Hopefully those of you who checked out my first post are planning on tuning in for more.....because, trust me, I could review three records a day for the next month without listening to anything new and I STILL won't get through all I've listened to. So, now for three completely different albums.....
BILLY WOODWARD AND THE SENDERS: 2 STEPS FORWARD AND 1 STEP BACK EP, SURVIVAL/HOPING, WAITING (SINGLE FROM UPCOMING FULL-LENGTH RELEASE).
First of all, let me say, that yes, Billy is my good buddy on tour. Let me also say he is the epitome of 50's throwback cool. From his perfect pompadour to his vintage suits, and most importantly HIS MUSIC.
He may be the Elvis/Cash u/s on tour, but he has a music and a style all his own. It certainly is a throwback to 50's rock n' roll and more "classic rock", but not in a kitchy way; it is accessible, well-written, modern rockabilly. The first track on the EP, which is also my favorite is a tune called The One. A great upbeat song with a great backbeat and almost a Calypso-sounding guitar lick. Complete with "shoo-op" backing vocals. I'm sorry, but I'm a sucker for this type of thing. Makes me wanna jump in a '55 Chevy with the top down, cruise around town and head to the drive-in. Love it. The second track, Headline of the Week cranks it up a notch with some tasty distortion and some solid chunky guitar playing. The piano really comes through on this one, and it is a FANTASTIC touch. This one isn't quite as rockabilly as the first track, but that's because Billy is a good enough song writer, and his band is adept enough to write/play in any style they want. Things slow way down for the third track, Same Old Song And Dance; kinda what a would call a good old fashioned weeper. I dig. Really reminds me of Gene Vincent. I dunno why. Billy does this great little flip into his falsetto as the instruments cut out, and it's perfect.
Now, as for the new single.....I couldn't be more excited. Survival is hot all the way around. I mean, c'mon....what better way to start off a record than with the line "I'm on that midnight train to Georgia and I got her on my mind"? Answer: there isn't a better way. It's got a great shuffle beat, some nice sparse guitar licks through the verse and into the chorus.....speaking of which, man that's a good hook. Some more superb guitar playing, more great lyrics and Billy's unmistakeable quivering vocals. Hoping, Waiting slows it down again, and yet still is full of great guitar hooks, and sweet lyrics about "hoping and waiting for a girl like you".
More news to come as Billy and the Senders will be releasing their full length record in April, along with a cd release gig in the D.C. area, which I will be attending of course.
MY MORNING JACKET: IT STILL MOVES
This record sounds like it was recording in a cave; and I LOVE it. Just very spacey sounding and cool. Some amazing instrumentation, and let's face it, I'm also a sucker for great vocal harmonies. Standout track to me, by far is the last one, One In The Same. I think it's because it really reminds me of some early Thom Yorke vocal styling from the Pablo Honey or The Bends. I would say they've listened to those records quite a bit, as well as little Flaming Lips. One In The Same is stark, simple, beautiful, yet overpowering to me. It's just acoustic guitar and the lead singer with bits of harmony thrown in at perfect places. The echo just kills me. Gorgeous.
Now for something completely different......
SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING
I know what you're thinking: is he really going to review a cast recording? Does that even count as an album?
Well, it's my blog....so I'll do whatever I like.
Plus, I'm in theatre....what do you expect?
Ok. Hmm. Not a fan. Look, there a couple of good songs on the album. Noteably, Boy Falls From Sky and Rise Above; both of which have recurring themes throughout the show/album. Which is good, because most of the rest of the music is not great.
My main problem with the music is this: it sounds like the songs that Bono and The Edge didn't think were good enough to put on an album, so they threw it in this show. That, and the fact that they make Reeve Carney do his best Bono impression as Peter Parker/Spidey, instead of using the badass voice he was born with.
Here's another thing; the narrative songs, i.e., the ones that are clearly there to be "hip" and advance the plot are downright terrible. Musically awkward, lyrically laughable, and just not at all good.
I wasn't ever planning on spending $300 to see the show, but after hearing the recording, I doubt I'll be willing to spend $30. Though, you never know.
So, to wrap up: Billy is my boy....buy his records on iTunes and stay tuned for more info about his upcoming release. My Morning Jacket is spacey and cool. Spidey would be better if it was a little more Achtung, Baby and a little less No Line On The Horizon. But, listen for yourselves.
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