Summer CD Reviews
Matthew Good- Hospital Music
Matt's third solo album, I was highly skeptical about leading up to its release. Reading the progress reports on his website I had severe doubts as to the direction he was undertaking, especially given that his last album was sort of a flop. My fears were lessened somewhat when he offered up 3 un-mastered versions of songs for download on his site. My last remaining shreds of doubt where then shattered upon finally hearing the CD in full. It really is a great CD, very different from any of his previous works. Its very much a personal and emotional record, and both the lyrics and music itself reflect that. It hovers somewhere between depressed and uplifting without being either. In summation, its a far better record than White Light and is just as good if not better than Avalanche. **** out of 4.
Still wish he'd do a band tour and not another acoustic tour but that's another story
The Sums first record since their guitarist quit last year, and since Derryck got married to Avril. Thankfully, it still sounds like the sums and is devoid of the cheese (unlike Avril's last CD). No where near as heavy as their last release Chuck, it likens more back toward All Killer No Filler as more punk sounding (i hate that label by the way). Apparently its a concept album, and their first at that. Its very melodic, especially the vocals yet still maintains enough of an edge to not qualify it as easy-listening materials. Overall its a solid CD and hopefully doesn't signal the end for a great band. *** out of 4.
I was never really a White Stripes fan. I liked the occasional single I heard on the radio but never owned or even heard a full length work. Then I started hearing a lot of buzz about this CD on the intranets so I broke down and got it. Have to say, its pretty awesome since they finally started to include bass. Its quirky and weird but it all works and it rocks. I've become a fan of Jack White as of late. *** 1/2 out of 4.
This was another CD I was skeptical about. Saw him perform a couple of the songs with the Low at Canal Fest last summer and wasn't really a fan of them. What a difference a year makes. Its typical Ron material with smart lyrics and catchy music. His solo work has always lagged behind both Lowest of the Low and Rusty Nails material, but this is the better of his 2 solo discs and deserves to be checked out. ** 1/2 out of 4.
The Weakerthans- Reunion Tour
Ah The Weakerthans. Perhaps one of the most "indie" bands that I enjoy. Most of you probably have no idea who they are but I guarantee you've all heard one of their songs. The very first song that plays after the movie Wedding Crashers ends. This would be their 4th CD and its very nice. They have a certain style/sound to their songs that I've never heard in another band but its hard to describe it and give it justice. Just go listen. CD isn't out yet properly but its around the net if you look. *** out of 4.The Smashing Pumpkins- Zeitgeist
The shock of the summer came with the Pumpkins reunion. Well half reunion as only singer Billy Corgan and the drummer are the lone original members in this incarnation. That said it still sounds like the Pumpkins. Rather heavy and dark, its also a pretty politically charged record. Political in the sense that some of the lyrics encompass a lot of worldly issues and concerns and other heavy topics. As to where it ranks with other Pumpkins material, I don't think its fair or accurate to compare them. Siamese Dreams and the double disc Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness are classics from a different era. Zeitgeist is a baby's first step in a new world.
