February 27, 2013

THE ALBUM OF THE DAY
MUSE...The 2nd Law  (2012)
The 2nd Law was released last year and it reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.  This is the 6th album from Muse but is the first one of theirs I've ever listened to.  I have always heard that they were Radiohead clones but I don't hear it on this album.  In fact, they're better than Radiohead.  This was a cool listen and I'll give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  It's different than the albums I usually listen to.  Each track is different sounding than the rest as they incorporate hard rock, funk, soul and lush orchestral sounds into the mix therefore making for an interesting listen.  Highlights are "Follow Me", "Explorers" and "Save Me".  All 3 of those are slow numbers, but were the best.  Recommended
(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)


ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 27
Neal Schon from Journey is 59; Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden is 57; Johnny Van Zant from Lynyrd Skynyrd is 53; Mike Cross from Sponge is 48; Jared Champion of Cage the Elephant is 30;

ON THIS DATE
1977 Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones is arrested in Toronto for heroin, cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia. Police believe his intentions are to traffic the drugs. He got off with a fine and community service
1980 At the Grammys: Billy Joel - 52nd Street Best Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year
2002 At the Grammys: U2 - Best Rock Album for All That You Can’t Leave Behind, Record of the Year “Walk On”, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group “Elevation”
2006 It is announced that Cold has broken up. They reunited in 2009
2006 Dave Wyndorf of Monster Magnet is hospitalized due to a drug overdose
2011 Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Atticus Ross win an Oscar for their score for The Social Network
2013  The Stone Temple Pilots announce that they have fired lead singer Scott Weiland