ryan@fremen.DEC (Mike Ryan DTN 264-8280 MK01-2/H32) (05/24/85)
Went to a mall record store to pick up a Springsteen album for my brother's
birthday, and ... Wait! What's this I see?! The new Dire Straits album!
Oh goody!
Well, not really.
Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms", song by song:
So Far Away - Comotose.
Money For Nothing - What's this spacy bit at the beginning! Sounds like
that Manfred Mann Earth Band Olympic song. And who's the guy that singing
falsetto - why, it's Sting! What's that mournful, spacy bit he's singing...
"I want my...
I want my MTV!!"
Well, that was good for a belly laugh. So was:
See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.
Gee, who could he mean by that?:-)
It says a lot that this is the lyrical highlight of the album (so much
for Dire Straits making the Top 20 Video Countdown, though).
Walk of Life - Sounds like something (deservably) cut from "Twisting by the
Pool". Do I detect a hint of CCR? No thanks, I'll take the real thing.
Your Latest Trick - An early morning atmosphere piece highlighted by
Michael Brecker's sax (why wasn't he allowed to break free of that repeated
riff?). Close, but no cigar. Like most of the songs, has a chorus
that's just begging for a catchy hook.
Why Worry - Booooring.
Ride Across the River - It's side 2, and Mark finally lets loose with a
solo (rather pedestrian for him, though). A try at some more exotic rhythms,
but the arrangement is just too laid-back to stir much interest. Another
song in search of a hook.
The Man's Too Strong - I was kidding about "Money for Nothing" - this has the
best lyrics (about petty tyranny) on the album. Still no great shakes,
though, but at least I remembered the song after the album finished.
One World - This one's pretty funky, and the only song on the album with
much life to it. That's totally due to Tony Levin on bass.
Brothers in Arms - I'm sorry, but at the beginning I can't help singing
along: "On top of old Smokey...".
Well, in case you hadn't noticed, I am very disappointed by this album.
If a new group had put it out, I'd say "Competent, some potential". But,
to paraphrase a review I read of one of Santana's later albums,
Ok, but try putting it on after "Making Movies" without wincing.
Come on, Mark, we all know you can do better than that.
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David Byrne - Music from the Knee Plays.
I'll have to listen to this some more before making a judgement. For you
old Heads fans, imagine "Seen and Not Seen" expanded to a whole album
and arranged for New Orleans funeral brass band. No singing (but some of
the songs are just crying for a Gospel chorus), just Byrne speaking.
The text for "In the Future" is interesting:
In the future, it will be impossible to tell girls and boys apart,
even in bed.
Imperfectly remembered, I'm sure, but you get the idea.
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Suzanne Vega
Great folk-rock with Laurie Anderson influences ("Crackin'" reminded me
quite a bit of "Walk the Dog"). Unlike the Dire Straits album, the songs
on this album have stayed with me since hearing it the first time.
I'll just offer the lyrics to one song, no time right now for analysis.
Small Blue Thing
Today I am
a small blue thing.
Like a marble, or an eye.
With my knees against my mouth I am
perfectly round.
I am watching you.
(Chorus)
I am cold against your skin,
you are perfectly reflected.
I am lost inside your pocket
I am lost against your fingers
I am falling down the stairs
I am skipping on the sidewalk
I am thrown against the sky
I am raining down in pieces
I am scattering like light
I am scattering like light
I am scattering like light
Today I am
a small blue thing.
Made of china, made of glass.
I am cool and smooth and curious
I never blink.
I am turning in your hand.
I am turning in your hand.
(chorus)
Today I am
a small blue thing.
Like a marble, or an eye.
I am cool and smooth and curious
I never blink.
I am turning in your hand.
I am turning in your hand.
Small blue thing...
Mike Ryan
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