It's been years since I've sat around waiting for the release of a new CD. I used to get so excited about new Queen albums, (right around the "Night at the Opera" era) or anything that involved the Finn Brothers. As a songwriter, I can get a bit snobbish about music that gets over-produced, or on the rare occasion under produced. Or bands that write cliche' songs where telling the difference between each track becomes tiresome. Some examples: The Fray. A nice band with a good sound, but not much variety to their approach. They found a formula and they're playing it safe. Maybe it's pressure from their label to keep the money train on the tracks. I too have fallen into this rut in the past, writing tunes or riding the same tempos that just don't display enough versatility. It just comes off as uninspired and rather boring. I didn't have the excuse of a big payday, so it seems I've been a more of a musical douche-bag than the Fray. All that aside, I remember when I first heard Silverchair and thought little of them. Another three-piece grunge/metal band of young guys who would likely burn out and fade into the abyss before my coffee went cold. Then, some years later I heard a track from "Young Modern" I believe it was "If you Keep Losing Sleep". When I found out who was behind this unique song and CD I was surprised. Now they're back in the studio and I'm very pumped about their music and their new CD. First of all, Young Modern is just one hell of a great record. The songwriting, arranging and performances have more depth and quality than just about anything I've heard in years. Radiohead aside, these guys are now making brilliant, mature and timeless music. A different genre from their earlier efforts. The thing that most intrigues me is their ability to evolve. Let's face it -- most bands just don't have the juice to do that. Only the greats can really create such timeless songs that really have a shelf life. If Silverchair doesn't take over America as they've taken Australia and parts of Europe, then the world and its listeners are too far gone with formulaic rubbish that saturates the airwaves. I will see this as a great injustice, while another great band goes unnoticed by American radio.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
An Amazing CD
It's been years since I've sat around waiting for the release of a new CD. I used to get so excited about new Queen albums, (right around the "Night at the Opera" era) or anything that involved the Finn Brothers. As a songwriter, I can get a bit snobbish about music that gets over-produced, or on the rare occasion under produced. Or bands that write cliche' songs where telling the difference between each track becomes tiresome. Some examples: The Fray. A nice band with a good sound, but not much variety to their approach. They found a formula and they're playing it safe. Maybe it's pressure from their label to keep the money train on the tracks. I too have fallen into this rut in the past, writing tunes or riding the same tempos that just don't display enough versatility. It just comes off as uninspired and rather boring. I didn't have the excuse of a big payday, so it seems I've been a more of a musical douche-bag than the Fray. All that aside, I remember when I first heard Silverchair and thought little of them. Another three-piece grunge/metal band of young guys who would likely burn out and fade into the abyss before my coffee went cold. Then, some years later I heard a track from "Young Modern" I believe it was "If you Keep Losing Sleep". When I found out who was behind this unique song and CD I was surprised. Now they're back in the studio and I'm very pumped about their music and their new CD. First of all, Young Modern is just one hell of a great record. The songwriting, arranging and performances have more depth and quality than just about anything I've heard in years. Radiohead aside, these guys are now making brilliant, mature and timeless music. A different genre from their earlier efforts. The thing that most intrigues me is their ability to evolve. Let's face it -- most bands just don't have the juice to do that. Only the greats can really create such timeless songs that really have a shelf life. If Silverchair doesn't take over America as they've taken Australia and parts of Europe, then the world and its listeners are too far gone with formulaic rubbish that saturates the airwaves. I will see this as a great injustice, while another great band goes unnoticed by American radio.
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