Pet Shop Boys/Release-Expanded

Release is the 12th PSB release and the 8th of entirely new material by the UK Electronic Duo. Released in 2002, Release was the least successful of all PSB release although the CD did move 800,000 copies. The album was very guitar and piano driven. Johnny Marr [The Smiths] provides guitar on seven of the 10 tracks on the studio release.

Disc One:

Home And Dry—-One of my least favorite PSB tracks….next to Can You Forgive Her?, this was just not what I was expecting or craving from the duo. The acoustic style guitar was quite a surprise…the extra melancholy feel of the song is comfortable. The huge over-layed vocals from Neil make the song a standout in that effect. This is just not the 115 BPM song I expected…it has grown on me over the years.

I Get Along—-With a huge. strong piano line and an underlying poppy feel to the song, this is the best Oasis song I have ever heard. Really….it rocks that well…you listen and tell me you don’t think of Oasis!!! The bass line is subtle, the synths are in the back and the guitar leads a fantastic voiced Neil in a manner I never thought I would hear. To me….THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!!

Birthday Boy—-A nice synth-piano introduces the song, the guitars and overlayed orchestrated synth in underneath all of it. The voice is masterful, the lyrics speaking of religion and introspection…a nice mix. This is mellow PSB at it’s very best. Neil delivers his voice in a tenor that is literally beautiful. Wonderful…one of my favorite tracks on this release!!! Only the Boys can combine Religion and an underlying sexual desire into one song…wow!!!

London—-Acoustic in nature, the voice is run through an auto-tune, it gives Neil an interesting and fresh sound. When he hits those high notes, you still remain impressed….by the 4th bar, the song turns into a nice synth driven disco song that is fun and light despite the lyrics. the music is a nice return to classic programming and you welcome it after the release thus far. This is wonderful…a nice beat driven song that pleases the palate.

E-Mail—-At the time this song was released, I had not yet given into the technological world and was puzzled by the song. now that I am deeply imbedded in the Computer world of EVERYTHING, the song makes perfect sense. With that nice hum I always speak of and a progressive synth beat, the song has a nice overtone of melancholy and sadness that for some reason inspires a smile….go figure!!!

The Samurai In Autumn—-This song was huge for me…it embraced the really heavy synth lines of the band that I always loved, added a nice Acid House feel and a pace that must be 125 BPM. This is wonderful…classic and simply masterful….the vocals are minimal and questionable in meaning…you don’t need them with this great beat.

Love Is A Catastrophe—-Dripping in heavy bass overtones and a funeral synth line, this is better than Depeche Mode has done in years….Tennant delivers some notes that are all over the scale. He goes up and delves into depths  that impress me…the emotion is so thick and broken-hearted you can slice it with a very dull knife. this is masterful…Marr is so present with the dingy Smiths sound…this is incredible….dig through the layers and wallow…it is exquisite!

Here—-This is such a comfortable PSB synth line that you immediately feel comfortable with the song. Something about this release tells me someone had a broken heart or something. this is a huge song…the chorus is brilliant…it is so mellow, but has a element of pure ecstatic joy…the synth line is jaunting, yet underneath runs a hum of sadness and almost complete black. This is literally brilliant…after not hearing this for some time, I love this even more!!!

The Night I Fell In Love—-The most overt and Gay single that Neil has ever agreed to up to this point, the whole premise of the song is that a guy meets Eminem after a show, goes to his hotel, spends the night  etc, etc, etc….it is very British, very Gay and very fun. Harmless, but something nice to think about!!!

You Choose—-This is such a blatant Smiths guitar line to me….the voice is a little uncomfortable set to the edge of the sound…..this is wonderful though…it speaks to me of the age-old questions of true love, soul mates and destiny!!! This is wonderful!!!

Disc Two:

Home And Dry [Ambient Mix]—-This re-working of the single is exactly as the remix title would suggest…laid back and mellow. full of atmosphere and swirls of music…the vocal is spot on, but the song just never did it for me. Just a personal thing…this is nice.

Sexy Northerner—-Also taking a spot on Disco 3, this is a nice return to form by the Boys as they begin to lay the palate for whatever was to come next for them in their career….it would be a while, but stuff like this makes the wait more tolerable. This is all and all out rave culture for the new millenium. Lowe knows how to construct a perfectly wonderful musical track…this is a clear example…it this was just music it would be masterful in itself…add Neil and you have a masterpiece…even if he doesn’t like guys who smoke…oh well. The changes in the musical delivery of the song is incredible and the song even has a certain masculine tone to it that is masterful…fantastic!!!!

Always—-Full of manufactured atmosphere and mood, the synths swirl around your head like stars and make jabs at your emotions as they find a place in your heart. this is magical…the voice is better that it has ever been, the descriptive tone will make you sob…the hum of melancholy will urge you to grab new kleenex…this is classic and welcome…the Boys remain genius!!!

Closer [Slow Version]—-One of the tracks that was supposed to be in a stage presentation by the Boys that never quite made it, this is a nice revisit to this older single [see: Nightlife]. This is layered, textured, smoothed over and messed up again. The melody line that runs through this track can not be denied…this is classic PSB…Neil has never sounded better, and Chris has never been more mechanically mellow!!!

Nightlife—-Not on Nightlife [!!!!!]. but later appearing as a B-side on Flamboyant, this is a fun disco driven synth masterpiece that only serves as a reminder why this band is so wonderful and vitally important to the community. one of the most under rated bands, most people do not even know they exist…this is reason one million and one to realize that they do…..!!!!!

Friendly Fire—-Taken from the Battleship Potemkin soundtrack, this is so theatrical and magnificent you want to run off to Broadway and do SOMETHING. This is marvelous…it is campy, melancholy and masterfully delivered with a huge theatrical effort…man!!!

Break 4 Luv [Radio Edit]—-This was a B-side on the Home And Dry single and also released as a stand-alone single in many markets…this is classic Disco driven PSB…there are no apologies for the extra heavy synth line and the propulsive nature of the song…this is as good as it gets…check this out for the inspiration and the melancholy.

Home And Dry [2nd Trance Mix]—-This mix takes this generic song to a whole other level…the bass is overwhelming and the end result is the most pleasant chopped up version of a song I have ever heard. this is wonderful, complete anda pure ecstatic journey into the world of strobe lit clubs at three in the morning. Magnificent!!!

****3/4 out of 5

Handsome Furs/Face Control

Handsome Furs are an Electro-Punk band from Montreal, Canada. The Husband and Wife teamed formed the band in 2007. Face Control was written largely during the bands tour behind their debut release and the album title references the practise of bouncers rejecting people at clubs based on looks alone. The band had scheduled this release for February 2009, but the release was pushed back numerous times while the band awaited clearance from New Order for a song title that they reference in one of the songs on this release.

Legal Tender—-Electric a with a pleasant static, the song opens up into a full blossom by the second bar and the bass delivery is masterful. The voice is classic 80’s styled electro….the breaks and the beats are fantastic. This is nice….the littleest of sounds are at the front of the mix making the song even more intricate. Nice!!!!

Evangeline—-Melding directly from the previous track, the song keeps the hard bass sound but develops a more robotic feel to the backdrop. The guitars or synth generated guitars are awesome…this is wonderful Electro-Blues…if you can imagine!!! It has that nice dirty, sexy feel that is wonderful.

Talking About Arbat Blues—-Aggressive and full of 80’s style Clash Punk, the short comes in these short aggressive bursts that make you thirst for the days when music was real and full of passion. this is wonderful…huge and full of attitude. I really love this band…where have I been?

[Passport Kontrol]—-One of 3 short intrudes on this release, the ’song’ is a short yet inspired Electro orgy of pleasant sounds and beats woven into a momentary tapestry. Wonderful!!

All We Want Baby, Is Everything—-An odd side step, the song is an almost Electro-Bluegrass tinged song that has a nice country feel to it, but an overwhelming ode to New Order as well…the low hum in the back…the bass that is higher yet just as prominent…the almost galloping synth line…this is remarkable!!!

I’m Confused—-With a massive hum, the song comes out of a darker place to take the form of a great big romp through Alt-Rock-A-Billy that still keeps its integrity and fun. the synth lines have an element of Country…the live instrumentation is nice with the tambourine playing such a prominent part….this is so nice and poppy it makes me smile…that is saying something!!!

[White City]—-Allow us to take another brief time out for this interlude of a repeated line of words that are run over by numerous synth lines occurring at the same time…I almost wished for more of this to see where it could go.

Nyet Spasiba—-High on Electro and melancholy, the voice is so emotive you feel ever single word that is uttered….the electro is huge and fantastic. The chorus to this song will make you ecstatic and fills my body with goosebumps…this is awesome, aspiring and elating!!!

Officer Of Hearts—-Nice enough, the song lacks enough to keep my attention as I sit here daydreaming with the song passing me by. The beats are nice, but the voice is removed and lacks the pained expression that you would associate with the lyrics. nice enough, but I’ll pass.

[It's Not Me, It's You]—-Another brief interlude with a title to die for!!!  How many times have you really wanted to say that….yeah I know!!! The track loud, aggressive and not at all what I was expecting…this is full of feedback and pars of the song seems to be backwards….this is BRILLIANT!!!!

Thy Will Be Done—-A clear throw back to the generation 80’s. the song has a fun synth line and the lyrics have nice Cocaine references…the beat is jerky ad full of that New Wave feel. This is masterful…in 1984, this band would have been huge…they would have been like 5 also!!! ROFLMAO!!!!

Radio Kaliningrad—-From the first notes, this song is just wonderful layers and layers of noise…as the chaos clears, the heavy synth line enters and produces an air of happiness and comfortability. This is wonderfully warm and pleasant…the sound is masterful and the pace of the song just makes you want to act like a fool. Remarkable!!!

**** out o 5

Matisyahu/Light

Matisyahu [Matthew Paul Miller] is an American Hasidic Jewish Reggae Musician recording since 2004. Matisyahu is known for his unique combinations of traditional Jewish themes set to Reggae, Hip-Hop and rock music. Since beginning his recording career in 2004, he has released 3 studio CD’s. This, the most recent was issued in August of 2009.

Smash Lies—-With a more electronic sound than expected, this track seems to be all over the place. The vocals are largely auto-tuned…which is not necessary are to hype driven and there is not enough emphasis on the chorus which has a really nice hook. The end of the song allows for a cleaner vocal…this works so much better for me.

We Will Walk—-This is much more in the accustomed vein, although the beats are a little pushed to far to the back. the chorus is really nice…a huge sounding catchy delivery that allows you to sway and bob your head…this is nice…much better.

One Day—-The lead off single to this release and fairly popular….I hate that when that happens to one of ‘my’ bands….but that is the object right…how slow am I??? From the opening strains of this song, you know that it is the single for a reason…this is fantastic…you would never in a 100 years imagine this guy was a heavily bearded white guy wearing a yamake…this is so nice you will listen to it a few times in a row before you move on. I love this….the slwer beat is pure Reggae…the heavier bass gives it an R n’ B cred at the some time. Nice!!!

Escape—-This is pretty fantastic…this is a nice blend of Rap/Reggae that is at a nice pace…once the chorus hits the song has developed into a huge track. The instruments seem to come in a bit at a time until the song is bursting at the seams…the horns are brilliant…this is great!!!

So Hi So Lo—-This has a lot of pop stylings to it, the beat much more Alt-rock oriented than anything I have heard from him so far. The guitars are much more aggressive and for most of the song, Matis actually sings rather than delivering his usual sing-song vocal. the chorus is nice…it makes the refrains worth it…nice…again!

I Will Be Light—-The music seems to be more in a dub style…which I really do not care for…the vocal is much higher pitched than usual…which I do not like….the chorus is flat…which I do not like….the song is over…which I do like. This sounds like a really bad Red Hot Chili Peppers cover!!!

For You—-Right out of the gate, the song has a nice sound of promise…the voice enters the fray and is nice…not what I expected but nice. The Reggae flavor is nowhere to be found, but the chorus is a huge sounding affair. the chords and melody are contagious…the refrain sticks to your cells and the song lives at least another day in the recesses of your brain. Great!!!

On Nature—-To me, this sounds like so many of the white bands in the early 90’s that were making pseudo-Reggae muic…bands like 311, Sugar Ray etc….this just falls flat for me…it is not a bad song…it just lacks anything that makes it special.

Motivate—-Beginning with a rock sound, the guitar remains throughout most of the song, but the bass Reggae beat is the star. This is a fast vocal delivery and borders on great Dancehall..this is really nice…besides One day, my favorite track on this release. It is classic and authentic!

Struggla—-What a nice groove this track has…that shuffling reggae beat is so addictive….the strack uses some sample or the other to add and beef up the song…it works really well. the vocal is fantastic on this track….the clear voice is a little shocking…but very refreshing to actually know what we are bobbing our head to. Plus, the message of the song is great!!

Darkness Into Light—-This is fast, slightly muted and fantastic. the guitars that enter the chorus are so Alt Rock acceptable, you shake your head and wonder if this is the same guy you were listening to on the last track. This is fantastic…did I say that already?  The chorus is a huge contagious affair…a really great hook on this one.

Thunder—-Again. this sounds like a really bad Anthony Keidas impression….this does not work for me at all….sorry.

Silence—-Obviously this is in Hebrew…..haunting and almost beautiful, I just really prefer him at a more even tone…this upper register thing does not work for me….as the English refrains come in, the song is damn likeable and the voice is more mainstream…this is great….the beats are minimal and a sad haunt runs through the backdrop of the song…wonderful!!!

***1/2 out of 5

Angtoria/God Has A Plan For Us All

Angtoria are a Symphonic Metal band composed os British singer Sarah Jezebel Deva [Cradle Of Filth] and Swedish brothers Chris And Tony Rehn. The band released their debut in 2006, and a follow-up is scheduled for 2010.

The Awakening—-Not surprisingly, the keyboard ministrations on this intro are huge…that is the specialty of Sarah and it is done with flair and anticipation as we await…

I’m Calling—-This is surprisingly light in sound and definitely reminds me of the early days of Nightwish…this is nice, Sarah has a wonderful voce and is able to provide the mood for the song which she is singing. the voice, like it or not, is damn pleasant…the guitars could be crunching and a little more to the front, but they have a nice showcase…the drum track is excellent. Nice, but a border line Metal song.

God Has A Plan For Us All—-This is a very disturbing video…head to my Facebook page for it [Mark J. Maras]…..if you do not know what the song is about, it is also pretty damn pleasant. The content is horrifying and disturbing, yet the band manages to paint a pretty nice picture with the song. the vocals are literally beautiful, masterful and practised. The chorus of monk voices add to the drama and the song ends up being a huge perfect example of everything that is right about Symphonic Metal.

Suicide On My Mind—-Again, the song is huge in scope…are three people really making all of this noise? The vocal is nice, but it rages for a higher tone, a growl or a scream….it is almost to pretty for this genre. Only the huge orchestration and the great drums save this from becoming mundane….Sarah needs to change and excercise her tone for this band to remain fresh.

Deity Of Disgust—-Crunchier and with a heavier tone from the onset, the keyboards come at you at a rapid burst of sounds…the guitars take on a more practised and driving sound and then it dissolves into a quiet that leaves me empty and wondering where all of that beginning passion went. It returns from time to time, but you yearn for an all and out free for all. the male vocal added to this song is terrible and does nothing for me what so ever. This is so-so.

The Addiction—-Heavy on the orchestration and symphonic qualities of the band, you wonder at the long intro where this is going to go…you hope for a change…a slight passionate holler…a true feeling to emerge….NOT! The album begins, at this point to sound like one long song…there is never any variance or difference from song to song. The atmosphere of the song is awesome…the originality has been done before and better.

Six Feet Under’s Not Deep Enough—-From what I understand, this song has been around for quite sometime and was released on a demo at one time or another…the problem with this song is that it sounds exactly like God Has A Plan For Us All….there is no adventure or variance. This is disappointing to me…..I had high hopes!!!

Do You See Me Now?—-The guitars and the drums seem more aggressive on this track…the keyboards swirl around your head and light you up…..Sarah enters the fray with the same predictable delivery and the entire thing comes crashing down…this is way too predictable!!!

Original Sin—-This is nice only because of the varied overlayed vocals…the guitars are almost undecipherable….the male spoken vocal is pure Cradle…this is a nice diversion!!! The interlude is a nice mix-up…exactly what I have been begging for. This is nice, but cannot escape the continuation of sound. the male vocal adds so much to the dimension….BRAVO!!!!

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned—-Beginning in a grand Cradle way, the instrumentation and orchestration is welcoming and nice….but there is no Dani and the song turns into a Metal Enya that leaves me flat and uninspired…I do not like this!!!

Confide In Me—-This is a cover from what I understand, but I lack the expertise at the moment to tell you who the original artist was. This entire release, which I am hearing for the first time as I review it…has left me disappointed and feeling a little bit flat. The orchestration on the track is admirable…this is nice…the music is driven by the keyboards, the guitars are present…the voice enters and everything stops…DIVA!!!

That’s What The Wise Lady Said—-There is nothing new here!!! This makes me sad!!!

A Child That Walks In The Path Of A Man—-The release ends [thankfully] like it began and continued to unfold….this is meant for small doses…an overload of this could make you question your musical tastes and proclivities….perhaps 2010 will be better for the band.

*3/4 out of 5

Cradle Of Filth/Bitter Suites To Succubi

Bitter Suites To Succubi is essentially a ‘mini-album’ bridging the gap between Midian and Damnation And A Day while the band was switching and securing a new record label. This release features 6 new tracks, 3 reworkings of tracks from the band’s debut release and a Sisters Of Mercy cover [No Time To Cry]. Released in 2001, the release also features a backwards reading of The Lord’s Prayer [Dinner At Deviant's Palace] by drummer Paul Allender’s son.

Sin Deep My Angel—-One of the two instrumental’s on this release, the song begins to set the mood that Cradle requires of the listener….the stmosphere is heavy and dark….the huge and layered Goth overtones are in high gear. The song is like the soundtrack to a graveyard movie…just what I need and expect from the band.

All Hope In Eclipse—-Beginning with the typical layered Phantom Of The Opera sounds, the song during the first half falls very flat and un inspired for me…as the song finally becomes livelier and more aggressive, Dani raises the voice and the tone is demonic and scary. This is classic Filth as the band pummel out their own brand of extreme Metal. Go Dani, Go!!!! This is a huge, long song that allows you many moods and chapters….it plays well after a questionable beginning.

Born In A Burial Gown—-With a nice organ beginning the song, it is not long before Dani enters the fray in a deeper tone that grows and grows with pitch and mania as each line develops…you fear he might break his throat!!! We know that is not a danger…this guy has an amazing and interesting range. This song seems a little flat musically….the music seems pushed to the back…it needs to be louder and more present…these drums are incredible and should be heard.

Summer Dying Fast—-One of my favorite tracks from this release, this is classic at every corner.  The instruments re-appear…in your face and give you whiplash!!! The speed is incredible…the guitars are lightning fast, the drums are left beaten to death by the end of the song…Sarah ministers with the keyboards and Dani rapes you with his vocal chords…this is literally incredible!!!

No Time To Cry [Sisters Of Mercy Cover]—-The beginning of the song is so full of pleasant sounds, you question what the hell is going on….the Goth stylings do not last, as the band enters the fray and delivers their own brand of Goth to the metal masses…this is freakin’ awesome….Dani and Sarah come together for some nice vocal effects…this song is one for the books…a really great version of a classic song!!!

The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh—-Brutal and in fine form from the very first chords, these drums will peel your face off. the vocal is overlayed with Dani high and low and the studio magic is an astounding effect. The lead guitar is right in your right ear…louder than usual and really great. This is choice!!!

Suicide And Other Comforts—-With a nice piano intro, you are pretty rest assured that the quiet will not last long….the vocal enters and is subdued and quiet….by the third bar the song opens up and the mayhem continues. The song is a more orchestrated affair…reminiscent of what was to come way further down the line. Sarah adds some nice vocal nuances that meld the song together really well. This is different but acceptable.

Dinner At Deviant’s Palace—-The other of the two instrumentals on this release, the song begins with the required thunder and stormy, dark feel. The keyboards swirl with effects and the mood is definitely set. The backward vocal of The Lord’s Prayer leaves you a bit uncomfortable and creeped out…well….MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

The Black Goddess II-Ebon Nemesis—-The pierce of the voice is there from the very first note…the voice continues to flirt between tones and the band finally picks up a pace that is thrash-able and crunching. the drums are great and the bass line reads like Maiden on speed. This is nice, but the varied tones of the vocals are to extreme and add confusion to what you should be doing during the song….when Dani does let loose…it is some of his best…that saves the song from obscurity.

Scorched Earth Erotica—-Kind of odd at the onset, the sound is retro and almost unfamiliar…..by the second bar, the song opens into full Cradle mode…the keyboards are in perfect tandem with the drums and the guitars and the sound result is HUGE!!! This is fantastic…I had never heard this song…it has become a favorite of mine. Dani is a master at his voice…this is fantastic!!!!

****3/4 out of 5

Cold Cave/Love Comes Close

Cold Cave are an Experimental Synthpop Band from Philadelphia. Formed as a side project by Wesley Eisold, the band is now signed to Matador Records. Eisold is the former vocalist for numerous Hardcore bands including Some Girls, American Nightmare and Give Up The Ghost. Love Comes Close was released in November 2009.

Cebe And Me—-With an incredible deep bass and fuzzy synth sound, the vocal enters the fray sounding just as alien and distorted as the music. This is a sonic journey through Alternative Synth that has seldom been delivered this sonically….brilliant and a nice change to the usual stuff that is packaged in the synth box of labels.

Love Comes Close—-With a cleaner and clearer synth line, the song reminds me of New Order from the first strains…not your typical ‘popular’ N.O., but some of the more obscure tracks like Face Up…the voice is a deep baritone that rivals Ian Curtis and the underlying melody is irresistable. the lyrics are incredibly dark, but the song plays really well to just about any crowd…this is melodic brilliance!!!

Life Magazine—-Fuzzy and pleasant, the song begins with a barrage of sounds that create a nice wall of sound. The female voice is really nice…the atmosphere is so thick in this song you can cut it with a very sharp knife. This is pleasant in every way…from the fuzz that runs underneath to the machine generated handclap sounds, the song keeps your eardrums at high alert as you try to catch every sound…this is wonderful!!!

The Laurels Of Erotomania—-This is a straight 80’s synth line that immediately satisfies the palate. the fuzz is less pronounced and the synth high hats are incredibly clear…this almost reminds me of vintage Men without hats. The synth line is bass driven and the knob turning going on is incredible…it will give your headphones a complete workout…this is a nice throwback to the 80’s decade, but plays fresh and brand new!!

Heaven Was Full—-Falling back into the synth/goth lines that Wesley seems most comfortable with, the song unfolds like a classic Sisters Of Mercy track. The voice is so deep and removed, the bass line drives the song and the higher synth lines reminds you of Interpol. This is wonderfully retro and amazingly fresh!!!

The Trees Grew Emotions And Died—-Much more hyper and danceable, this track sounds almost like a different band altogether..ahhh the joys of experimentation. If you remove the underlying fuzz, this has pop masterpiece written all over it. the addition of the female voice is a wonderful idea and the two play off of one another like a well practised magic trick…this is masterful and fun.

Hello Rats—-Sounding like an updated joy Division, this track makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside…this is not a happy or uplifting song….but some of us rely on these darker tones in order to feel anything and this delivers with an A++++. this is so wonderful, you will hit rewind once or twice before you are able to move on…the underlying deepness of the track melds with the higher synth so well, it is almost like a beautiful painting.

Youth And Lust—-If this does not make you think of the VERY first New Order release, there is something wrong with you…this is brilliant. the urge to dance is so strong, but you stay safe in your corner where it is dark and you can soak in the feelings that this layered masterpiece produces…this is literally wonderful!!!

I.C.D.K.—-Again, the band ratchet things up a notch and produces some huge synth riffs that are tasty. The lower level sounds of the song only add heaping helpings of compliments to the higher synth sounds…this is a great excursion through the pleasure of knob turning and musical manipulations like none other. The vocals are minimal, but it does not matter…this is really nice!!!

Double Lives In Single Beds—-A synth styled love song for the new generation of shoe gazers, this song is surprisingly almost minimalist. The voice is so emotive and gentle…the lyrics bite like a pit bull and the music washes everything clean….BRILLIANT!!!

Theme For Tomorrowland—-So damn danceable, this might be my favorite track on this release….the synth grooves are HUGE…the bass line makes you headphones stutter…the voice is manipulated and sounds even more distant tan ever. By pushing the voice way to the back, the music is the star of the show and rightfully so…this is a wonderful piece of music…CHECK THIS ONE OUT!!!!

Now That I’m In The Future—-Full of static sounds and beats that are so hyper you want to squeeze your skull, the release ends much like it began….with a lot of fuzz and distortion…it is the road in between that will bring you the most rewards…take the trip..it is well worth it.

**** out of 5

Morrissey/Your Arsenal

Your Arsenal, released in 1992, was the third solo effort by former Smiths vocalist Morrissey. Featuring a new band of ‘hooligans’, namely Alain White and Boz Boorer, they remain with Morrissey until this day. The band takes on a more noted rock-a-billy sound, due to the roots of the musicians Moz chose to hire…it all worked for him masterfully well. The album, although never sporting a true ’single’ , managed to chart three singles in the to ten and garnered a Grammy nomination in the US. Shortly after the release, Mick Ronson dies of liver cancer.

You’re Gonna Need Someone By Your Side—-From the onset, you notice that Moz has crossed over to the ‘dark’ side of ‘Modern Rock’….this is alright, because it plays so well. the backdrop of the song is so huge it seems to give Morrissey the balls he had problems finding. This is a huge barrage of guitar sound and distortion…the band is literally huge….it works fantastically well. a stand out track and always a favorite of mine.

Glamorous Glue—-The musical backdrop is full of sounds from every direction…the sound is loud and abrasive and is the exact thing that Moz needed to satisfy me and attract new fans. He still seems able to deliver a line that is subtle, sardonic and typical despite all of the noise…how is this possible….GENIUS!!!

We’ll Let You Know—-Wow…still surprising after the musical barrage of the past two songs, this is Morrissey at his very best…one of the best post-Smiths songs he ever released, I think this was way over looked and under appreciated. The voice is so clear…the gentle acoustic guitar and the back drop from some obscure recording or another only add to the atmsphere…this is classic and wonderful!!! The lyrics sometimes make you shake your head and wonder what you are supposed to believe in.

The National Front Disco—-Forever on of my favorite Morrissey songs….not because of the lyric, the music or the delivery but all of them combined…this track makes me crazy…makes me want to spin in circles and proclaim my love for a man I have never met. To be so blatant in political statement, while still being in melody and hype is astounding. the energy of the song is devastating and will leave you wiped out afterwards…this is an unappreciated masterpiece!!!!! I love you man!!!!

Certain People I Know—-With a huge Rock-a-billy sentiment, the song is so pleasant you almost resist the message of the song. Morrissey, combined with this band was unstoppable…the American sentiment was inr=tact with subtle nuances of British humor at the same time…..this is fantatic…few songs surpass the track.

We Hate t When Our Friends Become Successful—-Never a favorite track of mine, perhaps I am non-traditionalist…the Americans loved this song and it spurned a huge tour for the Man…to me, there are too many other brilliant moments on this release for this song to mean that much to me…although perhaps his band mates were paying attention and then decided to sue him!!!

You’re The One For Me Fatty—-Another of those little ditty that Moz has a way of penning that are cruel and inane, but stick in your head forever…like Girlfriend In Coma, Moz makes something so cruel seem so pleasant…this man is a GOD!!!

Seasick, Yet Still Docked—-Beginning with typical Morrissey fanfare, you know that this will be one for the books as the first notes begin to take place. Morrissey delivers lines so subtle and sardonic that you ears try ti pick up every little sound that is coming from his vocal box…this is remarkable…the band settles down into a remarkable Smiths dirge that makes you feel warm and fuzzy….this is remarkable now and even more incredible live…just like the older days….wonderful!!!! Morrissey sings…..”My love is as sharp as a needle in your eye….you must be a fool to pass me by…”….WOW!!!!

I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday—-Washing over you like a huge tidal wave, the song builds and builds until you are drowned in the pure emotion of the vice…the release is like a weeks long orgasm with you favorite fuck…..this man is briulliant…..the build up is as good as the release and the release makes you love even more….I love this Man….oh…did I say that already?

Tomorrow—-A wonderfully noisy barrage of the new band Morrissey has accumulated, this song is literally wonderful….including all of the great themes that Moz has covered, it takes on a new energy with the new players. This is literally an excursion into the past glory days of the old band…you ache to hear Marr repeat these chords…Morrissey has never sounded better or more tortured…..this is magnificent.

****3/4 out of 5

Styx/Paradise Theatre

Paradise Theatre was a concept album released by Styx in 1981. The entire release is a fictional account of the famed Paradise Theatre, from opening to closing and eventual abandonment. The release is more a metaphor for the changing times and decade. This release spawned 3 Top Twenty Singles, and marked the 3rd consecutive Styx release to sell over 3 million copies. It was also the sole #1 album in the US for the band.

A.D. 1928—-Named for the year the Theatre opened, I prefer not to concentrate on the concept but rather the record as a whole….the song begins with the prevailing melody and refrains that will come in and out of the record as it progresses. the vocal is absolute and wonderful as always…Dennis could sing like an angel and it is masterfully displayed here. the classic Styx sound is all over the song…the prog-rock leanings, the 70’s style soft appeal…this is wonderful.

Rockin’ The Paradise—–The song is full of everything that made this band huge in the 70’s…there are great chord changes, the voice is crystal clear and soars with little effort. The entire song is on the edge of epic..this is grand posturing at it’s best…you must revisit this…classic late 70’s rock!!! When the voices come together for the chorus, you are in heavy…when the piano takes on a bluesy bar room jazz feel. you realize the band has grown even more.

Too Much Time On My Hands—-A huge hit for the band, you can hear the warning refrains of the follow-up record Mr. Roboto. Despite that. the vocal is nice…the guitar rises above the synth to give the song its classic Styx sound. The song is a fun romp, something you put on randomly and realize you still know all the words…how can this be!!!

Nothing Ever Goes As Planned—-Taking on a more familiar sound, the vocal reverts back to Dennis and the guitar delivery is soaked in a Chicago Blues. The sound of the track is light nd fun and something that every one listening can relate to. This is nice after all the circumstance of the earlier tracks….a favorite of mine from this release.

The Best Of Times—-A huge, huge, huge song for the band. This sat very well at the #1 spot in 1981…..piano driven and wonderfully full of emotion, the vocal histrionics on this track are classic…even thoough you get a few vocal ministrations that are synthesized. The song could be played right now and still be pertinent….this is a here and now song. When the voices all come together at the chorus…it is a rare glimpse into the genius f the band…this is remarkable.

Lonely People—-With raining pouring from the sky and a lonely sax in the backdrop, the Chicago scene has been set…the song begins in a nice tone and continues with a slight blues feel that is a little too theatrical for my taste. This is like something right off of the Broadway stage…even with the whole band joining in….not a high point in my mind.

She Cares—-Musically, the song is pleasant enough….the vocal falls very flat for me…you can’t deny the damn melodic qualities of the song though. The piano line is great and the voice, although not stretching does have a great grasp on changing tone and going with the melody of the song. This will grow on you….I guarntee it.

Snowblind—-This is rumored to be a huge anti-drug song…too me. it just speaks of addiction in a really powerful way. the vocal manipulations will remind you of OZZY…I SWEAR TO GOD!!! The song rocks like classic Styx…like nothing else on this release…this is back to the Grand Illusion days and it is masterful. Fantastic 70’s style rock that will never let you down.

Half-Penny—-Rocking like classic Doobie Bros., the vocal is not at all what you would expect…sounding to me like something out of Jesus Christ Superstar!!! This is weak and lack-luster…even though the blend of voices on the chorus is damn fine, it is too theatrical and pompous for me.

A.D. 1958—-I would assume this is pertinent, but my research does not go that far….of course, the song falls back into the familiar refrain as it started…this must be the demise of the famed Theatre. The vocal of Dennis is incredible…so clear and unadulterated…at this point though the album has taken so many twist and turns is loses the cohesiveness of a concept.

State St. Sadie—-An odd little ‘outro’ that last 28 seconds….whatever!!!

*** out of 5

The XX/XX

The XX are an Alternative Rock band from West London, England. Formed in 2005, the band released their ethereal, self-produced debut in August of 2009 to huge fanfare and acclaim. The band is listed at #6 on NME Top 50 Future List.

Intro—-From the onset of the very first notes, you just know that this is going to be a heavily layered and textured adventure through the nether lands of Alternative Rock. This intro is aptly titled as it set your brain to the mood of what you are about to embark on…the vocals on this song are MINIMAL but very IMPORTANT. This is wonderful.

VCR—-With a heavy Joy Division/New Order bass line, the guitars area nice slight fuzz that is underneath the music and carries it along night a magic carpet across the landscape. The vocal is wonderful…this is relaxing and made for those real late nights when you need a cool-down that won’t bring you down. The trade-off of female/male vocals are masterful and provide a great effect.

Crystallised—-Featured on I-Tunes as a Single Of The Week, this is still heavy on the bass line and low-fi on the leads. The vocals are quiet and real….this is rare now these days. The song has nice ebbs and flows where the instrumentation is principle and then switches off with the vocal. This is a nice song wrapped in a huge warm blanket.

Islands—-The bass line is faster and almost tropical. The song has a warmer feel, even though things are very minimal..the voices are quiet and the instruments are not that prominent…this all comes together and splashes a beautiful picture across the canvas. Remarkable!!

Heart Skipped A Beat—-Sounding more Electronic from the onset, this begins like New Order and some of the earliest recordings…minimal, electronic and bass line driven…the remarkable and important difference is the warmth and variance of the voices…the continued trade-off between male and female vocalists works wonderfull…the laid back and relaxed delivery adds the atmosphere and urges you to chill and light candles!!!

Fantasy—-Very somber and removed, it is if you are listening to the song in a tunnel. The voice is pushed to the back of the song…thing is, the instruments are pushed back even further…like you are listening to a quiet song with a blanket wrapped around your head…this is literally astounding!!!

Shelter—-Beginning with the female vocalist, the delivery is crystal clear and beautiful. She sings of emotions that live in all of us, the music kicks up and the voice is given a slight reverb. the result is simply brilliant. This is so spacy and pleasant  you want to roll in it. This band is awersome….how did I wait so long to get a copy of this? How slow am I???

Basic Space—-Seemingly with a prominent keyboard chord, the song is rather odd….the voice is jaunting and hesitant..almost in stuttering bursts. The song does come alive in a nice way, but I really prefer the quieter and more serious XX than this one…not bad, but not a favorite either.

Infinity—-Ahhh….this is what I love about this band..the masterful minimalism is a hard act to pull off…this band does so with flair and expertise….this is wonderful…a nice blend of music and atmosphere all rolled up into a wonderful few minutes that allows you to escape and swim in some one else’s misery. This is wonderful.

Night Time—-This is wonderfully sparse, yet the piano and the bass line of the song again reminds you of others in a most pleasant way. The song picks up to a nice tempo that is just enough without becoming intrusive to the lyrics. This is magically wonderful…a Cowboy Junkies for the new decade.

Stars—-With a huge and yet wonderfully sedate bass line, the male voice enters the picture sounding more serious and desperate than eve. The tone of the bass line seems to match his emotion word for chord. When the female voice enters the fray, the song seems lighter and less intense…it is truly magical…this is a very pleasant listen…I will be loving this for a while!!!

****1/2 out of 5

Rickie Lee Jones/Live At Red Rocks

Recorded at the famed outdoor amphitheater Red Rocks, this was finally released in 2001. This is an archival release, originally recorded while touring behind Flying Cowboys during the 1989-1990 tour. I will go to any length to add to my Rickie Lee collection, and this is well worth seeking out!!!

Rodeo Girl—-The crowd noise as Jones enters the stage is remarkable…someday I will manage to catch Rickie live!!! This is brilliant…from the very first chords, the vocal enters and you swear you are listening to a studio recording. The sound is wonderful….the instrumental mix is in perfect tandem with the vocal and the duo vocals are wonderful…the goosebumps have risen and will not let me alone. this is Freakin’ Wonderful!!!!

Satellites—-My very favorite [maybe] Jones release, this live rendition contains all of the elements of the original…never lsing any of the intensity or urgency of the original studio recording. From the very beginning of the song, the crowd is wrapped around her little finger. the pop elements of this song are unmistakable…at a different time, this song would have been Jones biggest hits. It hurts my heart that so many people have missed the genius of this woman and her art. This is literally fantastic!!!

We Belong Together—-Yet another of the Jones catalog that I mark as one of my very favorites, this song has so many emotional points that are familiar and breed into my psyche’. This is beautifully wonderful. This conveys elements that we are all familiar with…rejection, desire, wishing and wanting….this is phenomenal just for its emotional scope. The vocals are incredible, and the emotion of the song pours from every instrument!!!!

Coolsville—-Going way back in the catalog, Jones delivers this classic masterpiece to the joy and elation of the crowd in classic form. This is jazz/blues at its ver best sung by a poor white girl who has all of the necessary flavor. This will reach in, tear your heart out, twist it upside down and put it back in your chest without the littlest scar….all in a few minutes…who needs Drs.,,,just call Rickie. The vocal ministrations are remarkable and fantastic…the sax is a lonely sound that brings both goosebumps and tears…this is mag-freakin’ificent!!!!!

Weasel And The White Boys Cool—-Another huge trip back into time, Jones further displays her vocal prowess with this blues inspired song that makes you ache for her in your living room. the emotional level of the voice is in itself a rare thing…the voice is remarkable…the blues stylings are pure Orleans and the feel is almost dirty…Jones is a mastermind!!!

Chuck E’s In Love—-The song that made Jones a household name in 1979, still evokes a wild crowd response that can not be ignored. The world never realized that this was just the tip of the iceberg….so a few of us have everything after to embrace, caress and make our own. This rendition makes the crowd crazy from the first notes. Jones introduces the song by saying ” I want you to pretend you just met me and let me know what you think of this song”….BRILLIANT. She delivers it like it was brand new….the emotion is real and the result is wonderful. This is a classic rendition and the vocals are the best I have ever heard!!!!

Just My Baby—-With a great blues styled intro, the song reminds me so much of the classic song ‘Making Whoopie’. Jones delivers a soulful and dramatic vocal…you would never believe this was just a plain ole’ white girl. This has more emotion, pain, elation and irritation in a few minutes than you would get if you rolled the top ten this week into a ball…fantastic.

Flying Cowboys—-Wonderfully layered nd more of a folk song, Jones again shows her versatility as she keeps things fresh, new and ground breaking. This is remarkable…the voice is melded so well with the instrumentation it is hard to differentiate the two….Jones uses that baritone and sing-song voice to tell the perfect story of the drama and realization of….LOVE!!!

Youngblood—-Classic and wonderfully delivered, it is as if Jones is singing everything for the very first time…not the 5,000th. This sounds so new, so crisp and so original, you cannot deny that the song still sounds really great!!!! Jones tells the security at the front during the music to please let the crowd come forward and dance….this is wonderful as they come forward and she urges them to not dance to hard. A wonderful moment caught in time and CD!!!! Fantastic!!!!

Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying—-Jones manages to catch the waning sun rays in her voice and keeps the gentle sundown shining on the audience for a lifetime. The crystal clear delivery and the emotional tone of the voice just makes you want to weep. This is one of the best, most underrated female songstress of the last Century…why does the world ignore her!!!!????

Love Is Gonna Bring Us Back Alive—-Now this is dirty south blues…this is fun, Orleans styled soul with a reggae lean that makes you smile and feel good about the setting sun because you have THIS memory. The song is masterfully preformed…if not for the crowd noises, you could never convince me this quality recording was live. Fantastic…..Bon Ami Rickie!!!!

Gloria—-I always think of this as a Patti Smith classic, and Rickie follows in her footsteps with a dirty version that reeks of Southern style blues….this is nice, but a little to out of the jazzy style realm of Jones I prefer…still…a huge end to a very, very great show.  love it when Jones says “I was 12 years old when I first heard this song and i have never forgotten….I will never forget….that is why I will never grow old”….this is a simple but HUGE statement!!!!

 ***** out of 5 [NO SHIT!!!]