Posted in Album Reviews

Bob Dylan – Street Legal (1978)

Posted on by Michael

In the 70s, Bob Dylan was continuously putting out new music. His 18th studio album was recorded at his own Rundown studios in LA and released in June of 1978.  Horns and back-up singers appear throughout on the album produced by Don DeVito. This is evident on first single, “Baby, Stop Crying”, a hit in the UK/Europe. The slower song sees Dylan repeat the chorus many times over. First track, “Changing Of The Guards” is the first track and second single. Sounding a bit like mid tempo Tom Petty, its rollicking nine verses have hooks to spare.

“No Time To Think” is a waltz with really good guitar playing and nine more verses. The album finishes on a high with “We Better Talk This Over”.  Really good piano playing with a country influence. Not to be outdone, “Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat)” is a rousing closer, leaning into it’s organ playing. The reviews for Street Legal initially were not kind. Those looking for Dylan’s Godlike 60s output won’t find that here. Instead it’s nearly 50 minutes of really good 70s guitar music with above average pop lyrics.

8/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Interpol – This Mirror Weighs A Ton (2026)

Posted on by Michael

The last year has seen Interpol go through some changes. Since original bassist Carlos Dengler left the band in 2010, they had continued on as a three piece. This year they added longtime touring members Brad Truax (bass) and Brandon Curtis (keyboards) to the official line-up, though only Truax has recorded with the band thus far. Working with producer Andrew Wyatt, the band released their eighth studio album, This Mirror Weighs A Ton in late August.

The album follows their dark sound, with red and white shades of past releases. The title track and first single of a double A-side starts off the record with a heavy, atmospheric air. “The maniac in your head/Still sleeps in archways” sings Paul Banks. “See Out Loud” is the other side of this double A-side release, a more driving Interpol track. An elastic drumbeat starts “So Rides The Reindeer” with a bit of nice guitar, the vocals recall New Order.  

Continuing to explore the darker corners, here the band moves a lot within their world. Piano and keys play an important role on the album. They add a dreamy feel to “Iron City” and lay a bed for the stark vocals on “Sudden”.  Never far from an interesting moment, a great chorus, a solid drum sound –great tracks on The Mirror Weighs A Ton keep bubbling to the surface through it’s 50+ minutes.

8/10

Posted in Album Reviews

David Bowie – Dance (2018)

Posted on by Michael

Included in the Loving The Alien (1983-1988) boxset is the Dance album, a collection of remixes/extended versions of tracks that David Bowie released in the mid 80s. The period is not well regarded in Bowie’s legacy with a few mediocre albums.  Oddly, it’s not the smash hits from Let’s Dance that get the remix treatment, instead it’s mostly tracks from Tonight and Never Let Me Down.

The first two tracks from the Tonight album fare the best on this collection. “Blue Jean (Extended Dance Mix)” is the best of the bunch with “Loving The Alien (Extended Dub Mix)” being solid listen.  Neither sound much different from the originals, the extended version of “Loving The Alien” comes in a whopping 2 seconds longer than the original.  The horns on “Tumble and Twist (Extended Dance Mix)” are fine and “Never Let Me Down (Dub/Acapella)” takes good advantage of the extended time, “Underground (Extended Dance Mix)” is terrible. Overall, the dated 80s productions of average songs that basically sound the same as the originals makes for an unsatisfying hour+  long listen.

5/10

Posted in Paper Chase

Larry McMurtry – Lonesome Dove

Posted on by Michael

Lonesome Dove is a masterpiece that keeps coming up as a must book to read on social media. The Western novel by Larry McMurtry was originally published in 1985. It focuses on two ex Texas Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. The two become business partners and run the Hat Creek Cattle Company and Livery Emporium in Lonesome Dove Texas, employing several men including Newt, Pea Eye, and Deets.  Old acquaintance Jake Spoon shows up and tells the men there is a fortune to be had by starting a cattle company in Montana. Led by Call, the men pack up the business and move the cattle up North.

The main story takes place across the plains of the Midwest, running into strangers along the way who become part of the story.  Two prominent women play roles – Lorena and old flame Clara. Simultaneously, the story of July Johnson features as he searches for the man who killed his brother. What’s remarkable, is the many stories that collide in the novel are all entertaining and fascinating. The Pulitzer Prize winning book keeps finding a new audience and is rightly regarded as one of the finest American novels of all time.

10/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Brandon Flowers – Thrasher (2026)

Posted on by Michael

The cover of Brandon Flowers third solo albums shows a picture of him throwing hands at the camera. The sound has The Killers frontman throwing everything at the listener including piano, organ, pedal steel guitar and Margo Price on back vocals. The country album is more lush 70s than current hot rural sounds.  Lead track, “Does It Ever Cross Your Mind” is a zippy take on the sound, “One Of Us” has a similar sound on a tribute song to his brother in law that passed way too soon.

On various songs, the vocals remind the listener of Bruce Springsteen or Jason Isbell or John Mellencamp. Small town USA is the focus on “Tiger’s Blood” that turns in a killer chorus.  “Miss America” is written through the eyes of a woman. The album is a bit front loaded and there is a whiff of pastiche (see: single “Paradise”) rather than a true authentic country voice. Still, Flowers has a way with hooks that even the just OK tracks, still sound fine in the background.

7/10