Category: Pop (Page 103 of 216)

The Smithereens: B-Sides the Beatles

October 24, 2008 / R. David Smola

Dave Medsker wrote the following about the Smithereens’ initial Fab Four cover record (2007’s Meet The Smithereens): “Pat Dinizio has always worn his love for the Beatles on his sleeve (the band did a fab cover of Ringo’s “It Don’t Come Easy” back in 1991), but no one is going to mistake his singing for that of Paul McCartney or John Lennon, and that is the biggest problem with Meet the Smithereens.” Well, fast forward to 2008 and the newest Smithereens’ Fab Four cover record, B-Sides the Beatles, and nothing has changed, really. The boys do a great job of re-creating the vibe and sound of the early Beatles catalog, but Dinizio’s voice just doesn’t do the songs justice (Dennis Diken sings lead on “Slow Down”). I love Dinizio’s vocals in general, but not for these songs; they just don’t fit. The band gives a little more crunch to songs like “You Can’t Do That” and “Some Other Guy” but the only thing this album does is make you want to listen to the originals, not these covers. The Smithereens couldn’t resist the modest commercial success and critical buzz that the 2007 record achieved and went to the well one more time (off the back of a Christmas record with only three seasonal originals). Here is an idea: how about an original Smithereens record? They haven’t produced a new disc of Smithereens’ material since 1999’s overwhelmingly mediocre God Save the Smithereens. This is the band that produced great records like Green Thoughts and Especially for You. There has to be more in them than just becoming a Beatles tribute act. Competent, yes the album is competent and the art is cool and the liner notes informative, but exciting, or thrilling…not so much. (Koch)

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Jonatha Brooke: The Works

October 24, 2008 / Jeff Giles

Here’s something unexpected: Folk-pop pixie Jonatha Brooke, granted access to Woody Guthrie’s archives, takes the opportunity to co-write a batch of new songs with the American icon from beyond the grave, adding music to Guthrie’s lyrics, and drafting a sterling group of players (including Joe Sample, Steve Gadd, Christian McBride, Keb’ Mo’, Glen Phillips, and Eric Bazilian of the Hooters) to lend support. The end result sounds pretty much like any other Jonatha Brooke, which is both a little disappointing and a tribute to Brooke’s strength and presence as an artist. Listeners hoping for a whiff of the Dust Bowl will probably come away disenchanted; The Works tries hard, but although Brooke’s vocals might boast several compelling colors – weary, strong, sensual – they’re always pretty, and that placid, unflappable beauty prevents her from digging into the beautifully uneven spirit at the heart of Guthrie’s work. Still, even if it makes for a disappointing Woody Guthrie album, The Works stands tall as one of Brooke’s most assured and down-to-earth solo outings, and the musicianship is flawless from start to finish; the sessions were recorded in a two-day burst, leaving the songs with a wonderfully relaxed warmth. Add it to your brunch playlist and repeat as necessary. (Bad Dog 2008)

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CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Folk, Pop

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Knox Bronson: Pop Down the Years

October 24, 2008 / Captain Capm

Touted as “electronic music for the mind and body,” Knox Bronson’s Pop Down the Years features nine tracks of varying pop alchemy. The opening cut “Hey Little Earthgirl” sounds like the same sort of thing Freezepop has been doing for a few years now, with its vocoder-soaked vocals and cutesy-pie melody. On the other hand, “Old Man Cold Man” sounds like a hellish marriage of Leonard Cohen and something from the mind of Ed Wood. Indeed, how seriously are we to take these tunes when something like “3 Secends before Maia Smiled” sounds like some random New Age electronic CD got spun in a blender with Taco? “Take Me Down” sounds like a creepy old man coming on to a much younger girl, and those synthesized farts and burbles in the mix don’t help at all, nor do lyrics like “Making love all day on a sacred afternoon.” In fact, that creepy old guy persona imbues much of the work here, making the album more than a little uncomfortable. I’m sure that was unintentional, but it doesn’t make the listening any easier. (Tangerine Sky Interactive)

Knox Bronson MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Electronica, Pop

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Classic Albums: Duran Duran, Rio

October 20, 2008 / David Medsker

Man, do we love this series. Eagle gets away from their classic rock leanings and brings in four of the Fab Five – Andy Taylor, having left the band once again, does not participate – to dissect Duran Duran’s 1982 worldwide breakthrough album Rio, and while it doesn’t contain any of the bizarro production stories that were revealed in the episode dedicated to Def Leppard’s Hysteria, it is still a very entertaining and informative analysis of one of the biggest albums of the ‘80s. Nick Rhodes describes the origins of the opening sound on the album’s title track, and talks about how he remodeled “The Chauffeur” into an electronic track from its origins as an acoustic number. They even recruited David Kershenbaum to talk about remixing several Rio tracks to make them more “American” (smart move, that). John Taylor pulls out his bass and plays a few riffs, and reveals that he had to switch from his fingers to a pick and back on “Hold Back the Rain.” Russell Mulcahy is on hand to talk about the videos he shot in Sri Lanka (three videos in three days, yikes), and Bob Geldof is on hand to rave about the record, too. It’s a fine addition to an excellent series. May we suggest ABC’s The Lexicon of Love as a future candidate? (Eagle Vision)

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Josh Rouse: The Best of the Rykodisc Years

October 17, 2008 / Jeff Giles

His sales have never quite caught up with the critical accolades his albums have piled up over the last decade, but for lovers of gently introspective singer/songwriter folk-pop, Josh Rouse has been one of the last decade’s most trustworthy artists. He’s been one of the most prolific, too, racking up an impressive eight “official” releases over the last 10 years, plus an array of EPs, digital collections, and other assorted goodies – which is why, even though you may have never heard of Rouse, this two-CD best-of both fills a need and serves a purpose. The first disc collects 18 tracks from Rouse’s five Ryko full-lengths and adds a song from his collaboration with Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner for good measure. The track listing leans slightly heavier on Rouse’s more recent stuff, which is a good thing, as it means more room is devoted to the sunny 1972 and stellar Nashville; meanwhile, on the second disc, fans are treated to the entirety of 2001’s rarities compilation, Bedroom Classics, Vol. 1, as well as a smattering of demos and outtakes. There probably isn’t much here that Rouse fanatics haven’t already found one way or another, but it’s still nice to get it all in one place – and as a primer for one of the most sweetly melodic artists of the genre, it’s just about flawless. (Rykodisc 2008)

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