The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
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June 30, 2009
New CD Album Releases, 6-30-2009: Levon Helm, Brad Paisley, Wilco After 25 years between releases, Electric Dirt is the second Levon Helm album in three years. Dirt Farmer was an excellent album, and this is intended as a continuation of the idea. But whereas the last album was pretty distinctly acoustic and country, this album looks to fold back in a little more electricity and blues. He does an excellent version of Huey Long's famous "King Fish" campaign song that'll make you forget all about Randy Newman. One of the two songs on the album which he composed is "Growing Trade," which gives some reflection on the mixed feelings of an old farmer who has taken to raising marijuana. A body definitely needs to hear this record.
I can't quite remember any of his songs, but Brad Paisley has sold a buttload of records, so maybe I'm missing something. He's back this week with a new album, American Saturday Night. Maybe it's not just mediocre generic modern commercial country music.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Levon Helm Electric Dirt Vanguard Roots Rock, Country-Rock
Moby Wait for Me Mute Alternative Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Ambient Techno
Brad Paisley American Saturday Night Arista Contemporary Country, Neo-Traditionalist Country
Rob Thomas cradlesong Atlantic Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Wilco Wilco (The Album) Nonesuch Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
Ace Hood Ruthless Def Jam Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
Jon Balke/Amina Alaoui/Jonhassell/Kheir Eddine M'Kachiche/Bjarte Eike Siwan ECM Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Composition, Modern Creative
Beastie Boys Hello Nasty Grand Royal/Capitol Alternative Rap, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hip-Hop, Underground Rap
Dave Brubeck Essential Standards OJC Cool, West Coast Jazz
Ossie Davis A Voice Ringing O'er the Gale! The Orato Smithsonian/Folkways Spoken Word
Delain April Rain Roadrunner Progressive Metal, Goth Metal, Power Metal
Ensemble devotio moderna Loff unde ere (Praise and Glory): Music from Medingen Convent Cantate Medieval Vocal Music
Bill Evans Essential Standards OJC Post-Bop, Ballads
Fine Arts Quartet Faure: Piano Quintets Naxos Post-Romantic Chamber Music
Elliot Goldenthal Public Enemies [Score] Decca Original Score, Soundtracks, Vocal Jazz, Contemporary Blues
Vince Guaraldi Essential Standards OJC Mainstream Jazz, Cool, Latin Jazz, West Coast Jazz
Robin Guthrie Angel Falls Darla Experimental Ambient
David Jaurequi Fox Bat Strategy: A Tribute to Dave Jaurequi David Lynch Post-Rock/Experimental, Alternative Pop/Rock
Jefferson Airplane The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Album Rock, Pop/Rock
Janis Joplin The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Album Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll
Eleni Karaindrou Dust of Time (Music for the Film by Theo Angelopolous) ECM Original Score, Film Music
Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage [2009] Roadrunner Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal, Grindcore
Joseph Levine American Ballets EMI Classics Modern Ballet Music
Maino If Tomorrow Comes... Atlantic Underground Rap, East Coast Rap
Ted Nugent Motor City Mayhem: 6,000th Concert Eagle Album Rock, Hard Rock
Michael Schųnwandt Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 Naxos Modern Symphonies
Evan Parker/Electro-Acoustic Ensemble The Moment's Energy ECM Improvisation, Structured Improvisation, Modern Composition
Art Pepper Essential Standards OJC Cool, West Coast Jazz, Bop
Santana Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Latin Rock, Album Rock, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop/Rock
Andy Sheppard Movements in Colour ECM Modern Creative
Sly & Family Stone The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Psychedelic Soul, Pop/Rock, Funk, Soul
Stephen Sondheim Road Show Nonesuch Musicals, Show Tunes
Rod Stewart A Night on the Town [Collector's Edition] Stiefel Entertainment/WB Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, AM Pop
Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing [Collector's Edition] Stiefel Entertainment/WB Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, AM Pop
Tanya Tucker My Turn Time Life Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Twisted Sister Stay Hungry: 25th Anniversary Edition Rhino Pop-Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Various Artists Now That's What I Call the 80s, Vol. 2 Sony Pop/Rock, Dance-Pop, Dance-Rock, Club/Dance, Contemporary R&B
Various Artists Now, Vol. 31 [US] Sony Legacy Pop, Dance-Pop, Pop-Rap, Contemporary R&B
Whitesnake Slide It In [25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] [Bonus Tracks] [CD/DVD] Geffen Pop-Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Arena Rock, Hair Metal
Whitesnake Slip of the Tongue [20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] [Bonus Tracks] [CD/DVD]] Geffen Pop-Metal, Hair Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Arena Rock
Johnny Winter The Woodstock Experience Sony Legacy Slide Guitar Blues, Modern Electric Texas Blues, Blues-Rock, Modern Electric Blues, Album Rock, Hard Rock
Wu-Tang Clan Playlist: The Very Best of Wu-Tang Clan Legacy East Coast Rap, Hip-Hop
New CD Album Releases, 6-23-2009: Pete Yorn, Ginuwine, The Lemonheads There's not one damned thing in the new CD releases that looks the least bit interesting to me. I can't even work myself up to snarky comments over any of this dross.
On the other hand, it's the first week of summer. Get away from the computer and the record stores and malls, and go have a nice picnic with some groovy Chuck Berry or James Brown albums that you already own.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Bjork Voltaic [CD/DVD] Nonesuch Experimental Rock, Electronica, Alternative Pop/Rock, Club/Dance
Jay Brannan In Living Cover RCA Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Tom Brosseau Posthumous Success Fatcat Indie Folk, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Chase Long Beach Gravity Is What You Make It Victory Ska-Punk
Cher 3614 Jackson Highway Atco Blue-Eyed Soul, Pop/Rock, AM Pop
Climax Blues Band Back to Back: Sense of Direction/Stamp Album [Bonus Tracks] Fuel 2000 Album Rock, Blues-Rock, Soft Rock
Al Cohn/Joe Newman/Freddie Green Mosaic Select: Al Cohn, Joe Newman & Freddie Green Mosaic Mainstream Jazz, Bop
Shawn Colvin Live Nonesuch Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Folk
Christina Courtin Christina Courtin Nonesuch Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Deer Tick Born on Flag Day Partisan Lo-Fi, Alternative Folk
Def Leppard Adrenalize [Deluxe Edition] Island/Mercury Pop-Metal, Hair Metal, Heavy Metal, Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Def Leppard Pyromania [Deluxe Edition] Island/Mercury New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Pop-Metal, British Metal, Heavy Metal, Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Dinosaur Jr. Farm Jagjaguwar Indie Rock
Dream Theater Black Clouds & Silver Linings Roadrunner Neo-Prog, Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal
Kurt Elling Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman Concord Vocal Jazz, Vocalese, Post-Bop, Ballads, Modern Creative
Eryn Non Dae Hydra Lernaia Metal Blade Progressive Metal, Death Metal/Black Metal
Fast Life Youngstaz Jamboree Def Jam Southern Rap, Party Rap
Cartin Finch Bach: Goldberg Variations Deutsche Grammophon Baroque Keyboard Music arranged for Harp
Foreign Born Person to Person Secretly Canadian Indie Rock
David Frizzell/Shelly West The Very Best of David Frizzell & Shelly West Varese Fontana Honky Tonk, Country-Pop, Traditional Country
Elizabeth Futral Bach: Solo Cantatas Lems Baroque Vocal Music
Future of the Left Travels with Myself and Another 4AD Indie Rock, Garage Punk, Punk Revival, Noise-Rock
Girls at Our Best Pleasure Happy Birthday New Wave
Goatwhore Carving out the Eyes of God Metal Blade Death Metal/Black Metal
God Help the Girl God Help the Girl Matador Indie Pop, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Stefan Goldmann Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps [Stefan Goldmann Edit] Tapete Modern Ballet Music Remixed
Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul [Bonus Tracks] Stax Memphis Soul, Funk, Soul
Patterson Hood Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs) Ruth St Alternative Country-Rock, Americana
Hot Chocolate Every 1's a Winner EMI Pop/Rock, Funk, Disco
Jets Overhead No Nations Ada/Vapor Dream Pop, Shoegaze
Michael Johns Hold Back My Heart Downtown Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Blue-Eyed Soul
Elisabeth Leonskaja Chopin: Piano Works [Hybrid SACD] MDG Gold Romantic Keyboard Music
Love Is All Last Choice What's Your Rup Indie Pop, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Noise Pop
The Marvelettes Forever: The Complete Motown Albums, Vol. 1 Motown/Hip-O Select Pop-Soul, Motown
Eugene McGuinness Eugene McGuinness Domino Indie Pop, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
John Mellencamp Life Death Love and Freedom [Deluxe Tour Edition] [CD/DVD] Hear Music Heartland Rock, Roots Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Pop/Rock
Tift Merritt Buckingham Solo Fantasy Alternative Country, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Mount Eerie Dawn Buenaventura Press Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Alternative Pop/Rock
Alexi Murdoch Away We Go Nettwerk Soundtracks, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, British Folk
Laura Nyro Mother's Spiritual Columbia Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
Brian Olive Brian Olive Alive Garage Punk, Indie Rock
Maria Joao Pires Chopin Deutsche Grammophon Romantic Keyboard Music
Original Soundtrack I Love You, Beth Cooper Abko Soundtracks, Album Rock, Film Music, Alternative Pop/Rock
Original Soundtrack Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen [Original Soundtrack] Warner Bros. Punk-Pop, Post-Grunge, Hard Rock
John Powell Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs [Score] Varese Sarabande Soundtracks
R.E.M. Reckoning [Deluxe Edition] A&M American Underground, College Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Royal City Royal City Asthmatic Kitty Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Alternative Country-Rock
The Sa-Ra Creative Partners Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love Ubiquity Contemporary R&B
Spooky Tooth Lost in My Dream: An Anthology 1968-1974 Esoteric Prog-Rock/Art Rock, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock
Sunset Rubdown Dragonslayer Jagjaguwar Indie Rock
Al B. Sure! Honey I'm Home Hidden Beach Adult Contemporary R&B
Otis Taylor Pentatonic Wars and Love Songs Telarc Contemporary Blues, Electric Country Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Blues
Tonic A Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic Polydor American Trad Rock, Post-Grunge, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Tortoise Beacons of Ancestorship Thrill Jockey Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental, Instrumental Rock
The Woggles Tempo Tantrum Wicked Cool Garage Punk, Garage Rock Revival, Instrumental Rock
New CD Album Releases, 6-16-2009: Spinal Tap, Jonas Brothers, George Harrison Lord help us, but Spinal Tap are Back from the Dead this week. This set includes something like five new songs with re-workings of Tap classics, ie "(Funky) Sex Farm." Plus, I'm to understand that the packaging has super cool Tap figures and a diorama and such. For new music, this is probably the place to start.
The Jonas Brothers are making hay while the sun shines with Lines, Vines and Trying Times. According to the record company product description at Amazon, it "showcases an incredible musical journey by the Jonas Brothers, as well as their growth as songwriters and musicians. They've incorporated horns into several songs, as well as harmonicas and peddle steel guitars." Wow - horns AND harmonica! That's like, experimental and stuff.
Let It Roll: The Best of George Harrison is the first solo all career inclusive best of set. I tend to find a whole album at a time of solo Harrison a bit much to listen to, but there are some classics among these 19 songs.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
George Harrison Let It Roll: The Best of George Harrison Capitol Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Jonas Brothers Lines, Vines and Trying Times Hollywood Pop/Rock, Teen Pop
Spinal Tap Back from the Dead A2M Song Parody, Musical Comedy, Hard Rock
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara Tell No Lies Real World Afro-Pop, Worldbeat
Among the Oak & Ash Among the Oak & Ash Verve Forecast Americana, Alternative Country-Rock, Indie Rock
The Avengers Avengers CD Presents American Punk, Hardcore Punk, Punk
Big Star #1 Record/Radio City [Bonus Tracks] Fantasy Proto-Punk, Pop/Rock, Power Pop
Deanna Bogart 11th Hour Vista Piano Blues, Jazz Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Brokencyde I'm Not a Fan But the Kids Like It Breaksilence Pop-Rap
Michael Buble Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden [CD/DVD] Reprise Vocal Jazz, Adult Contemporary, Standards, Traditional Pop, Vocal Pop
Rodney Carrington El Nino Loco Liberty/Capitol Country Comedy, Contemporary Country
Dave Douglas/Brass Ecstasy Spirit Moves Greenleaf Post-Bop
Will Downing Classique Concord Contemporary R&B
Ha Ha Tonka Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South Bloodshot Americana, Alternative Country-Rock, Indie Rock
Don Henley The Very Best of Don Henley Geffen Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Adult Contemporary, Singer/Songwriter
Hilltop Hoods State of the Art Universal Underground Rap, Alternative Rap
Incubus Monuments & Melodies Epic Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Metal
The Legends Over and Over Labrador Noise Pop, Indie Pop
Gunar Letzbor Antonio Bertali: Prothimia Suavissima, Parte Seconda Arcana Baroque Chamber Music
Major Lazer Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do Downtown Dancehall, Ragga, Club/Dance
Christian McBride & Inside Straight Kind of Brown Mack AvenueStraight-Ahead Jazz, Post-Bop
Clara Rodriguez Clara Rodriguez Plays the Music of Teresa Carreno Nimbus Post-Romantic Music for Piano
Stefano Scodanibbio John Cage: Dream Wergo Contemporary Chamber Music
Herwig Zack Essentials: Work for Solo Violin Avie Baroque, Post-Romantic & Modern Music for Violin
Andy Pratt Live at the Village Underground 2003 Renaissance Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Daryle Singletary Rockin' in the Country Koch Neo-Traditionalist Country, New Traditionalist, Contemporary Country
The Sippy Cups The Time Machine Snacker Disc Children's Rock, Sing-Along
Charlene Smith Feel the Goodtimes Warner Bros. Garage/House, Club/Dance, House
Tim Sparks Little Princess Tzadik Jewish Music, Klezmer, Jewish Folk, Contemporary Instrumental
Street Sweeper Social Club Street Sweeper Social Club SSSC Rap-Metal, Rap-Rock
Tiny Masters of Today Skeletons Mute Punk Revival, Indie Pop
Various Artists Chess in Concert: Live From Royal Albert Hall Reprise Musicals
Various Artists Kidzapalooza Koch Childen's Pop, Sing-Along
Various Artists Pleasure is the Law Boston Romantic, Modern & Contemporary Chamber Music
Rhonda Vincent Destination Life Rounder Contemporary Bluegrass, Neo-Traditionalist Country, Country-Pop
The Wallflowers Collected: 1996-2005 Interscope American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Hank Williams, Jr. Red, White and Pink-Slip Blues Curb Outlaw Country, Southern Rock, Contemporary Country, Traditional Country
Holly Williams Here with Me Mercury Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Masada Quintet Stolas: The Book of Angels, Vol. 12 Tzadik Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Composition
New CD Album Releases, 6-9-2009: Chickenfoot, Tracey Lawrence, Black Eyed Peas The big name item this week is an eponymous supergroup album from the newly minted Chickenfoot. It features two alum of Van Halen - Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, along with fancy guitar whiz Joe Satriani. On the one hand, while Joe Satriani has always had great technical instrumental facility, he has never been as memorable as prime Eddie Van Halen. On the other hand, at this point Satriani has not destroyed himself with booze, and can still play as good as ever.
Thus, on the basis of a couple of listens, I'd say this is the best Van Halen record in about 20 years. I'm not particularly impressed with the song compositions, but is fancy songwriting what a likely fan of this outfit is really looking for? Even as a skeptic of this kind of stuff, I consider it fairly listenable.
Tracey Lawrence swims against the modern country music grain this week with a gospel album, The Rock. Haven't heard the album, but titles like "Where Heaven Is" and "The Book You Never Read" sound more interesting than he pre-processed country food product engineered for commercial country radio.
The Black Eyed Peas are back with their fifth album of vacuity, The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies). "Boom Boom Pow" is a big #1 hit single. Why escapes me, but knock yourselves out if you're into it.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) Interscope Pop, Club/Dance, Dance-Pop, Pop-Rap
British Sea Power Man of Aran [CD/DVD] Rough Trade Original Score, Film Music, Indie Rock
Chickenfoot Chickenfoot Ear Arena Rock, Hard Rock
Kasabian West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum RCA/Red Ink Indie Rock, Britpop
Rhett Miller Rhett Miller Shout Factory Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
Mos Def The Ecstatic Downtown Underground Rap, East Coast Rap, Alternative Rap, Political Rap
Sonic Youth The Eternal Matador Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental
Ada Adaptations: Mixtape #1 Kompakt Club/Dance, Techno, House
Trey Anastasio & Don Hart Time Turns Elastic Rubber Jungle Experimental Rock, Prog-Rock/Art Rock
Anti-Flag People or the Gun Side One Dummy Punk Revival, Hardcore Punk
The Autumn Offering Requiem Victory Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal
New CD Album Releases, 6-2-2009: Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, Iggy Pop Elvis Costello is back this week with Secret, Profane & Sugarcane. It is his first acoustically based album since King of America in 1986, perhaps his finest album. Like that classic, this was produced by T Bone Burnett, who also gets co-writing credits on two tracks. This album includes new country string arrangements of a couple of old and lesser Elvis songs. It also includes "I Felt the Chill," co-written with Loretta Lynn. It also includes a Bing Crosby waltz, "Changing Partners." It is currently as high as #5 in Amazon best sellers.
Preliminaires is the new album by Iggy Pop, apparently containing jazzy and French flavors. He as much as sings "Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves)" in French. I find this curious, in that he seems barely intelligent enough to speak intelligibly in his native English. Groovy album cover though.
Neil Young Archives, Vol. 1: 1963-1972 is a big ol' honkin' comprehensive eight CD set. It goes back to his first recordings in Canada with the Squires, through Buffalo Springfield and CSNY and Harvest. This bad boy includes some 40 previously unreleased songs, and all kinds of poster and notes and goodies.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Elvis Costello Secret, Profane & Sugarcane Hear Music Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Country-Folk
Dave Matthews Band Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King RCA Jam Bands, American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Iggy Pop Preliminaires Astralwerks Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Rancid Let the Dominoes Fall Epitaph Punk-Pop, Punk Revival, Ska-Punk
Neil Young Neil Young Archives, Vol. 1: 1963-1972 Warner Bros. Album Rock, Folk-Rock, Hard Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Rock, Pop/Rock
Piotr Anderszewski Piotr Anderszewski at Carnegie Hall Virgin Classics Baroque, Romantic & Modern Keyboard Music
Ryan Bingham/The Dead Horses Roadhouse Sun Lost Highway Americana, Country-Folk
Blank Dogs Under and Under In The Red Indie Rock, Lo-Fi
Jeff Buckley Grace: Live Around the World Sony Legacy Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Marshall Crenshaw Jaggedland 429 Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Eva Leon Turina: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2; El poema de una sanluquena Naxos Modern Music for Violin & Piano
Julie London Sings the Choicest of Cole Porter DRG Traditional Pop, Torch Songs, Cool
The Meatmen Cover the Earth Meat King Hardcore Punk, Punk
Kent Nagano Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD] Sony Post-Romantic Symphony
Paolo Nutini Sunny Side Up Atlantic Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Iain Quinn Variations on America Chandos Modern & Centemporary Organ Music
Steve Reich Reich: Four Organs; Phase Patterns Felmay Contemporary Chamber Music
Willy Porter How to Rob a Bank Weasel Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Soft Rock
Louis Prima Hey Boy! Hey Girl!/Swingin' Pretty DRG Traditional Pop, Jump Blues, Dixieland, Early R&B
Jerry Reed When You're Hot 1967-1983 Raven Country-Pop, Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan
Duke Robillard Stomp! The Blues Tonight Stony Plain Jazz Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Perry Robinson Two Voices in the Desert Tzadik Contemporary Jazz
Sad Day for Puppets Unknown Colors Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Noise Pop
Frank Sinatra Classic Sinatra II Capitol Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, Standards, Swing, Ballads, Vocal Pop, Big Band
The Sounds Crossing the Rubicon Original Signal Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival
Taking Back Sunday New Again Warner Bros. Emo, Post-Hardcore
311 Uplifter Volcano Rap-Rock, Rap-Metal, Funk Metal, Alternative Pop/Rock
Unladylike Unladylike Radio Def Jam Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap, Pop-Rap
Various Artists Music from the Original Soundtrack and More: Woodstock Rhino/Cotillion American Trad Rock, Guitar Virtuoso, Boogie Rock, Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, Political Folk, Hard Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Funk
New CD Album Releases, 5-26-2009: Marilyn Manson, Mandy Moore, Michelle Shocked In 2001, The Onion parodied Marilyn Manson as conducting a "boo" tour in an ineffectual effort to continue outraging the public:
Linda Schmidt was preparing to drive her daughter Alyssa to a Girl Scouts meeting when she found Manson standing on her porch draped in sheep entrails.
"I knew who he was, but I was kind of busy and didn't really have time to chat," Schmidt said. "He just kept standing there staring at me, expecting me to react in some way."
Added Schmidt: "I tried to be nice and humor him a little. I said, 'Yesiree, that sure is some shocking satanic imagery, no doubt about it. And that one eye with no color in the pupil, very disturbing. I'd sure like to suppress that.' I mean, what do you say to Marilyn Manson?"
The anti-christ incarnate Brian Warner is back this week with The High End of Low. Considering that he's never made a listenable song and he's more intellectually vacuous than the Spice Girls or even the Dixie Chicks, I'll have to admit to not having listened to this album.
But just on the basis of the song titles, I'd venture an educated guess that this guy is now far beyond even the powerful satirical reach of The Onion. "I Want to Kill You Just Like They Do in the Movies" and "Arma-goddamn-motherf*&^in-geddon" sure sound like a threat to my petty little bourgeois worldview. I'll probably be up all night thinking how I can deny his horrible truths. Ryan Adams' wife has a new album out. Amanda Leigh is the new album from Mandy Moore. She's been making records now for 10 years. Good for her.
The new Michelle Shocked album is Soul of My Soul. It has been described as mostly an album of more or less pop oriented love/relationship songs. Of course, you couldn't very well have an album from ol' girl without some cheesy left wing braying. To that end, you might start with "Ballad Of The Battle Of The Ballot And The Bullet Part I: Ugly Americans." Apparently George Bush was a really bad guy. Thanks for clueing us up there, honey.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest Warp Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental
Marilyn Manson The High End of Low Nothing Industrial Metal, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal
Mandy Moore Amanda Leigh Storefront Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Glassnote Indie Rock, Alternative Dance
A's The A's/A Woman's Got the Power American Beat Power Pop, New Wave
Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women Yep Roc Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Country-Rock
Beausoleil/Michael Doucet Make the Veiller Fuel 2000 Traditional Cajun, Zydeco
Black Moth Super Rainbow Eating Us Graveface Indie Electronic, Indie Pop
Bloodhorse Horizoner Translation Los Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal
Boyz II Men Cooleyhighharmony [Expanded Edition] Motown Contemporary R&B, New Jack Swing, Adult Contemporary R&B
James Brown The Singles, Vol. 7: 1970-1972 Hip-O Select/Polydor Funk, Soul
Dave Brubeck Time Out [50th Anniversary Legacy Edition] Sony Legacy Cool, West Coast Jazz
The Gary Burton Quartet Revisted Quartet Live Concord Post-Bop
Bury Your Dead It's Nothing Personal Victory Hardcore Punk, Death Metal/Black Metal
City Center City Center Type Indie Electronic, Indie Pop
Crash Kings Crash Kings Motown Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, American Trad Rock
Creedence Clearwater Revival The Concert Fantasy Rock & Roll, Pop/Rock, Country-Rock
Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival Covers the Classics Fantasy Pop/Rock, Rock & Roll, AM Pop
Miles Davis Sketches of Spain [50th Anniversary Legacy Edition] Sony Legacy Cool
Dimitri from Paris/The Idjut Boys Night Dubbin' K7 Post-Disco, Club/Dance, Contemporary R&B, Funk
Thomas Dolby The Singular Thomas Dolby EMI New Wave, Synth Pop, Pop/Rock
Electrik Red How to Be a Lady, Vol. 1 Def Jam Contemporary R&B, Pop, Dance-Pop
Sammy Hagar Street Machine [Bonus Tracks] Rock Candy Arena Rock, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Pop-Metal, Album Rock
Philippe Herreweghe Bach: Mass in B minor Virgin Baroque Choral Music
Hillsong United a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down the Walls Columbia Praise & Worship, Alternative CCM
The Intelligence Fake Surfers In The Red Experimental Rock, Noise-Rock, Lo-Fi
Kronos Quartet Floodplain Nonesuch Contemporary Chamber Music
Gary Lewis & the Playboys Complete Liberty Singles Collectors' Choice Music AM Pop
Luciana Souza Tide Verve Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova
Sunn 0))) Monoliths and Dimensions Southern Lord Doom Metal, Experimental Rock, Noise, Experimental, Heavy Metal, Avant-Garde
Super Furry Animals Dark Days/Light Years Rough Trade Britpop, Alternative Pop/Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Indie Pop
Various Artists The Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to the Songs of Chris Gaffney Yep Roc Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
Various Artists Mark O'Connor: String Quartets Nos. 2 & 3 OMAC Contemporary Chamber Music
Various Artists Not Given Lightly: A Tribute to Giant Golden Book of New Zealand's Alternative Music Morr Music/M.M. Indie Pop, Indie Electronic, Indie Rock
Various Artists Twenty First Century Twenty First Year Luaka Bop Psychedelic Soul, Foreign Language Rock, Brazilian Pop, Tropicalia, Obscuro, Samba, Latin Pop, MPB, Neo-Psychedelia
Johnny Winter The Johnny Winter Anthology Shout Slide Guitar Blues, Modern Electric Texas Blues, Blues-Rock, Modern Electric Blues, Album Rock, Hard Rock, Boogie Rock, Arena Rock, Electric Texas Blues, Electric Blues
Wand Hard Knox Ecstatic Peace Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock
New CD Album Releases, 5-19-2009: Tori Amos, Eminem, Steve Martin Having pretty much disappeared up her own bellybutton with the last couple of high concept albums, Tori Amos returns this week with Abnormally Attracted to Sin. It would appear to be something of a return to the crazy concept of just writing a batch of good songs. It is the #4 album currently at Amazon.
Eminem's Relapse is the #2 album at Amazon. It is his first album in several years. This guy SO needs some new frickin' material. This "We Made You" is probably the worst excuse for a song I've ever, ever heard from the guy.
Wow, a guest shot from Jessica Simpson! Calling down the biggest talent around to work with, huh? And this tuneless and hookless "song" is so completely instant ramen noodles Eminem - pointless random cracks about random boring celebrities of the moment.
Plus, the utterly and totally self-referential absorption of his words is just stupid, especially when his recent life experience is so stupid and goddam cliched. Why in the world would a single person want to hear about Eminem re-marrying the ex and have a multi-year relapse into drug addiction? As a rather greater artist put it in his "Rehab" song, "I've seen this flick before and it gets boring." The Slim Shady shtick has been thoroughly, 110% run into the frickin' ground. The poor dead cow has been beaten into a putrid and decomposing pulp no longer recognizable as a cow. Plus, this BS sounds increasingly stupid as he edges toward middle age.
In the range of actual tunes and musicianship, herald again this week the regular release on Rounder of Steve Martin's The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.
These 15 songs are all Martin compositions, many of them instrumentals. "Daddy Played Banjo" is a beautiful and sad lament, and "Late for School" is a wonderous delight. In his 60s, Steve Martin has finally released the album he's waited all his life for. Perhaps he'll get us maybe one more before he dies, which will likely be in less than another 60 years. This is MUCH better use of his talents than most of the BS cotton candy family comedy films.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Tori Amos Abnormally Attracted to Sin Universal Republic Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Busta Rhymes Back on My B.S. Universal Motown Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
Jarvis Cocker Further Complications Rough Trade Indie Rock, Britpop, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Eminem Relapse Aftermath/Interscope Hardcore Rap
Iron & Wine Around the Well Sub Pop Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi
Method Man/Redman Blackout! Vol. 2 Def Jam Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
John Luther Adams John Luther Adams: The place we began Cold Blue Music Contemporary Music for Electronics & Tape
Artango Metropole / Un soir Virgin Classics Contemporary Chamber Music
Au Revoir Simone Still Night, Still Light Our Secret Indie Pop, Indie Electronic, Dream Pop
The Beach Boys Summer Love Songs Capitol AM Pop, Surf, Early Pop/Rock, Sunshine Pop, Pop/Rock
Ed Bruce The Tennessean/Cowboys and Dreamers Hux Outlaw Country, Progressive Country, Traditional Country
Johnny Burnette Johnny Burnette and More Kings of Rockabilly Primo Rockabilly, Rock & Roll
CIV The Complete Discography Equal Vision Punk Revival, Alternative Pop/Rock
CKY Carver City Roadrunner Alternative Metal, Post-Grunge
Carbon Leaf Nothing Rhymes with Woman Vanguard Jam Bands, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Roots Rock
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds The Firstborn Is Dead Mute Post-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock
Nick Cave From Her to Eternity [Bonus Tracks/Bonus DVD] Mute Post-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock
Nick Cave Kicking Against the Pricks [Bonus Tracks/Bonus DVD] Mute Alternative Pop/Rock
Nick Cave Your Funeral...My Trial [Bonus Tracks/Bonus DVD] Mute Post-Punk, Alternative Pop/Rock
Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood Live from Madison Square Garden Reprise/Duck Blues-Rock, Modern Electric Blues, Album Rock, Pop/Rock
Dane Cook Isolated Incident Comedy Central Observational Humor, Standup Comedy
The Curious Mystery Rotting Slowly K Neo-Psychedelia, Indie Rock
The Datsuns Head Stunts Cooking Vinyl Garage Punk, Hard Rock
Drama Gangsta Grillz: The Album, Vol 2 AMG/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Hardcore Rap, Gangsta Rap
Drop Nineteens Delaware Cherry Red Shoegaze, Alternative Pop/Rock
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band Palace and Stage Side One Dummy American Trad Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
Emerson String Quartet Intimate Letters Deutsche Grammophon Modern Chamber Music
Family Force 5 Dance or Die with a Vengeance Transparent Rap-Rock, Rap-Metal, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Field Yesterday and Today Kompakt/Anti Ambient Techno, Experimental Techno, Techno
Jim Ford Big Mouth USA: The Unissued Paramount Album Bear Family Singer/Songwriter, Country-Rock, Pub Rock
Johnny Griffin The Best of Johnny Griffin Riverside Hard Bop
Headless Heroes The Silence of Love Headless Heroes Indie Pop
Hot Chip A Bugged Out Mix New State Indie Electronic, Indie Rock, Alternative Dance
Mat Kearney City of Black and White Aware/Columbia/Inpop Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Lenny Kravitz Let Love Rule [20th Anniversary Edition] Virgin Album Rock, American Trad Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Pop/Rock, Rock & Roll
Jeffrey Lewis & the Junkyard 'Em Are I Rough Trade Alternative Folk, Anti-Folk
Frank London/Lorin Sklamberg Tsuker-Zis Tzadik Jewish Music
Joe Lovano Us Five Folk Art Blue Note Post-Bop
Jason Lytle Yours Truly, The Commuter Anti Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock
Steve Martin The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo Rounder Contemporary Bluegrass, Progressive Bluegrass
Susanna Malkki Michael Jarrell: Cassandre Kairos Contemporary Opera
The Oak Ridge Boys The Boys Are Back Spring Hill Country-Pop, Country-Rock
Original TV Soundtrack True Blood [Original TV Soundtrack] Elektra Swamp Blues, Neo-Traditionalist Country, Alternative Country-Rock, Indie Rock, Soundtracks, New Orleans R&B, Alternative Pop/Rock, Country-Rock
U.S. (United Soul) U.S. Music with Funkadelic Westbound Funk
Passion Pit Manners Columbia/French Kiss Indie Electronic, Indie Pop
Roberto Juan Rodriguez Timba Talmud Tzadik Jewish Music, Avant-Garde Jazz, Hebrew, Son, Rhumba, Klezmer, Latin Folk, Mambo, New York Salsa, Salsa, World Fusion
New CD Album Releases, 5-12-2009: Green Day, Steve Earle, Louvin Brothers Steve Earle has a new album Townes, consisting of his interpretations of 15 songs by his hero Townes Van Zandt, including "Pancho and Lefty." Van Zandt was considered a country songwriter, and Earle started as country, leaning more toward folk in recent years. Nonetheless, this album (currently as high as #11 at Amazon) was produced by the Dust Brothers and features the guitar talents of Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.
The #1 album at the moment is 21st Century Breakdown, the first studio album in five years from Green Day. It is the followup to American Idiot, which for reasons incomprehensible to me was a huge hit and sold over 10 million copies. It was even well regarded critically - presumably for the ignorant anti-American sentiments expressed. This album is said to represent more of a big statement 70s arena rock Queen influence rather than the Who based power pop of the last album.
The most likely thing that I would spend money on this week is the re-mastered version of the Louvin Brothers 1956 album Tragic Songs of Life on Rounder. Along with the original 12 songs, this includes four bonus gospel recordings.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Steve Earle Townes New West Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Alternative Country-Rock
Green Day 21st Century Breakdown Reprise Punk-Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock, Punk Revival, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Maximo Park Quicken the Heart Warp Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Britpop
Paul Wall Fast Life SwishaHouse/Asylum Hardcore Rap, Gangsta Rap, Dirty South, Southern Rap
The Amazing Rhythm Aces Their Very Best Varese Fontana Country-Rock, Soft Rock
Anvil Forged in Fire Attic Speed Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash
Apartment House Peter Garland: String Quartets Cold Blue Music Contemporary String Quartets
Arctic Monkeys At the Apollo Warner Bros. Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Better Than Ezra Plays Paper Empire Better Than Ezra American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Kaoru Bingham Chopin: 24 Preludes; Busoni: Ten Variations on a Chopin Prelude; Mompou: Variations on a theme of Chopin Meridian Romantic & Modern Keyboard Music
Bricolage Bricolage Slumberland New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Indie Pop
Cam'ron Crime Pays Diplomatic Man/Asylum Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
Children Hard Times Hanging at the End of the World Kemado Heavy Metal
The Church Untitled #23 Second Motion Neo-Psychedelia, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Stanley Clarke Trio Jazz in the Garden Heads Up Contemporary Jazz, Mainstream Jazz
The Crystal Method Divided by Night Tiny e Electronica, Club/Dance, Funky Breaks
DJ Vadim U Can't Lurn Imaginashun BBE Left-Field Hip-Hop, Underground Rap, Downbeat, Ambient Breakbeat
James Luther Dickinson Dinosaurs Run in Circles Memphis Int'l Contemporary Blues, Memphis Blues
New CD Album Releases, 5-5-2009: New York Dolls, Jewel, Cracker Haven't actually heard any of this new stuff, but the most likely listenable item would be from Jewel, a little something different. She's recorded an album of Lullaby songs for children on the Fisher Price label. This consists of 10 new Jewel compositions, plus five standards, including "Over the Rainbow." I don't know if this would be a great artistic statement, but should at least be listenable. If nothing else, it would probably be superior to some damned Barney album or such for your chillen.
The New York Dolls have a new album this week, 'Cause I Sez So. They were a proto-punk band that released two albums in 1973 and 1974, neither one of which was worth a damn. David Johansen made at least somewhat more interesting and listenable records under his Buster Poindexter personnae.
But they were considered forerunners of punk rock a couple of years before the Ramones et al, and some people inexplicably thought they were something special. Then again, a lot of people think that Mariah Carey is good. Personally, I'd rather listen to Mariah Carey, even though she's the official Public Enemy #1.
Anyway, lacking anything else to do with their lives, part of the Dolls band has regrouped. This is their second new album in three years, and reunites the band with Todd Rundgren, producer of their debut album. Again, in fairness, I haven't heard this album. It could possibly be 10x better than their debut, and thus minimally worth hearing - but I'm not holding my breath.
Between Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker, David Lowery has come up with exactly ONE truly memorable song, "Low." But that's one more classic than most bands come up with, including some that have sold a lot more records.
Cracker is back with a new album, Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey. There's a live performance video of the single "Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out with Me" on the Amazon page. It's minimally listenable, if you've got a jones for generic American rock.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases:
Ciara Fantasy Ride Laface Contemporary R&B, Pop
Ben Harper and Relentless7 White Lies for Dark Times Virgin Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
The Horrors Primary Colours XL Indie Rock, Shoegaze
New York Dolls 'Cause I Sez So Rhino Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band Outer South Merge Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock
Peaches I Feel Cream XL Indie Electronic, Electro-Techno
The Vaselines Enter the Vaselines Sub Pop Indie Pop, Twee Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Akron/Family Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free Dead Oceans Experimental Rock, Indie Rock
Paul Carrack I Know That Name Carrack UK Blue-Eyed Soul, Pop/Rock, Adult Contemporary
Toni Childs Keep the Faith Hanalei Music Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Chrisette Michele Epiphany Def Jam Adult Contemporary R&B, Contemporary R&B
Cracker Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey 429 American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock
The Devil Wears Prada With Roots Above and Branches Below Ferret Heavy Metal, Alternative CCM
Dollar Shooting Stars: The Dollar Collection [Bonus Tracks] Castle Pop/Rock, New Wave
Double Dagger More Thrill Jockey New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Indie Rock
Electric Owls Ain't Too Bright Vagrant Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop
Fischerspooner Entertainment FS Studios Neo-Electro, Alternative Dance, Club/Dance
The Gallows Grey Britain Reprise/Wea Post-Hardcore, Punk Revival
Richard Goode Beethoven: The Complete Piano Concertos Nonesuch Romantic Keyboard Concertos
Joel Harrison Urban Myths Highnote Post-Bop
Jon Hopkins Insides Double Six/Domino IDM, Ambient Techno, Experimental Techno
Stefan Irmer Sigismund Thalberg: Piano Music MDG Romantic Keyboard Music
Jewel Lullaby Fisher Price Lullabies
Gidon Kremer The Berlin Recital EMI Classics Romantic, Post-Romantic and Modern Music for Violin & Piano
Charlie Schulze - A Family Remembrance I noticed a story from April 25 where a 70 year old man in Florida died saving two boys from drowning in some ocean rip tides. My thought was that if going out like that doesn't get you into heaven, then not much would.
Turns out that Mr Schulze was a cousin to a pal of mine, who wrote me with memories of his beloved family member that I want to share with you. Take it away, Cousin Lou: ------ My cousin, Charlie Schulze, died this past weekend, on Saturday, April 25. Because of the selfless way in which he died, I feel compelled to talk about him, to share a little of Cousin Charlie with my friends.
I won't pretend that Charlie and I were particularly close. He was at least 20 years older than me, and lived in the Washington, D.C. area, while I have spent the better part of my life in Ohio.
But, for the relatively few times that Charlie and I spent time together as adults, I have to say he was always great to be around, and I always looked forward to seeing him. The phrase most often used to describe him was "big-hearted."
Charlie was my mother's sister's son. Due to some family issues, including his mother's premature death while he was barely a teen, in many ways, Charlie saw Aunt Norma as the primary mother figure in his life. Certainly, few sons have ever loved a mother more than Charlie loved his Aunt Norma.
Charlie was gregarious and generous, always the life of a party. In fact, parties seemed to break out wherever Charlie might be.
He overcame dyslexia and became a successful attorney. He worked hard, and he played hard. He made lots of money, and he spent lots of money - on himself, on his family, on his friends, basically, anyone in his proximity.
If you attended Norma's 90th birthday party last July, you almost surely met Charlie. He was the one who composed and read the long tribute poem to his beloved Aunt Norma. He likely offered to buy you a drink as well. Charlie and his longtime girlfriend, Helen, were responsible for the beautiful orchid plant that you would have passed in the receiving line.
Charlie died a true hero. He and Helen were walking along Pompano Beach in Florida when they saw two boys struggling in rough waters, one about forty yards out. The closest lifeguards were several blocks away. Without hesitation, Charlie dove in and pulled the two youngsters close enough to shore for others to help. They survived, not even needing a trip to the hospital.
Unfortunately, the effort proved to be too much for Charlie. Medical reports show that Charlie's exertion during the rescue triggered a fatal heart attack. It was remarkable that Charlie was able to bring both boys far enough that others could help. I suspect that, once he knew the boys were safely in others hands, he just let go. Efforts to revive him were in vain. Charlie was gone.
Family members were stunned as word of Charlie’s death spread. It seemed almost inconceivable that a heart so big could have stopped so abruptly. As we discussed Charlie's life, and his unexpected and untimely death, we concluded that if Charlie could have picked his way to go, going out saving two young lives would have been his choice. It was selfless, and it was heroic.
So, I hope my friends now know a little more about my Cousin Charlie, how he lived his life, and how he risked it - and ultimately sacrificed it - to save others.
If you're so inclined, offer a little prayer for Charlie and his family.
After that, please take a moment to raise your glass to Cousin Charlie, a man who lived life to the fullest, up to the very end. I think Charlie would appreciate that.
New CD Album Releases, 4-28-2009: Bob Dylan, Ben Folds
The current #15 album in the land according to Amazon consists of various campus vocal groups doing acapella renditions of Ben Folds songs. Thus it is called University A Cappella!. It was put together by Ben Folds himself. It's just the kind of cheesy thing that shouldn't work, but probably does. Think again of his little mind meld with William Shatner a few years back. I'm just disappointed that the song lineup does NOT include "The Battle of Who Could Care Less" or "Rockin the Suburbs" "Hiroshima" or the best record of 2008, "The Bitch Went Nuts[fake]."
The #2 Amazon album this minute is Together Through Life, billed as Bob Dylan's 46th album. Listening to previews, he hasn't got any voice left to sing with. More importantly, I haven't heard a memorable TUNE out of Dylan since Infidels in 1983. Every bit of these new songs sounds like generic blues, and not a hint of a hook. Still, he wrote "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" and "Neighborhood Bully," so that kinda halfway rates him at least half a listen.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new CD album releases:
Crocodiles Summer of Hate Fat Possum Noise Pop, Indie Rock
Bob Dylan Together Through Life Columbia Album Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Folk-Rock
Mike Jones The Voice Asylum Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
Sweet Action: The Sweet Anthology Shout! Factory Glitter, Bubblegum, Glam Rock, Hard Rock, Pop/Rock
Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. Interstellar Guru and Zero Homeopathic Experimental Rock, Prog-Rock/Art Rock
Johnny Adams Essential Recordings: The Great Johnny Adams Jazz Album Rounder Southern Soul, Vocal Jazz, New Orleans R&B
Ape School Ape School Counter Acid Folk, Post-Rock/Experimental
The Audition The Audition Victory Emo, Punk-Pop
The Black Crowes Warpaint Live Eagle American Trad Rock, Southern Rock, Blues-Rock
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown Essential Recordings: Flippin' Out Rounder Modern Electric Texas Blues, Modern Delta Blues, Texas Blues, Electric Texas Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Howdy neighbors, just want to have a friendly little two minute hate for Steven Patrick Morrissey, lead whiner of the Smiths and an icon of, I guess, goth types for a generation. Finding myself reading accounts of his 2009 Coachella appearance and noting that said accounts left me wanting to bring the pimp hand down on Morrissey. I think there are basically three points to it.
First of all, Morrissey's music just totally sucks donkey nads. There are a lot of good bands that just aren't really to my taste, but the Smiths are not among them. They just weren't any good. Having heard nearly all the Smiths records, and probably half of Morrissey's solo output - having been a college boy during the Smiths time in the 80s and having TRIED to listen to them repeatedly - for all that, I can remember exactly one song of his career.
There's just hardly anything memorable about Morrissey's songs - regardless of how many chumps have bought his records. There's precious little in the way of basic hooks, much less any memorable melodic development. Nor is there much noteworthy in any of the arrangments or performance from this bland Smiths band. Their contemporaries in Duran Duran worked about skin deep, and hardly anyone would accuse them of being great artistes. But even the gibberish "Union of the Snake" was catchy and had a beat - as did a lot of their songs. They can at least claim basic competence as pop songwriters, and creators of some hot dance grooves. What was the Smith's big hit single again?
So I was not surprised to read accounts of Morrissey's recent Coachella performance, to find that his big centerpiece was the Smith's song "Girlfriend in a Coma." That was the one song of his that I myself can remember, the one thing in his lousy catalog that might constitute a legitimate pop song. I can at least halfway remember how this goes after a couple of years not hearing it. There is something at least vaguely mistakable for a real song there.
But this brings me to the second point of my hatey-hate against Morrissey. This song is one of the most pathetic pieces of poopie lickin' self-pity ever in a pop song. It always just struck me as damned convenient that Morrissey would have a girlfriend who was in a coma - that way he wouldn't have to actually have sex with her.
His entire personnae seems pathetic and disgusting to me, what an actually talented songwriter like Ben Folds might describe as "unearned unhappiness." Whining and misery and sanctimonious judgment have been Morrissey's artistic stock in trade. And he doesn't even have interesting music or arrangements to express his petty misery. Why would someone want to listen to such tuneless misery? He insists that Meat Is Murder, but I'm telling you that Morrissey's music is murder.
Then there was the Coachella moment that gave me the minor epiphany. At a huge rock concert, they have vendors selling hotdogs and hamburgers and such. This of course was deeply offensive to this militant vegetarian (there's a passive-aggression thing for ya). But after taking a check to play such an event, he nonetheless has to go on a little cheesy rant against his paying customers.
"I can smell burning flesh," Morrissey said, but the crowd wasn't quiet enough, so he repeated it. "I can smell burning flesh, and I hope to god it's human." Uh, come again? He made a series of gagging noises, sung a bit more. Then: "The smell of burning animals is making me sick," he said, gagging again. "I can't bear it!"
Listen to what he's saying. "I hope to God it's human." This isn't a statement of love or concern for poor suffering cows and pigs. It's an undisguised statement of hatred for humanity. He really would be happy to find that Soylent Green is made out of people. Good.
Somebody want to tell me again why I'd give a damn about this tuneless, miserable, hateful little bitch?
Levon Helm
Michelle Shocked 
