Jeff Lynne shines on ‘Universe’
New Chris Young album likeable, not memorable
JBy Pablo Gorondi
eff Lynne’ ELO, (Columbia) If it sounds like ELO, feels like ELO and plays like ELO, then it must be “Alone In the Universe” by Jeff Lynne’s ELO, as it is now called.
Branding strategies aside, Lynne has long personified the Electric Light Orchestra and his first new songs under a similar tag since 2001’s overlooked “Zoom” instantly reveal his trademarks - melodic meticulousness, layers of vocals, sundry Beatle-isms and a tint of melancholy even on the fast tracks.
Except for some backing vocals by daughter Laura and recording engineer Steve Jay’s tambourine and shakers, Lynne is truly alone in his universe.
Some of the 10 tunes would have fit nicely on albums by others he’s produced, including “I’m Leaving You” (George Harrison), “Dirty to the Bone” (Tom Petty) and “All My Life” (Roy Orbison). Nearly all are evocative of ELO’s 1970s output, but with the bombast turned down from 11.
On lead single “When I Was A Boy,” Lynne pulls back the curtain to reveal his childhood dreams of making it in music, not wanting to “work on the milk or the bread,” an amiable revelation from one of rock’s more reticent frontmen.
When ELO was a band at its peak, it released an album a year. Though few work at that pace anymore, hopefully we won’t have to wait 15 years for Lynne’s next set of originals, no matter whose name is on the cover. Chris Young,
(RCA Nashville) Chris Young ends his fifth album with “What If I Stay,” a sparse, tenderly swaying ballad that shows off the Tennessee-born country singer’s rich baritone, wide range and seductive phrasing. late Orleans
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For most of “I’m Comin’ Over,” 30-year-old Young hitches his truck to rhythm-driven contemporary country music. He clips off the lyrics of “Underdogs” and “Heartbeat” in a rush, limiting his voice - his greatest asset - by focusing on an insistent, high-energy delivery.
One of his era’s finest traditionalists, and an outstanding balladeer, Young spends most of his new songs proving he can compete with his bro-country peers. And he succeeds. The tracks “I Know a Guy” and “Alone Tonight” bring an emotional, real-life tone to contemporary country music.
Similarly, “Sunshine Overtime” is breezy radio candy reminiscent of mid-period Tim McGraw, and “Thinking of You” is a clever duet about the awkwardness of hanging with friends as a newly single person.
But the 11 cuts on “I’m Comin’ Over” - which Young co-produced with Corey Crowder - rarely approach career highpoints such as “Getting’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” or “I Can Take It from There.”
and are paying tribute to the
the New who wrote
musician is set to close at the end of next year and reopen as an eatery with its own vegetable farm on the edge of Copenhagen’s edgy Christiania neighborhood.
With a Nordic menu that changes with “Southern Nights,” ‘’Mother-inLaw” and many other hits.
“He was such an influential songwriter and performer,” Jagger tweeted Wednesday. Early in their career, the Rolling Stones covered Toussaint’s “Pain in My Heart” and “Fortune Teller,” both written under the pseudonym “Naomi Neville.” Meanwhile, Robertson wrote on his Facebook page that Toussaint’s horn arrangements were vital parts of the Band’s live shows and noted that he had the “honor of inducting Allen into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame” in 1998.
Toussaint died of a heart attack Tuesday at age 77. He also worked with and the Meters among others.
Coldplay and have been added to the list of performers for the 2015 American Music Awards.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will also hit the stage at the Nov. 22 show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The rap duo will debut a new song. Coldplay will sing the first single from their new album. And Stefani will perform her current single, “Used to Love You.”
Previously announced performers include One Direction,
5 Seconds of Summer,
and Walk the Moon.
will host the fanvoted show, which will air live on ABC. Taylor Swift is the leader with six nominations. (AP)
will mark a comeback on the road with a 58-city tour in 2016.
The pop star announced his “Purpose World Tour” on Wednesday, which kicks off on March 9, 2016, in Seattle, Washington, and wraps in New York City at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2016.
Tickets go on sale Friday, when Bieber will release his new album, “Purpose.” Two songs from his album, “What Do You Mean” and “Sorry,” are currently in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Bieber’s tour also will stop in Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Toronto and Montreal.
On Friday, the 21-year-old will play a concert dubbed “An Evening with Justin Bieber” at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Tickets cost $18.
Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, and will be honored during the “CMT Artists of the Year” special.
The sixth annual event, which airs live Dec. 2, will feature performances, tributes and toasts from stars of the music film and television industry.
The five were chosen based on their their chart-topping albums and singles, and success on the touring circuit. They join honorees that include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambers, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and more. (RTRS)