True to form, "Viva La Vida" is good old Coldplay: distant, melodic, ephemeral and, well, cold. Yet its fourth studio album also takes some detours, not least in being the group's most overtly political statement.
Down to the cover art, a visual remix of Eugene Delacroix's war painting "Liberty Leading the People," this is an album that has its passion and conflict tattooed on its hands for all to see. Oddly, what comes off as disingenuous bourgeoisie whining in other hipster groups feels sincere coming from Chris Martin's tender coos and forceful shrieks; perhaps because his emo musings are typically subtle, you're actually listening to what he says.
And you can hear it better, too: For what seems like the first time, Coldplay's gorgeous, lush music is the background to Martin's singing. On "Yes," for example, the loneliness Martin wails about somehow feels thicker, closer, tangible. Sonically, Coldplay soars. Some of the most enjoyable songs are "Lost!" "Strawberry Swing," and "Viva La Vida," yet there isn't really an ill-fitting or bad track on the project. This is surely one of the year's best works.
- Malcolm Venable, The Pilot
Coldplay: "Viva la Vida"
Rating: Go get it now
Tracks to download: "Viva la Vida," "Yes," "Lost!"
"Crue Fest," Motley Crue's traveling road show of tattoos, girls, and sweaty rock 'n' roll makes its stop in Virginia Beach on Sunday, and the Crue Fest Compilation CD makes for a great preview.
The disc kicks off with "Saints of Los Angeles," the lead track from Crue's latest CD. This song sets up the disc nicely with its heavy guitars and Tommy Lee drum beatdowns - traditional Crue indeed. The song also features backing vocals from many of the bands that appear on the CD and the tour, such as Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Trapt and Sixx A.M.
The latter, which is Crue bassist, Nikki Sixx's side project has one of the more memorable songs on the disc with "Heart Failure." Other songs include "SOS" by Papa Roach, "Reason I'm Alive" from Drowning Pool, and "These Are The Days" by The Exies, among others.
Overall, the tracks are OK but not too memorable. Perhaps the most foretelling song is the bonus track "Wildside" by Motley Crue. The live version clearly shows what will be in store for those who go Sunday.
- Mike Doyle
Motley Crue: "The Loudest Show on Earth"
Rating: Borrow it from a friend
Track to download: "Heart Failure"
In concert: 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6, Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $29.50-$95. (757) 671-8100.
Billy Joel's recent near-sell-out concert left fans feeling pretty good. Now, for those who want to relive the performance - or fans who just want to savor the best of the Piano Man's work - we have a new boxed set.
Releasing Tuesday, it includes a CD of "The Stranger," remastered by producer Phil Ramone, a CD of "The Stranger's Tour," and a DVD of a BBC program with two promotional videos. A 24-page booklet rounds out the set. There is also a limited edition available with an extra CD and a 48-page book for those who want even more.
Ramone's remastered "Stranger" is clear and crisp; there is no fuzziness or fade to the sound. Standards such as "The Stranger," "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and "Vienna" are perfectly polished.
Recorded at Carnegie Hall, the live versions on the 12-track concert CD have beaucoup appeal although horns go wild on "New York State of Mind." Be ready to skip ahead. The DVD concert was filmed in 1978. Everybody looks very young and it's fun viewing "The Entertainer," "She's Always A Woman," "Root Beer Rag" and "Movin' Out."
- Kay Reynolds, The Pilot
Billy Joel: "The Stranger: 30th Anniversary"
Rating: Download a few tracks
Tracks to download: "The Stranger," "Vienna"
The latest from G. Love & Special Sauce finds the Philadelphia band doing what it's been doing for the past 15 years: present more of its patented hip-hop-Delta-blues-mash-up with a few slight stylistic embellishments.
Love (a.k.a. Garrett Dutton) and his crack rhythm section of drummer Jeffrey Clemens and bassist Jimi "Jazz" Prescott along with keyboardist Mike Boyce - who collectively make up Special Sauce - don't offer anything radically new. Sure, the album begins with "Communication," the closest to The Beatles the band will ever get, but, largely, "Superhero Brother" does not leap over tall genres in a single bound. But that's not bad.
Songs, as usual, range from the downright silly ("Wiggle Worm" and "Who's Got the Weed" with the Pharcyde's MC Slim Kid Tre) to sophomoric sentiment ("Peace, Love and Happiness" and "Grandmother"). But no one ever slapped a G. Love disc on the player for deep philosophical musings or a potpourri of disparate musical styles, just for its deep party-time grooves.
And "Superhero Brother's" got enough for an entire jumpin' Justice League.
- Eric Feber, The Pilot
G. Love & Special Sauce: "Superhero Brother"
Rating: Download a few tracks
Tracks to download: "City Livin'," "Crumble," "Wontcha Come Home"
Montgomery Gentry's "Back When I Knew It All" could almost qualify for a Dove Award.
In their individual liner notes each man professes his love of God. Church, faith and redemption also come up. And it begins with a you-have-to-hear-it-to-believe-it piece, "The Big Revival. "Praise the Lord and pass me a copperhead," and, "when you hold that deadly viper keep the Holy Spirit in your mind," are just two of its many fascinating lines.
The entire CD is a raw, gritty, no-holds-barred offering that is somewhat unbelievable. It works. The harmony is great, the arrangements outstanding, and Blake Chancey's production is top-notch. The title tune is a country chart topper, probably because some of the better songs such as "The Big Revival" might be considered too controversial for conservative airplay. Another exciting offering, "Long Life of Losers."
Some folks might find irreverence in such offerings but, somehow, the problems come out as moral victories.
- Frank Roberts
Montgomery Gentry: "Back When I Knew it All"
Rating: Go get it now
Tracks to download: "The Big Revival," "Long Life of Losers"
In concert: Toby Keith, with Montgomery Gentry and others. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15; Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $29.50-$69.50. (757) 671-8100.
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