By Rebekah Greene
Photos courtesy of Amazon.com
CD’s –
Maroon 5 – “Hands All Over” – A&M/Octone
Maroon 5’s third album “Hands All Over” (recorded in Switzerland) has had a long journey since their last release (“It Won’t Be Soon Before Long”). The band itself has come a long way since 2002, and even further back since 1994 under an older name, yet they managed to get through the struggles of a newly formed band, eventually claiming two Grammy wins. For this new album the band worked with Robert John “Mutt” Lange, a notable producer who previously worked with the likes of AC/DC and Bryan Adams (and who also happens to be Shania Twain’s ex-husband). “Hands All Over” blends the genres of funk and rock in familiar Maroon 5 fashion. The band toured the end of this past summer, and beginning October 6th they will perform in many cities along the west coast (see http://www.maroon5.com/shows/ for more show dates). Singles “Misery” and “Give A Little More” were released this past summer and both songs will be accompanied by music videos.
Flying Lotus – “Pattern + Grid World EP” – Warp Records
Artist Steven Ellison is known as Flying Lotus and his new EP “Pattern+Grid World” comes out this Tuesday. Flying Lotus’ style roots itself in the electronic sound, having collaborated with artists of similar styles such as Thom Yorke. Flying Lotus also created music for the late night programming block Adult Swim, and is known for blending electronic, hip-hop experimental genres to create unique ambient sounds and remixes. “Pattern+Grid World” precedes his third album “Cosmogramma,” released last spring. According to his Facebook fan-page (http://www.facebook.com/flyinglotus), he will be performing in various clubs and venues later this month in San Francisco, Washington and Vancouver. The new EP is available for preorder at http://bleep.com/. Also, there are free computer apps available for download – such as an Augmented Reality app in support of the “Cosmogramma” album – at http://flying-lotus.com/. Also on his site are show dates, music videos and even two arcade-style games “Destroy” and “Attack” created by Flying Lotus and available to play for free.
Books –
“The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest” – Stieg Larsson
Currently on The New York Times bestseller list for the 15th week is acclaimed author Stieg Larsson’s third novel in the Millennium Trilogy. “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest” continues where its preceding novels left off, with Lisbeth Salander facing off against the weight of murder charges and a government that has wronged her for the last time. Larsson’s previous novels, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “The Girl Who Played with Fire” received worldwide recognition following a late publishing decision before his death in 2004. The Millennium Trilogy composed of these three novels (with rumors of even more unpublished works) pulls readers into a world of crime and mystery with memorable, fleshed-out characters and an engrossing story that wont let go.
“Mockingjay” – Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins’ final installment in The Hunger Games trilogy is “Mockingjay”, and with it returns Katniss Everdeen, whom, having made it through the past two Hunger Games, ends up on a mission to rid Panem of the oppressive President Snow. Collins’ trilogy is no stranger to the bestseller lists. Her novels portray heavy themes such as oppression, loss and the struggle of facing something much larger than one’s own self. She paints a vivid story within the series gaining her trilogy much positive critical reception. A film adaptation for Collins’ first novel of the series “The Hunger Games” is in the works, though a release date has yet to be set.