New Music Friday Vol. 31

Got a whole bunch of musical goodness this week.

- First up, the new Coheed and Cambria Album, GOOD APOLLO, I'M BURNING STAR IV, VOLUME ONE: FROM FEAR THROUGH THE EYES OF MADNESS, landed in the Nar's lap about a week ago. If you like Coheed, you'll like this new album - because it's exactly the same as the last one. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume they recorded them both at exactly the same time. There is a tiny bit of variation, such as the ballad Wake Up, but it's more of what you've come to expect. Highlights so far are The Lying Lies and Dirty Secrets of Miss Erica Court, and Ten Speed (of God's Blood and Burial). Videos and stuff available here.

- After listening once all the way through Franz Ferdinand's You Could Have it So Much Better, I'm happy to say it's a great album. With most bands that get huge after their first mainstream albums, the follow-up usually comes across as somewhat lacking. Not this one. Like Hot Hot Heat and The Hives, Franz Ferdinand have churned out another rockin' dittie, just the way you'd expect it to be. Highlight so far - The Fallen. Listen ici.

- The first of two departure's for the Nar this week, is Ray Charles' latest, Genius and Friends. It's a collection of duets Ray recorded in 1997 and 1998, but never finished. In his dying days, he asked one of his friends and partners to find the master recordings and finish mixing them. The result is a very slick album of classic covers. Unfortunately, the album lacks a lot of "life", probably as a result of the mastering process. Best song: Ray and Wylie Nelson performing It Was A Very Good Year

- Also managed to check out Neil Young's prairie Wind this week. What a nice, soothing album. If you liked Harvest Moon, you'll love this. Check out Falling Off the Face of the Earth for Neil goodness.

Other songs of note:

-Killing it - A Wilhelm Scream
-Helicopter - Bloc Party
-D.E.AD.R.A.M.O.N.E.S - Modern Life is War
-In the Past... On the Ground - This Day Forward