Arhive etichete: recenzie

Review: 2CELLOS – On The Road

Posted on by
Răspunde

2cellosA long, long time ago, I was a Gleek, and this is how I stumbled upon 2CELLOS. At that particular moment I thought “man, these guys are awesome” and me, being the lifelong fan of everything about that bass (no treble!), was instantly hooked. This happened somewhere in January 2012, when Glee had that Michael Jackson special episode, and until now I almost gave up hope of seeing them soon.

Except only the fate had something else in stores for me, and that something else was a 2CELLOS concert in December 2014, after almost 3 years of constant listening and 2 albums released under the moniker.

Last night’s concert was rushed, and intense, young, and free, and old at the same time. Everything was filled with soul, and peace, and sadness, and completeness, and my heart was once again filled with music. And since I love music, beyond words and definitions and concepts, I’ll let the beautiful duo speak for itself.

As usual, Luka and Stjepan started with Benedictus. Maybe for some of you this might seem like an odd choice, but this song does the greatest thing ever: it builds up on emotion and raw cello, chasing away introspection while inviting curiosity in. This song will forever be one of my favorites.

I was never a big U2 fan, nor was I a Sting fan, but the covers for Where the Streets Have No Name and Shape of My Heart, respectively, are so hauntingly beautiful on their own, they deserve to be at least mentioned. Where the Streets Have No Name brings on an intense peace, while Shape of My Heart seems even darker and sadder than I used to know.

The Resistance is a great song on its own, but given the cello combination, it receives a little more depth and introspection and power, all the while keeping the same alert rhythm that Muse introduced us to.

I must admit I am not one of the biggest fan of The Magnetic Fields (I only started listening to them a few years ago), but The Book of Love has been long covered by other artists and it’s a well known piece. However, these boys manage to shape it into beautiful poetry, savage and free, and it’s such a pity that we missed this… And it’s such a pity we got to listen to Viva la Vida instead, which is a great song on its own, but I prefer The Book of Love better. Also, Californication was heard, but I was never a fan of this particular piece, and it fell kinda short next to the other songs.

Another U2 cover, this time With or Without You, the one that always screams “WE WERE ON A BREAK”, the one that always spells true love and the most beautiful U2 song I have ever heard.

The Michael Jackson duo – Human Nature & Smooth Criminal raised us all from our seats, and thank god for Welcome to the Jungle, Thunderstruck, Voodoo People, Smells Like Teen Spirit, You Shook Me All Night Long, Highway to Hell and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction kept us all standing, dancing and clapping, because these guys know what they’re supposed to do, and they do it so god damn well.

For the encore, Luka and Stjepan got back on stage to unleash the monsters within us, with Back in Black (well, who’s a little AC/DC fan, huh?!) and finish with Fields of Gold, one of the best songs Sting has ever created.

A few comments on the side: I wish I’d see them recreating some Marilyn Manson (circa Mr. Tom Skold) or some good old fashioned KMFDM. Peter Gabriel, at the end of the concert, especially Don’t Give Up? Not bad at all. Somebody yelled several times Mombasa, but no one cared. Stjepan is the joker of them two, but Luka is the hard working guy I always imagined he was.

My final conclusion? Money well spent. But I still feel that something’s amiss – this year I haven’t seen yet the concert to end all concerts, except for Mr. Peter Gabriel. He’s always amazing.

Pic.

Review – Ghengbeng

Posted on by
3

ghengbengDupa experienta unica pe care am avut-o cu Scrisori catre Rita – The Show, urmatoarea intalnire pe care am avut-o cu cei de la teatrul In Culise a fost la Ghengbeng. In teorie, o comedie efervescenta, marketata drept 16+, in realitate, o comedie spumoasa, care m-a tinut in priza toata seara.

Incerc, pe cat posibil, sa evit comparatiile intre cele doua piese, mai ales ca nu au actori comuni, si Ghengbeng e o productie comuna a celor cinci actori de pe afis (Alexandru Minculescu, Maria Popovici, Paul Alexandru, Cristiana Ionita, Ionut Iftimiciuc), ajutati la scenografie de Iulia Popescu si pe partea de tehnic de Bogdan Ionescu. In rest, introspectiile sunt lasate deoparte, si primeaza emotia pura, nealterata, care, odata mutata de pe scena in public, se transforma in hohote de ras cat se poate de sincer.

Ghengbeng are o structura usor deosebita pentru o piesa de teatru, fiind mai degraba mai multe piese de teatru mici, scenete, as zice eu (dar nu sunt o autoritate in domeniu), care culeg si expun situatii care mai de care mai banale, transformate in umor si lectii de viata.

Mi-a placut foarte mult energia si capacitatea de „cameleonizare”, ca sa spun poetic, de care a dat dovada Maria Popovici, in special in momentul cu „doamna Picasso”, iar Cristiana Ionita a reusit sa fie, rand pe rand, ingenua, prostuta si posibila victima, cu la fel de mult farmec ca si prima oara.

Paul Alexandru s-a achitat onorabil de intermezzo-uri savuroase, si trebuie sa va spun ca e musai sa auziti varianta lui la piesa Un actor grabit, precum si fascinantul moment cu Scoateti-o la timp. In caz ca va intrebati, da, despre asta este vorba. Coitus interruptus pe romaneste si foarte plastic.

Ionut Iftimiciuc mi-a dat impresia unui titirez neobosit, pe cand Alexandru Minculescu a reusit sa se faca parte integranta din toate scenetele in care a avut ceva de spus.

Pana la urma, Ghengbeng a fost un moment amuzant construit de niste oameni care au ales sa expuna in fata publicului consecintele si alegerile naturale in cazul unor situatii destul de comune, si sa extraga de acolo fix elementul lipsa dintre confort si acceptare. Daca la Scrisori pentru Rita ar trebui sa va inarmati cu multa deschidere, la Ghengbeng e destul sa fiti prezenti. Va veti regasi macar intr-una din situatiile expuse, si universalitatea subiectelor din piesa nu va va lasa indiferenti nici macar o clipa.

Review: Scrisori catre Rita – The Show

Posted on by
3

scrisori catre ritaN-am scris niciodata despre piese de teatru, si cu atat mai putin n-am facut un review complet al unei piese de teatru, dar sper ca entuziasmul din seara aceasta sa ma ajute sa transpun ce se intampla in Scrisori catre Rita – The Show.

Invitatia a venit din partea teatrului In Culise, si am acceptat-o aproape pe negandite, pentru ca de mult le urmaream activitatea, in special cursurile de teatru pe care le au disponibile. Am ales o piesa neconventionala, pentru ca voiam sa vad oameni si caractere aflati la extreme, atat pe scena, cat si in public, si sa am parte de reactii de pe toata scara emotiilor, nefiltrate si pure.

Scrisori catre Rita – The Show reuseste sa faca fix asta. Actul de pe scena e vulgar, direct, dureros, amuzant si sincer, e cam cum am vrea noi sa fim, daca n-am fi atat de incordati si imbatraniti de canoane impuse de altii.

Din distributie face parte Andreea Stafie, care este superba si suplineste rolul de iubita, amanta inchipuita, inger presupus si respiratie pierduta. In cuvinte putine, Andreea da viata mai multor personaje, si isi domina scenele prin prezenta electrizanta si gesturile ei ireale si aeriale.

Alaturi de ea, Stefan Nistor il joaca pe Nic Labis, personajul imaginat de Stefan Caraman, un fel de parodie fara poezie, dar cu foarte mult umor, foarte dezinvolt si canibalic, face din personajul tau un arhetip al zilelor noastre – pasionat de blog, pasionat de comunicarea cu cineva, oricine, fie chiar si o femeie imaginara, macinat de probleme triviale si condus de cel mai inutil cap disponibil, Nic capata profunzime doar cand vorbeste. Si atunci cand o face, nu iese niciodata ceva poetic.

De regie s-a ocupat Cristian Bajora, si de muzica, din ce am inteles, chiar Stefan Nistor (si i-a iesit un superplaylist). Decorul este minimalist, lasand actorii sa se transforme si sa evolueze, sa-si spuna povestile murdare si sa-si expuna gandurile sincere in fata unui public deschis. Atmosfera e perfecta pentru luna decembrie, o luna a povestilor si amintirilor, si replicile lui Nic intaresc adevaruri deja universal valabile – la KFC se intampla iubire, stickul cu melodii preferate a luat locul casetei cu mixuri, shaorma are gust de p*zda si un capot nou poate schimba mentalitati.

Daca sunteti nehotarati si nu stiti daca sa vedeti piesa, raspunsul este „mergeti sa o vedeti”. O sa va dispara din reticente si retineri, si o sa plecati de-acolo razand. Pentru exemplificare, piesa incepe chiar asa:

Ti-am scris un email.
– Sa te f*t!
Tu mi-ai raspuns:
– Asa e frumos?!

Si continua, savuros, cu:

Am luat o sticla de Cola de 2 litri, am ragait de 2 litri jumatate.

Imi cer scuze pentru limbajul licentios, Scrisori catre Rita – The Show m-a invatat cu prea multa libertate.

Review: Maroon 5 – V

Posted on by
Răspunde

The previous Maroon 5 effort was kind of a let down, since Overexposed didn’t manage to acquire the silent slickness of Hands All Over, so I was hoping for a change of heart (and beat too) from V.

I’ve been in love with the band (and Adam too, why the heck not?) for so long, 10 long years of love, hope, trust, mistrust, happiness and heartbreak, it was only fair that, 10 years after the first meeting, I should be hopeful about V (which is pronounced „five” y’all, my favorite number).

I wanted so much to like the album, so I’ve been listening for a few days now, on a continuous, happy loop, and I managed to find some forever favorites.

Maps is not a powerful first single, I really thought they could have done it better, but hey! You get what you get or deserve or whatever, the song starts out weak and I remember not liking it at first, but now it’s quite catchy, even though it’s not a brilliant song. I guess Adam’s falsetto can be annoying and cute at the same time. (7.5/10)

I am under the impression that Animals should be the sexy song of the album – after all, preaches primal, sexy sex, so yeah. I guess that’s what they’re going for, even though the beat is predictable, the bass is sometimes boring, and Adam sounds bored too. It’s not a bad song, but not a great one, and I’m starting to sense a pattern here… (8/10)

Oh, Adam, It Was Always You! 80s’ sound?! Check! Adam’s falsetto? Check? Synths? Check! The song is the peak of the album so far, almost as if the slow start of Maps and Animals were building to this great 80s’ electronica piece. Just lovely! And I wanna see this more often, Adam! It suits you. (9/10)

And because Maroon 5 are really good at declaring stuff, romantic stuff, of course, Unkiss Me is that once in a lifetime declarative ballad. It’s perfectly mushy, with a barely there bass, with incredibly romantic lyrics and a sincere Adam on the lead vocals that makes my heart melt. You can almost hear the heart break… (10/10)

And because food is always a metaphor for sex – for Maroon 5, at least (remember Kiwi?), we have Sugar. Food and sex. Raw emotion, 80s’ sound, a white, sexier Prince. Awesome beat and sexy lyrics, and I can almost feel Adam kissing me. Ok, not kissing me per se, but still… (9/10)

Then Leaving California happens and I’m like „dude, WTF?!”. I’m not really sure what’s with this song, except that it’s a very dull filler. (6/10)

In Your Pocket. Ugh. I can’t even. Yeah, it’s dancey and stuff, but. Ugh. Jealousy and stuff. (4/10)

New Love must be my favorite song off of the album. It’s danceable as fuck, Adam abuses his notorious falsetto, also he makes quite the declaration of love, the 80s’ are uber strong with this one, and the lyrics are fun, enjoyable and sincere. (10/10)

And then there’s Coming Back for You. Is this Tears for Fears or something that the 80s’ rejected with vicious hate or what the actual fuck happened here? (6/10)

Feelings makes me want to go to the gym and perform the choreography from Physical. But that’s only until the chorus starts, because that’s when weird stuff starts happening and I wanna go out of here. (7/10)

My Heart is Open. Oh, the epitome of boring. Sorry, Ms. Stefani, your contribution on this song is awful, your voice is so masculine next to Adam’s, and… Oh, dear God, no. (5/10)

If you have the chance to listen to the Deluxe edition of the album, then you have three more songs that are actually quite interesting.

Shoot Love is not so great, but a whole lot better that My Heart is Open. The beat is catchy, I could move on this one if only it were more remarcable. I also find it really good for speeding on the highway. (7/10)

Sex and Candy, because sex and food. We already covered that part. But Adam wants a new approach. This song is a bit slicker, a bit dirtier, a bit subtle, but still ever so sexy, ever so 80s and awesome. The bass line makes me want to buy a strip pole and dance, but who cares, right? Mom, please don’t read this! (8.5/10)

Lost Stars the last song from the Deluxe edition and everyone who saw Begin Again (not me, unfortunately) knows it. I like the dreamy sound of it, the hopeful sound of it. It sends me so much love, I want to be in love. I almost forgot that Adam can bring me so much love in just one song… (9/10)

Review: Tarja Turunen & Mike Terrana – Beauty and The Beat

Posted on by
Răspunde

Last night I checked one more concert for this year (not the last, people, I am not that shallow when it comes to music!).

I went to see Tarja Turunen (I think we can stop associating her with Nightwish) with the awesome Mike Terrana, a beast of a drummer with mad skillz (bro! I always wanted to say that).

While I never liked her with Nightwish (yeah, I’m biting my own tongue now, with association and stuff), I really enjoyed her last night. I found out she’s a funny person and very-very friendly with her fans, and not a diva (as they used to say).

Mike Terrana is a well known drummer (I won’t bother you with history, since that would be imposing from my part and we don’t want or need that) and I haven’t had the chance to „meet” him face to face until last night. I discovered a dude a year older than my mom, with energy to spare, and who could easily be the beauty in all that stuff that happened at Sala Palatului (I thought that because at first, Tarja wasn’t her full-blown awesome self and I was afraid that her recovery was still in progress).

Being a classical meets rock music type of concert, they also had an orchestra, with its director providing high quality comic relief.

The first part of the concert was bent on teaching people great classics (Carmen for life! and also Bach), with a mix of Tarja + orchestra / Mike + orchestra very well ballanced.

I really loved the blend that was Tarja and the orchestra – they felt like they were the same body, coming over you like a wave. This all happened during The Rain – this being the first song that really captured their unity.

At one point, Mike really-really wanted to siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! But more on that, after the break.

The second part of the show came with a female director instead, who was a very graceful woman, leading a very Tarja-ey cover of Queen’s You Take My Breath Away.

The rendition for Witch Hunt, with the previous director and Mike, was absolutely grandiose, followed by a Led Zeppelin medley (really, really awesome!).

After some Looney Tunes music (as I call it, because I am a blasphemer when it comes to classical music), there was some I Could’ve Danced All Night (which I know from Glee, don’t hit me, please!) and also Mike, who sang some Sinatra, with Tarja on drums, because… Well, if he can do it, anyone can! (To quote Tarja).

After listening to Tarja’s version of I Feel Pretty and Mike’s approach on Mozart, we got to hear I Walk Alone, full power on, speakers blasting, hearts pumping, hearts on sleeve and all that.

I was a magical night, it gave me goosebumps and feeling and shivers down my spine. And if that’s not the sign of a good concert, then what is?

Setlist.

Review: Fall Out Boy – Save Rock and Roll

Posted on by
Răspunde

I’ve been a Fall Out Boy fan since Sugar We’re Going Down, back in 2006, in my ugly dark room filled with nothing but music. Their hiatus made me at least a little sad, but I can’t say their album at the time (Folie a Deux) was memorable.

In the meantime, I entertained myself with Patrick Stump’s new EP (Truant Wave in 2011) and his new solo album (Soul Punk, 2011), my idea of a redheaded white Michael Jackson on eurodanced LSD.

Save-Rock-And-Roll Nothing prepared me, back in 2012, for a new Fall Out Boy album. When their first single, My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up), got out, I was like „WTF?! This isn’t Fall Out Boy!”. I didn’t press play again. I just stood still enjoying God knows what.

The next single, The Phoenix, was awesome. It was what I expected from their comeback move, the thing I didn’t get with My Songs. Released on April 12th, Save Rock and Roll didn’t save rock and roll. It didn’t bring us back the old FOB. It wasn’t unexpected. I’m not sure how to define it, it’s raw and mature at the same time, lyrically and musically. It’s old FOB mixed with Patrick’s black beats. I can almost swear I hear arena songs in there, but I’m too afraid to admit it. What if that doesn’t come true?

Because it’s something so out of the blue, you are caught unprepared and while the musical genre is not quite saved, I can say it is revived.

The Phoenix (10) is the second single and it benefits from a sexy video. It’s core is the power of string instruments that dominate the whole composition. I like the raw power this song has and it’s a very good workout entertainer (as is the whole album, of course).

Cross walks and crossed hearts and hope-to-dies
Silver clouds with grey linings

So we can take the world back from a heart attack
One maniac at a time we will take it back
You know time crawls on when you’re waiting for the song to start
So dance alone to the beat of your heart

Hey young blood
Doesn’t it feel like our time is running out?
I’m gonna change you like a remix
Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing our vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I’m gonna change you like a remix
Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) (9.5) was the first single off of the album and, as I said before, it didn’t impress me much. After the release of Save Rock and Roll, I really fell in love with this one, especially Patrick’s vocals and the chorus. It really strikes me as a summer song and I find it perfect for this hybrid sprinsummer we have in Romania. Also, I’d love to hear this one on a stadium (I’m in love with rock anthems! But who isn’t?).

A constellation of tears on your lashes
Burn everything you love, then burn the ashes
In the end everything collides
My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

My songs know what you did in the dark

So light ‘em up, up, up
Light ‘em up, up, up
Light ‘em up, up, up
I’m on fire

Alone Together (8.5) is a teen-angsty song, with Wentz’s unmistakeable signature (lyrically wise). If you ignore the poetry for just a little, you get great power and rhythm and, though it’s not quite rock-y, it’s a great summer afternoon song.

My heart is like a stallion
They love it more when it’s broken
Do you wanna feel beautiful?
Do you wanna?

‘Cause I don’t know where you’re going
But do you got room for one more troubled soul
I don’t know where I’m going but I don’t think I’m coming home
And I said I’ll check in tomorrow if I don’t wake up dead
This is the road to ruin
And we’re starting at the end

Where Did the Party Go (10) is, supposedly, the first song they wrote (Stump and Wentz) for Save Rock and Roll. It has a new vibe, it is party-like (as the title suggests) and it has young energy and optimism, so I would play it in my favorite clubs (if they would allow me to bring weird music to the scene). It’s one of my favorites on this album and it makes me want to start dancing (and when I say dancing, I mean I look like Elaine from Seinfeild, if she was in a whole body cast, while slipping on a banana peel).

I’m here to collect your hearts
It’s the only reason that I sing
I don’t believe a word you say but I can’t stop listening
This is the story of how they met
Her picture was on the back of a pack of cigarettes
When she touched him he turned ruby red
A story that they’ll never forget
Never forget

And all the boys are smoking menthols
Girls are getting back rubs
I will drift to you if you if you make yourself shake fast enough
My old aches become new again
My old friends become exes again

Oh, where did the party go?
We’re ending it on the phone
I’m not gonna go home alone
Oh, where did the party go?

(Sorry for my obsession, I really love this song!)

Just One Yesterday (8) features Foxes (and that’s all I can say about this singer). It is a song for the heartbroken people (which I am not), so I can’t say much about this one, except that it has a nice rhythm, even though the lyrics are not the most happy ones.

Letting people down is my thing, baby
Find yourself a new gig
This town ain’t big enough for two of us
I don’t have the right name
Or the right looks
But I have twice the heart

Anything you say can and will be held against you
So only say my name
It will be held against you
Anything you say can and will be held against you
So only say my name (name)

The Mighty Fall (9), another song featuring someone (they are plenty on this album!), this time is Big Sean. I have a very Kanye West-vibe, circa Niggas in Paris and also Katy Perry‘s ET. This doesn’t mean it’s bad. I’ve heard of Big Sean before, but this song can be easily named his best one until now. If you’ve read so far, you’ve noticed that I said something about Patrick’s black beats. So here they are, please enjoy them!

Hello?
Yeah I know you said not to call unless I’m dying
But I’m driving and I can’t stop staring at my eyelids
But even though my eyes closed, I still see you
I just hope that when you see me I’m not see-through
You know how we do
Some times I swear, I need a day just for me to lay
With some T and A, but the way we, they way we is do deeper
Baby straight up chemistry DNA
Make me wanna give you every dollar out my B of A
Like, I let her climb on top
I’m either fuckin’ or workin’, so the grind don’t stop
They say I got screws missing, well hell, only when I’m missing you
And hell yeah I’m a dick, girl, addicted to you

Whoa, how the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
They fall in love

Miss Missing You (9) is so simple, yet so good! Like all the good things, this one takes its geniusness (is that even a word?!) from simple music with simple words. Love is the base, people. Love.

Baby, you were my picket fence
I miss missing you now and then
Chlorine kissed summer skin
I miss missing you now and then
Sometimes before it gets better
The darkness gets bigger
The person that you’d take a bullet for is behind the trigger
Oh
We’re fading fast
I miss missing you now and then

Death Valley (8) has a nervous side. It’s animalic and raw. It’s mature. It’s everything at once, even though it misses something (but I can’t put my finger on it).

I wanna see your animal side
Let it all out
Oh there you go; undress to impress
You can wear the crown but you’re no princess

So put the “D” in „dirt” now, baby, baby
Let’s get you wasted and alone

Young Volcanoes (10) is my favorite (I know I said that about some of the songs before, but bear with me). This is the third single off of Save Rock and Roll and the video continues the story from The Phoenix. I have a strange feeling of accapella and stadium, combined with a jungle of emotions, energy and love. How can I not love this one?!

When Rome’s in ruins, we are the lions
Free of the coliseums
In poison places, we are anti-venom
We’re the beginning of the end

Tonight the foxes hunt the hounds
It’s all over now before it has begun
We’ve already won

Come on make it easy, say I never mattered
Run it up the flagpole
We will teach you how to make boys next door
Out of assholes

Rat a Tat (9.5) is for the people who didn’t love Courtney Love. Because she is just awesome on this track. You know her as the drunk widow of Kurt Cobain, but here she gives me the impression she’s bigger than Madonna (and that’s hard to pull off!). If Madonna had talent, she could’ve been what’s Courtney on this track. With a Britney refference (It’s Courtney, bitch!) as an intro, the song dives into punky soul phase that is this new Fall Out Boy thing they’re doing now.

We’re all fighting growing old
We’re all fighting growing old
In the hopes
Of a few minutes more
To get on St. Peter’s list
But you need to lower your standards
Cause it’s never
Getting any better than this

I’m about to make the sweat roll backwards
And your heart beat in reverse
Our guts can’t be reworked
As alone as a little white church
In the middle of the desert getting burned
But I’ll take your heart served up two ways
I sing a bitter song
I’m the lonelier version of you
I just don’t know where it went wrong

They saved the best for last. If they didn’t saved rock and roll until now, maybe Elton John can lend a hand? Who knows? Save Rock and Roll (10) is a beautiful musical combo of young and new, not very rocky, but very rollable, filled with soul and patience and time. Even though it’s not as alert as the other songs on Save Rock and Roll, this one is its heart.

I need more dreams
And less life
And I need that dark
In a little more light
I cried tears you’ll never see
So fuck you, you can go cry me an ocean
And leave me be

You are what you love
Not who loves you
In a world full of the word yes
I’m here to scream

No, no
Wherever I go, go
Trouble seems to follow
Only plugged in to save rock and roll
Rock and roll, no
Wherever I go, go
Trouble seems to follow
Only plugged in to save rock and roll

Blood brothers in desperation
An oath of silence
For the voice of our generation
How’d it get to be only me?
Like I’m the last damn kid still kicking
That still believes

I will defend the faith
Going down swinging
I will save the songs
That we can’t stop singing

This album is more than I can expect from a comeback album. I can only compare it (sentimentally speaking) with Blink 182‘s Neighborhoods. It shows us a grown up version of our lovable punk kids that help granny cross the street, a version in which they love love and they suffer and they want to party, in which they are angsty and annoyed and worried and so human.

Leaving the album for a second, I can’t wait for the whole The Young Blood Chronicles, inspired by Daft Punk‘s Electroma. Until now, there are three episodes available, for My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up), The Phoenix and Young Volcanoes.

This is the album I’ve had on repeat for three weeks now. I listened to it while walking to work, doing chores, getting ready to get out and party, while working out or doing nothing. It has grown on me and I’ve come to love it more and more. Please be gentle to beautiful music!

Pic.

Albumul lunii septembrie: The Killers – Battle Born

Posted on by
2

Cui ii era dor de The Killers pre-Day & Age? Mie! Pentru toata suflarea indie-wannabe-80s-wannabe-brit-something-wannabe (da, stiu, nu ma pricep la genuri si clasificari, sue me), Battle Born (for some unknown reason, imi vine sa scriu numai Born Again, o sa vedeti de ce) este ceea ce ar fi trebuit sa fie Day & Age.

Pentru cineva care e fan The Killers, Battle Born e ALBUMUL. Poti asculta piesele, fara sa fii sigur carei etape din viata lor le atribui. Poti fi sigur ca s-au maturizat, atat pe plan profesional, cat si pe plan personal. Poti incerca sa regasesti salbaticiunea Las Vegas-ului, asa cum numai Brandon Flowers o poate descrie. Poti invata sa iubesti curvele si betiile si greselile, cum numai Brandon Flowers o face, cu tot sufletul sau mormon si socially awkward. Bine, poate nu e socially awkward, dar mie asa imi pare.

Battle Born e albumul lor de rezistenta, dupa un tumult inregistrat pe mai multe planuri. Creativitatea a fost lasata libera, fara nicio jena fata de povestile siropoase de dragoste si episoadele de rock anthems. Cand spun ca Battle Born e un album bun, nu o spun din prisma unui fan avid de muzica noua (desi e si asta un factor). O persoana care a avut de la inceput cam 80% din fiecare album The Killers constant in playlist e mai mult decat un fan. Cineva care nu poate trai fara sa asculte si povestile din Nevada incepe sa vada si sa simta cu ochii lui Flowers si uneori nu ma pot abtine sa nu cad prada visatului cu eyes wide open, just because.

Venit dupa o pauza de vreo 2 ani, Battle Born e regasirea The Killers-ilor, zvacul lor original si emotiile adolescentine (da, pare o chestiune usoara, dar nu trebuie tratata ca atare), combinat cu o suferinta si o seriozitate aparute in urma cresterii ca persoana. In octombrie 2011, conform Wikipedia, trupa s-a reunit. Dupa momentele initiale, in care totul a fost ciudat, a aparut Runaways. Runaways si Miss Atomic Bomb sunt „the backbone of this album”, dupa cum declara insusi domnul Flowers, si bine zice. Ascultand Runaways pentru prima data, am simtit cum stilul The Killers binecunoscut ma inunda si ma copleseste, asa ca pot sa ii sustin afirmatia.

Albumul debuteaza cu Flesh and Bone, o piesa cu o tenta usor electronica, care la primele note te face sa te intrebi ce cauta pe un album rock. Versurile, usor introspective at first, te deruta si apoi Brandon Flowers face ce stie el mai bine. Un rock anthem exploziv si energic, care deschide calea unui album extraordinar.

Runaways, singlelul ales pentru promovare, e o poveste tragica (as zice eu) de dragoste, in spiritul direct si confuz, in acelasi timp, al lui Brandon. O poveste ciudata de iubire, in care lucrurile merg prost dintr-o graba stupida, dar imi place totusi nota usor pozitiva, speranta ca pana la sfarsitul totul se va indrepta. Instrumentele fac totul in piesa asta si imi place energia ei ciudata.

A treia piesa, The Way It Was, e un ceva ce nu pot descrie. Nu-mi place extraordinar de mult, dar nu-mi displace incat s-o sterg din playlist. E usor seaca, usor banala, iarasi versuri despre Elvis si povesti despre County-ul din care sunt si, dintr-o data, incepe povestea… Refrenul compenseaza pentru starea confuza. Imi place ca e o piesa linistita, o piesa care te face sa vrei sa conduci fara capota pe o sosea, cu soarele ce apune in spatele tau…

Here With Me e prima balada de pe album. Dominata de keyboard si vocea lui Flowers, e o declaratie de dragoste atat de simpla si de directa, incat as putea s-o tin pe repeat si sa ma indragostesc de tine in fiecare zi…

A Matter of Time e efortul combinat al celor 4 membri ai formatiei. Ciudata si energica, impiedicata pe alocuri, cu tente de rock si disco(?) al anilor 80, inca nu m-am hotarat daca imi place sau nu, desi nu o s-o sterg din playlist (imi da uneori senzatia de My List, o alta piesa buna de la The Killers).

A sasea piesa e pur si simplu ciudata. Nu stiu cum s-o descriu si nici nu cred ca am ascultat-o de mai mult de cinci ori. Nu cred ca-mi va placea vreodata, desi cred ca o pastrez pentru ca mi se pare ca are o tenta usor biblica. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Muzical vorbind, Deadlines and Commitments e o piesa simpla, fara hookups sau chestii catchy, fara versuri usoare, imbogatita mult de sintetizatoare (I blame Brandon here too).

Miss Atomic Bomb. The backbone of the album. Se simte atat de mult The Killers in piesa asta, atat muzical, cat si in versuri. Gasesti de toate: the bad girl, sperante, naivitate, deceit, toata buba care suntem noi, oamenii. O sa vrei sa gonesti pe autostrada, sa cresti viteza odata cu tempo-ul piesei, o sa vrei sa dai din picioare, fara sa-ti dai seama. O sa vrei, ca mine, sa o asculti pe un stadion plini de oameni, care-l acopera pe Flowers si care striga si sar mai sus decat el.

Hmm… The Rising Tide. De aproape trei saptamani nu am o explicatie plauzibila pentru piesa asta. Electro. 80s. Tobe. Versuri de la The Killers. Incepe sec si se termina energic. Dar, daca ma intrebi, nu stiu de ce o pastrez in playlist, pentru ca de fiecare data ii dau skip (I use suffle a lot).

Heart of a Girl, a noua piesa de pe album, imi pare un lullaby. Din cate stiu eu, Brandon Flowers e „posesorul” unei fetite, dar daca ma insel, astept corectarile de rigoare. Nu ma atinge prea mult, dar piesa e foarte linistita si reuseste sa transmita mesajul dorit.

From Here On Out e o… „chestie”. Imi place aspectul ei usor jumpy, so 80s (cum ar zice MTV), senzatia de cantec „popular” (de la tara, adica) transformat. Bine, asta e doar ideea mea, dar am senzatia ca Nevada a „suferit” de multe astfel de creatii populare/anonime si li se potriveste tare bine celor de la The Killers.

Be Still e o balada introspectiva, mult prea intensa pentru ce stiu eu ca sunt baladele de la The Killers. E pur si simplu superba, prin compozitia si mesajul ei. Versul meu preferat e: „Life is short to say the least/We’re in the belly of the beast”. PS: pe refren are un usor vibe de George Michael prin anii 80.

Piesa care da titlul albumului. Battle Born. Titlul e ales special pentru ca pe steagul Nevadei sta scris „Battle Born” (Nevada a devenit stat in timpul Razboiului Civil din 1861-1865). Trebuie sa recunosc ca e piesa mea preferata de pe album. Imi place feelingul de concert pe stadion pe care il am cand o ascult. Imi place ca simt cum prind viteza cand ascult „up against the wall”. Imi place energia pe care mi-o insufla. Imi place mesajul sau, de a continua, oricat de greu e drumul. Tobele se impletesc cu chitarile perfect, iar vocea lui Flowers seamana cu a unui copil rasfatat care vrea totul ACUM. E un final atat de bun al albumului, incat il vei mai asculta o data.

Tracklist:

Flesh and Bone (Flowers) – 9

(This could decay)
This could decay
Like the valley below
Defences are down
The stakes are high
(Scouting the crowd for a face of compassion)
The fairytale end
(To face off the journey that fathers no more)
The staggering blow
(You’ll find the truth in the roots of desire)
You lead with your chin
(Thinkin’ with your corners, just a compass and the sun)
This could be real
(Thinkin’ with your corners, just a)
Simple

Runaways (Flowers) – 9

We used to look at the stars and confess our dreams
Hold each other to the morning light
We used to laugh, now we only fight
Baby are you lonesome now?

The Way It Was (Flowers, Keuning, Stoermer, Vannucci and Lanois) – 9

If I go on
With you by my side
Can it be
The way it was
When we met
Did you forget all about those golden nights?

Here with Me (Flowers and Healy) – 9

Don’t want your picture
On my cell phone
I want you here with me
Don’t want your memory
In my head now
I want you here with me

A Matter of Time (Flowers, Keuning, Stoermer, Vannucci) – 8.5

I know you’re weary, look at me
Flailing in the corner
Here’s the towel
Go on, throw it in

It was a matter of time
Can’t you see that it’s tearing me up inside?
Look what’s laying at our feet
That’s the wreckage of broken dreams
And burned out halos
And it’s here on our street

Deadlines and Commitments (Flowers) – 8

If you should fall upon hard times
If you should lose your way
There is a place
Here in this house
That you can stay

Miss Atomic Bomb (Flowers and Vannucci) – 9.5

Miss Atomic Bomb
Making out, we’ve got the radio on
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

Racing shadows under moonlight
Through the desert on a hot night
And for a second there we’d won
Yeah, we were innocent and young

The Rising Tide (Flowers) – 8

The streets of persuasion
Are plated with gold
Your heart’s in the right place,
But you travel down the wrong road
Like so many before you
The gates open wide
Here come the rising tide (rising tide)

Heart of a Girl (Flowers, Keuning, Stoermer, Vannucci and Lanois) – 8

That night I called her and she said
„Daddy daddy daddy, all my life
I’ve been trying to find my place in the world”
And I said to her
„Baby baby babe, I got all night to listen to the heart of a girl”

From Here On Out (Flowers) – 8.5

Hey, from here from out
Friends are gonna be hard to come by
Left us wonderin’ what it all was about
He had it easy, man he chose the hard way
Walk that old, lonely road in the shadow of a doubt
From here on out

Be Still (Flowers and Lanois) – 9

Be still
Close your eyes
Soon enough you’ll be on your own
Steady and straight
And if they drag you through the mud
It doesn’t change what’s in your blood
(Over chains)
When they knock you down

Battle Born (Flowers, Keuning, Stoermer, Vannucci) – 10

Up against the wall (Up against the wall)
There’s something dying on the street
When they knock you down (Up against the wall)
You’re gonna get back on your feet
Cause you can’t stop now (Cause you can’t stop now)
Did they break your heart? (Did they break your heart?)
And did they cause your soul to mourn
Remember what I said
Boy you was battle born
Cause you can’t stop now (Cause you can’t stop now)

Come on show your face
Come on give us one more spark
So we’ll start a fire
Unless we fall into the dark
And you can’t stop now (No, you can’t stop now)

Albumul, in varianta Deluxe Edition, mai are inca 3 piese. Carry Me Home (Flowers), o electronica-disco-rock anthem care nu inteleg cum de n-a ajuns pe albumul standard. Un remix de la Jacques Lu Cont al piesei Flesh and Bone, destul de bun (spune o persoana careia nu ii plac remixurile). Observ ca nu e prima data cand Jacques Lu Cont remixeaza o piesa de la The Killers si imi place, deci probabil ca face ceva bine. Prize Fighter e o alta declaratie de dragoste, cum numai Flowers stie sa faca. Comparatii peste comparatii si energie si cuvinte simple adresate oamenilor simpli, care exprima doar iubire.

Per total, albumul nu e bun. E foarte bun. Desi la prima vedere, piesele nu se „leaga”, tema e aceeasi. Renasterea. Trupa a renascut. A redevenit ceea ce e a fost, din punct de vedere al stilului. Fanii vechi recunosc asta de la primele acorduri. Fanii noi ar putea fi usor derutati dupa Day & Age. Ne-fanii nu prea ar gusta asa ceva, poate doar ascultatorii de 80s electronica. Tematic vorbind, e despre depasirea obstacolelor. Despre renasterea din cenusa. Tehnic, about being battle born.
Sursa poza.