There've been a number of noteworthy album releases by some big name artists of late and it's time to give them each their respective reviews. Hopefully you can find a choice that suits you amongst the four albums below. No better time to check out some new tuneage than when you're headed out on the roadways for holiday travel, right? Make sure and drive safe.
Bruce Springsteen: The Seeger Sessions
The Boss is maybe my favorite musical artist of all time, yet his last two albums have left me a little hungry for the ol' E Street Band. Last year's Devils and Dust saw Jersey's hero acoustic and low key as he ruminated on political themes like the war in Iraq and illegal immigration. There wasn't a lot to get excited about it on that release. This time around Bruce has decided to release his first covers album, with not a single new tune on The Seeger Sessions disc. Instead, Springsteen shows his love and affinity for old school folk artist Pete Seeger by rocking out with what sounds like a full country band (not an E Streeter among them). "Ol' Dan Tucker" and "Pay Me Money Down" are kinda fun on the first listen or two (and Bruce sure sounds like he's having a blast) but this isn't going to keep the average rock fan coming back for more. "Buffalo Gals" won't ya come out tonight? Are you serious, Bruce? I'm glad you're enjoying yourself these days, but at some point soon, please give your diehards something to really take to heart. Here's hoping the eagerly awaited E Street finale disc is coming up next....
(2.5 stars outta 5)
Paul Simon: Surprise
It's been five years since Simon dropped the elegant and underrated You're the One. In the interim, he toured with Bob Dylan and teamed up with Brian Eno in the studio. This album is the result, as Simon's smooth voice and poetic lyrics get a cool musical lift from the electronica wizard. As always, Simon's lyrics are filled with irony, as in the openly questioning lead track "How Can You Live in the Northeast?" and "Another Galaxy". The former tackling terrorism phobias with the second focusing on destiny and fate. Alas, the themes remain basically the same for Simon---love, fear, purpose, personal identity---but there's nothing wrong with that. Eno's quirky beats lift Simon's lyrics into a different realm, and it's more than worthwhile hearing the results. Not Graceland or Hearts and Bones by any stretch of the imagination, you have to respect the decision to try something new by one of pop music's all-time greats. This is a quality release by another Jersey native.
(3.5 stars outta 5)
Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam
The Seattle grunge rockers keep it rolling with an eponymous release that's as pure rock 'n roll as anything they've put out in their career. Eddie Vedder's lyrics remain sharp and pointed as he goes after war mongers in cuts like "Worldwide Suicide" and "Marker in the Sand". Mike McCready's guitar expands the group's sonic base once again, as he rises to the challenge and drives it home on tracks about the difficulties facing today's youth like "Life Wasted" and "Comatose". In all honesty, Pearl Jam hasn't sounded this relevant in over a decade. You have to give these rocksters kudos for refinding their swagger after a pretty long hiatus. (The last album of theirs that really mattered was probably 1994's Vitalogy.) Of course, despite its early demise, Nirvana remains the most famous and popular of the Grungester groups, but Pearl Jam has proven to have the best survival skills and just might be the one that matters the most.
(3.5 stars outta 5)
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium
The Peppers continue their smooth transition from hip-hop funksters to mellow guitar rockers with this release. Stadium Arcadium makes three straight albums of strong tuneage and great melody from the California crew. 1999's Californication and 2002's By the Way were high quality releases in their own rights, but this album shows Anthony Kiedis and Flea taking their band to new levels of output---the double disc clocks in at 28 tracks. Guitarist John Frusciante continues to lead the group's new sound with his virtuoso guitar playing front and center. Undoubtedly it's Frusciante's sobriety that has clarified the group's sound during the last eight years and it continues in full effect hear. Standout cuts "Dani California" (with its impressive geographical name checks), "Hey" ( a beautiful sequel to "Under the Bridge") and "C'mon Girl" hang in your head long after the two hours' worth of music has run out. The album has a silly title, no question about that, but the real point here is that the Chili Peppers have solidified their place as one of the most important surviving bands of the past two decades.
(4 stars outta 5)
-JAB
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