Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways
© 2014 Roswell Records, Inc
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Whether the eight songs on this album reflect music from the cities in which they were recorded (Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.) is immaterial to me (they do, by the way.) Simply put, there’s lots here to like. The songs are varied in style, fresh and original. That Foo Fighters are talented musicians is undeniable – that they are capable of crafting such diverse sounding and memorable songs is remarkable.
Favorite Tracks:
1. Something from Nothing
3. Congregation
4. What Did I Do?/God As My Witness
Pink Floyd: The Endless River
© 2014 Columbia Records
Rating: 2 out of 5
Does this new recording sound like the Pink Floyd we’re used too? Yes. Does it show growth, imagination, freshness? Not in the least.
Look, I’m a composer and I am always anxious about doing the same things over again that, in the past, proved successful. It’s a trap that’s easy to fall into and is hard to guard against. This new Pink Floyd effort will, perhaps, be a financial success, but artistically, I was disappointed. Try as they might, some groups just can’t seem to break out of the rut that was their initial path to success. (Dream Theater comes to mind. Even a new drummer in 2013 couldn’t nudge them out of their rut.) The unmistakeable Pink Floyd sounds are there, and that will be enough for some. But to my ears, the effort is uninspired and forgetful.
Favorite Tracks: None