a track for the album, the Icelandic wasn't a huge fan of Madonna but give a try a created "Let's Get Unconscious" borned out from Björk's criticism of Madonna's aesthetic, and for the final versión became "Bedtime Story". 

 

The album was a blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop and a Madonna record, with lyrics and themes that are "romantic and very reflective". The sequence of the songs is something Madonna paid "particular attention to", as she wanted to create a "truly cohesive" record. The opener "Survival" is a sweetly funky song in which Madonna talks directly to the public and addresses her feelings regarding the controversies in which she was embroiled in the past, "Secret", finds Madonna singing in a husky alto and features an unhurried Memphis soul beat and talks about spirituality and self-empowerment.

 

In the "soulful sass" of "I'd Rather Be Your Lover", Madonna lusts after the unattainable through processes of negotiation, and runs down the relations she would rather not be: a sister, mother, friend and brother, the fourth song "Don't Stop" has been referred to as Bedtime Stories' sole call to the dance floor with bliks of "Everybody" single from 1982 and achoes back to "Vogue" from 1990, next is "Human Nature" is a hip hop-influenced track that begins is a with heavy bass and drums looping. In "Forbidden Love", the album's seventh track, Madonna "dismisses any relationship untouched by taboo", "Love Tried to Welcome Me" is a song that fetishizes rejection, "Sanctuary" quotes Walt Whitman's poem Vocalism, and it is a song that draws inspiration from Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" (1962), and aligns love and death. The ending of "Sanctuary" is linked to the beginning of the next song, title track "Bedtime Story" that unlike most of the songs on the album, which are heavily R&B-influenced, "Bedtime Story" is an electronica-doused track with a "trippy" vibe. and the closer "Take a Bow" is a midtempo pop ballad with "a "'Sukiyaki'"-like Japanese touch".

 

Unlike "Erotica", "Bedtime Stories" received generally positive reviews from critics. considered a warm album, with deep, gently pulsating grooves, as well as the singer's most humane and open, she never sounded as emotionally vulnerable or cerebrally plugged in as she does in, considered so far by many as winning" album and more appealing than that on Erotica, perhaps "Bedtime Stories" is Madonna's most underrated and overlooked work, due to it being trapped between her most controversial album "Erotica" and, arguably, her best "Ray of Light", 

 

 Bedtime Stories Track List: 

 

1. Survival

2. Secret

3. I'd Taher Be Your Lover 

4. Don't Stop

5. Inside Of Me

6. Human Nature

7. Forbidden Love

8. Love Tried To Welcome Me

9. Sanctuary 

10. Bedtime Story

11. Take A Bow

Rocktrospectiva: The Powerful "11" Turns 35

 

 

Released on 24 October 1989, "11" was the third studio album by American indie rock band The Smithereens, the album-titled was inspired by the film "Ocean's 11", and spawned four singles "A Girl Like Your" which reached the Billboard top 40, "Blues Before And After", "Yesterday Girl" and "Blue Period". 

The Smithereens decided to switch producers for the album, and make a bet with Ed Stasium who had produced to The Ramones and Living Colour, according to Pat DiNizio the choice was probably because they were looking for a heavier guitar sound but at the same preserve their style and achieve radio play. 

The album is pure set of potent indie rock and pop, a memorable album without sacrifice the energy, this is what just the band needed back then, increasing the band ability to play brilliant, harmony-drenched melodic indie power pop. About the album content and lyrics, DiNizio focused on upbeat tunes and romantic side of relationships, like in the tracks "Kiss Your Tears Away", the lovely power ballad "A Girl Like You", a sort of AC/DC/The Beatles tune in every context, crunchy guitars without losing the melodic sense of the Liverpool band, and the curious but enjoyable "Maria Elena" inspired by Buddy Holly's widow and "William Wilson" about a father and son reunion. 

The songs and sound are diverse, you have the melancholic collaboration between the band and the lovely Belinda Carlisle on "Blue Period", the fuzzy "Blues Before And After" and the sparkling vibrant "Cut Flowers" which was a collaboration between DiNizio and Jim Babjak. Now everything makes sense, the band wanted to sound more direct to audience with a powerful guitar sound and bass line, according to bass player Mike Mesaros: "We wanted to captured the esence when we play live, a sort of heavy and raunchy live, and that is what we wanted to take to the record, a definitely that harder sound is attributable to Ed Stasium they're new producer back then, using his experiencie on hard-rockin' acts such as the Ramones, Soul Asylum or Livin Colour and that powerful heavy pop sound is brilliantly capture here on the record. 

There is a curious story about Ed and Pat, the last recalls when he was 14, he used to go to a guitar store at his home town and worship a particular guitar, a blue Kalamazoo electric cheaper version of a Gibson, the salesman/guitar teacher always let him take it off and play it, even when he knew that pat couldn't afford it, it results that the guy on that store was Ed Stasium, the record producer on this album, so that's damn curious.

The album was well-received, and received a boosted thanks to the single "A Girl Like You" which was originally written on demand for Cameron Crowe's film "Say Anything", but the film producer asked DiNizio to changed the lyrics because it revealed a lot of the movie plot, so Pat refused and the band decided to keep the song for their album, they were ambitious looking to hire Madonna for harmony vocals but failed to show up, instead, Maria Vidal then did the vocals, the single peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's mainstream rock chart and No. 3 on modern rock tracks, and made it into the Billboard Hot 100 peaked at no. 38, while "Blues Before And After reached the No. 94 on same chart. 

 

11 Track List: 

 

1. A Girl Like You

2. Blues Before And After

3. Blue Period

4. Baby Be Good 

5. Room Without A View 

6. Yesterday Girl 

7. Cut Flowers

8. William Wilson 

9. Maria Elena 

10. Kiss Your Tears Away