Here's some reviews of some of the more notable releases of the past month or so.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD-HAIL TO THE KING
I'm a little late to the party on this one, but here we go. I have never really bothered investigating Avenged but I have always meant to. This is one of those bands whose fan base really love them and insist that everyone else would too if they'd only listen. And then there are those who feel the band are just not metal enough and that their albums are poorly executed as well.
Judging from this disc I fall somewhere in the middle. I think the first half is pretty good (despite the obvious "Sad But True" rip off on "This Means War", though I like the song) but this CD kinda falls flat in places. Part of it is me, though. For example, I no longer find lyrics like "Darkest Lord, your favor shall I gain/Light the match/engulf the Earth in flames" scary, interesting or cool, but silly. However, the Viking-ish war epic "Hail To The King" is pretty cool, and so is the doomed though innocent character in "Heretic". So the lyrics are a wash, but what of the music? Well, at times these songs feel like an old school throwback, but there is some groove-metal, nu-metal and just plain hard rock thrown into the mix. The problem is that it's good, but not great and never truly exciting.
So I suppose this CD is worth a listen, and a few songs are iPod worthy, but it falls short of being an essential album.
3 out of 5 Daves.
SAMMY HAGAR & FRIENDS
You probably think you know what to expect here, and you're probably right. Fans will find something to like, non fans won't change their minds. What we have here is a mix of rock songs, laid back beach songs, and a whole mess o' covers. I will admit to being a bit disappointed at first but after watching the DVD on the deluxe edition I got into the spirit of the thing and I like it now. The trick is not to take this CD seriously and you'll have a good time. Which is what Sammy intended. And given how messed up this world can be that's not a bad thing.
3.5 out of 5 Daves
METALLICA-THROUGH THE NEVER
Essentially a live Metallica record, this CD actually serves as a soundtrack to the movie of the same name. And therein lies the problem. The song selection is pretty good and the band is on top of their game. But it seems as though certain concessions had to be made for the movie angle and the album suffers for it.
Part of the issue I have here is the overall sound. It's a bit too good. There are a few moments of rawness but the production is quite slick and lacks a bit of edge. But then a movie would require much more control over every bit of the sound production than a normal live record would. So this is forgivable to a point. However, there is a point during "Hit The Lights" where James either forgets the words or is having mic troubles. If it's the latter then this is probably reflected in the story, but on disc WE CAN'T SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING. So either way it comes off as lazy and/or disappointing, and it just doesn't work. They also include the live gimmick of the stage blowing up, a lighting tech catching on fire and everything breaking into chaos during "Enter Sandman". Again, doesn't work without the visual, and this is how they were ending concerts ten or so years ago. Reaching back into the old bag o' tricks is not too exciting! And besides, ZZ Top did the same gag back in '83.
So, this is an enjoyable disc, but a near miss overall.
4 out of 5 Daves
PEARL JAM-LIGHTNING BOLT
Sounds like Pearl Jam. Everything that I love about the band is on display here, and some of what I don't like is here as well. Lots of cool rock songs like "Mind Your Manners", "Let The Records Play" and "Lightning Bolt", and a few good slow burns, "Sirens" chief among them. But like many PJ records, there are a few of their more atmospheric songs at the end of the disc that just pretty much burn me out and get a touch boring. Although I think "Yellow Moon" could have benefited from a placement earlier in the disc.
In the end, it's a fairly solid Pearl Jam record. There are some better discs in the catalog, certainly, but there are some worse ones too. There's not much new ground broken here either but that's okay. It's Pearl Jam, it's new and it's good. And that's enough.
4 out of 5 Daves
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS (with Chester Bennington)-HIGH RISE
When a highly popular and influential rock band loses its singer there is always some nervousness among fans as to the quality and direction the band is going to take. In other words, will it suck? Well, in this case there is little need to worry. Musically, this has STP all over it. It mostly reminds me of the "Tiny Music" days, which is my favorite so that makes me happy. There's a nice little groove running through this EP, most notably in the kick off song "Out Of Time". "Same On The Inside" and "Cry Cry" are standouts as well.
But how does Chester sound? Well, a lot like Scott Weiland singing in his higher register. I'm not sure Bennington can do the lower end stuff, as there is none to be found here. But I am no fan of Linkin Park (Chester's other band) so my knowledge of his vocal ability is limited. If anything, Bennington sounds too much like Scott, but there is time to bring more of his own personality into it in future releases. No worries as of yet.
My only real complaint is the length of this CD. I know it's supposed to be an EP, but five songs is still a little low. In an age where albums are usually 12-14 songs long a six or seven song EP is not unreasonable. I know, I'm old school and want full length albums in a singles driven era, but even as a digital download another song or two would have been preferred. Still, if that's the biggest problem you have, everything is fine.
4 out of 5 Daves.
There may be a few more by year's end, time will tell. New Year's will find the 2013 Top 10 Coming your way and, hopefully, a little more regularity in the posts. See you soon.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Thank You Lou
Instead of my usual round up of stuff I bought over the last however long it's been I am going to talk about Lou Reed. It's been just over a week since he died, and all I've listened to for seven days has been Lou Reed records.
I think I relate to Lou's music a little differently than many of his fans do, and differently than most artists I am a fan of. The thing is, I don't really relate. Not on a personal level, at least not often or directly. I agree with many of the points he's tried to make, especially in his later work, and the studio version of "The Kids" cuts every time with the actual kids screaming for their mommy. Fuck, Lou, did you have to do that? Yeah, you did, I know. Because it makes people (me) uncomfortable and that's what makes it art.
And that's where I relate. The uncomfortableness of art. Art can be beautiful, heart warming and give a most pleasant feeling of joy, or at least contentment, to its audience. And Lou does that a bit more often than he's given credit for. And I lie that, but what gets me is the other stuff. I won't use the term "dark" because I am not sure that it was intended that way, and Lou himself didn't like the term either. I'll call it honesty. Lou was always honest.
This is not to say that every word he wrote was in some way autobiographical. I think the majority probably weren't. But even in fiction, Lou knew how to cut to the bare bones of any given emotion or situation. Sometimes brutally, and sometimes poetically in such a way that the listener may not even understand the meaning until going through multiple listens. There is a sharp wit, if you care to look for it, and a sense of hope in the darkne--- er, thick of things. There's also some real bad stuff going on. But that's life. Like the man himself said, it's Magic and Loss. There's a whole lotta good and then some bad to even things out. Sha la la man. You know, I always maintain that writing poetry and writing song lyrics are two different things. They may overlap but they are different. Lou Reed is the exception to that rule.
And then there was the music. Minimalist, but played with integrity. Individual musicians could have room to get a lick in, but everything served the song. And the song was three chords, pure and from the heart. Basic, straight rock and roll. Unless it wasn't. A little bit of classical got mixed in as well as funk, early rap, doo wop, smooth jazz, and avant-garde noise to name a few. When you put on a Lou Reed record you never were completely sure what it would sound like, but Lou would be there to get you through it, even if it wasn't pretty, he's the best guide you could have and that was reassuring.
I have tried to put together a list of my favorite Lou Reed songs, my play list if you will. Ten songs wouldn't scratch the surface so I'll double it. So here in no particular order are my favorite Lou Reed (and some Velvet Underground) songs, presented with a giant thank you to Mr. Lou Reed for the art and the heart, with all the respect you deserve.
1. Sweet Jane
2. White Light/White Heat
3.Vicious
4. Walk On The Wild Side (it's not poser to like this song-it's poser to pretend you don't!)
5.Caroline Says II
6.Waiting For The Man
7. Street Hassle
8. Sally Can't Dance
9. No Money Down
10. Dirty Blvd.
11.New Sensations
12.Magic And Loss-The Summation
13. Satellite Of Love
14. Perfect Day
15. Finish Line
16. Talking Book
17. Into The Divine
18. Hooky Wooky
19. Rock And Roll
20. Legendary Hearts
Alternate: LULU. It's not represented here because it only works as a piece, not song to song. Go ahead and laugh, but in 20 years you're going to agree with me.
I think I relate to Lou's music a little differently than many of his fans do, and differently than most artists I am a fan of. The thing is, I don't really relate. Not on a personal level, at least not often or directly. I agree with many of the points he's tried to make, especially in his later work, and the studio version of "The Kids" cuts every time with the actual kids screaming for their mommy. Fuck, Lou, did you have to do that? Yeah, you did, I know. Because it makes people (me) uncomfortable and that's what makes it art.
And that's where I relate. The uncomfortableness of art. Art can be beautiful, heart warming and give a most pleasant feeling of joy, or at least contentment, to its audience. And Lou does that a bit more often than he's given credit for. And I lie that, but what gets me is the other stuff. I won't use the term "dark" because I am not sure that it was intended that way, and Lou himself didn't like the term either. I'll call it honesty. Lou was always honest.
This is not to say that every word he wrote was in some way autobiographical. I think the majority probably weren't. But even in fiction, Lou knew how to cut to the bare bones of any given emotion or situation. Sometimes brutally, and sometimes poetically in such a way that the listener may not even understand the meaning until going through multiple listens. There is a sharp wit, if you care to look for it, and a sense of hope in the darkne--- er, thick of things. There's also some real bad stuff going on. But that's life. Like the man himself said, it's Magic and Loss. There's a whole lotta good and then some bad to even things out. Sha la la man. You know, I always maintain that writing poetry and writing song lyrics are two different things. They may overlap but they are different. Lou Reed is the exception to that rule.
And then there was the music. Minimalist, but played with integrity. Individual musicians could have room to get a lick in, but everything served the song. And the song was three chords, pure and from the heart. Basic, straight rock and roll. Unless it wasn't. A little bit of classical got mixed in as well as funk, early rap, doo wop, smooth jazz, and avant-garde noise to name a few. When you put on a Lou Reed record you never were completely sure what it would sound like, but Lou would be there to get you through it, even if it wasn't pretty, he's the best guide you could have and that was reassuring.
I have tried to put together a list of my favorite Lou Reed songs, my play list if you will. Ten songs wouldn't scratch the surface so I'll double it. So here in no particular order are my favorite Lou Reed (and some Velvet Underground) songs, presented with a giant thank you to Mr. Lou Reed for the art and the heart, with all the respect you deserve.
1. Sweet Jane
2. White Light/White Heat
3.Vicious
4. Walk On The Wild Side (it's not poser to like this song-it's poser to pretend you don't!)
5.Caroline Says II
6.Waiting For The Man
7. Street Hassle
8. Sally Can't Dance
9. No Money Down
10. Dirty Blvd.
11.New Sensations
12.Magic And Loss-The Summation
13. Satellite Of Love
14. Perfect Day
15. Finish Line
16. Talking Book
17. Into The Divine
18. Hooky Wooky
19. Rock And Roll
20. Legendary Hearts
Alternate: LULU. It's not represented here because it only works as a piece, not song to song. Go ahead and laugh, but in 20 years you're going to agree with me.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Quick Reviews and some news
Been a while. Here we go.
Stuff I really liked (since the last post):
Iggy And The Stooges: Ready To Die
This is the Stooges album I have been waiting for. Mixes Raw Power and the first Stooges album together stylistically for one of the most fun records I have heard all year. Okay, there are a few quieter ones that don't quite work but the rest is strong enough to cover for it. And as for Iggy, well, he's still Iggy. His lyrics are defiant and juvenile in some places ("DDs" being the worst offender, which is a pity as the groove is awesome), and street wise veteran poet in others. So no real change, but who really wants one?
4 out of 5 Daves.
Jason Isbell: Southeastern
The ex-Drive By Trucker has come out with a very strong, very personal record. The arrangements are sparse, mostly, which can be a touch risky but here it highlights the quality of the song writing and lets the lyrics really come forward. "Traveling Alone", "Different Days" and "Songs She Sang In The Shower" are all fine examples, while the late album rave-up "Super 8" proves Isbell hasn't lost his rock edge entirely. There are a few near misses here but overall a very rewarding record.
41/2 out of 5 Daves
Queens Of The stone Age: ...Like Clockwork
Not the masterpiece some are claiming it to be, but a worthy addition to the band's catalogue. Much has been made of the guest stars on this record, but guest stars on QOTSA discs are hardly anything new. Look, if you like the band you will like this as well, my advice though is to either play it on loop for a few days until it soaks in, or start at track five so the more challenging material comes later. As with all their records it requires patience and commitment, and while the payoff isn't as great as with their first three records this is certainly the best CD the band has put out in a long time.
4 out of 5 Daves
VOLBEAT: Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies
Metal music with an early Metallica flair? Check. Wild West motif, including acoustic/slide guitar intros? Check. King Diamond? Check. Sing along choruses about dark stuff? Check. What's not to like?
4 out of 5 Daves.
Stuff I Kinda Liked:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Spectar At The Feast
Here's the deal: I never really like a BRMC record until I have owned it for at least a year. Then I pretty much love them. This CD seems to be following the same path. At this point it seems like there are too many spaced out long songs on this record, or maybe too many in a row, and none of them has really grabbed me yet. But I do like quite a few tracks, like "Hate The Taste", "Teenage Disease", and "Sell It" for bring quintessential BRMC rockers. and their cover of The Call's "Let The Day Begin" is an excellent tribute to Michael Been from his son Robert. The elder Been was in that band and was touring as an engineer with BRMC when he died. Considering the weight that was on the band's collective shoulders this record could have been a disaster, but it is strong and varied and worthy of respect for that alone.
31/2 out of 5 Daves
Black Star Riders: All Hell Breaks Loose
So basically it's the last touring version of Thin Lizzy making new music under a new name with a few new players. Given that background, this disc is better than it should be but not as good as it could have been. There is a bit of variety here, which is nice, and a few really cool songs, "Bound For Glory". "Kingdom Of The Lost", "Hey Judas", "Bloodshot" and "Someday Salvation" all stick out. But the rest just don't quite cut it, second rate riff rock with the frustrating potential to be much more. Not bad necessarily, but not great either.
3 out of 5 Daves
Newsted: Heavy Metal Music
Here's another highly anticipated record that comes so close but just misses the mark. I like Jason Newsted and want him to succeed but this is a little sludgy and slow for my tastes. There are some shining moments though. "Soldierhead" is one of my favorite metal songs in a long time. "As The Crow Flies", "Long Time Dead" King Of The Underdogs" and "Twisted Tail Of The Comet" I also enjoy. But the rest are just kind of there. Too much recycled riffing and not enough change in tempo or feel song to song. But again, most of the material is pretty good, and certainly better than a lot of what passes for metal today. this is an old school metal record, flawed to be sure, but it may be pointing the way to some great stuff in the future.
3 out of 5 Daves
Queensry..er..Geoff Tate's Queensryche-ish thing: Frequency Unknown
My curiosity got the best of me. I broke down and got it on sale as I just had to hear how bad it was. Well, much to my own chagrin, I kinda like it. Heavier and angrier than expected,but considering the circumstances you can't blame the guy. While it doesn't have the atmosphere and dynamics of a QR record, it is surprisingly focused for a project worked on by so many people in such a short amount of time. Sure, these songs could have been expanded a little for length and mood, and the lyrics are uncharacteristically simple and to the point but I sort of found that refreshing. Look, I haven't really followed QR for at least 12 years now, and from everything I read Geoff Tate is pretty much a douche bag, but that has little to do with the music. And I enjoyed it. "Cold", "Dare", "Slave", "In The Hands Of God", "Life Without You"and "Everything" are cool songs. But I;m going to pretend those re-recorded QR classics at the end of the disc just don't exist. And as for his former band's disc? Next time.
3 out of 5 Daves
Meh:
Deep Purple: Now What?!
Not a bad album by any means, but not a Deep Purple album either. Lots of long, jazzy, soft prog pieces and not enough out and out rock. Great musicianship, but the songs don't quite have enough of that classic Purple flare. Actually, I think that's it, theses songs will probably be great live but on the disc there's no real fire. DP can't make a record without some gems though. "Hell To Pay", "Vincent Price", and "Uncommon Man" belong in any Purple fan's play list. The rest...well...
A BIT OF NEWS:
I will be focusing more on this blog in the future. I believe I may discuss some of my favorite records here as well as new stuff. Also I am probably going to start up a vinyl only discussion. Probably going to be a new blog, but maybe just a page here. I will decide soon and let you know. Excited!
Stuff I really liked (since the last post):
Iggy And The Stooges: Ready To Die
This is the Stooges album I have been waiting for. Mixes Raw Power and the first Stooges album together stylistically for one of the most fun records I have heard all year. Okay, there are a few quieter ones that don't quite work but the rest is strong enough to cover for it. And as for Iggy, well, he's still Iggy. His lyrics are defiant and juvenile in some places ("DDs" being the worst offender, which is a pity as the groove is awesome), and street wise veteran poet in others. So no real change, but who really wants one?
4 out of 5 Daves.
Jason Isbell: Southeastern
The ex-Drive By Trucker has come out with a very strong, very personal record. The arrangements are sparse, mostly, which can be a touch risky but here it highlights the quality of the song writing and lets the lyrics really come forward. "Traveling Alone", "Different Days" and "Songs She Sang In The Shower" are all fine examples, while the late album rave-up "Super 8" proves Isbell hasn't lost his rock edge entirely. There are a few near misses here but overall a very rewarding record.
41/2 out of 5 Daves
Queens Of The stone Age: ...Like Clockwork
Not the masterpiece some are claiming it to be, but a worthy addition to the band's catalogue. Much has been made of the guest stars on this record, but guest stars on QOTSA discs are hardly anything new. Look, if you like the band you will like this as well, my advice though is to either play it on loop for a few days until it soaks in, or start at track five so the more challenging material comes later. As with all their records it requires patience and commitment, and while the payoff isn't as great as with their first three records this is certainly the best CD the band has put out in a long time.
4 out of 5 Daves
VOLBEAT: Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies
Metal music with an early Metallica flair? Check. Wild West motif, including acoustic/slide guitar intros? Check. King Diamond? Check. Sing along choruses about dark stuff? Check. What's not to like?
4 out of 5 Daves.
Stuff I Kinda Liked:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Spectar At The Feast
Here's the deal: I never really like a BRMC record until I have owned it for at least a year. Then I pretty much love them. This CD seems to be following the same path. At this point it seems like there are too many spaced out long songs on this record, or maybe too many in a row, and none of them has really grabbed me yet. But I do like quite a few tracks, like "Hate The Taste", "Teenage Disease", and "Sell It" for bring quintessential BRMC rockers. and their cover of The Call's "Let The Day Begin" is an excellent tribute to Michael Been from his son Robert. The elder Been was in that band and was touring as an engineer with BRMC when he died. Considering the weight that was on the band's collective shoulders this record could have been a disaster, but it is strong and varied and worthy of respect for that alone.
31/2 out of 5 Daves
Black Star Riders: All Hell Breaks Loose
So basically it's the last touring version of Thin Lizzy making new music under a new name with a few new players. Given that background, this disc is better than it should be but not as good as it could have been. There is a bit of variety here, which is nice, and a few really cool songs, "Bound For Glory". "Kingdom Of The Lost", "Hey Judas", "Bloodshot" and "Someday Salvation" all stick out. But the rest just don't quite cut it, second rate riff rock with the frustrating potential to be much more. Not bad necessarily, but not great either.
3 out of 5 Daves
Newsted: Heavy Metal Music
Here's another highly anticipated record that comes so close but just misses the mark. I like Jason Newsted and want him to succeed but this is a little sludgy and slow for my tastes. There are some shining moments though. "Soldierhead" is one of my favorite metal songs in a long time. "As The Crow Flies", "Long Time Dead" King Of The Underdogs" and "Twisted Tail Of The Comet" I also enjoy. But the rest are just kind of there. Too much recycled riffing and not enough change in tempo or feel song to song. But again, most of the material is pretty good, and certainly better than a lot of what passes for metal today. this is an old school metal record, flawed to be sure, but it may be pointing the way to some great stuff in the future.
3 out of 5 Daves
Queensry..er..Geoff Tate's Queensryche-ish thing: Frequency Unknown
My curiosity got the best of me. I broke down and got it on sale as I just had to hear how bad it was. Well, much to my own chagrin, I kinda like it. Heavier and angrier than expected,but considering the circumstances you can't blame the guy. While it doesn't have the atmosphere and dynamics of a QR record, it is surprisingly focused for a project worked on by so many people in such a short amount of time. Sure, these songs could have been expanded a little for length and mood, and the lyrics are uncharacteristically simple and to the point but I sort of found that refreshing. Look, I haven't really followed QR for at least 12 years now, and from everything I read Geoff Tate is pretty much a douche bag, but that has little to do with the music. And I enjoyed it. "Cold", "Dare", "Slave", "In The Hands Of God", "Life Without You"and "Everything" are cool songs. But I;m going to pretend those re-recorded QR classics at the end of the disc just don't exist. And as for his former band's disc? Next time.
3 out of 5 Daves
Meh:
Deep Purple: Now What?!
Not a bad album by any means, but not a Deep Purple album either. Lots of long, jazzy, soft prog pieces and not enough out and out rock. Great musicianship, but the songs don't quite have enough of that classic Purple flare. Actually, I think that's it, theses songs will probably be great live but on the disc there's no real fire. DP can't make a record without some gems though. "Hell To Pay", "Vincent Price", and "Uncommon Man" belong in any Purple fan's play list. The rest...well...
A BIT OF NEWS:
I will be focusing more on this blog in the future. I believe I may discuss some of my favorite records here as well as new stuff. Also I am probably going to start up a vinyl only discussion. Probably going to be a new blog, but maybe just a page here. I will decide soon and let you know. Excited!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
TOTAL Blam-Blam, Rising Sons, Caught In A Not!...and, um,...Son Volt
I had intended to write a review of David Bowie's new CD a few weeks ago but I needed time to absorb the disc and then I bought a few new ones and started in with them and then the next thing ya know the whole dang month has gone by. So here are some capsule reviews of what I've been listening to recently.
ANTHRAX-ANTHEMS
It's not as horrible as you've heard or as great as you've heard. People unfamiliar with the band are praising it, long time fans are mostly dismissing it. I stand in the middle. If you take it as face value this is an entertaining EP of cover tunes, if you are looking for more it is hollow and lacking in personality. Both are correct (at least change the Oi! chant in AC/DC's "TNT" to a NOT! chant. Come on guys!). While the songs are played with reverence to the original material, and clearly show off the band as a unit, the trademark humor is gone and there's nary a thrash riff to be found. "Anthems" is being marketed as a thank you to fans and fun project for the band, but what it really is is an attempt to keep the name out there and alive until the next new release, a way to plug the current tour and a cash grab by the label.
2 1/2 out of 5 Daves
DAVID BOWIE-THE NEXT DAY
This is far beyond the comeback album Bowie fans have been waiting for, it is the culmination of his career. It's almost too much Bowie for one person to handle at one time. Every era seems to be represented here, from the "Ziggy" and "Diamond Dogs" to "Earthling", "Hours", "Let's Dance" and "Heroes" all shoved into a blender and poured out as the rich creamy nectar of Bowie. Okay, that was weird but you get the idea. D.B. has been away for ten years and this sounds like the best of all the albums he would have made in that time. On a record this eclectic it's hard to pick a favorite or a misfire. It's just a good compelling listen all the way through. The year's first "Top Ten" contender.
5 out of 5 Daves
RIVAL SONS-HEAD DOWN
Rival Sons are a relatively new band from California (their first self financed digital only release came in 2009) that have had quite a bit of success in Europe but are just now making waves here in the U.S. Their sound is classic, mixing elements of Free, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Uriah Heep and early Who to form a fresh yet familiar sound. But these guys are no nostalgia act or mere tribute to a bygone era. This is a living, breathing rock and roll entity deserving our attention. It's not perfect, mind you. The vocals have a tendency to go a bit high for no reason, and some of the songs go on a bit too long with no real ending or resolution. But these complaints are minor. It's big, pure, heartfelt rock and roll music in the truest sense of the term. Give 'em a listen or three. And turn it up LOUD for maximum effect.
4 out of 5 Daves
SON VOLT-HONKY TONK
Have you ever wondered what Jay Farrar would sound like leading a western swing band? Me neither, but that's the question "Honky Tonk" attempts to answer. Overall, this record is a near miss. There are some good songs, no doubt, but it doesn't quite live up to its own potential. The instrumentation and arrangements are all there but these songs fall flat. Even in the slowest traditional honky tonk ballad there is a swing, a groove, an electricity to the song that is just missing here. I can't tell if the band is trying too hard or not trying hard enough. Again, not a total failure but probably more for hardcore fans than the rest of us.
3 out of 5 Daves
And that's the new stuff for now. Happy listening!
*****BONUS REVIEW*****
IRON MAIDEN-MAIDEN ENGLAND '88
This is exactly what it says it is. A DVD and CD of the band's 1988 "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" tour. The audio portion is previously unreleased so it's nice to have that gap filled in for us completists. It's also interesting to note how fast these songs were being played at the time and how much the band TORE IT UP on stage during the height of the Maiden's most popular line up. A great listen. As for the DVD we get the full concert (originally released in '89) with the previously unavailable encore section, the original documentary "12 Wasted Years" (I wore out my copy as a lad), some promo videos and part 3 of the ongoing "History Of Iron Maiden" documentary. Essential package for fans of one of the top metal bands in history. Up, as always, The Irons!
5 out of 5 Daves
ANTHRAX-ANTHEMS
It's not as horrible as you've heard or as great as you've heard. People unfamiliar with the band are praising it, long time fans are mostly dismissing it. I stand in the middle. If you take it as face value this is an entertaining EP of cover tunes, if you are looking for more it is hollow and lacking in personality. Both are correct (at least change the Oi! chant in AC/DC's "TNT" to a NOT! chant. Come on guys!). While the songs are played with reverence to the original material, and clearly show off the band as a unit, the trademark humor is gone and there's nary a thrash riff to be found. "Anthems" is being marketed as a thank you to fans and fun project for the band, but what it really is is an attempt to keep the name out there and alive until the next new release, a way to plug the current tour and a cash grab by the label.
2 1/2 out of 5 Daves
DAVID BOWIE-THE NEXT DAY
This is far beyond the comeback album Bowie fans have been waiting for, it is the culmination of his career. It's almost too much Bowie for one person to handle at one time. Every era seems to be represented here, from the "Ziggy" and "Diamond Dogs" to "Earthling", "Hours", "Let's Dance" and "Heroes" all shoved into a blender and poured out as the rich creamy nectar of Bowie. Okay, that was weird but you get the idea. D.B. has been away for ten years and this sounds like the best of all the albums he would have made in that time. On a record this eclectic it's hard to pick a favorite or a misfire. It's just a good compelling listen all the way through. The year's first "Top Ten" contender.
5 out of 5 Daves
RIVAL SONS-HEAD DOWN
Rival Sons are a relatively new band from California (their first self financed digital only release came in 2009) that have had quite a bit of success in Europe but are just now making waves here in the U.S. Their sound is classic, mixing elements of Free, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Uriah Heep and early Who to form a fresh yet familiar sound. But these guys are no nostalgia act or mere tribute to a bygone era. This is a living, breathing rock and roll entity deserving our attention. It's not perfect, mind you. The vocals have a tendency to go a bit high for no reason, and some of the songs go on a bit too long with no real ending or resolution. But these complaints are minor. It's big, pure, heartfelt rock and roll music in the truest sense of the term. Give 'em a listen or three. And turn it up LOUD for maximum effect.
4 out of 5 Daves
SON VOLT-HONKY TONK
Have you ever wondered what Jay Farrar would sound like leading a western swing band? Me neither, but that's the question "Honky Tonk" attempts to answer. Overall, this record is a near miss. There are some good songs, no doubt, but it doesn't quite live up to its own potential. The instrumentation and arrangements are all there but these songs fall flat. Even in the slowest traditional honky tonk ballad there is a swing, a groove, an electricity to the song that is just missing here. I can't tell if the band is trying too hard or not trying hard enough. Again, not a total failure but probably more for hardcore fans than the rest of us.
3 out of 5 Daves
And that's the new stuff for now. Happy listening!
*****BONUS REVIEW*****
IRON MAIDEN-MAIDEN ENGLAND '88
This is exactly what it says it is. A DVD and CD of the band's 1988 "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" tour. The audio portion is previously unreleased so it's nice to have that gap filled in for us completists. It's also interesting to note how fast these songs were being played at the time and how much the band TORE IT UP on stage during the height of the Maiden's most popular line up. A great listen. As for the DVD we get the full concert (originally released in '89) with the previously unavailable encore section, the original documentary "12 Wasted Years" (I wore out my copy as a lad), some promo videos and part 3 of the ongoing "History Of Iron Maiden" documentary. Essential package for fans of one of the top metal bands in history. Up, as always, The Irons!
5 out of 5 Daves
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Recent Release...Dropkick Murphys
CD Reviews 3/13/13
DROPKICK MURPHYS-SIGNED AND SEALED IN BLOOD
Honestly, what's left to say about Dropkick Murphys that hasn't been said many times before-even on this blog? They are a band from Bahstan who proudly wear their influences on their collective sleeve, be it the punk rock(by way of the Clash and Stiff Little Fingers) or the Irish folk songs (by way of the Pogues) and their particular affinity for bagpipes (by way of AC/DC). It all meshes together for a Celtic punk sound that one either likes or doesn't. It is not a sound that people can "get in to", I believe you almost are pre-disposed to liking it. That's why the band is still around when they could have been written off years ago as a one note outfit, which in some ways they are. But us fans are loyal and we love 'em.
So if we take the position that we like the band, and there's not much change to the sound overall, then the question is as follows: Is the new record worth buying?
The answer here would be a yes. While it is not quite as good as some of their previous records, it is still strong and better than some. DKM know what they are doing by now and can pull it off darn near every time and not have too many missteps. Highlights on "Signed And Sealed In Blood" are "Rose Tattoo" (where the title comes from), a true raise your glass and sing number that will stick in your head. "Prisoner's Song" is a bit of a back door cousin to "Shipping Off To Boston" but just as enjoyable. "Burn" and "Out On The Town" should keep the old school fans happy. The whole disc is overflowing with the Irish influences, and a big rock sound that is a winner.
But it ain't perfect. Lead off song and single "The Boys Are Back" is about as generic a song as the band has ever done. "Jimmy Collins' Wake" is entertaining if you happen to be a fan of Boston baseball which, let's face it, most people outside of the city aren't. Punk is known for its regional pride and references, no matter where the band is from, but it can get a little wearing at times. And besides, didn't they already do this with "Tessie" a while back? We also get the Dropkicks' first Christmas song. It's not bad and it is a little funny but it seems they are trying to put themselves into contention with the Pogues' brilliant "Fairytale Of New York". Sorry guys, but not quite.
All in all though, a strong effort from Ken Casey and crew. I would like the production to be a bit more raw like on their earlier records, but that is a minor complaint. It's still a fun disc with more than a hand full of songs to drink Guinness to, and that's not a bad thing. Huh, turns out there was more to say than I thought.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
visit http://www.dropkickmurphys.com
NEXT TIME: David Bowie: The Next Day. Still wrapping my brain around it. Review this weekend.
DROPKICK MURPHYS-SIGNED AND SEALED IN BLOOD
Honestly, what's left to say about Dropkick Murphys that hasn't been said many times before-even on this blog? They are a band from Bahstan who proudly wear their influences on their collective sleeve, be it the punk rock(by way of the Clash and Stiff Little Fingers) or the Irish folk songs (by way of the Pogues) and their particular affinity for bagpipes (by way of AC/DC). It all meshes together for a Celtic punk sound that one either likes or doesn't. It is not a sound that people can "get in to", I believe you almost are pre-disposed to liking it. That's why the band is still around when they could have been written off years ago as a one note outfit, which in some ways they are. But us fans are loyal and we love 'em.
So if we take the position that we like the band, and there's not much change to the sound overall, then the question is as follows: Is the new record worth buying?
The answer here would be a yes. While it is not quite as good as some of their previous records, it is still strong and better than some. DKM know what they are doing by now and can pull it off darn near every time and not have too many missteps. Highlights on "Signed And Sealed In Blood" are "Rose Tattoo" (where the title comes from), a true raise your glass and sing number that will stick in your head. "Prisoner's Song" is a bit of a back door cousin to "Shipping Off To Boston" but just as enjoyable. "Burn" and "Out On The Town" should keep the old school fans happy. The whole disc is overflowing with the Irish influences, and a big rock sound that is a winner.
But it ain't perfect. Lead off song and single "The Boys Are Back" is about as generic a song as the band has ever done. "Jimmy Collins' Wake" is entertaining if you happen to be a fan of Boston baseball which, let's face it, most people outside of the city aren't. Punk is known for its regional pride and references, no matter where the band is from, but it can get a little wearing at times. And besides, didn't they already do this with "Tessie" a while back? We also get the Dropkicks' first Christmas song. It's not bad and it is a little funny but it seems they are trying to put themselves into contention with the Pogues' brilliant "Fairytale Of New York". Sorry guys, but not quite.
All in all though, a strong effort from Ken Casey and crew. I would like the production to be a bit more raw like on their earlier records, but that is a minor complaint. It's still a fun disc with more than a hand full of songs to drink Guinness to, and that's not a bad thing. Huh, turns out there was more to say than I thought.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
visit http://www.dropkickmurphys.com
NEXT TIME: David Bowie: The Next Day. Still wrapping my brain around it. Review this weekend.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Back In The Game 2013!
As Soundgarden recently sang, I have "Been Away Too Long", partly due to server troubles, mixed with trying a different blog-site (fail) and general business on my part. Well, it's time to fix that. Let's start by counting down the best of last year's releases. Ready?...Okay!
TOP TEN OF 2012
1. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN-WRECKING BALL
This one came out early in the year and is still in rotation. Nobody else said what needed to be said this year with the thoughtfulness and class that Bruce did. A portrait of our times with rock, gospel and Celtic flourishes that makes this a winner all round.
2. FOXY SHAZAM-WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF ROCK AND ROLL
Big, ridiculously catchy rock and roll that can't help but get stuck in your head. Recalls Queen, Slade, and about a billion other bands all while being over the top crazy. Rocking one minute, anthems the next and a hint of soul thrown in too. Lyrically silly, musically huge. Every home should have a copy and every song should be a hit. Awesome.
3. SOUL ASYLUM-DELAYED REACTION
A nice return for Dave Pirner and co. Quality songs all the way through, be it the introspective stuff or the rockers. It's not quite as angry or depressed as the old stuff but it is one of the more varied albums of the band's career and a great listen time and time again. Even when Dave flips out and thinks he's Frank Sinatra.
4. GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS-THE LION THE BEAST THE BEAT
Such a good record. Mostly known for a big rock sound with a groove, Potter and her group have given us a much more varied disc and it delivers. Ranging from funky, sweaty rock and roll to big bombastic ballads and some funky 80s throwbacks, there's a lot to love. From the first listen it feels new, yet familiar and only gets better. Ms. Potter's rough and tumble voice is strong, timid and sexy all at once and mixed in with ace material and production like this makes for a record I'll be listening to for a long time to come.
5. ZZ TOP-LA FUTURA
Finally!!! The ZZ top record that all long time fans have been waiting for finally is here. Up to date production meets nasty, funky guitars and a hell of a groove and the standard naughty good time attitude one would expect from a classic ZZ Top record. And that's what this is: a classic, pre Mtv ZZ Top record. Taste, tone and tenacity drips off this thing like Barbecue sauce. And a good time shall be had by all.
6. PATTERSON HOOD- HEAT LIGHTNING RUMBLES IN THE DISTANCE
Every time I listen to this I think "Wow, I forgot how good this is". Which says a lot about how it sneaks up on you. Mr. Hood is known as the leader of Southern rock.alt country band Drive-By Truckers. That band is loud and brash, but here he is much more reserved. It is a treat to hear Patterson tell these stories while backed up by acoustic instruments and hear how that affects his vocal choices. Perhaps not a perfect record but a confessional one and a disc that requires the listener to engage and actually listen, a quality all too rare these days.
7. OFF!-OFF!
You didn't think I'd finish this list without a punk record, did you? Off is a bit of a punk rock supergroup, if such a thing can exist, with members of The Circle Jerks, Redd Cross, Rocket From The Crypt and Burning Brides. It sounds exactly like it's supposed to, the SST records sound of a band playing inside a cardboard box. Sixteen songs in seventeen minutes, all of them pissed off, some of them even mildly catchy and others with a tad bit of an off kilter structure that hints at some interesting experimentation. Pretty much a perfect old school American punk record made for the punks of today. Loved it.
8. CORROSION OF CONFORMITY-CORROSION OF CONFORMITY
You didn't think I'd finish this list without a metal record, did you? C.O.C. was a hardcore band many moons ago but have travelled a path that has seen everything from redneck rock to thrash metal and anything in between. Currently they are focused on a kind of gloomy sludge with thrash breaks that makes the songs twist and turn to surprise and delight the discerning listener. Also it's heavy and it rocks like Sabbath with a deep groove. Very metal.
9. THE CULT-WEAPON OF CHOICE
No other record has grown on me more this year. at first I thought it was an average at best Cult record but now I believe it may be one of their best. Billy Duffy is as great a guitarist as he ever was, and seems more focused on melody and atmosphere this time out, while Ian Astbury's voice has all the goth/shaman/metal dude qualities we've come to expect without suffering a bit over the years. This is a more mature Cult than we've seen before, one that rocks just as hard but embraces its early goth self as well and fuses the two together with a big broad brush that paints the way to an interesting future. Sometimes it's nice to be wrong.
10. JAY GONZALES-MESS OF HAPPINESS
Another solo venture by a Drive-By Truckers member, this one sounding nothing at all like DBT. This is pure pop rock perfection. Beatles (okay, Paul McCartney) meets Todd Rundgren meets AM Gold. Reminds me of being a little kid in the seventies, before Disco ruined them. An unexpected joy of a disc for me and a great way to top off this year's list.
Here's some other stuff:
ALMOST MADE THE LIST:
Soundgarden-King Animal (surprisingly good from a band I only kind of like)
Tenacious D-Rize Of The Fenix (not quite as good as the first but I did enjoy it)
Waylon Jennings-Goin' Down Rockin' (posthumous record that is truly a Waylon record, defiantly so)
Shooter Jennings-Family Man ( a welcome return to country, though a flawed one. Still really good)
LIKED IT, DIDN'T LOVE IT:
The Gaslight Anthem-Handwritten
Bob Mould-The Silver Age
Lucero-Women And Work
GUILTY PLEASURE OF THE YEAR:
Jack Blades-Rock 'N Roll Life (very guilty..but the guy can write a chorus. What can I say the '80s die hard)
WANTED TO LIKE IT BUT JUST DIDN'T:
Alabama Shakes-Boys And Girls (lots of promise, great sound and vocals but left me flat)
Best Coast-The Only Place (meh)
RIP OFF OF THE YEAR:
Joey Ramone...Ya Know? (some good riffs and some decent songs but it sounds like a total cash grab by Joey's estate. Lots of people contributed to finishing this material but it doesn't work, and some of it is really bad. joey deserved, no, deserves better)
DISSAPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR:
Rush-Clockwork Angels
I know, everyone raves about it and it's borderline sacrilege for a Rush fan to pan a Rush album but I really dislike this record. Where to start on this hot mess of a disc? How about the concept? For a concept album this one is as thin as Alex's hair. It is a stretched out retelling of 2112 and a feeble one at that. Both pretentious and boring. It's not that I disagree with the central themes and ideas (I do in part) but that the execution of these ideas is so poor. And the songs are weak as well. Musically , yes, the band is playing better than ever but then the lyrics come in and it all goes to pot. The barely there concept makes some songs almost nonsensical outside of the piece, and the number of songs that are enjoyable on their own are few and not quite worthy of inclusion with the classics. I still love Rush and will welcome future releases with open arms but this record makes me mad that the first full concept record by the band is so inept and useless.
LIVE RECORD OF THE YEAR:
Led Zeppelin-Celebration Day
So much better than it has any right to be. I didn't want to like it as much as I did but this was a concert that actually lived up to its hype. Okay, so Robert Plant's voice isn't what it once was and Jason Bonham plays with a little bit more of a modern rock flair than his father (but is technically better), and the bass is a little low in the mix. But these issues are minor as it's just nice to hear these songs come back to life on the concert stage once again. And what's more, the guys sound great-like a living, breathing, on fire rock and roll band who have been playing together nightly, not one who hasn't seen the light of day for over 20 years. A welcome surprise and a worthy addition for the Zeppelin fan.
Awright, that's it, and that's enough! Back soon.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Girl's Night
As suggested, the following reviews are all for CDs by bands with female singers. All are fairly new and not necessarily well known. which is why I'm here. So let's get crackin'.
THE CIVIL WARS-LIVE AT AMOEBA
Full disclosure: I knew almost nothing about The Civil Wars when I purchased this special Record Store Day Release. Apart from their brief appearance at the Grammys I'd not heard a thing by them and didn't know what to expect. What I got was a charming little disc that made me want to investigate further.
The Civil Wars are a duo who rely solely on an acoustic guitar and their own voices, at least during the live sets. Their music sounds like a blend of Southern songs from the 1800s, and 60's folk songs. It is a sound that is both trapped in time and timeless. Stark, simple, and in places, hauntingly beautiful. The on stage chemistry of John Paul White and Joy Williams is a treat, especially Williams whose girl next door persona makes you love her instantly. There's a lot of talent in these two.
Be forewarned, this is not a disc to drive to. It is for listening to in the quiet times, contemplating and absorbing. The songs are stark and arrangements are bare. If there is a complaint its that the music doesn't vary enough, and that may hurt them in the long run. And the production value is pretty horrible, it sounds like a bootleg. But it is a live recording from a record store so what can one expect?
I can see why some people aren't impressed with the style, it's not easily accessible, and if you're not in the right space could be considered boring. But it works for me.
Key Songs: Tip Of My Tongue, 20 Years, Dance Me To The End Of Love
3.5 out of 5 Daves
GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS-LIVE FROM THE LEGENDARY SUN STUDIOS
Another Record Store Day release. This one is really great. The songs go from bluesy and soulful to fuzzed out screamers and back again. Potter's vocals have that slightly gravelly quality that's full of sex and full of soul, regretful and joyful. You know, the way fans of Janis Joplin think she sounded. If Joy Williams (from The Civil Wars) is loveable for all the right reasons, Grace Potter is loveable for the other reasons. The ones you don't tell your mother about.
These songs were recorded over two separate sessions at Sun studios in Memphis and I'm happy to report that it sounds great. The band is on and every track is a good one. I can't recommend this enough. If you can find it, buy it.
Key Songs:: Night Rolls On, Sugar, Put Your Head Down, Can't See Through
5 out of 5 Daves
ALABAMA SHAKES-BOYS AND GIRLS
Alabama Shakes have a great, gritty, Southern soul sound. They have a tight band. They have an awesome front woman in Brittany Howard. They have a great vibe and all the potential to be one of the great bands of the decade.
They just don't have the songs to back it all up.
Don't get me wrong, "Hold On" is the best single in recent memory, but it's as good as the record gets. There are moments, sure, when the record almost touches greatness, but it consistently stops just short of what it could do. And that's the frustrating thing about this disc. It's not bad, just disappointing.
About half of the songs on "Boys And Girls" feel like demos that weren't fleshed out. It's seldom that I'd say this but this band needs a name producer to show them how to finish the songs, smooth out the edges and make a cohesive record that hits all the lows and highs a soul based record should. Brittany does sing these songs with total conviction and saves most of the record. But musically the songs all sound of sameness, and there's only so much she can do.
Look, I want to like this record. I want to love this band. I really do, I've listened to this disc multiple times, and it just hasn't grown on me much at all. Maybe in a few months I'll listen again and be blown away and have a "What was I thinking" moment. I certainly hope so. I will say, in fairness, that I would like to see them live as I think they'd be killer. I just wish the material held up to the band playing it.
Key Songs: Hold On, I Found You, You Aint' Alone, Be Mine
3 out of 5 Daves
That's it for now. More soon.
THE CIVIL WARS-LIVE AT AMOEBA
Full disclosure: I knew almost nothing about The Civil Wars when I purchased this special Record Store Day Release. Apart from their brief appearance at the Grammys I'd not heard a thing by them and didn't know what to expect. What I got was a charming little disc that made me want to investigate further.
The Civil Wars are a duo who rely solely on an acoustic guitar and their own voices, at least during the live sets. Their music sounds like a blend of Southern songs from the 1800s, and 60's folk songs. It is a sound that is both trapped in time and timeless. Stark, simple, and in places, hauntingly beautiful. The on stage chemistry of John Paul White and Joy Williams is a treat, especially Williams whose girl next door persona makes you love her instantly. There's a lot of talent in these two.
Be forewarned, this is not a disc to drive to. It is for listening to in the quiet times, contemplating and absorbing. The songs are stark and arrangements are bare. If there is a complaint its that the music doesn't vary enough, and that may hurt them in the long run. And the production value is pretty horrible, it sounds like a bootleg. But it is a live recording from a record store so what can one expect?
I can see why some people aren't impressed with the style, it's not easily accessible, and if you're not in the right space could be considered boring. But it works for me.
Key Songs: Tip Of My Tongue, 20 Years, Dance Me To The End Of Love
3.5 out of 5 Daves
GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS-LIVE FROM THE LEGENDARY SUN STUDIOS
Another Record Store Day release. This one is really great. The songs go from bluesy and soulful to fuzzed out screamers and back again. Potter's vocals have that slightly gravelly quality that's full of sex and full of soul, regretful and joyful. You know, the way fans of Janis Joplin think she sounded. If Joy Williams (from The Civil Wars) is loveable for all the right reasons, Grace Potter is loveable for the other reasons. The ones you don't tell your mother about.
These songs were recorded over two separate sessions at Sun studios in Memphis and I'm happy to report that it sounds great. The band is on and every track is a good one. I can't recommend this enough. If you can find it, buy it.
Key Songs:: Night Rolls On, Sugar, Put Your Head Down, Can't See Through
5 out of 5 Daves
ALABAMA SHAKES-BOYS AND GIRLS
Alabama Shakes have a great, gritty, Southern soul sound. They have a tight band. They have an awesome front woman in Brittany Howard. They have a great vibe and all the potential to be one of the great bands of the decade.
They just don't have the songs to back it all up.
Don't get me wrong, "Hold On" is the best single in recent memory, but it's as good as the record gets. There are moments, sure, when the record almost touches greatness, but it consistently stops just short of what it could do. And that's the frustrating thing about this disc. It's not bad, just disappointing.
About half of the songs on "Boys And Girls" feel like demos that weren't fleshed out. It's seldom that I'd say this but this band needs a name producer to show them how to finish the songs, smooth out the edges and make a cohesive record that hits all the lows and highs a soul based record should. Brittany does sing these songs with total conviction and saves most of the record. But musically the songs all sound of sameness, and there's only so much she can do.
Look, I want to like this record. I want to love this band. I really do, I've listened to this disc multiple times, and it just hasn't grown on me much at all. Maybe in a few months I'll listen again and be blown away and have a "What was I thinking" moment. I certainly hope so. I will say, in fairness, that I would like to see them live as I think they'd be killer. I just wish the material held up to the band playing it.
Key Songs: Hold On, I Found You, You Aint' Alone, Be Mine
3 out of 5 Daves
That's it for now. More soon.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Recent release:Shooter Jennings-Family Man
Family Man marks Shooter Jennings's return to his alternative country roots. As good as his Heirophant side project was, this is a welcome return indeed. His sound has always been one part country and one part rock, but in many ways this may be his most country record yet. Make no mistake, the rock and roll heartbeat runs through this release, but the fiddle and harmonica make enough appearances here to dress the material in just the right amount of western duds to make this album a treat for fans and newbies alike.
The concept of family runs through this album, though not always front and center. Some of the better songs here like "Daddy's Hands", "The Family Tree" and the unnecessarily controversial "Southern Family Anthem" touch on it directly. Others such as "The Long Road Ahead" and "The Deed And The Dollar" approach it from the angle of a relationship. The other constant here is quality musicianship and quality songs.
Unfortunately, there are a few misfires. "The Black Dog" is a meandering dark ghost story that never really goes anywhere, "Summer Dreams" is nice but fails to make much of an impact. And closer "Born Again" is a valiant effort that just misses the mark. Normally three off songs wouldn't be bad, but there are only ten songs on the disc. Fortunately the good far outnumbers the bad and make this a disc worth buying.
Yet there are still a few questionable choices even in the good stuff. For example, Tom Morello's guitar sounds fine when he's raging at the machine (see what I did there?) but he probably shouldn't be guesting on a potential hit country song like "The Long Road Ahead". And as far as "Southern Family Anthem" goes, Shooter should have known a title like that would cause people to give special attention to the track. It does reinforce some negative stereotypes about the South but these problems are nationwide, the song is just set in a Southern family. All true stories from his extended family according to Shooter, but I'm not convinced. Besides, if the word "Southern" were removed most people complaining would have no problem. At any rate, the song is an attempt at a Drive-By Truckers style song, not only in it's sound and structure but vocally too. I like the song but it's a rip off, let's face it. And as for the previously mentioned "Black Dog", well, Jennings produced this CD by himself so that's the kind of stuff you get when there's no one around to say no.
But enough complaining. There's a lot to like here. More than once there will be reminders of Waylon that should warm the soul. The rock songs are fun ("Manifesto No. 4" comes into mind), "Daddy's Hands" just might bring a tear to the eye, and the country blues of "The Family Tree" will make you want to lay around the shanty, mama, and put a good buzz on. Ten Internet points if you got that reference and are humming to yourself right now.
So all in all, a solid release, though a flawed one. But definitely worth your ten bucks at Wal Mart.
4 out of 5 Daves.
Visit http://shooterjennings.com/
The concept of family runs through this album, though not always front and center. Some of the better songs here like "Daddy's Hands", "The Family Tree" and the unnecessarily controversial "Southern Family Anthem" touch on it directly. Others such as "The Long Road Ahead" and "The Deed And The Dollar" approach it from the angle of a relationship. The other constant here is quality musicianship and quality songs.
Unfortunately, there are a few misfires. "The Black Dog" is a meandering dark ghost story that never really goes anywhere, "Summer Dreams" is nice but fails to make much of an impact. And closer "Born Again" is a valiant effort that just misses the mark. Normally three off songs wouldn't be bad, but there are only ten songs on the disc. Fortunately the good far outnumbers the bad and make this a disc worth buying.
Yet there are still a few questionable choices even in the good stuff. For example, Tom Morello's guitar sounds fine when he's raging at the machine (see what I did there?) but he probably shouldn't be guesting on a potential hit country song like "The Long Road Ahead". And as far as "Southern Family Anthem" goes, Shooter should have known a title like that would cause people to give special attention to the track. It does reinforce some negative stereotypes about the South but these problems are nationwide, the song is just set in a Southern family. All true stories from his extended family according to Shooter, but I'm not convinced. Besides, if the word "Southern" were removed most people complaining would have no problem. At any rate, the song is an attempt at a Drive-By Truckers style song, not only in it's sound and structure but vocally too. I like the song but it's a rip off, let's face it. And as for the previously mentioned "Black Dog", well, Jennings produced this CD by himself so that's the kind of stuff you get when there's no one around to say no.
But enough complaining. There's a lot to like here. More than once there will be reminders of Waylon that should warm the soul. The rock songs are fun ("Manifesto No. 4" comes into mind), "Daddy's Hands" just might bring a tear to the eye, and the country blues of "The Family Tree" will make you want to lay around the shanty, mama, and put a good buzz on. Ten Internet points if you got that reference and are humming to yourself right now.
So all in all, a solid release, though a flawed one. But definitely worth your ten bucks at Wal Mart.
4 out of 5 Daves.
Visit http://shooterjennings.com/
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Recent release:Lucero-Women And Work
Lucero-Women and Work
For those not familiar, Lucero is an alternative country band from Memphis Tennessee. Over the course of their nine studio albums they have moved from an alt country/punk sound to the current country soul of Women and Work. The mere fact that a band in a musical category that can be so pigeon holed and resistant to change-by its own fans-can be allowed to grow and evolve is an extraordinary achievement. This makes Lucero one of the more interesting bands out there and a new release is always highly anticipated. Each album is a little bit different, building on the record before it. The trouble is, sometimes they miss the mark.
So what about the new record then? Well, as mentioned the punk leanings are not on display here, except in look and attitude, which is quite noticeable. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it is missed. However, much of what makes the Lucero sound is still very much intact. Songs of longing, survival, frustration and the tetemporary fix? Check. Whiskey and cigarette vocals? Check. Whiskey drenched music? Check. Honest, from the gut lyrics? Check. So what's missing? Fire.
Every song on Women and Work is good, none are great. This is troubling because so many of them should be. The whole thing just sounds a little lax, like the band never quite found their groove. Maybe the sessions went on too long and the guys just got burned out. Or maybe they were trying too hard for a certain sound they never achieved. Perhaps Lucero are trying to reach that well deserved mass audience that 2009's excellent 1372 Overton Park inexplicably didn't deliver. I don't know what the reason is, but this material just falls a little flat.
Again, the songs are good. There are many bright spots, but nothing really shines. It may be a good place to start, and I am certain to revisit this disc. It's a great nightcap to a long day, and a good way to ease yourself into the morning after. I guess the long and short of it is that Lucero could do better, but you could do a whole lot worse.
Key songs: On My Way Downtown, Women And Work, Juniper, When I Was Young, Like Lightning.
31/2 Daves
visit http://luceromusic.com/
For those not familiar, Lucero is an alternative country band from Memphis Tennessee. Over the course of their nine studio albums they have moved from an alt country/punk sound to the current country soul of Women and Work. The mere fact that a band in a musical category that can be so pigeon holed and resistant to change-by its own fans-can be allowed to grow and evolve is an extraordinary achievement. This makes Lucero one of the more interesting bands out there and a new release is always highly anticipated. Each album is a little bit different, building on the record before it. The trouble is, sometimes they miss the mark.
So what about the new record then? Well, as mentioned the punk leanings are not on display here, except in look and attitude, which is quite noticeable. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it is missed. However, much of what makes the Lucero sound is still very much intact. Songs of longing, survival, frustration and the tetemporary fix? Check. Whiskey and cigarette vocals? Check. Whiskey drenched music? Check. Honest, from the gut lyrics? Check. So what's missing? Fire.
Every song on Women and Work is good, none are great. This is troubling because so many of them should be. The whole thing just sounds a little lax, like the band never quite found their groove. Maybe the sessions went on too long and the guys just got burned out. Or maybe they were trying too hard for a certain sound they never achieved. Perhaps Lucero are trying to reach that well deserved mass audience that 2009's excellent 1372 Overton Park inexplicably didn't deliver. I don't know what the reason is, but this material just falls a little flat.
Again, the songs are good. There are many bright spots, but nothing really shines. It may be a good place to start, and I am certain to revisit this disc. It's a great nightcap to a long day, and a good way to ease yourself into the morning after. I guess the long and short of it is that Lucero could do better, but you could do a whole lot worse.
Key songs: On My Way Downtown, Women And Work, Juniper, When I Was Young, Like Lightning.
31/2 Daves
visit http://luceromusic.com/
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Recent Release: Bruce Springsteen-Wrecking Ball
Okay, finally got a new CD to review. Let's go.
First of all, this is not an E Street Band release, it is Bruce solo. There are E Street elements, of course, but it's not that kind of record, so all you fanatics can consider yourselves duly warned. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about the new record, "Wrecking Ball".
I wasn't too excited when I first picked popped this in the player. I'd heard the first track/single, "We Take Care Of Our Own" and liked it, but found it to be Bruce by numbers. My fear was that the entire record would be more of the same. I found his last CD, "Working On A Dream" to be disappointing, not living up to its own potential or delivering as a follow up to the great "Magic" CD from a few years back. So I had a little bit of trepidation upon first listen.
Well, it turns out I needn't have worried. Bruce by numbers? "Wrecking Ball" is anything but. This is a powerful, direct, emotional slice of life that is exciting, thought provoking, and a grand artistic statement about our life and times. This album should be put in a time capsule to demonstrate to future generations what life was like in 2012. It's that good. Topical but not political, Springsteen explores the collective American psyche through topics such as patriotism, faith, economic woes, employment or the lack thereof, love, and the hope that lingers and shines its light even in the darkest times.
But it's not just the lyrics or songwriting prowess on display that makes this album stand out. Bruce Springsteen has managed to (finally) make a solo album that not only stands toe to toe with the E Street stuff, but becomes a whole other living breathing entity. He combines the rock stylings we're used to hearing from him with Celtic influence, Gospel, Americana, and cool drum loops and effects to make something truly unique. Yes, Bruce has taken us down some of these avenues before (with varying degrees of success), but this is where those roads all meet and reveal a destination greater than the journey.
Some may not care much for the departure in sound, but these are largely the people who believe that Springsteen hasn't done anything worthwhile since 1983. So if you can open your mind and ears, this is an album worth using both to explore. Genuine fans should love it and if you're not a fan, well. this just might do the trick.
Key songs: "Shackled And Drawn", "Death To My hometown", "Wrecking Ball", "Rocky Ground", "Land Of Hopes And Dreams"
Rating 5 out of 5 Daves
Visit: http://brucespringsteen.net/
P.S.-Due to possible changes in laws governing the Internet, I shall not be posting anymore songs until I know what's safe to post. I will link to official websites (as above) so the reader can investigate further.
First of all, this is not an E Street Band release, it is Bruce solo. There are E Street elements, of course, but it's not that kind of record, so all you fanatics can consider yourselves duly warned. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about the new record, "Wrecking Ball".
I wasn't too excited when I first picked popped this in the player. I'd heard the first track/single, "We Take Care Of Our Own" and liked it, but found it to be Bruce by numbers. My fear was that the entire record would be more of the same. I found his last CD, "Working On A Dream" to be disappointing, not living up to its own potential or delivering as a follow up to the great "Magic" CD from a few years back. So I had a little bit of trepidation upon first listen.
Well, it turns out I needn't have worried. Bruce by numbers? "Wrecking Ball" is anything but. This is a powerful, direct, emotional slice of life that is exciting, thought provoking, and a grand artistic statement about our life and times. This album should be put in a time capsule to demonstrate to future generations what life was like in 2012. It's that good. Topical but not political, Springsteen explores the collective American psyche through topics such as patriotism, faith, economic woes, employment or the lack thereof, love, and the hope that lingers and shines its light even in the darkest times.
But it's not just the lyrics or songwriting prowess on display that makes this album stand out. Bruce Springsteen has managed to (finally) make a solo album that not only stands toe to toe with the E Street stuff, but becomes a whole other living breathing entity. He combines the rock stylings we're used to hearing from him with Celtic influence, Gospel, Americana, and cool drum loops and effects to make something truly unique. Yes, Bruce has taken us down some of these avenues before (with varying degrees of success), but this is where those roads all meet and reveal a destination greater than the journey.
Some may not care much for the departure in sound, but these are largely the people who believe that Springsteen hasn't done anything worthwhile since 1983. So if you can open your mind and ears, this is an album worth using both to explore. Genuine fans should love it and if you're not a fan, well. this just might do the trick.
Key songs: "Shackled And Drawn", "Death To My hometown", "Wrecking Ball", "Rocky Ground", "Land Of Hopes And Dreams"
Rating 5 out of 5 Daves
Visit: http://brucespringsteen.net/
P.S.-Due to possible changes in laws governing the Internet, I shall not be posting anymore songs until I know what's safe to post. I will link to official websites (as above) so the reader can investigate further.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Grammy Report
Okay, so I skipped the year end breakdown, but you know, most of what I would have said was already covered in these posts anyway. So I may get to some of that but let's do a Grammy thing first. I am typing as the broadcast airs so this will be in order and probably too long. But it's my blog so deal with it.
1. Bruce Springsteen kicked things off well. Kind of a typical Bruce song, but a good one. And completely by accident, the song "We Take Care Of Our Own" led into a Whitney Houston tribute.
2. Nice job, LL Cool J. The show could have crawled to an early halt with the prayer/tribute and it could have come off hammy. But LL pulled it off and actually had me a little emotional and pumped for the show. Also nice to see so many people with heads bowed and actually praying.
3. Two years in a row, Bruno Mars brought it. Not normally my cup of tea but I may have to check this guy out.
4. Bonnie Raitt looks exactly the same as she did twenty years ago. Sounds great too. Her duet with Alicia Keys on Etta James's "Sunday Kind Of Love" was well done and respectful to the original. This may be a really good show after all this year.
5. Nope, sorry. Chris Brown just killed it.
6. Kelly Clarkson wants to be Adele now. Just sayin'.
7. Didn't hear Jack Black's introduction, but he looked good, so I assume it was worthy. Always nice to see the Foo Fighters. "Walk" is a great song and they rocked it. Dave Grohl in the old school slayer shirt. Awesome.
8. Coldplay still suck. Rhianna didn't help. When did Chris Martin start thinking he's Joe Strummer?
9.Foo Fighters win for Best Rock performance. They had to, none of the other bands nominated actually rock. And they cut off Dave Grohl for Ryan Seacrest. This is why the music business sucks now.
10. Okay, so I had some Beach Boys jokes ready, mostly at the expense of Maroon 5. But I have to admit, it was nice to see Brian Wilson back doing the music he created with the surviving original members. Even though I'm not a fan for more than about 5 minutes every June.
11. Not a bad song from Sir Paul. Would have liked something more upbeat though.
12. The Civil Wars sounded awesome. I know nothing about them but want to find out.
13. Dear Taylor Swift, the curls were adorable, please bring them back.
14. I am so over Katy Perry. Which is the only thing I agree with Russell Brand about.
15. Sick of Lady Antebellum too. And does Miranda Lambert have a boob tattoo or was that just her dress? Somebody find that out and get back to me.
16. She's got a good voice and lots of talent, but this time next year I will be over Adele too. Sorry.
17. Is it me, or did it seem in slightly poor taste to start off the Glen Campbell tribute with "Gentle On My Mind"? It's a great song, but come on.
Nice to see the Glen Campbell tribute though. I didn't see his farewell tour when it came to St. Louis and it will be a regret. I can't help but feel a tear well up as I watch this performance. According to most reports his memory on stage is already beginning to slip. Nailing it tonight, but in just a few years, Glen Campbell won't remember being Glen Campbell. He won't remember singing any of these songs. "Rhinestone Cowboy" will come on the radio or television and he may have a vague recollection in the back of his head but he won't remember singing it. that that was him in what could only be described as a past life. Sad. Even more so since we know it's about to happen and we are seeing the man's last good days. A Grammy tribute is a fitting way to go out. God bless you Glen, and good luck.
18. TonyBennett-still the man.
19. I liked Whitney Houston as a pop artist, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" stands as a fantastic example of what was fun about 80's pop music. Kinda liked "I'm Your Baby Tonight" too. But I always hated the hatchet job she did on Dolly Parton with her version of "I Will Always Love You". And now they are tributing her with someone else (I don't recognize the woman singing) butchering it further in Whitney's name. Frustrating.
20. I don't understand the Chris Brown/Foo Fighters/Mouse head-thing mash up. I don't like mash ups and this one was no exception. No appeal to me at all. Nothing wrong with music you can dance to, but modern dance music sucks. Points to the Foos for not being afraid to roll with it and try the experiment, but not my thing. And it was a shame to link the good name of Don Cornelius to that mess.
21. Nicki Minaj...WTF? Total train wreck. And I like train wrecks...and horror movie references...but seriously...this makes my brain hurt. I'm all for art, especially when combined with pop music or in forms one wouldn't expect. In theory I should have loved that. Poor execution and an unclear message/storyline. Horrible. Yet here I am blogging about it and thinking about what I just saw. So maybe it was a success? I dunno...leaning towards suck though. It made me miss Lady Ga Ga.
22. Happy for Adele. She's going to be overplayed all year and we will be sick of her soon. She seems genuinely moved though, and a deserving person. So well done.
23. Paul McCartney appears to be LL Cool J's homie. I want to see that buddy movie.
24. And we close the evening out with the closing moments of what I refer to as the "Abby Road Suite". Classy. Guitar jam with the rock guys from the broadcast. Nice to know there's still some love for rock and roll out there. These are desperate times for rock in the bigger picturte, so it's nice to see rock take its rightful place on the throne. Even if it is Sir Paul.
So that's it. Overall an enjoyable show. I tried to take each performance on its own merit, but my personal opinions can't help but creep in. Most of the music I listen to on a regular basis isn't the type of stuff that gets acknowledged by the Grammys. Or, in fact, by the general public at all. Which isn't exactly why I listen to it, I listen because it moves me and I enjoy it. However, the fact that most of my favorite artists are largely ignored is precisely why I blog about it. even if someone just happens to stumble on this page I feel like I'm doing my part to get the word out. The site has been inactive for a while but things will be up and moving here again soon.
Til then, play it loud.
1. Bruce Springsteen kicked things off well. Kind of a typical Bruce song, but a good one. And completely by accident, the song "We Take Care Of Our Own" led into a Whitney Houston tribute.
2. Nice job, LL Cool J. The show could have crawled to an early halt with the prayer/tribute and it could have come off hammy. But LL pulled it off and actually had me a little emotional and pumped for the show. Also nice to see so many people with heads bowed and actually praying.
3. Two years in a row, Bruno Mars brought it. Not normally my cup of tea but I may have to check this guy out.
4. Bonnie Raitt looks exactly the same as she did twenty years ago. Sounds great too. Her duet with Alicia Keys on Etta James's "Sunday Kind Of Love" was well done and respectful to the original. This may be a really good show after all this year.
5. Nope, sorry. Chris Brown just killed it.
6. Kelly Clarkson wants to be Adele now. Just sayin'.
7. Didn't hear Jack Black's introduction, but he looked good, so I assume it was worthy. Always nice to see the Foo Fighters. "Walk" is a great song and they rocked it. Dave Grohl in the old school slayer shirt. Awesome.
8. Coldplay still suck. Rhianna didn't help. When did Chris Martin start thinking he's Joe Strummer?
9.Foo Fighters win for Best Rock performance. They had to, none of the other bands nominated actually rock. And they cut off Dave Grohl for Ryan Seacrest. This is why the music business sucks now.
10. Okay, so I had some Beach Boys jokes ready, mostly at the expense of Maroon 5. But I have to admit, it was nice to see Brian Wilson back doing the music he created with the surviving original members. Even though I'm not a fan for more than about 5 minutes every June.
11. Not a bad song from Sir Paul. Would have liked something more upbeat though.
12. The Civil Wars sounded awesome. I know nothing about them but want to find out.
13. Dear Taylor Swift, the curls were adorable, please bring them back.
14. I am so over Katy Perry. Which is the only thing I agree with Russell Brand about.
15. Sick of Lady Antebellum too. And does Miranda Lambert have a boob tattoo or was that just her dress? Somebody find that out and get back to me.
16. She's got a good voice and lots of talent, but this time next year I will be over Adele too. Sorry.
17. Is it me, or did it seem in slightly poor taste to start off the Glen Campbell tribute with "Gentle On My Mind"? It's a great song, but come on.
Nice to see the Glen Campbell tribute though. I didn't see his farewell tour when it came to St. Louis and it will be a regret. I can't help but feel a tear well up as I watch this performance. According to most reports his memory on stage is already beginning to slip. Nailing it tonight, but in just a few years, Glen Campbell won't remember being Glen Campbell. He won't remember singing any of these songs. "Rhinestone Cowboy" will come on the radio or television and he may have a vague recollection in the back of his head but he won't remember singing it. that that was him in what could only be described as a past life. Sad. Even more so since we know it's about to happen and we are seeing the man's last good days. A Grammy tribute is a fitting way to go out. God bless you Glen, and good luck.
18. TonyBennett-still the man.
19. I liked Whitney Houston as a pop artist, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" stands as a fantastic example of what was fun about 80's pop music. Kinda liked "I'm Your Baby Tonight" too. But I always hated the hatchet job she did on Dolly Parton with her version of "I Will Always Love You". And now they are tributing her with someone else (I don't recognize the woman singing) butchering it further in Whitney's name. Frustrating.
20. I don't understand the Chris Brown/Foo Fighters/Mouse head-thing mash up. I don't like mash ups and this one was no exception. No appeal to me at all. Nothing wrong with music you can dance to, but modern dance music sucks. Points to the Foos for not being afraid to roll with it and try the experiment, but not my thing. And it was a shame to link the good name of Don Cornelius to that mess.
21. Nicki Minaj...WTF? Total train wreck. And I like train wrecks...and horror movie references...but seriously...this makes my brain hurt. I'm all for art, especially when combined with pop music or in forms one wouldn't expect. In theory I should have loved that. Poor execution and an unclear message/storyline. Horrible. Yet here I am blogging about it and thinking about what I just saw. So maybe it was a success? I dunno...leaning towards suck though. It made me miss Lady Ga Ga.
22. Happy for Adele. She's going to be overplayed all year and we will be sick of her soon. She seems genuinely moved though, and a deserving person. So well done.
23. Paul McCartney appears to be LL Cool J's homie. I want to see that buddy movie.
24. And we close the evening out with the closing moments of what I refer to as the "Abby Road Suite". Classy. Guitar jam with the rock guys from the broadcast. Nice to know there's still some love for rock and roll out there. These are desperate times for rock in the bigger picturte, so it's nice to see rock take its rightful place on the throne. Even if it is Sir Paul.
So that's it. Overall an enjoyable show. I tried to take each performance on its own merit, but my personal opinions can't help but creep in. Most of the music I listen to on a regular basis isn't the type of stuff that gets acknowledged by the Grammys. Or, in fact, by the general public at all. Which isn't exactly why I listen to it, I listen because it moves me and I enjoy it. However, the fact that most of my favorite artists are largely ignored is precisely why I blog about it. even if someone just happens to stumble on this page I feel like I'm doing my part to get the word out. The site has been inactive for a while but things will be up and moving here again soon.
Til then, play it loud.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Top 10 of 2011
Laptop has died, so here's the quick list. Expanded post to follow soon.
1. Flogging Molly-The Speed Of Darkness
2. Beady Eye-Different Gear, Still Speeding
3. Foo Fighters-Wasting Light
4. Alice Cooper-Welcome 2 My Nightmare
5. Imelda May-Mayhem
6.Hayes Carll-KMAGYOYO
7.Those Darlins-Screws Get Loose
8.Docial Distortion-Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
9. Deer Tick-Divine Providence
10. Lou Reed/Metallica-Lulu
The top ten was extremeley difficult this year. Last year I didn't feel there was enough good music to even have a top ten, this year I had trouble figuring out what to leave off of the list. Year end recap on it's way.
1. Flogging Molly-The Speed Of Darkness
2. Beady Eye-Different Gear, Still Speeding
3. Foo Fighters-Wasting Light
4. Alice Cooper-Welcome 2 My Nightmare
5. Imelda May-Mayhem
6.Hayes Carll-KMAGYOYO
7.Those Darlins-Screws Get Loose
8.Docial Distortion-Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
9. Deer Tick-Divine Providence
10. Lou Reed/Metallica-Lulu
The top ten was extremeley difficult this year. Last year I didn't feel there was enough good music to even have a top ten, this year I had trouble figuring out what to leave off of the list. Year end recap on it's way.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Liam V. Noel-
Hey kids. Back from a too long absence. Here we go.
Recently, Oasis main man Noel Gallagher released his first solo album, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. His brother and ex-band mate released a new CD with his band, Beady Eye (called Different Gear, Still Speeding). I inexplicably never reviewed that disc on this blog. So to correct that and kill two birds with one stone, here is a compare and contrast on the two records. It's a little short, but I think this will tell you all you need to know. All categories are scored on a scale of 1-5.
Sing along hooks:
Beady Eye-4.5
Noel-5.0
Guitar driven rockers:
Beady eye-4.5
Noel-1
Interesting lyrics:
Beady eye-4
Noel -4
Soaring Pop moments:
Beady Eye-4
Noel-4.5
Variety:
Beady Eye-4.5
Noel-3
Classic Rock Sound:
Beady Eye-5
Noel-3
Sounds Like Oasis:
Beady Eye-5
Noel-4.5
Total Points (out of 35):
Beady Eye-31.5
Noel-25
So there you have it. Beady Eye is the clear winner here. This is not to suggest that Noel Gallagher has made a bad record. Far from it. There are moments of pure pop perfection, and the first three songs are fabulous. It is more of an introspective record than one might expect, which always leads itself to a more mellow record by any artist. The songs are based around acoustic guitar strumming, with many layers added around. There's some quality stuff to be sure, and a bit of experimentation as well, but there's not much variety to this record. Good start to the solo career, but since we all know what Mr. Gallagher is capable of this is a bit of a disappointment.
And, Liam, wow...who knew? To be fair, he has some members of Oasis with him, but the songs are strong enough to stand on their own. This was Liam's chance to prove himself without being reined in by Noel. And he's done an excellent job. Mid tempo Brit rock mixes with ballads and some all out rockers to make an entertaining listen that consistently rewards. Sure, the Beatles worship is on full display but by this point one expects nothing less. Great record, and a contender for Top Ten of the year.
Beady Eye-Different Gear, Still Speeding-4.5 out of 5 Daves
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds-3 out of 5 Daves
P.S.-Speaking of Top Ten, that list is coming soon. there are a few more things to hear and another post or two to write, so the activity is about to increase here. See you soon.
Recently, Oasis main man Noel Gallagher released his first solo album, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. His brother and ex-band mate released a new CD with his band, Beady Eye (called Different Gear, Still Speeding). I inexplicably never reviewed that disc on this blog. So to correct that and kill two birds with one stone, here is a compare and contrast on the two records. It's a little short, but I think this will tell you all you need to know. All categories are scored on a scale of 1-5.
Sing along hooks:
Beady Eye-4.5
Noel-5.0
Guitar driven rockers:
Beady eye-4.5
Noel-1
Interesting lyrics:
Beady eye-4
Noel -4
Soaring Pop moments:
Beady Eye-4
Noel-4.5
Variety:
Beady Eye-4.5
Noel-3
Classic Rock Sound:
Beady Eye-5
Noel-3
Sounds Like Oasis:
Beady Eye-5
Noel-4.5
Total Points (out of 35):
Beady Eye-31.5
Noel-25
So there you have it. Beady Eye is the clear winner here. This is not to suggest that Noel Gallagher has made a bad record. Far from it. There are moments of pure pop perfection, and the first three songs are fabulous. It is more of an introspective record than one might expect, which always leads itself to a more mellow record by any artist. The songs are based around acoustic guitar strumming, with many layers added around. There's some quality stuff to be sure, and a bit of experimentation as well, but there's not much variety to this record. Good start to the solo career, but since we all know what Mr. Gallagher is capable of this is a bit of a disappointment.
And, Liam, wow...who knew? To be fair, he has some members of Oasis with him, but the songs are strong enough to stand on their own. This was Liam's chance to prove himself without being reined in by Noel. And he's done an excellent job. Mid tempo Brit rock mixes with ballads and some all out rockers to make an entertaining listen that consistently rewards. Sure, the Beatles worship is on full display but by this point one expects nothing less. Great record, and a contender for Top Ten of the year.
Beady Eye-Different Gear, Still Speeding-4.5 out of 5 Daves
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds-3 out of 5 Daves
P.S.-Speaking of Top Ten, that list is coming soon. there are a few more things to hear and another post or two to write, so the activity is about to increase here. See you soon.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Recent Release- Chickenfoot III
The good news is that Chickenfoot III is leaps and bounds ahead of their first self titled release. The bad news is some of the same problems remain.
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years you know that Chickenfoot is a band featuring the line up of Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith. And the reason they called their second record III is because a band's second record is traditionally not very good, so they just skipped it and went straight to number three. Funny. Oh, and the package is in 3D which is, granted, a gimmick to get some extra sales, but a fun one.
Okay, so here's the good stuff. The band sounds awesome, they've grown into a cohesive unit. Everybody sounds fantastic. Chad Smith is one hell of a rock drummer, I've always liked him in his day job with the Chili Peppers, but this is a different sound, just a powerhouse. Joe Satriani is a bona-fide guitar hero, but he pulls back a little here and plays like you should in a band. This will annoy some of his fans but he also spreads out and plays some acoustic stuff (loves me some dobro!) which is a nice change. Michael Anthony even gets a few good licks in on bass as well, though as usual you have to turn up your bass response to hear him, but certainly a good idea to do so. As for Sammy, he sounds about 20 years younger than his 63 years and can still scream with the best of 'em.
Song-wise this record is much fuller than the first as well. The music is slightly more varied. There's the acoustic and catchy "Different Devil" which would have made a killer Van Hagar single, the blues based hard rock of album opener "Last Temptation" and Zeppelin-ish "Dubai Blues", the all out non stop groove on "Up Next" and "Three And A Half Letters" and more.
This is a step forward lyrically too. Hagar's lyrics have always been a bit of a mixed bag, many being just half-assed sex/party songs. Yet he does occasionally get a little deeper and observational. The guy has something to say, but most people fail to look past the way he presents himself to see what's actually going on. Well, I'm happy to report that there are some of the good ones here. "Three And A Half Letters" is by far the best, it's about letters Sammy received from homeless people asking him for help. Tears, man. Also on the good list is "Up Next", Sammy's vision of the pearly gates. Not exactly biblical but a good song. Bonus track "No Change" is a nice generic protest song, and "Different Devil", as mentioned earlier is a nice sing along (with a one line exception). There are some more but these stand out.
And now for the problem areas. The first Chickenfoot CD was criticized for having too many songs that never really went anywhere and fell flat. They were also a touch too long for the pop rock songs they were. While there have been improvements in this area, a few songs like "Alright Alright", "Lighten Up" and the unwisely picked first single "Big Foot" still suffer from this problem (even if the video is kinda funny). They also suffer lyrically. I'm sure they're meant to be fun, but just come off a little lazy via comparison to what Sammy can do when he really tries. Also, "Dubai Blues" is a poor title and bad pun.
So bottom line is that Chickenfoot III is far from perfect, but has enough going for it to make it worthwhile. I really like seven of the eleven songs, and I must admit that even some of the sillier songs are growing on me with each listen. This is the kind of good time, big ass rock record that people just don't make anymore and that alone makes it a winner in my book.
4 out of 5 Daves
P.S.-I know, I know, no video. There's only one official, and it's a song I slammed so I don't think that's a fair representation of the CD or my review. Search for Chickenfoot III on YouTube, lots of stuff will come up.
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years you know that Chickenfoot is a band featuring the line up of Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith. And the reason they called their second record III is because a band's second record is traditionally not very good, so they just skipped it and went straight to number three. Funny. Oh, and the package is in 3D which is, granted, a gimmick to get some extra sales, but a fun one.
Okay, so here's the good stuff. The band sounds awesome, they've grown into a cohesive unit. Everybody sounds fantastic. Chad Smith is one hell of a rock drummer, I've always liked him in his day job with the Chili Peppers, but this is a different sound, just a powerhouse. Joe Satriani is a bona-fide guitar hero, but he pulls back a little here and plays like you should in a band. This will annoy some of his fans but he also spreads out and plays some acoustic stuff (loves me some dobro!) which is a nice change. Michael Anthony even gets a few good licks in on bass as well, though as usual you have to turn up your bass response to hear him, but certainly a good idea to do so. As for Sammy, he sounds about 20 years younger than his 63 years and can still scream with the best of 'em.
Song-wise this record is much fuller than the first as well. The music is slightly more varied. There's the acoustic and catchy "Different Devil" which would have made a killer Van Hagar single, the blues based hard rock of album opener "Last Temptation" and Zeppelin-ish "Dubai Blues", the all out non stop groove on "Up Next" and "Three And A Half Letters" and more.
This is a step forward lyrically too. Hagar's lyrics have always been a bit of a mixed bag, many being just half-assed sex/party songs. Yet he does occasionally get a little deeper and observational. The guy has something to say, but most people fail to look past the way he presents himself to see what's actually going on. Well, I'm happy to report that there are some of the good ones here. "Three And A Half Letters" is by far the best, it's about letters Sammy received from homeless people asking him for help. Tears, man. Also on the good list is "Up Next", Sammy's vision of the pearly gates. Not exactly biblical but a good song. Bonus track "No Change" is a nice generic protest song, and "Different Devil", as mentioned earlier is a nice sing along (with a one line exception). There are some more but these stand out.
And now for the problem areas. The first Chickenfoot CD was criticized for having too many songs that never really went anywhere and fell flat. They were also a touch too long for the pop rock songs they were. While there have been improvements in this area, a few songs like "Alright Alright", "Lighten Up" and the unwisely picked first single "Big Foot" still suffer from this problem (even if the video is kinda funny). They also suffer lyrically. I'm sure they're meant to be fun, but just come off a little lazy via comparison to what Sammy can do when he really tries. Also, "Dubai Blues" is a poor title and bad pun.
So bottom line is that Chickenfoot III is far from perfect, but has enough going for it to make it worthwhile. I really like seven of the eleven songs, and I must admit that even some of the sillier songs are growing on me with each listen. This is the kind of good time, big ass rock record that people just don't make anymore and that alone makes it a winner in my book.
4 out of 5 Daves
P.S.-I know, I know, no video. There's only one official, and it's a song I slammed so I don't think that's a fair representation of the CD or my review. Search for Chickenfoot III on YouTube, lots of stuff will come up.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Recent Release Roundup
Anthrax-Worship Music
This, finally, is the CD Anthrax fans have been waiting for. Not just because Joey Belladonna is back on vocals (though he's never sounded better), but because it's the strongest record they've done in years. It's a little bit darker than most Anthrax records and the goofy humor is missed. However, the music more than makes up for it. There are all out thrash numbers, which somehow feel fresh not dated, some heavy groove stuff (a la John Bush era) one or two tracks that are just this side of rock radio songs, and even a Soundgarden style number. An unexpectedly varied set from these guys.
As mentioned, this record is a little on the dark side, which is my only complaint. It just seems as though the band felt they had something to prove and they're trying too hard to prove to us how "metal" they are. The pentagram with the A for Anthrax in it was cute the first time, but come on guys we get it. You're metal. We've known it all along. The music speaks volumes, no need to push the point.
Anyway, a solid set. A few misfires here, but a winner nonetheless.
Key tracks: "Fight 'Em Til You Can't", "Crawl" "The Devil You Know", "Revolution Screams"
4 out of 5 Daves
P.S.-The sixteen year old me is amazingly happy with this set, and that counts for a lot.
Bottle Rockets-Not So Loud
After nineteen years as a band, the Bottle Rockets are releasing their first live acoustic album. The alt-country band has been criminally overlooked by most, coming out in the days of Uncle Tupelo, and being from the same town, these guys haven't ever really been given their fair due. This is a pity, because they have been putting out consistently quality material the whole time. The Bottle Rockets live shows are known for being loud, raucous good times, which makes this set all the more special and appreciated.
Captured live at the now defunct Lucas Schoolhouse in St. Louis, the recordings come from two nights in a very intimate setting, and are all the better for it. The casual environment created a chance for Brian Henneman to tell some entertaining stories, but more importantly it enables the focus to be placed squarely on the music. Coming across somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Neil Young, this is a delight of a set, and one that is recommended for anyone who has ever been curious about the band or considered themselves a fan of alt-country music.
Key Tracks: "Lucky Break", "Perfect Far Away", "1000 Dollar Car", "Rural Route" "Kerosene"
41/2 out of 5 Daves
Dream Theater-A Dramatic Turn Of Events
For the first time since the beginning of the decade I've been excited about a new DT record. After the departure of drummer and key writer Mike Portnoy I was quite intrigued. I have long thought that Portnoy had been given too much power within the band and wasn't the right guy to steer the ship. So I was looking forward to where the band would go on this first record without him.
And the answer is: nowhere new. I hear nothing but retreads of older material. Maybe my tastes have just moved too far away, but after four listens I remain largely disappointed. Now having said that, all the elements are there. The musicianship is still first rate. New drummer Mike Mangini fits like a glove, guitarist John Petrucci still plays lightning fast while conveying emotion, and James LaBrie is singing better than he has in years. So what happened?
Some of the blame can be put on the horrible job done in the mixing/mastering of the disc. It sounds quiet, flat and lifeless, even when turned up to twice the necessary volume. But the big problem is in the songs themselves. In the rush to put out an album and make a statement, the craft of songwriting has been lost. There are no memorable choruses here, something which Dream Theater has always been capable of in the
past. Sparse lyrics that fail to capture the imagination abound, and is it just me or have we heard some of these solos before? The heavier songs are not heavy enough and the quiet parts are too quiet. All in all it's an unmemorable collection of material.
Which is all too bad, because the frustrating thing is that there's a good record here somewhere. There are flashes of greatness in each song, it's just that the good stuff gets swallowed up in a bunch of muck. I believe that if the band would have taken a little more time here they could have really had something. I can't actually say it's bad, but I remain underwhelmed. However, prog-metal fans and die hard DT fans will no doubt be pleased.
Key Tracks: "On The Backs Of Angels", "Lost Not Forgotten" "This Is The Life"
2 1/2 out of 5 Daves (though my brother will surely disagree...)
Got a few more new CDs to write up. Look for more stuff this week.
This, finally, is the CD Anthrax fans have been waiting for. Not just because Joey Belladonna is back on vocals (though he's never sounded better), but because it's the strongest record they've done in years. It's a little bit darker than most Anthrax records and the goofy humor is missed. However, the music more than makes up for it. There are all out thrash numbers, which somehow feel fresh not dated, some heavy groove stuff (a la John Bush era) one or two tracks that are just this side of rock radio songs, and even a Soundgarden style number. An unexpectedly varied set from these guys.
As mentioned, this record is a little on the dark side, which is my only complaint. It just seems as though the band felt they had something to prove and they're trying too hard to prove to us how "metal" they are. The pentagram with the A for Anthrax in it was cute the first time, but come on guys we get it. You're metal. We've known it all along. The music speaks volumes, no need to push the point.
Anyway, a solid set. A few misfires here, but a winner nonetheless.
Key tracks: "Fight 'Em Til You Can't", "Crawl" "The Devil You Know", "Revolution Screams"
4 out of 5 Daves
P.S.-The sixteen year old me is amazingly happy with this set, and that counts for a lot.
Bottle Rockets-Not So Loud
After nineteen years as a band, the Bottle Rockets are releasing their first live acoustic album. The alt-country band has been criminally overlooked by most, coming out in the days of Uncle Tupelo, and being from the same town, these guys haven't ever really been given their fair due. This is a pity, because they have been putting out consistently quality material the whole time. The Bottle Rockets live shows are known for being loud, raucous good times, which makes this set all the more special and appreciated.
Captured live at the now defunct Lucas Schoolhouse in St. Louis, the recordings come from two nights in a very intimate setting, and are all the better for it. The casual environment created a chance for Brian Henneman to tell some entertaining stories, but more importantly it enables the focus to be placed squarely on the music. Coming across somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Neil Young, this is a delight of a set, and one that is recommended for anyone who has ever been curious about the band or considered themselves a fan of alt-country music.
Key Tracks: "Lucky Break", "Perfect Far Away", "1000 Dollar Car", "Rural Route" "Kerosene"
41/2 out of 5 Daves
Dream Theater-A Dramatic Turn Of Events
For the first time since the beginning of the decade I've been excited about a new DT record. After the departure of drummer and key writer Mike Portnoy I was quite intrigued. I have long thought that Portnoy had been given too much power within the band and wasn't the right guy to steer the ship. So I was looking forward to where the band would go on this first record without him.
And the answer is: nowhere new. I hear nothing but retreads of older material. Maybe my tastes have just moved too far away, but after four listens I remain largely disappointed. Now having said that, all the elements are there. The musicianship is still first rate. New drummer Mike Mangini fits like a glove, guitarist John Petrucci still plays lightning fast while conveying emotion, and James LaBrie is singing better than he has in years. So what happened?
Some of the blame can be put on the horrible job done in the mixing/mastering of the disc. It sounds quiet, flat and lifeless, even when turned up to twice the necessary volume. But the big problem is in the songs themselves. In the rush to put out an album and make a statement, the craft of songwriting has been lost. There are no memorable choruses here, something which Dream Theater has always been capable of in the
past. Sparse lyrics that fail to capture the imagination abound, and is it just me or have we heard some of these solos before? The heavier songs are not heavy enough and the quiet parts are too quiet. All in all it's an unmemorable collection of material.
Which is all too bad, because the frustrating thing is that there's a good record here somewhere. There are flashes of greatness in each song, it's just that the good stuff gets swallowed up in a bunch of muck. I believe that if the band would have taken a little more time here they could have really had something. I can't actually say it's bad, but I remain underwhelmed. However, prog-metal fans and die hard DT fans will no doubt be pleased.
Key Tracks: "On The Backs Of Angels", "Lost Not Forgotten" "This Is The Life"
2 1/2 out of 5 Daves (though my brother will surely disagree...)
Got a few more new CDs to write up. Look for more stuff this week.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Recent Release: Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Alice is back with the sequel to his classic first solo album (sans original band) "Welcome To My Nightmare". I usually don't like the idea of revisiting previous albums but this works very well. It is one of the best Alice albums in years.
The storyline is vague, but coherent if you really pay attention and can use your imagination, something required for almost all of Alice's work. Musically, the album takes many twists and turns in style, and features small tidbits of music from the original "Nightmare" peppered throughout the record. It also reunites the surviving members of the original Alice Cooper Band for a few songs, which is a nice touch.
The only downside here is that this record is unlikely to bring many new folks to the party, but for true fans it's a great ride. Let's peel back the sheets and look at Alice's new nightmare track by track. Possible Spoilers.
I Am Made Of You- Piano driven opener in the "Hello Hooray" tradition. Not entirely sure who's singing here...Alice? The Devil? Steven? Don't know, but a big, grandiose track with a touch of creepiness to set the mood.
Caffeine- Total Detroit rocker. Gotta stay awake somehow, right?
The Nightmare Returns- Caffeine stopped working. Short and sweet song to lull Alice to sleep...
A Runaway Train- All aboard the Nightmare Express. This song actually sounds like a train running faster down the tracks all the time. How'd Alice get here...and where are we going?
Last Man On Earth- Alice Cooper's Tom Waits tribute song. Complete with tuba and everything. Or maybe it's Gilbert And Sullivan. Possibly both.
The Congregation- Okay, so not the last man...but a chance to meet Alice's guide to this dream world he's found himself in. Some nice humour here, moves the story along but not a very memorable track.
I'll Bite your Face Off- Alice Cooper's Rolling Stones tribute. Total attitude, total Alice. And who's this woman he's singing about...?
Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever- Alice still has nightmares about Disco, but so do a lot of people. The music here sounds like bad German techno/club/dance music. And Alice raps which is pretty funny. Until the rock and roll part kicks in, the bloodbath part ensues, and all is right with the world.
Ghouls Gone Wild- Zombie beach dance party!!! Survivors of the disco maybe? Catchy as hell.
Something To Remember Me By- Possibly the prettiest song Alice has ever done, sure to make the ladies cry, but I think this is being sung by Alice to one of the lovely bikini zombies he just hooked up with. And if so, I don't want to know what he's giving her. Or this song could be a prequel to...
When Hell Comes Home- a dark song in both mood and lyrics. Is this the back story as to why Alice (the character) turned out like he did? Very affecting, but again, really dark.
What Baby Wants- Baby gets. And it's time to pay up. Ke$ha guests here and doesn't totally embarrass herself or the song. She almost sounds as evil as her character requires...and has she bit his face off yet?
I Gotta Get Outta Here- Co-written with Patterson Hood of Drive By Truckers fame, and those familiar with his work will hear it. Story wise we're coming to the end. Alice has had it with this whole nightmarish world is trying to find his way out. And we'll leave it at that.
The record ends with an Underture, combining music from both "Nightmare" records and a few other Cooper classics as well. a little sophistication to go out with, and to give the listener a chance to think about the record. And you should think. Alice (the artist) usually has another layer to his work, that's why his stuff is so good and bears repeated listening and/or viewing. Anybody can do the shock rock thing, but none can do it with the intelligence, mirth, and quality of Alice Cooper. When he's firing on all cylinders, he's the king.
Despite its flaws, which are few and forgiveable, 5 out of 5 Daves.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Return of W.A.M.
Whassup rockers!
My apologies for the long absence, I kinda took most of the Summer off. As a result, I missed out on reviewing some decent records, which I'll try to catch up on soon. There's lots of new stuff coming as well, the fall season is always a good one for new music. I may begin adding some other features as well, but I don't want to talk too much about that as plans may change due to time restraints.
But the blog is definitely back. Look for new reviews coming later this week, some of my favorite old school hard rock/metal artists are releasing new material Tuesday and I'll put up some reviews here shortly.
Thanks for checking in. Keep it loud.
My apologies for the long absence, I kinda took most of the Summer off. As a result, I missed out on reviewing some decent records, which I'll try to catch up on soon. There's lots of new stuff coming as well, the fall season is always a good one for new music. I may begin adding some other features as well, but I don't want to talk too much about that as plans may change due to time restraints.
But the blog is definitely back. Look for new reviews coming later this week, some of my favorite old school hard rock/metal artists are releasing new material Tuesday and I'll put up some reviews here shortly.
Thanks for checking in. Keep it loud.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Still Crushing On Martha Quinn
MTV is officially 30 years old. I am nine years older, but was probably 11 or 12 by the time we got it on our cable system. I remember my parents visiting their friends who had it and watching for hours with their kids. We thought it was the coolest thing ever. And at the time, it was.
People sometimes forget how revolutionary MTV really was. Apart from marrying music and movies in a way never done before, MTV created, cultivated and maintained countless scenes and bands throughout its first 15 years or so. It presented a new way to think about music, and a new way for artists to present their message, or at least promote their image.
And it was OURS. Every kid growing up in the 80's through the mid 90's could call MTV their own. Sure, they played a lot of stuff I didn't like, but it also turned me on to forms of music and bands that I would have otherwise ignored, especially in the early days. As a kid I didn't realise that New Wave was an exclusionary movement. I didn't consider it pop, or dance or anything but new music. Throughout all my musical twists and detours a pop sensibility has stayed with me and I blame 1983 on MTV for it.
But it was more than the music and the style, it was the snarkiness of the promos combined with the brashness of the bands and artistry of the directors that gave the channel its personality. It was almost a perfect voice for the youth of the day, even those who claimed to hate it or that it wasn't playing the right type of music still had at least a few programming blocks catered to their taste, and everybody knew what was going on with MTV. We all watched it incessantly, even if we didn't want to , because there was always a feeling that you'd miss something if you didn't.
And then they killed it. Reality shows killed the video star. Or words to that effect. There are still places to see music on television of course, probably more now than ever before. The magic, however, has gone. More's the pity.
But still, 30 years ago today, music changed forever, and that's to be celebrated. It wasn't perfect, and probably did as much harm as good for some, but I miss it. And I want my MTV...back.
So here's a short list of MTV moments that are etched into my mind in no particular order. Feel free to add your own in the comments.
1. Guns N' Roses smash the set on "Headbanger's Ball". Local St. Louis icon Smash was working on MTV at the time, and found himself smack dab in the middle of the chaos. What fun.
2. Seeing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video world premier. I've never been a fan of the man or his music, but this mini-movie blew every body's mind at the time. Still kinda does.
3. Remote Control. Still my favorite game show.
4. MTV in concert. Saturday nights they ran hour long concerts, well before those shows found their way to home video. I remember the Go-Gos, Sammy Hagar, Huey Lewis And the News, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Cars, Iron Maiden (with Paul Di'Anno), The Stray Cats, Guns N' Roses, the list goes on.
5. Martha Quinn and Tabitha Soren. Never at the same time though, my pubescence couldn't have handled that.
6. Specialty music shows. Headbanger's Ball (required viewing for me and my circle), Yo! MTV Raps (never been a rap fan, but Dr. Dre and Ed Lover used to slay me), Dial MTV (when us rockers actually got the vote), Club MTV (good for watching beautiful people gyrate) and of course 120 Minutes, the show that made alternative the norm and showed us what Teen Spirit smelled like.
7.Motorhead dressed as carolers singing "Silent Night" for a Christmas promo. Hilarious.*
8. MTV Spring Break. Always good concerts (Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Beastie Boys, Aerosmith) and fun segments.
9. The classic promos. everything from the "I Want My MTV" stuff to Gilbert Gottfried's improved spots, Dennis Leary's rants, the choir spots, the cab driver, the "words just sitting here" spot, all the freaky animations and my favorite one, the beer ad send up. Still love that stuff when it pops up on the net.
10 MTV News. From the funny stuff (Tabitha Soren saying "Metal-Lisha" meaning Metallica), to the unexpected (John Lydon walking off set in a Pistols reunion interview) and the "it-can't-be-true" death announcements (Stevie Ray Vaughn, Cliff Burton, Freddie Mercury, Eric Carr, etc.) Kurt Loder and John Norris (remember him?) actually enriched my life. Sounds weird now, but they did.
These are just a few of the many memories I have, and that's leaving out "The Young Ones"! Thanks MTV for the great times. Call me when you decide to get back to your roots, I'll be waiting.
*By the way, it is a fallacy that hard rock/heavy metal was ignored by MTV. Before the specialized programming listed above, there were only videos in rotation. I clearly remember seeing Motorhead, Judas Priest, Dio and Iron Maiden videos in semi regular rotation during the channel's early days. They had to play whatever they had, and early British metal groups had videos. They weren't played with the same regularity as pop, but they were there. Maybe you had to watch obsessively like I did but "Iron Fist", "Breaking the Law", "Rainbow In The Dark" and "Run To The Hills" were all in my head before I ever had the records, and it wasn't from radio as the pictures were there too.
People sometimes forget how revolutionary MTV really was. Apart from marrying music and movies in a way never done before, MTV created, cultivated and maintained countless scenes and bands throughout its first 15 years or so. It presented a new way to think about music, and a new way for artists to present their message, or at least promote their image.
And it was OURS. Every kid growing up in the 80's through the mid 90's could call MTV their own. Sure, they played a lot of stuff I didn't like, but it also turned me on to forms of music and bands that I would have otherwise ignored, especially in the early days. As a kid I didn't realise that New Wave was an exclusionary movement. I didn't consider it pop, or dance or anything but new music. Throughout all my musical twists and detours a pop sensibility has stayed with me and I blame 1983 on MTV for it.
But it was more than the music and the style, it was the snarkiness of the promos combined with the brashness of the bands and artistry of the directors that gave the channel its personality. It was almost a perfect voice for the youth of the day, even those who claimed to hate it or that it wasn't playing the right type of music still had at least a few programming blocks catered to their taste, and everybody knew what was going on with MTV. We all watched it incessantly, even if we didn't want to , because there was always a feeling that you'd miss something if you didn't.
And then they killed it. Reality shows killed the video star. Or words to that effect. There are still places to see music on television of course, probably more now than ever before. The magic, however, has gone. More's the pity.
But still, 30 years ago today, music changed forever, and that's to be celebrated. It wasn't perfect, and probably did as much harm as good for some, but I miss it. And I want my MTV...back.
So here's a short list of MTV moments that are etched into my mind in no particular order. Feel free to add your own in the comments.
1. Guns N' Roses smash the set on "Headbanger's Ball". Local St. Louis icon Smash was working on MTV at the time, and found himself smack dab in the middle of the chaos. What fun.
2. Seeing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video world premier. I've never been a fan of the man or his music, but this mini-movie blew every body's mind at the time. Still kinda does.
3. Remote Control. Still my favorite game show.
4. MTV in concert. Saturday nights they ran hour long concerts, well before those shows found their way to home video. I remember the Go-Gos, Sammy Hagar, Huey Lewis And the News, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Cars, Iron Maiden (with Paul Di'Anno), The Stray Cats, Guns N' Roses, the list goes on.
5. Martha Quinn and Tabitha Soren. Never at the same time though, my pubescence couldn't have handled that.
6. Specialty music shows. Headbanger's Ball (required viewing for me and my circle), Yo! MTV Raps (never been a rap fan, but Dr. Dre and Ed Lover used to slay me), Dial MTV (when us rockers actually got the vote), Club MTV (good for watching beautiful people gyrate) and of course 120 Minutes, the show that made alternative the norm and showed us what Teen Spirit smelled like.
7.Motorhead dressed as carolers singing "Silent Night" for a Christmas promo. Hilarious.*
8. MTV Spring Break. Always good concerts (Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Beastie Boys, Aerosmith) and fun segments.
9. The classic promos. everything from the "I Want My MTV" stuff to Gilbert Gottfried's improved spots, Dennis Leary's rants, the choir spots, the cab driver, the "words just sitting here" spot, all the freaky animations and my favorite one, the beer ad send up. Still love that stuff when it pops up on the net.
10 MTV News. From the funny stuff (Tabitha Soren saying "Metal-Lisha" meaning Metallica), to the unexpected (John Lydon walking off set in a Pistols reunion interview) and the "it-can't-be-true" death announcements (Stevie Ray Vaughn, Cliff Burton, Freddie Mercury, Eric Carr, etc.) Kurt Loder and John Norris (remember him?) actually enriched my life. Sounds weird now, but they did.
These are just a few of the many memories I have, and that's leaving out "The Young Ones"! Thanks MTV for the great times. Call me when you decide to get back to your roots, I'll be waiting.
*By the way, it is a fallacy that hard rock/heavy metal was ignored by MTV. Before the specialized programming listed above, there were only videos in rotation. I clearly remember seeing Motorhead, Judas Priest, Dio and Iron Maiden videos in semi regular rotation during the channel's early days. They had to play whatever they had, and early British metal groups had videos. They weren't played with the same regularity as pop, but they were there. Maybe you had to watch obsessively like I did but "Iron Fist", "Breaking the Law", "Rainbow In The Dark" and "Run To The Hills" were all in my head before I ever had the records, and it wasn't from radio as the pictures were there too.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Recent Release-Imelda May - Mayhem
For those who don't know the name Imelda May, you soon will. She's fantastic.
Her new CD, Mayhem, is a full on blast of rockabilly blues mixed with retro swing and lounge music, sung by one of the best voices I've heard in a long long time. Sure, the influences are old, but the sound is fresh, perhaps timeless.
The only flaw I can find with this CD is that it's a touch long, and there are a few too many ballads for my tastes, especially in a row, but there's not a song I don't like. She sings it like she means it with a lot of passion, and a wicked sense of humor as well. From the rockabilly blast of "Psycho" to the groove laden title track, to the super cool "Inside Out", there's a lot here to keep your toes tapping. And on the softer side, "Eternity" and "All For You" are as successful ballads as you're likely to hear.
The biggest and best surprise on this disc is her cover of the old '80's tune "Tainted Love" (originally by Soft Cel). This is one of those rare occasions where changing the gender of the performer changes the meaning and impact of the song, even a pure pop confection such as this. A stroke of genius, this one.
By the time the bonus track , a remix of her earlier single, "Johnny's Got A Boom Boom", Imelda is sure to have won you over. This may not be a perfect disc, but its variety and overall vibe is quite entertaining, and Ms. May's voice will earn her a place in your collection, if not your greasy little rocker-billy heart.
41/2 out of 5 Daves.
P.S. The song featured here is but one side of Imelda May, I was torn between a few examples. I'll post another one soon to give a better idea of the breadth of her songwriting and vocal abilities. Watch this space, then buy this CD.
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