Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre

Lots of people were excited when they heard Duran Duran was stepping into the light with a new album. But when they heard Andy Taylor (guitarist) decided to leave the project and that producers Nate "Danja" Hills and Timbaland were helping out, a lot of people were hesitant to even pick up the album and give it a spin. I can certainly see why. Myself being a HUGE Duranie listened with an open mind as I have with all the others and tried to see what was turning people away from our beloved band.

The album opens up with a track called "The Valley" which is a great start. Even sounding a bit too produced, you can still hear Simon and the others making a twist in a song in sounding familiar to what we love about DD. This track (to me) sounds like it could've fit well on their 1st or 2nd albums. Simon's voice is one that I love and just as great as ever. John and Roger Taylor really shine. John's bass lines are outrageous and Roger's drumming is tight and very fitting. One of my favs off the album.

Track 2 "Red Carpet Massacre" is really neat sounding, but sounds more like it was written like a Nelly Furtado song. This is where people would begin saying this is not Duran Duran. That's until the chorus comes in and then you hear something totally different. Full on guitar - sorry not Andy's playing, but its still worth listening to. Give it a shot!

"Nite Runner" is another song a bit too slick and you can't really hear Duran Duran on this track. Just how much input did DD have on this song? They get lost in the production. Not one of my favs, but new listeners might like this track. Guest stars are Timbaland and Justin Timberlake on this track.

Now coming back with what is familiar, "Falling Down" is THE song that what I feel is Duran Duran at their best. Once again listening to each track, I can see which previous album this track could have fit well on, this time it's a combo of "Medazzaland/Wedding Album". The song tackles Hollywood's rich and famous when they 'fall down' and no one will help them up and when they won't accept help. *hint hint Britney*

"Box Full O' Honey" is an odd track. Just not on par with the rest of the album. Sounds like an afterthought to "Buried in the Sand." Short and forgetful, it gets lost amongst the other tunes on this album.

"Skin Divers" was a interesting track to get into. At first I didn't know if I liked it, but now I have come to enjoy it. It's the moves of Timbaland that was making me want to forget it, but John Taylor knows how to bring you in. Once again John's bass lines shine. He plays the best in this song. Then there are the raps by Timbaland and they aren't too bad. The moodiness on this one reminds me of"Night Boat"

"Tempted" is a cool song and would be an awesome track to see some remixes of. I love Simon's voice so much that I had to listen to this song over and over again. His singing during the chours reminded me of yet again another song of DD's. Figuring out which one was the problem, a combo of "My Own Way" and "I Don't Want Your Love" came to mind. Simon's higher singing was what threw me off. Nicks synths and keys are a knock out on this track. The genius is at work folks.

As always we need one of those instrumentals thrown in for good measure. I don't know what to make of this track. The beginning of the song reminded me of Berlin's "The Metro" - drum line at least. Then all the other instruments fill in and its chaos. Really lives up to the tracks name "Tricked Out." Should have been called "Tripping Out." Nick what were you on when recording this track? :)

I think this next song, "Zoom In" will grow on me more as I listen to it. I think it too could have had more potential to it. Sounds like a 'Big Thing/Liberty' track, but better. After listening to the song more it starts to fit for Duran Duran and their progress to draw in more listeners. The familiarity that is in the song makes you listen again and again. Catchy tune.

"She's Too Much," again another track that sounds like a redone DD song - Brings the 'Big Thing' era to mind, 'Too Late Marlene' anyone? This song has the melancholics of 'TLM' Not bad at all, certainly better than most songs off of 'Pop Trash' in my mind. I like the synths that Nick toys with in this ditty.

Now this track "Dirty Great Monster" has a Beatleness to it. The piano progression paints the Abby Road days for me. Another track that will grow on me I am sure. Would have been a song for Andy Taylor I am sure if he had stuck around.

Last but not least is a wonderful song to close the album off. "Last Man Standing" has remnants of Simon/Nick/Roger's stint as Arcadia playing throughout the song. I really like this song which showcases Nicks keyboard styling of making a emotion float on through the song. Gorgeous to say the least.

Overall the album is a good one but just not up to what we all love about Duran Duran. Not up to '7&Ragged Tiger/Rio' standards, but to me is by far better than 'Poptrash/Liberty/Thank You' albums combined. Even better than 'Big Thing' and most people like 'BT' over 'Liberty' anyways. With that in mind, I am very glad I have this album and gave it the chance I did with all their previous albums. 'Astronaut' was better but maybe it was time for a change and for some new fans to listen in. Go ahead and listen, you just might like a song or 2. It surprised me!

Back To The Future

So we all know that the '80's have made a comeback. With cartoons being released on DVD, re-releasing albums, toys, etc.
But what about a band that sounds like they were from the '80's? New Young Pony Club does just that, but with their own
flavor. Its like an 80's flashback but even better. Every single song on here makes me think of another 80's song or artist, but as its counterpart.

"Get Lucky" the first song off this album and the first single, makes you think punk attitude. They even mention an "psycho killer" which makes you think of Talking Heads inspiration. The next song "Hiding on the Staircase" makes me think of The Tom Tom club with its jungle drum like beats and percussion.

"Ice Cream" is a afterthough to Blondie's "Live It Up" off of their Autoamerican album, and glad to be one of the albums singles. Very punk/dance sounding, with a mention to Sid and Nancy. "The Bomb" is another single, catchy and sounds like it could have lept off of Cyndi Lauper's debut album She's So Unusual. The bass is so cool and is the focal point on all songs, esp this one.

"Jerk Me" is another Bow Wow Wow or Bananarama sound alike. I'd like to hear Bananarama sing this one. I don't care too much for the chorus on this song, the rest of the track is good. Percussion is neat and tight sounding on this track.

One of my favs is "The Get Go." It sounds so like its a Smith or R.E.M song. The vocals on this one is neat and reminds me of Amiee Mann during her Til' Tuesday adventures. This should be released as a single. "Talking Talking" is smooth seductive and sounds like Duran Duran during their first labor of love - their self titled debut. A sequel to Nightboat anyone?

"Grey" is definately their own song. I can't really make a comparison to the 80's with this song. The closest I can come up with is possible Icehouse during their 'Primitive Man' album or even Men At Work. I say Men At wor because of the vocals and the harmonies. "F.A.N" screams Human League. I love this song. The guitar sounds very familiar in this. Can anyone tell me why? I can't put my finger on it.

Last and closing the album is "Tight Fit." A familiarity to The Clash, the drum track/percussion sounds like a slowed down Rock the Casbah. A great closing track.

Overrall this album is not really a sound alike competition. Its a band that makes their songs take you back to forgotten and guilty pleasures. I think thats why I love this album so much. Its fun and upbeat.

If you like Talking Heads, Cyndi Lauper, The Clash during 'Combat Rock', The Smiths, early Duran Duran - Please give this a chance. I got this on a whim and is a favorite.

Standout tracks: "The Get Go" "Ice Cream" "The Bomb" and "F.A.N"

A Divine Woman

Once upon a time there was a girl who deicded to make a album of Folkish Fairy Tale music. Drama and elegance was the game, Milla was her name. A blue eyed beauty who eventually became a Resident Evil and the color Purple - oops! I mean Ultra Violet.
That's her. Yes, really its Milla Jovovich at the age of 19 who sounds like a woman beyond her years.

The Divine Comedy is a album full of lush melodies and soft lullaby like tunes. Don't let that fool you because its an album to put on when you want to be taken away with. Its fun to listen to the charming mandolin workings in the songs.

The song "Gentleman Who Fell" was a single but really didn't reach the music masses who were too busy listening to grunge and hiphop. The song was good enough for me to see that Milla was at ease doing what she likes best. We even get a guest vocalist on this song, the ever talented Martha Davis of The Motels.

Its hard to describe this album so you wont think its full of nothingness. Its pure folk music with ukrainian influence flittering in each tune. Its an album that is Milla herself. Where she is from and her roots. I like that she didn't do the usual Pop/Dance album that most models do. She went far from that - almost on another level.

I will say my favorite song on the whole album is "Clock." This song is so neat with its keyboards and mandolins dancing around each other while Milla sings about being 'locked in a box with a window and a clock.'
The song was good enough that my sister did a cool mix of the song on her computer.

Driven by poets and artists, Milla puts out an masterpeice that should be in a museum next to a O'Keefe or a Monet.

Prince and His Revolution

Everyone has to say they love at least ONE Prince song. I don't care if it's "1999," "Uptown" or "Cream." There is at least a song of his that someone likes to dance to or to tap your foot to. The only album of Prince's that I had heard of was "Purple Rain"
which is a fantastic collection of songs.

I wanted to write about this album "1999" in particular because I NOW just realized why its the popular favorite of long standing Prince fans. I will start off by saying the amount of sex played up on this album is just incredible. I can see how the sex factor progressed from the song "Let's Pretend We're Married" to Purple Rain's "Darlin' Niki." :)

This album starts off with the most popular Prince tune "1999." Who knew that Prince would do just what he wrote about, crossing 4 decades and well past most would think the exparation date. This man won't expire anytime soon folks this man is just getting started. Like he sings "I don't wanna die, rather dance my life away." I love the album cut because it the end extends with Jill Jones and Lisa Colman chanting along with Prince to "Party."

"Little Red Corvette" follows next with its chitterchatter drum intro. The synthbass slides right into the song before we hear that she 'Had a pocket full of horses Trojans and some of them used.' Dez Dickerson, Prince's guitarist does an outright awsome guitar solo that proves that the song has made pop history. A pretty simple song about a car, or is it? Prince alludes that maybe Little Red Corvette needs to slow down and don't forget to COVER YOUR SELF at night! Lisa is on par with Prince singing that your gonna "run your body right into the ground" This is easly one of my favorite Prince songs.

The 3rd single follows, "Delirious" is a top turner. Squeaky synths pipe in on the chours. This song has a bit of a rockabilly feeling to it with those synths. Lisa sings co-lead vocals. Not to much to the song leaving it to the listener to find out the hidden sexual meaning to the song. Because every Prince song has one, don't you know! This song i never did like when I was younger. I still don't care much for it, but its ok.

This next song is quite a head turner. "Let's Pretend We're Married" is full of sexual innuendos before he gets explicit near the end of the song. Quite frankly he states that he wants to "Fuck the taste right out of your mouth" WOW! Thats right. But I think thats why i like Prince so much more. He can throw those words into a song and make you blush from head to toe or just to turn you on, right on the spot and you don't feel guilty at all. He makes it fun and not dirty. Some people do this wrong and it comes off as being raunchy. Not Prince. A great dance beat and a little "Ooh-we-sha-sha-coo-coo-yeah
All the hippies sing together"

This next song was originally omitted from the cd because of time restraints. Most of the songs were long going for 6 minutes or more like this one "D.M.S.R" going for 8 minutes. "D.M.S.R" (which stands for Dance Music Sex Romance) sounds like it could be the next "Brick House" type of song. Not saying that's bad, but it really shows some inspiration for that mix of Funk/Motown/Pop flowing though.

Now this is when we would flip to Side 2 of the lp. I have heard that people say its not as fun and upbeat as Side One bringing in more longer songs for filler. I don't think so.

This side starts things off with "Automatic." I really like this song. I think I like it because it makes me think of The Pointer Sister's song titled "Automatic." Prince's "Automatic" is more upbeat from the start. I like the beat and the snap of the hit-hat.
Another song with Lisa and Jill's vocals filling in the "A-U-T-O Matic" chorus. Most would be bored out of their minds with this song with the repetitive progression of the song before any change happens. Hang on with it, can be a good song.

I really wanted to listen to this album because of this next song. "Something In The Water Does Not Compute" is a Linn Drum ladden song. That's about it for this song with some synth chord progressions. This song for me is to be compared to Genesis's "The Brazillian" with its drums and synths playing around each other. A Mysterious song for the dark ones out there.

The last song I like really like is "Lady Cab Driver." When listening to this song I thought it sounded familiar. Then it hit me.
2 things. First the bass sounds like it was lifted from a Chic song. Bernard Edwards anyone? Nope. Not here. The next thing, is that it reminds me of this other 80's song called "Oh Sheila" by Ready For The World. Anyone agree with me? Go take a listen to the two songs and compare the verses and how they are sung. Brought a smile to my face.

The rest of the album is good, but these are my favs. I do like the song "Free" because its the only real ballad on the whole album. Got to have something to bring it down before running to the top again. Anyways, overall i'd give this album 2 thumbs up. Prince at his best swooning and begging for more.

Ivy - Long Distance

I really don't think this band has gotten the recognition that it deserves. Being a band that gets its music noticed by having tv shows air their songs at the "romantic moments" is not what I call "Record Breaking" but at least it brings in the listener to buy an album and hopefully this one in particular. Ivy is a dream pop group with 3 main members Andy Chase, Adam Schlesinger and Dominique Durand. Having 2 albums prior to this one, gained them popularity in the New York scene.

I'll first start off with a little bit about the singer. Dominique breaks the music with a softness that makes you float away into dreamland. Some might say she sounds like she never changes the tone or the feeling with her voice, but I think otherwise. She gets the point across perfectly with the help of her fellow band mates.

It was this album with a cover of the Blow Monkey's song "Digging Your Scene" and "Edge of The Ocean" that caused a stir among fans. "Edge Of The Ocean" is a slow ballad that sounds like a AM radio staple. One of those songs that has a easy sing-song "Sha La La" after the chorus. This was also used in many tv shows such as Roswell, Alias, Grey's Anatomy and the movie Shallow Hal. The upbeat "Digging Your Scene" with sweet summertime guitars playing in the back. Dom's vocals are serene and simple.

That's not the end of the good songs. Its the song "Disappointed" that I adore. The snappy drum beat and guitars fill the song with a haunted feeling. Mrs. Durand sounds so strong and sure of herself with the simplicity of the songs lyrics.
"While We're in Love" is a neat song with a heavy bass filling up the song and staying put throughout it. I would love to hear a remix of this song. "Lucy Doesn't Love You" is one of the best songs that screams rollickin' good fun. The song has a 60's feeling to it. Sounds like a song you just might have heard by The Association or early Chicago. Neat break with horns and a Motown piano trying to bust a move. Sure to put a smile on your face!

"I Think Of You" is another song with a great drum beat. Definately changes the mood towards the end of the album esp. with more slower songs near the end of the album. A song that sounds like its should be on the radio. Thats the overall feeling with this album. A familiarity with each song and makes you want to keep listening. I am glad I gave this album a second chance. I almost put it in the "Toss away/Exchange" pile but quickly pulled it back with a few more listens. This album should be listened to with care and tenderness, thats how Mrs. Durand pulls you to her.

a-ha: 2000 and Beyond

A lot of people know this group for one major hit. A-ha found fame with a song called "Take On Me" and a catchy video for it as the video alone propelled them to stardom."Take On Me" was the hit in America that sold them as stars and the second single "The Sun Always Shines On TV" followed. But it was the other way round for the Brits and the rest of Europe.
After that success, they had a lot to do to make a even successful second album. Not many people were forgiving - mostly the US and that's when A-ha saw their demise of pop icon status. People started to look to grunge and rock during the early '90's.

So it wasn't until 5 years ago, I heard a song that had a voice soothe my soul. It was soft and tender and I thought the voice sounded familiar but I brushed it off figuring I would never hear the song again and if I had found an album by this mystery voice, I'd most likely shelve it fast after the novelity of my soothing song. Fast forward to this year and my interest in
A-ha's whereabouts spiked when I realized I missed out on their very first album and the other songs it had to offer. What were they doing? Are they still together? I searched the internet and Yes, they were still together. After a hiatus in the mid '90s; I found they had released a new album in 2005, which was a 3 year gap between their last album in 2002. Well, they had been busy also with touring. Curiosity got the best of me and I hunted down a song or two. Which ended up with me buying their 2000 and 2005 releases.

I will start here with their 2000 release "Minor Earth, Major Sky," and it was the song "Velvet" that I had heard 5 years ago tug at my heart. A-ha's lead singer Morten Harket never sounded better and had aged gracefully, all of the members in fact. The album is pop and a chart topper at that. The album has more slower songs, but don't let that detier you from listening. "Velvet" was a song that was written by A-ha's guitarist Pal Waaktaar and with his wife Lauren Savoy for their band Savoy. The song serenades you about a woman who is like velvet, everything about her is velvet. The part that would be a chorus is not Morten singing, but the humming of the song's melody from a woman. Another song that is pure bliss is "I Wish I Cared" which was a internet only single the first of its kind. The song slowly creeps in and is slowly moving around you with a wish to be floating on clouds. The video is shot kind of like a ipod commercial with a shadow of Morten walking around a pink backround with a female presence. The beat is nice with the introduction of acoustic guitars during the chorus. The upbeat songs to hear are "Minor Earth, Major Sky". During the chours, the song gives you an emptiness wondering when you are going to touch down on earth, but end up with your feet on ground again with the reassureance of the guitars and drums breaking in again. The lyrics are simple but strong. "The Sun Never Shone That Day" sounds like it steals the drum beat of The Clash's 'Train in Vain', which makes it a classic song in my book. The title sounds sad, but it it guarantees you to keep smiling and tapping your foot along. Overall, this album is good and maybe to simple sounding to some, but it sure made them winners in Great Britian and even in The Guinness Book of World Records. Check out the song
"Summer Moved On" to hear Morten hold a note for 20.2 seconds!


2005 found them releasing "Analogue" which sounded much darker in comparison to "Minor Earth, Major Sky." The first single "Celice" talks lines of love that hurts, esp, with Mortens fallsetto during the chorus. The video for the song was shot in a bordello, making it be banned for the content. They really take advantage of the guitars for leading the way throughout the album unlike the drums and bass for the previous albums. The song that steals the album for me is a slower one, "Holy Ground" is compelling with a piano speaking from the gound up to the sky. The song was written by Magne Furuholmen, A-ha's keyboardist/guitarist a song about going your way and following your path where-ever it takes you. But the single "Analogue" shows that A-ha is truly here to stay and at the top of their game. It is the "Take On Me" of 2005. I think most
A-ha fans will agree with me.

What to Start With? Let's start at the Very Beginning! Letter A!

Review: Bryan Adams - Reckless

Back in 1984 a young Canadian blasted though the speakers with a rough and tumble voice. "I got my first real six string, bought it at the five and dime" came through to kids as an encouragement to start your very first band, complete with the arguments as to who played the best air guitar.

My first thought of this album was that it was an uptempo album with only one real slow ballad. Not that that's bad, just a crazy rush from beginning to end. The album starts off with "One Night Love Affair" which has some awsome guitar playing from Adams's side man Keith Scott. Title says it all, affairs are bad and can end up nasty. You loose your heart and head in the relationship and you don't want it to end.

The songs get better with "She's Only Happy when She's Dancin'" complete with hand claps and backing vocals from Lou Gramm (Foreigner) to the Chart Topper singles that follow "Run To You" with a signature guitar lick, "Heaven" the slow ballad with a beautiful piano arrangment provided by Adams himself, "Somebody" a rocker about wanting that person in your life, "Summer of '69" all about following your dreams even with everything changing around you, dont let go and last but not least
"It's Only Love" a duet with Tina Turner, I never get tired of hearing that song.

Some might say its too strong of an album, but for Mr. Adams, no. This is what Canada is about! :) Never mind that this is his 4th album, sold over 5 million copies and a rise to stardom.

For me a must have for your music collection, great album for a car ride and to get you pumped for anything in life. Heck! It just might get you pumped up for your own wedding! Adams sings with sincerity and from the heart. Oh, he did that already with an earlier tune "Straight From The Heart."