Hello, friends. In this post, I review the latest singles from Morrissey and Blue October, some tracks from Lily Allen’s forthcoming album, and Maroon 5’s remix album from last year. I also had a review of White Lies’ single “Death” lying around, so I’ll post that, too.
Blue October, “Dirt Room”
Angry alternative rock. Good guitar and bass. Scratchy, screamy male vocalist with rapid delivery. Random violin. Lyrics about a violent revenge for an unknown transgression. Listenable and lots of energy, but some poor choices (backing vocals, whispers) and sort of senseless, generic lyrics. (2.5/5)
“Dirt Room” was released on December 23rd. The album Approaching Normal will be released on March 24th.
Lily Allen, It’s Not Me It’s You [Sampler]
Pop. Heavily produced. Mostly synth. Danceable. Clear female vocals with a London accent; Plainly sung. Sarcastic pop songs with something to say. Lyrics critical of anti-depressant culture, consumerism, superficiality, and religious intolerance. Maybe the production’s a bit too slick, but it has some soul. Intelligent pop with a sense of humor. Pretty good. (3.5/5)
This sampler included the tracks “Everyone’s at It”, “Fuck You”, and “The Fear”. “The Fear” was released as a single on December 9th. It’s Not Me, It’s You will be released on February 10th.
Maroon 5, Call and Response
Pop/Dance/R&B. Bumper collection of remixed tracks. Fairly standard-sounding dance music. Some tracks have an R&B edge, others lean towards techno. Uninteresting unless you like the band, the remix artist or general dance music. Not terrible. (2.5/5)
Call and Response was released on December 9th.
Morrissey, “I’m Throwing My Arms around Paris”
Wistful (adult?)-alternative pop. Guitars. String section during the chorus. Morrissey’s clear, bold croon. A short, simple song with a sweeping chorus about facing rejection with pride. The singer resolves to love cities instead, because “only stone and steel accept my love”. Probably written in an hour. Almost too simple, but damn it, it works. (3.5/5) [Used to be 3/5, but it’s really a better song than that.]
“I’m Throwing My Arms around Paris” will be released on February 9th. The album Years of Refusal will be released on February 16th.
White Lies, “Death”
Positive-sounding, upbeat indie rock. Steady bass-driven rhythm; backing synth strings; bold male vocalist with a thoughtful delivery. Imagine if The Killers’ Brandon Flowers were gentler and sang better. The song deals with the existential dread the singer feels even during times of great happiness and contentment. This is done in a very mature way, and is not bleak or gloomy. Musically unimpressive but lyrically profound. (3/5)
“Death” was released on September 22nd. The album To Lose My Life was released January 19th.
That’s all for now. Next week, I review material from Monumental Sonic Architecture, Alabama indie rockers Vulture Whale, and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (who appear to have turned blaxploitation into a musical genre). Hope you’re doing well.