Ken's reasonable reviews

AC Newman- Get Guilty

Orchestral and dramatic with an Okkervil River and Band of Horses flair. Though I had no clue what in god’s name they were singing about half the time, it was the song composition that won me over. I felt that I could erase the spaces between the songs and the songs would naturally blend together like an early Genesis record. This isn’t a knock. (3.5)

U2- No Line on the Horizon

Sometimes re-charting familiar waters is a good thing. I had no intention on liking this after being bored to actual tears with their last release. I was all set to pre-review this one like the emails from the group jabbing at it. But I can’t. I like it. It has that jangly Joshua Tree guitar. It has anthem builds and emotive vocals being driven by a pulsing base. It borders on clever, though not actually attaining that. To me, it is better than expected good, solid U2. (3.5)

Good Rats- Tasty

A definitive Long Island bar band sound of the 70’s. One thing this bar band had that most probably didn’t was that they could truly play. The guitarist was excellent and the songs quite varied in style. While there is no mistaking that this is rooted in the 70’s, at least it is a good representation. Though popular in their territory, this wasn’t a band that would or could conquer the US (similar to NRBQ). Nothing special enough for me to reach for it often, it is worth keeping for those nights when a mustache, ‘fro and day-glo are in order. (2.5)

Spoon- Series of Sneaks

Why they were dumped by Elektra for this is beyond me? This is a solid, chance taking (as always) Spoon effort. Lots of starts and stops and direction changing and instrument experiments- but all pretty catchy and enjoyable. And short- which is fine by me because it makes you want more. Not Gimme Fiction but pretty damn good. (3.5)

Bottle Rockets- Best Of

This band has always been filed in the ‘I gotta check them out” file. Well finally that day has arrived. Not much to say that it no surprise that I liked this homey, Texas sounding (but not from) outfit, except for the song “Baggage Claim” which I think still hasn’t ended. Besides that a well done mix.

Topic;

Five solo/side projects;

• Jack White (White Stripes)- Raconteurs “Consolers of the Lonely”
• Mike Ness (Social Distortion)- “Cheating at Solitaire”
• The entire Traveling Wilbury’s discography
• Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)- “Jesus Christ Superstar”

Croquet Mishap;

I’m going to straddle the fence on this. It is both positive and negative.

Negative because I no longer have the memories or emotions that made the music I love so endearing to me and the guilty pleasures so decadent. Gone will also be the enjoyment I got from digging up history and offshoots of artists I have been a fan of.

Positive since I am now able to listen to music with an unbiased ear. I may fall back on the horse I rode before or a new pony. I can now listen to certain artists without rolling my eyes or with a preconceived notion about how they are going to suck (see U2 review) and actually LISTEN. I will be able to create new memories and emotions that I will remember more of since I am older and not cocked as often as I was when I was creating my original memories. But I implore all of you that if the pony I land on is an Eagles, Phil Collins, Bob Seger, 38 Special breed that you will kill me immediately for my family’s sake.