Saturday, June 18, 2011
RIP Clarence Clemons
Clarence Clemons, sax player for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band has passed away at age 69. The Big Man, as he was known, suffered a stroke a week ago and died tonight in the hospital. He was a big man, with an even bigger talent and will be missed.
This is probably my favorite Springsteen song, all about the E Street Band coming together. I can't think of a more fitting tribute. This one's for you, big man.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Recent Releases:Quickie Reviews
EDIT-6/13/11. THIS WENT UP INCOMPLETE LAST NIGHT. NOT SURE WHY. SORRY. HERE'S THE FULL THING, DAVE.
Here are a few new capsule reviews for you.
EDDIE VEDDER-UKULELE SONGS
Well, you can't fault the guy for false advertising. It is what it says it is, Eddie strumming on his Uke and singing away. There are a few instances of extra instrumentation and harmony vocals but if you blink you'll miss them. It's an interesting idea and one that puts the focus where it belongs..on the songs.
As for the songs, there are no real surprises here. Thiings start off with the Pearl Jam nugget "Can't Keep" and continue on with each song sounding like it belonged on one PJ album or another. This isn't a bad thing by any means,and songs like "Sleeping By Myself", "Longing To Belong" and "Satellite" are top notch as is the Cat Power duet "Tonight You Belong To Me".
The only real negative here is the length. The songs are all good enough and the ukulele is a fine sounding instrument, but after a while the gimmick wears thin.
3 out of 5 Daves.
HANK WILLIAMS III-HILLBILLY JOKER
This ain't new, this is "This Ain't Country". Perhaps a bit of history to help explain:
Most know Hank III as the son of Hank Williams Jr. He plays country music with an edge to it and sings about drinking, drugging, Satan, and all elements of the dark side of life. And he enjoys it. Outlaw Country indeed. However, there is another side to him, the metal side. Hank 3 has played with Phil Anselemo of Pantera in the band "Superjoint Ritual" and has his own metal outfit called "Assjack". When he tours the first half of his shows are country and the second half hardcore. An odd mix to be sure but he's made it work for him.
That's where this record comes in. It was originally titled "This Ain't Country" and presented to Curb records years ago. Curb shelved it as they were only interested in country music and preferably a slightly more sterile version at that. Long story short, the relationship went sour, and two albums later Hank 3 is free from his contract. But as a parting jab, Curb has finally released the record that caused all the fuss in the first place which brings us up to date.
Now all that's interesting enough, but what about the music? I went into this CD with low expectations. Any Hank 3 show I go to I generally leave about 4 or 5 songs into the hardcore set as it's never appealed to me and has always sounded achingly average to my ears. But I gotta say...I kinda like this. There are a few metal by numbers songs here, sure, but the majority of these songs are what 3 himself calls "Hellbilly music" and combines the country with the hardcore.The title track starts things off right while "Life Of Sin", "Hellbilly", and "Tennessee Driver" are standouts. It's not exactly perfect, but it is fun.
Okay, so the "Satan is cool, drugs are cool, imbecilic behavior in the name of rebellion is cool" lyrics are getting old but they fit in better here than on the country records. If you're a fan this is worth checking out as a curiosity if nothing else. Metal fans may want to give it a spin or two just to hear a variation on the form. Otherwise, check out "Straight To Hell" or "Lovesick Broke And Driftin'" for some of Hank 3's best work.
31/2 out of 5 Daves
IRON MAIDEN-FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (Best of 1990-2010)
Cash grab. Only useful for completests (me) and older fans who may not be keeping up with the band's current work.
Having said that, this is actually a pretty decent collection, and does a pretty good job representing the time period covered. Maiden make an interesting choice here in not selecting any songs featuring Blaze Bayley on vocals and instead going with live versions of the songs from his tenure in the band sung by Bruce Dickinson instead. Probably a wise move, but feels a little like cheating.
It is impossible to release a collection like this and please everyone. some favorites will always be left out, and hardcore fans will argue about the selections made for years. But this does act as a good primer for those unfamiliar with these songs. It is also a two disc release so there is room for a few deeper cuts here as well, and since Maiden purposely decided to price this as a single disc (I got my copy for $9.99), there is little to complain about. Besides, with Iron Maiden you can't go too far wrong.
Up, as always, The Irons!
41/2 out of 5 Daves
See you soon.
Here are a few new capsule reviews for you.
EDDIE VEDDER-UKULELE SONGS
Well, you can't fault the guy for false advertising. It is what it says it is, Eddie strumming on his Uke and singing away. There are a few instances of extra instrumentation and harmony vocals but if you blink you'll miss them. It's an interesting idea and one that puts the focus where it belongs..on the songs.
As for the songs, there are no real surprises here. Thiings start off with the Pearl Jam nugget "Can't Keep" and continue on with each song sounding like it belonged on one PJ album or another. This isn't a bad thing by any means,and songs like "Sleeping By Myself", "Longing To Belong" and "Satellite" are top notch as is the Cat Power duet "Tonight You Belong To Me".
The only real negative here is the length. The songs are all good enough and the ukulele is a fine sounding instrument, but after a while the gimmick wears thin.
3 out of 5 Daves.
HANK WILLIAMS III-HILLBILLY JOKER
This ain't new, this is "This Ain't Country". Perhaps a bit of history to help explain:
Most know Hank III as the son of Hank Williams Jr. He plays country music with an edge to it and sings about drinking, drugging, Satan, and all elements of the dark side of life. And he enjoys it. Outlaw Country indeed. However, there is another side to him, the metal side. Hank 3 has played with Phil Anselemo of Pantera in the band "Superjoint Ritual" and has his own metal outfit called "Assjack". When he tours the first half of his shows are country and the second half hardcore. An odd mix to be sure but he's made it work for him.
That's where this record comes in. It was originally titled "This Ain't Country" and presented to Curb records years ago. Curb shelved it as they were only interested in country music and preferably a slightly more sterile version at that. Long story short, the relationship went sour, and two albums later Hank 3 is free from his contract. But as a parting jab, Curb has finally released the record that caused all the fuss in the first place which brings us up to date.
Now all that's interesting enough, but what about the music? I went into this CD with low expectations. Any Hank 3 show I go to I generally leave about 4 or 5 songs into the hardcore set as it's never appealed to me and has always sounded achingly average to my ears. But I gotta say...I kinda like this. There are a few metal by numbers songs here, sure, but the majority of these songs are what 3 himself calls "Hellbilly music" and combines the country with the hardcore.The title track starts things off right while "Life Of Sin", "Hellbilly", and "Tennessee Driver" are standouts. It's not exactly perfect, but it is fun.
Okay, so the "Satan is cool, drugs are cool, imbecilic behavior in the name of rebellion is cool" lyrics are getting old but they fit in better here than on the country records. If you're a fan this is worth checking out as a curiosity if nothing else. Metal fans may want to give it a spin or two just to hear a variation on the form. Otherwise, check out "Straight To Hell" or "Lovesick Broke And Driftin'" for some of Hank 3's best work.
31/2 out of 5 Daves
IRON MAIDEN-FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (Best of 1990-2010)
Cash grab. Only useful for completests (me) and older fans who may not be keeping up with the band's current work.
Having said that, this is actually a pretty decent collection, and does a pretty good job representing the time period covered. Maiden make an interesting choice here in not selecting any songs featuring Blaze Bayley on vocals and instead going with live versions of the songs from his tenure in the band sung by Bruce Dickinson instead. Probably a wise move, but feels a little like cheating.
It is impossible to release a collection like this and please everyone. some favorites will always be left out, and hardcore fans will argue about the selections made for years. But this does act as a good primer for those unfamiliar with these songs. It is also a two disc release so there is room for a few deeper cuts here as well, and since Maiden purposely decided to price this as a single disc (I got my copy for $9.99), there is little to complain about. Besides, with Iron Maiden you can't go too far wrong.
Up, as always, The Irons!
41/2 out of 5 Daves
See you soon.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Recent Release:Flogging Molly-Speed Of Darkness
Flogging Molly have returned with what may be their finest album to date. They have now officially proven that they are more than just a great Celtic punk rock band and are just simply a great band. One that makes personal, important records that deserve to be heard.
"Speed Of Darkness" is one of those rare albums that doesn't only get better each time you listen to it, it gets better as you listen to it. It rocks where it needs to, has thoughtful, effective ballads and just the right amount of the traditional Celtic touches to make this not just an album but an epic. Flogging Molly have gone for a slightly more stripped down sound here, but it works to their advantage.
The rock songs are focused squarely on the guitars and the straight forward rock sound. Songs like "Revolution", "Saints And Sinners", and my favorite rocker "Oliver Boy (All Of Our Boys)" are classics in the making. On the opposite side "So Sail On" makes me want to lift your glass, sing, sway and salute everyone you've ever known. "This Present State Of Grace" and "A Prayer For Me In Silence" are two of the best ballads I've heard in a long time. But truly there are no bad songs on this record. "The Power's Out" and first single "Don't Shut 'Em Down" are top notch as well.
As a fan, I am more than pleased. This is the record I would choose to introduce newbies to the band. Others may be punkier or have more of a Celtic vibe, but this is the culmination of everything Flogging Molly has done so far. Can't recommend it enough.
For the first time, 5 out of 5 Daves.
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