Hot fun in the Summertime

Herbie Hancock – Hancock is a gifted keyboardist, but these songs meander without much focus and each track seems to overstay its welcome at about the 3-minute mark. I didn’t hear anything distinguishing Hancock from Bob James, George Duke, Weather Report, or any number of 70’s fusion artists. Couple of tracks veered dangerously close to porn soundtrack territory. 2.5 stars

Modest Mouse – I liked “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank”, but couldn’t connect with this one at all. Some good moments (“Dark Center of the Universe”), some really bad moments (“The Cold Part”), and gobs of mediocrity. Vocals were pretty much shite throughout, and none of the lyrics I heard meant much. Dragged on waaaaay too long. 2 stars

Cracker – Cracker is at their best when they play their version of country music, peaking on 2003’s criminally ignored “Countrysides”. Excluding the Patterson Hood duet, this disc steers away from that style; yet it’s not a disappointment. The high energy, focused songs play to their other strengths, namely Hickman’s guitar licks and Lowrey’s biting wit. “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out with Me” is the song of the summer thus far. I’d have preferred a sequel to “Countrysides”, but this is a very good disc by a largely unappreciated band. 4 stars

Placebo - Playing the genre card here. This is not a disc I would choose to listen to, but I can see why someone who liked hard rock would. Production is pristine, it sounds really good. Band seems to have good chops, they play tight and with power. Vocalist sounds like the guy from the Decemberists. Lyrics are fine. Can’t find fault with anything on it, just not my type of music. 3 genre stars

Otis Redding – Not sure what there is to be said. A boatload of great music made in about a 5-year span. Otis’ voice by itself was so soulful; to combine it with the Stax horns and Cropper/Dunn is an excess of riches. Just a great disc that captures almost all the highlights (no Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa??).

Discussion Question

1)
Redneck Friend – Jackson Browne
Supergirl – The Fugs
A Man Needs a Maid – Neil Young
Do Me Baby – Prince
It Ain’t Gonna Suck Itself – Cracker
It’s a Man’s World – James Brown

Any girl who returns my calls after that mix is a keeper.

2) A toughie, but here’s my 30 minutes (in order):

“Thunder Road” – Bruce
“Mississippi” – Bob
“Powderfinger” – Neil
“A Ghost to Most” – Drive By Truckers
“Keep Me in Your Heart for a While” – Warren Zevon
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” – Monty Python
“Amazing Grace” – Blind Boys of Alabama