New music strikes chords, hits highs and lows
Sara Byers
Issue date: 1/21/10 Section: Features
John Mayer - Battle Studies
Many John Mayer fanatics have been patiently awaiting his newest album Battle Studies. His dreamy voice, strikingly good looks and mad guitar skills mostly attract ladies in high school and college, and he played it safe by releasing an album purely based on the hardships and routines of love.
Beginning with "Heartbreak Warfare," the melody is very simple. Although the lyrics are well written and people can relate to the overall message, it doesn't make up for noticeably different music style portrayed in many of his songs. Compared to his last album Continuum, which had a blues-rock sound, he has now fallen into the pop-rock/ contemporary feel that is targeted towards a younger, teenage audience. The songs also lack the power of the guitar, which is present in previous albums, but still has some catchy finger-picked tunes such as "Edge of Desire," perhaps the strongest cut on the album.
Lyrically the album is very mature. Mayer sings from what appears to be experience and does a good job metaphorically describing how relationships work.
But compared with previous work, it is hard not to be a little disappointed to see Mayer slowly slip toward adult contemporary. He's got too much talent to be penning songs that seem destined for elevators.
Vampire Weekend - Contra
If you dig Indie Rock music, Vampire Weekend's new album Contra is certainly one to add to your collection.
Although it is nearly impossible for the band to top their debut album, the self-titled Vampire Weekend, they still added some fun, new tunes to jam in the car to.
Opening with "Horchata," Vampire Weekend's unique sound is displayed with a fairly simple and recurring melody, which is similar to the band's previous work with optimistic melodies and rhythms.
The song displays heavily layered vocals in the chorus and the building of instruments and synchs throughout the song, showing us that this is something new and more detailed. "Horchata" gives a taste of something familiar, but with a hint of originality.
Vampire's interesting technique of putting together different musical texture is revealed in "White Sky."
This song displays random guitar solos, a fun, solid drum beat and the exceptional falsetto that Ezra Koenig carries playfully throughout the song.
Compared with the previous album, Contra is anything but dull. But it does require more patience to uncover its charm and matchless qualities, and it is definitely worth the effort.
Thirty Seconds to Mars - This is War
A very interesting album released before the New Year was This Is War by 30 Seconds To Mars.
The band's previous album A Beautiful Lie had the very popular songs "The Kill" and "From Yesterday" in which everyone knew all the words within two days. This album is much more under wraps and out of the ordinary.
Since their debut release in 2002, 30 Seconds to Mars has gone in a different direction. Instead of the bouncy, likable rock sound we are used to, they have taken more of a backseat to the pop/teenage angst side, which surprisingly has worked to their advantage.
The band still trademarks their songs with a powerful chorus allowing Jared Leto to belt his heart out, and you have to give him credit. Their album stirs up a recurring theme in the lyrics unveiling human flaws as the band constructs the tracks to an overwhelming sound.
Sounds filled with choppy guitar riffs, pounding chord dynamics and experimental auto-tuning. Such elements are heard in the song "Hurricane," which features the auto-tune whiz, Kanye West. The songs are not what you would expect to hear on the radio, but are still very captivating. Music needs more originality and 30 seconds To Mars has what it takes.
This Is War is a good follow-up album for this band. Creativity and innovation are what separates this band from others.
It's not everyone's cup of tea and it is not phenomenal, but it's pretty tight and different from what you hear each day.
Many John Mayer fanatics have been patiently awaiting his newest album Battle Studies. His dreamy voice, strikingly good looks and mad guitar skills mostly attract ladies in high school and college, and he played it safe by releasing an album purely based on the hardships and routines of love.
Beginning with "Heartbreak Warfare," the melody is very simple. Although the lyrics are well written and people can relate to the overall message, it doesn't make up for noticeably different music style portrayed in many of his songs. Compared to his last album Continuum, which had a blues-rock sound, he has now fallen into the pop-rock/ contemporary feel that is targeted towards a younger, teenage audience. The songs also lack the power of the guitar, which is present in previous albums, but still has some catchy finger-picked tunes such as "Edge of Desire," perhaps the strongest cut on the album.
Lyrically the album is very mature. Mayer sings from what appears to be experience and does a good job metaphorically describing how relationships work.
But compared with previous work, it is hard not to be a little disappointed to see Mayer slowly slip toward adult contemporary. He's got too much talent to be penning songs that seem destined for elevators.
Vampire Weekend - Contra
If you dig Indie Rock music, Vampire Weekend's new album Contra is certainly one to add to your collection.
Although it is nearly impossible for the band to top their debut album, the self-titled Vampire Weekend, they still added some fun, new tunes to jam in the car to.
Opening with "Horchata," Vampire Weekend's unique sound is displayed with a fairly simple and recurring melody, which is similar to the band's previous work with optimistic melodies and rhythms.
The song displays heavily layered vocals in the chorus and the building of instruments and synchs throughout the song, showing us that this is something new and more detailed. "Horchata" gives a taste of something familiar, but with a hint of originality.
Vampire's interesting technique of putting together different musical texture is revealed in "White Sky."
This song displays random guitar solos, a fun, solid drum beat and the exceptional falsetto that Ezra Koenig carries playfully throughout the song.
Compared with the previous album, Contra is anything but dull. But it does require more patience to uncover its charm and matchless qualities, and it is definitely worth the effort.
Thirty Seconds to Mars - This is War
A very interesting album released before the New Year was This Is War by 30 Seconds To Mars.
The band's previous album A Beautiful Lie had the very popular songs "The Kill" and "From Yesterday" in which everyone knew all the words within two days. This album is much more under wraps and out of the ordinary.
Since their debut release in 2002, 30 Seconds to Mars has gone in a different direction. Instead of the bouncy, likable rock sound we are used to, they have taken more of a backseat to the pop/teenage angst side, which surprisingly has worked to their advantage.
The band still trademarks their songs with a powerful chorus allowing Jared Leto to belt his heart out, and you have to give him credit. Their album stirs up a recurring theme in the lyrics unveiling human flaws as the band constructs the tracks to an overwhelming sound.
Sounds filled with choppy guitar riffs, pounding chord dynamics and experimental auto-tuning. Such elements are heard in the song "Hurricane," which features the auto-tune whiz, Kanye West. The songs are not what you would expect to hear on the radio, but are still very captivating. Music needs more originality and 30 seconds To Mars has what it takes.
This Is War is a good follow-up album for this band. Creativity and innovation are what separates this band from others.
It's not everyone's cup of tea and it is not phenomenal, but it's pretty tight and different from what you hear each day.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Buddha
posted 1/21/10 @ 4:42 AM EST
It's a totally different band to the other ... THIS IS WAR is a hymn to reflection of our lives and what we do with it. If we stand still or stand and we change the world . (Continued…)
Becky
posted 1/21/10 @ 10:06 AM EST
Good review of This is War by 30 Seconds to Mars. The album and their sound is different. They do not run the normal standard rockband music and this is one of the reasons I like them. (Continued…)
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