NEW AND IN REVIEW
+44
When Your Heart Stops Beating
(Interscope)
There's an old saying, "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs."
Well, you also can't know what individual band members bring to the table until you break the whole operation into pieces. So what does Blink 182 have to do with eggs? Not much.
But the band is on permanent hiatus, and two groups have emerged from its longtime lineup: The Tom Delonge-led Angels & Airwaves features the more moving side of Blink (with heaps of vibrato guitars), leaving the remaining membership — bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker — to carry the torch of the band's energetic, punk-pop riffing as +44.
"When Your Heart Stops Beating" offers 12 fueled jams that retain Blink's simplicity yet adds a thoughtful and mature polish to it.
Barker still overplays with the best of them, but Hoppus' catchy melodies and charming vocals impress on the bouncy title-track, the gliding opener "Lycanthrope," and, to show the band's more earnest side, "Weatherman."
"When Your Heart Stops Beating" is more predictable — and less amazing — than Delonge's slice of the pie, but longtime Blink fans will likely find a stronger kinship with the +44 sound.
My Chemical Romance
The Black Parade
(Reprise)
Falling into the categories of emo-core, punk-core, post-hardcore — and whatever other core you can think of — My Chemical Romance is set apart not by these useless terms, but from the element of drama that paints its lively rock sound.
"The Black Parade," following the group's 2003 breakthrough "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge," is a step up musically, showcasing a wider range for the New Jersey quintet, often resulting in darker tunes ("The Sharpest Lives").
The constant energy does become a bit excessive at times, but doesn't stop "Welcome to the Black Parade" from having major hit potential.
The genre it is cornered into is dying, but the growth and development "My Chemical Romance" shows on The Black Parade is very encouraging.
Rock Star Supernova
Rock Star Supernova
(Epic)
Opening with a surge that most great rock albums do, in this case with the epic power of "It's On," this TV-created act, featuring the unique mix of Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke, Jason Newsted and some dude who won a singing contest, starts off with promise.
Unfortunately, the impressiveness stops there, as the rest of Supernova — an attempt at beefing up a modern glam-rock sound — falls short of expectations for such seasoned personnel.
mewithoutyou
Brother, Sister
(Tooth & Nail)
The good thing about Philadelphia-based five piece mewithoutyou is that its sound is very distinct, packed with moody, crafty guitars underneath the wailing voice of Aaron Weiss.
The flip side is that, especially with its new work "Brother, Sister," it's not the most comfortable listen, having the same feel of indie-rock at its most, er, indie, but wrapped in a much heavier package.
America
Here & Now
(Burgundy)
When the ultimate classic rock dream reunions are pondered, America is not likely one to make many peoples' top-five lists.
But with "Here & Now," the songwriting duo of Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell has created a very enjoyable record, its first since 1984.
America's easy-does-it style of AOR gets a needed boost of renovation from the pair's smart picks for co-producers, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne).
Clinic
Visitations
(Domino)
One of Brit-pop's most unique acts — flooded with noise, interesting instrumentation and driving rhythms — is Clinic, and its fifth album, "Visitations," is outstanding and, for adventurous listeners, definitely worth a try.
Daylight for the Birds
Trouble Everywhere
(Bellhop)
Clearly inspired by the shoegazer phase of the 1990s — especially the music of Lush, which also featured soft female vocals — Daylight for the Birds is a charming act, also perfect for fans of Slowdive, Ride and Verve.
NICK'S PICK
Kate Bush
Aerial
(2005/Columbia)
The eccentric wonder returned after 12 years off with perhaps her finest work, including the marvelously moving single "King of the Mountain."
Contact freelance music writer Nick Brandon at NickBrandonMusicBeat@hotmail.com
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