Update on New AD Album (And New Speech Album)

In case you missed this on the fantastic new Arrested Development website, there was an update posted on 20 as well as some info on Speech's new album.  I have to say that I agree with this approach.  A free project would be great (thinking out loud, maybe we could get a mixtape with unreleased 20 songs as well as the unused stuff from Strong?), but I would much rather have a fully realized AD album.  They also drop a note on a new Speech record, which is equally encouraging to me.  Here's some info:

AD is planning to record this fall. They were scheduled to release a free project called, “20″ in mid 2011, but Speech reconsidered. “I wanted us to really give our absolute best, not just what happens to come out of us creatively  within a certain time period. Our next album will be called “20″ (celebrating 20 years since the debut) it will be our most compelling & significant music project we’ve ever done! Our approach is to be musically dense, melodically simple and the subject matter easy to follow” adds Speech. Speech has also been drafting a new solo album which will be a totally melodic, live band experience that will feature many of the AD members. Eshe says, “This fall we’ll be gearing up for a big 2012. We have a number of big festivals scheduled for that year already so we hope to have finished this new project by then.” The group is focused. The music, activism, exposure and brand of AD is planned to be at another level for the coming year.

Update on "20"

I was a little confused about the latest AD project "20," so I asked Speech on Twitter for a little clarification on the project, as at first it sounded like an album and than a mixtape.  And here's what he said:

"It's an album disguising as a mixtape probably cuz it's free. ;-) We're celebrating 20 years of noise, that sounds like melody" 

So there you have it- a free mixtape but most likely filled with album-quality songs.  Can't go wrong there, and I can't wait to hear what they have cooked up!  He also posted this today:  "Much cool stuff coming down the pipes. "20" released in a couple months!"

20 Is The Magic Number....

Take I-20 to Highway 85.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of months ago, Arrested Development mentioned that they were in the studio and beginning to record some new music- presumably for a new album project that would be their seventh studio album.  Well, we now have a name for that project- 20!  I assume this is used to designate the number of years that Arrested Development has been a group (man, have I been listening to them for that long?).  A pretty appropriate name considering their first album was based on the length of time it took them to receive a record deal.  Maybe when the release date draws nearer, they could adjust the title to something like 20 years, 5 months, and 3 days in the life of...  Or would that be too cheesy and derivative?  :)

 

Not only do we have an album title, but we also have the titles of a few of the songs thanks to their Twitter account:  "The Pretty Woman", (possibly a tribute to Tasha LaRae's favorite Julia Roberts' film :) "U & Me = 3" (described by Speech as having an old school GangStarr vibe), and "My Reflection."  Apparently the project is already nearing completion, so hopefully the good news will come fast and furious now.  I think I speak for everyone checking this out that this is good news all around. 

 

To close, here are a few lyrics Speech posted from "My Reflection."

 My reflection against what I'm facing in this present day population,we all got placements, we can't control everywhere we were placed in, And really this is all about God's grace....and I know!