I sat down with Randy Kelly to talk (mostly) about the music industry.
As 2014 draws to a close, many blogs and publications will reflect on the best albums of the year (really Rolling Stone? You voted U2 number one?). I, however, do not like to dwell on the past. Instead, I thought I'd make a list of what I'm looking forward to this year in music. 6. The Lumineers Source: Instagram The Denver-based folk band announced a few months ago that they were "back in the studio, chippin' away at some new ideas." This album will be the followup to their self-titled debut released in 2012. According to Radio.com, their label's GM Paul Roper said in a press release, "The early songs we have heard are proof that they are writing material every bit as compelling as the tracks from their debut. This record will be well worth the wait." 5. Modest Mouse, Strangers to Ourselves Source: Pitchfork Yesterday, Modest Mouse released the first single, "Lampshades On Fire", from their sixth studio album. This is their first album since 2007. I was a freshman in high school with braces and a Top Eight in 2007. Needless to say, I have been waiting a long time for them to record new music. The new single stays close to their roots, while also exhibiting funky bass lines and melodic drumbeats. Strangers to Ourselves will be released on March 3rd (via Rolling Stone). 4. PAPA Source: Twitter According to my Spotify Year in Music, PAPA ranked fourth amongst my most listened to artists of 2014. Their song, "Put Me To Work", was my most played track. Their last album, Tender Madness, should have gotten more positive attention, instead of getting torn apart by publications like Paste. “At one of our early shows,” says PAPA’s lead singing drummer, Darren Weiss, “Somebody came up to me at the end of our set and called us ‘necessary music’, meaning that he thought it satisfied both the soul and the sole of the shoe. He was high on ecstasy, so I didn’t take it too seriously as a compliment, but I thought, huh, what a great aspiration. I guess that’s what we’ve been trying to achieve this whole time," (via their website). I am hopeful 2015 will fair much better for this talented duo. 3. From Bears, Drone Star Source: Maggie Sherwood The psychedelic, garage rock band announced they will be releasing their new EP titled, Drone Star, on January 16th (via Facebook). Bassist Doug Little commented on the album saying, "The title Drone Star comes from a thread in our thinking about appeasement and acceptance. There's a humming, unraised bar that requires a constant shining presence." The evolution of From Bears has been very cool to witness first-hand. They've gone from their early days of playing unrefined, post-punk in their basement to playing refined, experimental, indie-rock in their basement. The sound may not have changed much, but one can definitely tell they have matured as a group of musicians. I look forward to seeing what this year has in store for them. 2. Jonas Sees In Color Source: Joe del Tufo It has been almost two years since Jonas Sees In Color graced our earbuds with their latest release, Give Me Mine. Ever since then, I have been highly anticipating a followup just as nitty and gritty. "This album is more political in a sense - it's more about the things happening in the world right now that we can't ignore. It also feels like some of the most personal material we've recorded in a long time," Frontman Ryan Downing says. "There are terrible things and terrible people in the world, but there are also beautiful people and beautiful things...and I think the new record is about that dichotomy." The band posted a photo of them at Low Watt Studios on December 13th, confirming the news. 1. Red Hot Chili Peppers Source: Rolling Stone As I see it, I'm With You was just the practice test for new(er) guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. For the record, I am not one to say a Chili Pepper album is bad (except One Hot Minute, thanks for that Dave Navarro) and I did not dislike their last one. However, I think the group has spent enough time recording and touring together over the last two and a half years to really wow fans with this new release. This will be the first of their albums to be produced by someone other than Rick Rubin since 1987. According to a Q&A session with fans via Rolling Stone, Chad Smith stated "Anything we do is going to sound like Red Hot Chili Peppers. Certainly with Anthony [Kiedis] singing and the way that we play. We're just trying to break new ground and come up with something". I think that this will provide the opportunity for them to showcase the diverse and ever-changing nature of the Chili Pepper sound. I hope you enjoyed my list, feel free to post a comment about the albums you are looking forward to in 2015. Happy Holidays, Rachael I have been working for Jonas Sees In Color as a booking agent and for From Bears as a manager for the past year. I have also been a die-hard fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers for seven years or so. These rankings are totally honest to myself and completely subjective. I'm bad at disclaimers.
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