Moon Music-Coldplay Album Review:

 

Coldplay is back with their tenth studio album “Moon Music” the second part of
their “Music of the Spheres” as part one was “From Earth with Love” which was three years ago. Three editions of the album were made available: Notebook, Tour and Full Moon. Each one has its own exclusive content, including voice memos, live sets, and bonus tracks. Following the release of the ninth studio album Music of the Spheres, which subtitled Vol. I: From Earth with Love appears through the album booklet, hinting at a follow-up to the album in the following years. Asked about the meaning behind the title, Chris Martin stated it has to do with accepting all the different phases [of life]" and "shining your light without any need for anything in return".

Moon Music is generally described as a pop rock album with music influences from funk, afrobeat and electronic music. Moon Music is kind of the story of waking up in the morning and feeling terrible about yourself, terrible about the world — depressed, isolated, separate, alone, and not able to be yourself. Through the album, it’s a journey to feeling the complete opposite at the end of the day. It also topped the Billboard 200 in the United States with 120,000 units sold, marking the first time since 2016 that a British band reached number one on both charts simultaneously.

When it comes to this album at least it isn’t as experimental as the last one. It has some sounding music that is mostly instrumentals. The real issue is where are the lyrics on this album? There are some nice acoustic guitars and some nice piano work from front man Chris Martin but there is no substance to it even if they are very mellow songs. They take forever to build up to any lyrics and then it dies down before anything really happens. There are some songs with lyrics but they have other artists on them but then the music is too poppy or EDM with bad raps.

The only two songs that make any impact are IAAM (I am a Mountain) has some nice harmonizing and is probably the best song on the album. The other song is All My Love which is a very nice single that was performed at the Grammys as it is apparently their last single ever so enjoy it.

In the end if Coldplay aka Chris Martin wants to keep doing experimental music that is fine but do not advertise yourself as any kind of rock band. You can keep doing that kind of music and also make albums that all are a part of a theme, just call it or yourself something else for the real fans of your rock music. Their music has definitely been all over the place in recent years as they think we need to be over the Moon or on Jupiter to listen to them but we do not.

 

Death of Slim Shady-Eminem Album Review:

Eminem is back with his twelfth album, his first in four years. But guess who's back?!
Slim Shady is back but in a different way. This is a concept album that should be listened to in order; it centers around a battle between Eminem himself and his Slim Shady alter ego. The album incorporates hardcore hip-hop, satirical hip-hop, and conscious hip-hop. The main themes are him trying to cancel himself (or he is the answer to counter culture) behind the guise of his alter-ego. His alter ego is the reason he is a big time hater that he is evil, Lucifer or the anti-Christ and makes fun of everyone is because of him as that is plot point. That his addictions are also his alter ego’s fault and that he thinks he can get away with being homophobic, sexist- misogynist or just hateful because it is not him saying these things. He makes fun of political correctness or woke people in this world, social media battles, gender identity or peoples’ appearance. He does bring back the skits he has done before on “The Eminem Show" or “Encore" since one of his songs was written back about Christopher Reeves but wasn’t released because he died but is catchy. He also gives his social commentary on recent events throughout the album as well.

Another big time thing on this album is the sequel to “Guilty Conscience” with “Guilty Conscience 2” as he keeps talking to his alter ego about how he negatively impacts the world with who he is unlike Dre who positively impacts the world. He also touches on his success compared to other rappers, that is he is the “GOAT” or that he should mentor the next generation of rappers as he has many collaborations on this album like one who raps in Spanish/others looking up to him.

It is commendable that Marshall Mathers into his 50s he is still making music as most rappers like Ice Cube, Ice T, 50 Cent, Common and LL Cool J have mostly transitioned into acting or that world of entertainment. Others like his mentor-collaborator Dr Dre has just been a record producer and Snoop Dogg has rebranded himself with Martha Stewart and the Olympics. 

When legends in each industry want to keep making music most of the die-hards want to like it but when the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC or U2 make new music it isn’t always wanted or needed. Like you can keep touring if you want to still interact with the fans which is what most fans want to see. This album got the lowest Metacritic score but in general mixed reviews as it got nominated for a Grammy/his his 11th album to top the chart, tying him with Barbra Streisand,  Kanye West , and Bruce Springsteen for the fifth highest number of albums to reach the summit, as it is all over the place. One thing that is always true for his albums is that he is a lyrical genius and is great at describing things, especially his jabs at other famous people or when he insults people. His flow is never questioned as he is probably one of the fastest at spitting but you can still hear what he is rapping.

I do like how reflective he is on this album about his relationships with his kids/how he
has impacted the world but most especially his oldest daughter how his addictions/career affected her life as those are some of the better songs. As much as Eminem resents Shady, they seem to need each other to succeed, forming a symbiotic yet toxic relationship that we do not think this is the last time we see Shady. Lastly he keeps the trend going on sampling rock legends like Joe Walsh, Queen, Aerosmith, the Zombies and Black Sabbath with Steve Miller Band next for the song “Houdini” one of the best songs maybe the best as he also samples his old track “Without Me”.  Eminem if you hate how “Woke”, how there is too much PC police out there or how people live their lives maybe just keep rapping about it even if people don’t like it because you never cared before. That is your appeal, you aren't afraid to make a comment on something you don’t care about the backlash just keep doing it or just stop.