Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2016, Part 3

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2016's playlists for our fifteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. Here are the next five:



11. "Adventure of a Lifetime" -- Coldplay
Another elaborate Coldplay video (this one using motion capture) that the Blogger Boys fell in love with. Evan became a huge Coldplay fan in recent years, and I even took him to his first major concert (Coldplay at the Rose Bowl) this summer -- so I had to include this one!



12. "I Have Been to the Mountain" -- Kevin Morby
The video doesn't really do it justice, but Morby's "I Have Been to the Mountain" was inspired by the death of Eric Garner at the hands of the NYPD. "And have you heard the sound/ Of a man stop breathing, pleading?"



13. "Go! (Original Mix)" -- M83 feat. Mai Lan
French singer Mai Lan and guitar legend Steve Vai add the necessary touches to yet another 80s-inspired track from M83.



14. "On Hold" -- The xx
Mix together The xx's signature melancholy with a looped sample from Hall & Oates... add in a moody music video shot in Marfa, Texas... and "On Hold" is pop perfection.



15. "Peace Of What" -- RJD2
From those opening strings to the power of singer Jordan Brown, "Piece of What" has something to say.

The next five songs tomorrow!

The Blogger Kid Attends His First Concert: Coldplay at the Rose Bowl

It all started with the 2011 video to Coldplay's "Paradise." The Blogger Kid, who was 6 at the time, loved the story of Chris Martin, dressed as an elephant, escaping a London zoo and traveling to Africa to find his home. But last year Coldplay easily became Evan's favorite band thanks to the video to "Adventure of a Lifetime," the motion-capture short inspired by Andy Serkis. (Mat Whitecross directed both videos.)

When the Blogger Kid got his first iPod, he had me upload Coldplay's catalog of hit songs, which he now knows by heart. So when Coldplay announced its shows at the Rose Bowl, I knew it would be the perfect first concert for him. (He's seen plenty of live music over the years at events like the Kids' Choice Awards, but this was his first full-blown concert by a major artist.)

We made it to the Aug. 20 show, and indeed, this was quite the experience -- the huge crowd, the epic size of the show and the energy inside the Rose Bowl. (On the down side, stadium shows mean a long wait just to get past security and inside. Then there was trying to leave after the show -- we sat in a car for an hour, not even moving.)

Despite being inside a huge stadium, the show felt surprisingly intimate, even from way up in the stands. Chris Martin connected with the fans (even apologizing for the expensive experience -- I know, I know, but it worked) and the group played most of its big hits.

Some pics from the show:

A Night at the Grammys: Whitney, Coldplay Wristbands and Collapsing Ice Sculptures

It was the second-most watched Grammy Awards of all time (39 million viewers), and we were there in person to witness the show. The Grammys wisely ditched most of the awards years ago, and has become an event known for "wow" performances and interesting pairings. This year was no exception, led of course by Jennifer Hudson's emotional tribute to Whitney Houston. She nailed it.

Meanwhile, I'm starting to think it's us, not them. Every time the Foo Fighters perform at the Grammys, they play outside the Staples in front of fans. I get it -- inside the Staples is a mostly industry crowd, and jaded at that. But I wonder if it's a coincidence, or if the Foos will only agree to play the show if they can be outside.

Nicki Minaj? Um.

Best part of the show for people inside the Staples Center: As the Civil Wars performed in the middle of the floor, we all heard a loud THUD. Looking up, we could see that a massive ice sculpture had just crashed on the floor. The workers stood there for a beat, dazed over what had happened, and then raced to clean up the mess (and mop the floor). Turns out it was part of Katy Perry's performance. When she came on stage, there were three ice sculptures still standing -- and folks at home were probably wondering, why three?

It's hard to get good pics on your camera phone when you're in a dark, massive indoor stadium. But here are a few more shots from this Sunday's Grammys:


Coldplay distributed 22,000 wristbands to attendees as they walked in the door. During a commercial break, we were instructed to wave our arms and wristbands in the air once they started lighting up. A microchip inside the bands must have been set off at the proper time... and here you go, a pretty neat sight to see inside the Staples Center.


Coldplay performs. I saw negative reviews online, but in person I thought the Rihanna/Coldplay combo worked.


Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys... not sure this tribute worked. Awkward covers by Maroon 5 and Foster the People.


Kenny Loggins at the afterparty. Kicks off with "Danger Zone," followed by "Footloose." And then... "I'd like to play some new stuff for you now." Time to dash to the bar.


At the end of the night, walking by the now-dark red carpet as workers dismantle the massive affair.