I'm a Believer in the Jazz Singer; My Reviews with Love On the Rocks

August Music Club

Neil Diamond- Hot August Night

I do expect to bitch slapped- but…. At one time this was the high water mark for live albums, until Frampton Comes Alive. It still gets the occasional mention. I was weened on Neil Diamond as a kid so I am sure I am brainwashed slightly, but I have always felt that he is forgotten as songwriter and he should be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

With all that said, sure Diamond is of late considered Mr. Rhinestone Shlock. But go back to 1972 and he was a young, emotive, vibrant pop artist who was just becoming a mega-star. This recording has many of his biggest hits and damn if you weren’t at least humming a couple; “Cherry Cherry”, “Sweet Caroline”, ”Cracklin Rosie”, “Solitary Man”, “Kentucky Woman”. It also has the best version of “Red, Red Wine” ever done. Yes there are a few weepy, dull ballads but the last 3 songs- “Holly Holy”, “ I Am…I Said” and “Soolaimon/Brother Love” (side 4 on vinyl) are pretty damn good. I am expecting to stand alone, but I will with pride. (4)

Whiskeytown- Strangers Almanac

Not being a huge Ryan Adams follower, I didn’t hold too much promise here. I will admit though, that this was not as dreadful as I expected. The first third held my interest with good melodies and variety from country to rock, but as the disc rambled on the songs became more spotty and more monotone. Won’t run out to get more but this one I’ll keep. (3)

Hold Steady- Stay Positive

Not “Boys and Girl in America” even though this one tries to be the sequel. The songs are solid, but they sound forced. Forced edge, forced into their last release’s formula, forced big refrains. Sometimes a band finds a sound and they can embrace it and make it sound fresh each time- that is not the case here. They seem to be delving deeper into E Street Band world. “Sequestered in Memphis”, ”Joke About Jamaica”, “Slapped Actress” are strong and the best songs are thrown into an unnamed medley at the end. (2.5)

Duke Spirit- Neptune

Sinead O’Connor, Grace Slick and Siouxie Sue- not a bad blend for a lead singer. Throw in an occasional buzz saw guitar, damn good drumming and meaty hook for measure and you got a pretty good disc. Lost a little on the 2^nd listen, but that much. Would have been a 4 star EP. (3)

Slobberbone- Best Of

When Monsta sent me some Slobberbone last year I was either constipated or just being persnickety. I owe him a big mea culpa. This was my most listened to disc this month. Right up the ol’ alley; offbeat songs about being drunk, in love, in hate and being pious.

Favorite Lyricists

There are many great lyricists, but their lyrics lose a little when taken away from the music. I selected my favorites based on proving that wrong, in my opinion.

Bob Dylan- I’m stating the obvious since y’all know me well enough by now. But the man almost invented and perfected the “fuck you” stanza not to mention creating imagery that has been emulated since the early 60s. “I just wish one time you stand inside my shoes, to see what a drag is to see you.”

David Lowery- A total perceptive, intelligent, self deprecating wiseass. Stories about losers who you can relate to and their mishaps which are believable. All wrapped up in a humor sandwich. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel, someone please tell me it’s not a train.”

Patterson Hood- Pain, drugs, booze and loss- oh and rock n roll. A down home boy version of Lowery with less humor and more despair, but no less on mark. “let him stand in my shoes and see how it feels, to lose the last thing on Earth that is real”

Stephen Merritt- The Cole Porter of our time. Pop songs about all aspects of life with unexpected language, rhymes and imagery. “My hearts running ‘round like a chicken with it’s head cut off, around the barnyard falling in and out of love.”