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Update

Ok, I haven’t updated this blog in a long time and I apologize for that.  I’ve been busy launching infoMedMD, a medical symptoms checker and Bizak, a startup valuation network.  I have been listening to a lot of new music including The Airborne Toxic Event and new Michael Franti.  Also looking forward to new James Morrisson and U2 in February.

Violet Hill Does Not Wow Me!!

I’m not a huge Coldplay fan but I think Parachutes is a tremendous album and I love pieces of their following two CDs.  So with that I’ve been anxiously awaiting Coldplay’s latest release since I know they are trying to create something as remarkable as U2’s Joshua Tree.  Coldplay is also looking to firmly establish itself as the successor to U2.  The only two “new” bands that have the potential to become an international supergroup like U2 are Coldplay and Radiohead.  In my opinion both fall short, however, I do respect Radiohead’s desire to create music on their own terms – even if you don’t like it.  Coldplay wants to be the world’s biggest band, whereas Radiohead doesn’t.  Radiohead however might end up being just that!

So with Violet Hill I was looking for a song that wowed me!  When I first heard I Will Follow it floored me, Sunday Bloody Sunday was amazing, I was spellbound by With or Without You, The Fly was nothing like anything I had heard before and Vertigo had a wicked guitar riff!!  Like Violet Hill, all of these U2 songs were released as the first single before the album was released.  All of these U2 songs had a wow factor that made you eager to hear the rest of the soon to be released CD.  Violet Hill on the other hand is boring. I’m tired of this song and it’s only been a few weeks.  I was under the impression that Coldplay was attempting to change their sound but this song sounds like the some boring Coldplay that I’ve become tired of.  It’s safe, it doesn’t take a risk and it makes me care less about the forthcoming CD.    

 

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David Cook – The Music of the Night

David Cook – The Music of the Night.  Leave your comments and reviews

below

REM Accelerate (A Review – Sort of)

I picked up the new REM CD last night and I’m still working on an opinion for it.  Definitely more cohesive than the last couple of CDs with a lot more energy – 11 songs in 32 minutes.  The breakneck speed reminds me of the Ramones.  Below is an initial review after only a couple of listens.  I’ve liked some of the tunes on the last few CDs (Leaving New York, Walk Unafraid) but on a whole the CDs failed to grab my attention.  Not since Automatic for the People and New Adventures in Hi-Fi have I fully embraced every song on the CD.  Every REM CD from the 1980s are (in my opinion) amazing

1. Living Well is the Best Revenge – opens the CD with some great energy.  I like it!
2. Man-Sized Wreath – jumps in second at 2:33 minutes.  This song reminds me a lot of some of the tunes on New Adventures in Hi-Fi.  I like Hi-Fi a lot but not sure about this song yet.
3. Supernatural Superserious – this is REM’s first single which I wasn’t crazy about on the radio but I think it fits in nicely on the CD.  I love the dirty guitar!
4. Hollow Man – right now it doesn’t do much for me
5. Houston – Great Song!  Reminds me of old REM.  Not sure how old yet but I think Green.  I need to listen to Green again but I think World Leader Pretend comes to mind – great song by the way!!
6. Accelerate – great energy and movement.
7. Until the Day is Done – the opening reminds me of Try Not to Breathe from Automatic for the People.  (I need to relisten to Automatic too.)  The rest of the tune has the Automatic sound with an uplifting chorus.  Very good tune!
8. Mr. Richards – good song.  The guitar reminds me of Monster but not nearly as loud and upfront.
9. Sing for the Submarine – the longest song on the CD.  I think I like but need to hear more.
10. Horse to Water – immediately jumps into a fast tempo and drum beat!  Nice guitar.
11. I’m Gonna DJ – don’t like it.  Sounds cheesy and a poor choice to end the CD with.

My initial opinion is favorable but I need a lot more listens to see if it sticks with me.  At first listen not sure if it has a lasting song like Everybody Hearts, Losing my Religion, Fall on Me, The One I Love – great songs – maybe Houston?  We’ll See

Michael Johns – It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right

This is not an American Idol blog but there is definitely some good tunes on this show.  Last night’s winner (in my opinion) was Michael Johns who I feel is the only contestant who has that rock start persona.

David Cook Billie Jean

I must admit that I like American Idol. It has its cheese but every year there are definitely a handful of top notch singers. Maybe some of the current radio “stars” should be on American Idol to see how they perform without the studio and vocal enhancers! But anyways, this year’s American Idol has some quality singers and this week David Cook’s performance of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean was the standout performance.

David’s performance of Billie Jean was creative, rocking, and nothing like the original. Thanks to a post below I was enlightened to the fact that David Cook’s Billie Jean sounded a lot like Chris Cornell’s version which can be heard below. Having spent my college years watching Singles and listening to Soundgarden’s Superunknown, I’ve been an admirer of Chris’ work from then, through his solo career and recently with his work with Audioslave. However I was not aware of his version of Billie Jean. Yes Chris Cornell has one of the most powerful voices in music. However, David Cook’s version of Billie Jean was almost as impressive and creative since he performed a version that probably 99% of the audience wasn’t aware of.

On top is David Cook’s Billie Jean video. Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean is below that. The original legendary video is at the bottom of this post. If you listen to Ryan Seacrest’s introduction to David Cook’s performance you’ll hear that he says “Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean.”

Of the three which one do you like the best? Leave your comments below!

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Vampire Weekend

Believe the hype!  Vampire Weekend are good!  I “picked up their debut download” this weekend and I’m quite impressed!  Their music is very catchy, upbeat and they’re not afraid to drop f-bombs when needed.  Standouts so far include A-Punk, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, M79 and Wolcott.

In the Year 2525 – Zager & Evans

I heard this song for the first time yesterday.  It’s a very strange song but part of me likes it.  I was actually shocked to hear a song on the radio that I never heard before – rarely happens.  But anyways this hit from Zager & Evans was number one on both the US and UK charts in 1969.  The Nebraska duo has the distinction of being the only artist to have a number one hit on both charts and then never having another one.

Radio 92.9

Contrary to Radio 92.9’s feedback page I would imagine Boston’s Radio 92.9 (formerly WBOS) was getting slammed with negative comments. If you look at today’s last 100 songs played they appear very similar to WBOS.

Radio 92.9 tried to change to many things all at once. If they slowly changed the programming then I don’t think they would’ve have pissed off as many people.

1. Billy Idol – Cradle Of Love
2. Bush – Machine Head
3. TALKING-HEADS – LIFE DURING WARTIME
4. Eddie Vedder – Hard Sun
5. FUEL – SHIMMER
6. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Around The World
7. GREEN-DAY – BASKET CASE
8. White Stripes – You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do
9. Rancid – Time Bomb
10. Ben Folds Five – Brick
11. Foo Fighters – Big Me
12. VIOLENT-FEMMES – BLISTER IN THE SUN
13. Incubus – Dig
14. FILTER – TAKE A PICTURE
15. NIRVANA – ALL APOLOGIES
16. BLUR – SONG 2
17. BOB MARLEY – COULD YOU BE LOVED?
18. Silversun Pickups – Lazy Eye
19. U-2 – EVEN BETTER THAN THE REA
20. Default – Wasting My Time
21. Beastie Boys – Brass Monkey
22. REM – Supernatural Superserious
23. COLLECTIVE-SOUL – SHINE
24. ALANIS MORISSETTE – YOU OUGHTA KNOW
25. Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal
26. Linkin Park – Bleed It Out
27. Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock
28. Alice In Chains – Would?
29. WEEZER – ISLAND IN THE SUN
30. OASIS – WONDERWALL
31. RED-HOT-CHILI-PEPPERS – AEROPLANE
32. POLICE/STING – ROXANNE
33. SEMISONIC – CLOSING TIME
34. STONE-TEMPLE-PILOTS – SEX TYPE THING
35. Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop
36. Radiohead – Bodysnatchers
37. JET – ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL
38. GREEN-DAY – SHE
39. Blink 182 Dammit (Growing Up)
40. TEMPLE-OF-THE-Dog /PEARL-JAM – HUNGER STRIKE
41. U-2 – I WILL FOLLOW
42. FRANZ FERDINAND – TAKE ME OUT
43. DAVE MATTHEWS-BAND – STAY (WASTING TIME)
44. Puddle Of Mudd – Blurry
45. MODEST MOUSE – DASHBOARD
46. Alice In Chains – Rooster
47. Offspring – The Kids Aren’t Alright
48. LitWed – My Own Worst Enemy
49. Linkin Park – What I’ve Done
50. JAMES – LAID
51. NIRVANA – THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
52. Fuel – Hemorrhage (In My Hands)
53. Finger Eleven – Paralyzer
54. DEPECHE-MODE – PERSONAL JESUS
55. SOUNDGARDEN – BLACK HOLE SUN
56. Beastie Boys – No Sleep Till Brooklyn
57. GOO-GOO-DOLLS – IRIS
58. RED-HOT-CHILI-PEPPERSWed – SOUL TO SQUEEZE
59. INXS – NEED YOU TONIGHT
60. Good Charlotte – Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
61. Bush – Comedown
62. 3 DOORS DOWN – IT’S NOT MY TIME
63. BARE-NAKED-LADIES – THE OLD APARTMENT
64. CRACKER – LOW
65. THE KILLERS – SOMEBODY TOLD ME
66. Muse – Starlight
67. TOAD-THE-WET-SPROCKET – ALL I WANT
68. Butthole Surfers – Pepper
69. PEARL-JAM – ALIVE
70. THE STROKES – LAST NIGHT
71. BLACK-CROWES – HARD TO HANDLE
72. JACK JOHNSON – IF I HAD EYES
73. Linkin Park – In The End
74. Blink 182 – First Date
75. Stone Temple Pilots – Wicked Garden
76. Breaking Benjamin – Breath
77. POLICE/STING – MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
78. LENNY KRAVITZ – ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY?
79. Sublime – Wrong Way
80. White Stripes – You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do
81. Soundgarden – Pretty Noose
82. RED-HOT-CHILI-PEPPERS – DANI CALIFORNIA
83. Nine Inch Nails – Closer
84. Green Day – American Idiot
85. 311Wed – All Mixed Up
86. SNOW PATROL – SHUT YOUR EYES
87. Beastie Boys – She’s Crafty
88. NIRVANA – LITHIUM
89. Papa Roach – Last Resort
90. REM – Supernatural Superserious
91. PEARL-JAM – CORDUROY
92. Offspring – Gone Away
93. BOB MARLEY – NO WOMAN NO CRY
94. CAKE – THE DISTANCE
95. Hole – Violet
96. Staind – So Far Away
97. Presidents Of The United States Of America – Lump
98. THE CLASH – I FOUGHT THE LAW
99. HOUSE-OF-PAIN – JUMP AROUND
100. Radiohead – Bodysnatchers