posted by david on Tue 25 Sep 2001 @ 08:27 PM

This article over at The Age discusses the phenomenon which just won't quit: actors trying their hand at music. It doesn't say much of real substance, although it does mention the Billy Bob Thornton country album, which I noticed has received a decent review in the latest Mojo magazine. It's a pity this piece doesn't address the question of whether having Kylie appear at the ARIA awards would help or cheapen the significance of the event. Here's a random bit of trivia for you: did you know that Chris Isaak plays a SWAT team commander in "The Silence of the Lambs"? Well, now you do.

posted by david on Sun 23 Sep 2001 @ 08:30 PM

The last Elton John album to demonstrate any sense of daring would probably be 1987's "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" (surprising song choices, interesting arrangements and a worn-out voice gamely struggling on). According to a review in US Rolling Stone, Elton's new album "Songs From The West Coast" is his most adventurous in some time. It will appear in stores on Oct 1. The other well known piano man, Billy Joel, is set to release his first foray into classical music "Fantasies & Delusions" on Oct 2. Apparently he's bored with pop music and he finds this stuff more challenging. Ah, yes, that's all well and good but can he pull it off? (And can someone tell me why his website menu moves when you go to click it? "Disconcerting" is one word that springs to mind, "stupid" is another). The alternative piano man (and Adelaide resident) Ben Folds has released his first solo effort "Rockin' The Suburbs". The new album from Sir P. McCartney "Driving Rain" will be released Nov 13. If it's anything like his usual stuff, expect a few flashes of brilliance and a bit too much filler. And finally for now, popsters Garbage will release their new album "Beautifulgarbage" on Oct 1. I loved "Version 2.0" but I can't say I like the new single "Androgyny" much - it seems too clumsy or something.

Reviews:
Songs from the West Coast: Rolling Stone - Billboard - Timeoff
Fantasies & Delusions: Billboard
Rockin' The Suburbs: Rolling Stone
Beautifulgarbage: Billboard - Rolling Stone

posted by david on Sun 23 Sep 2001 @ 08:28 PM

One of the stranger effects of the US terrorist attacks is the way in which radio playlists have been altered to include or exclude certain songs based on their lyrical content. While some songs such as Springsteen's unreleased "My City of Ruins" somehow gain power in their new context, the Clear Channel radio network has devised a list of songs which it deems potentially inappropriate. Some are immediately obvious (AC/DC's "Shot Down In Flames") while others are less so (Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian"). The act of excluding a song like "War" ('war/what is it good for?/absolutely nothing') almost seems like a political statement. I would have thought some of the songs hardly need to be listed because I couldn't imagine a large commercial radio station playing much by Megadeth, Black Sabbath or Nine Inch Nails anyway.

posted by david on Sun 16 Sep 2001 @ 08:31 PM | read or post comments (1)

It's taken too long but finally Springsteen has decided to release a substantial live recording in video format. His shoddily assembled live album from earlier this year "Live In New York City" will be released as a double DVD set on November 6. While it won't contain an entire show from go to whoa, it at least looks like a substantial release, featuring 25 live tracks plus a 15-minute documentary featurette. Let's hope they don't stuff up this one with strange sequencing, dumb disc labelling and by deciding to add tracks after the last minute. I haven't heard anything about an Australian release, no doubt we'll be left waiting until some time next year. In other news, Jewel will release her third album "This Way" on November 13. Her first effort was a mixed bag, her second was very slick (but strangely addictive) and having seen her get quite raucous in a live setting, I'll be interested to see what she comes up with this time. Expect the usual peace-and-love-everybody lyrics.

posted by david on Thu 13 Sep 2001 @ 08:33 PM

It's that time of year when we see a flood of new releases: these albums had no particular release date goal other than "before Xmas". The new Bob Dylan album "Love & Theft" is of particular interest, seeing as it's predecessor "Time Out Of Mind" won a Grammy and then "Things Have Changed" won an Oscar. I'm sure I'll pick it up at some point but I'm a little wary that when I read reviews of the album, I'm reading what some Dylan fan wants the album to be (ie. great) and not what it actually is. Wait and see I guess, but US Rolling Stone has given it 5 stars (from 5). Macy Gray has also returned with a new album, dubbed "The Id" (huh?). I know some people can't handle her voice but I agree with those who say her debut "On How Life Is" was a bit of a classic. I love her description of the new album "It's like if you were to take a Hershey's kiss and eat it while you're on a roller-coaster ride to the moon. While you're on the moon, you get your nails done, get your hair done, and put on your best clothes. That's what my record's like." Australian country/rock songstress Kasey Chambers has released her second effort "Barricades & Brickwalls" and I must admit I listened to little else last weekend. I very much enjoyed "The Captain" and this one is much the same, maybe not quite as good but there is some very good stuff on it. She must be pretty darn chuffed that it's gone gold already. I suspect she's going to be around for quite a while. Oh, and today is the birthday of Australian singer/songwriter Stephen Cummings (I know that 'cos I run his website).

Reviews:
Love & Theft: Rolling Stone - Billboard - Addicted To Noise (Australia)
The Id: Rolling Stone - Billboard
Barricades & Brickwalls: Addicted To Noise