NEW ALBUMS for 2009

So many months back I released some information on the new albums and tours by Green Day and U2. The two seem to have got quite the hype going on and are both on tour at the moment. Both started working on the albums in 2006 so fans had got quite excited after three years!! Generally, reviews have been positive but not as great as anticipated. Green Day's '21st Century Breakdown' is a continuation of their last album 'American Idiot' and is a concept album. As much as I love my concept albums, I'm not feeling this one 100%. The songs are enjoyable but not as great as American Idiot. That's a hard album to match. Still, Green Day remain that punk rock band that everyone loves to love. So, whatever they do, it's bound to be liked. As for U2's 'No Line on the Horizon', I can't say the album is as EPIC as Bono said it would be but it's got a familiar charm to it which only they can create. We'll see how the albums fair towards the end of the summer...

And now for some good news which you have undoubtedly already heard about. MUSE are back and they're bigger than ever!! The guys have long announced their tour dates for the winter and have been updating fans continuously through Twitter. The album is called 'The Resistance' and tickets to many venues are already sold out. The first official track to be announced was 'United States of Eurasia' and is absolutely mental!! To be honest, this is the best news for me this year seeing as I'm a huge MUSE fan and missed them at the Wembley back in 2007. I will be seeing the guys LIVE at the 02 Arena in November and can't wait to review them. Be sure to check in for that one. Reviews have been mixed. Some fans fear that the band may be tryin to copy Queen especially in the USOE track while others enjoy the change in style. Personally, I think USOE is a beautifully sweeping track, which although reminds me of Queen, still has the signature Muse piano, waltz, ballad notes. Also, the addition of Arabic influences is stunning!! I can't wait to listen to the rest of the album! :D

Will be back soon with updates on who, what and where is in this year ;)

Peace,

Tammy xx

Out with the old and in with the new

Instead of blabbing on how great 2008 was I'd rather look ahead at 2009 and the greater things yet to come!

But first...rewind to 4 years ago...2004...a year of politically and emotionally fired award-winning music albums. The year when Saint Bono and Good Ol' Billy sang about atomic bombs and American idiots. Where are these guys and their bands now? Well, 2009 seems to be heralding some new material in the form of new U2 and Green Day albums.



'No Line on the Horizon' is set to be released by March 2009 as opposed to later this year since Bono claims the band wanted to wait a little longer so that they can make 2009 their year.

Regarding the Green Day album no official details have been released as of yet. However, if the two albums are released around the same time then it will be a repeat head-to-head battle like the one we saw 4 years ago. Not that the albums spoke of the same topics but when you've got two heavyweights like Green Day and U2 involved, you've got to stand up and take note.

We just have to wait and see if the new stuff is worth all the hubbabaloo.

And as for concerts...this is the part where my toes wiggle with glee and my cheeks turn scarlet red. Do you remember last October when I randomly suggested a Blur reunion would be a great piece of news to hear?? Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has finally happened!! Official news came out late November, early December and the band are going to perform in Hyde Park, London next year. Concert dates are set for July 2nd and 3rd. Tickets are on sale and it seems the July 3rd gig is already sold out. I am obviously trying to see how I can afford tickets to the show as I've already spent like 300 euro on travel expenses for 2009!! I'll just wait for more info as it seems they might be headlining next year's Glastonbury festival too. Tickets to that would be more prize-worthy especially seeing as another rockin' British Indie band which I love to bits will be there...FRANZ FERDINAND. The band are set to release a new album as well next year and have a UK and European Tour all lined up. Score!

Also, you thought the Norwegian duo 'Kings of Convenience' were never gonna clear the dust from their shelves, did you? Well, you're wrong. Despite the guys being in different projects and vocalist Erlend Øye working on the second 'The Whitest Boy Alive' album it seems their latest album since 2004 is coming out next year. The name is still a work in progress but the new material is bound to be great. It also seems the guys feel they need to get back to some live gigs under the KoC name. Good for them! Fans will much appreciate.



As for the highly anticipated events in Malta, next year...

No doubt that the return of Luuk Cox from Shameboy will be the crowning event of January 2009. Previously this year I wrote about Shameboy due to their growing popularity in Malta and my encounter with Luuk. The guy himself informed me that he will be back on January 23rd at Axis, Paceville. The event is already being advertised and is in various DJ gig diaries including Mathematikal, Junior B, Kenji and Squeak who will all be performing on the night. The event is organised by DONDISKO who are really giving a breath of fresh air to the dance scene with their fidget, electro and nu-disco themed events. Tickets are 10 euro and you can call on 79091884 for more info. Looking forward to that one...

Another cool, non-music related event is Swan Lake on Ice on the 10th-11th January. Yes, I do find ballet to be entertaining. The cool thing though is that it's gonna be more like figure skating but with a classic ballet theme. Last time I checked tickets were selling at about 25 euro for standard balcony seats. The event is the first of its kind in Malta and will take place at The Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

That's it for me and my visionary blog of the day.

I'll leave you with Resident's Advisor's Top 2008 music lists:-

• Top 30 dance and electronica tracks for 2008
• Top 20 dance and electronica albums for 2008
• Top 100 dance and electronica DJs for 2008

And remember we have a Leap Second this year at the midnight of New Year's Eve, to correct a time lapse on Earth. So that means you get to kiss that stranger at midnight a little bit longer. ;-) Also, if you're aiming for your last binge drinking session for 2008 at least make sure you don't drive afterwards. Don't get a lift with anyone who's drunk either. Have a fun merry-making evening! This is probably my last blog for 2008 unless I feel the urge to write some more album reviews. If not...well...see you all next year!!

TaMMy xxx