2022-2023 NBA Semifinals Predictions:

 

East: 

#8 Heat Vs. #5 Knicks: Heat in 6

#3 7ers Vs. #2 Celtics: Celtics in 7

West: 

#4 Suns Vs. #1 Nuggets: Nuggets in 7

#7 Lakers Vs #6 Warriors: Warriors in 6

Music of Spheres-Coldplay Album Review:

 

Coldplay is back with their 9th album ‘Music of Spheres’ their first since ‘Everyday Life’ back in 2019. The album is the band's second space-themed concept album, after 2005's X&Y, and explores pop, pop rock, space rock,  space music and ambient influences. It is set in a fictional planetary system called The Spheres, which contains nine planets, three natural satellites, a star and a nebula, with each one of them corresponding to a certain track on the record. According to lead singer Chris Martin, its concept and themes were inspired by the Star Wars film franchise, which made him and the other band members wonder what other artists could be like across the universe, while also using the planets as canvas to explore human experience.

There are four wasted songs so there are really 8 songs on this album as “Music of Spheres” and its sequel plus “Alien Choir” and “Infinity Sign” are either under a minute or less but are mostly instrumentals or a crowd chanting. It looks like they wanted to make up for those four songs with a ten minute song to end the album which has some nice piano/harp playing and a little jam session but it barely has anything to it when it looks like its building up to something but then stops.

Chris Martin then wastes his time with Selena Gomez on “Let Somebody Go” and “Human Heart” with We are King and Jacob Collier when both tracks are not much to go on in general even if both songs are emotional. While I have no idea what he was thinking on “Biutyful” it has a baby sounding voice singing half the song it makes you go “WTF”?! The track “People of Pride” disappoints you because there are parts of it that rock out but the auto tune/orchestral/special effects and actual vocals don’t add any value to the song.

The remaining three tracks are the only good ones left and two of them have issues. In “Higher Power” their first single it has a weird intro and is super fast paced sounding like a hip-hop song and is trying too hard to be commercial. With “Humankind” you can skip the first 40 seconds or so as the special effects/techno vibes start to ruin it before it actually gets good plus he falsettos too much. The best song is “My Universe”(debuted at #1 on the billboard hot 100) and that is because BTS saves it as they do their boy band ritual of taking turns singing in Korean/English and the fast talking part from the deepest voice of the group. Definitely sounds like a commercial/nightclub song but is super catchy that will get you to sing along.

It doesn’t matter that some of the tracks were nominated for Grammys, the album for best album or best pop album because this is one of the worst albums out there and is disappointing for this band as they have been one of the premiere rock bands since they started.  This album is way too experimental and poppy for an alleged rock band. Just because you are a talented singer/songwriter/musician Martin doesn’t mean you have to put out an album every few years and you can get credit for trying something/sticking to a theme, but this album should be jetted into another galaxy so we don’t have to hear it ever again.  

Tell me I'm Alive-All Time Low Album Review:

 

    All Time Low decided that Covid19 wasn’t going to stop them as they are back with their ninth album overall in “Tell Me I’m Alive” and their second in three years. Since they couldn’t tour for their last album “Wake up Sunshine” which was a success and really spoke to many of their fans like myself they kept making music. It is reported they wrote over 30 songs which 12 are on this new album and lead vocalist Alex Gaskarth and guitarist Jack Barakat stated that many of the album's themes, such as loneliness, were drawn from emotions and experiences they had witnessed during the pandemic. There are also many songs influenced by artists like Queen and Elton John plus it has their usual punk rock/pop sound and usual lyrical/strong vocal quality that has grown over the years for Alex. It is really hard to top your last album when it was perfectly timed over the pandemic with messages of depression and other elements that spoke so well to the fans that have/were experiencing those things especially then.

This album does prove they are back to making quality albums from top to bottom consecutively. The album that was made two albums ago was not much to be desired except for a few songs. All the tracks but one included all their punk sound as many tracks sound like previous songs they have done before.

The album starts off with the album name/one of the singles “Tell Me I’m Alive” has some keys in the sound which is a nice touch throughout the album and has their typical catchy lyrics that seem to be speaking to you. While their next single “Sleepwalking” which was released first and played on the radio stations has the vibes of a song that should be a single. It has a night club/party vibe to it but don’t worry it rocks out with the usual catchy lyrics that talk about missing/sleepless nights when his girl is gone.

Songs like “Modern Love”,” The Way you miss me” and “I’d be fine” all deal with the struggles of dating in this generation and him getting over a toxic bad relationship. The latter two are about hatred over her as he actually hates the way she misses him and he would be fine without her if you listen closely. It has really nice keys being played with catchy lyrics but rock out even if it is emotional. “Kill your vibe” is a real punk song that rocks like a typical punk song but still confusing if she is killing his vibe or he is or both. While “The other side” is one of the better songs that show he hasn’t moved on but she has and totally rocks/has catchy lyrics.

The worst song on this album is only the worst because it doesn’t sound like their sound as has a country singer taking turns with Alex on vocals in “New religion” even if the chorus is catchy. One critic unfavorably compared to it Maroon 5/Ed Sheeran which isn’t good, while “English blood/American heartache” is a real rocker especially at the start about trying to get over the girl.

The other four songs really stick like “Are you there?” which is about being lonely and nowhere to go for help or being scared to ask for help which is ok because he is there for her plus it has a rock edge to it. “The sound of letting go” again has really good lyrics where you can feel the emotions as we all have been there as these lyrics stand out “out of my head, out of my way….trying to find a way to rewind…start again” and “my mama said it gets better someday”. The other two tracks “Calm down” which is a slower pace of a song we all know being told to calm down doesn’t work even if they are right. While the last track “Lost along the way” is a good way to end a great album with a slow paced/emotional track that lets people know if we’re lost to ask for help-it really has good lyrics.

            ATL always seems to know what the generation is feeling when making these impactful emotional albums about their problems or even if it’s not their problems they get what is going inside one’s brain. Music is supposed to be a calming factor for all- going through tough or emotional times as it is sometimes an escape and their music has been that for their fans who really need it. They are definitely not sleepwalking through this album as it rocks out all the way and shows they are indeed alive you don’t have to tell them. 

Dropout Boogie-Black Keys Album Review:

 

The Black Keys are back with their 11^th studio album "Dropout Boogie" their first since a year after they made “Delta Kream”. This should be viewed as an apology album to their long time fans because that previous album which was a cover album of the blues no one asked for was horrible, but is only a small blemish on their overall contribution to Rock N Roll history.

This album was actually nominated for a Grammy this year and even worked on this album with other musicians like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound.

The dynamic duo of Dan Auerbach on vocals and lead guitar and Patrick Carney on drums (while filling in the other instruments) are back with a real Rock N Roll album. Literally every song on this 10 track album starts off rocking out or picks back up in the middle for some epic guitar riffs to end the song. Personal favorites are “Good love” and “Baby I’m Coming home” as they seem to hit differently.

Even the songs that have some emotional elements to the tone or style/have slow moments tend to have a point where they return to their hard rock sound regardless. One song has a groovy sound to it while another does have some bluesy element to it but again all of the songs contain a rock edge to some degree.

All of their fans should thank them for making it up to us with this album that hopefully makes us forget the last and that it truly defines what this group is-original rock content. The only issue is all of them are good songs but there aren’t any of them that stick out like previous albums. Previous albums had hits like “Howlin’ for you”, “Gold on the Ceiling”, “Weight of Love”, “Little Black Submarines”, or “Lonely Boy” to name some that really stood out.  But the tracks “Wild Child” (first single), “It Ain’t Over” (second single), “For the love of the money”, “Your team is looking good”, “How long”, “Burn the damn thing down”, “Happiness” and “Didn’t I love you” all hit the mark for what a rock album is- just most aren’t that memorable.

2022-2023 NBA Awards Predictions:

 

MVP: C Joel Embiid 76ers; C Nikola Jokic Nuggets & PF Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks

Defensive player of the Year: F Evan Mobley Cavaliers; F Jaren Jackson Grizzlies & C Brook Lopez Bucks

Rookie of the Year: F Paulo Banchero Magic; C Walker Kessler Jazz & F Jalen Williams Thunder

Coach of the Year: Mike Brown Kings; Jacque Vaughn Nets & Joe Mazzulla Celtics

Executive of the Year: James Jones Suns; Sam Presti Thunder & Rob Pelinka Lakers

Most improved player of the Year: G Shai Gilgeous Alexander Thunder; F Lauri Markkanen Jazz & G Jalen Brunson Knicks

Sixth man of the Year: F Bobby Portis Bucks; G Malcom Brogdon Celtics & G Immanuel Quickley Knicks 

Clutch player of the Year: G DeMar DeRozan Bulls; G De'Aaron fox Kings & G Jimmy Butler Heat

All NBA 1st team: G Luka Doncic Mavs G Shai Gilgeous Alexander Thunder C Joel Embiid 76ers F Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks F Domantas Sabonis Kings

All NBA 2nd Team: G Tyrese Haliburton Pacers G Damian Lillard Blazers C Nicola Jokic Nuggets F Jason Tatum Celtics F Kevin Durant Suns

All NBA 3rd Team: G Steph Curry Warriors G Donovan Mitchell Cavs F LeBron James Lakers F Anthony Davis Lakers F Lauri Markkanen Jazz

All NBA Defense 1st Team: G OG Anunoby Raptors G Anthony Edwards Timberwolves F Evan Mobley Cavs F Jaren Jackson Thunder C Brook Lopez Bucks

All NBA Defense 2nd Team: G Tyrese Hailburton Pacers G Marcus Smart Celtics F Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks C Rudy Gobert Jazz F Anthony Davis Lakers

All Rookie 1st Team: G Bennedict Mathurin Pacers G Jaden Ivey Pistons F Paulo Banchero Magic F Jalen Williams Thunder C Walker Kessler Jazz

All Rookie 2nd Team: G Keegan Murray G Shaedon Sharpe Blazers F Jabari Smith Rockets F Jeremy Sochan Spurs F RaiQuan Gray Nets

2022-2023 NBA 1st Round Predictions:

 

East:

1. Bucks Vs 8. Heat: Bucks in 5

2. Celtics Vs 7. Hawks: Celtics in 5

3. 76ers Vs 6. Nets: 76ers in 4

4. Cavaliers Vs 5. Knicks: Cavs in 6

West:

1. Nuggets Vs 8. Timberwolves: Nuggets in 5

2. Grizzlies Vs 7. Lakers: Grizz in 5

3. Kings Vs 6. Warriors: Warriors in 6

4. Suns Vs 5. Clippers: Suns in 6