mctLast year, Breann Schossow and Tara Cegla went head-to-head regarding upcoming musical releases. Cegla, who can play bass and loves all electronic things, claims that Schossow has no musical taste as she once bought a CD. They’ve continued this tradition.
Dave Matthews Band: Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
TC: What might seem like a carefree, ode to spring, ends up being a pretty deep song for Dave. “Somebody’s going hungry and somebody’s eating out.” Musically, it sounds like the Dave everyone knows and loves. A catchy chorus, an acoustic guitar in the background and a violin solo; Dave has returned. The last time the band recorded was in 2005 with Stand Up, which was a little more serious effort with a somber tone. This new single implies the opposite since it has a little harder, classic Dave sound. Fans should catch Dave return to Alpine Valley on July 17 and 18.
BS: I completely agree here. It didn’t start out the way I thought it would at all, but the lyrics were so beautiful and feels like a completely new band, perfect for a fresh album. A personal favorite of mine occurred halfway through the song when Dave ponders “A soldier’s last breath/His baby’s being born,” among other topics in life combining intense lyrics with gorgeous guitar riffs separating the verses made this song pure gold.
TC Rating: 4 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 4 out of 5 guitar chords
Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown, May 15
TC: Green Day grew up. If fans still haven’t accepted that from their American Idiot release, they probably won’t enjoy the new single. “Know Your Enemy” evokes many of the same emotions as “American Idiot,” with slams against the government. Personally, I’ve never enjoyed choruses where the same phrase is repeated over and over, which they do by saying “do you know the enemy,” but maybe they just really want to get their point across. I’m not a huge fan of this song and I still enjoy my classic Green Day a little more. Green Day is playing at the Target Center in Minneapolis on July 11 and the United Center in Chicago on July 13.
BS: It felt like Green Day. I guess mature Green Day is exactly the same, sound-wise. I actually really enjoyed this number and was constantly reminded of “She’s a Rebel” from American Idiot. As for the repeated lyrics “Do you know the enemy,” I’m up for monotony, especially since I became a fan of Ida Maria and her single, “Oh My God.” Two different bands, but I’ve apparently developed a love for musical monotony.
TC Rating: 2 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 3.5 out of 5 guitar chords
The Dead Weather: Horehound, June
TC: In my eyes, Jack White can do no wrong and he doesn’t fail me with his latest side project, The Dead Weather, a mix between rock and blues. I say side project hesitantly, because it seems that’s all he’s doing these days. This is an all-star line-up and features a female singer from one of my favorite up and coming bands, The Kills. Alison Moshart shares a rougher sound of her voice on the song, “Hang You from the Heavens.” Different from what most people are used to, White leads the beat on the drums. Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs plays bass and Dan Fertita from Queens of the Stone Age plays guitar. I really enjoy what I’ve heard so far from the band. They almost have a dirty sound and it’s definitely another hit on White’s part. Currently, The Dead Weather has no regional shows scheduled.
BS: My co-columnist is so idealistic. I think you’re a little starstruck, but while I’m waiting for the stars to fade, I wasn’t feeling it the first time around while listening to “Hang From the Heavens.” I will admit that it sounds very B.A. and that Moshart has a very smoky and eclectic voice. Despite its successes, it was 30 seconds too long. As for their cover of “Are you Electric,” well, I liked it better than the first song.
TC: Please don’t hate on Jack White. Everything he touches turns to gold and this band is no exception. Maybe you’re okay with bronze, but I look for gold in my music choices.
TC Rating: 4.5 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 2.5 out of 5 guitar chords
Incubus: Monuments and Melodies, June 16
TC: “You’re a mountain I’d like to climb/Not to conquer but to share the view.” This is one of the first lyrics to Incubus’ new single “Black Heart Inertia,” which is what first caught my attention.
The bridge in the new song reminds me a lot of A Crow Left of the Murder, in that it drifts away from the rest of the song’s feel.
Incubus’ latest release, Light Grenades, left me and other fans a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, there were songs I enjoyed but my favorite Incubus albums remain as Make Yourself and Morning View. Light Grenades seemed to be a pretty poppy release, compared to the harder sounds of A Crow Left of the Murder. The latest single seems to be a continuation of Light Grenades but with a little more rock. Incubus is one of my favorite bands but I’m not sure if they’ll ever return to that sound I loved in their previous efforts. I can never pass up the opportunity to swoon over Brandon Boyd, though. Incubus will play in Chicago at the Charter One Pavilion on July 21.
BS: Incubus is beautiful. Truly. And I know TC won’t stomp all over me for that opinion. Of the songs that we’ve compiled for our anticipated music releases, “Black Heart Inertia,” was my favorite new relationship song. I’ve always loved their clever lyrics and I’m such a sucker for a decent guitar solo. Incubus always delivers.
TC Rating: 4 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 5 out of 5 guitar chords
Passion Pit: Manners, May 19
TC: Passion Pit is one of the happiest bands I’ve heard in a while, especially out of all the other songs I’ve reviewed. They have a fresh sound and are said to be one of the biggest up and coming bands around. Their sound is a cross between MGMT, a band that’s seen a lot of success in the last year, and the more techno group Cut Copy. “Little Secret (Nouveau!)” is a very happy song, with children’s vocals in the background of the chorus. “The Reeling” has a little quicker tempo and is an even more upbeat song than “Little Secret” and is probably my favorite of the two.
Passion Pit is playing a sold out show on July 14 at the Empty Bottle in Chicago.
BS: I felt like I stepped into a SuperMario game at the introduction of “Little Secret,” one of their new singles. Overall, the song was … cute. It has a catchy beat, but let’s be honest. It isn’t at the top of my summer playlist. As for another of their singles, “The Peeling,” I stepped onto a musical roller coaster. While I love a good ‘coaster, I won’t be buckling into that one for a while. The only thing that kept me on board was the beautiful piano interlude.
TC: I’m sure you’ll come around when someone else tells you of their happy lyrics and fun beats. I will prove you wrong, trust me.
TC Rating: 5 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 1 flat guitar chord out of 5 (but willing to change)
Lil Wayne: Rebirth, June 23
TC: When I heard Lil Wayne was releasing a new album, I was excited. I can’t lie; I’m a sucker for the guy. He’s catchy and knows who to collaborate with. But when I heard this new album was going to be more rock-oriented and not rap, I was skeptical. During the first listen, though, I was surprised. It’s just as catchy as Lil Wayne’s raps but with a more traditional guitar and drum sound. There are currently no events scheduled for Lil Wayne.
BS: “Prom Queen” introduced me to a new stage of being in love with Lil Wayne. I wasn’t a fan until this song. It was very high school, but of the songs on this playlist, his guitar riffs were my favorite and his eclectic lyrics and voice make this an amazing song for me.
TC Rating: 4 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 4 out of 5 guitar chords
Wilco: Title TBD, June
TC: I’ve listened to Wilco for almost four years now and they’ve become one of my favorite bands. Each album of theirs is different from the previous. Their last release, “Sky Blue Sky,” was very chill with lots of acoustics and piano. Of the new Wilco songs I’ve heard, it sounds very different from the direction I would have expected them to take after “Sky Blue Sky.” But that’s just Wilco; it’s difficult to say where their next release will go. I definitely like “One Wing” best, which they performed at Lollapalooza last year when it was still a work in progress. It reminds me of “Via Chicago” or “I’m Trying to Break Your Heart” just in the way it builds and transforms as the song progresses. Plus there is a great guitar solo at the end, very opposite of “Sky Blue Sky.” Another song, “Sunny Feeling,” is a bit different sounding than “One Wing.” It reminds me a lot of their classic song “Jesus Etc.” I’m not sure how these songs have changed since Wilco performed them last summer, but I’m very excited for this release, much more so than I was for “Sky Blue Sky.” Wilco is performing at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes, Minn. on July 23.
BS: I’ve been stealthily avoiding Wilco for years, but my co-columnist forced me to listen.
And you know what? I like them. A lot. With angsty guitar rhythms in “Sunny Feeling” (odd, right) and some ridiculously amusing lyrics in “The Wilco Song,” I’ve found myself looking forward to this release. However, I was a goner when I heard another of the band’s singles, “One Thing.”
TC Rating: 4.5 out of 5 guitar chords
BS Rating: 4 out of 5 guitar chords
Cegla is a sophomore public relations major and showcase editor for The Spectator.
Schossow is a sophomore print journalism major and news editor for The Spectator.
