Singles Roundup: Alicia Witt, QOTSA, The Warning, & Matchbox Twenty

We've got quite the grab-bag this week.

Alicia Witt - Witness

A lot has happened since Alicia Witt released her "The Conduit" album. Life has been full of twists and turns, and this song tells about the importance of having people to rely on during those difficult times. Having someone to witness what you are going through, who can see the toll that's being taken, is crucial. This song is a sweet testament to that power, and a bit of relief that black clouds can't hold off the sun forever. Alicia has a great ear for melodies that accentuate the delicate nature of her voice, and this song continues to deliver on the feeling her music gives me that is unlike anyone else. I'm certainly looking forward to the new EP that is on the way.

Queens Of The Stone Age - Emotion Sickness

"Songs For The Deaf" was cool at the time, but QOTSA had no staying power at all for me. By the time their next record came out, I had moved on, and the entire stoner/jam thing held no appeal. All these years later, I have not come back around. There isn't really anything at all about this song I enjoy. The production is the hazy desert sound, which I don't find very interesting. The riffs are decent, but hardly anything that will stick in my head. The vocals are boring, and when Josh switches to his higher register for the 'chorus', it sounds entirely limp and lifeless. Maybe this sounds better if you aren't sober, but I am, and this was four minutes of watching the clock.

The Warning - More

Every time they release something, I can't help but think about how far apart the band is from where I am. I liked their first album a good deal, and they have evolved their sound to become more modern, while I shudder at much of what is now popular. This song is a perfect example of that, as there is a decent chorus when you get to it, but that road entails a glitchy electronic verse that rubs me the wrong way. When you have good players, I would rather hear them play. I know this is what rock is for a lot of people these days, but it isn't what I want to hear. Sorry.

Matchbox Twenty - Don't Get Me Wrong

This is more like it. I don't have many expectations for a new album after all these years, and even more years since the last record I liked, but this song piques me interest. The first single was too much of the pop from the last album, but this one strikes a better balance between that and some of the "More Than You Think You Are" approach. They're never going to sound like they did in the 90s, and that's fine. They're older, and in different places in their lives, so I would never expect that. If they can keep a bit of their rock roots, like they do here, I'm comfortable enough to go along for the ride.