Reviews: Jason Mraz, Radiohead & Smashing Pumpkins

Jason Mraz – We Steal Things EP

I reviewed the two previous EP’s last year, but have only now gotten my hands on the We Steal Things EP. Like the We Sing and We Dance EPs, this one takes various outtakes of album tracks from the We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things release, and included a b-side and a live track.

Nothing special to really report, other than the most excellent live rendition of “Mudhouse/Gypsy MC”. It is a track such as this that someone really gets the scope of the type of performer, singer and song writer that Jason Mraz truly is.

Radiohead – In Rainbows

This album is over a year old now, but I am only getting around to purchasing and listening to it now. I have mentioned the odd time before that my significant other is a substantial Radiohead fan, as is in fact my roommate. I have noticed that about Radiohead; there are no halfway fans of this band. They are a passionate group of people. As a fan of music in general, and as someone who has the same level of passion to other artists, I deeply respect that. I tried to enter Radiohead’s discography last year with their Best Of compilation.

I originally wrote in my review of the Best Of that it was a well structured set that represented not only the best of Radiohead’s discography, but also gave new fans a true flavoring of what the band had to offer. I recently began itching to listen to a full album, and decided instead of picking up the latest, I would read up on the history of each albums, how well they were received etc. to determine which album I would tackle first. In Rainbows actually got my attention as being that album, as well as the one I could probably get into the most.

Bear in mind that the last time I tried sitting through an Radiohead album was 1997’s, Ok Computer, which I could not get all of the way through. I am now told that Ok Computer is not exactly the best starting point for the band. Wish I knew that back in ’97; I could have put that seventeen bucks towards another album. I digress.

In Rainbows in short is a phenomenal album. I listened straight through the first time without stopping, and promptly started a second listen right after. This is the kind of album I wish I had heard first; this could have got me into Radiohead a lot sooner. It has their signature experimental side with instrumentation and synths, yet it is not overly heavy. The lyrics are phenomenal, and lead singer/songwriter Thom Yorke’s analysis of it being an album that represents the realization that someone is about to face death is incredible. The instrumental may not necessarily be doom and gloom, but when coupled with the lyrics, that sense of doom certainly comes to the forefront. Stand out tracks on this album in particular  are “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”, “Body Snatchers” and “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”, but that is not to say everything else does not compare. An excellent, excellent album; one that I will definitely enjoy for some time to come.

Smashing Pumpkins – American Gothic EP

I have been purchasing a lot of stuff that is about a year old recently. I suppose I am catching up in a way as I wait for newer stuff that I’m anticipating to be released.

The Smashing Pumpkins released the American Gothic EP this time last year. I completely forgot about it until he the other day when I was looking for some new music on iTunes. This EP is one of two releases from 2008 (the other being the “G.L.O.W.” single that I have already reviewed). The American Gothic EP is comprised of tracks produced, but not released on their last full length album, Zeitgeist. In many ways, one can see how some of these tracks were done during this era, but when trying to slot them with the album tracks, one can instantly hear why they did not make the final cut; they are four down moment songs that simply did not work on a progressive rock album that Zeitgeist was meant to be.

Despite the fact that these tracks don’t fit with a particular project, there is a lot to like about the songs. They are well-written, well produced tracks for a band that a couple years ago was a bit over the top in production styles. As much of a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins as I am, and always will be, I still have not warmed to the sounds of Zeitgeist. It’s a harsh album, one that at times sounds like it was produced by Billy Corgan’s ego, and not his genious.

The American Gothic EP and the previously reviewed “G.L.O.W.” single are steps in the right direction for one of my favourite alternative bands. I can only hope now that the band has seemingly found its voice again, that they keep on this track.