Viva La Vida - Coldplay
The problem with Coldplay is that with their immense popularity, expectations become higher and higher for each new release. So how does Viva La Vida measure up?
They made Violet Hill a time-limited free download, the publicity generated was great but I wonder if many liked that track at all (personally I didn't like it one bit). I was rather apprehensive what the album as a whole will be like if Violet Hill sets the tone for the entire album. I think that was why a second track (Viva La Vida) was made available online prior to the album's release. Viva La Vida was much better than Violet Hill that's for sure, it was something quite a departure from the usual Coldplay-fare, however the novelty seems to wear off rather too quickly on repeat play. With the differential nature of these two "preview" tracks (two extremes if I may say), it provided further intrique as to what the whole album may sound like and this marketing "weapon" of sorts with the ensuing uncertainties creating an air of 50-50 expectancy provided the pulling effect to draw in the fans to the album's release. That is my take on things.
The jewel in this album for me is the opening track, "Life In Technicolor" which ironically is mostly an instrumental piece with some humming vocals crashing in towards the end to plateau out the track. It was a great opener, however what follows was a mix bag of hits and misses that on the whole breaks no discernible new grounds for the band. In truth, not much separate this from the previous "X & Y". Disappointed? Absolutely! "Parachutes" remains their best album to date although they did deliver terrific individual tracks in each subsequent releases.
This is my initial take on "Viva La Vida" but like all their previous albums, it may or may not grow on you as time progresses. I hope it does but it will not be the whole album, possibly only a couple of tracks.
@#%&*! Smilers - Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann is an enigma to me.
She is a talented songwriter but sometimes a little too elaborate that sort of kills off her own songs both musically and lyrically.
I like her early 'Til Tuesday days, "Welcome Home" was for keeps, her best work to date. It was a pity 'Til Tuesday did not make it big after their early potential.
Aimee went on to a solo career and hit it big with the "Magnolia" movie soundtrack, thereafter she seemed to go off-tangent again.
"Smilers" is a return-to-basics, keeping-things-simple approach that is a perfect showcase of her talents both as a songwriter and singer.
Paul Bryan, the album producer did an amazing job here and he also played bass on the album. It was all done without any electric guitars (for the 1st time in her career), just drums, bass, accoustic guitar, keyboards and Synclavier. Yes! Synclavier, that almost-forgotten machine (some may not qualify it as an instrument!) that have not been heard of for what seems like an eternity. In this particular works it was pure beauty, creating an enviable balance to the whole sound that is almost perfect.
I hope "Freeway" can catch on and be another big hit for her. If it does, I hope the momentum could be more sustainable than before in her somewhat patchy career so far.
"Smilers" ranks side by side with "Welcome Home" in my book, if not better.
Nights from the Alhambra - Loreena McKennitt
I first came across the Alhambra in Shenzhen's Windows of the World and it was a miniature replica of the real thing. It caught my eye when I saw it then. For sure it did not have the grandeur or aura of the actual place in Granada, Spain as seen on the DVD. To be able to play music in such a magical place must be an awe-inspiring experience not only to the musicians but to the audience as well. "Nights from the Alhambra" contains both the music on double audio CD as well as the entire performance on DVD. Loreena McKennitt and her group of musicians turned in a wonderfully inspired performance, giving a whole new perspective to her songs. There were so many different instruments that I have never seen before. This "live" performance elevated songs such as "Penelope's Song", "Dante's Prayer" & "Never-Ending Road" to new heights from the studio version. "Mummer's Dance" did not quite hit the mark though.
It was an amazing performance that should not be missed, possibly the best I have come across in digital format.
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