What's New? : Katy, Shwayze, The Verve, Slip-knot

The summer is almost over but music is as hot as ever. So let's talk some alternative, metal, hip-hop and rock shall we.
The Verve is back with their new single Love is Noise and a new album titled Forth set to be released on August 25th. Most will remember them for their spectacular worldwide hit 1997's Bittersweet Symphony (sampled by Kanye West and Madonna and covered by many acts including Moby and One Republic) and the poetic Sonnet which have to be two of the most melodious and wonderful tracks ever produced, or even more recently from the 2005 Live 8 benefit concert's where they performed with Coldplay (Youtube the performance it's really beautiful to see). Chris Martin (Coldplay) describes Richard Ashcroft (The Verve) as "the best singer in the world" and Bittersweet Symphony as one of the "best songs ever written". If you have never heard of the Verve well now is the time to check them out. Love is Noise is a catchy tune that speaks definitively of some of the downsides love represents and has a fantastically done video. The Verve definitely does not disappoint and only leaves us anxious for the rest of the Forth album.
Another group that's back and as wonderful as ever is Slipknot. Now most of us will remember them as heavy and hard-core, the real deal when it comes to hard rock. The always masked Grammy award winning group is back after four years with a new album All Hope is Gone set for release on Aug 26. They released their first track Psychosocial, debuting the video on FNMTV a couple weeks ago. The video is definitely not for the faint of heart but if you are a true maggot (Slipknot fan) and even if you are not you can appreciate the song. Corey Taylor gives us a more melodious side of Slipknot with a heartfelt chorus that even if you are frightened you cannot help but sing along and feel the song. Who knows, after one listen you may even find affection in being called "maggot"?
Moving on from the seasoned veterans let's look on some newbies. Shwayze right now is known as a duo of Aaron Lewis aka Shwayze and his bestfriend/producer Cisco Adler of Whitestarr. Shwayze is a rapper that hails from the "mean streets" of Malibu living in what he claims is the only trailer park in Malibu. You can check out Shwayze on Buzzin' a reality show on MTV that follows him on his comedic and interesting journey to putting out his self-titled debut album. Buzzin' is also the name of the lead single off his album which is one of many tracks that are a soothing mix of hip-hop and Cisco's alternative rock style. Shwayze's latest is Corona and Lime which debuted at 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The song speaks of a girl like me who "loves hip hop and rock & roll", fans of both genres should give Shwayze's tracks a listen. Corona and Lime is a nice and easy summer tune, it's not all about soul and what's in your heart, it's just a fun song to listen to when you want to kick back with a Corona and lime.
Finally who can talk about summer and new music and not mention the talented Katy Perry who had us all singing along to the playful and seemingly risque I Kissed A Girl. If you don't know her she played Travis McCoy's girlfriend (which is now her real life role) in the most recent video for the smash hit Cupid's Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes. For almost as long as there was summer there was Katy Perry at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 7 week stretch. I Kissed A Girl generated much buzz, which wasn't all good with even her parents, who are pastors, are rumoured to disapprove, but really sometimes if you don't want to hear a song you should just turn it off and not spoil it for the rest of us who can appreciate it. Her album One of the Boys is a definite must get. I recommend Hot N Cold and Self-inflicted as must listen tracks. Hot N Cold playfully speaks of a boyfriend who just seems to be split into two, changing his mind "like a girl changes her clothes"; Self Inflicted is a little more on the soulful side speaking of a love she can't let go but yet one that hurts, "Baby you are the weapon I choose these wounds are self-inflicted". The theme may seem a bit cliché but sometimes cliché is just the truth, so go out and get the album if you haven't yet and give the song a listen. Also if you haven't yet and aren't too easily offended then you may want to check out Ur So Gay another track on her album attracting controversy because it is deemed as homophobic, or as hating on emo guys. Give it a listen and maybe get back at me with what you think.
This was my little mix of the old and the new. Let's show these artistes some love, go out there listen to some new songs and add them to your end of summer play lists and head out to face the rest of the year!!!

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