The Round Table Has Moved!!

Hey everyone, the time has come for The Round Table to step up its game. We've outgrown these digs and are looking toward the future. With that said, we've officially moved to a new location, so update your links, RSS feeds and join us for more conversation at: http://www.theroundtableonline.com/

RT Picks: Green Day "Restless Heart Syndrome," Ashley Arrison "Right Behind You," and Dirty Projectors "Stillness is the Move"

Green Day - "Restless Heart Syndrome"
from 21st Century Breakdown
Once I heard this song, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to select it as this week’s Pick of the Week. From the very first chord, it reminded me of something more characteristic of The Beatles than what I had expected to hear from Green Day. Even with Green Day’s progression to more of an art rock persona, I wasn’t quite ready for Restless Heart Syndrome.

In previous posts, I have downplayed the idea that Green Day had anything left worthy of drawing me in. It was mostly 21st Century Breakdown’s single, Know Your Enemy, that discouraged any thoughts of this being a quality album. But hearing Billy Joe more effectively use his finally maturing vocals along with the song’s often used but much appreciated progressions and added strings might be the beginning of the Green Day reunion I had been hoping for.
[handpicked by AP]

Ashley Arrison - "Right Behind You"
A few weeks back I picked Ashley Arrison's "Losing You," but that was just the tip of the iceberg. A couple of day's ago, Ashley posted an acoustic version of a new track, "Right Behind You," which she wrote with Aben Eubanks and Graham Colton. To say this girl is immensely talented would be an understatement. It's unfair that she such a powerful, clean voice -- more puzzling is that she's an unsigned artist -- further proof that the industry doesn't know what's up.
[handpicked by Jayvee]



Dirty Projectors - "Stillness is the Move"
from Bitte Orca, out June 9th
The song that's been blowing up blogs for the past few months couldn't be more perfect for Summer. Featuring plucky funk-lite guitars, climbing layered vocals (which Pitchfork affectionately compared to a more robotic Mariah Carey), and a relaxed beat complete with bridge breakdown. Recommended on repeat during a lazy drive with the top down.
[handpicked by Ghostface Millah]

Coldplay Releases Live Album Online, Download it for Free

Like free music? We do too. Thanks to the guys of Coldplay, you can download their live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft, for free starting today.

To download it, simply visit Coldplay.com and enter your email address and location to receive a link.

The album is 9 tracks recorded at various shows on the first leg of the Viva La Vida tour. The track list is:

1. Glass of Water
2. 42
3. Clocks
4. Strawberry Swing
5. The Hardest Part/Postcards From Far Away
6. Viva La Vida
7. Death Will Never Conquer
8. Fix You
9. Death And All His Friends

Get more info and start downloading at http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html

3 Days of Sale? No Problem: Green Day Projected at #1 on Billboard

According to Billboard, Green Day should be sitting pretty atop the Billboard 200 chart next week. The kicker is, the album "21st Century Breakdown," isn't even available for purchase until Friday, May 15th.

The band chose the off-cycle release (as albums are typically released on Tuesdays), which will give it only three days of sales. Sources said Green Day's label shipped over 650,000 units to retailers - but they're not expecting the album to push that number in three days.

Green Day should cruise to the #1 slot since there are no other new releases that will pose a threat, all that's left to determine is how much they'll actually sell. The group's last album, "American Idiot," had a career-best opening at 267,000, so it'll be interesting to see if they can top that number, especially with an abbreviated sales week.

Music Fans Have an Epiphany, Chrisette Michele Takes #1

Have music fans finally seen the light of day, choosing vocal talent over gimmicks? We think so as soul diva Chrisette Michele takes the top spot on this week's music charts - while Ciara's new sexed up act backfires.

According to Hits Daily Double, Chrisette's #1 debut was a result of "one of the tightest three-way races in memory," with a mere 2,000 pieces separating her from the two runners-up: Disney's Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack and Ciara’s Fantasy Ride respectively.

Ciara was this week's musical guest on Saturday Night Live where she put forth a yawn-worthy performance of "Love, Sex, and Magic" with Justin Timberlake accompanying her on keys. Guess we'll have to watch next week's charts to see if she gets a little boost in sales as a result, but I suspect her album will quietly go away as she can't seem to buy a hit these days. And believe me, she's tried by putting JT on track and in her video.

Rounding out the rest of the charts:
#4 - Rascal Flatts
#5 - Taylor Swift
#6 - Bob Dylan
#7 - Lady Gaga (gag me)
#8 - Rick Ross
#9 - Ben Harper & the Restless 7
#10 - Twilight Soundtrack