2017's blog mostly consisted of songs I'd liked that year as there weren't too many albums that grabbed me or captured my imagination. This year has been far better for albums but there have been far fewer 'stand-alone' songs that I've loved.
Obviously the biggest music event for me this year was, after a 5 year wait, the final release of 30 Seconds To Mars' 5th album America. Safe to say it was very different from their previous albums, the natural musical progression from 2013's Love, Lust, Faith & Dreams with far more of an electro vibe. The heavier element of their music was still there for us old-school types; there's an epic drum break on Dangerous Night and Stevie's guitar solo on One Track Mind (if you are going to check that one out then listen to the album version rather than the A$AP Rocky ft single version). In my blog I posted on the album's release date (America - my Thoughts) I pointed out that I actually really didn't like One Track Mind but it's actually the song that's grown on me most on the album.
Lyrically the album seems more personal than previous albums, in his lyrics Jared has always used the idea of 'madness' but on Rescue Me and it's accompanying explanation (read the text under the video) he talks about both his and his brother Shannon's personal struggles with mental illness (see also Shannon's song Remedy towards the end of the album). I haven't actually heard much of the album live aside from Walk On Water, Dangerous Night and Rider as the album wasn't actually released until a week after I saw them back in March in London & Birmingham so another visit would be much appreciated lads!
Whether this is the last full 30STM album or whether we can now just expect 'single drops' remains to be seen but I'm interested to see where their musical path leads us Echelon.
Coming a very close second to America is of course The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
There's not much I can say about the film or soundtrack that hasn't already been said, I utterly love it. The soundtrack has lived in the car since March when Mum and I finally got around to seeing it and I now know all the songs off by heart. I'm an absolute sucker for musicals and (no pun intended) Showman just hit every note I could ever ask for. Whilst I know the story takes huge liberties with the true story of PT Barnum and the horrific way he treated his acts (locking his 'freaks' in cages and worse) and we should always be mindful of that, I still love it. It's uplifting, colourful and fun. My favourite song on the soundtrack is A Million Dreams and who can ignore the juggernaut that is This Is Me a rallying cry to everyone who's ever felt rejected or that they don't fit in. The soundtrack has been so successful that a Greatest Showman Reimagined album has also been released, featuring P!nk doing the most beautiful cover of A Million Dreams.
There's been some great albums this year from bands I've liked for a long time.
Nine Inch Nails - Bad Witch
Another great album from NIN. It's a combination of a raw, punky vibe and an out and out Drum N Bass sound with added claustrophobia, an unlikely soundtrack to my summer but a good one nonetheless.
Panic! At The Disco - Pray For The Wicked
And finally a couple of honorable mentions -
Smashing Pumpkins - Shiny & Oh So Bright
George Ezra - Staying At Tamara's
The Prodigy - No Tourists
Hopefully 2019 will bring some more great music, Bring Me The Horizon have their new album Amo out in the next few weeks and if the rest of it is as good as Mantra then I'll be happy! I'm hoping some more bands will tour next year and I'm curious to see what Reading & Download Festivals may still have up their sleeves line-up wise as there's nothing in the world like being pressed against the barrier surrounded by the music you love.
Love Jen
XxxX
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