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Brandon Flowers has just released a single from his upcoming solo album Flamingo on iTunes. The song is called “Crossfire”. It’s probably a taste of the tone of the album, but we have yet to find out.
For “Crossfire” on iTunes, click here.
What do you think?
I don’t get opera.
That isn’t to say I don’t appreciate certain elements of opera, or understand its importance, or get why I think other people like it. I just don’t really get it myself. It’s the wide vibrato and wandering recitatives maybe, or perhaps it has something to do with suspension of disbelief. All I know is, when I took a humanities class at BYU-Idaho, I was determined to “get” opera. We watched clips from The Magic Flute, Aida, and Wozzeck, which I believe gave me a pretty good cross-section of what opera is capable of, and so I checked out a stage production video of The Magic Flute, determined to watch, appreciate, and ultimately enjoy it. Halfway through the opera I couldn’t stand it anymore and I discovered that I could get the gist of things by fast-forwarding through and just reading the subtitles at the bottom of the screen. I tried. Maybe I’m just too dumb or unrefined, but it was all just lost on me. Maybe I’ll try again someday.
When I wrote a little snarky piece a couple weeks ago about David Archuleta’s memoir Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song, and the Power of Perseverance, I was not anticipating the response I would get. Read the rest of this entry »
I recently read an article at the Chicago Tribune about the long-term success (or lack thereof) of singers from American Idol. It’s a bizarre system to begin with, to be sure - American Idol is in its 9th season, and, as the article points out, it has now churned out 80 would-be stars since it began. Add my skepticism about the whole venture to the pile, considering that the whole Idol concept is based around contestants singing truncated versions of songs they didn’t write, and being judged by critic-celebrities and text messages from viewers at home. Not winning first place seems almost preferable, as the fine print of the recording contract one “wins” at the end of the season is actually pretty weak, and gives the artists stiflingly little creative leeway. Then, these artists are all pushed out into a market that is decreasingly able to support big stars.
Gee, when I put it like that, one might wonder how anyone who graduates from that system could get anywhere at all. However, there have been a couple notable exceptions, one being baby-faced David Archuleta, a Latter-day Saint from Sandy, and later Murray, Utah. David has actually sustained a relatively substantial fan base over the last few years, though I think his greatest achievement is undoubtedly his David Archuleta Vietnam fan blog, run by the downright enthusiastic Vietnamese girls Huong, Dung, and (other) Huong. Read the rest of this entry »
ELECTRONICA/AMBIENT/POP
With a distinctly modern blend of classically-trained vocals and edgy ambient electronica, Lori Cunningham has found an outlet for musical expression online. After years of vocal training, Lori decided to begin writing and recording original music in 2006. She has recorded an album, Unseen, and has had a guest performance on Jennifer Thomas’s The Lullaby Album. In addition to her solo music, Lori is working on a side project, Emeria, with British musician Adam Amos. Lori has answered a few of our questions, and she has a few things to say about being a full-time mother and composer, and her passion for vocal performance and songwriting.
She is also having a promotional giveaway of her album until June, and there is still time to enter to possibly get a free CD. Read the rest of this entry »
Cary Judd – Goodnight Human
Recommended if you like: philosophy, pop music, and art
Recommended tracks: “See Through Rocks,” “Andromeda,” and “Huang Shan (The Ah-ha Song)”
By the time I develop a true opinion of a song or album, it’s inevitably past the time when it’s relevant. Perhaps I’m just slow. I remember how incredibly depressed I was when I found out John Lennon was shot and killed. I was fourteen years old at the time, and the year was, in fact, 1998. So you, my dear reader, should consider yourself lucky that I’m getting around to reviewing Cary Judd’s Goodnight Human album, released late in 2009.
However, I still think the album is relevant. And for what it’s worth, it’s probably one of the best things to happen to me since I started Linescratchers. How’s that for an endorsement? Read the rest of this entry »
ASCAP is planning on honoring The Killers at the 27th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards. The Killers will be receiving an ASCAP Vanguard Award, which is given to artists who help “shape the future of American music.” It’s not an induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or anything, but hey, it’s a chance for wealthy and famous people to congratulate each other, and that’s what’s important in the end.
Brandon Flowers, singer and songwriter of The Killers, is LDS.
This past week, I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Borgia, also known as Less Than Three (<3) and let me tell you, I had such a blast! If you are interested in not only good music, but reading an interview with an artist whose personality really shines through his writing, read on! From this interview, you can tell how excited and passionate he is about not only his music, but having the opportunity to tour as well! Being one of the youngest artists we’ve interviewed, I was very excited to get his input and views on the industry where so many people have given into temptation and gone down a different path. In this interview he not only discusses this topic, but he also talks about his future, the tremendous love he has for his fans, and of course, his music.
Arthur Hatton has recorded a version of his song “You’re Better Than That” to promote Linescratchers as a non-competing entry at A Motley Vision’s Spring Poetry Runoff Contest. Check it out!
INDIE/POP
We’ve only seen the beginning of this band, mark my words. With jumping, powerful melodies, strong beats, and a invigoratingly tight blend of vocals, The Neighbors proves conclusively that brother-sister songwriting duos aren’t all incredibly lame. Adam and Rachel Kaiser, both singers and both songwriters in Provo, UT, have been working on their first album, and the singles they’ve released give us enough reason to be impatient for more. Music critics nowadays generally lament that there’s nothing new under the sun, but The Neighbors seems to like pushing that envelope, if not by complete iconoclasm, then through eclectic and courageous synthesis. Nothing is held back, giving us all hope that there is more to say yet in Western pop music. The Neighbors graciously accepted some interview questions so we could get to know them a little better. If you’re interested in their tunes (and why wouldn’t you be?) be sure to vote for them (every day) at the battle of the bands mentioned at the end of the interview. Highly recommended. Read the rest of this entry »
Kirby Heyborne – The Elm Tree
Recommended if you like: Polished and elegant pop music, cute boys with cute guitars
Recommended Tracks: “Honest Ground”, “We Fall Back”, “Courage”, “Sunset”, “Give Up On Me”, “Mistakes and Stowaways”
Kirby Heyborne’s specializes in music that can be summed up with one word: Elegant. Read the rest of this entry »
Linescratchers welcomes Jim, a new writer/reviewer from Kentucky. Long-time Linescratchers fan, with experience as a radio host and pretentious new music reviewer, Jim brings a non-Mormon whistle-blower perspective to our elite circle. – Syphax
The Sweater Friends – Dear Abbey EP and Everyone We Know album
Recommended if you like: great boy-girl harmonies, coffee shoppe acoustic guitar pop, sweaters, friends
Recommended Tracks: Dear Abbey EP: “Dear Abbey”, “Sinners in the Repentance Club”, Everyone We Know: “Filo Sophia”, “The Last Pirate Song”, “Breaking the Azeotrope”
Upon first listen, The Sweater Friends’ music sounds deceptively simple. A boy and a girl, each equipped with an acoustic guitar, and nothing else. However, underneath that plain appearance first impression are songs about the difficulties of love and life, featuring music with beautiful lyrics and gorgeous melodies and harmonies.
It’s hard to believe that someone as laid-back and cheerful as Kirby Heyborne could incite any sort of controversy whatsoever, but being an LDS celebrity comes with a price. Many know Kirby as an actor, from LDS-themed films such as The R.M., Sons of Provo, and The Singles Ward, but he’s also a heartfelt, passionate, and sincere musician. Kirby’s acoustic-based folk is touchingly simple, yet texturally complex, and the strength of his lyrics are in their honesty. In this interview, Kirby talks about the pressures of being a celebrity and the motivation necessary to succeed in music.
Read the rest of this entry »
Listeners of our podcast (especially my Dad) have raved about an epic band from Southern California, and their song Bellyfish. The band is Checkpoint Charley, and there’s plenty more where that came from. Kevin Packard is the guitarist and singer from Checkpoint Charley, and he’s agreed to answer some questions for us about his faith and the new Checkpoint Charley album slated for next year. He talks frankly about the state of the world today and the state of LDS music. You’ll find their songs are indeed epic, and as noted in the interview and our podcast, they draw from such diverse and bombastic influences as Weezer, Jellyfish, the Beach Boys, and Queen. Sounds too good to be true? Check them out. Featuring Ian Fowles and Kristin Lawrence.
POP/CLASSIC
When you hear your first tracks of Sunshine Brady and the Moonlight Lady, you will be struck by its classic uniqueness, and yet it has a familiar ring, like the telephone at your grandmother’s house, or the crackle of a vinyl record. Most of all, these kids will make you smile. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan and Becca about their music. They haven’t quite made an internet presence but they have a facebook group and you can find them on SellABand.com.
ROCK/POP
Most conversations about popular LDS musicians in the West nowadays seem to always land on Cary Judd. Originally from Southern California but now living in the wilderness of Wyoming, Cary’s cerebral yet always accessible tunes satisfy the prog fan and pop fan alike. His newest album is Goodnight Human, but to really experience Cary Judd, you need to see a live show. For those deep in the Mission Field, he’s also released a live (free) downloadable album from his MySpace. His website is www.caryjudd.com, and you might take notice that he’s worked with Linescratcher Scot Alexander from Dishwalla.
To find Cary Judd on iTunes, click here.