Nex month, can we rate Scarlett doing porn instead of singing?

Black Crowes- Before the Frost…After the Freeze

Pre conceived notions are bad, and these CD’s disprove mine. Before I listened to a note, I expected some Stones wanna-be riffs and everything else that was the Black Crowes throughout the ‘90’s. Man, was I wrong! These CD’s cook…Levon Helm has a VERY positive influence on this recording. It’s 21st century Band meets the Allman Brothers meets Little Feat. This is proof that the Black Crowes are a much better live band than a studio band. It absolutely merits repeated listening. The songs, the pacing, the production, are all top notch. 4 stars.

Sugar – Copper Blue

This was a blast from the past for the first time, for me. I never got into Husker Du, so I’ll probably go back and do that based on this CD. I like the “power pop trio” treatment of the songs that rock like “A Good Idea”. Other songs like “Hoover Dam” are nicely crafted with tasteful production work, though some of the keyboards are anachronistic sounding. Then again, if I would have bought this CD based on hearing “If I Can’t Change Your Mind”, I probably would have been disappointed since it’s the only “pure pop” song on the CD. Thanks for turning me on to this, Gregg. 3 stars.


Cocktail Slippers- St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

This breaks no new ground, offers no extraordinary lead vocals (like the early Spector produced Ronnie Spector or Darlene Love) is totally derivative (Go Go’s, Bangles, Blondie, some Runaways and even a little Chrissie Hynde in the opening track) and the only song I haven’t heard in different variations is the Miami Steve tune, which is the title track, but I’m a total sucker for girl groups. I like it and will listen to it often, just like I do with Tracey Ullman’s “You Broke my Heart in 17 Places”. They sing and play well, their harmonies are great and they give you no reason to skip a track from the first guitar chords to the end of the CD. 3 ½ sugar coated stars.

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johannson – Break Up

Back to the preconceived notion thing, except this time I was on target. I thought this would be a bland and boring CD with contrived, safe production and the balance for me would be tipped on whether or not I’d like it by the thin, uninspiring voice of an actress with a great rack and no real soul. Well…the only surprise was that the some of the songs were better than I thought they’d be (like Relator and Shampoo) but sadly, none were more interesting than I expected. 2 stars.




The Who By Numbers – The Who

It’s the Who. That makes it great, though when you compare it with their best (Who’s Next, Quadrophenia, Tommy) it’s a half notch below. It has awesome moments…Dreaming from the Waist, Imagine a Man and How Many Friends, but it still reminds me of a great pitcher who’s lost just enough off his fastball to go from unhittable to hittable at times. 4 stars.


Dada G’Hits

After listening to Pete and Scarlett, this was a welcome respite…I didn’t know these guys, the only track I heard before was “Dizz Knee Land” but really liked the controlled rocking feel and the dynamics of this band. Nice vocals, great guitar work,
and the production did not get in the way of the music. This will stay in the ‘continued listening’ pile for me. Thanks, D’Arcy!Topic

1) You have the chance to see one living band that you haven't yet seen. Who is the band, (remember living, but reunions count), how far are you willing to travel, and how much will you pay?

Mott the Hoople. They just did a couple of great reunion shows in England (I think in August) and while I wouldn’t be willing to travel across the Atlantic just to see them, if I could tie it in to a vacation plan or some other reason for going to England, I’d make it point to see them while there. I would pay ‘scalper prices’ these days since in this economy that probably means no more than $300 for a great seat.

2) Who is the one artist(s) that you always wanted to see but for whatever reason something always gets in the way? Do you still want to see them?

Queen. I had tix to see them twice in the late ‘70’s and couldn’t go either time. No, because without Freddie Mercury, it’s not the same band.

3) What about concerts that you have recently been to have changed? Is it for the better or for worse? What is it that you miss the most about concerts?

Concerts are no longer a community of like minded fans with respect first and foremost for the music. What’s happened is that different generations now go to Stones shows and Springsteen shows and that change in the audience dynamic shows up in behavior that takes away from the show. Put your cell phone away, people, and enjoy the moment. And, other than the much better sound and light shows, it’s for the worse. I most miss the pot haze and the lighters that signified appreciation.

4) Which is the better piece of music, the one that is in your must play list, or the one you know is a great cd, has great reviews, but rarely gets played by you? Why? And does this effect how you review cd's?

To answer a question with a question…What would you rather eat when you’re starving…a 5 star gourmet meal made with stuff you might or might not like, or a great pizza? Anyway, my answer is I may not know art, but I know what I like, and I think good music has to touch you in a way that makes you want to listen to it again and again, while great music makes you want to use it to heal yourself from what ever ails you at that moment, so the must play is the better piece of music.