That’s just music

Official Duran Duran website had posted the announcement regarding the fact that on June 22 they will open up their private music sector at the Second Life virtual area; particularly, it shall be called Duran Duran Universe. As the band’s representative noted, all the ‘virtual stuff’, which is going to fulfill this Universe was selectively chosen by the band members themselves. Blogger named Tateru Nino wrote that it’s not the first attempt on their side to get introduced to the Second Life. In 2006 using similar manner Duran Duran tried to create their own virtual “island” and even organize the live concert over there. Back then this news began to attract media and those who virtually exist within the magic world of Second Life, however, nothing took place. Eventually just in two days everyone should witness what they’ve prepared, so it is most likely something pretty and well designed. In 2011 this legendary British pop-rock band started the world tour in support of the latest album “All You Need Is Now”, also it may be mentioned that some concerts had to be cancelled due to vocalist’s health problems. On the other hand, Second Life is the unique project created in 2003 by the Linden Lab company; it looks as something in between the multi-user game and the social network. People can create fictional characters, communicate and even make purchases, thus currently it’s incorporating twenty million users worldwide.

Actor Penn Badgley is going to act in the biographical movie dedicated to an infamous musician Jeff Buckley, noted Undercover. Previously, Badgley used to perform in such movies as “Gossip Girl”, “The Stepfather” and “Easy A”. On the other hand a few more actors were in rivalry with him for this role, some of them are James Franco and Robert Pattinson, particularly the latter guy was trying to overtake, but turned to be unlucky. Moreover, Buckley’s mother and one of the producers was in good terms with Robert’s participation. Ridley Scott’s son Jake will be directing it, and above all his knowledge of music is well known, he used to make videos for Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M, U2 and Tori Amos. Most likely this work will be alright in all directions, first of all Jake was doing great videos, and second he is surely inheriting a lot of talent from his prominent father, who didn’t produce not a single bad movie. If talking about Jeff Buckley it should be said that the guy was able to release only one studio album called “Grace” in 1994, he died in 1997 by drowning in the Mississippi river, he was only thirty years old. The following year his post mortem album “Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk” came out, so fans always worth both productions, it’s just obvious that if he lived longer, he could create way more absolutely talented works, but life dictated it’s own terms on him.

Madonna is planning to enter the studio sometime in July or August in order to start working with the new album, noted her manager Guy Oseary at his personal Twitter blog. According to his words, which were published on June 14, Madonna should start recording in a month, plus it’s already known with whom within the producer’s community she wants to co-work this time. At the same time Madonna is not possessing any touring plans because all her attention is concentrated on the recording process, surely she needs to make something first and later figure out what happens next. The latest album developed by Madonna is a “Hard Candy” released in April 2008, in may countries it was able to reach the first places among charts, thus the whole situation for her is not bad at all. In September 2009 she had released a collection of hits called “Celebration” in which a few new songs were included, and eventually she made it obvious that new stuff is on approach. Nothing but good music is coming from this legendary pop singer, practically everything turns to be another hit or a popular iconic anthem that sticks to the world of her fans. Surely, Madonna today is not making the same sort of songs as she did before, simply artists can’t produce on the same level of fame all the time. Clearly Madonna is not doing worse music, and most likely her new album will be very good, not worse than the others.

Metallica and Lou Reed had finished working on their joint album, this information came up at the Metallica’s official website. Musicians noted that they’ve announced the new work a few months ago, but back then they simply forgot to say that Reed is going to participate in the whole process. All they decided to mention was a short note that the upcoming release will not be totally their own, however, it will be something as the side project. The whole idea was invented in October 2009 when they’ve performed at the concert dedicated to a twenty fifth anniversary of the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. Nevertheless, they didn’t get to work right away, and merely a few months ago things began to move around, so far Metallica and Lou Reed were able to record ten songs. Currently, there is no information on how this release will be named or when it should come out, hopefully it takes place as soon as possible, at least not later than the end of this year. The most recent Metallica’s album “Death Magnetic” came out in September 2008, and on the other hand, Lou Reed did not record anything since 2007. It seems that both musical agendas may produce something extremely successful and there will be no failure whatsoever, all the stuff will be truly great. These musicians aren’t the same, they came from two different music worlds, but it just makes everything even more interesting and exciting, let’s wait and see what they came up with during the last few months.

Ex-leader of the legendary Roxy Music Bryan Ferry had received a title of the Commander of the British Empire, and as BBC News just noted, a fifty six year old musician was included into the list, which was set up in dedication to the Elizabeth II’s birthday celebration. As soon as Ferry had discovered about this honorable award, he thanked all musicians with whom he used to co-work all along his musical career. The most recent album produced by Ferry (”Olympia”) came out in October 2004 turning into a singer’s thirteenth studio release. Notably, this album was recorded right after the joint tour with the reunited Roxy Music, so it simply means that during that time he felt truly inspired by the reunion process. Often many musicians just have to get back with their buddies in order to keep on going forward on their own, Bryan was not an exception. This spring he was planning to start the major tour in support of “Olympia”, but due to sickness couldn’t do it, thus the whole series of events was postponed onto this year’s autumn. The fact that he is now the CBE member, a lot of people will truly respect him for this achievement, the guy is definitely deserving this order for his dedication to Britain and it’s music. Hopefully he resumes his touring activities soon and keeps on recording new music, which is worthy of being heard all over the world.

In July this year Aerosmith musicians will start working at the studio in order to record the new album, noted the band’s lead guitarist Joe Perry at his personal Twitter blog. This curious news is practically saying merely one thing, Aerosmith is not planning to go away, they will strive to stay as long as possible just to be on the stage by creating their traditionally good music. Perry said, the band decided to hire Jack Douglas as the album’s producer, he had previously co-worked with them while creating Aerosmith’s legendary releases, “Get Your Wings”, “Toys in the Attic”, Rocks”, “Draw the Line” and “Rock in a Hard Place”. Also, Douglas co-operated with Supertramp, Slash, Patti Smith, John Lennon, Yoko Ono and many other super famous musicians, so most likely nobody will get disappointed with the upcoming record. Interestingly, this work should be their first one in seven years, the previous album “Honkin’ on Bobo” came out in 2004 and was produced with the help of Douglas, it went up to the fifth spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Aerosmith’s vocalist Steven Tyler had once mentioned that his band shall begin recordings in January, but it seems that the whole process was standing behind some kind of a stalemate. However, right now they will most likely get out and show the younger generation of musicians that the old rockers don’t give up because they never give up.

Infamous No Doubt vocalist Gwen Stefani had announced the end of her solo career in an interview to the Entertainment Weekly. Stefani said that she had spent even more time on this than was originally planned, however, there is not a single regret about it. Surely this singer doesn’t have to step back in terms of her solo achievements because certain categories of fans found Stefani only after she went solo. During this ‘lonely’ career Gwen had released only two albums; the first one in 2004 “Love. Angel. Music. Baby” and “The Sweet Escape” in 2006. Both releases were followed by tours, which exposed her new stage abilities and looks. The last work made by No Doubt was “Rock Steady”, it came out ten years ago, and realistically saying the band sank into the deep water. From 2004 until 2008 the band decided to take some sort of artistic rest and stayed totally quiet, but three years ago musicians began to talk about new plans, songwriting and everything what can be associated with it. Stefani didn’t get involved in the process due to a lot of touring activities and possibly some unknown personal wishes. In May 2010 No Doubt started to visit studio on the regular basis, thus fans currently expect a lot of new stuff, though Gwen didn’t say anything about what can happen in the future between her and the band.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are planning to release their tenth studio album called “I’m With You” on August 30, 2011, noted the band’s official website. It’s going to be the first release after five years of silence, which became the longest in their history. Previous RHCP’s full studio release “Stadium Arcadium” was produced way back in 2006 while receiving numerous positive feedbacks on the side of fans and critics. It’s already known that “I’m With You” shall incorporate twelve tracks; now the first single belongs to a song “The Adventures of Raindance Maggie”, it must be heard publicly on July 18 this year. The album was produced by RHCP’s long lasting friend Rick Rubin, he was standing behind most of their best and infamous works, his taste of music is legendary. Sadly, RHCP’s well known guitarist John Frusciante didn’t participate in the production process due to the fact of his absence, he left them in 2009. Until this day many followers simply can’t truthfully formulate the reason of his leave; according to John’s personal opinion it was caused by his changing musical tastes and wishes to concentrate on the solo career. To many people such things can be compared to the process of divorce, however, in these cases it all belongs to it’s majesty music. Musicians disagree on nearly everything sometimes and can’t unite as they could in the beginning of their band’s histories.

The band Kaiser Chiefs had proposed it’s fans to earn money with the help from their new album; this is their fourth studio release titled “The Future is Medieval”. The album’s track-list was not formed yet, so fans can do it on their own right now. Kaiser’s official website is currently proposing all twenty tracks or better to say only their fragments, thus listeners may choose ten of them by paying seven and a half pounds. Later, they can sort the following tracks the way they want, additionally inventing some original cover. Eventually fans who did all of the above manipulations are allowed to post it directly to the band’s website, if the fan’s version gets downloaded, then one pound returns to the author. Now Kaiser’s website is presenting three different versions, which were compiled by various people, it means that the whole process had begun. The first example was done by the band’s vocalist Ricky Wilson, he was soon followed by the Radio 1 DJ Chris Mayles, and  by The Guardian’s editorial staff. Approximately one pound from the downloaded ‘celebrity’ version should be given to the Alzheimer’s Society. At the same time it’s not known yet whether this album will come out on CD or not, maybe sometimes later. This awesome band is now considered to be one of the milestones of the genre at the beginning of the twenty first century.

AC/DC vocalist of all times Brian Johnson had announced that his band is planning to mark it’s fortieth anniversary by releasing the new studio album. In recent interview to the PopEater this infamous frontman said that in the nearest time him and his colleagues will start working on it, and eventually their work must turn into another awesome hard rock sensation on the side of the genre’s veterans. However, Johnson didn’t underline any concrete dates of the release because according to his words, the band refuses to make any kind of production under pressure. Obviously, he also said that AC/DC shall organize the series of tours in support of the future release and it will not be as big as their previous one. The last tour in support of the “Black Ice” album lasted from 2008 till 2010 and possibly was one of the biggest in the history of this band. AC/DC was formed way back in 1973 in Sydney; Brian Johnson had joined the group in 1980 and is currently considered to be legendary, his artistic act is truly unique and can be hardly compared to anyone. Generally speaking not only him, but the whole AC/DC music may be seen through the unique light, they appear to be totally unstoppable by time or age because despite their turbulent lifestyle nothing could break them.