Not Another Broken Heart

There comes a time when you buy an album and after 5 spins on the cd player, mp3 player or what ever listening device you have, you finally see why the album was popular at the time of its release and why that album will stand the test of time. First off, I want to set the record straight: I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought this album and didn't know what to expect. I also want to say I never really cared for the band Yes. That was until I heard a song at work called "I've Seen All Good People", I instantly loved the jingle jangle guitar work and the layered vocals. I had to know who was the band/singer of the song and found it to be the band Yes. I wanted to hear more of the layered vocals and odd instrumentation. Because of this I pulled their "90125" album out again to hear what I found I liked about this rock band.

"90125" is/was the start of a new beginning for the group and the return of former vocalist Jon Anderson, who quit back in 1979 and the introduction of new member Trevor Rabin on guitars/vocals/keys. This was also their turn to use the synths and keyboards to the best of their knowledge and combine it with their rock roots to make an album that was radio friendly and a hit with fans and with new listeners.

Of course everyone loved "Owner Of A Broken Heart" which I think gets a bit repetitive. Don't get me wrong! I like the song but there is only so much of it I can take. The other songs that made it to radio and on the charts are "Hold On" which plays like a down trodden track that you should listen to when you need a good friend to pick you up. This is one of my favorites on this album. "It Can Happen" leaves an oriental image in my head with the oriental sound in the intro of the song. I like this song as it is a message for you to open your eyes to what could be and what is happening to your life. "Changes" I remember hearing on the radio when I was little and has an eerie feeling to it. The song is about how you take the changes in your life and how the things you do can affect not only you but others around you. "Leave It" is a fun song full of the stuff that everyone can recognize as being "80's" I think everyone can figure out what this song talks about, taking what you can and leave the rest behind. Funny thing about this song, the first time I heard it brought back a memory. I remember hearing this song on the radio, the tv being on and seeing Gumby on the screen. So now whenever i hear it I think of the fun toys the 80's brought us. Also as a bit of trivia, this song had a video for it as that was the popular thing to do as a musician/band in the '80's. Actually this song has 15 videos made by Godley and Cream who were responsible for a lot of popular videos back then.

The other songs on this album are classics as well in their own right. "City of Love" is awesome as it sounds like it is a slowed down cousin song of Starship's "We Built This City" as the guitars take precedence over the keys and synths. When the keys come in the song, they aren't over the top. The cool deepness to the guitars and the cheeriness of the keys are a good combo. The vocals are strong and tight and I like that. One of the best songs on this album.
The track "Hearts" closes the album on a tender note, may it be considered the 'ballad' on the album since there really are no ballads. Also "Cinema" is the only instrumental song on the album.

Overall the album is a 4 out of 5 stars for me. All the songs are great, but 2 that are not standouts like others. I think the band faired very well with Jon Anderson returning and getting ex-Buggle/Art of Noise member Trevor Horn to join the band and produce the album to make it an album from the eighties well worth having in your collection.

Love Is Dead

Some might say that Kerli sounds like the same pop stars of today singing about losing in love and hating the world. I don't think so. She made this album about coming out of that hate/depression and seeing everything for what its really worth: and I like that. It's a breath of fresh air. She is a gothic pop rocker who invokes a bit of bjork in her voice and the familiarity of something yet to come. Not all the songs seem that dark and sad but she does leave you with a sense of pride and self reliance when she is singing about being strong and not giving into all that dark stuff. That is shown in the song "The Creationist" when you need to know that the sun will come out and to make the best of what you have. Don't be afraid to outshine others. But let's not jump to far into the album, let me start with the opening song and single "Love Is Dead" which tells you the harsh reality that hits when someone just isn't in love with you. Sort of in your face during the chorus "Love is dead, love is gone, love don't live here anymore" but also she sounds so sincere when singing something that can be sad and angry at the same time.

"Walking On Air" brings about a darkness but fun to sing along to. Vivid imagery. Light string arrangement in the song makes the song feel floaty even with the pop beats and synth bass, which I absolutely love. Near the end of the song at the bridge, she shows her bjorkness. :P

One song I haven't made heads or tails of is "Up,Up,Up" which has a strange whispered voice repeating the lyrics Kerli has sung. I think it's a beautiful song. I really don't know if it's supposed to have that affect; may not be her strongest and bit out of place on this album. I really don't care, I still enjoy this song.

"Beautiful Day" sounds like it could have been produced by Timbaland, you know that signature sound of his. Radio friendly hit right here folks. This should get some airplay to propel this fantastic artist from Estonia. Speaking of Estonia, you get to know Kerli more by listening to "Creepshow" which is my least liked song. Not that its bad, it just starts to get on my nerves. Maybe it will grow on me the more I listen. I think of Siouxsie Sioux when I hear the song.

"Hurt Me" has a awesome drum beat that I wish I could play. An angry song with a killer chours. This is a song that's worth hearing in concert to jump and pump your fist to. Someone out there,please make a remix of this song!

"Strange Boy" is another drum song. I think this song could have made it on a Inxs album. There is just something about the instrumentation that makes me feel that it would be a song fit for them. I wish we still had Michael Hutchinson with us so I could hear him and the boys rock a song like this.

The one thing that would have made this album even better is the song "She's In Parties" which was released on her E.P."Kerli", please everyone go out and find this song and support this girl. It is too cool and a crazy Kerli song which fun. She really must be a new generation Bjork for the kids these days. I sure hope she makes more music like this. This is what she is good at and makes it her own. She writes all of her music which is a plus.

Kerli from Estonia, please don't be sad anymore, we love you. :)

Thriller

From the words of Michael Jackson's song, I really "wanna be startin' something" different when I start to write a review on his
album "Thriller" but what can I say that someone hasn't already written already? All I can say is what this album makes me feel and the songs that I enjoy. To share my thoughts, feelings and memories. So that's what I plan on writing.

I guess I will start off by addressing the very first song "Wanna Be Startin' Something". What a great song to start an album and I think so because of the drum and bass lines in their rhythm that catches my attention. I usually listen to it so attentively that I forget to listen to Michael. The lyrics are simple and fun to sing along to. Within the lyrics we see that you don't want to be messin' with Mr. Jackson, only if you wanna be startin' something. We also get a glimpse of Billie Jean before we get to the song of the same name. Some people might get tired listening of the same lyrics for 6 minutes but it gets better when we get to the climax of a change of lyrics at 4:44 into the song, "Ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa" and no instrumentation for 32 seconds before the instruments return and fade out.


"Baby Be Mine" wasn't my favorite song when I first heard it but that was a long time ago. Now hearing it again brings back memories and a whole new love for the song. What I love about this song is the synth-bass line which makes it a staple of R&B music and the smooth sexiness to it. The song picks itself up with the addition of a horn section which makes it more fun to listen to. I am not a huge fan of horn sections in songs but only if its written right for a song and here it gives the song flavor.

I am not going to get into the next three songs cause they are the three that made the record sell. We pick up the middle with the singles "Thriller" "Beat It" and "Billie Jean". What can I say that would do these songs justice? Not much, so I will say that I admire whatever inspiration these songs gave others to write and perform. These songs will become classics down the road.

"Human Nature" is an interesting song. This song wasn't even one song considered to be on the album but according to Q. Jones, they needed another "ballad/soft song" for the record to round it out. They picked this song because of the signature "why why, da da da da da , why why." it was then that Jones sent the song to John Bettis to write lyrics for the tune that Steve Pocaro of Toto had written. Now for me this song is the most innocent sounding song on this album. This song has always had a sadness or loneliness to it. For me the first time I can clearly remember hearing this song on the radio was when I was really little and I thought to myself that it was very sad it me. I didn't understand then and I still don't know why I still feel that way when I hear it. I think this track is one of the most amazing songs Michael has recorded.

The last upbeat song "P.Y.T" (Pretty Young Thing), is fun and catchy. Our P.Y.T's on this album include sisters Janet and Latoya Jackson, Becky Lopez and Bunny Hull. There is a great breakdown with Michael and the ladies singing back and forth. Near the end of the song we get a vocoder making Michael's voice sound like Alvin of the Chipmunks.

I can see why this album did so well during its time. Not only was it a Pop album but one with R&B, Dance and Rock rolled into one nice package that everyone could enjoy.

And Then There Were Three

So after a while of being a foursome, the band went to three members. Mike, Tony and Phil were on their own and on their way to stardom. All they did was release one of the biggest selling albums during 1986 which spawed 5 singles and sold out concerts every night. But we aren't talking about that album, we are talking about the one that started to bring them into
the US audience, that album "And Then There Were Three" to be released in 1979, their 9th studio album.

Granted "ATTWT" only had one single to hit the US charts - "Follow You Follow Me" but it was when touring the album had other highlights to listen to. People thought they were selling out as most of the songs were any where from being 3 to 4 minutes in length and those people were hoping for the long drawn out songs that became anthems to them. The saving grace was of course the brilliance in Mr. Tony Banks's musical keyboarding skills. I think out of any songs, Tony's are always the stronger ones. Tony has always been the driving force of Genesis. Don't get me wrong, I like Phil and Mike as well, but to me Tony is the quiet one but still has some power driven songs. But of course this is my opinion. With that said I think I will go straight into the songs.

The opening song "Down and Out" sounds like it jumps off beat several times while listening to it. Phil is great with his drum work and this goes to show how fancy and creative he can get within a song without the beat being repetitive like so many other songs sounding alike.

Dropping down a bit to a slower pace is a Tony Banks piece and you know that 'its gonna get better'. (Yes, I just said that and any Genesis fan would have spotted that out as the title to a song off their 1983 self titled album. ) "Undertow" is a masterpiece and the first song that shows Tony hasn't given up on the Genesis we all know and love. The song trying to tell you never give up despite the hand you are dealt, you make the most of what you have and keep going. The piano and bass come together to make this song soar. Mike's bass plays a rolling progression during the chorus which is just gentle for the ears but enough to make you feel the emotion the other instruments are playing out. My all time favorite song.

The band picks up the pace again with "Ballad of Big" a rocking song. Another favorite of mine, goes to show that even though their songs have gotten shorter they make up with the change of instrumentation within the song. If you don't know what I mean, look at the song "Land of Confusion" where there is the break in the song where it changes mood and tempo near the end before launching into the last verse.

"Snowbound" is the first Rutherford piece we are privy to. Back down to the sentimental side we get a song that sounds like it picked up where "Undertow" had ended. I love the guitar we hear picking its way into the song. Sometimes I feel Mike's guitar playing gets hidden behind Mr. Banks's work. Here it doesn't do that. We get a even amount of playing on both sides.

"Burning Rope" is familiar sounding after the long intro. Like a precursor to "Me and Sara Jane". Which is why i love this song so much. Anyone want to guess who's song this belongs to? Yes, a Banks piece. Yet again the genius at work again. And don't forget to notice this is one of the more length worthy songs.

I hate how Mike Rutherfords's songs don't get much acclaim as Phil's or Tony's. This one "Deep In The Motherlode" really suprised me. I thought of Tony right away and soon found this to be all Mike. I find this song to be moving and sad during the lyrical part 'Go West Young Man, like your family said.' before launching into a instrumental break. Follow your heart and what it brings you - the gold rush, is exactly what Mike was going for.

"Many Too Many" shows you when you think you have it all someone or something can take it all away and lead you astray.
Tony sure makes his mark with this and many other of his songs. Not much to say other than its a middle of the road type song with the high point being the chours.

All the other songs are just as good and that's why I am going to shorten this blog a bit to say that the album is worth buying.
I can't write the words I'd like to because the music just leaves me speechless. It is nice to note that Mike Rutherford is the lyricist for "Follow You Follow Me" - the song that started to bring them into American's eyes. Thanks Mr. Rutherford! You are wonderfully talented and deserve huge praise. For all you out there reading this, esp the Genesis fans, I know you are looking at me with bug eyes wanting to know what I think of the other songs the close the album. Write me if you are that desperate to know.