On the CD front, we have Chris Cornell back on the 5th jump starting his solo career following up his 1999’s “Euphoria Morning” CD. With an album that includes the Bond theme and a cover of MJ’s “Billie Jean” it could be a hit or miss album. But the songs he previewed recently at The Metro are any indication it’s going to be a more rocking album then his previous outing. You can never count Cornell out and here’s hoping for a great collection of songs by the best rock vocalists around these days.
Also on the 5th we have the first album releases on Starbucks’ Hear Music Label with the one and only Paul McCartney. It should be interesting to see if it Macca was worth the price tag. It seems to be a weird choice for both parties, McCartney has been with EMI since the Beatle days and I would have expected Starbucks to have gone with a new artist. Yet McCartney still has a few great songs left up his sleeves and this could be the one that EMI let get away.
Marilyn Manson is also back, after his recent divorce, with his sixth studio album on the 5th. The title, “Eat Me, Drink Me”, was inspired not by Alice in Wonderland but from a story a few years ago in Germany where a man put out an ad that he wanted to be eaten and the man who in the end ate him. Manson has been quoted as saying he found the story very compelling in a romantic way. So with that said this could be another delicious album of twisted songs by the Antichrist Superstar.
On the 12th, Josh Homme and Queens of the Stoneage are back with some friends on, “Era Vulgaris”. I’m happy to hear Mark Lanegan is one of those so-called friends popping up again on vocals. Lanegan tracks have always been my favorite through the years with QOTSA and I suspect this time will be no different. Also making a guest appearance is Strokes frontman, Julian Casablanca.
The 19th brings us the eclectic sounds of the Dallas symphonic rock group, Polyphonic Spree. I’ve never been a huge fan of their studio sound and to truly understand and appreciate them you must see them live. There’s something euphoric about seeing 24 musicians on stage that consists of everything from the usual guitar, keyboards to organs and tubular bells. It’s quite a sight that leaves you with a grin on your face I guarantee it. Perhaps with their 3rd studio album they have finally found a way to capture that same energy.
Also on the 19th we have the White Stripes long awaited follow-up to 2005’s “Get Behind Me Satan”. It looked like for a while the White Stripes may have been done when Jack White fronted The Raconteurs along with Brendan Benson. Yet never fear they are back with their 6th studio outing entitled, “Icky Thump”. Expect another great collection of dirty blues and guitar solos to die for from these Detroit natives,
Last but not least we have a little bit of everything coming on the 26th. First up is “Curtis” from 50 Cent and this time around he’s bringing all his friends with his 3rd studio album. Everyone from, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Akon, Pussycat Doll’s Nicole Scherzinger to of course, Eminem. It should be interesting to see if these guests dominate the album or just give the tracks a nice added punch here and there.
Also at the end of the month we have the Beastie Boys back on their instruments for their 7th studio offering. I’ve been waiting a long time for them to do another album like this so I can’t wait to see what got in store for us.
One last album to note is the much hyped, “My December” by Kelly Clarkson. I never thought I’d mention an album by Clarkson but this one has been getting a lot of great buzz about being the first album that she has taken full control. I suppose this could be good or bad. We will see at the end of the month.
On the concert front we have everything from radio shows, packaged tours and girls, girls, girls!!
First up we have The Pipettes coming to the little bitty Empty Bottle. This three-piece girl group, with a male backing known as “The Cassettes”, have often been compared to the classic 60’s girl groups like The Ronettes and they have the hairstyles to prove it. The British indie group is know for their live show, where the three frontwomen wear matching polka dot dresses, and have a 60’s style-kitsch factor that includes synchronised choreography.
A few days later on the 8th Gwen Stefani is back bringing style and dance numbers to the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. This tour has already span a bit of controversy with Akon, who is now off the tour, but Gwen always puts on a topnotch show.
Next up is Roger Waters to the United Center. If you missed his show last fall make sure you don’t make the same mistake this time around. He’s not only playing a series of Pink Floyd hits but he performs “Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety. Plus he brings his own sound system to beef up the sound.
If Pink Floyd isn’t your thing then try Fall Out Boy, The Academy is... and everyone else on board for the 2007 Honda Civic Tour. They are just one of many big shows hitting the Charter One Pavilion this summer. It’s a beautiful venue and the purpose of this tour is to promote awareness of the more fuel efficient Honda Civic and the global awareness of greenhouse gases, so how bad can it be?
Fergie is now on her own and will hit the House of Blues the following day. This show is in the same vein of say Gwen with a big production and a lot of dancing. Love her or hate her she’s had two big hits on her first solo outing.
In June we have two radio festivals for you to consider. First up we have the Q101 Block Party at the Charter One Pavilion. This is the first time in a long time they are having it in a real venue. This two-day festival has everyone from The Bravery, Sum 41, Godsmack, Buckcherry and Good Charlotte.
Next up we have the B96 Summer Bash with all the names from the pop charts like Hilary Duff, Omarion, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Ciara at Toyota Park on the 24th. This is either your scene or not but it’s always a good way to get a little taste of everyone.
If you want to try something different how about the cross-cultural musical styling of Manu Chao? He closed one of the main stages at last year’s Lollapalooza but was on against Kanye West. This time he’s got no competition when he headlines at the Aragon Ballroom.
Speaking of Lollapalooza and Manu Chao, I bring you Feist. She too played last years Lolla and when she’s not playing with Broken Social Scene she is collaborating with Manu Chao’s producer, Renaud Letang. Touring on the recent release, “The Reminder”, Lesie Feist brings a collection of love songs perfect for The Vic Theater.
Last but not least, we are again at the Charter One Pavilion with John Mayer and Ben Folds. These are two artists that have their solid fan base who could easily tour on their own. They both have their own unique sound and should be a perfect venue to spend an evening under the stars.
Well that pretty much covers it for June. This is a great beginning to what should be a great summer of music.
• Random Noise appears monthly, exclusively in Lumino Magazine.
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