My Amazon Reviews: Coldplay "Ghost Stories"

Telling Strange Tales
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Stripping themselves back considerably from their last few albums, Coldplay's "Ghost Stories" bares the band to key piano pop balladry and Chris Martin's laments of love. For fans of the lush "Viva La Vida" or the Eno-inilftrated "Mylo Xyloto, this will sound almost naked. Martin has never sounded this intimate, and the band hasn't been this uncluttered sine their "Parachutes" debut.

What would explain this sudden call back to a more bare bones sound? Well, for one, Martin and longtime lady Gwyneth Paltrow have called it quits, and some of the songs sure do feel like break-up please. "Magic" is the earnest tip of the iceberg, as Martin keeps begging "I don't want anyone else but you" over and over above a most subdued electronic pulse. Where most other bands would make this into pure corn, Coldplay make it so darn earnest that you kind of feel for the guy. And it doesn't always work. Soon after, he wails on "Ink" that he loves so much it hurts...just like that brand new tattoo. Even Martin can't get away with that one.

But what he does pull out of his hat here is sometimes close to brilliance. Coldplay may easily be one of the biggest bands in the world, but few would make such a left field turn as they do on "Ghost Stories." That inclination towards pop heavens is on full display on the album's most uptempo track, "Sky Full Of Stars." On prior albums, the band would have laid on the production till the song was bleeding U2-isms, this time around, it's piano filtered through some electronic treatments and Martin laying on as thick as he can. "In a sky full of stars, I think I saw you..." just as the beat kicks in courtesy of Swedish DJ Avicii. It's the kind of song that makes you happy to hear it on the radio.

"Ghost Stories" may be confessionals all the way, but it also brings Coldplay down to Earth. By the time it's over, Martin is comparing himself to a flock of birds drifting above the ground in that big falsetto of his. For all the glitter and widescreen production of their previous albums, this is where they finally find their soul. Bare souls, it seems, perhaps fly better.

     

My Amazon Reviews: The Fray "Helios"

God Of The Sun
3 Out Of 5 Stars

If you were wondering what "Helios" is, the Ancient Greeks worshiped the dude. The Fray seek to harness that power on their fourth album, and it's a dramatic change of pace for the band. Their stock in trade before this was piano-driven adult pop, but they've pushed the pianos to the back of the stage for this album. Only the opener, "Hold My Hand," will sound familiar with The Fray via their biggest hit, "How To Save a Life." The rest vary from another Ryan Tedder insta-hit (actually, the excellent "Love Don't Die") to danceable pop ("Give It Away").

Lead singer Isaac Slade is pretty decent at making accessible soft rock tunes, and even with attempts at breaking the mold, like the drumbeat stomp of "Wherever This Goes" strain at the bit for the band to just cut loose a bit more, which is why the outside sourced "Love Don't Die" stands out so much. If Coldplay is watered down U2, then The Fray is Coldplay filtered to a pop essence. They even channel The Cure at one point, on "Closer To Me." You can tell that The Fray are more ambitious than they can actually accomplish, which makes "Helios" at least enjoyable. If middle of the road but capably produced pop (think Coldplay, Maroon 5 and OneRepublic) turns your motor, "Helios" will set your sun dial.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Glee Cast "Season 4 Volume 1"

Glee 2.0
3 Out Of 5 Stars

With most of the cast of Glee 'graduating' at the end of last season, it's up to a batch of newcomers to pick up the slack and help out old favorites. The new members seem to be cloning the old (Mallory is Rachel, Kitty is the new Quinn, etc), so it's a bit tough to make distinctions in the musical presentation. It helps that old hands Blaine, Artie, and yes, Rachel and Kurt are still here to add support. It's just not enough, though.

There are highlights, like the group sung version of Coldplay's "The Scientist," and Marley and Rachel's duet on "New York State of Mind." Talking David Bowie's was an adventurous choice (even more so was Sam and Britney doing "Celebrity Skin," which is not included here). Kitty and Marley do a nice job resurrecting Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For a Hero" (from "Footloose"). Minus points are given for "Gangnam Style," this years most annoying one hit wonder.

Missing are the songs from outside the pop spectrum. I'd have much rather had "Let's have a Kiki/Turkey Lurkey" here than a few of these songs, along with Kurt's version of "Being Alive" from the musical "Company." I miss the variety; I guess the "Glease" CD was supposed to satisfy that segment of the musical audience. Overall, "Glee: Season 4 Vol 1" is not a total dud, but the series seems close to jumping the shark.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Keane "Strangeland"

Can you hear the call? 
4 Out Of 5 Stars

I'm a sucker for Keane's brand of British Pop; anthemic songs with high soaring melodies and emotional impact. The kind of music Coldplay knocks off in their sleep and Snow Patrol can mount on a good album. "Strangeland" is a return to form in that regard. The synth-pop of "Perfect Symmetry" and the experiments of "Night Train" are gone, replaced with a back to basics approach to composer Tim Rice Oxley's emotional approach and the soaring vocals of Tim Chaplin. There's a lot of calls to the 'wide eyed dreamers' (in "Sovereign Light Café") or 'we're gonna rise again' on the ecstatic first single, "Silenced By The Night."

Pianos plink in the background and there's pipes and flutes, like you can just tell Keane was aiming for the big emotional statement. While this was done perfectly on the album "Under The Iron Sea," on "Strangeland," the band has matured into craftsmen. The lyrics are unforced, but also lack depth. A lesser band would have a calamity in this situation, but Keane have become sharp enough to overcome the occasional triteness by having enough of a sense of space and nuance (both "Neon River" and the excellant "Sea Fog," the discs elegiac closer). There;s also an earnestness to Chaplin's singing that assists in outshining the odd weaknesses.

"Strangeland" is not Keane's finest hour, but it is a return to what makes the unique in their world of pop. "Sometimes our fingers graze the sky" he cheers on "Day Will Come." With sweet and oft-catchy songs that recall Coldplay and U2, Keane are happy with grasping for the stars, and "Strangeland" will satisfy fans of "Under The Iron Sea" or "Hopes and Dreams."

   

My Amazon Reviews: The Script "Science and Faith"

Keeping The Faith
3 Out Of 5 Stars

This is a rocky album. Not in the 'it rocks' meaning of the word, but more in the sense that The Script deals with upheaval in love and politics. The trio of Dubliners waste no time in going for the gut with the opening "You Won't Feel a Thing," which deals more with the austerity measures that Ireland is going through than a breakup. These former boy-banders have more on their mind than getting the girl; U2 echoes throughout "Science and Faith."

Too bad that "You Won't Feel A Thing" is the best song here. The Script know their way around solid melodies and good hooks, but they are smoothies from the school that also includes OneRepublic (they used to work with Ryan Tedder as producers), Snow Patrol and even Coldplay. The single "Walk Away" does make for good radio fodder, and the fine "This = Love" being the only song that really breaks the formula. Heck, "Walk Away" even features a rap cameo from B.o.B. in the 'everyone else is doing it' category. If you get the extended version, you'll likely enjoy the piano based and rapless version more, if only for the reason that the rap version sounds more of the moment than of the band.

That said, "Science and Faith" is pretty decent overall. There are moments that suggest The Script could break the rut and maybe find their way into Coldplay's creativity or (if they were willing to get away from the over-production) Maroon 5's pop-soul. Just too many times on "Science and Faith," you keep wishing for the big payoff when all you get are little fireworks of inspiration.

   

My Amazon Reviews: The Fray "Scars and Stories"

Don't Be A Frayed of The Scars
3 Out Of 5 Stars

The Fray seem to have finally found their footing as a band. The debut seemed undecided with they wanted to be Coldplay or Maroon 5, then they toughened up for Fray 2, and on "Scars and Stories," they pick at their inner U2. While that may have to do with The Fray touring with Bono and Company, lead singer Isaac Stern is pushing himself lyrically and earnestly, trying to give the band an identity. "Scars And Stories" moves the band forward in a good way.

Granted, The Fray aim straight for the commercial bulls-eye. The songs are lush and tightly produced by Brandon O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Aerosmtih), giving the band a much needed edge. However, 'edge' to The Fray means fine-tuned harmonies and near perfect song structure. The opening single "Heartbeat" cold easily have been a Coldplay outtake, but that means it's a consistently pleasing single. Same with the chants on "1961," where "it won't be the same again..." - kind of ironic that the band's parents were likely kids in the year in question. It does mean that nostalgia for a good pop hook is a priority for these guys.

"Scars and Stories" is decent pop-stuff. It's the best of their albums so far, and there's visible growth in what The Fray has to offer. The cover has the band racing across a field, towards what only the future will reveal. But if they can come up with songs as good as "Heartbeat" or the catchy and folksy travelogue "48 to Go" or the beautiful lullaby closer "Be Still," they may still find their way into greatness.

   

My Amazon Reviews: Snow Patrol "Fallen Empires"

All You Ever Wanted
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Snow Patrol gave us one blast of rock and roll on their last album, when they placed "Take Back This City" on their previous album, "A Hundred Million Suns." If that was meant to be a hint to a coming change in direction, "Fallen Empires" kicks that notion in the bud. However, they seem to have discovered synthesizer rhythms for this album, which adds some new textures to their brand of emotionally mopey music. Songs like "Called Out" are updated versions of "Chasing Cars," with a bigger bottom and, with an assist from vocalist Lisile, some deeply felt nostalgia on "The Garden Rules" and "Lifening."

However, "Fallen Empires" gives fans much of what Snow Patrol has been good at for about a decade now; stately ballads and thoughtful singing from Gary Lightbody. Moments like the gospel-choir chorus of "This Isn't Everything You Are" are genuinely affecting, yet at the same time, he can make a simple statement like "Ireland in the World Cup, either North or South, this is all I ever wanted from life" on "Lifening." Snow Patrol, and by extension, "Fallen Empires," are at its best when Lightbody and company stick to these sentiments. I think "A Hundred Million Suns" was the better album, but "Fallen Empires" is good stuff for those who think Coldplay is rocking too much lately.