pmr@drutx.UUCP (Rastocny) (07/09/84)
Hi there fans. It's time to try my hand at record reviews. For those of you who have been faithfully following my high-end audio articles, I will be as objective about record reviews as I was for equipment reviews. First, let me explain my ratings scale. I evaluate discs in two categories: 1) performance, and 2) recording excellence. I rate each category on a scale from 0 through 10, no fractions. I consider the average off-the-shelf 33 1/3 disc a 4. If you buy a disc I rate at a performance level of 5 or more, it will be a sonic delight. If you buy a disc I rate at a recording level of 7 or more, some stereos may have difficulty playing the record and throw the arm right out of the groove. Since there's no way to compare Luciano Pavarotti to Barbra Streisand, I rate each musical type against other recordings of the same type. I'm also the toughest reviewer I know. Here are a few examples of my ratings in the rock category to let you more fully understand my biases. Performance Recording Kim Carnes, "Mistaken Identity," EMI SO-17052 7 6 Michael Jackson, "Thriller," Epic QE 38112 8 7 Alan Parson, "I Robot," Arista 7002 8 5 George Winston, "December," Windham Hill C-1025 6 7 I received an advanced copy from a new label called Wandering Eye Records. This is the first disc from this company and it's pretty good too. The name of it is "I'm Changin'" featuring a new artist, Bern Nelson. This 45 was mixed poorly but performed well. The two cuts are the title track and another called "You Turn Me On." Both songs are upbeat soft rock with a style similar to the mature sound of Devo. (Soft rock, he says? Devo is soft rock?). Please let me explain. I said the style, that is the instrumental arrangement and execution, has overtones of this group. The start of both cuts begins with much the same flair and attraction that the potato-head group has. But that all changes when Bern begins to sing. His voice is a little rough and inexperienced, but it reminds me of early Billy Joel. It also has the same appeal that Peter Allen had about two years ago in his uncanny melodic execution of verse. The vocals are mixed too low and the lead guitar is too loud, but the songs are catchy and I found myself humming the melody and tapping my foot after listening to them just twice. (I listen to each piece at a background level and again at a serious listening level.) I don't think that "I'm Changin'" will reach the top ten, but I think it's definitely top 40 material. With time, Bern will become an accomplished entertainer and if this one makes it, I'm sure you'll be seeing (hearing?) a lot more of him real soon. So as for the ratings: Performance Recording Bern Nelson, "I'm Changin'" Wandering Eye Records, WER-1001 4 1 Since Bern is currently negotiating with a major record label, this disc may soon become a collector's item. If you're interrested in getting a copy, contact: Wandering Eye Records Rocky Mountain Region P.O. Box 33602 Northglenn, CO 80233 Coming soon..."Flim & the BBs." Yours for higher fidelity, Phil Rastocny ..!drutx!pmr AT&T-ISL Room 31D39 Denver, CO 80234.
michaelf@ism780.UUCP (07/13/84)
#R:drutx:-57900:ism780:20500010:000:120
ism780!michaelf Jul 12 13:10:00 1984
How would you rate Jean Michael Jarre's (sic) EQUINOX album?
This would have to get double tens from me.pmr@drutx.UUCP (Rastocny) (07/18/84)
How do I rate J.M. Jarre? Remember, I'm the toughest reviewer you'll ever read. Jarre has produced two very fine albums to date. The rest of them are mediocre in comparison. The mixing effects and musical content of the top two are close to genius. What happened afterwards is speculative. Some people think that contractual obligations forced Jarre into producing records ahead of their time and as a result the total quality suffered. Others think that Jarre was becoming too popular and the pressures of success paid its toll. Still others think that all of his stuff is great and there has been no change in the quality. I just don't know what the reason is, but I feel Jarre could be performing and producing better material. So as for the top two Jarre ratings: Performance Recording J.M. Jarre, "Equinoxe" Polydor PD-1-6175 8 6 J.M. Jarre, "Oxygene" Polydor PD-1-6112 8 7 Yours for higher fidelity, Phil Rastocny AT&T-ISL ..!drutx!pmr