Chris Kemp

Being broke totally sucks. Being broke when there’s a ridiculous amount of good music coming out in the next few weeks not only sucks, but it sucks really bad. In this week’s installment of Musicology 101 I am going to cut straight to the chase and let all of you in on the music musts that are droppin’ in the near future.

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals “Cold Roses” – This disc actually came out two days ago (so go back to May 3 and write it down and walk away. Return after 5 minutes or so and check the calendar to see that you accidentally missed the release of Ryan Adams highly anticipated release “Cold Roses.” Run to Best Buy and purchase immediately). Honestly folks, I have had this disc for a few weeks and it hasn’t left my disc changer once. For lovers of early Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown this disc is a must have.

Coldplay “X & Y” – Hitting stores June 7, is “X & Y,” the junior full-length from the players of the cold variety. This disc will not disappoint fans of its previous discs, because it sounds a whole heck of a lot like the others. I am not one to get mad when a band keeps the same sound throughout releases, and I am not upset that Coldplay sounds the same on this disc. Chris Martin and company are excellent at what they do. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.

Oasis “Don’t Believe the Truth” – All the “myspacers” already know that this disc will rival “Definitely Maybe” because Myspace.com has been one of the few places where you can listen to its new single “Lyla.” The first time I heard it I was taken back to my freshman year in high school when “Live Forever” was the hottest thing out of Britain since bad teeth. Check this one out on May 31 … fershizzle.

Diamond Nights “Once We Were Diamonds” EP – I actually just discovered these guys the other day, and I have been waiting for their disc ever since. They remind me of a modern day Thin Lizzy (“The Boys are Back in Town”) with their delectable ’70s guitar riffs and smooth yet raw vocals. This disc hits stores Tuesday, and is an EP, which means there are only going to be between five and seven songs on the disc. Diamond Nights plans on releasing a full-length sometime this fall.

Here are a few CDs to avoid:

Weezer “Make Believe” – Am I the only one who thinks the new Weezer track “Beverly Hills” is the most ridiculous piece-of-crap song ever? I am a huge fan of Weezer … I still wear my first Weezer shirt that I bought in seventh grade that has burn holes from a tragic bottle rocket war on the 4th of July in ’97. I have pretty much decided to hang the shirt up in the closet … you know, like when you put away all your No Fear apparel because you were ashamed to wear it. I just don’t understand Weezer’s descent. It used to be, the trendsetters in the geek-rock genre and now it’s taking cues from its understudies. What gives? I guess if you want to buy the new Fountains of Everclear (Get it? It sounds like Everclear mixed with the ridiculously “Stacey’s Mom-ish” lyrics that are the Fountains of Wayne) album, it comes out Tuesday. Tell me if it is good.

Black Eyed Peas “Monkey Business” – My hatred for this group runs deeper than the inner-core of the earth, and for those who have taken a geology class, that is like a mile or so deep. Monkey Business??? Are they joking? That is the most ridiculous album title in the history of album titles. I hope this disc is its career-ender. But then what would I have to complain about? It would be like Skeletor taking Social Security and quitting the evil business … what would He-Man do without him? I guess I will be more careful for what I wish for.

Sorensen is a junior advertising major and a columnist for The Spectator. Musicology 101 is a weekly column that appears every Thursday.