Tag Archives: Music

Many of my favorite bands and artists that I generally like have released new albums relatively recently: Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Röyksopp, The Killers, Coldplay, Keane, U2, Doves… Some were a complete disappointment (U2, which is the band I least care about from the above list), while others completely blew me away (The Killers and Röyksopp). Keane and Pet Shop Boys really delivered, as well. I feel somewhat indifferent about Depeche Mode’s Sounds of the Universe, which at first glance is kind of flat and not very memorable. But, I will have to give it another thorough listen to see how I really feel about it. I find that with Depeche Mode, more so than with any other band, the music tends to grow on me gradually, so I’ll definitely give it another chance. Wrong is certainly the one track that really stands out from that CD.

I’m absolutely in love with Röyksopp’s Junior, which is a perfect blend of dreamy space pop, lush downtempo and catchy electronic dance melodies. Along with the French duo Air, which seems to possess a similar sensibility, Norwegian-based Röyksopp has become one of my favorite bands, largely because of their layered melodic richness, vocals and beats that just seem to grab me and don’t let go.

The Killers’ Day and Age, much like their first album – the retro-new-wavy Hot Fuss, is one that I can listen to from beginning to end without skipping any tracks. It is catchy, with some songs that are extremely danceable while others are more heartfelt and Americana ballad-like, but overall everything works well together. It doesn’t even bother me that the lyrics often don’t make much sense, because the melodies and Brandon Flowers’ vocals are contagious enough to seep into my soul. An outstanding release.

Pet Shop Boys, with their latest album Yes are back with what they do best – a signature synthpop sound you can shake your booty to and occasional melancholic love ballads. All Over The World is probably my favorite song from the album, which uses Tchaikovksy’s symphonic riffs infused with synthesizers and electronic beats. Perhaps not their most groundbreaking or particularly innovative record, but it’s pure Pet Shop Boys and after more than twenty years as pop icons, they still got it.

Keane‘s latest album Perfect Symmetry is great. I don’t know what else to say about it, really. Keane = love. Probably, the most charismatic band I know, and their music is often a clever juxtaposition of poppy, upbeat melodies and melancholic, introspective lyrics. I saw them live at the Ogden last Wednesday for the second time (first one was almost exactly two years ago), and it was an amazing, electrifying experience. In some ways, Keane also defines an important period in my personal life during those last couple of years, for which they will always hold a special place in my heart.

And then there is somewhat recent (all within the last year) stuff from Coldplay, Doves, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and Moby – all pretty decent records, which I honestly haven’t listened to enough yet.

Also, I don’t listen to a lot of Russian music anymore, but there is one band in particular that I absolutely love, called Smyslovye Gallucinacii (“Meaningful Hallucinations”). The best way to describe it is progressive rock, with occasional symphonic, pop and electro elements. The lyrics are usually quite good, but it’s probably not something non-Russians can relate to :)