Videos from The Music

The Music are one of the coolest bands from the decade are back...check them out!

The Battle of the RNC

No strangers to controversy, Rage Against the Machine were set to play an outdoor concert near the Republican National Convention Tuesday, however the performance / protest was shut down by police and riots ensued. Yet Zach De La Rocha and Tom Morello took the opportunity to exercise their 1st Amendment rights and did Acapella versions of "Bulls on Parade," and "Killing in the Name of."

U2009!!!!!

A few weeks ago I mentioned that U2 were rumored to be eyeing a November release for their 12th studio record. Well Bono has squashed the rumors and the band is set to release the album sometime in 2009! "I’m always the one who underestimates how easy it is to simply 'put out the songs now', if it was just up to me they’d be out already! But early next year people will be able to start hearing what we’ve been doing. We want 2009 to be our year, so we’re going to start making an impression very early on …" Bono spoke to U2.com and mentioned many things that would get a U2 fanatic like myself, very excited. ‘This is our chance for us to defy gravity once again," Bono said, knowing that each record the band puts out has to out do the last.
The band has about 50-60 songs written and be sure to keep an eye out here as more news filters in during the coming months!

Keane Tracklisting

Unique UK trio Keane are set to release their very much anticipated third album, Perfect Symmetry this fall. Critics and fans are looking forward for this album as it is the bands first since Tom Chaplins release from rehab after having a bad bout with booze. Check out the track listing for Perfect Symmetry here:
1. Spiralling
2. The Lovers Are Losing
3. Better Than This
4. You Haven't Told Me Anything
5. Perfect Symmetry
6. You Don't See Me
7. Again And Again
8. Playing Along
9. Pretend That You're Alone
10. Black Burning Heart
11. Love Is The End

Rising Artist-Glasvegas

They are strong as they are vulnerable. They are haunting as they are catchy. They are Glasvegas. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland this band is making a name for themselves the world over. At first glance it looks as if singer James Allen could be a young Joe Strummer and bassist Paul Donoghue and guitarist Rab Allan could be members of the Editors. However, do not count out drummer Caroline McKayas she is the backbone of the band, Glasvegas not just have a a unique look but sound as well. Combining dark 80's style music, think Echo and the Bunnymen or Love and Rockets with dark, haunting lyrics about life, death and social workers. At first listen, Glasvegas will strike your heart and mind and will only leaving you begging for more. Their self titled debut record is due out this month and I can already tell it will be very well received. They are just about to embark on their first US tour, and maybe worth catching before they really begin to blow up.

Movie of the Month-Paradise Now

From the most unlikely of places, comes the most unlikely call for Peace. The 2005 film Paradise Now is unquestionably one of the most powerful films I have ever seen, and I promise for those that have not seen it, it will be just as powerful and emotional for you. The premise of the film is about two Palestinian men preparing for a suicide attack in Israel. The idea may not seem all that powerful, if not controversial. However, the film explores reasons why men like these do what they do and why it needs to end. Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad, stated to the Guardian "The film is an artistic point of view of that political issue [...] The politicians want to see it as black and white, good and evil, and art wants to see it as a human thing." With more statements defending the film, it had audiences around the world in awe with its compelling story and the last few frames will leave you to determine your own intriguing ending. Paradise Now is more than a film it is a statement, landing a Golden Globe in 2006 and nominated for an Academy Award that same year. Paradise Now is a film we need now more than ever. It is also appropriate to discuss such a film in a month when story lines such as this hit at home.

Underated Classic-David Bowie "Heathen"

This maybe a young record to consider a classic of any sorts, but in 2002 David Bowie gave the world Heathen, his strongest record in almost two decades. It was a comeback to the US charts for the Thin White Duke, breaking in at 14 and gave the creator his strongest reviews since 1980's Scary Monsters. Heathen is unlike any Bowie record to come before it, combining originals with obscure covers from The Pixies, Neil Young and Norman Odam. The record also features a plethora of notable names contributing their talents to David and his band. Artists like Pete Townshed, Dave Ghrol, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson). Heathen was a bit of a concept record focusing on the end of mankind and what could come after. What Heathen also offers is Bowie dipping into ambient / electro rock and showcasing that at his age his never ceases to stop being creative. Heathen delivers a form of music that in 2002, only six years ago was not at its peak. The artists that could have inspired Bowie, bands like; Portishead, Mono, Morcheeba had not been around for sometime. If you pick up Heathen today not only is it still fresh, it will have a staying power that will last forever.

Prospects March!

As you may have figured from reading this site I am a huge Coldplay fan. I have tracked the recording of Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends from Day 1 and am pleased to announce Coldplay will release more music before year ends! An E.P. entitled Prospects March (The original title of Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends) will be out by Christmas and will feature the song "Luna" (the duet they penned with Kylie Minogue).

After the release of Prospects March, the band will hit the studio again to put out a new record to close the decade. No worries I shall follow the progress of that record as well!

Skope Out Music

My good friend and colleague Bill Reese has been reviewing music for former print magazine, now online mag Skope. Check out what he had to say about the latest from The Verve and Okkervil River.

Click here for a review of The Verve's Forth

Click here for a review of Okkervil River's The Stand In's

...and be sure to check back at skopemagazine.com for more reviews and music!