Niki N. Phaser

             Massive Attack are continuing the proccess of unleashing their new album Heligoland. The latest step is the video for Paradise Circus, a track which features vocals by Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star fame. The song feels a lot like a departure for the trip hop masters, sounding quite minimal and classic, except for the claps-filled beat. Nevertheless, it’s tragic cross-bearing aura will take its toll on the listener. It certainly creates an unique product, when combined with the video, which is comprised of an interview of former porn star, Georgina Spelvin, as well as uncensored scenes of her most well-known movie, The Devil in Miss Jones. It is an interesting and original work and it’ll be no wonder if more bands start digging up aging porn stars from the 70′s for their videos. On the other hand, this lady does come off as some kind of tragic figure, philosophizing about making ‘fuck movies’ and concluding that “We are our own devils”. After all, these are just some porn scenes in slow-motion. But, maybe, this one is NOT for over analyzing. If you are +18, see for yourself:

PARADISE CIRCUS

New Divide

Linkin Park have released their latest single on June 16, titled New Divide, included in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack. The song has also been reworked by Hans Zimmer for the movie’s score.The song charted really well, in the Top Ten in all the important American charts. The video is pretty cool, too. But…

As an appreciator of Linkin Park, I must say that New Divide got me a bit worried. Their last album, Minutes to Midnight was an instant classic. It was one of the few cases when a band says that ol’crap about “this album is different than the others” and it was really true… and really fortunate, since their straighforward rock songs and punky ballads (does that exist?) were a breath of fresh air. The rap-rock of their first two albums gave the mainstream baptism of a new genre and they moved from that with grace. So…

The problem with New Divide is that, despite having no Shinoda vocals, it represents absolutely nothing new, it is Linkin Park by the manual, which might not be a good omen for their upcoming 2010 album. It might as well be a middle part in What I’ve Done. Minutes to Midnight was a great surprise and I woun’t be the only one disappointed if they don’t follow up on the evolved sound or, even better, come up with something even more fresh.