Death Cab for Cutie Back With New Material

The new Death Cab for Cutie single, “You Are a Tourist,” was released earlier this week for fans who want a little taste for what is to come of the new album “Codes and Keys.”

The indie-pop band got their start playing shows for half-empty venues in New York City in the early 2000’s. Since then they have released six pretty successful albums including: “Narrow Stairs,” “The Photo Album,” “Plans” and “Transatlanticism.”

Ben Gibbard, singer/songwriter for Death Cab for Cutie, talked to SPIN about the band’s upcoming album.

“I want to move beyond the brooding, self-loathing lyrics of 2008’s ‘Narrow Stairs’ for a more upbeat record,” he said. “I didn’t want to write those songs again.”

With the release of “You Are a Tourist” it’s clear that Gibbard kept this in mind. Having recently married and moved with his wife, Zooey Deschanel, he is in a much happier place these days.



Death Cab for Cutie
[picture taken from spin.com article]



The lyrics are not as sad and depressing as they have been in the past. This time around they are more up-lifting and inspirational.

 “If there’s a burning in your heart, don’t be alarmed,” and “if you feel like a tourist in the city you’re born in, it’s time to go / and if you find your destination, there’s so many different places to call home,” are just a few worth mentioning.

The new single “is a sprawling pop anthem, with a punchy beat and glistening, Edge-style guitar melodies,” comments Nick Jardine, writer for SPIN.

I’m a huge fan of Death Cab for Cutie and therefore a fan of this new song. There is definitely a new sound to it but I’m glad they didn’t steer away from the “chill” aspect of their music.

I also enjoy the fact that some of Gibbard’s side project, The Postal Service, is present in some of the harmonies.

The new album will be available this summer on May 31. Until then, Death Cab for Cutie has announced tour dates for their Spring tour starting May 18.

Thoughts??

Ellie Goulding Makes Her American Debut

Photo from Panic Manual



Ellie Goulding finally made her American debut on March 16, 2011, at the Bat Bar in downtown Austin. She was one of many artists who attended and played during this year’s SXSW music festival.

Back in England, Goulding is already a well-known pop star. She has achieved very high status with her #1 debut album, “Lights,” a smash hit cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” and a top spot in “breakthrough act of 2010” in BBC’s annual poll of music critics.

I was lucky enough to attend her first show last Wednesday with hundreds of other people, many of which I thought didn’t even know who Ellie Goulding was. I was quickly proven wrong when everyone started singing along to her first song.

Goulding’s set was backed by a band including: a drummer and two multi-instrumentalists. She played her acoustic guitar and even some drum sequences.

Her music is very much in the singer/songwriter, pop category. She has an acoustic guitar meets electro beat sound that entices her listeners. I can’t help but sing along.

At the beginning of her set she told the audience, “I am quite nervous so just bare with me.” But there was no need for all of those nerves because everyone loved her!

She had a nice voice and alluring stage presence during her performance. I didn’t want it end!

Ellie Goulding is continuing to make her way through the states with more shows. She is performing in Washington, D.C., Boston, New York, Chicago and more. In fact, six of her scheduled shows are already SOLD OUT!

Her debut album “Lights” was released to the U.S. on March 8, 2011. With the crowd she gathered at Bat Bar and the sold out shows she is playing in the future, I believe she is well on her way to popularity here.

I had been looking forward to seeing her in concert since I started listening to her a year and a half ago. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be one of the first people to witness her first show in Austin, Texas.

Thoughts??

Perry Shows the Love

So, last summer there was a rumor going around that Katy Perry was not a fan of Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” music video.  

After the premiere Perry tweeted, “using blasphemy as entertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling a fart joke.”

The tweet doesn’t drop any names so there isn’t any evidence that Perry was in fact talking about Gaga’s video. However, many were gossiping that she was referring to the upside-down crosses, edible rosary beads, sexy nun outfits and other risqué religious imagery from “Alejandro.”

In her early music career Katy Perry was making contemporary Christina music. So I understand if she found the video to be offensive. But we can’t forget her first pop single, which was about kissing girls wearing cherry Chap Stick.

Some people were confused and had much to say. The comments on EW.com share some of their thoughts.

In the past, Perry may have had her problems with Gaga’s videos. But nowadays, she seems to be a fan of the most talked about single being played on the radio.

On Monday, during her concert at Paris’ Le Zenith, Katy Perry was caught covering part of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”

This acoustic take was a stripped down version of the original Gaga No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit. The Hollywood Gossip is saying “Perry paid the Mother Monster the ultimate compliment.”

Fans posted some mixed reviews on billboard.com. Some absolutely loved her cover saying “I love it! She sounded great. I think her voice actually sounds really good whenever she sings acoustic…It’s nice to see her support other female artists.”

 Others took the opportunity to criticize her. “She sucks…just a follower because she’s less talented than Gaga.”

Personally, I am a huge Gaga and Perry fan! So if I can get two in one, I’m completely happy!

I think it’s time for Lady Gaga to cover a Katy Perry song next!

Thoughts??