Month: May 2019

SHeDAISY – Whole Shebang (2003) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 20, 2019 · Comments off

SHeDAISY is one of those contemporary country acts who are country in name only. Using the work of Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and the Dixie Chicks as a starting point, the three Osborn sisters — Kristyn, Kelsi, and Kassidy — have created an appealingly polished collection of modern country-pop, which means it sounds as much (if not more) like mainstream, radio-ready adult contemporary pop as it does contemporary country. For purists, that will be a problem, but the fact of the matter is, SHeDAISY does this music very well and their debut, The Whole Shebang, is every bit as winning as Hill’s Faith and Twain’s Come on Over, even if it doesn’t quite match the Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces. The key to the record’s success is not only the sisters’ harmonies, which are very good, but Kristyn Osborn’s fine songwriting skills. She wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, and while there are a few tunes that feel like filler, most of them are well-crafted, melodic, memorable songs which are distinctive enough to give the group their own identity. The Whole Shebang may not be pure country, but its glossy pop sheen and big hooks, along with SHeDAISY’s charismatic vocals, are enough to make it a winning debut. (more…)

Seal – IV (2004) [DVD-AUDIO ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

Besides taking his usual multi-year hiatus before releasing Seal IV, the artist scrapped a whole album’s worth of material, feeling he couldn’t stand behind the strength of the songs (should this be Seal IV.I?). It’s disappointing, then, that the songs on Seal IV lack any of the Grammy-grabbing flair of his earlier releases. What saves it is a conviction that is high enough to overcome, a voice that is more driven than usual, and some genuine moments of songwriting inspiration. “Let Me Roll” has a cool swagger and fun wordplay, and the yearning ballad “Loneliest Star” is only a few steps away from “Kiss from a Rose.” Opener “Get It Together” offers an Up With People understanding of the state of the world with its “everyone is beautiful” sentimentality, but it’s the funky backbeat and gritty vocals that make it more Al Green than Lee Greenwood. A re-recording of Seal’s collaboration with Jakatta, “My Vision” is given new life through more restrained than usual production from Trevor Horn. The absence of Horn’s usual bombast throughout the album allows Seal’s voice (in every sense of the word) to be the focus. It’s a good move, and if the totally solid Jakatta-sourced track is any indication, a break from Horn might be beneficial next time. Despite being heavy with unexceptional tunes, Seal IV has enough going for it to warrant the next four years of anticipation. (more…)

Seal – Best: 1991-2004 (2005) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

Reusing the cover from his 1994 self-titled release — as opposed to his 1991 or 2003 self-titled release — makes Seal’s discography all the more confusing, but that’s the only mistake made on this glorious collection. Seal’s partnership with producer Trevor Horn has yielded some of the most elegantly soulful and richly textured pop music of the preceding 20 years. Best: 1991-2004 picks and chooses from their output perfectly, orders it in a way that makes sense, and remembers a couple compilation and soundtrack appearances to make itself worthwhile for Seal’s faithful. If you’ve owned a radio at sometime in the past two decades, a quarter of the disc will be familiar. But radio’s compressed delivery of “Crazy,” “Kiss From a Rose,” and others don’t do these grand songs justice; plus, anytime you can put a Trevor Horn production on the headphones is a rewarding experience. The songs from the lesser Seal IV come off much stronger in these surroundings, and the inclusion of a bunch of album tracks you forgot about but shouldn’t have speaks to the compilers’ keen understanding of Seal’s career. The new recording of Bacharach-David’s “Walk On By” is sweet, fair, and no disappointment, but it’s Seal’s take on Steve Miller’s “Fly Like an Eagle” or Echo & the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar” that proves him an great interpreter of other’s tunes and able to shine without Horn’s help (the positive and empowering “My Vision” is the third and final track without Horn). The greatness of Seal’s first two albums keeps the collection from being “the only Seal CD you’ll ever need.” Instead, Best: 1991-2004 is a fantastic overview of a hit-or-miss artist that soars when he’s got the right material. This is all the right material and an unquestionable success. (more…)

Santana – Shaman (2003) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

Nobody could have predicted the success of the star-studded Supernatural in 1999, but it revitalized the career of Santana, plus Clive Davis, who cooked up the whole idea of the comeback in the first place. Given its blockbuster status, a sequel that followed the same blueprint was inevitable, which is exactly what 2002’s Shaman is. If anything, there’s even less Carlos Santana here, proving that he and Davis are among those that believe that Supernatural was a success because of Rob Thomas and “Smooth,” not the typically tasteful, excellent guitar playing. And, no surprise, Thomas has a strong presence here even if he doesn’t sing. He writes two songs, flexing his muscles as a neo-soul songwriter (not badly, either, on cuts sung by Musiq and Seal), and providing the template for all the guests here: they want to launch a new stage of their career, finding a wider audience. Outside of Seal (who has a comeback of his own to launch) and Placido Domingo (who does these things because he can), everybody here has hearts to win and something to prove, and they do a mixed job of it. P.O.D. falls on its face with the embarrassing “America,” but Chad Kroeger far outshines anything he’s done with a surprisingly subtle and soulful “Why Don’t You & I,” easily better than anything by Nickelback. But this points out the problem on the record — each song is tailored to the strengths of the lead singer, not the strengths of Santana, who’s left with piddly, forgettable instrumental interludes and playing endless lines beneath the vocal melodies. Who can blame him? It’s the only chance he really gets to play on this album. On the whole, it holds together no better or no worse than Supernatural — it’s the same record, essentially. True, there wasn’t anything as awful as “America” or the foolish aural press release “Since Supernatural,” but there was nothing as joyous and wonderful as the Michelle Branch-sung “The Game of Love.” Written by the team behind the New Radicals’ modern pop classic “You Get What You Give,” it’s every bit as soaring melodic and irresistible; it may not be Santana — it sounds even less like Santana than “Smooth” — but it’s perfect pop, the best pop single of 2002, for reasons that have nothing to do with Santana. (more…)

Rush – Sectors – Fly By Night (2011) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

Prior to one of Rush’s first U.S. tours, original drummer John Rutsey split from the band, since he wasn’t prepared to commit to the band’s rigorous touring schedule. And it proved to be a blessing in disguise, since his replacement was to become one of the most respected rock drummers of all time, Neil Peart, who would also steer the band towards success with more challenging material — starting with Fly by Night. While the title track and the album-closing ballad, “In the End,” still had Zeppelin roots, the album isn’t as straightforward as the debut. Rush’s first bona-fide classic, “Anthem,” is included, while the over eight-minute “By-Tor and the Snow Dog” helped pave the way for the group’s future epics (“2112,” “Cygnus X-1,” etc.), and introduced the fans to Peart’s imaginative lyric writing, often tinged with science-fiction themes. The reflective and melodic “Making Memories” is an underrated early composition, while “Beneath, Between, & Behind” is a furious heavy rocker. Fly by Night may not be one of Rush’s finest albums, but it is one of their most important — it showed that the young band was leaving their Zep-isms behind in favor of a more challenging and original direction. (more…)

Rush – Sectors – A Farewell to Kings (2011) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

On 1977’s A Farewell to Kings it quickly becomes apparent that Rush had improved their songwriting and strengthened their focus and musical approach. Synthesizers also mark their first prominent appearance on a Rush album, a direction the band would continue to pursue on future releases. With the popular hit single “Closer to the Heart,” the trio showed that they could compose concise and traditionally structured songs, while the 11-minute “Xanadu” remains an outstanding accomplishment all these years later (superb musicianship merged with vivid lyrics help create one of Rush’s best all-time tracks). The album-opening title track begins with a tasty classical guitar/synth passage, before erupting into a powerful rocker. The underrated “Madrigal” proves to be a delicately beautiful composition, while “Cinderella Man” is one of Rush’s few songs to include lyrics penned entirely by Geddy Lee. The ten-minute tale of a dangerous black hole, “Cygnus X-1,” closes the album on an unpredictable note, slightly comparable to the two extended songs on 1975’s Caress of Steel. A Farewell to Kings successfully built on the promise of their breakthrough 2112, and helped broaden Rush’s audience on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. (more…)

Rush – Sectors – Signals (2011) [DVD-AUDIO ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

Instead of playing it safe and writing Moving Pictures, Pt. II, Rush replaced their heavy rock of yesteryear with even more modern sounds for 1982’s Signals. Synthesizers were now an integral part of the band’s sound, and replaced electric guitars as the driving force for almost all the tracks. And more current and easier-to-grasp topics (teen peer pressure, repression, etc.) replaced their trusty old sci-fi-inspired lyrics. While other rock bands suddenly added keyboards to their sound to widen their appeal, Rush gradually merged electronics into their music over the years, so such tracks as the popular MTV video “Subdivisions” did not come as a shock to longtime fans. And Rush didn’t forget how to rock out — “The Analog Kid” and “Digital Man” were some of their most up-tempo compositions in years. The surprise hit, “New World Man,” and “Chemistry” combined reggae and rock (begun on 1980’s Permanent Waves), “The Weapon” bordered on new wave, the placid “Losing It” featured Ben Mink on electric violin, while the epic closer “Countdown” painted a vivid picture of a space shuttle launch. Signals proved that Rush were successfully adapting to the musical climate of the early ’80s. (more…)

Roy Orbison and Friends – Black and White Night (2004) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 19, 2019 · Comments off

The best-recorded Roy Orbison live disc ever issued, taken from the soundtrack of the HBO concert from the 1980s with VIP guests like Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello. This was a sort of magical video, and the performances are splendid, along with the good feelings involved. On the other hand, the performances are extremely reverential to the established studio versions of the songs (all of the hits are here), and intended to mimic them, so this isn’t quite the same as a live album as it would have been done back when. The pity is that neither Monument nor MGM ever taped any complete concerts by Orbison from the 1960s, and all that remains are TV appearances from Europe. (more…)

Rob Thomas – Something To Be (2005) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 18, 2019 · Comments off

Since Matchbox Twenty is a faceless group, recognizable for its hits rather than its image, it’s easy to assume that the band is nothing more than a solo project in disguise for its frontman, lead singer and chief songwriter Rob Thomas (who should not be confused with Rob Thomas, the creator of UPN’s 2005 cult TV series Veronica Mars). Not only is he prominent in the band’s videos and press, but he scored the biggest hit of his career with “Smooth,” a song he penned and sung for Santana’s 1999 comeback, Supernatural. Even though Matchbox Twenty’s 1996 debut, Yourself or Someone Like You, was a big hit and spawned four radio hits, “Smooth” was bigger than any of them, making Thomas famous, if not exactly a star. Instead of striking out for a solo career in 2000, he returned to his band, releasing Mad Season that year and More Than You Think You Are two years later. While both records had different moods — the former was polished and radio-ready, the latter hit a little harder — both found Thomas working as part of a unit, not as a flashy frontman. This may have illustrated how Matchbox Twenty worked as a band; in particular, More Than You Think You Are sounded like the work of a driven, cohesive unit, even the songs weren’t quite up to snuff — but they also had to sound a little workmanlike, and certainly not the product of the savvy cross-cultural crossover creator of “Smooth.” Given the relatively lackluster reception of More Than You Think You Are, the timing was right for Thomas to launch his official solo career in the spring of 2005. It was time to give his music a new coat of paint, similar to how “Smooth” spun his career in a different direction, and that’s exactly what his solo debut, Something to Be, is: a slick new variation on Thomas’ signature sound.

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Refused – The Shape Of Punk To Come (2004) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 18, 2019 · Comments off

Many who listen to this album will say “Hey, this isn’t punk” after not finding the power chords and I-IV-V structures that they associate with poppy skatepunk bands like NOFX and Lagwagon, but this is what revolution is all about — taking an industry of specifications and expectations and turning it fully on its head, yet holding on to some semblance of what once was. Refused are pure innovation and passion spouting Nation of Ulysses-esque doctrine while fusing together the bite and flavor of fist-raised, Dillinger Escape Plan-style hardcore with ambient textures, jazz breakdowns, and other such deviations. Choppy, beautiful movements, choked thoughts, and feelings of elevation — this is what punk is all about, although to the common ear it may not sound like it, and that is precisely one of the reasons why it is so potent. [In 2010, Epitaph reissued a Deluxe Version of The Shape of Punk to Come in a three-disc set, complete with a bonus live CD and a DVD documentary.] (more…)

Rabih Abou-Khalil – The Cactus Of Knowledge (2001) [DVD-AUDIO ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 18, 2019 · Comments off

Rabih Abou-Khalil’s ninth Enja release features one of his most expansive lineups to date — 12 pieces in all, including oud, brass, woodwinds, cello, and percussion. It’s quite a departure from 1999’s austere Yara. Here the tempos are bright, the unison lines darting and difficult, the improv heated, the tonal combinations ever-changing. Heavy-hitting jazzers dominate the band roster, including Dave Ballou and Eddie Allen on trumpets, Tom Varner on French horn, Dave Bargeron on euphonium, Antonio Hart on alto sax, and Ellery Eskelin on tenor sax. Gabriele Mirabassi’s clarinet gives the music an almost klezmer-like sound at times (a tantalizing instance of Jewish-Arab reconciliation). The gorgeous booklet includes a prose poem by Gamal Ghitany (printed in English, French, and Arabic), as well as a series of campy band portraits and a full transcription of track number five, “Oum Saïd.” Looking over the score, one gets some sense of the rhythmic complexity Abou-Khalil is dealing with (try counting in 6+5+5+3/16, for instance).

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R.E.M. – Out Of Time (2005) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 18, 2019 · Comments off

The supporting tour for Green exhausted R.E.M., and they spent nearly a year recuperating before reconvening for Out of Time. Where previous R.E.M. records captured a stripped-down, live sound, Out of Time was lush with sonic detail, featuring string sections, keyboards, mandolins, and cameos from everyone from rapper KRS-One to the B-52’s’ Kate Pierson. The scope of R.E.M.’s ambitions is impressive, and the record sounds impeccable, its sunny array of pop and folk songs as refreshing as Michael Stipe’s decision to abandon explicitly political lyrics for the personal. Several R.E.M. classics — including Mike Mills’ Byrds-y “Near Wild Heaven,” the haunting “Country Feedback,” and the masterpiece “Losing My Religion” — are present, but the album is more notable for its production than its songwriting. Most of the songs are slight but pleasant, or are awkward experiments like “Radio Song”‘s stab at funk, and while this sounds fine as the record is playing, there’s not much substantive material to make the record worth returning to. (more…)

R.E.M. – Monster (2005) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 18, 2019 · Comments off

Monster is indeed R.E.M.’s long-promised “rock” album; it just doesn’t rock in the way one might expect. Instead of R.E.M.’s trademark anthemic bashers, Monster offers a set of murky sludge, powered by the heavily distorted and delayed guitar of Peter Buck. Michael Stipe’s vocals have been pushed to the back of the mix, along with Bill Berry’s drums, which accentuates the muscular pulse of Buck’s chords. From the androgynous sleaze of “Crush With Eyeliner” to the subtle, Eastern-tinged menace of “You,” most of the album sounds dense, dirty, and grimy, which makes the punchy guitars of “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” and the warped soul of “Tongue” all the more distinctive. Monster doesn’t have the conceptual unity or consistently brilliant songwriting of Automatic for the People, but it does offer a wide range of sonic textures that have never been heard on an R.E.M. album before. (more…)

R.E.M. – Automatic For The People (2002) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 18, 2019 · Comments off

Turning away from the sweet pop of Out of Time, R.E.M. created a haunting, melancholy masterpiece with Automatic for the People. At its core, the album is a collection of folk songs about aging, death, and loss, but the music has a grand, epic sweep provided by layers of lush strings, interweaving acoustic instruments, and shimmering keyboards. Automatic for the People captures the group at a crossroads, as they moved from cult heroes to elder statesmen, and the album is a graceful transition into their new status. It is a reflective album, with frank discussions on mortality, but it is not a despairing record — “Nightswimming,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Sweetness Follows” have a comforting melancholy, while “Find the River” provides a positive sense of closure. R.E.M. have never been as emotionally direct as they are on Automatic for the People, nor have they ever created music quite as rich and timeless, and while the record is not an easy listen, it is the most rewarding record in their oeuvre. (more…)

Porcupine Tree – Lightbulb Sun (2008) [DVD-Audio ISO]

DVD-A By admin · May 17, 2019 · Comments off

Some older fans looked askance at Lightbulb Sun, feeling it was verging on overt commercialism (and admittedly, the near power ballad solo on “Where We Would Be” is a bit odd!). Then again, given Wilson’s own explorations of avant-garde pop with No-Man, who’s to say why a slightly more radio-friendly stance can’t work? “Shesmovedon” may have been a single, but there’s no question who wrote and performed it — the elegant cascade of backing vocals on the chorus shows that much. Certainly Wilson hasn’t turned into Max Martin or anything — it’s still very much Porcupine Tree, in its lyrical turns of phrase and general sense of exploration. One of the best tracks on the album is the brilliantly titled “Four Chords That Made a Million,” a barbed cut on some unnamed “emperor in new clothes” beset by a “moron with a cheque book.” The lead riff is a majestic hit of flange and feedback, while the hints of sitar and Indian percussion give the song even more attractive heft. But there’s a definite bent towards calmer art pop throughout Lightbulb Sun — those who preferred the sheer surge of Stupid Dream will find this album tamer in comparison. Still, it’s hard to resist the beautiful, understated tension about a fractured friendship or relationship on “Feel So Low” or the gentle, string-touched roll and build of “The Rest Will Flow,” flat out two of Wilson’s best tunes anywhere. Those who prefer the lengthy explorations won’t be disappointed, though — “Hatesong” unfolds its sharp message over eight minutes and the string-swept, slow time explosion of “Russia on Ice” over 13. Slyest title of the bunch — “Last Chance to Leave the Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled,” which samples the videotape made by the leader of the Heaven’s Gate cult before its mass suicide in 1997. (more…)