A Single... Or Two?

Whenever a single that peaks my interest is released, I buy it from iTunes. I have no record stores located anywhere within my area. Even with the recent raise in price (29 cents), I'll buy it if I'm interested in the upcoming album. I have no problem with the fact that I'll buy that same exact song on disc later. That's just the way it goes. But when the artist releases a single several months before the albums release date and then releases another, I have a problem. The artist may even release half of the album in the form of digital singles. Why would I buy these songs if I have the intent of buying the full album? This new money making scheme occurs mostly in very mainstream pop artists that I don't listen to, but every once in a while, it will hit one of my favorite bands. The most recent would be Flyleaf. One event that confused me the most was when Jason Mraz released several digital EP's containing songs from his newest album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Almost the entire record was available digitally before the physical album was released. I only bought I'm Yours. I guess this is just another business move to make more money. The one thing that record companies don't realize is that they are risking a lower amount of sales when the album is released. Oh well, I'll just continue buying the first single and waiting a little longer for the rest.

Paramore - Brand New Eyes

In late 2007, I discovered what would soon become one of my favorite bands. I was listening to your everyday top 40 radio station when Paramore's biggest hit Misery Business came on. The song caught my attention immediately. My initial reaction was that the song actually stood out between the usual pop and hip-hop that's played. It was something that I wouldn't usually expect to break the into the regular radio rotation, aside from alternative and rock stations which are non-existent where I live. Soon after hearing the song, I bought their 2007 album, Riot!. Then, soon after that, I discovered their debut, All We Know Is Falling. I just bought their third album Brand New Eyes, and it's being played constantly.

The lead single, Ignorance, was featured in my very first playlist. It's as close to Riot! as you're going to get. The rest of the album is more mature than their sophomore release. Paramore goes deeper with more complex lyrics, and even a couple acoustic songs. Riot! was a bundle of energy, fun, and anger. Brand New Eyes takes some of that energy, but at the same time slows down for the moments which stand out the most.

The Only Exception and Misguided Ghosts are stripped down ballads. I feel that they are some of the strongest lyrical content that, singer, Hayley Williams has produced. Misguided Ghosts is an almost-folk song which is comprised of mostly an acoustic guitar, played by guitarist Josh Farro, and vocals. The song comes right before the album closer, All I Wanted. All I Wanted truly proves the power of Williams' vocals.

I always found it hard to name Paramore's best album, and with Brand New Eyes being released, it's even harder. Each album has it's own style. All We Know Is Falling is the most raw and distorted. Riot! is their most energetic album and was their break into the mainstream. Brand New Eyes is Paramore's more mature and defining album. Their previous albums almost seem like steps leading to Brand New Eyes. If you're unsure, I would definitely check out this album. If you thought Paramore was too poppy, they've changed. Brand New Eyes introduces the new, more mature, Paramore.

Muse - The Resistance

On the 14th of September the British rock trio, Muse, released their fifth album, The Resistance. The Resistance is the follow-up to 2006's Black Holes And Revelations. The singles Supermassive Black Hole, Starlight, and Knights Of Cydonia made "Black Holes" a hit not only in the UK, but worldwide. The question that critics have been asking is, can The Resistance top Muse's prior success? Let's find out...

First off, The Resistance resembles Black Holes And Revelations much more than their previous works. If you disliked "Black Holes" and loved Absolution or Origin Of Symmetry, then you may not love this album. But if you were fine with their sound evolution, then brace yourself for another step in the process.

The opening song on The Resistance is Uprising. Uprising is also the album's first single. If you want a review on this particular track, then click here. After hearing the full album, I actually feel that Uprising is one of the weakest songs of the set. It doesn't have as much depth as the other songs. One song that may surprise long time Muse listeners is Undisclosed Desires. It sounds as if it was produced by a mainstream pop artist and Depeche Mode. This results in a catchy electronic based song. Although it is the most mainstream sounding song of the bunch, it doesn't bring down the overall quality of the album too much. It just sounds very... out of place. I feel that the part of the album that stands out the most is the three part symphony, which closes The Resistance. Exogenesis: Symphony is separated into three parts, Overture, Cross-pollination, and Redemption. They time in at almost fifteen minutes total. Muse has successfully fused classical with rock.

I have explained in previous reviews that some albums are best listened to as a whole. This statement applies to The Resistance. You should definitely get the entire album, and not just the single. I can't imagine listening to Exogenesis: Symphony in separate parts. I don't think that The Resistance quite tops Black Hole And Revelations, but it sure does get close. The Resistance is a great album, but it has just a few too many flaws to be Muse's best album.

Playlist - Santigold, MGMT, and more

It's that time again. Last week in my music playlist I talked about Imogen Heap, The Clash, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more. Check it out here if you missed it. This week will feature another set of great songs. They're all a bit lighter and danceable. I'm not going to feature Muse's new album in the playlist, because I'm going to write a full album review about it. You can look for that sometime during next week. Now remember, this playlist won't have any rock. It's a poppy one. That's about all you need to know, let's get to the playlist.

Santigold - Lights Out
As I said in the introduction, this song has a light feeling. The chorus is especially smooth. Santigold sounds incredibly different from her previous single L.E.S. Artistes.

MGMT - Kids
I actually wasn't fond of this band when I first heard them. Time To Pretend was my first exposure. It still isn't my favorite song. Kids is much better. If you like Kids, then listen to Electric Feel, it's even better.

Kate Earl - When You're Ready
I wrote about Kate Earl earlier this week. I reviewed Melody here. This time it isn't Melody. When You're Ready is another cool pop song.

The Whip - Blackout
Here's an electronic song that's pretty good. I don't usually like long and extended electronic/dance songs, but this one is an exception. Although it clocks in at over six minutes, it doesn't seem to drag on and on as others do.

If you want a couple more songs, then here they are...

Depeche Mode - Wrong
Scissors For Lefty - Lay Down Your Weapons
Chester French - She Loves Everybody

Kate Earl - Melody

Sometimes pop music can get tiring. You either turn on the radio and hear a song that you wouldn't want your parents to hear you listening to, or it's some Disney product that only your little sister could enjoy. Some kind of in between is needed. Kate Earl is an upcoming pop singer. She released her sophomore album, which is appropriately named Kate Earl, last month. Melody is the first single from the album, and it just might fill the empty gap in pop music.

Her debut album, Fate Is The Hunter, had a less produced sound than this song. It had the sound of adult contemporary radio. This song adds a beat, which will open it up to a younger audience. While it may be considered pop, it's sophisticated enough to keep those who dislike the bubbly mainstream sound from running away. When I first heard the song, I thought she sounded somewhat like a female Jason Mraz, minus the acoustic vibes. The verses have that same flow that he has. She has also been compared to Fiona Apple, Cat Power, and Jewel, which is a pretty big accomplishment for someone so new to the industry.

Melody has the potential to boost Kate Earl into pop stardom. She would also put some fresh air into the small group of female pop stars that are out there today. It's a simple song with, as the title states, a nice melody. Listen to this song if your tired of Lady GaGa, Miley Cyrus, and everything else that sounds almost identical. Every now and then you want a break from the questionable music that floods the air waves. That's where Melody comes in...