Luke Edgemon makes his way onto The Voice

I can’t remember how I came across this gem of a video, but watching The Voice tonight, I was reminded of how incredible it really is.  This is a cover Adele’s “Someone Like You” by Torri Kelly and Luke Edgemon, who just landed a spot on team Shakira.

 

 

While I can’t say his audition song moved me as much as this video, I think the above is a perfect example of what Luke brings to the table.  If you watch The Voice at all you should definitely vote for Luke!

Paramore, I’m still into you

After three years, two departed band members and one hell of a tour, Paramore is back with a self-titled album and a progressive new sound that’s actually quite refreshing.  Paramore is 17 tracks deep and peppered with a girly flamboyance I can only assume is Hayley Williams’ way of asserting herself in the wake of the Farrow brothers’ departure.  There was much speculation as to what the Farrow brothers would take when they left the band in 2011,  but luckily the remaining trio has managed to maintain the playful energy heard on Riot and Brand New Eyes.  While I personally feel the edgiest thing about this record is Hayley’s vocal delivery (though, really who’s complaining?), the softer edges here are refreshing.  There are moments on Paramore when I feel as though I’m listening to a female-fronted Jimmy Eat World (the closing track “Future” nods hardest in their direction) and while it’s certainly not the worst artistic move, it’s not so much what I expected this time around.

True to form, however, several tracks on Paramore are immediate stand outs.  “Still Into You”, the album’s second single, was first to put itself on repeat in my head, and the delicate 50’s vibe of “(One of Those) Crazy Girls” is sure to become a fan-favorite after a few spins.  I also genuinely enjoyed the oh-so-blunt lyrics of “Grow Up” and the gigantor chorus on “Be Alone”.  Check out the video for “Still Into You” below and let me know what you think!

“The Tempation of St. Anthony”

From their upcoming April 2nd, release, My Shame is True,  Alkaline Trio just released their second single, “The Tempation of St. Anthony”.  Unlike their last full-length, This Addiction, “Tempation” leans more toward the dark and ironic, favoring a sound last heard on the bands fifth studio album, Crimson.  “Temptaion” starts off small and builds to a big chorus with haunting harmonies and Trio’s signature drum fills.  It’s all more of the same in many ways, but after the crazy detour that was This Addiction, more of the same is more than welcomed.  My personal favorite moment of “The Tempation of St. Anthony” comes in the nightmarish bridge; starting with a pensive bass solo that fades into singer Matt Skiba’s wailing, “You haven’t lived till you’ve seen suffering like this.”  It’s predictable, maybe, but ultimately, just perfect.

In a recent Billboard interview, here, Skiba talks about writing this and other songs, and suggests some of the bands’ best tunes write themselves.  That’s fine with me, really.  As long as they continue writing, I will be a pair of ears eager for listening.

Angie Miller: You Set Me Free

In case you missed this on Idol a few weeks ago, it’s moments like this that define an artists  career.  I’m predicting at least Top 5 for this little darlin’.