Fiona Apple makes a comeback

Well, there is is, the cover of the new album of singer/songwriter Fiona Apple. Fiona's fondness for extremely long album titles returns with this, her 4th album. It has been 7 years since her last release Extraordinary Machine. A couple of years ago there were many reports of her fights with her record company and even a movement to get her new work released. Whatever the bumps in the road, she has finally managed to get new work out this summer. The new album will be released June 19th. She had a headlining spot at this years SXSW festival and received very positive reviews of new tracks as well as her gutsy performance. Fiona has now also announced plans for a Summer tour(see dates below). I have enjoyed much of Fiona Apples music and even seen her in concert a couple of times(remember Lilith Fair?) but overall I'm not a rabid fan as some. I'm sure I will like the album as well as be surprised at how much I enjoy it. I'm still on the fence on whether to see her live. Although I have heard that her new live shows are quite impressive. Check out one performance of a new tune at SXSW.

06-19 Ithaca, NY - State Theatre
06-20 Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House
06-22 Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
06-23 Holyoke, MA - Mountain Park
06-24 New York, NY - Governors Ball, Randall's Island
06-26 Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
06-27 Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
06-29 Danbury, CT - Ives Concert Park
06-30 Boston, MA - Citi Performing Arts Center
07-01 Portland, ME - State Theatre
07-03 Montreal, Quebec - Olympia Theatre
07-04 Toronto, Ontario - The Sound Academy
07-06 Cleveland Heights, OH - Cain Park
07-07 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit
07-10 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
07-11 Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre
07-13 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
07-14 St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera House
07-16 Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
07-17 Kansas City, MO - The Midland by AMC
07-20 Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
07-21 Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall - University of Utah
07-24 Vancouver, British Columbia - Orpheum
07-25 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
07-26 Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
07-28 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
07-29 Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium

Florence + The Machine release MTV Unplugged

Florence Welch released her MTV Unplugged performance today. This is her first official Live release. Florence is know for her strong, booming voice. Lungs, her first album released in 2009, was widely well received in the UK as well as the US. She became known for her energetic performances, unique style and of coarse that voice. In November of last year Florence released her much anticipated second album Ceremonials. It has been a huge success across the world. Upon first listen, I really felt that the production values of the album overshadowed her voice. The bombastic drums, the strings and swirling complex arrangements competed rather than complimented her voice. Upon many listens later, I have adapted and can now hear the intention of the work, though still wish they had pushed up the vocals just a touch more. All the slight shortcomings I felt with the second album are remedied with this live album. Each song is stripped down and her angelic voice is pushed forward as the true focus. Also, how she sings these new arrangements really adds depth and texture to the lyrics. Many of the songs are slowed down to a ballads pace. The one song that I was most excited to hear, but did not quite feel that it delivered was her cover of Jackson with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. I was interested to hear her take on the famous Johnny Cash and June Carter tune. Although I feel that covers never need to emulate the original and that an artist must make it their own, her voice felt out of place in a country song. Maybe I just love June Carter Cash a bit too much. Hopefully upon a couple more listens, it will grow on me. Overall, if you are a fan of Florence, this album and its changed tone is highly recommended. Check out a taste of what is in store.

Gossip gives us a gothic video and a 80's by the numbers track

Gossip(no more "The Gossip) has released their new song and video Perfect World. I would not say that I am disappointed but I will say that it seems that they are continuing to be a victim of over production values. The thing that I love but also dislike is that the latest tune sounds like Pat Benatar track from the 80's. Now, this is kind of cool but also does not do Beth Ditto's powerful voice any favors. I know that Beth can not be belting out and going crazy on every track, but a little would be nice.

When Gossip(like I said, then known as The Gossip) released Standing in the Way of Control in 2006, it was a revelation. The huge, soulful voice backed by straight forward but clean garage band booming sounds. It felt genuine, real and gritty. This was their third album and the one that put them on the map in many peoples eyes. For their follow up they worked with Rick Rubin on the album Music for Men. It felt over produced and too clean. All the grittiness was devoid, replaced with pop tracks. The one stand out on the album was Heavy Cross.

I do hope that with their new album, Joyful Noise, there is more grit than the lead single leads us to believe. Don't get me wrong, I will buy the album, I will see them on tour, I will continue to be a fan. At the end of the day, if their career had started with Music For Men, I would still love them for everything they stand for and the talent they represent. But I do crave their dirtier sound before Beth was in Fashion magazines and they had the money to work with world famous producers. Here is the new video for Perfect World, gothic images and all.

Patti Smith releasing 11th Studio Album

Patti Smith will be releasing her 11th studio album, Banga, on June 5th. This will be the first album of original music since 2004 Trampin. Patti has a new single on Itunes called April Fool(and she released it on April Fools day). I downloaded it and I really like it. Its mellow, pleasant and nice. Certainly not the rabble rouser of yesteryear, but introspective and poetic. Apparently some of the inspiration for this album comes from the Japan tsunami, Amy Winehouse and a song written for Johnny Depp.

Patti will also be having a show of her photographs at the Detroit Institute of Arts this Summer. I am incredibly excited as I love all mediums of her art(music, photography, writing etc). If you have not read her book, Just Kids, I highly suggest that you do. It won the National Book Award last year. I had a chance to see her live for the first time a couple of years ago and it was pretty epic. I am hoping for a live date to coincide with her photography show. Patti has some deep ties here the Detroit area. She raised her family here in the St. Clair shores area. Her Daughter in Law is Meg White, who still has a house in Indian Village and Detroit is just the kind of down on its luck, thriving starving Artist cities that Patti has affection for. She has in fact said that you can't be a starving artist in New York anymore(too expensive) and has recommended artists move to Detroit. Many have taken her advice.

It is always an event when Patti Smith releases something new and this new album and showing of her photographs this Summer will be no different. Here is the new song April Fool.

Beach House has a spring release

Beach House has confirmed a new album for Spring entitled Bloom. It will be released May 15th(same day as Best Coast). May is going to be a big month for music for me. Their 2010 album Teen Dream was one of the best albums that year. The live tour was just beautiful. For a "mellow" band, they put on a great show. I will be eagerly awaiting an announcement of a Detroit date. Check out their new song Myth.

Best Coast is back to brighten our Summer

Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno are Best Coast. Their First album Crazy For You made a big splash a couple of years ago. The simple yet brilliant, fun, Summer, California feeling album was praised by critics across the board, including me. Amongst all of the garage rock, girl group, California, surf rock, low fi groups that have come out these last few years, I contend that Best Coast does it so much better than the rest. With lyrics you can both relate and sing along to as well as music that FEELS like Summer, its just plain awesome. I'm looking forward to their music being my soundtrack for the coming season. They are simply the best road trip music ever. Anyway, I digress. The new album comes out May 15th. They will also be touring(tour schedule below). On a side note, Bethany has also recently collaborated with hip clothier Urban Outfitters to put out a line of clothing. So, check that out at urbanoutfitters.com.

Here are the tour dates as well as the first release from the album, The Only Place. Ok, last thing, if you get a chance to see them Live, try to see them with Those Darlings. Great LA band that is listed in a previous post.

03-12 San Antonio, TX - The Big Spill at the Korova
03-15 Austin, TX – Parking Lot at 9th and Trinity – Google Music SXSW Showcase
03-15 Austin, TX – Urban Outfitters Back Lot Performances
03-16 Austin, TX – Stubbs – Spin SXSW Showcase
03-17 The Hype Hotel – Hype Machine SXSW Showcase
05-18 Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern *
05-19 Oakland, CA – Fox *
05-21 Portland, OR – Aladdin *
05-22 Seattle, WA – Neptune *
05-23 Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore *
05-25 Aspen, CO – Belly Up *
05-26 Boulder, CO – Fox Theater *
05-27 Lawrence, KS – Granada *
05-29 Omaha, NE – Slowdown *
05-30 St. Louis, MO – Firebird *
06-01 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater *
06-02 Houston, TX @ Free Press Fest *
06-03 Austin, TX @ Chaos in Tejas *
06-16 Glasgow, Scotland – Garage
06-17 Manchester, England – HMV Ritz
06-18 Birmingham, England – Academy
06-20 London, England – SBE
06-21 Brighton, England – Coalition
06-22 Isle of Wight, England – Isle of Wight Festival
06-24 Atlantic City, NJ – Metallica’s Orion Festival ^
07-09 Orlando, FL – The Social ^
07-10 Miami, FL – Grand Central ^
07-12 Atlanta, GA – Variety ^
07-13 Chapel Hill, NC – Cat’s Cradle ^
07-14 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ^
07-16 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer ^
07-17 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ^
07-18 Boston, MA – Royale ^
07-20 Montreal, Quebec – Le National ^
07-21 Toronto, Ontario – Pheonix ^
07-23 Columbus, OH – Newport Theater ^
07-24 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom ^
07-25 Madison, WI – Majestic ^
07-27 Chicago, IL – Vic ^

* with JEFF the Brotherhood
^ with Those Darlins

Scissor Sisters get Shady with new single and album

The Sisters are back in 2012. Their new album Magic Hour will be released in the UK on May 28th and US May 29th. They have already released a single titled Shady Love. It is written with Krystal Pepsi and Azealia Banks. Shady Love is stacked with sweet beats and has Jake Shears doing his best gay rap Eminem impression.

I loved their previous album Nightwork. I thought it was a big improvement over the second album. If Shady Love is any indication, we are in for more forward thinking party music from a group that one of the best party bands around. If you have not seen them live then do it! It is an amazing, crazy good time.

They have a new single dropping soon called Only the Horses that I am very eager to hear. Until then, here is the latest we have, Shady Love.

Azealia Banks. Now, this is fresh!

Azealia Banks has been making waves for quite some time now. She got bloggers and music journalists really talking with her video for 212(see below). I'll have to say, I loved it right away. I have not really listened to Rap, per se, in quite some time. I loved Rap when I was younger and always female Rap. Salt N Pepe, Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, all those girls were the baddest bitches. Later I was a fan of Lil' Kim and Missy Elliot, but overall grew away from the genre. Azealia is the one that is bringing me back. She has amazing rhymes, fierce beats, dirty words and is super cute to boot! Her album does not drop until September but she does have an EP titled 1991 coming out April 17th. She is rumored to be working with Kanye and Lana Del Rey as well. If you have not heard it, here is the video everyone is talking about 212.

Love and the Anger is back!

Well, it has been a number of months but Love and the Anger is back. I recently had a friend ask me why I was not writing my blog anymore? I did not have a good reason and I told him that I thought no one really read it, but he disagreed(thanks Roland!). So, I 'm back. I'll be sharing my musical affections, live show adventures, favorite rock start pics and other fun cultural craziness.

If you do read my blog, become a follower! Let me know. That way I know who loves me:)