Lunar Boulevard

The Hold Steady are set to release their sixth album, entitled Teeth Dreams , on March 25. The band's new single "I Hope This Whole Thing Didn't Frighten You" is currently streaming and looks to be taking the band back to their rock roots.  I'll have a review when it's released and I can confidently say this is one release I've been anticipating for quite some time. The track listing for Teeth Dreams is as follows: I Hope This Whole Thing Didn't Frighten You  Spinners  The Only Thing The Ambassador On With The Business Big Cig Wait Awhile Runner's High Almost Everything Oaks

It's true that there's nothing really new or particularly revolutionary here. It's exactly what the title says: a collection of b-sides. Most of these have been available for some time and many diehard fans have probably heard or collected these tracks in some form over the past few years. The big incentive to get this are tracks like "She Loves You" and "Songs for Teenagers", two gems that newcomers may not be familiar with. The acoustic versions and covers are decent if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not big on those but these are at least done well. What holds this back is that it's limited only to b-sides. A compilation of rarities and previously unreleased material would have rounded this disc out more fully, including tracks like "Blue Dahlia", "Teenage Rebellion", "Halloween", and "Hold You Up". I realize you can find most of these songs on iTunes or YouTube but having them in one pla...

Okay, I have to be honest: I didn't watch the Grammys, nor do I have any riveting commentary on what happened. I've caught the gist of it through various news sources and op-ed pieces but I don't have any direct experience with the events. One thing I can say for certain: the Grammys are meaningless and now only display the downfall of our culture and morals. This isn't anything new. These days most award shows are nothing more than a vehicle for progressive politics and the same movers and shakers patting each other on the back. What's more disturbing is the apathy shown by audiences and consumers worldwide. We no longer reward real talent or demand something better; instead we sit by and then complain the day after about how things went too far or didn't meet our expectations. Each year they get raunchier and more predictable. It's sad and a grave picture of where our culture is headed. I pray that the day comes when we as a nation repent...

Let's talk for a brief moment about black holes, shall we? The area around a black hole is called the event horizon (like the name of that awful film). This is a mathematically defined surface in which there is no return, meaning that if you find yourself in the event horizon then it's already too late. Depressing? Yes. Fascinating? Yep!

Beck's long-awaited new album, Morning Phase , is almost here. Set for release on February 25, it will be his first album since 2008's Modern Guilt and is said to be a companion piece to his masterpiece Sea Change , which is not just my favorite Beck album but one of my favorite records of all time. The new single "Blue Moon" is gorgeous, an acoustic number filled with atmosphere and gentle mandolin that features a bright arrangement and Beck's emotional voice. It definitely harkens back to Sea Change but there's also a more optimistic tone and that's one aspect of this record that he's emphasized, saying it's coming out on the other side of a difficult situation and seeing things get better. Keep a watch here for the review and any additional news, including the supposed second album which is scheduled to be released later this year. Something tells me this is going to be huge. Morning Phase tracklisting: 1. "Cycle...

I'm a big fan of British comedy and naturally it's even better when outer space is involved. Once in a blue moon I'll recommend something that I enjoy and that pertains with what this blog covers. Red Dwarf is one of those shows. I won't spoil anything and instead let you discover it for yourself, if somehow you missed out on this amazing series the first time around. If you love laughter and outer space then this is a no-brainer. 

I suppose it was only a matter of time before The Flaming Lips released something this controversial. After reinventing themselves with two very successful albums they threw everything into a musical blender and gave us At War with the Mystics , grab-bag of psychedelic rock, dance, blues, pop, and everything in-between. It may lack the splendor and consistency of what came before but underneath the surface this a great piece of work that embodies everything we love about the band and paints it with fresh colors. "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" is about as poppy as The Lips have ever gotten, and it's a tune that I should be all accounts find incredibly annoying and repetitive, yet I find it fun and addictive. There's something about this track that works in spite of its initial appearance. Pop is also live and well with tracks like the danceable "Haven't Got a Clue" and the faux-disco vibe of the sombre "Mr. Ambulance Driver". Again, this dir...

After an impressive preview EP that gave us a small taste of this album, Switchfoot has at last given us their ninth studio album, Fading West . Preceded by a tour and documentary about the band it should come as no surprise that their passion for their craft and the constant push for connection are as present as ever. What makes this record such a standout is the experimentation present throughout the record, making it one of their most ambitious to date.  "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight" is an atmospheric powerhouse of an opener, propelled forward by a piano in the intro and processed beats and guitar fills during the verses. The expansive nature of the track is refreshing and the bright production rewards those willing to revisit the track with open ears. It's a winner and harkens back a bit to the band's earlier work while expanding on their growth over the past few albums.  "Who We Are" continues the trend with its layered vocals and pop sens...

Remember Eris, that dwarf planet whose discovery caused Pluto to be demoted? Turns out it's actually the largest dwarf planet and also the one that's furthest from the sun.  I still feel bad for Pluto though...

It looks like things are finally under way for U2's new album. The band has spent the past week in Santa Monica shooting some kind of video, reportedly for a new song that will be featured during a Super Bowl commercial.  Things are still in motion but there have even been reports that the commercial will include details about the album's release. Time will tell but considering I find sports about as interesting as watching grass grow this is one instance where I might actually tune in.

Okay, so obviously it isn't God's actual hand but it's still an extraordinary image nonetheless. NASA managed to capture an X-ray image of a star exploding and releasing a large cloud, resulting in this pulsar and incredible image. God's fingerprints are everywhere and sometimes it's just good to have a reminder.

For all the hope that the Bible offers it's not a book based on naiveté or blindness. Throughout the scriptures we are presented with numerous examples of pain, suffering, loss, sadness, and desperation. Perhaps no other book of the Bible embodies this human condition quite as well as Ecclesiastes, a book written by King Solomon about the futility of life on this earth and how nothing except faith in God can bring about any kind of meaning or peace to life. As Christians this is something we should know already but it's easy for us to forget and to seek pleasure in the things of this earth. Still think this world can satisfy you? Let's see what the Lord has to say about it. Let's begin by taking a look at King Solomon himself. He was the son of King David and was renowned for his immense wisdom. In 1 Kings 3 we see Solomon ask God only for the wisdom to rule well and God's favor was bestowed upon him. He had more money, more education, more women, more power...

Bruce Springsteen's 18th studio album finds itself in a bit of an identity crisis: part new, part covers, part updated versions, it features a wide range of songs and styles culled from various material that's been sitting around for the past couple years. High Hopes will satisfy those fans looking for something new from The Boss but ultimately it feels more like a random compilation than another essential addition to his beloved discography. The title track opens the album on a strong note, a flurry of funky rhythms and a strong horn section that help to give it a distinct flavor. It doesn't sound too far off from the tones of his last album, Wrecking Ball , and continues in the more experimental tone that album helped to usher in. It works well and is certainly of the album's more memorable pieces. "Harry's Place" is promising at first with its bluesy swagger and Bruce's gruff voice giving it some personality. Unfortunately it doesn't vary ...

Just a quick little fact about solar eclipses: a total solar eclipse only happens every one and half years. Be on the lookout (although don't stare directly at it, at least not without approved eye protection).  That probably goes without saying but it's just a friendly reminder! 

I'll be honest: this has always been my least-favorite R.E.M. album. It's not horrible by any means but it's a record that never quite connected with me despite having some amazing songs on it. After all these years I decided to recheck and see if my opinion has changed. The album cover is still cool, complete with that bright orange and creepy bear face, so that's a step in the right direction. Since it's a new year let's start with a fresh mind: has Monster worked its way up in my rankings? Obviously the opener "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" gets a thumbs up. It's just irresistible and manages to do everything right, plus it gets the odd mention for being one of the few songs to slip an f-bomb past radio censors. Listen to the end of the track and you'll see what I mean.  Likewise, tracks like "Circus Envy", "Star 69", and "I Took Your Name" are all fun and melodic in their own right. These moments are w...