A live album yet no mistakes

Finally got past all my html issues. Did not want to upset anyone by not posting

Neil Diamond.
The Live album. Once it was a tool used by all bands early in their career. You hoped it was a cool collection of songs by your favorite artist that would allow the masses to see what you did in your favorite band. And it worked for some. Peter Frampton, Kiss, Thin Lizzy and UFO all rode the buzz created by live albums to successful careers. But truth be told live albums were usually just contractual obligation records with either the band or the label looking for a way out of a contract. And you as a listener were left with two things. One, a studio corrected version of live songs that you pretty much already owned and two, a great gatefold cover to clean your weed with. This is the problem with this disc. It is over produced causing the songs to sound muted and awfully similar. Maybe it is that fact that all his hits have been released in better versions since this record that causes the problem. But it might be the fact that every song has that same acoustic backing track, and there are far too many slow songs to create any interest. 1.5

The Duke Spirit
I have this thing where I write down a bands name if I hear something I like. Looking over the notes I saw the Duke Spirit was written down twice but could not remember anything about them. So thus became this month's new. A combination of Jesus and Mary Chain meets Queens of the Stone Age type feel to the band. They write short catchy songs that stay with the listener long after listening. Yes Leila Moss outstanding vocals are the focal point, but the band sticks with her throughout every song. Throw in the occasional horn or keyboard support and you have one of the better cd’s of the year. There are truly no weak tracks throughout the cd but The Ship was Built to Last and The Step and The Walk are just great songs period. Also of mention is the sound that producer Chris Goss helps create. Somehow with the bands he is associated with, he manages to create a dirty sound that comes across crystal clear. 4.0

Hold Steady
I look at this cd as three parts. The I want to be Springsteen part, the Jim Carroll part, and the somewhere in between part. To be honest when I heard the lousy Clarence Clemmons type sax part in Sequestered in Memphis I was ready to give up then and there. But that would be unfair to some other songs on this disc. And the sax was forgiven by the guitar god solo on Lord I’m Discouraged. Some great word play here. Some excellent music too. Just not all the way through. 2.5

Whiskeytown
Hey guess what I own this record. Can’t remember the last time I listened to it though. Was surprised that it was not as bad as I remember. Some very strong songs in the middle of the disc, but as it continues to play out the songs tend to grow weary. I don’t know what it is about Ryan Adams but with all his music it always seems that something is missing that would take his songs a make it great. Here I find that if he had sold his soul to the type of album he wanted to make be either country/pop/or one in between it could have been great. Instead we are left with songs that when they should be emotional they are quiet. When they should just rock we get middle of the road. Again better than I remember but probably won’t be listening anytime soon either. 2.0


Slobberbone
Fun at times, with good lyrics. Obviously can rock with the best of them and probably would be great in a bar.

Lyricists

John Easdale Dramarama
Takes pop culture references, surrounds them with catchy ideas then incorporated them into an interesting view of life. Also could write love songs that were really cool too.


Fish Marillion
Saw him live recently and was reminded at just how good he was in telling a tale through his words. And when he was pissed (either mad or drunk) he told you exactly why.


Nicky Wire Manic Street Preachers
Partnered with James Richey until he pulled a true life eddie and the crusiers, then kept the Manics relevant afterward.
Political, observant, and able to use words that describe situations that most people don’t usually use. Design for Life is brilliant, and he has much more just as good.


Glen Hansard
Yes he will remember writing great lyrics that was the foundation to a movie that won him an Oscar. But for a long time now he has been writing movie type lyrics with his band the Frames.


Ginger WildHearts
Looks at all the stupidity in the world, finds the humor in it and puts it into words. Also is able to write lyrics that are truly how he feels and in many cases how the rest of us feel too.