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Written by Gregg Shapiro
Aug 12, 2010
Crowded House
“Intriguer” (Fantasy) is a good name for Crowded House’s first studio disc in a few years because it’s always interesting. Beginning with the rocking “Saturday Sun,” CH returns to more familiar sonic territory on “Archer’s Arrows” and “Falling Dove.” But the real intrigue here is the increased use of piano on songs like “Twice If You’re Lucky” and the touch of twang on “Elephants.”
Howard Jones
Howard Jones arrived in 1982 with a new wave haircut and the ridiculously catchy electronic single “New Song.” He had all the markings of a one-hit wonder, but then went on to deliver a string of hits including “Things Can Only Get Better” and “No One Is To Blame.” The decidedly mellow “Ordinary Heroes” (DT), Jones’ first studio album in five years, finds him revisiting recognizable themes and delivering his standard ‘chin up old chap’ message on songs “Straight Ahead,” “Fight On,” and the title tune.
Sting
Sting isn’t the first person to re-imagine his hits in an orchestral setting. The results are unfortunately uneven on “Symphonicities” (Deutsche Gramophone/Cherry Tree). Sure, it’s fun to hear the frenetic Police number “Next To You” in this setting. But “Englishman In New York” (about the late Quentin Crisp) doesn’t sound all that different from the original on “Nothing Like The Sun” (1987). “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” veers towards schmaltz, but the slow simmer of “I Burn For You” (from the 1982 “Brimstone and Treacle”) and the brassy take on “We Work The Black Seam” (from 1985’s “The Dream of the Blue Turtles”) fare somewhat better.
Natalie Merchant
Before she became a successful and popular solo artist in the mid-1990s, Natalie Merchant was the celebrated voice of 10,000 Maniacs. On her fifth and latest solo studio effort “Leave Your Sleep” (Nonesuch), singer/songwriter Merchant turns her attention to the words of others, including poets Gerard Manley Hopkins, e.e. cummings and Ogden Nash for a soothing set of numbers meant to lull listeners of all ages.
Devo
The kooky kings of the American new wave castle, Ohio’s Devo came onto the scene in the fertile musical year of 1978, but it was their 1980 “Freedom of Choice” album, containing their classic smash “Whip It,” that made them household names. Unfortunately, they were unable to recapture that electronically charged spark on subsequent releases. As comeback albums go, “Something For Everybody” (Warner Brothers) is a solid effort. Full of all sorts of contemporary cultural references with a focus on consistent and less-experimental dance beats. Standout tracks include “What We Do,” “Sumthin’” (which owes a debt to “Whip It”), “Later Is Now” and “March On.”
Los Lobos
Beginning with their groundbreaking 1983 EP “…And a Time to Dance” and their full-length major-label debut “How Will The Wolf Survive?,” East L.A.’s Los Lobos gave their fans something to howl about. Last year, the band went Disney for a kid’s record, but have returned full-force with “Tin Can Trust” (Shout Factory). Notable numbers include “Burn It Down,” “West L.A. Fadeaway” and the title cut.
Stan Ridgway
For better or worse, Wall of Voodoo was a sort of Los Angeles version of Devo. Just listen to the band’s massive hit song “Mexican Radio” to see what I mean. WoV front-man Stan Ridgway went on to have a solo career and garnered a cult following, due in part to his distinctive vocal style. As cinematic as ever, Ridgway’s “Neon Mirage” (A440) goes cowboy/western over the course of twelve howdy-pardner tracks, including “This Town Called Fate” and “Lenny Bruce.” Be sure to catch the oasis of “Desert of Dreams” and hip-twister “Turn A Blind Eye.”
a-ha
The massive 1985 hit, “Take On Me,” by Swedish electronic band a-ha was the perfect combination of infectious music/lyrics and groundbreaking video. The trio was also incredibly sexy. Their debut album, “Hunting High and Low” (WB/Rhino), has been reissued in a considerably expanded double-disc set. The release features the original album plus bonus tracks on the first disc and b-sides, demos and rarities on the second. a-ha’s less successful sophomore album also gets the expanded reissue treatment, while the 19-track single disc “The Singles 1984-2004” (WB/Rhino) finally gets a domestic release.
Billy Squier
Billy Squier’s 1981 album “Don’t Say No” (Capitol/Shout Factory) has been reissued in an expanded 30th anniversary edition that includes a pair of live tracks. The original album, featuring the hits “The Stroke,” “In The Dark” and “My Kinda Lover,” is definitely a product of its time, but it holds up well.
