Back in college, I made a promise with a friend that if Live — or in this case, its remaining members — held a concert in a place within reach, we would attend together. When former Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk announced that he would kickstart his first visit to Asia by performing on the second day of Java Rockin’ Land 2011, it was a mad rush to make it finally happen.
Gin Blossoms’ 2010 album, “No Chocolate Cake”, is an effort four years after their strong come-back album, “Major Lodge Victory”. Though it does not hold as big a candle to their 2006 release, the lyrics to many Gin Blossoms songs have achieved in recalling the love and loss familiar in a more innocent past. This album is no exception.
On the last weekend of September, I went on a weekend-long trip to Singapore to attend two concerts that were to take place during the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix racing event. The first concert was by a band fronted by a man whose voice and preferred musical genre captivated me from his participation in the fifth season of American Idol. It is one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.
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This summer, Ed Kowalczyk released his first solo record, “Alive”, following the recent demise of the band Live. The split is not without musical politics, and Kowalczyk, claiming a profound sense of re-birth and revival his of music career, sings with a greater spiritual awareness — and perhaps a little bit of irony. Post-grunge lovers who are affected by their split and are looking for a sound reminiscent of the Live’s days of yore can seek refuge in the sound of this album.