Half-assed review of new music

Seems like the last few weeks have been new music time. New music by Weezer - the Red Album, Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs to name a few. I've taken a listen on a good deal of songs, and my thoughts.

Weezer: some songs are great, some are so-so. Their first single is Pork and Beans, and although it reminds me of when Warren is yelling "Franks and Beans, franks and beans..." during a scene which influenced our namesake - it sounds more like Beverly Hills. I'm not much into lyric analyzing, and am more into "what sounds good, acoustically/aesthetically (for the ear) pleasing". So, if someone like me can pick out the obvious rumblings Rivers makes - something about using Rogaine for his head, and asking Timbaland to get a top record - then you know it's his commentary on music today. I frankly don't like it as much, nor do I like their other "bigger" hit, Troublemaker. There is also a song "Thought I Knew", which the first time I heard, did not think it was Weezer. One of the other band members sings vocals...and that has NEVER happened (at least I think) in a Weezer song. It's alright, and probably Rivers trying to give credit and some spotlight to a bandmember, but I could have done without it. I'm a Weezer snob, whatever. Finally, my favorite songs thus far that I have listented to - Dreamin', and The Greatest Man that Ever Lived. Dreamin' is great...just catchy and the quintessential Weezer la-de-la type of song. And, the Greatest Man that Ever Lived is pretty great too...take a listen.


Next up: Death Cab. Some of the songs are good, some are so-so. I don't really like their first single, I Will Possess Your Heart. Notwithstanding the fact that he wants to possess your heart, it's just a hard listen, in my opinion. The radio version is 3 minutes, while the original album one is like 8. Only because the album version has a 5 minute guitar intro. Which is great I'm sure if you are stoned and want to just listen to chill, stoner music...but not for me. The songs that do stand out in my eyes, are No Sunlight - which is just damn catchy, sorta like The Sound of Settling - and Long Division (another upbeat song that sounds like Sound of Settling) and Your New Twin Sized Bed. Grapevine Fires is pretty good too - but again, something that you need to be in the mood for. All in all, a pretty decent album.

Finally, Coldplay. You know how I know you're...shit, wait. I'm listening to them, and no, Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen, you're totally wrong. Anyway, I've listened to 3 songs from their new album - Violet Hill, Viva la Vida and Lost. The first 2 are absolutely great. Very non-typical-Coldplayish...which is probably why I like it. Lost is more the similar stuff of before, but I haven't really given it too much of a listen to liken it to anything.



So yeah, if you're looking for an analysis of lyrics or whatever, you're in the wrong blog. I don't do that shit. I could barely understand (or even cared to understand) interpretations and analyses of Shakespeare in high school. Why would I do that to lyrics? Which gets me all pissy and is a topic of another post - why losers try to analyze and interpret lyrics. Hip hip hooray dude - you are "connecting" with an artist because you read through his puzzle pieces that he's depressed or came off a breakup or is giddy or something. Shut up already.