Just like on Sesame Street, three of these kids (let’s say Linkin Park, Maroon 5 and The Offspring) are doing the same thing like they’ve been doing for their entire careers. That is to release a new CD on a major label, tour and advertise it on radio and magazines. But times have times changed and there are a few artists doing new and exciting things with their album releases.
As always, leading the pack with a different take on their new album is The Flaming Lips. Their new release first came out as a vinyl only release on record story day. It sold out instantly. The album entitled The Flaming Lips & Heady Fwends consists of The Flaming Lips collaborating with the likes of Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave, Yoko Ono and Chris Martin is now out on CD. As you can expect, the unexpected is par for the course. Here’s their collaboration with Chris Martin
Mindy Smith is an amazingly talented singer/songwriter and is taking that bold leap to self-release her latest CD, appropriately titled Mindy Smith. She explains her journey on the song “Closer”
“Many times in life’s journey, we find ourselves disoriented. For me, I make destructive decisions that can distract me from my ultimate goal. I think I am making the right choices and staying close to my agenda but I just run off course. In “Closer,” I see the North Star as the prize. One that I am always getting so close to but unable to grab a hold of and then it eludes me. Personally this song paints a picture of how I see my musical career and that I see NOW is my moment. Taking the time to listen for the answers to my questions. I guess NOW is always our moment even if it is only etching out one little piece of the bigger picture.”
Folk Rockers Beachwood Sparks release albums whenever the mood hits. Unfortunately, the mood hasn’t hit them for 11 years. Fortunately the time has finally come with their new release “The Tarnished Gold”. Their sound is as timeless as ever, evoking Gram Parsons and the sounds the emanated from Laurel Canyon 40 years ago. Case in point is this beautiful song “Forget The Song”.
