It’s spring!  I vowed to devote some weekly time to Detroit Chic this spring.

There’s a lot of good new music to report.

1.
Top on the list is Year of the Black Rainbow by Coheed and Cambria.  After what was a rather plodding and painful performance on Good Apollo…, save for the title track, “Welcome Home”, expectations for this album were pretty low.  However, the new work proves a surprisingly enjoyable listen.

While a bit disjointed at times, tracks like “Here We Are Juggernaut” hark back to the style of The Second Turbine Blade and In Keeping The Secrets… And a distinct new style emerges on songs like “Pearl of the Stars” thanks to non-falsetto lyrics and a less frentic pace.  Dare I say it, it sounds a little like Brand New!  And that’s about the best compliment you can get these days.

2.
Second up, I’d like to introduce you to a new band/side project, Cold Cave (if you haven’t already heard of them).  Conceived in 2008, Cold Cave marks the latest major effort of Wesley Eisold the vocalist for the great defunct hardcore outfit Give Up the Ghost.  Eisold is no crude screamer; he penned lyrics that were stolen by Fallout Boy for some of their hits (perhaps what he is most famous for).  Since compensated by Wentz & Co., Eisold’s new synthpop band is a great listen.  The 2009 Matador release Love Comes Close is significant new music.  The addition of former Mika Miko frontwoman Jennifer Clavin should help the band reach even greater heights.

(Give Up The Ghost from KeepItFast.com)

3.
Rap track of the week is “Something Sexy” by Lil Fatts ft. Illaj.  I came across this catchy little diddy on a web video and now unfortunately can’t get it out of my head.  I warned you.

4.
More old news…
In case anyone hasn’t heard,or has been living under a rock like I have, Taking Back Sunday is back together.  I mean the REAL band, not the Tell All Your Friends junk.  Okay maybe I’m the only one who’s really excited about that.  Now if Thursday can only stop sucking.  Because their sucking is getting really old.

5.
Broken Bells has received way too much press.  And they’re pretty good, despite it.

6.
White Lies is another band that has been around for some time now, but I recently came across.  For those who love The Killers, or dark operatic rock, this British band is terrific.  Recommended tracks include “To Lose My Life”, “Death”, and “The Price of Love”.

7.
I’m emailing you all about this update.  I hope you are all well and I would love comments, feedback, or other signs of life.