The Drew's Best Of 2010

The End

2010-07-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

Due to set backs with my computer and an upcoming vacation,I am discontinuing this blog.Sorry for the inconvenience.

GodSmack

2010-05-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

ORACLE

Once upon a time in the land of Black Horse there was a boy who would go every Thursday{payday} to supp at a place of delicious food called,'The Big Bite'.Soon after,as was his habit,he would drift over to the record store and buy two record Lp's.

Before he added these two jewels to his crown,this boy would play them in the 'New' section of what he called ,'The Game'.

The Game was a simple device.By means of random employment(cards...or later on,a spinning wheel) he would select an album side from his ever growing collection.After hearing this,'side',he would play a side of one of his,'New' Lps.

In this fashion,he{and/or his welcomed guests} could hear a great variety of contemporary music.

To add to the fun of this rousting adventure,the boy soon added treasure to his game.By chance,you could win a dollar,five,ten even twenty.An ever growing change jar-with sometimes an even greater amount-was eventually added to the mix.

Fun was had by all.

As a sub text,a game within the game was added:'Guess Whom The Artist Was'.There was no reward for this joust,except,perhaps,bragging rights.

One of the masters of this,'Guess The Artist,'match was this boy's cousin,Frank.Frank was a guessing warrior.He was without equal...except for one group:'Cheap Trick'.

Cheap Trick was Frank's Kypnonite.His blind spot.It got to be that his last guess was always a desperate,'Cheap Trick'{That is when Frank could even recall the group Cheap Trick within the framework of his mind}?

On the other hand,the boy was a great fan of this rock/pop group,Cheap Trick.He had all of their Lps.Knew all of their tunes.He especially liked to wallow in Cheap Tricks earlier-grittier-style of playing.He did not start out being the master of this Frank brain fart band.It just happened.

Now,here's the rub.Here's the morale to the story.

GodSmack is this boy's Achilles heel.GodSmack is this boy's Frank's brain fart.GodSmack is this boy's,Cheap Trick.

...And,I am this boy.

Not that there is anything wrong with GodSmack,or their,'Oracle' production,in particular.In fact,just the opposite.

There are several really good tunes on,'Oracle'.'Whiskey Hangover' first and foremost amongst them..also,the cd opener,'Crying Like A Bitch',ditto for,'Love Hate Sex Pain'.

Perhaps the best song on this album is,'War And Peace',but that is just me.

GodSmack is good heart pounding guitar thrashing,man's man rock & roll.

You'll head bang to it's every mans lyrics every time you listen to them bustin' their cliche' ridden rock on your local modern rock,alternative radio station.

But,if you are like me..you might just be going...'Cheap Trick'???

B+

B.o.B.Presents:

2010-05-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Adventures Of Bobby Ray

This is the first great album of the summer.B.o.B.,ie,Bobby Bobby Ray has made one fun in the sun cd.

Blessed with great guest stars on almost every song,this album almost seems like the summer radio play list for every pool and swimming hole in the country.

Some critics are complaining that this production doesn't have a musical identity.I find that these 12 indivudual songs to be one of the most compelling reasons to sing the praises of R&B/pop music this summer.

In most reviews,I single out what I consider to be the 'best' tune the recording.That is virtually impossible to do here.

On very good albums,I find myself going about my daily routine singing songs I don't even know the names of yet.I do that here.

In fact,the albums only mis-step is the very last song,'Airplanes Pt.II-featuring Eminem'.

And to be honest,the problem is Eminem.I used to be a very big Eminem fan.I had all of his cds.Even the 'D-12' stuff.But here,when he starts screaming,what used to seem so real now seemed extremely fake.He seemed worse then bad.When the whole rest of this mp-3 download seemed 2010 summer time fresh,his act seemed out of place stale.

That is just a minor detail.

I really like the flow from song to song.'Don't Let Me Fall',mentions shooting stars and so does the already radio friendly,'Airplanes'.

'Ghost In The Machine',and,'Fame',almost invite comparisons to the more famous songs with the same names.

'Nothin On You' deserves to be the big hit that it seemingly already is,and I love the Scott Summers reference in,'Past My Shades.'

Some albums,as a reviewer,you regret that you have give up being the main listening pleasure after one week.This is one of them.

I guess I'll just have to head to the pool with cold drink in hand...

A-

Glee:The Power Of Madonna

2010-04-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Thankfully,'The Music Of Glee:The Power OF Madonna',is only an Ep-not a Lp-because if there was one more Madonna song on this cd I think I would have just chucked the whole thing away,and puked.

That being said,there is something to be said about someone that knows when to quit.

Back in the day when I was a foreman/crew leader on a tree trimming climbing crew,I used to have a saying,"Get out of the tree before you ruin it."

So,kudos to Glee for making this Ep the perfect length.

Also,I must say,I somewhat enjoyed this extended play download.

I openly admit to liking,'Glee'.

Every time that I have watched it,I have thoroughly enjoyed 'Glee'.The trouble is,it is usually up against one of my all time favorite Tv shows,'Lost'.

But,I regress,I like and enjoy,'Glee'.Not just because its fictitious high school[ William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio ] is just a hop,skip and a jump away from where I live(I sometimes shop in Lima,for crying out loud),or because I particularly like Tv drama/musicals(I don't,most that have aired have deserved their early cancellations..can you say:'Cop Rock'!).

But,because I like glee clubs/show choirs.Two of my boys were in one from elementary school all the way to their senior years in high school.

Ok,their show choir was not in league with McKinley High,but that doesn't mean that they didn't have their moments.

I remember seeing them perform a concert around Christmas time in a local warehouse cafeteria.They sang,'(I Hope You)Dance',so beautifully that I actually cried.It was truly a great rendition.

And that is exactly what is wrong with this,'Glee' Ep.

It is only half of the performance.Like any good glee club production,the,'Power Of Madonna',is at its best when the whole performance is incorporated.The dance,the drama,the personalities are supposed to be ingrained together in a cohesive whole.

This Ep,can not-on it's own-do that.

Of course that could said of most 'musical'albums.From 'Phantom Of The Opera'to'The Fiddler On The Roof',half of the enjoyment in listening to the music,is the memory of the physical performance that went along with it.

Without that memory,'Glee:TPOM',verges more on karaoke then tribute.Good karaoke,yes,but karaoke just the same.

Songs that stand out are,'Vogue',and 'Express Yourself'.

So,to summarize:If you truly want to enjoy this Ep to it's fullest,watch the April 20th,2010,'Glee:The Power Of Madonna',episode and then comeback to the enjoy the memories.

With watching the Tv show:B+

Without watching the Tv show:C-

Free Week #7

2010-04-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN VI:AIN'T NO GRAVE

You could call Johnny Cash's supposedly last posthumous album of new music to be made in conjunction with super producer Rick Rubin a coda of sorts.

It seems purposely meant to be a fond farewell.Most every song involves death or an emotional substitute.The whole cd seems as if Johnny Cash is looking from the back of the station wagon waving good bye.I get the feeling of a flag flurrying in the wind listening to this supreme last set of recordings.

It's a beautiful tribute to the American country icon that is/was Johnny Cash.

It hadn't necessarily been so.

That's a tribute to the loving talent of Rick Rubin.

Listening to Mr.Cash's voice,you hear the frailty in it.Yet,via song choice,and the power of the sparse arrangements,you hardly notice.

On,'Ammerican VI:Ain't No Grave',Johnny Cash sounds as if these songs were meant to be sung exactly the way he is singing them.This is Johnny Cash at his best.

The title track is the perfect opener.Johnny,the troubadour soldier,singing until the end.

Sheryl Crow's,'Redemption Day' is perfect Cash.This is the man in black standing tall.He has sung ballads like this his whole career.

'For The Good Times'(a tune by buddy,Kris Kristofferson),is a great song to be included on this coda of goodbye.It makes you smile and cry at the same time.

'1st Corinthians 15:55',is...how do I say this politely...is Johnny flipping death the bird.Death,were is thy sting?Indeed.The only Johnny Cash penned song on the whole album.

'Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound',is a boundlessly happy song.It is my favorite song on 'American VI'.

'A Satisfied Mind',shows that Johnny Cash still had his head in the right place.I always felt that the rich weren't missioned to enough.Compassion for them in these hard times:caused by their lawlessness...just powerful stuff.

On,'I Don't Hurt Anymore',I had to smile.An unintentional rebuttal to his hit,'Hurt'?Maybe.

I always loved The Sons of the Pioneers,'Cool Water'.Johnny Cash has always been at his best as a story teller.He seems to come come alive on this song.Totally within his element.

'Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream',a song dreaming of peace.Only Johnny Cash could make this touching song a call to heaven.I want this played at my own funeral.

'Aloha Oe" (Queen Lili'uokalani)'.I guess the coda on the coda.This is were I truly hear the flag snapping in the breeze and see Johnny waving good bye.

It is hard.This really is good bye.It's been a good run Johnny.

Thank you.

A+

Free Week #6

2010-04-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Willie Nelson's new cd,'Country Music',is a record that took along time coming.Though it could be considered an 'unplugged' concept,believe it or not,it is supposedly Willie's first Blue Grass album.

Old country music is a 'default' mode for Willie.This cd seems so effortless that I almost(almost) could dismiss it for sounding too easy.

But,really,come on...isn't this the stuff Willie Nelson was made???

But the real test for this album had to be my Dad.

Good ol' Dad will turn 81 on the 6th of May,and ever since,'StarDust',I have been buying Dad Willie albums for his birthday.If I had one wish,it would being able to take my Pops to see Willie.Pops loves Willie.

When I gave him,'Old Country',Dad knew almost every tune.He was in seventh heaven.

Sure,we all love how Willie isn't afraid to explore other genres of music like reggae and jazz,but this is the good stuff.This is the type of music that Willie Nelson cut his eye teeth.

Starting off with a new version of one of his tunes,'Man With The Blues'..well,you just knew this was going to be good.

And did I mention that legendary producer,T-Bone Burnett('Oh,Brother,Where Art Thou'),produced this?

So,when I heard classics like,'I Am A Pilgram',and modern favorites like Uncle Tupelo(a precursor to Wilco)'s,'Satan,Your Kindom Must Come Down',I was overjoyed.

Other favorites of mine are,'Freight Train Boogie';'Oceans Of Diamonds',and 'Nobody's fault But Mine'.

Of course,that is just a sampling.I suggest:Go Out And Buy This Cd!!

A+

Raymond Vs Raymond by Usher

2010-04-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

I was expecting allot from Usher on,'Raymond Vs.Raymond'....it does not deliver.
*

Of course,when I say I was expecting allot,I mean I was expecting a great break up album.I mean,the title sort of demands it,right?Kramer vs.Kramer style break up.
*

Instead we get a typical newly single man trying to prove to himself that he still has that sexual prowess that probably was the problem that got him into trouble in the first place.ie:no self examination at all.
*

Of course when I say that I was expecting allot,I was putting my expectations for 'Raymond vs.Raymond' right up there with the king of all break-up/heartbreak albums:'Here,My Dear',by Marvin Gaye.
*

Now,that's an album.
*

Sure,any album can become your own private break-up album.Any genre-and style can and will do.The album simply has to be what you are listening to when you break up.
*

For instance,way way back in the time of the dinosaurs,I went through what I still call my,'Break up of all break-ups'.My heart was ripped out 'Dumb & Dumber' style.O-k,it was partially (or just as much)my fault as hers,but it didn't stop the pain from bringing me to my knees.
*

I would go out into the coldness of my 1972 Valiant;put in Queen's,'Jazz', eight-track,and sit out in the ice cold in my bare feet mourning the ache my soul was feeling.
*

'Jazz' just happened to fit the mourn I was feeling.But it could have been any eight-track.Boston,James Taylor,Michael Stanley.'Jazz',just happened to be the medicine of convenience...see..it could have been anything.
*

But...
*

..the album that has always brought back that medicine to me,and still brings it back to me every time I listen to it(and,most importantly,can still bring me to my knees with both its power and outright beauty),is Marvin Gaye's,'Here,My Dear'.
*

The three versions-ALONE-of,'When Did You Stop Loving Me,When Did I Stop Loving You?',are still considered some of the best heartbreak music of all time.
*
Anyone that has even 'thought' of breaking up feels this music:instantly!
*

I was expecting this type of power from Usher.I guess I was asking for way too much.
*

Not that,'Raymond Vs. Raymond doesn't have its fair share of good music.Proving that,yes,Ludacris IS everywhere,I enjoyed,'She Don't Know'.'OMG','Monstar' and 'Lil Freak' all have there own certain fun qualities.
*

There are some songs of lost romance on the cd as well.The standout being the,'Into The Night' remake.'Papers',is classic Usher.
*

Other than that,I guess I was just hoping for more:much more.
*

C-

Justin Bieber:My World 2.0

2010-04-02T03:15:00.000-07:00

Justin Bieber's,'My World 2.0' is one of those albums you want to hate.A white cutisie tootsie precocious tot singing R&B via auto tune and celebrity(The seemingly everywhere,Ludacris)guest stars.A cracking less then perfect voice(hey,I thought they were auto-tuning this )doesn't seem to help,either.

A YouTube sensation,that proves that,yes,even YouTube can be wrong,just adds to the supposed 'yuck' factor.Justin,barely 16,looks all of twelve(and judging from his SNL appearance)acts it.

I really didn't want to listen to MW II at all.But,I have a 'must listen to at least three times' policy,so listen,I must.

Justin,was no Michael Jackson,Donny Osmond,or even,Taylor Swift,for that matter,but to my surprise,reached the 'Disney' child star level of singing.

That is a fair assessment.American Idol semi~finalist would be another good comparison.

Most of the songs on 2.0 are harmless fluff,sang heart felt,produced to 'ok' levels.Tweenage girls buying 'Tiger' magazine could do worse.

There are some stand out songs.My favorite,is,'U Smile'.'U Smile' has that refreshing pop quality that seems to get you thinking,is this a remake?Have I heard this before?Whether it is or isn't,nice song.

I also like,'Runaway Love';'Baby',and 'Eenie Meenie'.

In fact,the whole cd has a pleasantness to it,that non-offends.

Will I remember this next week,probably not.Was it better then expected?Somewhat.

Will I be playing this at work in front of my friends?No...not that.

C-

Free Week # 5

2010-03-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

Michael Stanley:

Shadowland

In a year already filled up with muti-week number one cd's,I am thankful for yet another free week to explore uncharted(or low charting:-) albums.

This week it is Michael Stanley's latest effort,'Shadowland'.

First off,I like the cover...a sort of new born held in the arm of a tattooed arm.Symbolically,it fits the cd.Someone that is so defined in style and form that it is written all over him,holding(nay..passing)the next,still unwritten generation .

The album lives up to the flag of it's cover.

Of course,like most good music,the more you hear it,the better it sounds.

On first listen,the music and production values seem a tad too tightly & evenly wound.But,after multiple listens,you end up wundering why you initially thought so.

On 'Shadowland',the Michael Stanley band doesn't seem to be going through the motions,or playing because they have too,so much as playing because it is what they love to do.

There is wistfulness to 'Shadowland',though,not so much as if they quite don't know why they have never hit it big beyond the borderline of fame,but that the fame game no longer matters.They'd be making music if no one was listening.

It must have been a freeing experience.This music,basically expresses the fact that they are just tired of the past....

...perhaps,that is not quite correct.Michael seems to not so much to have come to terms with the past,as to realize that the past is what it was...and elegant mess.

The epiphany shows in the very last song,'Nice While It Lasted',wailing about the old days of lp records,being raised on radio,phonographic memory,etc...but then after the song fades to black,it goes into a coda of,'Come On Down',(an earlier song on the cd)an almost religious song about the sunshine of entertaining via performing his music.

'Come On Down' isn't about playing for the glory of the good 'ol days,but playing for the glory of just entertaining(Yes,I know this second sentence is kinda redundant,but I really am trying to make my point).

Other good songs on the cd include the title track('Shadowland');'It's All About Tonight'(a nice rocker);'A Good Idea At The Time'.

In fact,I (of course)like this whole album.

I like most of Michael Stanley's post MSB days stuff.In fact,I think it would be a great idea for him to come out with a second act greatest hits album..you know,just stuff from The 'Ghost Poets' on.And then go out on tour selling it...

...even if it fails..it seems like a good idea at the time.

Ludacris:Battle Of The Sexes

2010-03-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

Don:'Nother Guinness draught,please.
Ella:Boo.
Don:Ella!Hey,hi,are ya?
Ella:Hi.I'll have a Yuengling draft,please.How you been,Don?
Don,Drinking to health care.
Ella:Well,here's hoping for the best on that.
Don:Thanks.Here;here.
Ella:Hey...isn't that Ludacris?
Don:I didn't know you knew Ludacris?
Ella:Oh,I hear this song on the radio all the time.It's quite the pop hit.
Don:'I Know You Got A Man'.
Ella:Huh?
Don:The name of the song.
Ella:Yeah,I like it.
Don:I see.
Ella:Is the rest of the album this good?
Don:You mean,'Battle Of The Sexes'?
"Denzel Washington-My man"
Ella:Is that's what it's called?
Don:More like 'Battle Of The Sex'.
Ella:Ooh?
Don:Well,it's not Barry White or Frank Sinatra.This isn't romantic music.It's indiscriminate sex music.
Ella:Well,there is a place and time for that,I suppose.
Don:Rap-porn...not for the easily offended.
Ella:Come on,kids will be kids.It's fun.It's not supposed to be taken seriously...it is Ludacris.Who doesn't want to have indiscriminate sex,even if it's only with your boyfriend or husband?
Don:You just like to dance to it.
Ella:If you want to call it dancing:-) Doesn't everyone want to be a gansta or ho once in awhile?
Don:Hello?I'm the one that's suppose to like rap music,not you.
Ella:Who says?
Don:I just think this is way too graphic and disrespectful for anyone under eighteen.
Ella:In case you don't know..we're both over eighteen.
Don:I know,but I don't think the target audience is.This cd has a Alvin the chipmunk type character singing.It has graphic sex talk.It disrespects women.Would you really want your twelve year old niece listening to this?
Ella:That's what parents are for,Don.
Don:I'm the liberal,you're the conservative,remember?
Ella:Don't stereotype.
Don:You're judging the cd by the single.The very tame single.
Ella:Oh Poo.Don't be so grandfatherly.
Don:Here,I have,'Feeling So Sexy',on my I tunes.Take a listen.
Ella:O-K
------------
Ella:O-K.It's inappropriate;inappropriate.
Don:Weeell?
Ella:Porn.
Don:Not bad porn-just porn.
Ella:Um,I'm not a prune.It even has it's own relevance..but ten year olds...um..sixteen years should not be listening to this.
Don:So.
Ella:So,I secretly like this.It's good having fun(wink-wink) music...but it shouldn't be sold to anyone under eighteen.

C-

Free Week #4:Blakrok

2010-03-12T03:13:00.001-08:00

For my forth free week I chose ,'Blakrok',an album by various popular R&B artists being backed up by Akron's own,The Black Keys.

As a side note,I did purchase this record on cd,but before I could download it,my son,Tyler,went off with it back to college.It was my bad,I told him he could.I just didn't get around to ripping it before Tyler left.

I only mention this because I won't be able to review the cd's first song,'Coochie (featuring Ludacris & the late,Ol' Dirty Bastard)because it is on neither the Amazon or I-Tuned download.

So I will have to start at my beginning...but first...this collaboration was overseen by record producer Damon Dash,a fan of The Black Keys.No samples were used,this is all of the various rap/singers being backed by The Black Keys,and nothing else(though,I believe overdubs were allowed).

And that makes this an excellent and exciting cd.There is a great amount of talent,here.Besides guitarist,Dan Auerbach percussionist,Patrick Carney of The Black Keys,there is a virtual who's who in modern R&B world.Artists include:Raekwon, RZA, Jim Jones,NOE, Mos Def, singer Nicole Wray, Pharoahe Monch,Billy Danze, and Q-Tip.

My favorite song is their first single,featuring Mos Def(of the cartoon group,Gorillaz),and Jim Jones,called,"Ain't Nothing Like You(Hoochie Coo).Just a fun song.

But ain't they all.

I have become an instant Nicole Wray fan.Her lusciously beautiful voice can be heard on roughly half the songs on the cd['Why I Can't Forget Him';'Hope You're Happy';'What You Do To Me',and my favorite,'Done Did It'].

But what I really like is the mixture of rap and rock songs.'Dollaz And Sense'{featuring RZA & Pharoahe Monch} is a rockin' rap tune if I ever heard one.Not thrash,mind you,rock.What a good jam.

Ditto for,'Hard Times'{NOE},and 'Telling Me Things'{RZA}.

In fact,I love this whole cd to the point that I wish I had the cd only song,'Coochie (featuring Ludacris & the late Ol' Dirty Bastard) just so I'd have one more song to eajoy.

Even if you don't like rock(or rap) this is a cd you should really enjoy.I wish there were more albums of music just like Blakroc.

A

Free Post #3Best Of Bonnaroo

2010-03-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

This 'Best Of Bonnaroo' free download(well,not totally free,I had to e-mail out a pre-written form to my senators asking them to act green)was sponsored by the NRDC Action fund.

It hit me in my soft spot.I have always wanted to go to Bonnaroo{Of course being 51 years old-like getting a tattoo-this will probably never happen}.
Of all the muti-day summer rock festivals,Bonnoroo always seems to have the best musicians out there.The crème de la crème of the rock world always seeming to show up.

And,this free music cd,is just like the concerts.

Any music compilation that starts off with a live version of Wilco's,'Bull Black Nova'...well,I have seen Wilco preform this in concert...the absolute best song on their new cd(Wilco The Album)..performed live...just WoW!A song so fresh the guitar jam is actually 'in the middle' of the song.

'Bull Black Nova' was worth the price of the cd by itself.

Follow this by live recordings my Pearl Jam('Animal');Jack Johnson('Inaudible Melodies');Dave Matthews Band('Rapunzel');Death Cab For Cutie('Cath'-my absolute favorite DCFC song.It is about a girl named Cathy marrying,not someone she loves,but someone safe)...and on and on and on.

Ok,this cd also has great music by The Decemberists(is that Annie Lennox singing with them?).I mean,come on:MY Morning Jacket!Bob Weir!

A fifteen minute Phish song!

And the cliche of cliche:AND MUCH MORE!!!

Did I mention downloading this album helps save America?

The Best Of Bonnaroo is a much,much needed win-win situation.

DOWNLOAD THIS CD,NOW!!!

A+

Free Week #2:Sister Hazel:Twenty In Ten

2010-02-26T13:09:00.001-08:00

For my second free week(yes,Sade's,'Soldier Of Love',is still topping the charts),I chose a 'free' cd.The album is a compilation cd by Sister Hazel called,'20 In 10 Collection'.

The twenty songs come from 4 of Sister Hazel's most recent albums.

To be truthful,the only thing that I knew about Sister Hazel was the catchy top 40 song,'All For You'.

What I found was my own personal bar band.Sister Hazel has that genuine quality that makes you believe that they are a bunch of guys just playing that good old rock and roll.No glam or post production tweaks.

This is almost country music without the hokeiness..without the stereotypical fake twang and limited song options.

Yet,it isn't.The very things that makes most modern country music so limited and repetitively boring are absent from the Georgia breed Sister Hazel.

They have a party vibe to them that dispels all inkling of the weekday.Be it,'Mandolin Moon';Mona Lisa';'What Kind Of Living',or any other song on this 20 song free download,you are lifting your beer,tapping your feet and happily getting out on the dance floor.

To listen to this hidden treasure(did I tell you this is a free download!)is happiness.

Not techno grooving,not heavy metal thrashing,not R&B/rap-hip hopping(all good things in their own time and place),but barhopping,beer sipping,enjoying yourself,being with friends,bottle clinking,everyone's laughing,snacking on appetizers having a good time rock and roll.

Not much more needs to be said.

A

Sade:Soldier Of Love

2010-02-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

I have to say it,with her new cd,'Soldier Of Love',Sade proves she still is a smooth operator.This is one beautiful album.

The four person group the is Sade[Sade,Bassist Paul Denman,Guitarist and sax player Stuart Matthewman and keyboardist Andrew Hale ] just play wunderfully together.

Somehow,the flow of the cd manages to go from song to song seamlessly,yet,each well crafted song seems to have it's own distinctiveness.A whistle here('Be That Easy');marching tempo drums and a soft guitar whine('Soldier Of Love)there,or even some cute kids singing('Babyfather')...something in each of these songs seems to make them just slightly stand out from the others.

And the lyrics are hauntingly beautiful as well.While 'Soldier Of Love' deservedly earns the honor of the title track(wow!some lyrics like:'I've lost the use of my heart /But I'm still alive/Still looking for the light/And the endless pool on the other side/It's the wild wild west ),the song makes you actually feel like she's a solider of love.

Other songs mesmerize just as well.

'Babyfather',a song of smooth silkiness and a childish reggae joy-a song of first glaces,love and future possibilities a lovers dance.

Then there is,'Bring Me Home',Sade's voice is played like an instrument,the band is such a cohesive whole,that you almost cry.The hurt of someone fighting the good fight,but losing and wanting to give up.Very touching.

Yet,the warrior fights on.In,'The Safest Place',Sade exclaims that the safest place is in her heart.So much music never matches this depth.

The whole 'Soldier Of Love' cd has such depth.Other stand out songs include,:'The Moon And The Sky';'Morning Bird' and 'Skin'.

This is one nice record...very nice indeed.

A

Free Post #1:The Great Lake Swimmers

2010-02-12T03:27:00.001-08:00

The nice thing about an album staying on top of the Billboard charts for more than one week [like last weeks Lady Antebellum]is that I get to pick the next weeks cd.

That is why I get to review The Great Lake Swimmers,'Lost Channels' this week.

And what an exceptionally treat it is,too:-)

The Toronto based group{The current touring line-up includes Tony Dekker on lead vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, Erik Arnesen on banjo, electric guitar and harmonium, Greg Millson on drums, Bret Higgins on upright bass and Julie Fader on keyboards and vocals}is a marvel to listen to.

But let's step back a minute.I first heard of GLS by the way of a free music download{via Amazon.com.}of their song,'Pulling On The Line'.As my brother Carl likes to say,"Anything free is worth saving up for.'Pulling On The Line' is one of the catchiest songs that I have heard in a long long time.And,as a former tree trimmer,I feel that I know exactly what this song is singing about(though it is probably not just about tree climbers)...An instant classic.

Once I heard it,I had to purchase the rest of the cd.

It is all fantastic.

The group is from Toronto.I have a feeling that they sing what they know about.'Concrete Heart' is a prime example of this:"This is where I felt like the world's tallest self-supporting tower/At least for a little while anyway," is such a beautiful set of lyrics that almost anyone can understand the power and heartbreak of loving someone.

Another standout song is,'Still'.I am 'still' trying to figure out all the definition(s) of 'still' they use in this simple,yet complex song.

'Stealing Tomorrow' is another excellent song from the Great Lake Swimmers.I know precisely what they mean by singing,"Stealing tomorrow from today".The sound of this song reminds me of another powerful,yet mellow group,The Cowboy Junkies.It is a good comparison.Very very listenable music.Hauntingly so.

Yet another fine composition is the cd's first song,'Palmistry'...The more you listen...the more you like.

Great Lake Swimmers = Great music.A must listen.

A+

Lady Antebellum:Need You Now

2010-02-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

I had a hard time putting my finger on this cd.Something about it just didn't seem to jell in my mind.I mean,Lady Antebellum {Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals), Dave Haywood (background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin) and Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals}seemed to have nice vocals,good music and happening lyrics...but the whole seemed to just bleed together like water accidentally spilled over a watercolor painting.

To be truthful,the music seemed to just go into one ear and out the other.

Maybe,I thought,it was of the recording technique.Everything recorded at the same levels.Bland sounding stuff-but perfect for quality radio airplay(the Goldilocks train of thought: not too cold;not too hot..but just right.)

And then it hit me(duh);all these songs were meant for individual radio/mp-3 placement.

They weren't recorded so much to fit as a cohesive whole,but to fit in amongst songs from other cd's and genres.

Pop fluff for the masses.

I mean that in a good way.I love pop music.I like fluff..music that can either make me smile or cry without having to interpret,expunge,defend or simply put,engage into too deeply.

Heartfelt,not necessarily art-felt.

Again,I mean this as a positive,good thing.The glory of modern country music is that it is as toe tapping as it is genuine.I can listen easily to it while I'm driving to work,paying bills,or sitting at the bar sipping a cold one.I can listen while working around the house,enjoying the kids or cooking out on the grill.

..and still understand it.

On those terms..actually taking the time to listen to the songs individually,'Lady Antebellum' really holds up.I like it.

The title track,'Need You Now',is both the first and best song on the Lp.Who hasn't been drunk and up at one a.m. missing an old heartthrob?Just a great tune.

'American Honey' is another very well put together country ditty.It should get allot of radio airplay.

Of course,Lady Antebellum has their rock side.Two very good-rockin' songs on the cd are,'When You Got A Good Thing'(very good guitar licks) and the-I would like to hear this one in concert-'Stars Tonight'.

Both,'Love Is Pain' and 'If I Knew Then' are your typical singing to yourself at the bar tear jerkers.Yeah,kick yourself in the ass heartbreak.Standard stuff,but I bet they touch the heart of plenty of people.

I guess,I went from having the music go into one hear and out the other,to not being able to resist singing individual songs in my head.Lite rock?Maybe.
Entertaining?Hell yeah.This thing is still in by cd player in our Subaru.'Niff said.

A-

Hope For Haiti Now

2010-02-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

'Hope For Haiti Now'-The cd recordings of the George Clooney inspired telethon-has to be admired for the thoughtful dedication to it's cause...to help raise money for the earthquake victims in Haiti.The cd raised so much money(over $66 million dollars)that it became the very first digital only number one LP(selling 171,000 units in the first week).

So,kidos to all involved.My hat is off to you.

But,this being a reviewing sight,a Drew's gotta do what a Drew's gotta do...don't worry,I'll try to be gentle.

Alicia Keys:Send Me An Angle:My first opinion of this song was that it wasn't up to Ms.Keys normal standards.I've heard better singing at high school talent shows.Then I thought,maybe this off tune version was her way of showing her passion for the anguish of the Haiti people...and I liked it better.

Coldplay:A Message 2010:Coldplay at very best:live.Great rendition.

Bruce Springsteen:We Shall Overcome:Before my Mom got sick,she loved Bruce's cd version of this song.I can't hear Springsteen sing this song without strong feelings of my Mom overcoming me.The best song on the cd.

Stevie Wonder:Time To Love/Bridge Over Troubled Water: Classic.

Shakira(with The Roots):I'll Stand By You:This song was originally done by Chrissie Hynde (from Akron,Ohio) and The Pretenders-sweet.

John Legend:Motherless Child:Powerful words and beautiful singing from another Ohio native.

Mary J.Blige(with The Roots):Hard Times Come Again No More:Gospel style music the way it should be sung(minus the chorus and the hand clapping,that is).Wow!Very emotional and heart felt.

Taylor Swift:Breathless.Typical Taylor Swift:which in 2010 is a very good thing.

Christina Aguilera:Lift Me Up:Pretty.

Sting:Driven To Tears:A very Police~like song...in other words:good stuff.

Beyonce:Halo:You can really see how Beyonce won a Grammy with this version of of Halo.I love how she incorporates Haiti into the lyrics.

Sheryl Crow,Keith Urban,Kid Rock:Lean On Me:Aah,so so.

Madonna:Like A Prayer:Actually,with the strength of the gospel choir behind her,this is the best that I've heard from Madonna in years.

Justin Timberlake(with Matt Morris & Charlie Sexton:Hallelujah:If there is a single off the cd this is it.Though this song is owned by Rufus Wainwright,these fellows do it justice.Good tune.

Jennifer Hudson(with The Roots):Let It Be:This Beatles song always makes me think of my nephew,Anthony.Nicely done.

Emeline Michel:Many Rivers To Cross: Spiritually..you could get lost in it.

Jay-Z (with Rihanna, Bono &The Edge):Stranded(Haiti Mon Amour) (LIve Version):Everything that is right with benefit music...very listenable.

Dave Mathews & Neil Young: Alone And Forsaken:Everything that is great about live music.Where did Neil Young learn to harmonize like this..Oh,yeah...Crosby,Stills,Nash & Young.

Wyclef Jean:Rivers Of Babylon/Yele(medley):Music for Haiti by a Haitian.

Jay-Z (with Rihanna, Bono & The Edge):Stranded (Haiti MoAmour) (Version 1.0):Studio add on.

A

vampire weekend

2010-01-22T03:29:00.000-08:00

Before I get into reviewing 'Contra' I have to say that it is one of those albums that gives me a problem reviewing it.

Let me explain.First off,reviewing a cd every week is quite different than sitting down and enjoying your favorite album with a nice bottle of wine and an absorbing book.It is different then having some friends over and partying to some new tunes.

A week is just not a long enough time to fully begin to enjoy some Lps.

Back in the day,I had a favorite album-'A Night At The Opera',by Queen.I enjoyed it not just for weeks,nor months,but,literally,for years.A week-bah-that's nothing.Anyone that knew me at that time knew they could partially define me by that album.

"Night At The Opera' was one of the main reasons I became such a big,big music fan.

A week is hardly any time at all to get to know some cd's.

Wilco's,'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot',is a prime example of this syndrome.Hell,I didn't even like it after one week.Now,it is a record I can hardly live without bringing out and playing every now and again.A genius of composition.

It took me-at least-that long to get wowed by,'London Calling'{by The Clash}.It was so new and fresh that at first I didn't get it...but when I did get it..I got it.I never looked at music the same way again.

It's funny,but I see Carly Simon the same way.The more more I listen,the better she gets.

So,that's the trouble with reviewing albums.You don't usually have the time to get to know some of the really good stuff.

That is how I feel about,'Contra'.

'Contra' is an exceptionally good record.And at every listening it keeps getting better.

Take,for instance,'Giving Up The Gun',the song just keeps blowing me away.Every time there is some nuance of something musical or lyrical that I find new to enjoy.From sword to gun..is that a metaphor for sex;living adventurously???Simply mind blowing.

Both,'Run' and my favorite song on the cd,'Diplomat's Son' have (maybe it's just me)a Sandinista influence.'Diplomat is possibly the most toe tapping song about having a fling with a diplomat's son ever written.

It is hard to describe Vampire Weekend's sound.Some Radio Head,some Wilco,some Sufjan,with just a twist of auto~tune and Reggae thrown in.I don't know what a horchata is,but after listening to their song of the same name,I sure would like to drink one.

'Cousins',the first single,is the fastest tempo-ed song on the record,and my opinion,a song about living life and the line(s) that living life brings.

Another example of great lyrics is the title song,'Contra'.My theory,is that he is asking if his love is a rebel or perhaps just being a pretender?I don't know...

..And I need more than just a week to find out.

Ke$ha Animal

2010-01-15T03:57:00.001-08:00

One of the reasons that I decided to once again buy each week's Billboard's top selling album(and then review it) was that it would give me a chance to listen to music genres that I normally wouldn't get into.

I love variety,but tweenage bubblegum and and barely legal drinking age party girl dance/pop are..what you would call..not really my forte'(And it's not like I don't hear enough of this type of music all over the radio all ready...)

Ke$ha's,'Animal' falls somewhat into one or both of those categories.Based on the hit single,'Tik Tok',though a fairly infectious dance tune,it definitely wouldn't have been something that my fifty one year old self would have rushed out to buy.

It would have been my lost.

Ke$ha's fun.Even though she writes most of the songs,"Animal' barrows heavily from other influences(ie:auto tune,Miley Cyrus,Paris Hilton,familiar producer's ,etc).But it is when Ke$ha let's her inner self through that I enjoyed the music.

For instance,the first song,'Your Love Is A Drug',is your standard pop tune except when Ke$ha talks.You can tell she is having fun with this.You gotta LOVE the spunkiness of youth.

'Blah Blah Blah';'Boots And Boys' and especially,'Party At A Rich Boys House' are fine examples of this girls just want to have fun attitude.

Ke$ha was brave enough to include (though danceable) tunes of extreme-one could almost say-dark- heartbreak {'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes'& 'Blind'}She also sings a song of betrayal{'Backstabber'}.

I can truthfully say that I have become a fan of this young protege...wait,she even has a song for old dudes like me:'Dinosaur'

DOH!

A

Susan Boyle:I Dreamed The Dream

2010-01-10T07:45:00.001-08:00

AS the first number one album(...er...cd..)of 2010,I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the power of Susan Boyle's voice.First off,hats off to Simon Cowell's production values.Watching 'American Idol',I sometimes see Simon droll over some prospects,but Susan Boyle's voice is just plan awesome.They (the Dick Van Patten's) just don't pick them better than this.

Dear sweet Susan has the voice of an angel.Closer to Kate Bush then perhaps,Celine Dion,I was instantly captured by Miss Boyle's beautiful vocals.Again,the song selection fits Susan Boyle's range perfectly.

Songs from the likes of The Rolling Stone's Wild Horses to Madonna's You'll See" really show Susan's power and range.But it is the Christian gospel songs that really grab your attention.

To be honest,I came into this album believing that the angel like voice would have a 'man behind the curtain' type feel to it.But...I listen to allot-I mean ALLOT-of music,and 'I Dreamed The Dream' is a true breath of fresh air.

Never hokey,always honest and to be honest,always joyous,this cd is a true triumph of Cinderella proportions.

I just hope the rest of the year's number one albums are this good.

Miss Boyle,excuse my French,but ,damn good job.

A+