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Written by Gregg Shapiro
Aug 25, 2011
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
On the expanded and re-mastered CD/DVD reissues of The Bad Seeds’ “Let Love In” (1994) and “The Boatman’s Call” (1997), Nick Cave comes off as the Australian Leonard Cohen. Where “Let Love In” balances balladry with bluster, “The Boatman’s Call” is exquisite from start to finish, beginning with the to-hell-with-hallelujah “Into My Arms.” This is utterly essential listening.
The Strokes
The worldly music influence of “Machu Picchu,” the opening track of “Angles” (RCA), suggests The Strokes have been listening to Vampire Weekend (or could that be vice versa?). Regrouping after pursuing solo and side projects, The Strokes sound revitalized on this release. The angle here tilts toward fun, from the bouncy and light “Under Cover of Darkness” to the dance rock of “Two Kinds of Happiness” to the potential dance-floor smash of “Games.” Welcome back, Strokes!
Beady Eye
Anyone possessing the least bit of familiarity with the brawling Gallagher brothers of Oasis knew that the band was doomed. The fact that they lasted as long as they did (15 years or so) is something of a miracle. Liam Gallagher has returned with a new band, called Beady Eye, and a new album, titled “Different Gear, Still Speeding” (Dangerbird). You don’t have to dig deeply to hear the similarities between Gallagher’s previous band and the current one. His distinctive vocals alone have the power to conjure up Oasis. But he sounds – dare I say it? – less snarly and somewhat more at ease.
Pearl Jam
After Pearl Jam’s grunge-metal debut disc, the group veered in a slightly more commercial direction with 1993’s “Vs.” There is still a vocal chord-shredding and head-bobbing rawness to tracks such as “Go,” “Animal” and “Blood.” But then you have “Daughter” and “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” to give you more to ponder. Next up was 1994’s “Vitalogy,” containing the band’s most punk rock cut – “Spin the Black Circle” – alongside rave-ups such as “Whipping,” “Nothingman” and “Better Man.”
Both “Vs.” and “Vitalogy” have been reissued and repackaged in expanded editions, along with the “Live at the Orpheum Theater April 12, 1994” disc, in an Epic/Legacy box set.
Foo Fighters
Out of the premature ashes of Nirvana sprang Foo Fighters, led by Dave Grohl. He’s still “gathering the ashes,” as he sings on “Bridge Burning,” the first track on “Wasting Light” (RCA/Roswell). That’s one of 11 songs that listeners are encouraged to “play at maximum volume.” In the midst of all the FF-style chaos, there’s much radiance, including “Rope,” “Arlandria” and the luminescent “Walk.”
Ben Ottewell
Even if you don’t know the name Ben Ottewell, you’ll probably recognize his voice as the lead vocalist of the British band known as Gomez. Ottewell steps out on his own on “Shapes and Shadows” (ATO). While it’s a pleasant exercise, it’s clearly not meant to be taken as a sign that Gomez fans should worry about the group disbanding.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Since their late 1990s debut, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have been mining the political pop/punk vein. Their latest, “The Brutalist Bricks” (Matador), continues the tradition on tracks such as “Mourning In America,” “Bottled in Cork,” “Buzzing of Bees” and “Last Days.” Leo delivers revolution rock in all its glory.
