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Jack Bruce confirms Cream is over

In a recent interview, Cream bassist Jack Bruce has confirmed that the legendary supergroup will not reunite. This goes against a previous statement Bruce made in 2008 in which he expressed willingness to continue working with the band’s other two members, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker.

From RollingStone.com:

If you missed Cream’s epic reunion shows in 2005, bassist Jack Bruce is the bearer of some bad news. “There’s a new story now — Cream is over,” Bruce told BBC 6Music, effectively crushing any hope of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio reuniting once again to rock “Sunshine of Your Love.” Bruce’s recent quotes to the BBC are in stark contrast to what Bruce said in October 2008: “I think there might be a chance of some more,” Bruce said then of the possibility of more Cream reunion shows. “I would like to do some more, ’cause I enjoyed it. It was very emotional. I would like another shot at it.”

While no official announcement has been made regarding the end of Cream, the members of the trio have been moving along with their own musical endeavors. Eric Clapton will tour this year with Jeff Beck and then Roger Daltrey, and Bruce also has something “very exciting” planned. “So much so I can’t even talk about it. It’s the most exciting project I’ve ever been involved in,” Bruce said.

I don’t think this comes as a surprise to anyone. While I’d consider catching them live, the main reason I’d want Cream to get back together is so they could possibly play a Super Bowl Halftime Show. Seriously, who else is left to play that thing?

Video: Sweet Apple’s “Do You Remember?”

I’m a fan of a bunch of things in this video. To name a few: J. Mascis, big guitars, tennis and half-naked girls in towels. This reminds me of a Pavement video, meaning it forgoes meaning and lays on the wacky humor.

“I’m gonna play!” Ha!

What are we doin’ tonight, people?

Rogue Wave: Permalight


RIYL: Nada Surf, Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins

Fans of alternative pop/rock band Rogue Wave know that their music can be somewhat of an acquired taste, just like the Shins or Death Cab for Cutie. But therein lies a big reason for their success. The music won’t instantly grow on you nor make you instantly tired of it. Instead, Zach Rogue (who has a soft tenor a la Josh Rouse) and his band mates make the kind of music that should have staying power on your master play list. Rogue Wave’s latest, Permalight, is a departure from previous work, though it’s not exactly easy to pinpoint just why. Maybe it’s because Rogue suffered a couple of slipped discs in his neck in late 2008, which rendered him unable to move and scared him into believing he had a life-threatening illness. Eventually the swelling went down, and he regained enough feeling in his hand to be able to play the guitar. Many of the songs on Permalight are noticeably bouncier and happier than what one would expect from Rogue Wave, but the quality of songwriting is definitely still there.

Rogue_Wave_01

If you like upbeat alt-pop, you’ll find the jangly “Solitary Gun” or “Stars and Stripes” to your liking. But if you favor the darker side of what made you love Rogue Wave, “Sleepwalker” or the acoustic driven “Fear Itself” will suit you more. Then there is the total oddity of the title track or the robotic “We Will Make a Song Destroy,” which shows Rogue Wave becoming more experimental. One thing is for sure, though; many of us are glad that Rogue is okay and that Rogue Wave is still making music. (Brushfire/Universal 2010)

Rogue Wave MySpace page

Indie artists to record John Prine tribute

The eclectic individuals over at Consequence of Sound let us know that OhBoy Records will be releasing a John Prine tribute album on June 22. Acts on tap for Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs Of John include Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, My Morning Jacket and The Avett Brothers.

Here’s the tracklist:

01. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver – Bruised Orange (Chain Of Sorrow)
02. Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band – Wedding Day In Funeralville
03. My Morning Jacket – All The Best
04. Josh Ritter – Mexican Home
05. Lambchop – Six O’Clock News
06. Justin Townes Earle – Far From Me
07. The Avett Brothers – Spanish Pipedream
08. Old Crow Medicine Show – Angel From Montgomery
09. Sara Watkins – The Late John Garfield Blues
10. Drive-By Truckers – Daddy’s Little Pumpkin
11. Deer Tick featuring Liz Isenberg – Unwed Fathers
12. Those Darlins – Let’s Talk Dirty In Hawaiian

I guess I’m not too surprised that nobody is covering the cheesy, yet hysterical “Dear Abby.” I remember both of my parents enjoying Prine when I was growing up, and this was the only song that made an impression on me. I avoided him until I got older when I suddenly decided to spend some time with more of his songs. What can I say? “Illegal Smile,” “Sweet Revenge,” “Down By The Side Of The Road” — so many good ones.

I could care less if you buy this album, but I do think John Prine deserves more recognition from the younger generations.

Slash: Slash


RIYL: Guns n Roses, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper

Duff McKagan is the newest member of Jane’s Addiction; Scott Weiland is back with STP; Matt Sorum has a Pussycat Dolls-like rock review with his Darling Stilettos, and Dave Kushner most recently co-wrote the theme song to “Sons of Anarchy.” What about the man in the top hat and the very soul of Velvet Revolver? Slash has left his Snakepit behind to release a guitar player’s record in which a different vocalist is featured on each track. So often these types of records are uneven because the vocalists skew the music so drastically apart, the end results feel like a series of singles slapped together. Most of the tracks are polished musical metal pop songs that his vocalists end up fitting into, adjusting their style to fit into his vision. On most of the songs, he doesn’t make the mistake of trying to build material for the singers except the collaborations with Adam Levine and Kid Rock, which feel more specific for those artists and sound like tracks that would be recorded by the vocalists on their records. Slash is fun, ripping good and more accessible then the two Velvet Revolver records. Contraband and Libertad had their moments, but weren’t very consistent regardless of the commercial and critical hoopla.

The formula mellows a bit for Kid Rock’s funky “I Hold On.” The Adam Levine-sung “Gotten” sounds a lot like a Maroon 5 groove. “Mother Mary” is an earthy effort by Beth Hart that conjures up a Janis Joplin vibe. “Watch This,” featuring Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan, is the lone instrumental and a tasty one at that. Slash compiles an eclectic guest list, but because the music is based on his bluesy soloing and magnificent crunchy riffs, the record has a remarkable consistency. Ozzy also appears on the very predictable sounding, “Crucify the Dead.” Doesn’t it seem like every Ozzy track these days kind of sounds the same? The copy available for this review also featured a Cypress Hill/Fergie collaboration for a cover of “Paradise City.” It has a weird sort of charm and works as does most of this record. Slash is a pleasant surprise and even with the diverse set of singers, is one of the better records thus far in 2010. (Dik Hayd 2010)

Slash MySpace page

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