Gorillaz will wrap up the North American tour in support of its latest album this fall.
The group announced Tuesday, four new live North American dates in support of its latest album, Cracker Island, which was released in February through Warner Brothers Records/Parlophone. The four-date tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 10 in Los Angeles, CA and to run through Sept. 19 in Boston, MA.
Ticket pre-sales are set to open at 10 a.m. Wednesday. General ticket sales open at 10 a.m. local time June 2. The tour’s schedule is noted below:
GORILLAZ ‘The Getaway’ Shows Fall 2023
Sun Sep 10 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium Wed Sep 13 – Austin, TX – Q2 Stadium Sat Sep 16 – Chicago, IL– Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tue Sep 19 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
KAYTRANADA, Lil Yachty and Remi Wolf to support on all dates.
More information on Gorillaz’s upcoming live dates is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. are set to hit the road together this summer.
The bands announced Thursday, the dates for “The Big Night Out Tour”. The tour is scheduled to launch July 24 in Clearwater, FL and to run through Sept. 7 in Highland, CA. The six-week run also features performances scheduled in cities nationwide, such as Greensboro, NC; Cincinnati, OH and Woodinville, WA.
Goo Goo Dolls front man John Rzeznik said he was looking forward to getting out on the road with the members of O.A.R.
“I’m so excited to hit the road this summer with [O.A.R. front man] Marc [Roberge] and O.A.R.,” Rzeznik said. “It’s going to be an amazing night of music and fun we decided we wanted to give our audience and the best night of their summer.”
The schedule for “The Big Night Out Tour” is noted below:
Catch the GOO GOO DOLLS & O.A.R.
this summer on
The Big Night Out Tour
MON 7/24/23 * The Sound at Coachman Park * Clearwater, FL
WED 7/26/23 * Mizner Park Amph. * Boca Raton, FL
THU 7/27/23 * St. Augustine Amphitheatre * St Augustine, FL
SUN 7/30/23 * Cadence Bank Amph. * Atlanta, GA
TUE 8/1/23 * CCNB Amphitheatre * Simpsonville, SC
WED 8/2/23 * White Oak Amphitheatre * Greensboro, NC
FRI 8/4/23 * Merriweather Post Pavilion * Columbia, MD
SAT 8/5/23 * Jones Beach Theater * Wantagh, NY
SUN 8/6/23 * Bethel Woods Center * Bethel, NY
TUE 8/8/23 * Saratoga Performing Arts Ctr. * Saratoga Springs, NY
WED 8/9/23 * MUSIKFEST * Bethlehem, PA
FRI 8/11/23 * Borgata Event Center * Atlantic City, NJ
SAT 8/12/23 * PNC Bank Arts Center * Holmdel, NJ
SUN 8/13/23 * Hartford HealthCare Amph. * Bridgeport, CT
TUE 8/15/23 * Leader Bank Pavilion * Boston, MA
WED 8/16/23 * St. Joseph’s Health Amph. * Syracuse, NY
FRI 8/18/23 * PNC PAVILION * Cincinnati, OH
SAT 8/19/23 * Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill * Sterling Heights, MI
SUN 8/20/23 * Blossom Music Center * Cuyahoga Falls, OH
TUE 8/22/23 * Huntington Bank Pavilion * Chicago, IL
WED 8/23/23 * TCU Amph. at White River Park * Indianapolis, IN
FRI 8/25/23 * FirstBank Amph. * Franklin, TN
SAT 8/26/23 * Saint Louis Music Park * Maryland Heights, MO
SUN 8/27/23 * Starlight Theatre * Kansas City, MO
WED 8/30/23 * Fiddlers Green Amph. * Greenwood Village, CO
THU 8/31/23 * Sandy Amph. * Sandy, UT
SAT 9/2/23 * Chateau Ste Michelle Winery * Woodinville, WA
SUN 9/3/23 * Chateau Ste Michelle Winery * Woodinville, WA
After Goo Goo Dolls completes its run with O.A.R., Goo Goo Dolls will join Fitz and The Tantrums for a series of dates from Sept. 12 in Eugene, OR to Sept. 30 in Gilford, NH. The schedule for that run is noted below:
WED 9/27/23 * Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion * Portsmouth, VA
FRI 9/29/23 * Maine Savings Amph. * Bangor, ME
SAT 9/30/23 * New Hampshire Pavilion * Gilford, NH
In other news, Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. recently worked together on a cover of Tom Petty’s timeless rock classic, ‘Won’t Back Down.’ The bands premiered their joint product last week, along with a companion video. The new take on the classic composition stays completely true to its source material right down to Rzeznik’s vocal style. He sounds so close to Petty when he was much younger and had first crafted the song. It is one of the purest covers of the song to be crafted to date.
More information on Goo Goo Dolls’ upcoming tour with O.A.R. is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
Late this past June, British rock duo Royal Blood releases its sophomore album How Did We Get So Dark to the world. The album’s title may not reference its overall content, but in listening through the record’s 10 song body, it seems fitting. That is because it is a direct contrast to how bright this record proves to be in the end thanks in part to its musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The album’s lyrical content makes this record shine just as much as its musical arrangements. It will be discussed later. The album’s sequencing rounds out the most notable elements that make it such a bright new effort for the fledgling rock duo. Each element, by itself is critical to the album’s success. All things considered, they make How Did We Get So Dark a bright new effort from Royal Blood.
Royal Blood’s second full-length studio recording How Did We Get So Dark is anything but a dark new effort from the British rock duo. This 10-song record is a shining new collection of songs that listeners will agree offers plenty to appreciate beginning with its musical arrangements. The album’s arrangements are critical to the album’s success because of the growth that they exhibit from the pair’s self-titled debut. From start to finish, listeners get plenty of songs that stylistically sound very similar to that 2014 full-length record thanks to so many driving, blues-based, almost Clutch-esque compositions. At the same time, the band doesn’t stick to what it knows here. Case in point is the stylistic change audible late in the album’s run in ‘Don’t Tell.’ This slow, grinding song’s stoner-sludge rock styling is, while not stark, still a noticeable departure from the songs included in the band’s debut. It clearly shows the band growing and taking a new risk; a risk that works quite well. ‘Hole in your Heart’ is another obvious sign of Royal Blood’s musical growth in this record. That is evident in the juxtaposition of the song’s softer, keyboard-driven verses and its heavier choruses. This crossing (and the general sound of the song) is something that was hardly as present in the band’s debut. It makes this record all the more entertaining, too. If that is still not enough example of the growth evident in this album, ‘She’s Creeping’ shows that growth, too. Stylistically speaking, the song comes across in a slightly easy-going fashion without losing the sound that has made the band so beloved. It is just one more way in which the album shows the band’s willingness to take risks and grow. Keeping that in mind, the record’s musical arrangements do plenty to make this album entertaining. They are, collectively, just one part of what makes the record entertaining. The album’s lyrical content is just as important to its overall presentation as its musical arrangements.
Throughout the course of HDWGSD’s 34-minute run time, it offers listeners just as much to appreciate lyrically as it does musically. By and large, this record seems dominated lyrically by themes of relationships both good and bad. While that doesn’t seem like much to discuss, the different ways in which the subjects are approached in each song is what makes the album so lyrically interesting. ‘Don’t Tell’ is a prime example of how the variance in that familiar theme stands out. Vocalist Michael Kerr sings here, “Everybody saw you get your coat/And everybody heard your bad excuse for leaving/Say “I’m going out for a smoke”/No one has to know about our little secret/Meet you there in the dark/I won’t say anything/If you don’t.” This presents a little bit of a naughty vibe, and that vibe doesn’t end there. Kerr goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “used to have a heart of gold/Now I’m staying up at night/Your dirty little dreamer/Always ready to reload/At your command/Wish I could keep you synchronized on demand/As we fantasize what they can’t know.” Whether or not the seeming double entendres included here were intended here, there’s no denying they seem to be there. This message of a naughty secret, combined with the song’s musical arrangement—which expertly catches the lyrics’ energy—makes the song even more engaging. It is just one of the songs that lyrically proves to be so interesting. The album’s opener/title track offers its own lyrical interest.
‘How Did We Get So Dark’ comes across as a song about a broken relationship through its lyrical content. But the catch is that it does not come across as one of those standard oh-woe-is-me style works that are far too prevalent in the music industry. Rather, it comes across in a more contemplative fashion as Kerr sings in the song’s lead verse, “I saw it coming/Like the shadow on the wall/You started running/When everything turned cold/How did I/Become a lookalike of someone you used to love/Someone you used to love?” He goes on to sing in the song’s chorus, “How did something so sweet tear us apart/On a sinking ship with a heavy heart/How did we get so dark?” Little doubt is left to mind about this song’s message. What’s really interesting here is how that theme rests alongside the song’s high-energy musical arrangement. The combination of the pair gives the song a sort of aha moment, especially as Kerr sings later in the song, “Nobody warned you/The tables would turn/I could have told you/Everything you’ve learned/Would burn to dust/Now there’s no one you can trust/Just someone you used to love/Someone you used to love.” This seems like someone who, instead of feeling sorry for himself or herself, is speaking almost sarcastically in retrospect about that broken relationship. It is a welcome turn for such a common lyrical theme and just one more way in which the album’s lyrical content proves to be so interesting. ‘Where Are You Now’ is one more example of what makes this record’s lyrical content stand out.
‘Where Are You Now’ comes across lyrically as yet another song about a broken relationship considering Kerr singing, “I’ve tasted every potion/They don’t taste like you/You’re a teardrop in an ocean/I’m still drinking though/And I still wonder where you are/And who you’re talking to/When I think about it I get blue.” The rest of the song is very similar, lyrically speaking. Once again, it sounds like a very certain style song, yet the energy in the song’s musical energy keeps it from being one of those songs. Considering this, it becomes clear why this song is yet another example of what makes the album’s lyrical content overall so important to its presentation. Lyrically, the record tackles some very familiar theme, but it does so in ways that don’t just repeat themselves from one to the next. When those themes are set alongside the album’s musical arrangements, that music gives the songs’ lyrical content a whole new meaning and feeling. Even with all of this in mind, the songs’ lyrical content is still not its last important element. The album’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements.
The sequencing of HDWGSD is so pivotal to the album’s presentation because of the thought and time that was put into this element. Thanks to that thought, the album keeps the album’s energy well-balanced throughout its run. It starts out with a solid driving energy in its first trio of songs before pulling back a little in ‘She’s Creeping.’ Even as the energy pulls back, the power in the song’s energy is not lost. The energy varies just as much over the course of the album’s next three songs with two more high-energy songs and another slower, but still strong, solid effort in ‘Don’t Tell.’ That same pattern is followed in the album’s final three group of songs, too, with the album’s closer being another strong effort, just not as fiery as its predecessors. Considering the stability and balance in the songs’ energies the album ensures even more here listeners’ engagement. When this is set alongside the interest of the album’s lyrical themes and musical arrangements, the whole of those elements makes this record a record that is anything that is dark. Rather, they prove it to be a shining new offering from Royal Blood.
Royal Blood’s second full-length studio recording How Did We Get So Dark is a bright, shining new offering from the band. That is proven through musical arrangements that at times show growth from vocalist/bassist Michael Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher while also giving audiences some familiar sounds in others. The seemingly consistent lyrical themes that populate the record add to its interest, and its sequencing adds to that interest. Each element is important in its own way to the album’s whole. Collectively, they make How Did We Get So Dark a shining new effort from Royal Blood. It is available now in stores and online. More information on the album is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicksw.wordpress.com.
Goo Goo Dolls fans have lots of reason to be “happy” today.
The veteran rock outfit released its new EP You Should Be Happy today via Warner Brothers Records. The 5-song disc’s lead single ‘Use Me’ is streaming online now, too. Audiences can view the song’s lyric video online now here. Audiences can also hear the record in whole here and can order it online here.
In celebration of the record’s release, the band will launch the “Long Way Home Tour” beginning July 14 in Mountain, CA. American Idol star Phillip Phillips will join the band as direct support. Tickets can be purchased online now via the band’s official website and through the official Live Nation website.
The tour’s current tour schedule is noted below.
Tour dates:
Fri- Jul-14-17
Mountain, CA
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sat-Jul-15-16
Las Vegas, NV
Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
Sun-Jul-16-17
Phoenix, AZ
Comerica Theatre
Tue-Jul-18-17
Greenwood Village, CO
Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater
Thu-Jul-20-17
South Fargo, ND
Scheels Arena
Fri-Jul-21-17
Council Bluffs, IA
Harrah’s Hotel & Casino- Stir Cove
Mon-Jul-24-17
Chicago, IL
Huntington Bank
Tue-Jul-25-17
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Farm Bureau
Thu-Jul-27-17
Peoria, IL
Peoria Riverfront
Fri-Jul-28-17
Appleton, WI
Fox Cities Stadium
Sat-Jul-29-17
Plymouth, MN
Hilde Performance Center
Mon-Jul-31-17
Nashville, TN
Ascend Amphitheater
Wed-Aug-02-17
Huber Heights, OH
Rose Music Center at The Heights
Thu-Aug-03-17
Rochester Hills, MI
Meadowbrook
Sat-Aug-05-17
Cleveland, OH
Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Sun-Aug-06-17
Philadelphia, PA
Festival Pier
Tue-Aug-08-17
Vienna, VA
Wolf Trap
Wed-Aug-09-17
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun
Fri-Aug-11-17
Syracuse, NY
Lakeview Amphitheater
Sat-Aug-12-17
Darien Lakes, NY
Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Sun-Aug-13-17
Wantagh, NY
Northwell Health at Jones Beach Center
Tue-Aug-15-17
Boston, MA
Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Wed-Aug-16-17
Portland, ME
Maine State Pier
Fri-Aug-18-17
Holmdel, NJ
PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat-Aug-19-17
Bethel, NY
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sun-Aug-20-17
Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Tue-Aug-22-17
Baltimore, MD
Pier Six Pavilion
Wed-Aug-23-17
Raleigh, NC
Red Hat Amphitheater
Fri-Aug-25-17
Virginia Beach, VA
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre
Sat-Aug-26-17
Asheville, NC
Biltmore Estate – South Terrace
Sun-Aug-27-17
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
Wed-Aug-30-17
Orlando, FL
Hard Rock Live
Fri-Sep-01-17
Miami, FL
Klipsch Amphitheater at Bayfront
Sat-Sep-02-17
Jacksonville, FL
Daily’s Place
Mon-Sep-04-17
Atlanta, GA
Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Thu-Sep-07-17
Houston, TX
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun-Sep-10-17
Albuquerque, NM
Sandia Resort Casino
Tue-Sep-12-17
San Diego, CA
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Wed-Sep-13-17
Los Angeles, CA
The Greek Theatre
More information on You Should Be Happy is available online now along with Goo Goo Dolls’ latest news and more at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
Red Hot Chili Peppers is extending its current run of live dates.
The band announced this week that it has added a string of dates for Spring and Summer 2017 to its current touring schedule. The band’s new dates, which will be in support of its latest full-length studio recording The Getaway, begin April 12 in the nation’s capitol and run through June 30 in Chicago, IL.
The band will take about three weeks off at the end of its current tour schedule, listed below, before launching its spring/summer 2017 North American tour. The upcoming spring/summer 2017 schedule also includes a pair of dates in North Carolina for the band’s fans in the “Tarheel State.” Those dates are noted in the band’s full live schedule listed below.
Previously Announced Tour Dates:
5-Jan
San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center
7-Jan
Houston, TX
Toyota Center
8-Jan
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Arena
10-Jan
New Orleans, LA
Smoothie King Center
12-Jan
Memphis, TN
Fed Ex Forum
14-Jan
Tulsa, OK
BOK Center
15-Jan
Wichita, KS
In Trust Arena
18-Jan
St. Louis, MO
Scottrade Center
20-Jan
Lincoln, NE
Pinnacle Bank Arena
21-Jan
Minneapolis, MN
Target Center
2-Feb
Detroit, MI
Joe Louis Arena
4-Feb
Toronto, ON
Air Canada Center
7-Feb
Boston, MA
TD Garden
8-Feb
Boston, MA
TD Garden
10-Feb
Buffalo, NY
First Niagara Center
12-Feb
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Arena
13-Feb
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Arena
15-Feb
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
17-Feb
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
18-Feb
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
2-Mar
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
4-Mar
Glendale, AZ
Gila River Arena
5-Mar
San Diego, CA
Valley View Casino Center
7-Mar
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
8-Mar
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
10-Mar
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
12-Mar
Oakland, CA
Oracle Arena
15-Mar
Portland, OR
Rose Quarter – Moda Center
17-Mar
Seattle, WA
Key Arena
18-Mar
Vancouver, BC
Rogers Arena
Newly Announced Dates:
12-Apr
Washington, DC
Verizon Center
14-Apr
Atlanta, GA
Philips Arena
15-Apr
Raleigh, NC
PNC Arena
17-Apr
Charlotte, NC
Spectrum Center
19-Apr
Columbia, SC
Colonial Life Arena
22-Apr
Little Rock, AR
Verizon Arena
24-Apr
Jacksonville, FL
Veterans Memorial Arena
26-Apr
Orlando, FL
Amway Center
27-Apr
Tampa, FL
Amalie Arena
29-Apr
Miami, FL
American Airlines Arena
11-May
Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena
13-May
Cleveland, OH
Quicken Loans
14-May
Columbus, OH
Schottenstein Center-
16-May
Louisville, KY
KFC Yum! Center
18-May
Indianapolis, IN
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
19-May
Cincinnati, OH
US Bank Arena
21-May
Kansas City
Sprint Center
23-May
Des Moines, IA
Wells Fargo Arena
26-May
Winnipeg, MB
MTS Centre
28-May
Edmonton, AB
Rogers Place
29-May
Calgary, AB
Scotiabank Saddledome
18-Jun
Quebec, QC
Vidéotron
20-Jun
Montreal , QC
Bell Centre
22-Jun
Hamilton, ON
FirstOntario Centre
23-Jun
Ottawa, ON
Canadian Tire Centre
25-Jun
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
30-Jun
Chicago, IL
United Center
Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records
The Getaway has performed very well domestically since its release this past June. The record debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Sales Chart, and #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. It is the band’s seventh record to reach the top 10 in the magazine’s chart and its third to reach the #2 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 chart.
The album has performed very well internationally, too. It debuted at #1 in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands and New Zealand. It debuted at #2 in the United Kingdom and Germany.
More information on Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new tour dates is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
It’s hard to believe and might make some out there feel old, but Red Hot Chili Peppers recently released its eleventh full-length studio recording. The Getaway was released just last month via Warner Brothers Records. It is the eleventh album that the band has released in what is now a three-decades plus career. That is a telling statement about the band. It shows that even through so many lineup changes and even a changing industry the band has shown that it is still just as relevant today as it was when it formed way back in 1983. It can be postulated that the reason for this continued success is linked to the band’s own adaptation to the changes in the musical community. The band has changed up its sound on every one of its records, maintaining its originality from one record to the next. The same applies to the lyrical content presented within each of the band’s records. Both of these changes are just as evident in The Getaway just as much as they are in the band’s previous albums. That obvious update to the band’s sound and lyrical content makes this record yet another Red Hot Chili Peppers success story and one more of 2016’s top new rock records.
Red Hot Chili Peppers new album The Getaway is its own enjoyable escape for audiences. That is due to the fact that yet again the band has change up its sound and its lyrical content from that of its previous album. It is a practice that the band has maintained throughout the course of its now three decades-plus life span. That new approach makes the album not just another new enjoyable escape but also one more of 2016’s top new rock records. One of the points at which this changed sound is most evident in the band’s new album is the album’s lead single ‘Dark Necessities.’ Looking at the song’s musical arrangement it presents a sound that is very much unlike that of the band’s body of work. Given, Flea’s bass line is somewhat familiar here. It harkens back to the days of the band’s 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, but in the bigger picture of the song’s arrangement it boasts a very distinct identity that is separate from anything else that the band has crafted. That is thanks to the use of the string arrangements and gentle, flowing piano line at the base of the arrangement. Drummer Chad Smith’s work behind the kit and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer’s guitar line add their own original touch to the song. The whole that those separate lines makes the song’s musical arrangement original and enjoyable in its own right. The song’s lyrical content cannot be ignored here either. That is because of the topic on which that content touches. Front man Anthony Kiedis recently discussed the song’s topic. He noted in his interview that the song addresses what he called “the beauty of our dark sides” and the good that actually comes from that inner darkness. It really makes sense as so many of the best songs (regardless of genre) come from those dark places within their writers. Kiedis’ statement rings true as he sings in the song’s chorus, “You don’t know my mind/Dark necessities are part of my design/And tell the world that I’m/Falling from the sky/Dark necessities are part of my design. That is made even more evident in the song’s lead verse in which Kiedis sings, “Coming on to the light of day we got/Many moons that are deep at play/Keep an eye on the shadow smile/To see what it has to say/You and I both know/Everything must go away/What do you say/Spinning off/Head is on my heart/It’s like a bit of light in a touch of dark/You got the sneak attack from the zodiac/But I se your fire spark/Keep the breeze and go/Blow by blow and go away/What do you say/Yeah. He comes across as using metaphors to illustrate the contrast of light and dark in people’s lives. That is exemplified by that opening line comparing the “many moons deep at play” in the “light of day.” The many moons could be that dark side, all the negativity while the light is…well…the light. And that proverbial “sneak attack from the zodiac” is the dark contrast to the spark seen in the subject. He is not noting literally the zodiac killer, but using that as a metaphor, again, for the darkness trying to tear a person down. This is all, of course, just this critic’s interpretation of these lines. But they would make sense considering Kiedis’ explanation of the song. Here is so much negativity hidden inside a person (or people) but it is defeated by using it to one’s own strength. This, and the song’s original musical arrangement, partner to make the song a powerful statement and an original one. It is just one of the album’s most standout songs and one example of what makes the song in whole stand out. ‘Encore’ is another of the album’s key compositions.
‘Dark Necessities’ is one of the most important compositions included in The Getaway. That is because it exhibits both through its musical arrangement and its lyrical content the continued evolution of the band’s sound and its lyrical content. It presents a very deep concept in its lyrical content in the good that actually comes from that dark place inside each one of us. The song’s musical arrangement does plenty to illustrate the emotion of considering that good from bad. As important as it is to the album in whole it is not the album’s only key composition. ‘Encore’ does just as much to exhibit the band’s continued evolution. Its musical arrangement is a clear starting point in discussing this. By and large, the song’s musical foundation is formed by Klinghoffer’s guitar work, Kiedis’ vocal delivery, and yet again, a gentle piano line that runs through the course of the song. Each piece presents is own deeply reserved sound. When they are assembled together the overall sound is one that, again, is unlike most of what the band has ever crafted. It is a sound that will touch listeners on a very deep, emotional level. The song’s seemingly retrospective lyrical content adds to that emotional depth. That seeming retrospective approach is exhibited in the song’s lead verse as Kiedis sings, “Listen to The Beatles and the sound of laughing Ed McMahon, we got high/Educated by a world so full of self/and lost in space/too much pride/Cosmonauts and dirty thoughts/Are juggling the juggernaut/Soviet spy/Every now and then I remember to befriend/The little things in life. It instantly seems that Kiedis is reminiscing about his youth, that golden age of life, supporting the supposition that this song is indeed a personal retrospection of sorts, right down to its title. That supposition is strengthened even more in the song’s second verse as Kiedis sings, “Later on I’ll read to you/The things that I’ve been needing to say goodbye/Walk away from mom and dad to find the love you never had/tell no lies/Carry on and write a song/that says it all and shows it off ‘fore you die/Take a little breath/Before you catch an early death/There is so much sky.” That opening line in which Kiedis sings “Later on Ill read to you/The things that I’ve been needing to say goodbye” it seems like he is saying, “let me talk to you about the things that I need to let go of from my past.” His writing “Carry on and write a song/That says it all and shows it off” adds to that belief about the retrospective lyrical message even more. The song’s third and final verse hints at that message even more even as short as it is. Even considering this, one should take this critic’s interpretation with a grain of salt. It is not meant to be gospel. It could be entirely off the mark. Though, considering this content, one has to believe that it is somewhere in the proverbial ballpark. Right or wrong, the song’s seeming retrospective lyrics and equally reserved musical arrangement make the song all the more engaging. In turn this engagement shows why the song is yet another of The Getaway’s key compositions and another example of what makes the album in whole stand out. It still is not the album’s last notable composition. ‘This Ticonderoga’ is one more of the record’s standout songs.
‘Dark Necessities’ and ‘Encore’ are both select songs included in The Getaway. That is because of the evolution that they exhibit in regards to the band’s sound and lyrical versatility. That growth, both musically and lyrically, serves to exhibit in the bigger picture, what makes the album in whole stand out. They are not the only songs that serve to do this. ‘This Ticonderoga’ stands out just as much as those aforementioned songs. One of the reasons that it stands out so blatantly is its musical arrangement. The song’s musical arrangement boasts a full-on garage rock sound. That is a sound that is distinctly different from the majority of the band’s previous compositions. It is driven largely by Klinghoffer’s guitar work and Smith’s drumming. Of course the piano and string arrangements that are used in the song’s chorus sections make for a start contrast to that garage rock sound. It even adds a certain extra something to the song’s overall arrangement. The song’s lyrical content adds its own element to the song, too. The song’s lyrical content is sure to leave listeners thinking and talking even more than its musical arrangement. It may even leave listeners thinking and talking more so than the lyrical content presented in any of the album’s other offerings. That is because of the depth of that material. The song’s shorter moments seem to speak the loudest in examining the song. One of those shorter lines sees Kiedis singing, “We are all just soldiers in this battlefield of life/One thing that’s for certain is my burning appetite. That statement is switched up slightly in another of those noted shorter moments with Kiedis singing, “We are all just soldiers in this open field of time/Hoping to get with you when get right with your mind.” It is echoed again one more time at the song’s end and is switched up again with Kiedis singing in that last refrain, “We are all just soldiers in this loving fight/And no one that I know has ever really done it right.” These refrains seem to hint at a message that throughout everything (time and life) we are all just a tiny part of it all. That is hinted even more in the larger part of the verses. Early on Kiedis sings about what one must assume is his youth when he writes about a man who wanted him to join his band. He then shares a small anecdote about a failed relationship (for which he blames himself here) before eventually writing about meeting the woman who would become his wife. It is from here that he makes the statement about everyone being “soldiers in the loving fight.” There is even a tribute to Kiedis’ friend and band mate Flea thrown in for good measure. It seems to be used in relation to his recollection of his early days in the music business. All of this would seem to, again, tie together those previously noted, smaller verse elements. Those smaller elements come together with the larger verse elements to generate a lyrical makeup here that is just as deep as that of any of the album’s other songs. And together with the song’s musical arrangement, the two elements come together to make ‘This Ticonderoga’ stand out just as much as ‘Encore’ and ‘Dark Necessities.’ It stands out just as much against the rest of the album’s songs not noted here, too. When it is set against those songs, the band’s growth is exhibited even more clearly. That clearly exhibited growth goes on to show again why the record in whole is another great escape and another one of 2016’s top new rock records.
The Getaway is yet another great escape from Red Hot Chili Peppers. It is also one more of the year’s top new rock records. That is due to the continued growth and change exhibited by the band throughout the course of the record’s thirteen songs. The change in question is exhibited in the song’s musical arrangements and even its lyrical content. It is something that is rare nowadays by artists throughout the musical universe. In turn it makes both the band and its new album even more deserving of respect. Whether in the seemingly retrospective ‘Encore,’ the philosophical ‘Dark Necessities,’ or even the equally thought-provoking ‘This Ticonderoga’ the band exhibits so much growth and change. The album’s other offerings exemplify that growth and change just as much. All things considered, the overall growth and change exhibited by this record makes it undeniably a great new escape from Red Hot Chili Peppers and one more of the year’s top new rock records. It is available now in stores and online. More information on The Getaway is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
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Red Hot Chili Peppers’ latest album is now available in stores and online today worldwide. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band debuted the video for its new single ‘Dark Necessities’ yesterday. The video, directed by Olivia Wilde, can be viewed online now here. Wilde had a chance to sit down and discuss working with the band on the video and had only positive remarks about the filming process. “It was an honor and a thrill to create this video with such wonderful artists,” she said, “who happen to make up one of the greatest bands of all time.” The video features appearances by renowned long board surfers Carmen Shafer, Amanda Caloia, Amanda Powell, and Noelle Mulligan.
Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records
Courtesy: BBGun Press/Viacom/CBS
Along with its new video premiere, the band also made an appearance on CBS’ Late Late Show With James Corden earlier this week. The band took part in the show’s “Carpool Karaoke” segment in which it performed some of its own classic hits, new music, and more. Audiences can view that appearance online now here.
Photo credit: Jeremy Harris
Those appearances are not the only ones for the band this week. DIRECTV, Audience Network, and U-Verse will present a special performance by the band tonight. The performance was recorded recently by the band at the iHeart Theater L.A. It can be seen tonight at 9pm ET/PT on DIRECTV Channel 239 and on U-Verse Channel 1114. It features a number of the band’s classic and newer material including: ‘Can’t Stop,’ ‘Other Side,’ ‘By The Way, and ‘Soul To Squeeze’ among many others. The band is gearing up to make its way across the world at a number of major concert festivals in support of The Getaway. Audiences can check out the band’s current tour schedule online now here. More information on The Getaway, the band’s tour schedule, additional live appearances, and more is available online now at:
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Red Hot Chili Peppers is going “dark” on its new album The Getaway.
The Grammy® Award-winning band will unveil the video for its new song ‘Dark Necessities’ today The video will be streaming online via the band’s official Facebook page beginning today at 1pm EST/10am EST following a live Q&A sessions with front man Anthony Kiedis at 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST. The video was directed by Olivia Wilde and features cameos by noted long board surfers Carmen Shafer, Amanda Caloia, Amanda Powell, and Noelle Mulligan.
The Getaway will be available in stores and online beginning this Friday, June 17th. Audiences that pre-order the album now will get the album’s ‘Dark Necessities,’ ‘We Turn Red,’ and the album’s title track as instant downloads. It can be pre-ordered online now here.
Earlier this week the band appeared on CBS’ Late Late Show With Jammes Corden for the show’s beloved “Carpool Karaoke” segment to perform some of their most well-known songs and some new material. Audiences can check out the band’s appearance on the show now here. In only twenty four hours, the video received more than six million views and at the time of this post sits at over 9 million views The band is currently touring in support of The Getaway. It will be at the famed Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, Denmark on June 29th. It is just the first of an extensive festival run that the band has scheduled. The band’s current live schedule is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
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Royal Blood’s self-titled debut album has reached the #5 spot on this week’s Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. The announcement was made this week. It comes a little more than a week after the pair’s June 9th appearance on The Howard Stern Show. Following its appearance on Sterns Sirius XM Radio show last Tuesday, Royal Blood’s self-titled debut record scanned more than 21,000 copies, pushing it up to the #17 spot. Along with its appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Royal Blood also performed live at the annual Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival and the Governor’s Ball.
This latest announcement pushes Royal Blood’s numbers to more than 700,000 copies sold worldwide. It has also produced two hit singles—‘Little Monster’ and the Top 10 hit song ‘Figure It Out,’ which is the band’s latest single. Royal Blood is currently on tour in support of its album and is scheduled to perform next in Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands this Sunday, June 21st. It is part of the European leg of the duo’s current tour. The European leg of the tour winds down July 4th in Arras, France. From there, Royal Blood will return to the U.S. on July 6th for an extensive tour that will take it through October 6th. There are some festival shows scheduled in Japan and the U.K. along the way, too. Fans can check out Royal Blood’s latest tour schedule online now and keep up with its latest news at:
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Royal Blood fans will get a special treat courtesy of The Howard Stern Show tonight.
Royal Blood made its debut appearance on The Howard Stern Show earlier this week on Sirius XM Radio. While there, the duo held a special exclusive concert for audiences along with its interview with “The King of All Media.” Beginning tonight at 11pm EST, Sirius XM subscribers can hear that concert on Stern’s exclusive “Howard 101” channel. Fans that can’t tune in tonight will have plenty of opportunities to hear it as it is scheduled to repeat throughout the weekend. Following its appearance on Stern’s show earlier this week, the band’s self-titled debut shot up iTunes’ charts, rising to #7 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart and #4 on its Alternative Chart.
Royal Blood is currently at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Once it wraps up there, it will wrap the current U.S. leg of its tour in Atlanta, Georgia before heading overseas for the European leg of its tour. That leg begins next Friday, June 19th in London, England. Fans can check out Royal Blood’s current tour schedule and keep up with its latest news online now at:
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