Category: CD Reviews (Page 347 of 399)

If you’ve got to reissue an album for the umpteenth time…

June 23, 2006 / Will Harris

The Capitol/EMI 40th anniversary reissue of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds will be preceded for no apparent reason by a CD single of “Good Vibrations,” a song which has no connection to the album aside from the fact that it came out later that year. Sure, it’s celebrating an anniversary as well…but why not reissue a single from the seminal pop album instead? Like, say, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Or, hey, how about the song Paul McCartney described as “the greatest love song of all time,” a.k.a. “God Only Knows”…?

But I digress.

The reissue of Pet Sounds will include both mono and stereo versions of each track on the CD; the package will also include a DVD which features a 5.1 surround sound mix of the album, original promo films for “Pet Sounds,” “Sloop John B,” and “Good Vibrations” (AGAIN with the freakin’ “Good Vibrations”!!!), in addition to a photo gallery synched to audio of “God Only Knows” and three documentary films. The first documentary is called “The Making of Pet Sounds” and features interviews with all of the Beach Boys, including the now-deceased Dennis and Carl Wilson. The second documentary, “Pet Stories,” is more of a reflection piece and includes a couple of in-depth discussions of specific songs, as well as a chapter called “Competition With the Beatles”. Finally, there is an excerpt from BBC TV documentary “Rhythm of Life,” a previously unreleased Brian Wilson interview conducted by Sir George Martin.

Artists, News, Pop

What’s that? You say you need an excuse not to work…?

June 22, 2006 / Will Harris

This ought to keep you busy for awhile: the as-snarky-as-they-wanna-be PitchforkMedia.com have taken it upon themselves to scour YouTube and compile a list of 100 Awesome Music Videos, complete with the link to each one.

I’m sure we’ll all have our favorites, but I have to give rare props to the site (I generally loathe their hipper-than-thou writing style) not only for including Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” but for calling out the guy playing air keys.

Also, someone should call David Hasselhoff’s agent; his cover of “Hooked On A Feeling” is cheesy enough to begin with, but the video – which appears to have about the same budget as those “Make Your Own Video!” booths they have at most amusement parks – is…well, if you don’t go watch it right now, you’re missing the biggest laughs you’re likely to get all day.

Alternative, Artists, Pop, Rap, Rock, Songs, Videos

I guess he didn’t look good on the dance floor

June 21, 2006 / Deb Medsker

The Arctic Monkeys have just kicked bassist Andy Nicholson off the tour bus, according to recent reports:

The remaining Monkeys confirmed in a statement posted Monday on their Website that Nicholson will not be rejoining his mates after bowing out of their North American schedule last month, ostensibly to take a breather from the Sheffield, England-based band’s increasingly hectic life in the spotlight.

“We are sad to tell everyone that Andy is no longer with the band,” frontman Alex Turner, guitarist Jamie Cook and drummer Matt Helders said.

“Nick O’Malley, who stood in for Andy while he was absent from the recent tour of North America, shall carry on playing bass for the remaining shows this summer. We have been mates with Andy for a long time and have been through some amazing things together that no one can take away. We all wish Andy the very best.”

Um, that was fast. How long have these guys even been on this round of touring? Like a week, maybe?

Oh, wait, nope: It was a full two weeks. That’s MUCH better. Twice as good, even.

Alternative, Artists, News

Former slutbag goes jazzy

June 21, 2006 / Captain Capm

While Britney is busy chewing gum on TV defending her shallow marriage and parenting skills, Christina Aguilera is busy reinventing herself as “Baby Jane.” It’s all part of a plan for her tour for her next album. Baby Jane’s gonna be playing small jazz clubs and getting real, proving she’s the genuine artist, shedding her former hobag status and trying to pull off some kind Madonna type transformation. Problem is, when Madonna did that whole jazzy thing via the I’m Breathless album, no one gave a damn (but to be fair, I’ve always felt it was one of her groovier albums if only because it was fluff). We’ll see how Christina fares in non-smoky jazz clubs filled to the brim with all her little fans wanting to hear those old hits of yore. She’d better watch out though, as she’s stepping dangerously close to Richard Cheese territory, and we all know Mr. Cheese is the best thing out there when it comes to lounge pop done right.

Artists, Jazz, News

After 42 years, the “Top” has popped.

June 20, 2006 / Will Harris

After 42 years on the air, during which time everyone and their brother appeared to mime their hit single, the BBC has decided to close up shop on “Top of the Pops.”

“The decision to bring the show to an end after 42 years has not been taken lightly,” said BBC director of television Jana Bennett, “and over the past few years every effort has been made to maintain the quality and distinctiveness of the show. However the BBC’s Creative Review Music Strategy has concluded that in a rapidly changing musical landscape, ‘Top of the Pops’ no longer occupies the central role it once did.”

Well, it happened to “American Bandstand.” I guess it was inevitable that it would happen to “Top of the Pops” eventually, too. But who will ever forget John Lennon’s famous question to his fellow Beatles…?

John Lennon: “Where we goin’ fellas!?”

Paul, George, and Ringo: “To the top!”

John Lennon: “What top?!”

Paul, George, and Ringo: “The toppermost of the poppermost, Johnny!”

Not anymore, lads.

News, Pop