Music Preview
Live-Songs from Black Mountain
I have been a HUGE fan of Live since Throwing Copper, thus it is no surprise that I was anticipating the release of their 7th studio album, Songs from Black Mountain. While the album won't be released in the US until 6/13/06, it has already been released in parts of Europe. Live's seventh release is solid. While it doesn't have the power of Throwing Copper or Secret Samadhi, the album holds its own in Live's catalog. The album begins with a dosage of straight up pop in the leadoff single, The River. It seems that most Live songs today seem to be focused around love and water themes. While this can get old at time, The River is a catchy song and decent lead off single. It wouldn't have been my first choice, but then again I am not a record executive. While the album is hardly a rocker, several songs stand out, including Mystery, Get Ready, Show, Wings, Sofia, and Night of Nights. Night of Nights stands out in my mind, as the verses are reminiscent of my favorite Live album Secret Samadhi. Live seems to be reinventing themselves on this record and the sound is definitely fresh. Hard rock is the Live of the past, as the band now seems to be leaning towards adult contemporary now. While I personally prefer the hard rock of the past albums, the tunes are still catchy and if one can get past the at times annoying falsetto of lead singer Ed Kowalcyzk, I feel listeners will find the latest album by Live to be quite enjoyable. Check out the album when it drops in June, I know that I'll be picking up a copy since I am a Live diehard.
Grade: B
Red Hot Chili Peppers-Dani California
On Tuesday, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released the first single from their upcoming album, Stadium Arcadium. I haven't been a huge fan of many of the Chili's lead off singles since before One Hot Minute and I found the last album to be somewhat disappointing. If Dani California, is any indication of what the Chili Peppers have in store for us in their latest album, then I cannot wait. The single is a true rocker and has some great guitar licks. John Frusciante sounds amazing on this song and the outro guitar solo was spectacular. Musically, the single is some of the best music I have heard from the Chili Peppers since One Hot Minute and Californication. If you haven't checked out this song yet, I highly recommend it! The new album will drop on May 9th.
Grade: A
