Coldplay takes listener to “Paradise”

I was not a ColdColdplay's new album, "Mylo Xyloto," is decorated with graffiti. When playing live, Coldplay uses instruments and a backdrop that are also covered with graffiti.play fan until I heard “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.” Shocker? Maybe. But that one song made me want more of Chris Martin’s voice. Now that I’ve listened to most of Coldplay’s past albums, Mylo Xyloto proves to be one of their best to date. The album starts off with an upbeat intro that leads so perfectly into the first full track, “Hurts Like Heaven,” that the change in songs goes... Read more

It won’t help them find Mrs. Right

www.google.com/images For being so young, the boy band Mindless Behavior definitely has some incredible potential. However, they have a long journey of improvement ahead of them. The proof is in their music, and their newest single “Mrs. Right” is all wrong. There’s a random rap artist where there shouldn’t be. For example, the drastic change between tenor and bass is awkward and slightly creepy. The boys are barely thirteen, and they’ve got a full grown man singing with them. Not to put down Diggy, but he certainly did not do the single any favors. It was simply a poor choice on their... Read more

“Duets II” is anything but extraordinary

Put together the famous Tony Bennett and 17 other well-known artists as his duet partners, and the outcome would be a pretty awesome album, right? Well… when basically every song sounds the same, that’s not exactly the case.  Duets II, released on Sept. 20, has 17 tracks featuring big-time singers such as Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, and Mariah Carey. All of the artists are very talented and add that to Bennett’s classic jazz style. The fact that there are so many big singers featured makes the album unique. The only problem is that the songs aren’t unique. Don’t get me... Read more

Bush stirs old memories with new album

Many bands have been forming comebacks lately. Foo Fighters came back after a four-year absence, Red Hot Chili Peppers have returned after six years. The most recent return is Gavin Rossdale and Bush, who have released their first album in 10 years.   Rock giants Bush have faced a long absence. On hiatus since 2001, only half the band stays the same for The Sea of Memories. The members returning are singer Gavin Rossdale and drummer Robin Goodridge. Presenting their talents for the first time are Chris Traynor on guitar and Corey Britz on bass. Memories was produced by Bob Rock who has produced... Read more

Simple Plan got simpler

These days it seems like so many bands are selling out and conforming to sound like generic pop bands that are only around to sell to the masses. Regrettably, it seems like Simple Plan is doing the same. Simple Plan is a well-known punk band that’s been around since 1999. However, ’90s music sometimes sparks debate among high school students because it’s seen as “too old.” Simple Plan is pretty classic for angst-filled teenagers, though. However, Simple Plan has changed its sound, and drastically. What used to be original, heart-felt lyrics with strong guitar chords has now... Read more

Gaga’s on the right track with second album

photo from: ishotcandywarhol.comEccentric, crazy and weird are all words some people associate with Lady Gaga. My thoughts of the rising artist include words like ingenious, infamous and brilliant. I don’t particularly agree with all of her ideas, but she always keeps me on my toes. On May 23 Lady Gaga’s second complete album, Born this Way was released. Before Monday, the singles “Born this Way”, “Judas” and “Edge of Glory” were out. The “Born this Way” single came out over the winter and immediately was number 1 on iTunes and all over the radio. I loved the change in this... Read more

Ask Alexandria to go home

Vans Warped Tour, scheduled for July 7, is a habitual milestone in the summer. The usual bands are to be expected: The Devil Wears Prada, A Day to Remember, and The Ready Set. Additionally, the same shenanigans will probably ensue; the slip’n’slide seems to be a classic. Asking Alexandria, who recently released Reckless and Relentless on April 5, is new to the line up along with the general ruckus of Warped Tour this year. The British band has had little on the top forty charts since their beginning in 2008. Compared to Simple Plan’s eternity with producing and touring, Asking Alexandria... Read more

Set Your Goals’ new album doesn’t promise to impress

Photo from www.wikimedia.org At first glance, Set Your Goals may seem like a typical punk band. Look at a picture of the musicians, for example. The guys all have long, greasy hair and grungy clothes. Typical. And the music the group creates serves to back that statement. The band’s past songs, such as those on 2009′s This Will Be the Death of Us, are full of gripping guitar riffs and angsty lyrics. In short, it’s headbanging music. And some of it is pretty good, as long as the listener is willing to get over how generic it sounds. Take a 2009 song, “Gaia Bleeds (Make Way... Read more

Allstar Weekend’s CD is suddenly mine

The first time I listened to Suddenly Yours by Allstar Weekend, I thought to myself, “typical.” Our world is boy band, after boy band, after boy band. Then, I went back and listened to the actual lyrics. They’re extremely real. The boys words are so true, it’s easy to relate. Example: who doesn’t love the weekend? The band dedicated a whole song to it, cleverly titled “The Weekend.” “Journey to the End of My Life” and “Different Side of Me” relate to what most teens are curious about- their future. Aside from the truth, the vulnerability... Read more

Music industry hitting a sour note

Summer is the season for concerts, and thousands travel to Verizon Wireless Music Center and other venues to listen to their favorite bands and music artists. Over these past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to watch some of the classics in rock and metal, such as Slayer and Motley Crue. Bands like this have been around for well over twenty years, and each has their own place in the history of their specific genre of music. I appreciate how these bands, after so many years of playing shows and selling records, have lasted so long and are still able to sell out venue after venue. After... Read more

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