Long-awaited masterworks cap stellar 2019

Three of rock's finest artists are back with essential new collections that should be on every rock music lover's list.

Artist: Coldplay
Title: Everyday Life (Atlantic/Parlophone)
You might like if you enjoy: Coldplay, U2, Doves
Tell me more: As seems to be the case every time Coldplay releases a new album, there has been plenty of dissension and debate among fans about whether the British band's long-awaited album Everyday Life merits its ambitions. This is one music lover who firmly believes the 16-track album delivers on the four-year wait (Coldplay's previous studio LP A Head Full of Dreams was released back in December 2015). Although Coldplay's eighth studio disc Everyday Life qualifies as a concept album and is comprised of two fully-developed parts (the first half is dubbed "Sunrise" while the last half is "Sunset") it does play out over a single audio CD disc. The musically-diverse field of songs find the band (singer-keyboardist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion) looking at the joy and beauty of life, as well as the ugliness and challenges of everyday life across the 53+ minutes of music. The expansive soundscape extends from the instrumental opener "Sunrise," inspired "Church," intimate "Daddy" and gospel-adorned "BrokEn" to driving horn section-bolstered "Arabesque" help propel the first half of the record. The rage-filled "Guns," meditative "Èkó," gentle "Old Friends" and resplendent "Champion of the World" are among the impressive tracks on the last half of the LP. The band's daring arrangements, nuanced performances and use of guest players and singers only escalate the magic of Everyday Life.  lnformation: Coldplay.com.

Artist: The Who
Title: WHO (Interscope)
You might like if you enjoy: The Who, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend
Tell me more: Anyone fearing that 2006's less-than-perfect album Endless Wire might be The Who's final full-length artistic statement needs to hear the band's eponymous 12th studio album released earlier this month. "WHO" is the band's best album since 1982's It's Hard, and is remarkable on every level – in fact it is one of the best albums of 2019. Roger Daltrey's lead vocals sound fantastic and the tracks explode musically in support of the inspired arrangements and sharp lyrics; guitarist-singer Pete Townshend, drummer Zak Starkey, and other musicians on the disc (notably keyboardist Benmont Tench who guests on three tracks) are locked in everywhere. This being a Who album, there are plenty of fiery rockers and reflective turns. "All This Music Must Fade," "Detour," "Rockin' In Rage," and the mid-tempo "Hero Ground Zero" explode with every listen; the soul-searching "Beads On One String" the lush "Street Song" and sweeping "Break The News" are absolutely beautiful. The jazz-tinged "She Rocked My World" is among the more experimental material on the disc. A deluxe edition of the album available at Target stores includes three must-hear bonus tracks ("This Gun Will Misfire," "Got Nothing to Prove," "Danny and My Ponies") that augment a brilliant release.  Information: TheWho.com.

Artist: Simple Minds
Title: Live in the City of Angels – deluxe edition (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: U2, Coldplay, Big Country
Tell me more: Even casual fans of Scottish rockers Simple Minds will love the deluxe edition of Live in the City of Angels, a 4-disc audio collection recorded during the band's 2018 North America Tour. The first two discs features the band's full-length concert captured at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 24, 2018. Fans of Simple Minds' enduring '80s hits ("Don't You Forget About Me," "Alive and Kicking," "Sanctify Yourself") get all those songs delivered with power and force, as well as deep cuts and brilliant new material (particularly "The Signal and the Noise," "Dirty Old Town" and "Walk Between Worlds"). Founding members singer Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill are joined by a talented cast of musicians and backing singer Sarah Brown in bringing the wealth and range of songs to live via the recording, which is one of the best-sounding concert recordings this writer has ever heard. Discs 3 and 4 feature a myriad of bonus tracks recorded at various sound checks and rehearsals; my favorite is a fantastic take on the Call's 1989 hit single "Let the Day Begin." Information: amazon.com.


Robert Kinsler

Coldplay's 'A Head Full of Dreams' certified Platinum by RIAA

Here is an update on the latest album from Coldplay...

Band's New Video Shows Chris Martin Recording Stripped-Back Version of "Everglow"

Coldplay's A Head Full Of Dreams has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The news coincides with the one-year anniversary of the album's release. Now all seven of the band's studio albums have attained Platinum status (or above) in the U.S. A Head Full Of Dreams has sold more than five million copies globally.   The band's new video shows Chris Martin recording a stripped-back version of "Everglow," a song from A Head Full Of Dreams. The video, which was directed by Ben Mor, also features an excerpt of Muhammad Ali speaking to a live studio audience in Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1977. It can be viewed at: Rolling Stone awarded A Head Full Of Dreams four stars, observing that it "might be Coldplay's brightest album ever," and The New York Times hailed it as "blissful and bittersweet." The album's singles - "Adventure Of A Lifetime," "Hymn For The Weekend" and "Up&Up" -were smash hits across four different U.S. radio formats.Together with the title song, the four tracks have amassed more than two billion YouTube and Spotify plays combined. The video for "Up&Up" has been nominated for a GRAMMY® Award. Coldplay has supported A Head Full Of Dreams with a series of high profile television appearances - including a headline performance at Super Bowl 50 - and its largest headline tour to date. The band sold out stadiums across the U.S. on its "A Head Full Of Dreams Tour," which has played to 2.5 million people worldwide in 2016. Coldplaywill return to North American in 2017 for another extensive stadium run. For more information please visit Coldplay.com

Coldplay to release 'Adventure Of A Lifetime' on December 4th; first single out today

Breaking news...

A Head Full of Dreams, the seventh full-length album release from Coldplay, is coming December 4, 2015. The album, set to be released Parlophone Records.

The first single from the album, “Adventure Of A Lifetime,” is available today to download and stream.

Fans who pre-order the digital album from iTunes or Amazon will receive an instant download of Adventure Of A Lifetime.

This is the follow-up to Coldplay’s 2014 album Ghost Stories. The British outfit chose not to tour following that album and headed straight back into the studio to record A Head Full of Dreams.

Coldplay have never enjoyed making a record more than this one. Nor have they been happier with the results.

And, this time, they plan to take it around the world.

Tracklisting - A Head Full Of Dreams

1. A Head Full Of Dreams

2. Birds

3. Hymn For The Weekend

4. Everglow

5. Adventure Of A Lifetime

6. Fun

7. Kaleidoscope

8. Army Of One

9. Amazing Day

10. Colour Spectrum

11. Up&Up

For more information, please visit Coldplay.com.

You can watch hear the audio for the infectious single "Adventure Of A Lifetime" via YouTube below: 

Inbox Update: Dio, Coldplay, Academy of Country Music Awards winners

Here is a quick roundup of some of the noteworthy items to land in my inbox over the weekend...

Release of Dio's 'Live in London - Hammersmith Apollo 1993' to mark first-ever video release of the legendary concert

 Eagle Rock Entertainment to issue concert on DVD, SD Blu-ray, 2 CD and digital formats on May 13, 2014

Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the May 13, 2014 release of Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo 1993 on DVD, SD Blu-ray and double CD formats, from the incomparable Dio. 

This is the first ever video release of this classic 1993 concert and includes anthems such as “Holy Diver,” “Rainbow In The Dark,” “Strange Highways,” “Stand Up And Shout,” “Man On The Silver Mountain,” “Heaven And Hell,” “We Rock,” and more. Filmed at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on December 12, 1993, this concert film captures the then newly-reformed Dio on the last night of their European tour in support of the Strange Highways album. The line-up of Ronnie James Dio (vocals),Vinny Appice (drums), Jeff Pilson (bass), Tracy G (guitar) and Scott Warren (keyboards) delivered a blistering performance of tracks from their new album, previous Dio classics and favorites from Ronnie’s career with Black Sabbath and Rainbow. This powerful performance is presented in DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, and Dolby Digital Stereo.

In addition to this amazing concert, the AV formats offer a bonus Behind-The-Scenes feature entitled “Hangin’ With The Band”.

One of the most influential and celebrated vocalists / frontmen of hard rock and heavy metal, the late Ronnie James Dio’s commanding vocals and mammoth stage presence has resonated with generations of fans. His sophisticated, classical vocalization mixed with imaginative, fantastical song themes was genre-defining, establishing him as one of music’s most beloved icons. Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo masterfully captures him and his namesake band, Dio.

For a sneak peak at Live In London – Hammersmith Apollo, here’s a video of “Mob Rules” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEFcFGJBQzA&list=UUp0uxdUViQ2LTAqRePby68g

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EagleRockNews

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/eaglerocktv

TRACK LISTING:

1) Stand Up And Shout  

2) Strange Highways 

3) Don’t Talk To Strangers  

4) Evilution  

5) Pain   

6) The Mob Rules  

7) Children Of The Sea  

8) Holy Diver  

9) Heaven And Hell  

10) Man On The Silver Mountain  

11) Drum Solo  

12) Heaven And Hell (reprise)  

13) Jesus, Mary & The Holy Ghost  

14) Hollywood Black  

15) The Last In Line  

16) Rainbow In The Dark  

17) We Rock  

18) Here’s To You

COLDPLAY REVEAL THE VIDEO FOR THEIR NEW SINGLE, "MAGIC"   The Song is taken from their new album, Ghost Stories, to be released May 19 Watch the video now at: http://youtu.be/Qtb11P1FWnc

Coldplay / Photo credit: Anton Corbijn Coldplay have revealed the video for their new single, "Magic." The single is currently available on iTunes. The video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund, and stars Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as a magician, with Chris Martin doubling up as both her loyal assistant and brutish husband. "Magic" is taken from Coldplay's new album, Ghost Stories, which will be released on May 19, 2014 on Parlophone/Atlantic Records. The album can be pre-ordered now from iTunes worldwide at itunes.com/coldplay. The full Ghost Stories tracklisting is as follows: 1. Always In My Head 2. Magic 3. Ink 4. True Love 5. Midnight 6. Another's Arms 7. Oceans 8. A Sky Full Of Stars 9. O  WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 49th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC® AWARDS George Strait named Entertainer of the Year; Miranda Lambert & Keith Urban tied with 3 wins Jerry Jones & George Strait announced the 50TH ACM Awards to be broadcast from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, April 19, 2015 on CBS-TV LAS VEGAS, NV (April 6, 2014) – Winners have been announced for the 49th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, a star-studded ceremony broadcast live last night on the CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  Fans named George Strait the Entertainer of the Year, the evening’s biggest honor and the second win of his career in that category. This year marked another record-breaking year with 1.5 million fan votes cast for Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories combined, and also marked the first time online fan voting for these categories were open to fans in Australia and Canada. The king of country music and newly crowned Entertainer of the Year, George Strait, also participated in a special moment with Owner, President and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones during the telecast announcing the 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS to be broadcast LIVE from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. It was also announced that Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan will return to co-host the show.  Merle Haggard was honored with the Crystal Milestone Award, which was presented by Garth Brooks and celebrated with a tribute performance featuring Miranda Lambert and George Strait. Jason Aldean won Male Vocalist of the Year, his second consecutive win in this category. He has won an overall total of 7 ACM Awards. Miranda Lambert won for the fifth consecutive year as Female Vocalist of the Year, and is now the record holder for the most consecutive wins in that category. She is the leading female winner of the night, with a total of three trophies. Lambert also took the prize for Single Record of the Year for “Mama’s Broken Heart,” and Vocal Event of the Year for “We Were Us” with Keith Urban.   The Band Perry won their first Vocal Group of the Year award. This marks their third overall ACM win; they won the New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year award and New Artist of the Year in 2010. Artists Florida Georgia Line won Vocal Duo of the Year. This is their first win in this category, and third overall ACM Award win. Justin Moore received his first-ever Academy of Country Music Award tonight for New Artist of the Year Presented by Kohl’s Department Stores, a fan-voted category. Kacey Musgraves won Album of the Year as the artist and producer for Same Trailer Different Park. This award marks her first-ever ACM Award win. Keith Urban is the leading male winner of the night with a total of three trophies in two categories.  Prior to the telecast, Urban took the prize for Video of the Year as artist for “Highway Don’t Care” with Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift. He also won Vocal Event of the Year as artist and producer for “We Were Us” with Miranda Lambert. Both awards were presented off-camera. Following is the list of winners in the 11 categories voted on by the membership (excluding the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist categories, which were voted on by a combination of professional ACM members and fans): ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR George Strait MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Jason Aldean FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Miranda Lambert VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR Florida Georgia Line VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR The Band Perry NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S Justin Moore ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves Producers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves Record Label: Mercury Records SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] Mama's Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf Record Label: RCA Nashville SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)] I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary Publishers: Beattyville Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Happy Tears Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI) VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) Highway Don't Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban Producers: Tameron Hedge, Chandra LaPlume Director: Shane Drake VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award) We Were Us – Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban Record Labels: Capitol Records Nashville, Hit Red Records, RCA Nashville About the Academy of Country Music Awards The 49th Academy of Country Music Awards is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.  The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and was broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark and Barry Adelman are executive producers.  Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

Coldplay to issue 'Live 2012' on CD/DVD, Blu-ray/CD and Digitally on November 20

Hardly a day goes by without another big announcement relating to high-profile releases coming between now and the end of 2012. Ready for some Coldplay?

Coldplay's aptly-titled 'Live 2012' set for release

Pre-order launches today for tour film / live album, coming via CD/DVD, Blu-ray/CD and Digitally on November 20, 2012

EPIX to exclusively premiere the concert event on November 17

On November 20, 2012, Capitol Records will release Coldplay's Live 2012, the band's first concert film / live album in nine years. It documents the band's Mylo Xyloto world tour, which has been seen by more than three million people since it began in June 2011. Premium network EPIX will premiere the tour film as an EPIX original concert event in the United States on TV, online at EpixHD.com, and on EPIX apps on hundreds of devices including Xbox consoles, iPads, iPhones, Roku players and more!

Read the rest of the media release below...

Coldplay 2012 media release Fans can check out the film's trailer and pre-order Live 2012 now at www.coldplay.com. The film was directed by Paul Dugdale, who helmed Adele's Live at the Royal Albert Hall and The Prodigy'sWorlds On Fire concert films. Live 2012 includes footage from Coldplay's shows at Paris's Stade de France, Montreal's Bell Centre and last year's triumphant Pyramid Stage headline performance at Glastonbury Festival. Coldplay's 2012 outing came in at No. 1 on Billboard's latest ranking of the year's top-grossing tours. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said: "The Mylo Xyloto tour has been the most fun we've ever had as a band. It's felt very uplifting right from the start; partly because we are proud of the music, the LED wristbands, the pyrotechnics, the lasers and all of that stuff, but mainly because of the amazing audiences that we've been playing for. Over the years, our crowd has become more and more a part of the concert itself. They're loud, diverse, full of soul, and make the songs sound much better than we can on our own. We wanted to try to bottle the incredible feeling that they give us, and hence our concert film." Live 2012 director Paul Dugdale said: "We wanted to make a film that was as intimate as it was epic, punctuating Coldplay's colour-drenched performance with candid portraits of the band. The set is curated from several concerts around the globe, using the 75,000-capacity Stade de France as the backbone. Myself and JA Digital wanted to approach this film in the same way Coldplay approach their stage show: it's essentially a film about people, and we wanted to highlight how the band have blurred the barrier between stage and audience to create a tour that reaches out to everyone from the front row of the stadium to those right at the back. It's a 90 minute kaleidoscope of emotions. My main objective as a filmmaker was to make the viewers' eyes widen and their hearts beat faster." Live 2012 will be available in the U.S. on CD/DVD, Blu-ray/CD and digitally.    Coldplay has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including seven GRAMMY®s, seven BRITs, six Q Awards and five MTV Video Music Awards. "Paradise," which won the VMA for Best Rock Video earlier this month, has 150 million views and more than 2.5 million downloads of the single have been sold.