The first thing to say about ‘Hurricane’ is that it is a classy bit of work, and I’m not just saying that because I’m old enough to remember Russell Harty. The production values on this CD are high, the list of collaborators (Brian Eno, Tricky, Sly and Robbie amongst others) stellar, the songs strong, Grace Jones‘ voice inimitable. She makes her own rules, does Grace, always has, no doubt always will, her voice is her own and no-one else’s, a rare commodity in these corporate and homogenised times. Let this be said because this album is good, very good, and it deserves to be measured against the highest standards, which is I’m sure just how Ms Jones would want it.

Even measured against those highest standards, there is little to complain about. “Sunset Sunrise” is not just classic Grace Jones, it is classic pure and simple, with an infectious pop reggae rhythm (that’s Sly and Robbie for you), memorable melody, strong lyrics, a sentiment befitting someone, how to put this, not as young as once she was. I don’t mean to be rude here – the sooner we get over this ridiculous glorification of youth that has plagued our culture for decades the better. We’re all going to get old and die so get over it, which is incidentally one of the things this song says, with the wisdom and lightness of touch which comes with age. I also don’t mean to imply that she doesn’t still look fantastic because she does, far better if you ask me than the sleek, androgynous and implausibly shiny Jones that graced the cover of Island Life, but I digress.

It feels indelicate to mention this, but it has been nearly twenty-five years since her last album, and in model/pop star terms she was old then (nearly thirty perhaps, the mind boggles). This is relevant only because one of the things that lifts this album above the ordinary is the way that she is not masking anything, ignoring or distorting where she is at right now, but rather simply singing about her life with daring, self-assurance, and a surprising amount of heartfelt reminiscence. See for example “I’m Crying (Mother’s Tears)” (note the position of the apostrophe – she is not crying the tears of mothers in general here) and the upcoming single “Williams’ Blood”.

“Love You To Life” and “Well Well Well” also bring to the fore the pop reggae vibe that works so well whenever it appears on this album, some distance away from the clipped and brittle groove that defined older tracks such as “Pull Up To The Bumper Baby” and “Love is the Drug”, and giving the songs a glorious uplifting mood even when the underlying message of the song is more sombre or reflective.

The other tracks explore a harder-edged, darker sound, which is where the high standards come into play. Listened to in the background they have enough hooks to keep the brain engaged, and the lyrical content is on the whole strong. Even the opening track “This Is”, which threatens to be little more than vapid posturing (’This is my voice/My weapon of choice’) is redeemed by the rest of the album, where she really does use her voice (not just her singing voice, but her attitude, her whole mode of being) as a weapon. But listen more carefully, and a few worries appear. There is no lack of inspired ideas – on the contrary, on tracks like “Corporate Cannibal”, “Devil In My Life” and “This Is”, the problem is that there are too many ideas, which tend to pile up against each other without the kind of careful development that could make them shine. And the lightness of touch which made the rhythm section such a joy on the more reggae-inspired numbers translates into a lack of aggression to match the muscularity of the lyrics. (The official website optimistically describes the music as ‘industrial’ – Ministry is industrial, this isn’t, it simply isn’t nasty enough.) The structure of the title track is, I’m sure, intended to mirror a hurricane, with two heavy sections book-ending a quieter, beat-free passage. But the build-up at the end of that middle section doesn’t explode into life, rather the beats come in one after the other, almost apologetically, robbing the listener of the satisfaction of an abrupt transition.

But enough of these niggles. ‘Hurricane’ is a fine album, and it improves with every listen. If you know Grace Jones from her eighties heyday, you’ll recognise the improvement on her earlier work, and appreciate the way she has grown up in the same way you have; if you are too young to remember her first time out, you’ll be impressed by an artist from a previous era sounding so energetic and contemporary in her approach. Either way, you’ll be glad you’ve been graced.

Grace Jones – Hurricane on amazon.co.uk

Hurricane on amazon.com

Grace Jones – The Hurricane is Coming Website

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Grace Jones Official Website

By: Jim Driscoll

Over the past few months, a figure so dominant and iconic has returned to the forefront of our social conscious. Model, actress, performer, entertainer, singer, producer, writer, the enigma that is Ms Grace Jones has firmly been reaffirming herself as the superstar she has always been.

Grace Jones on amazon.co.uk

Grace Jones on amazon.com

In preparation for her first album in nearly twenty years, the aptly named ‘Hurricane’, Ms Jones has been performing various festivals including the cult Secret Garden Party and Lokerse Feesten in Belgium.

Read the ‘Hurricane’ review

Her one-off London Show at the Royal Festival Hall on June 19th for Massive Attack’s Meltdown series of concerts saw the excitement for her forthcoming album sky-rocket, as The Times called it a “sensational return to form”, whilst the Telegraph observed that “all around the gawping, whistling, cheering Festival Hall was the sense that this is how a star should be”. The show has been one of the most talked about of the year.

This much-awaited album sees Ms Jones working with various purveyors of pop perfection, having been produced by Ivor Guest alongside Grace herself and includes contributions from Sly and Robbie and Brian Eno.

Much noise has been made around “Corporate Cannibal”, an industrial piece of work, with a ferocious and sinister undertone reflecting modern 21st century life. With a jaw dropping monochrome video by Nick Hooker, Grace morphs, distorts and bleeds into what can only be described as a living example of Dali artwork in constant flux. The video has been racking up countless plays on Youtube et al, whilst fans and musos scramble to get their fix of Ms Jones.

Watch “Corporate Cannibal” video:

The wait, however, is nearly over. More information on the track listing for ‘Hurricane’ has just been revealed.

First up, “This Is”, a perfect pocket of toe tapping classic Grace. “Williams’ Blood”, a dramatic, uplifting and positive track shows Grace’s pop versatility. Next up “Corporate Cannibal”, a seismic bass heavy epic.

The delicate “I’m Crying (Mother’s Tears)” shows a more intimate, personal side to Grace, complimented by the up-tempo, hip swaying “Well Well Well”. Then comes title track “Hurricane”, followed by “Love You To Life” which nods back to Grace’s past whilst swaying rapidly forward.

The reggae infused “Sunset Sunrise” and the spine tingling “Devil In My Life” are all widely affirming glimpses into the psyche of Ms Jones.

In the next few months Ms Jones will also be revealing details of her forthcoming UK tour for 2009 as well as various other exciting projects. With a cultural legacy that has defined the popular culture over the last 35 years, being the muse of Andy Warhol and symbolising the peak of the infamous Studio 54 in New York, to working with controversial American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and collaborating with visual artist Keith Haring, it is a certain that Grace will be working with the equal creatives of the 21st Century. What to expect, as ever with Ms Jones, will be the unexpected.

The ‘Hurricane’ is approaching. The album is due November 3rd 2008 on Wall Of Sound. “Williams’ Blood” single set for release 1st December 2008.

Grace Jones – Hurricane track listing:

* This Is
* Williams’ Blood
* Corporate Cannibal
* I’m Crying (Mother’s Tears)
* Well Well Well
* Hurricane
* Love You To Life
* Sunset Sunrise
* Devil In My Life

Grace Jones Official Website

Prepare for the storm; the Hurricane is coming…

Pop sorceress, iconic diva and multimedia fashionista Grace Jones returns this year to release her first studio album in two decades, entitled ‘Hurricane’, scheduled for release on October 27th, 2008 in the UK.

Following her one off London Show at the Royal Festival Hall on June 19th for Massive Attack’s Meltdown series of concerts, which received critical acclaim across the board, cult indie label Wall of Sound today announce the release of what will be one of the most anticipated albums of the year, if not the decade. PIAS, parent company of Wall Of Sound, will also distribute the album worldwide excluding North America.

On the show itself, The Times called it a “sensational return to form”, whilst the Telegraph observed that “all around the gawping, whistling, cheering Festival Hall was the sense that this is how a star should be”.

The Guardian confirmed how “she is an ongoing performance art project…what resonates is not any one song, but Jones’ unparalleled presence”.

Says Mark Jones, Managing Director of Wall of Sound – “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be working with Grace. No one has inspired more people whatever race, sex, colour or creed to be who they want to be and so much more. Her new album will not only re-establish her as one of the world’s most important artists but also introduce her to a new generation of music lovers”.

Grace Jones, who pioneered avant-garde pop, fashion and culture has been working with various purveyors of pop perfection. The album was produced by Ivor Guest and Grace herself and includes performances from Sly and Robbie and Brian Eno.

Grace this week, on signing to Wall Of Sound and the new record; simply said ‘Grrrrrrr’.

The London show also saw Jones premiere for the very first time four new tracks for the forthcoming LP, including the much cited “Corporate Cannibal”, a thunderous, epic emotionally charged monster of sonic wonder, illustrating how the 56 year old Jamaican born diva can redefine the boundaries of convention.

Her last studio album was ‘Bulletproof Heart’, released in 1989 on Capitol Records.

Says Brendan Coyle of CMO Management on the forthcoming record; “Hurricane continues Graces’ legacy of timeless, classic music, which after the dust settles will remain as fresh in 20 years time as it is today. Grace is an Icon who Inspires, Challenges and furrows her own unique path, which many have followed and will continue to follow. Lock down, and prepare for Hurricane Grace”.

With more news to be announced soon, Grace will also be headlining the Secret Garden Party Festival in Huntingdon, in the UK on Saturday 26th July, 2008.

Grace Jones Official Website

Coldplay’s latest album, ‘Viva La Vida’, debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 with over 720,000 copies sold in its first week of release in the U.S. ‘Viva La Vida’ has topped the UK album chart for the second week in a row, where it is the fastest-selling album of the year, and No. 1 rankings continue to come in from around the globe including Japan, Australia, Canada, France and Germany.

Already the biggest album pre-order in iTunes history, ‘Viva La Vida’ also set the record for highest first-week album sales ever on the iTunes® Store worldwide. Today the album’s title song surpasses “Clocks” as the band’s biggest-selling single to date on the iTunes Store.

“Viva La Vida” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, marking Coldplay’s first Hot 100 No. 1 single ever, and it debuted this week at No. 1 on the UK Singles chart.

Coldplay will perform on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” June 25th, 2008 and on the “TODAY” show on NBC Friday, June 27th, 2008. The band will also appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on July 17th, 2008. Lead singer Chris Martin is featured on the cover of the current Rolling Stone and Coldplay is on the cover of Spin’s July issue (on sale now).

The band celebrated the release of ‘Viva La Vida’ with a free concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and will launch its North American tour with two sold out dates at The Forum in Los Angeles on July 14th and 15th. Details on the tour are available at www.coldplay.com or at www.livenation.com.

Produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs, ‘Viva La Vida’ is the follow-up to 2005’s X&Y, which also debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, the UK album chart and in numerous other countries, going on to sell 10 million copies worldwide to date.

Coldplay – Viva La Vida on amazon.co.uk

Viva La Vida on amazon.com

Photo Credit: Tom Sheehan

Coldplay Official Website

Coldplay announce their “Viva La Vida” North American Tour in support of their new album of the same name, set for release in the US on June 17th, 2008 (UK – June 12th).

The tour, which will be produced by Live Nation, will kick off on June 29th in Philadelphia, PA.

Ticket information is available at www.coldplay.com or at Live Nation.

Before kicking off the “Viva La Vida” tour, Coldplay will play free concerts in London (June 16, 2008 at the Brixton Academy) and New York (June 23rd at Madison Square Garden). Information on how to win tickets to these shows will be available at www.coldplay.com. The contest will run May 9th, 2008 through June 1st. Winners will receive notification on June 5th.

‘Viva La Vida’, Coldplay’s upcoming album, will be released by Capitol Music Group on June 17th. Produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs, the record is the follow-up to 2005’s ‘X&Y’, which debuted at #1 in 32 countries and has sold 10 million copies worldwide to date.

The album’s lead single “Violet Hill” was downloaded by two million people during the recent one-week period in which the band made the song available to fans for free. It is now for sale at all digital retailers and is quickly rising to the top of the charts at Modern Rock and AAA radio.

Coldplay will perform “Violet Hill” on the “TODAY” show on NBC on Friday, June 27th. Fans are encouraged to check out the performance in person. Viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis outside the show’s Window on the World Studio, located at 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The band will also perform on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on June 26th.

“[Lead singer Chris] Martin broods over a lost lover with a snarling acidity that makes him sound more human than ever – miles away from the dreamy romantic he was on soaring ballads like ‘Speed of Sound,’” said Rolling Stone, naming “Violet Hill” a must-have in a recent “Downloads” column. “Jonny Buckland rips jagged, bluesy riffs that match Martin’s mood while drummer Will Champion and bassist Guy Berryman maintain a stalking beat primal rock & roll.” The Los Angeles Times pronounced the single a “promising return,” also marveling at its harder edge.

‘Viva La Vida’ tracklisting:
1. Life In Technicolor
2. Cemeteries Of London
3. Lost!
4. 42
5. Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
6. Yes
7. Viva La Vida
8. Violet Hill
9. Strawberry Swing
10. Death And All His Friends

Coldplay 2008 North American tour dates are as follows:

All dates are subject to change! Go to Coldplay’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 29 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
July 2 Washington, DC Verizon Center
July 3 Hartford, CT XL Center
July 5 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
July 6 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
July 8 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
July 9 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
July 10 Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center
July 12 Phoenix, AZ Jobing.com Arena
July 19 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
July 21 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena
July 24 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
July 27 Pemberton, BC Pemberton Festival
July 29 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
July 30 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
August 1 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
August 3 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
August 4 Chicago, IL United Center
October 20 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
October 21 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
October 26 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
October 29 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
October 30 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
November 3 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
November 11 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
November 18 Houston, TX Toyota Center
November 19 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
November 21 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
November 22 Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions Arena

Coldplay – Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends on amazon.co.uk

Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends on amazon.com

Coldplay Official Website

Coldplay Myspace