IN THE WHALE - CAKE

In The Whale is a band from Denver, Colorado.  They are a guitar and drum duo currently on tour with Electric Six and these guys can really bring the noise.  As I do with most bands I see playing with E6, I looked In The Whale up online before I actually saw them play.  I like to have an idea as to whether or not I'll like a group before I see them live.  I immediately liked what I was hearing.  This is an exciting group!

They had three discs on sale at the show and I picked up all three...  I'm reviewing "Cake" first because it has my current favorite song by them on it.  Of the four songs on this disc, 'Heels' is my favorite but all of them are quite compelling and listenable.  In the tradition of The White Stripes, Pucifer and Little Hurricane, this group rocks you relentlessly from start to finish.

Although the sound at the concert wasn't all that great, (in fact, it was absolute crap), you could still get the feeling for what they were capable of bringing.  Live, they are dynamic, engaging and a lot of fun!  In person, they were friendly, shy and even flattered by attention.  Definitely a group worth following and hearing more from.

I can't recommend this group enough.  You won't find their CDs through traditional means.  You can find them on bandcamp though.  And I believe you can order a physical copy of their "Cake" EP there.  All of these tunes are worth owning so don't wait!  Go pick up yours today!

My final words:  AN EXCITING NEW VOICE IN ROCK MUSIC EMERGING FROM THE ROCKIES!!!!  YOU WANT THEM, YOU NEED THEM, GO GET IT!!!!

IN THE WHALE - CAKE
01. 34-28-32
02. Woman
03. Heels
04. Shall Not Be Moved

VANDAVEER - THE WILD MERCURY

Vandaveer is a folk rock group from the DC area via Kentucky.  This record is the newest release from the band and I had the pleasure of seeing this group perform in a rather intimate setting.  I saw a living room show.  It was dramatic and amazing.

Stripped down to some simple acoustic arrangements, the performance was mesmerizing and more than I ever thought it would be.  I absolutely loved watching this soulful poet sing and play his guitar with his group accompanying him.  It was a heavenly experience.  One I hope to repeat again in the near future.

I'm aware of the band enough to be familiar with their music and I have to say, this new album is somewhat quieter than previous efforts.  It seems more comfortable and relaxed.

I'm still digesting this record.  Vandaveer is one band with some seriously complex lyrics and some tricky vocal arrangements allowing them to play with the ideas and concepts they're trying to convey with new dimension and vocal inflection.  Thus far, I love the disc and I usually just put it in and let it play.  I like some songs more than others, but not to the extent I would say any of the tracks on the disc aren't enjoyable.  I like every single cut on this record enough to consider the entire disc a hit.  They really did a great job on this one.  It's absolutely delightful.

For those of you who aren't in the know, Vandaveer have two vocalists.  Mark Weidinger and Rose Guerin.  They harmonize together on the songs.  Weidinger takes the lead and sings solo bits without Guerin, but when she joins him, the sound their voices create is something unearthly and emotive.  You can't help but feel the songs washing over you like warm water.  It feels both relaxing and thoughtful at the same time.

I will say this record has more of a country vibe to it than previous efforts, but it's a most satisfying listen.  Weidinger actually reminds me of a more clear and melodic Bob Dylan.  He also demonstrates a preoccupation with life and death.  But not in a morbid way.  Rather, he spends his time wondering about the minutes and hours in between birth and death.  How we fill our time and what we choose to focus our energy on.  His musings are challenging, thought provoking.  He's a thinking man's Dylan.

I can't say enough about this lovely piece of music.  All I can do is suggest you pick it up and if you get the chance, see this incredible band live.  They are, for lack of a better word, enchanting.

My final words:  SPELLBINDING MUSIC AS ELUSIVE AND MYSTICAL AS WILD MERCURY.  BUY IT!!!

VANDAVEER - THE WILD MERCURY
01. But Enough On That For Now
02. A Little Time Off Ahead
03. The Wild Mercury
04. A Little Worse For The Wear
05. Holding Patterns
06. Love Is Melancholy, But It's All We've Got
07. To Be Young, To Belong
08. The Final Word
09. Absolutely Over The Moon
10. A Pretty Thin Line

ANNIE LENNOX - NO MORE "I LOVE YOU'S"

I don't remember where I picked up this single but I do remember why I bought it.  It was shortly after I'd seen Bram Stoker's Dracula and Annie Lennox sang the last song played during the credits.  'Love Song For A Vampire'.  I looked for an album of hers that included the track but I couldn't find it anywhere.  So long before I bought "Medusa", I picked up this little gem for one of the b-sides included.

Still, the strongest song on the disc is actually the title track, 'No More "I Love You's"'.  This is a German single and it comes in a slim case like most European singles do.  There were three tracks and the second was a Joni Mitchell cover.  It's actually a nifty little release and special because at the time I wasn't aware you could find 'Love Song For A Vampire' anywhere else.  I'm sure you can now, but back then I was all about owning that tune.

Once again, it's a nice single.  Great to have three quality tracks on the one disc.  It's a nice quick listen and enjoyable all the way through.

My final words:  A SPECIAL TREAT ROLLED UP IN A LOVELY PACKAGE.

ANNIE LENNOX - NO MORE "I LOVE YOU'S"

01. No More "I Love You's"

02. Ladies Of The Canyon

03. Love Song For A Vampire

PET SHOP BOYS - NIGHTLIFE EXTRA

I bought my version of "Nightlife" when it came out and I got the limited edition with the bonus tracks.  If I'm not mistaken, "Very" was the first album they started releasing a limited edition version.  You could buy "Very" by itself or with the bonus disc.  The release with the bonus disc was called "Very Relentless".  My version of "Nightlife" is actually called "Nightlife Extra".  I remember I bought it in Asheville, NC.  It was in a part of town I normally didn't spend a lot of time in and I think that was the only time I went to that CD store.  Otherwise, I didn't do a lot of CD shopping while I lived there.

From what I've learned since this album came out, there was a lot of build up to "Nightlife".  They were writing and producing a play called "Closer To Heaven" and some of that material shows up on this set.  This was a highly anticipated record and yet at the time, I had no clue it even existed before I saw it in the store.  I missed out on the hype.

I love the music PSB did in the 80's.  I think it's great!  And quite honestly, although I didn't always start out liking the music they did in the 90's, but I eventually came around and to this day, some of that music is my favorite by them.  That's kinda how I initially viewed "Nightlife" when I listened to it for the first time.  I remember thinking it would be better after repeated listening.  However, unlike "Bilingual" or "Very", "Nightlife" never grew on me.

On their own, the songs on this album are OK.  I don't consider them strong classics, but they're fine for what they are.  Most of the material sounds to me like a transitional phase the duo were going through.  Like they were trying to distinguish between songs you'd write for theater and songs you'd put on a pop album.  They've always had a knack for writing some off the wall bits here and there like 'Your Funny Uncle', but they've never filled an entire album with it.  I like most of the songs, but I'm not excited about any of them.  

'Vampires' is one song I sometimes come back to.  I like the tune even though I think the lyrics are a bit too sad.  Like they were chasing after a trend, trying to capitalize on the interest in vampires at that moment in time.  That doesn't stop me from singing along and finding the whole thing rather catchy even though I feel foolish about the words I'm vocalizing.  On the other hand, 'Happiness Is An Option' is a song I think is lyrically quite amazing and positive.  I highly subscribe to the philosophy set forth in this small, unorthodox tune.  'Radiophonic' is another track I think is noteworthy.  Of course I have the singles from the album are pretty good and some of the mixes on the singles are great.  But I'll save those for when I review them.

The second disc is actually a better choice for me when it comes to material.  Right off the bat you have 'The Ghost Of Myself' which I absolutely love.  The single b-sides, 'Casting A Shadow', 'Je T'aime...Moi Non Plus', 'Silver Age' and 'Screaming' are all highlights for me and with the exception of 'Silver Age', I think they're stronger than the album tracks they support.

Of the mixes that also appear on the Extra disc, I love the mixes for 'I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More' and I like a couple of the 'New York City Boy' mixes.  So the Extra disc is definitely the stronger of the two for me.  I enjoy it quite a bit.

I don't have much more to say for this album.  I wish I was more impressed with the material and I really wanted to like it.  I could say maybe one day I'll pick it up and realize what a masterpiece it is like I did with "Bilingual", but I don't see that happening.

For me, this album sorta broke a fan spree I was on with PSB.  I stopped picking up singles and waited to buy subsequent albums instead of rushing right out.  It's a shame really.  Still, I'm happy this record exists and I think my limited edition packaging is super cool.  It's worth having!

My final words on "Nightlife":  LIMITED EDITION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO WITH THIS ONE FOLKS.  SKIP THE SINGLE DISC.

PET SHOP BOYS - NIGHTLIFE EXTRA
01. For Your Own Good
02. Closer To Heaven
03. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
04. Happiness Is An Option
05. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
06. Vampires
07. Radiophonic
08. The Only One
09. Boy Strange
10. In Denial
11. New York City Boy
12. Footsteps

BONUS CD
01. The Ghost Of Myself
02. Casting A Shadow
03. Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
04. Silver Age
05. Screaming
06. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (The Morales Remix)
07. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (Thee Maddkatt Courtship 80 Witness Mix)
08. New York City Boy (The Superchumbo Uptown Mix)
09. New York City Boy (The Almighty Definitive Mix)
10. New York City Boy (The Thunderpuss 2000 Club Mix)
11. New York City Boy (The Lange Mix)

AALIYAH - AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER

At this point in her career I'm sure many people would be asking themselves...  Why would an adult gay dude buy this little girl's record?  And the answer is simple...  With the singles from this disc getting so much airplay back in the 90's, it was impossible for Aaliyah not to be part of my years living in Las Vegas.  She was everywhere.  I picked this disc up at a used record store along with another one of hers for a couple bucks.  Partly because I was really into her current album and I wanted to see what this one would be like and second because I knew the singles off the disc and I loved them.  What better reasoning is there?

To be 100% honest with you, I'm not partial to R. Kelly's take on the ballad.  And this record is chalk full of them.  I enjoy the faster tracks.  The beats are great and the vibe is white hot, but the ballads just kinda drag along and ultimately, left you wanting.

There's is one track I absolutely love on this record and that's 'Back & Forth'.  It's a brilliant groove that makes me think of cruising around Vegas on a Friday night with my friends.  It seems this was one of those records always playing no matter where you were going.  I'm not sure where this album ended up in the charts or how successful it actually was, but I can tell you this, in Vegas, it blew up the radio.

As previously mentioned, I like a lot of the faster tracks and I like the title track, 'Age Ain't Nothing But A Number'.  I find myself singing that tune under my breath all the time and I'll be honest, it's also been the reason I've dated certain people I probably shouldn't have.  It's a nice jam and one I can really get into.  But it's not on the same level as 'Back & Forth'.

My copy of this disc includes a bonus track...  It's a mix of 'Back & Forth'.  I think this mix is a huge mistake.  They overload the track with heavy drum sounds that were popular at the time, but it dates the song and makes it sound old.  The original is much more smooth and enjoyable.

Aaliyah is one of those artists I sorta struggle with.  When I love her music, I love it.  Although she's got lots of songs I like bouncing to, the rest of her catalog is music I wouldn't cross the street for.  It's throwaway material.  I think she was beautiful, had a lovely voice and I think it's tragic she's no longer around.  I always hoped to hear more material from her and I honestly think she was building up to a huge superstar album.  All of these earlier works would've eventually created an absolute atom bomb of a record.  But she never lived to achieve her full potential.

In the end, I like the disc enough to pull it out and listen to it on occasion.  It makes me happy.  It brings back good memories.  But it's not one of my favorite and it's not one I keep in heavy rotation.  My final words:  AN INTERESTING BUDDING DEBUT FROM AN ARTIST WE'LL NEVER TRULY SEE BLOOM.

AALIYAH - AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER
01. Intro
02. Throw Your Hands Up
03. Back & Forth
04. Age Ain't Nothing But A Number
05. Down With The Clique
06. At Your Best (You Are Love)
07. No One Knows How To Love Me Quite Like You Do
08. I'm So Into You
09. Street Thing
10. Young Nation
11. Old School
12. I'm Down
13. Back & Forth (Mr. Lee & R. Kelly's Remix)

JUDITH HILL - BACK IN TIME

Some of you may know who Judith Hill is and others won't.  I don't know a lot about her other than she was working with Michael Jackson when he died.  She's the latest aspiring addition to Prince's NPG label and for the record, you can hear Prince all over this disc.  He produces, arranges, plays instruments, provides vocals and does just about everything you'd expect Prince to do except...  write???  

That's right, folks, you heard it here first!  Prince doesn't contribute a single track to this record.  Not a one.  But it does have a strong vibe to it.

So...  That being the case, how does Judith Hill come off as a songwriter and vocalist?

As many of you know, Prince recruits and works with two types of people...  Those he finds interesting for whatever reason.  These are the people he usually writes everything for and uses their albums as a vehicle for his own material.  It's a way to get his fams more jams.  These are the singers and musicians who don't go on to have careers outside of his influence.  They never break out on their own and their one Prince infused output tends to be their only output.  

Then there are the talented people who could easily have it all without him.  Real musicians and singers with oodles of ability.  And Judith Hill falls into this category.  She's a voice, a brilliant songwriter and I'm hoping to see her live eventually.

The first time I heard this disc was when Prince posted it for free online.  I downloaded it like everyone else and listened to it.  At that point, the songwriting credits hadn't been released so no one really knew who had contributed what exactly.  I remember thinking that if Prince had written any of these songs they were collaborations with Hill because they are all a genuine departure from his usual fare.

Hill writes a Jazzy blues type of song full of soul and spark.  You can hear the Prince embellishments, but even without his unique ear for sound, the music would hold up on its own.  Partly because of Hill's strong vocal delivery.  I have a few favorite tracks on the album.  I usually put it in and let it play but when I'm driving, my favorite song to jam is 'Love Trip'.

My other favorite tracks include 'Angel In The Dark', 'Beautiful Life', 'My People' and 'Back In Time'.  This really is a great album and you won't go wrong adding it to your collection.  You just won't.  My final words:  JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER DRIVING!

JUDITH HILL - BACK IN TIME
01. As Trains Go By
02. Turn Up
03. Angel In The Dark
04. Beautiful Life
05. Cure
06. Love Trip
07. My People
08. Wild Tonight
09. Cry, Cry, Cry
10. Jammin In The Basement
11. Back In Time

ERASURE - COWBOY

I'm gonna try something different this time...  I've made a habit of trying to break the albums down into individual songs, but I think that gets tiring after awhile.  There are so many mediocre songs I have to try to find ways to describe.  So from now on I'm going to limit my comments to things that stand out and attract my attention.

This is the perfect album to start with.  "Cowboy" was released in 1997 on Madonna's Maverick label.  I'm not sure if this was Erasure's first release on that label, but I think it was the only one.  I might be wrong.

On the heels of the self-titled "Erasure" album, "Cowboy" saw Vince Clarke and Andy Bell returning to their traditional pop roots with catchy 3 to 4 minute songs instead of the experimental soundscapes they'd produced on "Erasure".  The more radio friendly atmosphere of "Cowboy" allowed the band some chart success in the UK and Europe.  Some of the band's singles were having impact in the US as well.

I first heard about this record not by following the charts or seeing it in the record store...  I heard the single, 'In My Arms' during the ad loop playing in a movie theater.  In the US, prior to the trailers, some theaters back in the 90's started experimenting with a looped audio track playing ads, trivia and short entertainment pieces in order to keep movie-goers from growing impatient as they waited for the film to start.  One of these clips was 'In My Arms' from Erasure.  The first time I heard it, I loved it and immediately went out and bought the album.

My impression was relief they'd moved away from the long songs of the previous album.  Now years later this disc has become what I consider the standard for Erasure releases.  I quite like Vince Clarke.  I think as a musician, he's amazingly talented and vastly unappreciated.  Because his focus is on electronic music and he works heavily with electronic instruments, he's written off by most folks.  He's not considered a genuine musician.  In reality, he's not only gifted, but able to write dramatically different and unique music pieces. 

Where Vince truly shines is sound engineering.  He creates so many different sounds unique to Erasure songs.  It's impossible for other groups to copy them.

On "Cowboy" Vince is in full form.  He generates catchy simple pop melodies, one after the other.  As usual, Andy Bell contributes the lyrics and vocals.  Their partnership seems to work well and their enjoyment in each other is forever present in their music.

Now back to what I consider a standard Erasure release...  "Cowboy" fits that description.  I can honestly say I like the entire album.  There's not a single song on here I think is horrible, but I'm not in love with it.  There are certain songs that stand out for me and if I'm creating a playlist there are tunes I'll take from this album.

'Worlds On Fire' is one of these, however my absolute favorite song on the disc is easily 'In My Arms'.  Perfect choice for a single and in my opinion, the perfect song on the album.  I love the sentiment.  I find it romantic and sweet.  'Treasure' is another song I quite enjoy.  I find it a bit of a musical mishmash, and the lyrics are a jumbled mess.  But all of that seems to come together during the chorus when Andy get down and really belts it out.

As a prelude of sorts to the cover album they did later on, the US version of "Cowboy" contains two covers.  One is 'Rapture' by Blondie, but my copy doesn't have this track.  I do have the second cover, 'Magic Moments' by Burt Bacharach and David Hall.  I've heard both and I love them both.  It's a shame my copy only has the one.  I wonder why.  Might have to upgrade it.

I'm an Erasure fan, but I'm not die hard.  I don't buy everything they put out.  Sometimes I mean to.  I think about it and I'll pick up a strange or rare bit here and there, but I've never committed to collecting them.  Maybe one day I will.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy individual discs as they come.  My final words: A RETURN TO FORM AND A SATISFYING ADDITION TO ERASURE'S GROWING CATALOG.  WORTH OWNING!

ERASURE - COWBOY

01. Rain

02. Worlds On Fire

03. Reach Out

04. In My Arms

05. Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me

06. Precious

07. Treasure

08. Boy

09. How Can I Say

10. Save Me Darling

11. Love Affair

12. Magic Moments