The Much Awaited KB October 2005 Review

Before I get to the goodies, I am at this moment watching a DVD of Stones from 1973 that should be force fed to anyone who considers themselves a rock fan. Live renditions off Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed and Exile on Main St. And on a proud rock note- my daughter and son requested that I put on AC/DC's Highway the Hell for them. [deep sigh]

Chemical Brothers- Dig Your Own Hole
Electronica, for me, is a music style that I don’t despise, but I can take only in small doses. If the groove is right I can get lost for a good 15-30 minutes. After that it becomes a little monotonous. Dig Your Own Hole was an electronic disc that I was able to get engrossed in. Good driving music. I thought the grooves and beats were inventive, albeit a bit long at times with some unnecessary noise. Good engineering quality (something I normally don’t comment on with rock albums) and tight sound. It’s apparent that this was an influential disc in the genre. Though it’s not a style I normally reach for, Dig Your Own Hole will stay in my collection. (3 based on its strength in genre not my opinion)

Peter Gabriel- (Melted Face or 3)
Peter Gabriel is a funny artist to me. One minute he’s brilliant, the next he’s sludge (no not sledge as in hammer)- and that is on the same song. This album was the same with me. First listen I got into it, enjoying songs I haven’t heard in awhile. The second made me think it was dated and drab. This was on the same day. Before writing this I decided to pull it out again and lo and behold, “The Intruder”, “Games Without Frontiers”, “Biko” and “Not One of Us” rang well again. I call this Gabriel waffling the Shock the Monkey syndrome. So, Excuse Me, it was like Digging the Dirt rate this disc. Gabriel’s percussion arrangements (played by Phil) and unique guitar work by Robert Fripp and David Rhodes make this a musically intellectual album, but it’s hard not to hear the 80’s in the music. Kenny G music interlude yuck but “Biko” an extremely powerful song. (3 on the power of “Biko” and the fact the last listen was a positive experience)

Hanoi Rocks- Two Steps From the Move
Oh did I want to shred this one. The cover alone, not to mention that hair bands are not held in high regard with me. My first perusal had me going “oh yeah sharpen the ol’ #2”. But I found myself humming “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” for the rest of the day. Damn! Now I have to listen again. Sure enough, “Don’t You Ever Leave Me”, “Boiler” and “Futurama” stuck with me. “High School” and the CCR cover even didn’t get aborted when on. “I Can’t Get It” was lyrically fun since I am what he can’t get, but the song was grating. They probably would be a fun live band, most likely with all the standard metal moments. These guys were the guiding lights for all of Mike H’s favorites; Crue, GnR, Poison and Cinderella. While this will never make my desert island picks it did survive my pre-judgement. Not a complete jewel but the songs mentioned above make Hanoi a guilty pleasure. (2.5)

The Call- Ghits
All I could think of was watching MTV in college drinking a Schlitz Light and yelling “Mail’s Here!!”- long story. Nothing bad about the music, except for some of the synths. Very palatable. Like a John Hughes movie soundtrack. Won’t turn it off if on, brings back those all too lovely memories, but won’t go out of my way to reach for it either. Better than I expected it to be- but still not as catchy as “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”.

Topic: 5 Concert Rules for Performers
Not in any specific order- but all would have equal banishment power.

• Can’t play entire show of tunes note for note like their recorded versions. At least 50% of songs performed would have to be varied, expanded or have some improvisation.
• A minimum of one cover song. Has to be at least recognizable and not too obscure that only the roadies know who were the originators.
• One extended, eyes roll up in your head solo. Preferably guitar but any instrument would suffice. Drum solo is fine provided it remains within the context of the song.
• At least one moment where the band/artist forgets that they are playing to an audience and are playing for themselves (D’Arcy and I call this the “put your head down and just play” moment)
• Only true encores can be played. Pre-planned encores would be outlawed. Bands would have to earn encores by winning over the audience.