By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to another exciting edition of New Music Releases!
Let’s get this party started!
Both One Direction fans and parents of 1D fans would be very impressed with the group’s fourth studio album: “Four” (Album cover property of Sony Records & SYCO Records)
Four by One Direction
It seems like if you mention either One Direction or any of the band members’ names (ex: Harry or Niall), you will get screams from as many pre-teens and teenagers as possible. However, since their debut on X Factor UK, the quintet has always had problems connecting with the 25-54 age group. Four might be the band’s saving grace. All five guys co-wrote a bulk of the album’s material and proved to their naysayers that they can leave the Bubblegum Pop world and focus on other musical genres such as pop rock and folk. All-and-all, this is a solid album for the quintet and I believe that it will satisfy both ends of their fanbases. B+
Tracks to Download: “Steal My Girl,” “Night Changes,” “Fireproof” & “Spaces”
No Fixed Address by Nickelback
One of my favorite rock bands of the millennium is back! It has been three years since the Canadian rock band has released new material! Unfortunately, the album contains a mixed bag of tracks. Fans would immediately gravitate towards “What Are You Waiting For,” “She Keeps Me Up” & “Get ‘Em Up” because of the band’s signature songwriting style and hard rock sounds. The rest of the album is just filler and while I give them kudos for trying something new and recording a collaboration with an artist outside of their field (“Got Me Runnin’ Round featuring Flo Rida), there are other artists that would have helped elevate this album to excellence instead of being average! C
Tracks to Download: “What Are You Waiting For,” “She Keep Me Up” & “Edge of A Revolution”
Music producer Ralph Sall recruited an all-star group of music legends to pay tribute to the ultimate singer-songwriter: Sir Paul McCartney! (Album cover property of Kobalt Label Services)
The Art of McCartney by Various Artists
Sir Paul McCartney is one of the greatest songwriters of all-time! To prove that statement, celebrated music producer Ralph Sall, recruited music’s iconic singer-songwriters to give their interpretations of McCartney’s vast songbook. B.B. King, Billy Joel, Heart, Roger Daltrey, Smokey Robinson and Willie Nelson are among the artists that brought their talents to the project. This is a strong project that would make Mr. McCartney proud. A-
Tracks to Download: “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Yesterday,” “So Bad,” “On The Way” & “Band on the Run”
Coming Home by Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth’s latest studio album, Coming Home, is the actress-singer’s first live album! Throughout the 15 tracks, the Emmy and Tony-winning performer celebrates her true loves: Broadway, jazz and country. Listeners will feel her passion combined with her show-stopping vocals. This album is the perfect gift for the Broadway fan in your life! A-
Tracks to Download: “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Fathers & Daughters,” “Little Sparrow,” “For Good” & “I Was Here”
Bob Geldof leads a new generation of artists (including Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and One Direction) to help stamp out Ebola. (Album cover property of Band Aid 30)
“Do They Know Its Christmas” by Band Aid 30
30 years ago, Bob Geldof gathered an all-star group of artists such as Bono, George Michael, Phil Collins and Duran Duran to sing about the famine in Ethiopia. 30 years later, Geldof and Midge Ure brought a new generation of artists together to rally the world to stop the Ebola epidemic. While Bono is the only original participant from the original recording to come back, current Top 40 superstars Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding and Jessie Ware brought their superb musicianship to this track. Congrats, Band Aid 30! You are my Song of the Week! A+
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article! They belong to the artists and their record companies.
