Robert Kinsler reviews U2 No Line On The Horizon / Music Worth Buying 02/03/09

Robert's Kinsler's Reviews U2's No Line On The Horizon

Artist: U2

Album: "No Line On The Horizon"

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "Achtung Baby."

Tell Me More: For the U2 faithful who had long hoped for a return of the experimental quest that characterized the band in the early 1990s (think "Achtung Baby" and "Zooropa"), "No Line On The Horizon" marks somewhat of a return to that musical mindset.

Indeed, the hard-rocking muscular approach taken on "All That You Can't Leave Behind" (notably "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation") and, in part, on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (that album's first single, "Vertigo," comes to mind) is mostly absent across the more experimental "No Line On The Horizon." Even the initial single, "Get On Your Boots," challenges the listener with its mix of distorted guitar and bass, The Edge's inventive and minimalist lead guitar solo, and edgy overdubs. 

Infectious riffs on the 60s-minded "Stand Up Comedy" and "Breathe" provide some rock 'n' roll red meat for fans, but on tracks such as the cascading "Fez: Being Born" and the sparse "White As Snow" it is the singular style and sound of Ireland's best and best-known musical export that will please fans for the first couple of listens until they are familiar enough with the songs to call them their own.  

However, for lovers of U2's first couple of '00s albums, the beautiful gem "Magnificent" boasts the intoxicating mix of Bono's emotive vocals and The Edge's shimmering guitar layered against the in-the-pocket bass playing of Adam Clayton and drumming of Larry Mullen Jr. 

There is no question that U2 remains the rare veteran rock act that challenges listeners with every new record. "No Line On The Horizon" is an album that will provide new secrets for discerning listeners in the days - and years - ahead.

What about the packaging? "No Line On The Horizon" has been released in a standard format with a 24-page booklet and in digipak format. The digipak includes an extended booklet and the album's companion film "Linear" by Anton Corbijn (As a digital download). I have the standard format and this will please most fans, with the digipak recommended for those who want to get their hands on more.

What if I am not ready to download the whole album? "Magnificent

Moment of Surrender or White As Snow

Listen to samples and buy No Line On The Horizon in MP3 Format

Standard Jewell Case CD Edition

Limited Edition Digi-pack Edition (Includes CD / Booklet / Fold out Poster / and Film download

Music Worth Buying (For Free) 02/24/09

Free tracks don't always stay free forever so get them while you can. 


Record label samplers are something I tend to avoid (even if they are free) but Chess Records has released a free 3 song sampler that features Howlin Wolf, Etta James Muddy Waters doing the original version of “You Shook Me" (I am sure that many of you are familiar with the Led Zeppelin version).  You just can't go wrong with this little trio of classic blues.....and it's FREE
Get some great vintage Blues gold for FREE here


 

 

Also: Alive Records has released a free 8 song sampler highlighting tracks from their artist roster. This is fun 60's style garageband rock with just a bit of grunge. by the 2nd listen I was enjoying every song on this sampler and hope you do too.
Get the Alive Records 2009 FREE sampler here

Music Worth Buying 02/23/09 Bruce Springsteen

This review was submitted by Robert Kinsler 

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Album: Working on a Dream

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Bruce Springsteen's The Rising and Magic albums from this decade.

Tell Me More: It took only a play or two for me to fall completely in love with Bruce Springsteen's latest album, the aptly-titled Working on a Dream. A strong follow-up to the New Jersey rocker's excellent 2007 effort Magic, Working on a Dream is the first album released by Springsteen since the death of E Street Band member Danny Federici and the disc is dedicated to the keyboardist. 

Federici is remembered here on "The Last Carnival," a song that reminds us how truly gifted Springsteen is with words when he sings: 

“We’ll be riding the train without
you tonight/The train that keeps on movin’/Its black smoke scorching the evening
sky.”

But it is the miraculous way the Boss fuses lyrics and music that is so special and keeps discerning audiences welcoming each new Springsteen release. Across Working on a Dream moving songs are delivered amidst the emotive backdrop of the E Street Band in a guarantee that this is another masterwork. "Kingdom of Days" may be my favorite song, with its authentic and confessional description of a love that stretches on past youthful innocence, but highlights abound on this 13-song album.

The propulsive pop of "Surprise, Surprise," the hard-charging "My Lucky Day" with its celebration of love, the Delta blues blasting "Good Eye," and a sonically-lush romantic fantasy that comes to life in "Queen of the Supermarket" are immediate favorites.

Springsteen continues to stretch his musical universe, as evidenced by "This Life," which boasts lush vocals that continue to build and are used to good effect around an amazing Clarence Clemens sax solo. Produced by Brendan O'Brien, Working on a Dream is sure one of the best releases of 2009.

 What about the packaging? I recommend the limited edition version, which includes the full-length album, as well as a 40-minute, behind-the-scenes DVD and a fully-illustrated booklet that features lyrics, photos and illustrations, as well as a wonderful eulogy for Daniel Paul "Danny" Federici (the E Street Band keyboardist/accordion player who died on April 17, 2008).

 Listen to samples and buy in mp3 format here

CD Format

Recommended tracks to download: Kingdom of Days ,The Last Carnival and My Luck Day

Music Worth Buying 10/23/09 Tom Petty

Artist: Tom Petty 

Album: The Last DJ 

Worth Buying: Yes except for maybe one song

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Great songwriting, American Rock'n'Roll, & Concept albums.

Tell me more: I can remember growing up that the only thing that came in close 2nd to being a musician was being a radio DJ. Of course this was back when Radio DJ's could program their own show, this was back when the music a DJ played was an extension of their personality.  A really great radio DJ knew the music, and was passionate about what they played. They would find creative ways to present the music with sets that introduced you to new music while giving you a new perspective on your old favorites. But this was before a few media giants started owning all the radio stations in America. Before Program Directors started creating nationwide playlists that homogenized music radio in America.

So I understood what Tom Petty was getting at when he released the title track of his CD "The Last DJ".

The problem for me though, was while I could appreciate what he was trying to say with the song, I just wasn't that into the song. 

So I didn't give it much notice. 

Bad mistake on my part. 

The Last DJ puts up a mirror up to the some of the Darker aspects of current American Pop Culture (some of which I have talked about in my mailing list). The cult of celebrity, our worship of fame over talent. And while money and art have always been at odds with each other, with songs like "Joe" and "Money Becomes King", Tom Petty comes to the sad realization that Money has indeed won

my name's Joe I 'm the ceo
yeah, I 'm the man
makes the big wheels roll
I 'm the hand on
the green light switch
you get to be famous
I get to be rich

go get me a kid
with a good-looking face
bring me a kid
can remember his place
some hungry poet
son of a bitch
he gets to be famous I get to be rich

or bring me a girl
they're always the best
you put 'em on stage
and you have 'em undress
some angel whore
who can learn a guitar lick
hey, that's what I call music

But of course all phases of society are temporal. And nowhere on this album is that better stated in the song Can't Stop The Sun 

Well you may take my money
You may turn off my microphone
But you can't steal
What you can't feel
Can't stop the sun from shining
Down and down and down
And you may think you control things
But there'll be more just like me
Who won't give in
Who'll rise again
Can't stop the world from turning
'Round and 'round and 'round

Hey mister business man
Be sure to wash your hands
Be careful where you stand
'Cause life goes on and on and on

And you may think it's all over
But there'll be more just like me
Who won't give in
Who'll rise again
Can't stop a man from dreaming

This album came out in 2002 (And I am sorry I didn't catch up to it till now), but it's commentary is still (sadly) relevant. But all commentary aside. The Last DJ is an empowering album with songs to give you hope that things will change. 

What If I am not ready to buy the whole album? Try Money Becomes King or Can't Stop The Sun

What about the packaging? The CD comes in a beautiful three fold gateway digipak with a lyrics booklet 

Get the Last DJ in mp3 format here

Get the enhanced CD version here

I am BACK on Youtube

We just won our first victory in this whole American Idol / Fremantle International / Youtube thing.

The Youtube page has been resotred with all the videos except, our original "American Idol" video.

We are woking on getting that video up and running again too.

Thanks to all who have shown their support.

Music Worth Buying (For Free) 02/18/09

All Free songs are free as of this writing. Get them while you can



 

 

 

 

Seven Mile Island by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, is a cool re-working of Americana Blues with some new twists. I liked this song instantly.

Get Seven Mile Island for Free While you still can

 



 

 

 

 

Feel Love Thinking Of by the Faunts is a cool bit of 80's style Synth Pop, but without, what I consider, to be the pretentiousness of this genre. What struck me about this song was the rough almost folksy style of the vocals. Check this one out.
Get "Feel Love Thinking Of" for Free While you still can

Music Worth Buying 02/16/09 Kid Rock

Artist Kid Rock

Album Rock'n'Roll Jesus

Worth Buying? Hell yeah!

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Classic Rock, Lynnyrd Skynyard, Old School Country Music, Blues, & Kickass white boy Rock'n'Roll!

Tell Me More: Sometimes all it takes is one great live performance to make you want to get the album. Case in point Kid Rock's lastest album "Rock'n'Roll" Jesus".

Kid rock is on of those artists whom I am casually familiar with. I had the opportunity to hear his breakout album "Devil Without A Cause" album and I can remember enjoying a number of tracks from the album. I admit that I have never heard much (if anything) from his later releases. But many of you may remember that I was knocked out by his performance during the recent Grammy Awards.  He performed a medley of three songs from his latest album. A smart marketing move to be sure, but all that aside, it didn't take long (and I didn't even need to hear the songs in their entirety) to realize that these where great songs.

Rock'n'Roll Jesus is classic rock album that jumps around combining roots, country and blues. On songs like "So Hott" He delivers the usual blistering white boy kickass rock that he is known for (and he does it well), but on songs like "Amen" Kid Rock is not only making, and succeeding, at social commentary through his music, he is also tapping into the kind of production that Elton John used during his Tumbleweed Connection days. On a song like Half Your Age, its pure humor laden country.

There are two things that really strike me about this album. One is how authentic it all sounds. It doesn't matter if he is being deadly serious, completely in earnest, flashing some macho bravado or being a jester in these songs (and he spends time wearing all these hats), because they all come off as authentic.

Kid Rock made a name for himself as a Rock/Rapper, so the other thing that strikes me, is how little he relies on Rap during this album. This time around there is only one song on the whole album where I can say that he is actually Rapping. Rappers have often sampled other popular songs to then rap over. In the song "All Summer Long" he employ's that trick, but instead of sampling  Lynnyrd Skynyard's Sweet Home Alabama, he has his band play the song, while he sings about days gone by.

Like I said, sometimes all it takes is one outstanding performance to make you say "I gotta go get that album"  (That's what Elvis Costello did for me on his SNL performance). Rock'n'Roll Jesus lived up to the expectations of the performance and it is (so far) one of the best new albums that I have heard this year.

As of this writing, Rock'nRoll Jesus is only 3.99 at the Amazon MP3 Store

 

But you can get it on CD here

What if I am not ready to buy the whole album? Try the track Amen