First Taste: Team (Lorde Cover) - CHVRCHES

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For whatever reason, I seem to find all the CHVRCHES covers that are on the Internet. It is almost like 'Don't worry guys, I got your CHVRCHES covers you guys.'  They are pretty funny about it leading into it mentioning 'We have been doing a lot of covers and this is probably our last one.' Which lets be honest, I highly doubt it. They decide to cover one of my favorite songs off Lorde's True Heroine album with 'Team' and CHVRCHES added their own spin to it giving it more of a funky style to it with a male vocalist on it as well. I like it probably because I think the song is great and this amplifies my appreciation for it when a band can cover it, add their own twist and it still comes out great.  Really hoping CHRVCHES finds its way to Summerfest.

Charlie.

First Taste: Royals (Cover) - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springstreen is on tour right now in the Southern part of the World in Australia and New Zealand.  He's been covering songs of local artists while being down there.  He did an awesome renditions of 'Stayin' Alive' by the Bee Gees and 'Highway To Hell' by ACDC when he was in Australia then came to New Zealand over this weekend where of course, he covered Royals. I am curious to hear everybody's opinion on this one because he puts his own spin on it plus there is no guitar in the original one which he adds a ton to it. Personally, The Boss can do whatever the hell he wants so this is okay with me, I could see how others might be hating on it.

Stayin' Alive.


Highway to Hell with Eddie Vedder


Charlie.

Closing Time: Coming of Age - Foster The People

YES! YES! YES! YES!  It is about damn time we hear new stuff from Foster The People. I loved Torches and in a way, I would compare this band to Lorde, the New Zealand pop star. While they are totally different when it comes to their music, both had songs on opening albums get massive radio play killing the band/artist for most people. Both also had great albums despite having one song getting beaten to death. Enjoyed this one from Foster The People. I think I am in the Jon Gruden stages of liking the song, but it is an encouraging start. It felt like their style, and not much has changed which is interesting seeing as most do with their second album. Their album drops on March 18th, cannot wait.

Charlie.

First Taste: 2014 Coachella Lineup

And so it begins. Festival season has become a 'thing' in the United States for the last several years. It is spread out from April to October, and there are more of them than you can count. The three heavy hitters are Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Coachella seems to be getting more attention because it is the first one, and they have been known for things like Kanye West's performance post-Taylor Swift, Tupac hologram and this year, they bring OutKast together who have not toured since 1999.

My thoughts on the lineup. I would be all for Saturday as a fan of a lot of the top acts. Beck is a puzzling choice near the top of Sunday. They obviously want to appeal to the EDM fans of the world as Coachella brings in several of the most popular acts. Lorde performing before Lana Del Rey could be the worst thing for Lana if we wan to get into the pop music side of it. I do not know much about concert lineups, but this is not like 'Holy shit get me there' so I will go with a B/B-.

First Taste: No Better - Lorde

I could really have went with something Beyonce here as she dropped an album out of nowhere, but Lorde also went with the surprise technique releasing a new song yet there is nothing from here on if a new album will be coming along soon. I doubt it as she will likely be a heavy feature across the festival tour as she really has the respect of both the pop and alternative crowd. Not many artists where I can hear them on a top 40 station and an alternative station equally. I have become quite the fan of Lorde and this is another good one from here. Another loaded Monday on the Tap.

Charlie.