What's New(s)?

Mastodon release "High Road"

It's been two-plus years since prog/sludge-metal band Mastodon dropped their fifth album The Hunter, but soon that will change with the release of Once More Round the Sun. Though details are relatively sparse, the Atlanta-based quartet previewed the upcoming LP today with "High Road". Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, who was at the helm for The Hold Steady's Teeth Dreams, "High Road" is a four minute climb from muddy snarls and churning guitars to ascendant choruses. No word yet if Once More Round the Sun will be a concept record in the vein of Blood Mountain or Leviathan, but "High Road" certainly possesses that same "epic" quality to it.

According to Spin, the record will be out sometime in June on Warner Brothers and include tracks entitled "Ember City" and "Diamonds in the Witch House", which features vocals from Scott Kelly of Neurosis. You can listen to "High Road" here now.



Belle & Sebastian cover "Don't Stop Believin"

I don't think it's any secret that people love to sing along to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin". There are certainly songs that are considered more important musically and are more critically respected, but few if any are performed as frequently as "Don't Stop Believin". Odds are at any given bar in America (on any given night) you'll hear the song sliding out of the speakers. And by the time the chorus hits, at least a few denizens will have set their drinks aside and fully committed to replicating Steve Perry's anthemic vocals. 

But of course the real joy of hearing "Don't Stop Believin" isn't listening to a spot-on replication, but a gloriously sloppy cover. And Belle and Sebastian's take on the tune for Songs For Kids Foundation at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta belongs in that latter category. Stuart Murdoch and company go through an abridged version of the rock classic that sadly excises the signature guitar solo, but replaces it with a cantering acoustic guitar that's hard not to nod along to.

Coldplay announce new tour 

Despite their numerous detractors, Coldplay's live performances are almost unimpeachable. I had the opportunity to see them during their Viva La Vida tour in 2008 and it remains one of the five best shows I've ever seen. And in anticipation of their 6th LP Ghost Stories, the band will hit the road next week for a brief tour run. The six-show stint includes a release day concert at UCLA's Royce Hall, a far-cry from the expansive arenas they often inhabit. You'll find the dates below, along with the stark video for recent single "Magic" featuring Ziyi Zhang of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 

Tour Dates: 
4/25 Cologne, Germany - E-Werk

5/5 New York, NY - Beacon Theatre 
5/19 Los Angeles, CA - Royce Hall 
5/28 Paris, France - Casino de Paris
6/12 Tokyo, Japan - Dome City Hall
7/1 London, England - Royal Albert Hall

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