Comic Books, Drag Race, & Life in New Zealand
by krisis
Reserving judgment on the new U2 disc until i get to know it a bit better. Of course, that would have to happen tomorrow if i’m going to be able to get my review done in time for this week’s paper. The album just doesn’t hit me as hard as i feel it should; i’m not sure if it’s a result of a general apathy to U2 or the fact that the album is mediocre. Maybe after suffering through Pop i would actually appreciate it…
by krisis
The samples that appear on Janet Jackson albums speak very highly of her reputation in the music industry. Aside from her multiple Supreme’s and Kool and the Gang references on Janet, she also notably uses a Joni Mitchell classic and covers Rod Stewart on Velvet Rope. The fact that she so effortlessly and seamlessly combines these legendary artists’ work with her own proves that in the end she is certainly the most talented Jackson and the only one that still matters. And this comes from a kid who was raised on the behind the scenes of thriller video.
by krisis
Sara Lee and her band were one of the most amazing live occurences i’ve ever experienced. Her album is similarly amazing, but the full sound of her live band isn’t echoed on the record. Depite the slightly more minimalist production, the album works better because it makes Sara’s clear british vocals and her amazing bass playing more of the sonic center of gravity. The live mix had much more rhythm and low end surrounding the bass part, with the vocals floating above as melody more than clear words.
by krisis
Attended the Ani DiFranco concert on Monday. A quick first draft of my review appears at JLA.uprush.org. I saw tons of people i know, and met Sara Lee and Gail-Ann Dorsey (Bowie’s bassist). Ani was good, but not tremdous; she gets to wrapped up in her jams while the audience is hoping for another song. I am in a computer crash-and-burn right now, so i’ll be back later… :(…
by krisis
Having just tiraded about music for a while, here are the discs that are looking to appear on my 2000top10 list. Keep in mind Pj Harvey is releasing a disc next week, and that last year’s favourite came out November 16th. Here we go, in a slightly biased order… Peter Mulvey the trouble with poets, Aimee Mann Bachelor No.2, Victoria Williams Water To Drink, Veruca Salt Resolver, Juliana Hatfield Beautiful Creature, Elastica The Menace, Tracy Bonham Down Here, Madonna Music, …. and i’m sure i’ll be adding a few more in the weeks to come as i pick up the discs i missed. If you know that i totally skipped over something worthy, point it out, by all means. I mean, i would have never bought Beautiful Creature (it was a donation to my collection from the promo bin at the phila. weekly) and it is definitely going to make my list, so i obviously could have missed out on some other good discs. And, no, i didn’t really like Belle & Sebastian’s. And, yes, i still have to buy Elliot Smith’s. Okay.