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I'm in the car a lot. Modern, pre-programmed, pre-formatted commercial
radio sucks. Back in NYC I was a member of the best radio station in
America, WFUV 90.7FM. They're available on the web at
WFUV.org. But I can't hear them most of
the time. So I've got a bag full of CDs with me. Here's my thoughts
on the newer ones.
- Jay Ferrar, Terroir
Don't waste your time or money. The lead man of the great band Son Volt
just can't do it solo. This is his second effort and his second failure.
He's been listening to way too much Radiohead. I really wish he'd stick
with the band.
- Blue Rodeo,
A solid but non-descript album by a group that gets way too little airplay in
the US. It's not 5 Days in May, one of their earlier albums that
is wonderful. But it's worth an listen if you already know Blue Rodeo;
if ypu don't pick up 5 Days first.
- Tracey Chapman,
Not as catchy as either of her last two releases. i like it but just
don't find myself excited by it. Like Richard Thompson, a Chapman rarely
takes bold leaps with her albums but their all worth listening to. Pick
it up if you like hear other albums.
- Warren Zevon, The Wind
A gut wrenching and great album. Zevon knew he was dying as he made this
album. He deals with his terminal cancer in a straightforward and honest
way. When he sings Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" it's haunting if
not devastating. The final cut has a chorus that asks us to "keep him
our hearts for a while". Powerful, moving music.
- Turin Brakes, Ether Song
Don't ask me what the hell this stuff is about. It's just a moderatly
pleasant sound - like Travis + Wood + Cold Play + a bit of Radiohead + a dash
of Bowie. Passable background music. Not really worth the price of
the CD; Travis, Wood, and Cold Play are all substantially better.
- Jason Mraz,
Background music again. But this is a blend of hip-hop and reggae
influenced folk music by a white guy. Doesn't sound possible or even
probable does it? But it's ok. Again, not a record worth buying
unfortunately.
- Damien Rice, O
This guy has great potential. So much so that the record company gave
him the keys to the tool shed. What could be a terrific album is
slightly marred by over producing and over orchestration. A
rock/pop/folk album simply shouldn't end with an opera-like aria. Nor
should it spend 2/3rds of it building to that end. On the other hand,
the songs that are good are very good. Worth a listen but listen to it
in the record store before buying it.
- Raul Malo, Today
With The Mavericks, Raul Malo was dynamite. As a solo artist he's ok.
The strength of this album are the songs sung in English. Normally I
don't care what language a song is sung in, it just needs to sound good (hence
my willingness to listen to Tish Hinojosa's Tex-Mex folk songs, Cristina
Branco's Portugese fado singer or Cesaria Evora's beautiful songs in Cape
Verde pidgen). If you'll buy an album for 3 or 4 songs, you might
consider this one.
- John Mellencamp, 12 Songs
Great stuff! The sticker on the case calls this "Authentic American
Music", it is. There's a strong delta blues influence, a country
influence, love songs, a Lucinda Williams cover, and a great political
statement (as good as Steve Earle's stuff!). This is not the Mellencamp
of "Hurts so Good" and it goes well beyond the americana pop of "Cherry Bomb"
or "Little Pink Houses". This is well worth buying.
- Radiohead, Hail to the Thief
It's Radiohead so it's wierd. It's not the easiest stuff to travel with
but a nice change. If you already like Radiohead, you'll like this.
- Richard Thompson, The Old Kit Bag
It's Richards Thompson so you know exactly what you're getting.
Intelligent lyrics, fantastic guitar work, almost melodic bass lines -- the
standard Thompson tool kit. I love his stuff. He's a bit political
at times, which I'm loving these days. There is no reason not to buy
this album and dozens of good reasons to add it to your collection.
- Caitlin Cary
What a solid album. Cary has a lush voice that ranges from Patsy
Cline-like to almost a dead ringer for Susan Werner. The album contains
some wonderful songs, my favorites being: Sleeping in on Sunday Morning,
The Girl Who Played the Cello, and The Next One. Of the
former Whiskeytown members (Ryan Adams was part of that group too) I like her
stuff best
- Mary Fahl, The Other Side of Time
What a lush voice. The album has a tendency to be a bit over the top.
Fahl's vocals are downright operatic and her themes almost melodramatic.
Still it's an enjoyable listen, one that grows on you.
- Kathleen Edwards, Failer
A wholly wonderful album. Her voice, her songs, her production are
just super. Six O'clock news and One more Song the Radio Won't
Like are getting some airplay, justifiably. I hope the album gets
more coverage. I'll buy her next CD without any hesitation.
- Joe Jackson, Volume 4
Hey, how can you even think about not liking it? A few clunkers (Thugsz
R Us; A Little Bit Stupid) can't take away from the great songs (Blue
Flame; Love at First Light) and the solid pop tunes (Awkward Age;
Chrome; Take it Like a Man)
- Jesse Mallin, The Fine Art of Self Destruction
Some great songs and some duds. Ryan Adams produced this disc and it
sounds a lot like some of his stuff. I think Mallin may be trying too
hard. He should just relax and be himself rather than trying to emulate
a host of obvious influences. Not unpleasant just not as good as the
other stuff listed here. Queen of the Underground and Brooklyn
show extraordinary promise.
- The Jayhawks, Rainy Day Music
If you don't like the Jayhawks I think you're beyond redemption.
This is solid and classic Jayhawk music: tightly woven music, wonderful
harmonies, enlighten lyrics. Now they've added a banjo for some nice
highlights. I'm starting hear banjos in a lot of other songs too --
could a big hit be lurking for Bella Fleck or The Tony Trishka Band?
- Joseph Arthur, Redemption's Son; Come to Where I'm From
Oh, what potential this guy has. A great voice, unique lyrical
perspective, wonderful production. There are some dynamite songs here,
especially on Redemption's Son. But, he needs to focus on
crafting 1 voice rather than presenting 16 songs and a dozen voices on an
album.
- John Hiatt, Beneath This Gruff Exterior; The Tiki Bar Is Open;
and It'll Come to You, the Songs of John Hiatt (various artists'
versions of Hiatt songs)
Why did it take me so long to learn to appreciate Hiatt? I don't know
what I was not hearing before but now his stuff strikes me as the epitome of
the songwriter's craft. His subjects and themes are real, his music
catchy, his voice unique -- he's a gem. Go out and get these albums,
now!
- Ryan Adams, Gold; Demolition
Solid, well written, pleasant to listen to, but lacking a spark that I
like. Some solid work, just not particularly special.
Ammended 8/15/03: RE: GOLD Wow, I could not have been more wrong
in that review above. I put this disc in again a few weeks ago and I
have not stopped listening to it since. There is a depth to it that I
missed the first time. There are changes of pace and style that build a
nice album but aren't disruptive. This is a new favorite. I'd
recommend it without reservation now.
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