Category: Album Reviews

Posted in Album Reviews

Bob Dylan – Dylan (1973)

Posted on by Michael

Dylan (1973) is an album made up of studio outtakes that Bob Dylan did during recordings for Self Portrait and New Morning. After Dylan left Columbia Records for Asylum, the former released this set of mostly forgettable tracks with no input from the singer. The album gets off to a decent start with the upbeat “Lily Of The West”, a traditional track that Dylan adapted to make the story take place in Louisville.

It’s mostly downhill from there.  Two songs popularized by Elvis appear including the funky “A Fool Such As I”. His version of Joni Mitchell’s classic “Big Yellow Taxi” sounds thin – like the band warming up, which it possibly could have been.  His version of “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” is atrocious.  It is hard to fault Dylan as these songs were not intended for release.  Instead, it’s Columbia who deserves the scorn for having OK’d this uninteresting mess.

3/10

Posted in Album Reviews

David Bowie – Diamond Dogs (1974)

Posted on by Michael

David Bowie returned in 1974 with Diamond Dogs that was to be based on George Orwell’s sci-fi novel 1984, among other partially worked out ideas. The project sees him once again working with Tony Visconti, on a vision that creates a sleazy, post-apocalyptic future. After a spoken word introduction, the title track announces “This ain’t rock n roll, this is genocide”.  The backing vocals sounds like they are coming from underwater on the gritty fan favourite.

Through a three song suite, “Sweet Thing (Reprise)” appears as a punk/funk blast that rides into the classic single, “Rebel Rebel”.  Surprisingly, this was a top five hit in the UK but missed the top 50 in the US. Still a sure-fire dancefloor filler and a great singalong to the chorus ender, “Hot Tramp, I love you so” over a killer guitar riff from Bowie who took over the role from Mick Ronson. “Rock n Roll With Me” has a catchy chorus and more of a classic 70s rock sound.  Later, “1984” gives a glimpse into Bowie’s future sound with Blaxploitation funk on a track that was then covered by Tina Turner.

Throughout its history, Diamond Dogs has very mixed reviews.  From classic status in one publication to less than complimentary write-ups by other reviews.  It is a mixed bag of tracks that are actually quite good but right from the unappealing cover art of Guy Peellaert to the creepy spoken word introduction, it leaves a bit of a bad taste.  Still, even Bowie with a few partial ideas for an album can influence sounds later heard on punk, goth, and the dirtier/artier side of Britpop.

7/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Sleater-Kinney – Little Rope (2024)

Posted on by Michael

Sleater-Kinney returned in January with their first release in three years, Little Rope.  It’s their second release as a duo after the departure of drummer Janet Weiss. Part of this album was written after the tragedy of Carrie Brownstein losing her Mom and Step Dad in a terrible car accident. Guitars dominate the album including the ringing guitars on “Crusader” and the urgency of “Small Finds” where the breathy vocals sing from a dog’s perspective.

“I stood outside your house last night” is a menacing line taken from “Six Mistakes” that also has plenty of fuzzy guitar licks thrown in which is in contrast to the pop sheen on the chorus of “Say It Like You Mean It”. On this release, there are too many songs like first single “Hell” that has a good punk rock stomp for the middle bits but is otherwise unmemorable. On Little Rope, Brownstein and Corin Tucker produce several good moments but is held back by a lack of truly great songs to put on repeat.

7/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Buffalo Springfield – Buffalo Springfield (1967)

Posted on by Michael

Buffalo Springfield formed in 1966 when Canadian Neil Young teamed up with American Stephen Stills in Los Angeles to form the new group. The band then then released their self titled debut later that same year.  First single, “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing”,  is one of Young’s songs sung by guitarist Richie Furay. The song is a melancholy track with a mournful harmonica about Young’s then stalled career – “who’s putting sponge in the bells I once rung?”  Chiming guitars opens “Flying On The Ground Is Wrong” on another emotional song about losing friends while doing drugs, “I’m sorry to let you down/But you’re from my side of town/And I miss you”. Young shows his versatility at a young age when he takes over vocals on the grittier second single, “Burned”.

Many tracks are in the style of the burgeoning country or folk rock scenes that the band was helping to create.  “Go and Say Goodbye” has that sound but there is also a tinge of a British influence on the Stills written song about a friend breaking up with a girlfriend. It also shows on the pop rock of “Sit Down I Think I Love You” where Stills sings the 60s ode to love that “I get high just being around you”. Elsewhere, the dueling guitars of “Everybody’s Wrong” is terrific.

The album was originally released in December of 1966 but was later reconfigured and re-released in March 1967 after the Stills written “For What It’s Worth” became a top ten hit in the US.  The protest song written during LA riots of young people gathering late into the night has become a mainstay in popular culture when recreating scenes of the 60s counter culture. The song is recognizable right from the first chord with Stills perfect, deep delivery and a chorus that turns it into an anthem.  The self titled Buffalo Springfield album is a mid 60s classic.

9/10

Posted in Album Reviews

The Smile – Wall of Eyes (2024)

Posted on by Michael

Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood have once again teamed up with jazz drummer Tom Skinner for their second release under the moniker, The Smile.  Wall of Eyes is a moody, atmospheric listen that incorporates electronics and prog-like moments through its 45 minutes. A warm sound envelopes the title track with echoey drums that sound like they are played through pillows. Guitars appear from the onset of “Read the Room” with its indie rock sound and military drumming. The guitars go from art rock to 70s rock on the outro with Yorke’s spacey vocals.

The piano of “Friend of a Friend” brings a new dimension to the sound as Yorke sings about Italians during COVID appearing to sing/talk on their balconies. The cold breeze returns on “I Quit”, a softly sung track with a defiant stance.  “I quit… this is my stop/this is the end of the trip”, is sung over a bed of sounds like obscured traffic horns with muffled beats and the added tension of a string section.

Emblematic of Wall of Eyes is the doom laden yet dreamy 8 minute “Bending Hectic”, a song about driving over the cliff in the Italian country side. For its beautiful moments, icy stares, and warmly sung songs of death – The Smile have delivered an album to dive deep into and then disappear completely.

8/10