The Beach Boys and Asia - Episode 93

Listen to samples and get "That's Why God Made the Radio' on mp3 here

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Listen to more samples and get "XXX (Deluxe DVD/CD edition)" here

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New releases from Coldplay, Brian Wilson, The McClymonts and The Bangles

Artist: Coldplay

Title: Mylo Xyloto

You will be interested if you are a fan of: Keane, U2, Coldplay's previous albums

Tell Me More: It's not hard to listen to Coldplay's latest album, the dazzling Mylo Xyloto, and imagine hearing the British quartet perform these songs in front of thousands of screaming fans at an outdoor festival in some exotic locale on a perfect summer night.
That's not to imply the 14-track album doesn't stand up on it's own. It does.
On Mylo Xyloto (pronounced my-lo zy-letoe), the band's fifth album, Coldplay and composer/co-producer Brian Eno have crafted an appealing and accessible collection of songs that grab the listener from the get-go. There is rousing material ("Charlie Brown," "Don't Let It Break Your Heart"), melodic gems ("Hurts Like Heaven," "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall") and evocative ballads ("Up in Flames," "U.F.O."). The band even teams up with Rihanna to explore decidedly new territory in the inspired "Princess of China."
Chris Martin has never sounded better, his falsetto and emotive vocals really shining across the disc and dancing in counterpart with Jonny Buckland's soaring guitar work. Although "Major Minus" too closely recalls the style of Achtung Baby-era U2, every other moment on Mylo Xyloto is a showcase for Coldplay's own artistic voice.

 Join the gang  and get Coldplay here

Artist: Brian Wilson

Title: In the Key of Disney

You will be interested if you are a fan of: The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson's recent solo releases, Los Lobos' 2009 album Los Lobos Goes Disney

Tell Me More: Brian Wilson isn't the first rock legend to tackle the Wonderful World of Disney (music, that is). In fact, Los Lobos undertook a similar project several years ago on the aptly-titled Los Lobos Goes Disney. But there is little doubt that the interest and attention paid to Wilson's project revisting songs made famous in classic Disney movies has been especially intense leading up to the album's release on Oct. 25, 2011.
While there is no debate about the artistic merit of the Los Lobos effort issued in 2009, my praise for Wilson's In the Key of Disney is a bit muted. To be sure, there are versions here that shine; a Native American flute compliments Wilson's tender delivery on "Colors of the Wind" ("Pocahontas") and his fragile tenor conveys just the right amount of texture on the wistful "Stay Awake" ("Mary Poppins"). But elsewhere, Wilson's touch is not a perfect fit with the material. His voice fails to ignite a Tin Pan Alley-styled arrangement of "The Bare Necessities" ("The Jungle Book") until the end of the song, and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" ("The Lion King") never seems to find its footing.
The disc ends in winning fashion, with Wilson's affecting delivery of "When You Wish Upon a Star" providing another dose of pixie dust showcasing the former Beach Boy's magic touch.
In the Key of Disney was obviously a labor of love for Wilson, and the songs here have been loved by children of all ages.
Perhaps it is Wilson's ability to champion that Disney magic that is the biggest reason to celebrate the meeting of two talents who have brought so much joy into a far-from-perfect world.

 Get into the Key of Disney Here

Artist: The McClymonts

Title: Wrapped Up Good

You will be interested if you are a fan of: Taylor Swift, Pistol Annies, The Corrs

Tell Me More: When it comes to country music, my own tastes are firmly rooted in the alt-country sounds of Gram Parsons, Michael Ubaldini, Emmylou Harris, David Serby and Neil Young's Harvest. But I'm no snob; artists who employ well-crafted songs, strong performances and sweet singing (especially perfect harmonies) can win me over no matter what their musical style.
Just as Ireland's Corrs featured a group of siblings able to somehow blend traditional Irish music with modern-day pop, a trio of Australian sisters known as The McClymonts have magically bridged the seemingly-contrary worlds of authentic Americana and so-called "modern country music" to create something not only palatable but wonderful.
On the McClymonts' Wrapped Up Good, there is plenty to recommend. The songs may explore familiar territory (falling in and out of love), but the affecting "Take It Back," "I Could be a Cowboy" and "He Used to Love Me" come off as fresh thanks to the trio's powerful writing and singing.
The twentysomething sisters (Sam, Mollie and Brooke) from Down Under also handle the upbeat country-rock stuff with grit too, notably "Rock the Boat" and "Wrapped Up Good."

 Get The McClymonts' new CD here

Artist: The Bangles

Title: Sweetheart of the Sun

You will be interested if you are a fan of: The Bangles' 1984 album All Over the Place, Matthew Sweet

Tell Me More: The Bangles' Sweetheart of the Sun marks the first full-length album from the band since 2003's Doll Revolution, and the first time since the early 1980s that the all-female outfit has issued an album without bassist Michael Steele (she left the band in 2005). But more than 30 years after the formation of the Bangs, sisters Debbi and Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs have returned with a fantastic collection of songs on Sweetheart of the Sun. Produced by the Bangles and Matthew Sweet at Lolina Green Studios, the 12-track album is truly one of the band's best-ever releases. Those seeking the massive production found on modern-day recordings on acts ranging from U2 and Coldplay to Lady Gaga won't find that here. This is an album where the voices, guitars and everything else shines through the songwriting and performances alone. "Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun)" brings immediate luster with its lush vocal harmonies and artful guitar lines; Hoffs' evocative lead vocal captures the melancholy on "Under a Cloud." Elsewhere the group delivers power pop jewels ("Mesmerized"), gentle ballads ("I'll Never Be Through With You") or just seems to be in the mood to rock and have a great time ("Ball N Chain").

Another note: Barnes & Noble is offering a special edition of the album that features two bonus tracks (acoustic versions of "Through Your Eyes" and "What a Life"). Get this version while you can.

The Bangles New CD on amazone here

Get the exclusive version available from Barnes & Noble here.

Robert Kinsler

Music Worth Buying - 10/12/08 - Brian Wilson

Artist: Brian Wilson

Album: That Lucky Old Sun 

Worth Buying: Yes the whole album

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, Concept albums

Tell Me More: After releasing Pet Sounds in 1966, and being inspired by the new ground that the Beatles where breaking; Brian Wilson wanted to up the ante. He announced that the Beach Boys next album would be an epic entitled Smile
He described it as a "Teenage Symphony to God".  The album would become legendary for never being finished as his descent into mental illness began. Many would debate if his illness was the cause of Smile's demise or if Smile's demise was one of the many triggers that began a journey into darkness that would take decades to recover from.

Brian Wilson's condition would get much worse before it got better and in interviews those close to him would say that he wouldn't even speak of the album, and that one of the songs frightened him and made him hear voices.

In 2004 after a long uphill battle to recover, "never" finally came. With his original Smile Collaborator Van Dyke Parks, He finished and released Smile.  It was worth the wait, it received great crtitial acclaim.  But most of all, it signaled that he had come to grips with the past. That he had come back, not just professionally.....but personally

All this would seem to be acheivement enough, but with the weight of Smile behind him (once again teaming up with lyrical collaborator Van Dyke Parks) Mr Wilson has done it again by releasing "That Lucky Old Sun". 

If Smile was a teenage symphony to God, then Lucky Old Sun is an older and wiser man's symphony to Southern California. With Smile he took care of unfinished business. But with Sun he is picking up where he left off and moving forward.

If you didn't know any of what I have just written you would never think that an album this optimistic, this romantic could have been written or performed by someone who ever had to suffer a form of schizoprenia for so long. Personally I like this album better than Smile. There is a sheer ubridled joy to this album that by the 3rd listen really started to get contagious for me. Also this album seems so much more personal. No Where is this better demonstrated than on the deceptively simple lyrics of the song "Going Home". In the first verse he reflects on his long journey out of darkness, the completion of Smile and how glad he is to be recovering. 

I'm going home, I'm going home

Back to the place where I belong

Found Peace of mind , Yeah one piece at a time

 

I'm going home, (Sure don't know why I'm rolling around heaven)

I heard my sound, and found my smile

living in love, yeah it's been a while.

  

Lucky Old Sun is the album that really made me Smile 

 

    

What if I am not ready to buy the whole album: Older fans of the Beach Boys will wonder if there are any songs that will compare to their hits? I want to say no because this is a concept album. like Smile or Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon it is broken up into separate tracks, but is meant to be listened to as one solid piece of music. But If I had to separate one track I would point out Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl. Which at first glance might seem like a retread of the hit "Surfer Girl". It isn't. It's an homage to the girl who inspired the song.     

 

 

 

 

What about the packaging? This album comes packaged in a beautiful 3 way gatefold digipak.  I can only imagine how much more beautiful the packaging would have been in the vinyl album format. It also comes with a beautiful lyrics book which is good since you will want to listen to it from start to finish with the lyrics in front of you at least once. 

listen to samples and buy in mp3 format here

CD Format

Deluxe version with CD and DVD

Vinyl LP Version