Under a Blood Red Sky

Just out: another U2 reissue, this time, Under a Blood Red Sky - Deluxe Edition CD/DVD. I can't believe it's been 25 years since this came out -- I can remember listening to this when it came out in 1983. I think I had it on both vinyl and cassette; CD came later. This reissue's not only remastered, which sounds nicer, but also includes the full DVD of the Red Rocks concert -- the one we old people remember from the live "Sunday Bloody Sunday" video on MTV. This coupled with War -- which remains my favorite U2 album (and had a nice reissue this summer, too) made 1983 a great year for U2 -- and, although I've liked just about everything since, the year they produced their best stuff.

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Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out

I've been a fan of the The Police for nearly 30 years, since Outlandos d'Amour in 1977. During this year's Sundance Festival (a local film festival for me) I managed to catch a screening of Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out, a documentary created by drummer Stewart Copeland from Super-8 footage he shot during the band's rise. I've put more information and my commentary on the flim -- which I enjoyed -- on a short blog at Everyone Stares.

I'd love to hear the soundtrack separately from the film as well ... hopefully Mr. Copeland will be able to put that out soon as well.

Truth: If you're predisposed to like The Police in the first place, you'll likely enjoy this movie. And it's inexpensive enough you might as well just buy it instead of renting it.

Jazz, remixed

Sadly I've fallen victim and bought into the trend of remixing vintage tracks with a more modern sensibility. In essence, the best of these efforts take vintage jazz sensibilities -- for me, the best tracks are from the hard bop period, roughly '55 to '65, which I prefer in jazz anyway -- and match them with updated sonics and electronic beats.

A recent compilation brought this to mind, and I have to recommend it. Re-Bop: The Savoy Jazz Remixes does an excellent job of blending the classic with the modern, and is nice listening as both background music and as something to play loudly in the car.

On that subject, the three Verve Remixed CDs also succeed at this, with varying degrees of success (there's a track or two I have to skip on each), but the tracks that succeed, like Nina Simone's "Sinnerman," are thumping tracks that stay in frequent play on my MP3 player (especially the small one I take to the gym).

If you're new to the Verve Remixed series, don't waste your time buying the individual CDs. You'll save money and get an extra bonus disc to boot if you just order the The Complete Verve Remixed Deluxe Box, which includes Verve Remixed, Verve Remixed, Vol. 2, and Verve Remixed, Vol. 3, plus a bonus disc that includes extra tracks not found on the other three and the full-length versions of three of my favorite tracks in the series: the aforementioned Nina Simone track, a remix of Sarah Vaughn's "Fever," and a remix of Ella Fitzgerald's "Slap That Bass."

Truth: Go to Amazon and preview a few tracks. If they work for you, you'll likely enjoy both Re-Bop: The Savoy Jazz Remixes and The Complete Verve Remixed Deluxe Box. I can't get enough of any of them -- but be wary of imitators. These are clearly the best of this genre.

Tags: verve remixed, savoy jazz remixed

Gnarls Barkley: Don't Resist It.

I've been resisting the Gnarls Barkley CD (Gnarls Barkley: St Elsewhere)because, generally, if something gets too much press it's generally not worth the effort. In this case, I'm happy to report that the record does live up to the hype. Hard to categorize -- some beats with a hip hop flavor, an overall R&B sound largely due to Cee-Lo's voice, but a clearly modern sound. Reminds me in some ways of the last Gorillaz CD, which Danger Mouse produced (and that I think is good, but inferior to their first CD).

Truth: buy this, or, at least, download "Crazy." I enjoy the whole CD, but I particularly like their cover of Violent Femmes' "Gone Daddy Gone." You can read more about Gnarls Barkley in just about any entertainment magazine -- say, Rolling Stone or Entertainment Weekly.

New Order: Singles

I've been buying New Order for more than 20 years, which is more than a little unsettling to me, but ultimately not the point. Here's the point. Can yet another hits collection from New Order be worth buying? I procrastinated picking this up, and tried not to, but ultimately did.

And I recommend that you pick it up if you're even a casual New Order fan. Why? Because it's excellent New Order, and it's got all of the great tracks in their original single versions. I'm a big fan of the extended remix in general, and a big fan of New Order's Substance set, which I also recommend even if it's overdue for a remaster. While Substance focuses on the great 12" remixes of New Order's 80's singles, Singles focuses on the concise versions that in some cases never appeared on the albums.

Truth: It's worth owning. You'll find yourself singing along (if you know the words), and realizing again how great New Order's tunes are ... and saving the extended enjoyment for another time. And the remastering sounds fantastic.

You can order it from Amazon here.

Zero 7: Just Buy it All

So, I'm in Las Vegas for a business trip a while back, in the better-than-anything-else-in-Vegas Zia Records, and I'm perusing the electronica section, when a couple of guys stand right next to me, trying to figure out who sings that great song called "Wasting Time." The one guy -- who works there, I figure out, is pretty sure it's Zero 7. So I can't refrain, and have to butt in and let them know that it's "In The Waiting Line" on the first album, Simple Things.

So the other guy, the shopper, turns to talk to me and asks me for my recommendations on Zero 7.

Here's what I told him, and it's what I'll tell you. Zero 7 is fantastic. Simple Things is an amazing album -- if you're like me, and like the "downtempo" sound, you won't be disappointed. But Zero 7 has great songs as well, not just "chilled grooves," not that there's anything wrong with that. If you're going to buy a Zero 7 CD, buy that one. "Destiny" is one of the best songs of the last decade.

If you can't get enough of those songs, you can pick up the remix collection, Simple Things Remixes. But that's really the last priority for Zero 7 shopping. The mixes are generally good ... but you're better off buying the second album next ...

When It Falls is nearly as good as Simple Things ... with some clear highlights, including "Home," featuring Tina Dico (more about her another time). If you can buy a second Zero 7, buy this. Honestly, both CDs are great. "Warm Sound," featuring Mozez (see earlier post) is also a great track, and the "Somersault" single is great as well.

That's where I stopped with the poor shopper buy at Zia. But there's a new Zero 7 en route in June -- The Garden. I've picked up the pre-single, and heard a pre-release version of the CD. It's good, but it's quite different from the first two. The first real single, "Throw It All Away," is much in the Zero 7 mold, but the rest of the CD will probably grow on me. You can also hear previews, get news, etc. at the official band website.

Here's what I realized. Zero 7 is not a "band" in the traditional sense. It's a collection of musicians assembled and produced by Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. In fact, I realized that to a great degree, they're the Alan Parsons Project for a new millennium, and I mean that in a good way. Great vocalists, stupendous production, gorgeous tracks. Of course, they have some similarities to Air, Tosca, and so on, but they're the most consistent and most accomplished songsmiths of this breed.

Truth: Go pick up some Zero 7 if you don't own any. You'll enjoy it.

Morrissey's latest

Morrissey's latest, Ringleader of the Tormentors (standard release), isn't as much of a step forward as I had hoped after the great You Are the Quarry (Platinum Edition)*. If you like Morrissey, the new CD is as good, if not better, than his early solo work. But the CD as a whole doesn't hold together for me as well as You Are the Quarry.

Don't get me wrong: Morrissey is, generally speaking, clearly in command of his skills and is harnessing a new, harder edge to his benefit.** But while the production is nice, the songs themselves fall flat. I like "You Have Killed Me," and find some entertaining, including the flawed "At Last I Am Born." But the duds outweigh the strong tracks on this disc, making it a much weaker album than YATQ (where I simply skip over the hamfisted "America is Not The World." Yes, Morrissey, I know, thanks for the observation, hearing it once is enough).

Truth: if you're a Morrissey fan, go ahead and pick this up. But if you're only a casual fan, or looking for something as good as YATQ, don't: get the "You Have Killed Me" single via your physical or legal download medium of choice and call it good. Sadly, for me, it's only a 5/10.


* (If you haven't bought YATQ yet, the Platinum Edition tacks on nine b-sides, saving you the effort of buying singles, as well as a DVD with a video and live videos, etc. It's a better deal all the way around.)

** To that end, I'd also have to recommend his complementary live releases, both of which I enjoyed, Live at Earls Court, which you can pick up for about ten bucks on Amazon, and the DVD, Who Put The 'M' in Manchester?, which shows him at the top of his game.

Tags: morrissey, you are the quarry, ringleader of the tormentors

Editors: The Back Room: Recommended

So I've listened to Interpol, and I've tried Bloc Party. But they haven't really worked for me.

But the Editors CD -- which I've had for probably 6 months or so on import -- does. In fact, I enjoy it as much as I do some of the classic albums of the 80s. It stands up to repeated listening.

Editors The Back Room has its own sound, but clearly builds on Echo & the Bunnymen, Joy Division, and other similar guitar-based bands. I first heard "Blood" on KEXP while in Seattle, and had to find the CD. I then found that I enjoyed the whole CD, but could play "Munich" again and again. It's got the anthemic sound of early U2, with lots of driving guitars and catchy melodies. The band is capable of even more, I think, and so I'm hoping this is just the first of many excellent albums.

Check out the sound samples at Amazon. It's now out domestically and cheap. You can order Editors here. You might also want to check out the singles if you're feeling flush with cash. The Cicada remixes and b-sides are good.

Truth: Editors are my favorite new band.

Tags: editors, the back room, new music

Recommended

A friend recently asked me what music I recommended to help fill his iPod with good stuff. Well, here's the problem: there's actually quite a bit of decent stuff out, but deciding where to start is the challenge.

So I'll look at some recommendations in a couple different categories next.

William Orbit's Hello Waveforms

William Orbit's been a favorite for a long time. His brand of mellow electronic music makes great background listening ... and still rewards a more attentive approach. That said, with this CD he won't win new fans. If you're already predisposed to like Orbit, then you'll find this CD familiar and enjoyable. If not, you'll find it capable but unengaging electronic noodling.

The good news and bad news is that this sounds like the older Orbit records -- reminds me of the Strange Cargo days. That's both a blessing and a curse. While the sound's updated slightly, it's more of the same. now, I LIKE more of the same, so I find this a very enjoyable CD. But based on his more recent production work, I admit that I expected more. It's as if an "A" student turned in "B" level work -- the work itself is enjoyable, but you have the sense he's capable of more.

7/10

Tags: "william orbit"

Thievery Corporation new remix disc due April

According to Billboard.com, there's a new Thievery Corporation remix disc due in April. [[Edit: Now scheduled for May.]]

According to the site, the disc will be called "Versions," and here's the track listing:
"Tanara," Ustad Sultan Khan
"Habanos Days," Damien
"This Is Not a Love Song," Nouvelle Vague
"Beloved," Anoushka Shankar
"Who Needs Forever," Astrud Gilberto
"Desert," Emilie Simon
"Lemon Tree," Herb Alpert
"Originality," Thievery Corporation featuring Sister Nancy
"In Love," Fear Of Pop
"The Girl's Insane," the Januaries
"Strange Days," the Doors
"Revolution Solution (TC Remix)," Thievery Corporation
"Shiva (TC Remix)," Thievery Corporation
"Khalghi Stomp," Transglobal Underground
"Angels," Wax Poetic featuring Norah Jones
"Nothing To Lose," Isabelle Antena
"Cada Beijo," Bebel Gilberto
"Dirty Little Secret," Sarah McLachlan

Mozez: So Still

This came out in the UK last year -- so I count it as one of my favorites from 2005. If you enjoy Zero 7 then you've already heard Mozez as the male vocalist on many of that band's tracks like "Warm Sound." So Still has some tracks that reflect Zero 7's sound, but the album as a whole still reflects Mozez' unique "warm sound." From the first track, "Feel Free," it's clear that Mozez embraces the smooth sound of Zero 7 but provides a more spare, acoustic sound for his full album, with electronic textures taking a back seat.

So Still has a more classic soul/R&B sound -- more in common with the recent classic sound of Van Hunt (if you don't have his first CD, buy it), reminiscent of an updated Otis Redding or Marvin Gaye. It's beautiful music that will appeal to electronica fans, soul fans, simply anyone who appreciates well-crafted, deeply felt music. The production quality is excellent throughout.

Truth: It's a timeless quality that both soothes and energizes, and not in a "smooth jazz" or "new age" kind of way. Instead, you'll find Mozez' songs both immediately compelling yet rewarding on repeated listens.

For sound samples and info, you can visit Mozez' official site.

Buy Mozez: So Still here

Buy Van Hunt here

Manifesto

Not only a great, overlooked album (Roxy Music: Manifesto), but a chance to state my purpose. I'm planning on making this a unique look at quality music (and entertainment in some cases) -- possibly even overlooked works -- that you might enjoy if you've seen your taste match mine. 2006 should bring regular posts.

Tags: manifesto, music reviews, quality music