etan@tellab1.UUCP (Nate Stelton) (10/23/85)
Mini Reviews #10
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A Cappella -- Todd Rundgren
Here is a unique concept -- create a rock album using nothing but the human
body as a sound source. Rundgren overdubs processed and non-processed voice
(and , I think, claps), as well as keyboard-performed samples of his own voice
to create a full and convincing sound. The music? -- there's some
interesting moments, but mostly your average Rundgren-of-the-mill.
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On Time -- Kit & Coco
Kit Watkins and Coco Rousell, formerly of Happy The Man (keys and drums) are
back with their second offering, the first being Labrynth (by Kit Watkins).
Sparkly production and interesting textures characterize this multitrack fusion
effort, but the music doesn't grab you immediately like Labrynth. It does,
however, grow on one with subsequent listenings, which to me is an indication
of quality that will stand the test of time.
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Hounds of Love -- Kate Bush
The first three cuts on this LP are rather tedious, but it gets much better
after that. Bush does some remarkable things with her voice, and while the
production isn't the most polished, she proves to be one of the most creative
users of musical studio effects I have heard.
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Behaviour -- Saga
Frankly, I'm dissapointed. As a long-time Saga follower, I'd say that this
is their most boring and formulated album. Usually, a b&f Saga LP has two or
three hot cuts on it, but not this time.
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Stand Up -- Steve Morse
Morse is one of the most exciting composers in rock today. The charts on
this record are full of imagery and color, and all done in a very standard
rock/southern-rock format. The musicianship on the album is top-notch, but
that's only icing on the cake.
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Songs From the Big Chair -- Tears for Fears
Often, when I listen to an album, I imagine what the music would sound like
without all the studio gimmickery; perhaps just played on a piano. There
wouldn't be much left of this album. The sound is great, the percussion
stimulating, and there are some nice chords and melodies (and feelings) here
and there, but the quality is really spread too thin. It's a big seller
today, but who will remember this album ten years from now?
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-etanrlr@pyuxd.UUCP (Rich Rosen) (10/24/85)
> Songs From the Big Chair -- Tears for Fears > > Often, when I listen to an album, I imagine what the music would sound like > without all the studio gimmickery; perhaps just played on a piano. There > wouldn't be much left of this album. The sound is great, the percussion > stimulating, and there are some nice chords and melodies (and feelings) here > and there, but the quality is really spread too thin. It's a big seller > today, but who will remember this album ten years from now? [NATE STELTON] I probably will, for one. Of all the artists harkening back to that old style "art/progressive rock" sound of the early 70s (Asia, Marillion), Tears for Fears (who for some reason have been frequently compared to old Yes----any opinions on that?) are the ONLY ones to add something new and fresh to the lush sound that characterized that genre. I *have* played their music "just" on a piano, and it has the richness and vibrancy to stand up on its own, with very creative harmonic and melodic facets predominating throughout the album. One major flaw: the lack of a lyric sheet. "The Hurting" (their previous album) had one, and it sure helped. Orzabal and Smith practically mumble their way through some songs (try figuring out the words to "Head Over Heels"; "Shout" is actually a lot clearer than the rest of the record). Anyone know all the words to the song. (Did you notice that "I Believe" was dedicated to, of all people, Robert Wyatt?) -- "Wait a minute. '*WE*' decided??? *MY* best interests????" Rich Rosen ihnp4!pyuxd!rlr
keithe@tekgvs.UUCP (Keith Ericson) (10/26/85)
>It's a big seller >today, but who will remember this album ten years from now? >----------------------------------------------------------------- > On KINK (Portland OR) this morning the DJ recounted how ten years ago this week Bruce Springsteen (did I spell his name correctly?) was on the cover of *both* Time and Newsweek, with the Newsweek story summarized as "Is Bruce really super-star material or just an example of media over-hype?" The DJ's response - 'I guess we all know the answer to that.' -- Keith Ericson at TekLabs (resident factious factotum) Tektronix, PO 500, MS 58-383 Beaverton OR 97077 (503)627-6042 uucp:[ucbvax|decvax|ihnp4|(and_many_others)]!tektronix!tekgvs!keithe CSnet:keithe@tek ARPAnet: keithe.tek@rand-relay