Michael

Spoons – Collectible Spoons (1994)

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Michael

Way back in 1979, Spoons formed in Burlington, Ontario led by singer/guitarist Gorden Deppe and bass player Sandy Horne. The band, in various forms has released seven studio albums with the earliest being a mix of synthesizer pop with prog elements and more experimental sounds. The greatest hits collection, Collectible Spoons, concentrates on the first three albums plus the singles take from the soundtrack to the movie Listen to the City. The compilation is in non chronological order and starts with songs taken from their second album, Arias & Symphonies. The title track has the dramatic guitar/synthesizer sound that Muse would take to stadiums around the world 30 years later.

The collection then moves to the band’s commercial heyday. Produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers, the singles taken from the soundtrack were radio and video staples across Canada. The hook from “Romanic Traffic” is from the “doot doot doot” in the chorus that was originally meant as filler. The fun, upbeat “Tell No Lies” was just as popular along with the equally catchy “Old Emotions”.

The album then switches back to songs taken from the first album, Stick Figure Neighbourhood that was recorded by a young Daniel Lanois. The best pick from this era being “Red Light” with its sparse, lazer synth stabs and stilted vocals. The moody, atmospheric “Blow Away” follows with a definite prog influence. Spoons most iconic song, “Nova Heart” appears twice including an extended mix. The atmospheric, new wave classic is an extraordinary track with Deppe singing to the architects and gentlemen of the world. It straddles the line between the alternative synth world of bands like OMD/Depeche Mode as well as putting a flag firmly in the pop world. It’s a lost classic of the early 80s that does not get played nearly enough.

7.5/10

Album Reviews

Buffalo Springfield – Buffalo Springfield Again (1967)

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Michael

One year after releasing their debut album, Buffalo Springfield released Buffalo Springfield Again in October 1967. The group was a songwriting embarrassment of riches with Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay all contributing songs. Furay’s credits include the folk rock sounds, and possible dig at Young, on “A Child’s Claim to Fame” and later, the horn driven soul of “Good Time Boy”, sung by drummer Dewey Martin.

Stills highlights include the great guitar riffing and harmonies with Furay on “Bluebird”. “Rock & Roll Woman” features expert bass playing by Bruce Palmer and the buzzing guitar of “Hung Upside Down”. Two Young songs bookend the sophomore album. “Mr. Soul” is a gritty rock song with the wordplay of Bob Dylan but set to a harder beat. “Broken Arrow” is like a Californian version of Sgt Pepper on an atmospheric track with dreamy lyrics that collide with sound collages and closes with what sounds like a heartbeat.

In between is the excellent “Expecting to Fly” that adds strings to the background with Young singing, “I tried so hard to stand/As I stumbled and fell to the ground… Babe, now you know I tried”. This album by an astonishing group of musicians stands tall among the very best albums released in 1967.

9/10

Album Reviews

Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear (2025)

Posted on February 16, 2025February 15, 2025 by Michael

Franz Ferdinand returned early in 2025 with their first release in seven years. A different entity than the one that was putting out anthems in the early aughts, the band is now down to two original members – singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos and bassist Bob Hardy. New additions include guitarist Dino Bardot and drummer Audrey Tait.

Unlike the band of old, synths and keyboard from Julian Corrie dominate several songs including the catchy “The Doctor” and “Tell Me I should Stay” that starts with a gorgeous somber piano but then turns into one of the album’s most musically varied song. Writing about his Greek heritage, Kapranos sings in that language for several lines on “Black Eyelashes” and intriguingly, the song has a Greek lute that adds a middle Eastern flair.

First track and single, “Audacious” is infectious bit of indie rock and “Hooked” does double duty as a song about Kapranos’ young son while also being a call to the dancefloor. In 2025, Franz Ferdinand is a different beast but with a few more hits than misses, The Human Fear is a decent bit of slick guitar rock for fans of the Scottish band.

7/10

Album Reviews

The Doors – Morrison Hotel (1970)

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Michael

Upon release in 1970, Morrison Hotel from The Doors was hailed as a return to form after two middling albums. The album is split with the Hard Rock Café first side and Morrison Hotel second side. “Roadhouse Blues” kicks off the album with a stellar guitar riff from Robby Krieger. Barroom blues played to excellence, over a rolling piano Jim Morrison belts out “I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer” before imploring the audience to “let it roll, baby, roll”.

“Waiting For The Sun” is a more atmospheric track that is zen like in the beginning but as it goes on, the Morrison mantra of the word “waiting” becomes harsher, more demanding. Closing out the first side, “Ship Of Fools” sounds lighthearted before Morrison sings the first line, “the human race was dyin’ out”. Side two gets is off to the races with “Land Ho!”, driven along by the drumming of John Densmore and organ of Ray Manzarek. “Queen Of The Highway” is notable for sounding like a track that could have been released in the 90s by a hip indie rock band with an organ.

One of the finest tracks on the album was never released as a single and seldom appears on compilation albums. Co-written between Morrison and Krieger, “Peace Frog” is instantly recognizable with it’s wah wah guitar. The funk boogie swing sounds like the ultimate party song until you tune into the lyrics with Morrison singing of blood in the streets of Chicago and New Haven. The track then segues into the crooning love song of “Blue Sunday”. Often played together, this passage is a highlight of their catalogue. The critics and fans 50+ years ago were correct, Morrison Hotel is an excellent return to form for The Doors.

9/10

Album Reviews

Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes (2024)

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Michael

In late 2024, Michael Kiwanuka released his fourth album and third produced by Danger Mouse and Inflo. The soulful release received widespread acclaim from critics. Legendary producer Jimmy Jam appears on three tracks, adding organ on the jazz inflected “Rebel Soul” and “Lowdown (Part I)” where Kiwanuka sings that “I’ve been wrong half the time/gotta wonder how I survived”. Later on, “Follow Your Dreams” has the inspirational message to “Follow your dreams/fear no danger”.

At 11 songs, there are not any that particularly stand out as it all smoothly runs together. The musicianship on the tracks are simple but extraordinary at the same time. Kiwanuka’s bass playing is really impressive, especially on first track “Floating Parade” that takes the soul to the sun dappled beach. It’s a lovely album where Kiwanuka lyrically tackles personal topics with his warm voice and terrific production.

8/10