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In This Issue: "Frances The Mute" Rings Loud and Clear If you've never heard The Mars Volta, you are first and foremost missing out on a band that defies normality. The band released "Frances The Mute" this week and it certainly contains music that will have you scratching your head at numerous times throughout the recording. Before I get into this, I must state that this album is as much a concept album as it's predecessor "De-Loused in the Comatorium". Actually, I dare to say that "Frances The Mute" is more of a concept album simply because although there are 12 tracks on the disc, there is really only five At first listen, I felt that this didn't hold up to "De-Loused", but as is often the case, it only took a few listens to gradually change my mind. The first song, "Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus" starts of the album the way any Mars Volta album should. It then moves into track two, which is the first release, "The Widow". The song is getting it's fair share of airplay, and is as friendly as it gets on this album. However, the album version of the song contains an additional minute and a half of what I can only describe as what a computer would sound like if it were to create music whilst in a seizure. "L'via L'viaquez" is sadly the weakest song on the album, in my opinion, due to it's repetitive nature. I regret feeling this way about the song because it's sung half in Spanish and English, which a salsa feel to it. It also contains two incredible guitar solos from John Frusciante (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) which I suppose could make up for it's nature. The remaining two songs, "Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore" and "Cassandra Geminni" return to the frantic, roller-coaster feel the album started with. The latter song is in fact eight tracks which wraps up the story while the former features the return of Flea's collaboration with the band. Instead of pulling bass duties, as he did on "De-Loused", Flea this time put his trumpeting work to excellent use in both this song and "The Widow". You may have noticed that I haven't really touched on what the concept of this album is and that's simply because I really couldn't tell you. The album booklet contains all the lyrics for every song, including the song "Frances The Mute" which actually doesn't appear on the album. Instead, it's to be released as a vinyl single, which wraps up the whole story. With a read-through of the lyrics, you'll certainly come to your own conclusion. http://www.themarsvolta.com It's no surprise to find that Garbage are going to tour in support of their upcoming album "Bleed Like Me", but to the delight of Canadian fans, they will be coming to Canada for the first time in four years. At this point there are only two Canadian dates; one in Montreal on April 24th and the other in Toronto on April 25th. Tickets for these shows went on sale today with the potential for more on the way. I've mentioned previously that Dave Grohl did some guest drumming on one of the songs, but the album also features Marilyn Manson doing some vocal work. The album, their first since 2001's "Beautiful Garbage" will hit stores on April 11th. http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/02/2812.cfm Dave Matthews Band Enlist Weed, Magic Mushrooms and Eminem's Producer For New Album The Dave Matthews Band are just about finished with their next release, which has yet to be named. This time around, they have enlisted the talents of Eminem producer Mark Batson. Batson has also worked with The Game and Gwen Stefani, so you can certainly expect a different feel to the new DMB release which is the first since 2002's "Busted Stuff". Batson met with each band member individually to get their own ideas on tape. The result was an album of material from everyone instead of one or two central writing figures. That developed into twenty-five tracks. The band had their studio completely re-done to state-of-the-art specifications, and it sports a personal chef, a bar and a fridge which on one night contained a pitcher of magic-mushroom tea. Matthews has indicated that the album is about "love, life, God, death and sex". The song "Hunger for the Great Light" has been dubbed by Matthews as their "most over 'fucking' song ever." The band are planning to tour Australia this month, and although there has been no announcement of a North American tour, it most certainly will happen at least after the album comes out in May. http://www.dmbnewstudioalbum.com/ Releases for March 8th, 2005 include Black Label Society's "Mafia", "Warnings/Promises" from Idlewild, a self-titled release from Kasabian and "No Wow" from The Kills. March 29th will bring us the new Beck album "Guero" (Spanish slang for "white boy"). Beck went back to work with the Dust Brothers for this album, so you can expect to hear more of the types of sounds from 1996's "Odelay" than the more folksy "Sea Change". However, don't expect an exact replica. The album is said to be guitar-heavy but will also include some hip-hop beats and a generally more party-friendly sound. The first single, "E-Pro" samples from the Beastie Boys' "So What'cha Want". http://www.beck.com/ Moby is up to his usual tricks with his new album "Hotel" which is due out on March 22nd. The album is actually a double-disc with what's said to be a trip back to 1981 on the first disc while the second disc is strictly an ambient. When speaking of the new album, Moby said "I would find myself going out to bars on the lower East side, and the DJ would be playing Joy Division. I felt like I was being given license to ask in my early influences." http://www.moby.com/ You won't find much information on Audioslave's web-site about the new album, but it is expected to hit stores sometime in May. Singer Chris Cornell is stating that this album is much more diverse, with less riff-rock and more R&B flavour and even a "techno-infused rock song". He did have this to say though; "there's a lot of faster, more aggressive songs." Sounds good to me! http://www.audioslave.com/ Just like every other week, Chart Magazine brings us some of this weeks release, as reviewed by their staff. Check out what they have to say about new material from The Doves, Jack Johnson, Judas Priest, The Mars Volta and more: http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2005/03/0101.cfm Calgary ON SALE TODAY! Tickets for Death From Above 1979 with guests Controller Controller at the Underground on April 7th go on sale TODAY. Also on sale today, a second Motley Crue show with Sum 41 at the Pengrowth Saddledome on August 3rd. ON SALE TOMORROW! Tickets for The Tea Party at Cowboys on April 25th go on sale tomorrow, March 5th. Also on sale tomorrow (March 5th) are tickets for Motorhead at the Whiskey Nighclub on April 27th.
~~ kMNR v2005.056 ~~ If you would like to hear about or if you have any information on a particular band or artist, please email and I will do my best to cover them.
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songs. The whole thing is flanked (at beginning and end) by a gentle, acoustic song that quickly dives you into a frenzy of sound that is The Mars Volta. Really, there is no point in trying to explain what the music sounds like because it changes throughout the whole album.