I do this once or twice a year as upcoming music releases line up like ducks in a row – very expensive ducks in a row, in some cases – just for giggles. And because the anticipation is part of the fun. And because you may want to have some participation in my anticipation. Okay, I’m done, let’s talk music. … Read more
Well, not so much anticipation – quite a few of these are already out, I’ve just been too broke to pick ’em up, what with constant vehicle repairs and all, and truth be told I’ve tried to limit my musical lust this year – heck, I’ve tried to limit my lust across the board, society demands it, you know? – since we have many other important things to spend money on (around Casa Green, we’ve developed a special code name for these purchases: 4DBB. Say it out loud, you’ll figure it out!).
Anyway, here goes:
Alan Parsons Project remasters. I really haven’t had much to say to the major labels lately unless they throw stuff that I already know is good at me, this time with bonus tracks and other goodies. The Alan Parsons Project remasters aren’t quite up to the level of the ELO remasters for real live new/newly-discovered material, but I’m loving them all the same. I Robot, Eye In The Sky, Vulture Culture and Tales Of Mystery And Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe are out, and so far I’ve pick up all but Poe (it’s a double-disc set, and apparently import only, so it’s kinda expensive). Yet to come this year: Ammonia Avenue, Eve, Gaudi, Pyramid, Stereotomy and The Turn Of A Friendly Card. If they really want to score points with me, patterning future remasters after the new release of Eye In The Sky is not something I’d kick someone out of bed for.
Jason Falkner: I’m OK You’re OK. I’ve been waiting years for this. Literally years! After his 1998 album, Jason’s only given us a six-song EP as a solo project, and has been involved in a variety of side projects (TV Eye, Logan’s Sanctuary, Bedtime With The Beatles), all of which I’ve liked, but man, I love the music this guy makes on his own. There’s nothing quite like it. If you want someone who just “gets” that ’70s power pop vibe, with strong hints of ELO, Todd Rundgren, Argent, etc., and yet it’s brand new music, you simply cannot go wrong with some Jason Falkner. Again, this one’s import only thus far, and from Japan no less (why, God, why?), so…$$$.
Royksopp: Back To Mine. I remember a time when I insisted that I just don’t “do” club music. Being exposed to quite a bit of good stuff in that genre since then has helped me to get the stick outta my ass regarding that genre, and one of my consistent favorites is Royksopp, a duo from Norway which makes downtempo sound epic and majestic. Back To Mine sounds like a really interesting and probably fun listen, in which the guys take the songs that they cite as key influences on their style…and proceed to remix the heck out of ’em. So it’s not a new original studio album, but I’m interested enough to give it a listen.
Idle Race: Back To The Story. This 2-CD set containing the complete recordings of Jeff Lynne’s first band was released quite a few years back, and then went out of print. For me to have tracked down a copy on the ‘bay would’ve meant choosing between this and a house payment, so a reissue is a dream come true. Even though it’s an import, it’s a pretty budget-priced import, and again, I’ve been waiting years for this. I’ve heard some of the songs before, but haven’t heard the Race’s third and final (and only post-Lynne) album before. Listen up for “The Lady Who Said She Could Fly” and ask yourself why, if ELO was up for covering “Do Ya”, they never revisited this song. Just gorgeous stuff, and some of Lynne’s early songwriting is up there with the best of his later works.
Levinhurst: House By The Sea. I haven’t grabbed a cover for this yet, but I really enjoyed Levinhurst’s first album, and I’m glad they found a home for a second one. (Levinhurst = vocalist Cindy Levin – I think that’s her name, I could be wrong – and the Cure’s Lol Tolhurst, by the way.)
Ben Folds: Supersunnerspeedgraphic: The LP. Granted, I’ve heard a lot of this material before too, because I was one of those suckers who bought the three EPs Ben turned out in the years between Rockin’ The Suburbs and Songs For Silverman. But throw in some remixing, some re-recording, and a couple of new tunes, and this becomes a whole different stopgap release.
Tori Amos: American Doll Posse. With each album Tori releases, I’m a little more uncertain of whether or not I really “get” her anymore, but damned if I’m not intrigued. This one just came out, and it sounds really interesting from a conceptual standpoint. Of course, I’m sure that I felt that way at one point about Strange Little Girls before I got to hear it…
Bear McCreary: Battlestar Galactica Season 3. Four words for you: “All Along The Watchtower.” Okay, that’s not the only reason to pick this one up, because Bear’s music just rocks across the board. But it’s one that I can’t get out of my head.
Last but certainly not least, the single most anticipated thing this year aside from Falkner:
Crowded House: Time On Earth. Neil and Nick? Back together? Any Neil Finn album is a cause for celebration, but this reunion, even without Paul Hester in the drum seat, is something I’d never thought I’d hear. And they’re going to tour? Please proceed to rock the hell on!
I know one can’t live in the past, and it’s unwise to try to inject one’s kids into one’s own childhood, but a world in which Star Wars and Crowded House and Doctor Who are back among the living sounds kinda like a neat world to me – not a bad place to grow up. If, out of that list, there’s even one thing that sticks around long enough for my kid and his old man to enjoy together, then I’ll consider us both lucky.
P.S. Dear Mr. Finn: please consider playing Tulsa or Little Rock. I promise, you don’t have to get any closer to Atlanta than that.… Read more
It doesn’t happen too often anymore, but maybe once a year there’s a confluence of musical talent, old favorites, and stuff I’m Just Curious About all hitting at roughly the same time. (There was a time, long ago, when this was more of a quarterly thing.) Some stuff I’ve already ordered, some stuff I’m still slobbering over, and other stuff I’m just thinking about. Here’s a rough rundown of this fall’s candidates for curing my mystery melody malady. … Read more
