Phew- stayed out of bottom 10- Ken's reviews

Herbie Hancock- Manchild

This was the middle of Herbie’s funk phase. The opener, “Hang up Your Hang-ups”, in my opinion, is one the funkiest, busiest songs ever recorded and is the reason I submitted this recording because I think the world should know that one tune. The rest is spotty. The upbeat groovers are fairly successful, but the slow burners kind of burn out by being way too long with nothing new to offer. “Hang up Your Hang-ups” is a 5 but Manchild as a whole is a (3).

Cracker- Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey

Bought this the minute I heard about, though with trepidation since their last one Greenland immensely blew. By “Turn On…”, I realized that Lowery and friends were back with quick witted, catchy, pseudo-country rock Cracker is known for. What endears me to Cracker is the oddball lyrics about oddball characters without being woe-is-me. There is nothing clichéd or expected and for some reason when they are on, their songs always feel short, even at 4+ minutes. (4)

Modest Mouse- The Moon and Antarctica

I understand why the critiques like Modest Mouse; they’re quirky, all over the place and will never see the dial on radio. But for me they are a layered vocal jumbled mess. More arty than catchy, more work than I want to provide. I just have to ask why? (1)

Placebo

My surprise of the month. Like a skill saw to a two by four this one caught and kept my attention from “Kitty Litter”. Sounding a little like if the Decemberists and Snow Patrol formed a Jesus and Mary Chain cover band. Maybe. Anyway its noisy with a purpose. (3.5)

Otis Redding- Best Of

Real R&B. Real soul. Just plain real and sadly from a life lived too short. Excellent mix.

Topic;

Question 1 

….She enjoys all kinds of music, but only has an attention span of 30 minutes...so what 30 minutes of music would you give her? 

Most of the women I have dated had a 30 minute or less attention span and most weren’t fond of my music. So this question posed to be a challenge. It would make a difference on my mood. Maybe I’d give her “Highlands” by Dylan, “South California Purples” (live from Chicago IV) or maybe “Green Grass and High Tides” (live) or In-a-Gadd-Da-Vida, possible Ravel’s Bolero, but alas those would leave me single again.

Most likely, if I did this for real, I would burn a disc that included a song by the following; Dylan, John Hiatt, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Cult and the Beatles.

Question 2

Another hypothetical...you are dying.  You are comfortable, but bed ridden and you know you only have 30 minutes left to live.  You decide to listen to music with your remaining time alive.  What do you listen to?

Thanks for the bummer topic Alan…..not sure what I would have popped on. A mix is out- not enough time to compile. I think I would steer away from sappy slow stuff – burn out instead of fade away- you know. I would want my last minutes to be as exhilarating as possible. I pick my Tom Morello best of and hope I go during a solo.