While the rest of the album is good, The Fray definitely made the right choice with “You Found Me as the single for their latest album. It’s one of those songs that makes you stop and notice every time it comes on the radio. Stylistically all of the songs are classic “The Fray” style, but this is the most memorable track the record has to offer. Plus it is highly marketable with the relationship theme everyone can relate to and energetic music to go with it that really grabs the listener’s attention. Definitely go pick up this album (if you haven’t already).
Muse Is Our Resistance
The word for today is “energy” and Muse’s new album The Resistance certainly delivers. With the epic opening of the first track “Uprising” the listener knows they are in for quite a ride. The Resistance has many of the same elements of previous albums (especially Absolution) and yet something different has been infused into the mix. There is more energy here than ever before. Everything seems more upbeat, but it is done in a way that doesn’t make it feel Poppy. Even the classic slower song midway through the album (United States of Eurasia) is more energetic than before.Of course they save the best for last with the three-part masterpiece “Exogenesis: Symphony”, which essentially has all of the elements that make Muse great but amplified. It is the punctuation to a fantastic album. In conclusion, The Resistance brings us the same great Muse but with a twist. This will keep old fans happy (this fan was certainly more than satisfied) while possibly attracting a new crowd to the fold. Hopefully this will mean more popularity for them in the U.S. I hope so because this is one band that definitely is underrated as of yet.
Snow Patrol Announce New Album
Snow Patrol have announced they will release an album of fan favorites November 9th. The album includes not only their most loved songs but also three new tracks for fans to enjoy. They also have started their U.S. Tour and will be in New York Sept 22 & 23 at Beacon Theater. This blogger was lucky enough to get tickets for the Sept 22 date. Look for a review of their performance next week.
Avenue Q
The hit Broadway muppet-fest Avenue Q may have left Main St, but you can still catch it off Broadway. This is the first time a show has ever moved from the main stage to an off Broadway theater. We always knew Avenue Q was one of a kind, but this just makes it even more original. If you haven’t seen it then go, and if you have then see it again. This is one show you will definitely get your money’s worth.
Save the Music
RXP posted a letter on their site in regards to a tax that would force them to make cutbacks in their music selection and staff. I know times are tough, but this is not the solution to any of our problems. This station has been giving me a reason to listen to the radio for the past year now. Please follow the title link and help keep the music alive.
VMA: Vote Muse, America
While everyone else may be talking about Kanye’s comments or Beyonce’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, I want to take a moment to put the spotlight on Muse. Their performance during the show was the highlight of the night for me. The awards itself didn’t interest me much (except the much deserved win by Green Day for their 21 Guns video). The only time I really got excited was when I heard Matthew Bellamy’s enchanting voice sing its first notes on American television. Yes, this was Muse’s first appearance on American TV. This band from the UK has always been more popular overseas than here. They are currently on tour as support for U2 and have sold out two dates at Giants Stadium later this month, but that was more because of who they are touring with than their own popularity here. My hope is that they are finally starting to breakout in the US and that we will consequently get to see more of them here.
Clijsters climbs to top, wins US Open Championship
Kim Clijsters must have been happy she came out of retirement, because she has had quite a run since her return. This comment she posted on Twitter says it all:
The fairy tale goes on – some how, I’m in the US Open final on Sunday beating both Venus and Serena along the way… am i dreaming???
No, Kim, you’re not dreaming, but it must feel that way after the splendid run you have had throughout this tournament. You had a tough draw, including both Serena and Venus Williams, but you managed to make it to the finals. And oh what a night it was.
It was a night of first. For the first time in the history of the sport, an unseeded player won a major final. Also a first was the two women involved ever facing each other. Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki gave everyone in Arthur Ashe stadium a show Sunday night when Clijsters battled her way to a 7-5, 6-3 win. The first set was tight, with both players struggling to hold serve. Each game was another epic battle, many going to deuce. Eventually Clijsters was able to take the set 7-5.
The second set was not nearly as eventfully, at least until Clijsters broke for a 4-2 lead. The players stayed on serve and Clijsters eventually served it out to take the second set at 6-3 with a spectacular display in her final game. After making her climb to the top of the charts complete she proceeded to climb to the top of the stands for a congratulatory kiss from her husband, as well as hugs from the rest of her box. With trophy in one hand and daughter Jada in the other, this is one dream Clijsters won’t want to wake up from.
Barrel Full of Monkies
I did some promotion here a few days ago for a show Friday, September 11 with Lili Roquelin, Alyson Greenfield, and Yula Beeri at Monkey Town. The show was a combination of music and visual presentation, which made it more interesting than a typical performance (although Alyson and Yula can be interesting all on their own). Yula especially put on quite a show last night. There were dancers and props included on top of the song and video presentation. As the photographer for the evening, here are some shots to show you what you missed out on.
LiLi Roquelin
Alyson Greenfield
Yula Beeri
Just a small sample to entice you. The first one, I have been told, will be featured on LiLi’s MySpace page. The rest will be on the TM Promotions MySpace, probably later today.
Never Forget
Does everyone remember where they were when the events of 8 years ago took place? September 11, 2001, picture this: Students are sitting in English class preparing for an exam. Across the hall our history teacher (whose class we just left a few minutes ago) is running up and down the halls asking who has seen and for us to turn on our TVs. We do, and take our quiz while silent images of destruction fly across the screen. One of those students was me. I was in the 8th grade at the time. I will never forget who I sat next to or what we said as events unfolded. I doubt any of us will.
Another story. Imagine you were supposed to work in that building but had called out earlier because your wife was going into labor and about to have her baby. How lucky would you feel? Not only starting your family, but you have been saved from the horror that others had to go through. This is what happened to a friend of my father’s. This was one of those moments where even a doubter has to believe in a greater Power than oneself.
I hope everyone takes the time to remember today and those who were not as fortunate. Most importantly don’t forget to live, not just today but every day. Make every moment count, because you never know when it may all have to come to an end.
Alyson Greenfield @ Monkey Town
Tomorrow night (9/11) Yula Beeri, Alyson Greenfield, and LiLi Roquelin will be making an appearance at Monkey Town in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Doors are at 6:30 and show starts at 7. It is recommended you reserve your spots in advance. Price is $7, which you would pay at the door regardless of whether or not reservations were made. This promises to be a great show so come on out. Hope to see you all there — I’ll be the one with the camera in one hand and clipboard containing Ms Greenfield’s mailing list in the other.