So much to cover this week, from sitar sounds to J.Lo’s “booty”, and of course, the albums billions own without paying a cent. It was a fine few weeks for music, so without further ado let’s dive right in, give it a spin, and plug yourself in for some Headphones.
Album: Last week, Apple surprised all of its customers by announcing that every single user of an iPhone, iPad or iTunes would be receiving an album free. And now just any album, but beloved rock band U2’s newest release, Songs of Innocence. There was celebration, but also much outrage that Apple would fill people’s phones with a free album they didn’t ask for. Of course, whether such a thing is a justifiable complaint or a “first world problem” is really a matter of opinion. Yet those who refused to listen to the album and just wanted it gone can’t help but seem little bit like entitled millennials who’d rather bash something because its trendy to do so than actually form their own opinion.
That said, we’re all busy people. So maybe you don’t have the time to listen to the album, and you wanna decide if its a keeper or not. While we can’t promise 100% universal agreement, we here at headphones have decided to give a breakdown of the album, track by track, and discuss it, letting you know what’s worth having (since chances are you already have it). You ready? Then let’s dive into this for-some-reason controversial album:
1. The Miracle (of Joey Ramone): Odds are, if you’ve heard any track from this album already, it’s this lead single, which has been used in Apple advertisements for the past few months as a form of foreshadowing. The truth is, it sounds more like a Lumineers-esque indie track with it’s chant-like intro before Bono’s voice kicks in. It’s the kind of track that, if you’ve ever seen U2 live (and they really must be seen live), you know is going to be a killer track in the set list. However, in its recorded form, neither the verse nor the chorus is honestly catchy enough to make it memorable. Better to wait until the inevitable live bootleg when the quality beat won’t be drowned out in so much production. VERDICT: Ditch it
2. Every Breaking Wave: More in line with the low-key ballads typical of the band in the 80’s, "Every Breaking Wave" is a mellow and pleasant track. The chorus is a vast improvement on the previous track, and over all is a thoroughly enjoyable tune to just kick back to. VERDICT: Keep it
3. California (There Is No End to Love): …alright, U2. We get it. You wanna pay tribute to the Beach Boys, but the "Barbara Ann" homage didn’t quite work. Set that aside, "California" is a great track. Musically, it’s one of their better tracks in recent years, so just enjoy the Beach Boys influence on the track, and ignore the “homage” at the start. VERDICT: Keep it.
4. Song for Someone: A calm melody that builds up to a typical U2 power-ballad chorus. The Edge is never better than when he’s playing some triumphant hook. VERDICT: Keep it.
5. Iris (Hold Me Close): From the title, you’d think thous would be a Bono-led cover of the popular Goo Goo Dolls track, and quite frankly, that would be better (it really would be sick, wouldn’t it, though? Hearing Bono wail on that chorus?). What you get is one of those low-octave U2 tracks that does nothing with their lead singer’s vocal talent on the melody, and only a little bit on the chorus. The track at beast just sits there, at its worst drags. VERDICT: Dump it
6. Volcano: You can’t really name too many U2 tracks that start with a bass riff, so that alone makes "Volcano" stand out from the beginning. It’s slightly triply, stripped down style also makes it stick out, feeling more in line with the Edge/Bono Spider-man soundtrack (oh yeah, that happened) than anything in the U2 catalogue. It’s a catchy track, but it’s definitely more notable for its unique-ness. VERDICT: Keep it
7. Raised by Wolves: The clearly pronounced lyrics and buried down instrumentals indicate this is the “political message” song of the album, but it’s not terribly clear what the message is. It’s certainly an enjoyable track to listen to, and perhaps opinions on it may change once it’s clear what subject the band is tackling, but for now it’s worth listening to and swinging your head to the drum-heavy chorus. VERDICT: Keep it
8. Cedarwood Road: The heavy guitars at the intro to the track makes the track stand out, and compositional the track is really great. Unfortunately, it’s a great song that U2 isn’t great for (even if they did write it). Give it a listen, definitely. You’ll hear what a killer track it would be for a more bluesy, stripped down artist, like Jack White. As it is, however, it feels off.VERDICT: Keep it for the song, not for the recording
9. Sleep Like a Baby Tonight: It’s very strange to hear U2 do a synth-pop track, and the combination probably should work. Unfortunately, in this case it doesn’t, and proves to be overly-long for a pop-track, too pop for an ambient track, and overall misses the mark, resulting in something boring without the trance-like calmness it should evoke. VERDICT: Dump it
10. This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now: By far the most forgettable track on the album, it’s just too generic a sound to really land, without any of the grit or edge (no pun intended) of a classic U2 track. VERDICT: Dump it
11. The Troubles: The album closes with one of the more interesting tracks, opening with an ethereal female vocal which leads into a really satisfying finale. Different enough, while still retaining the elements of U2 that make it feel so right. Though it’s been a bit of a rough sonic journey at parts, Bono and co. send us out right. On it’s own, maybe it doesn’t land as well, but coming at the end of an a bum, it’s a fitting final track, in line with Ziggy Stardust’s “Rock and Roll Suicide” or American Idiot’s “Whatsername”. VERDICT: Keep it
So, there you go. Minus a few missteps, Songs of Innocence is definitely worth keeping around. But don’t just take our word for it. Give it a spin and see which tracks click for you. Just go in with the knowledge its not nearly the mp3 plague your hipster friends want you to think it is.
Single: “Funknroll”- Prince
The master has returned in this mind bending, sound wave shredding funk jam off of one of his two albums due to be released on the same day. In the 80’s and early 90’s, Prince was god, and “FUNKNROLL” shows he’s still got it. Maybe teaming up with Janelle Monae on her last album gave him a creative recharge. Hell, the backing vocals even sound like her, blended with a pitch-tweaked Prince spouting his usual half-sung half spoken, funkily poetic lyrics. Of course, we’re all in it for the guitar, and the man doesn’t disappoint. Even in a track so heavily electronic, he still crafts a great hook and an infectious solo that solidify his title. If this track doesn’t wet your appetite for Art Official Age, you oughta get your head checked out. And when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills, you know the one, Doctor Everything Will Be Alright? You know the one Dr. Everything'll Be Alright, Instead of asking him how much of your time is left? Ask him how much of your mind, baby. 'Cause in this life things are much harder than in the afterworld. This life you're on your own
Music Videos:
Electronic: “The Sound of the Sitar”- G. Bonson
G. Bonson channels the 70’s cop flick vibe of the Beastie Boys “Sabotage” and transplants it into modern Eastern setting with this bizarre and weirdly entrancing video.
Hip-Hop: “Lemme Freak”- Lil Dicky
Lil Dicky has been in the comedy rap game for a while now, but “Lemme Freak” stands out as both a humorous skewering of a hip-hop lyrical cliche and a genuinely catchy tune. Plus, we can talk about how “real” guys like Kanye or Kendrick are, but no rap lyric feels more honest than the exchange about the declined card with the bartender.
Pop: “You Ruin Me”- The Veronicas
These Australian twins have been in the dark corner of pop music since 1999, but this gorgeous melody mixed with a fascinatingly cinematic video should hopefully put them on the map here in the U.S. of A.
R&B: “Booty ft. Iggy Azalea”- Jennifer Lopez
Realistically, the video for this new JLO single isn’t well-made in the technical sense. It fact, it does nothing but highlight the titular attribute of its two performers for almost the entire duration of the video and let’s be real here you stopped reading this a while ago for that very reason.
Rock: “Madness”- Crossfaith
Ever hunger for the nu-metal sounds of your misstep early 2000’s youth? Pop on the totally Korn-esque new video from Japanese rock band Crossfaith to take a trip back in time. You can practically smell that hint of weed from your older cousin’s bedroom while you sneakily watch a South Park VHS in a Rock t-shirt.
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