New Music: Nothing Compares 2 U

           

Originally recorded for the album "In A Tidal Wave Of Mistery" Capital Cities finally re-released this awesome cover of Sinead O'Connor 1990's smash hit "Nothing Compares 2 U", the original Capital Cities sound covering an awesome single.

New Music: Darkest Lullaby

            

The Leicester band Kasabian have shared the latest single "Darkest Lullaby" of their upcoming album, "Happenings"coming out on July 5, this is the third single spawned from their brand new album, and the video directed by the duo Bedroom finds the band playing characters in a trailer for a fictional ’70s grindhouse B-movie, complete with gunfights, drugs and violence.

Rocktrospectiva: Don Henley's Finest Album "The End Of The Innocence" Turns 35

Released on 27 June 1989, "The End Of The Innocence" was Don Henley's third solo studio album and his last released on Geffen Records, it was also his last solo album before reforming The Eagles, and it would be eleven years before he released another solo project. Considered Henley's finest and best selling album, the album spawned five singles "The End Of The Innocence", "The Last Worthless Evening", "New York Minute", "The Heart Of The Matter" & "How Bad Do You Want It" and featured three top 40 singles "The End of the Innocence", "The Heart of the Matter", and "The Last Worthless Evening".

The End Of The Innocence feature career-defining songs that encapsulate the sound of the late 80s., recorded between 1987 and 1989, is Henley’s third solo album and one of his finest. Though not every track is awesome, the album’s high points are truly exceptional and are most certainly definitive in the sounds of the era, an album to be enjoyable, the songs need to flow and exist cohesively.

While the album’s artwork is reminiscent of the era, the production is timeless and finest with a brilliant level of musicianship, the album opened with "The End Of The Innocence" a magnificent title track and the perfect opener for the album. The piano focus and backbeat rhythm are distinctive but never detract from Henley’s vocals as the mix is textbook perfect and is, subsequently, one of the best songs Henley has ever recorded, next is "How Bad Do You Want It?" picks up the tempo with an upbeat jazzy feel. While the flow from the opening track can be a little jolty, the driving beat, lively horns, and Henley's raspy vocals, How Bad Do You Want It? is one of the more energetic, and purely 80s, songs on the album, "I Will Not Go Quietly" has a heavy rock sound that further traverses the album’s varied musical styles. While some may lament the sonic shifts, none are so alien as to remove one’s attention from the Don Henley experience. Interestingly, however, Axl Rose appears as a backing vocalist, the magnificent "The Last Worthless Evening" slows the tempo, with a country-styled song, it’s a lovely tune nonetheless, "New York Minute" is a great song and while I do wish it was an Eagles’ original, it is here and Henley knocked this song out of the park.  

We're in the middle of the album and "Shangri-La" has a killer tempo that will see you head-bopping and toe-tapping along an enjoyable and sometimes that is all that is required of an album-only tune, "Little Tin God" flows perfectly from Shangri-La as the styles are somewhat similar, but while some may appreciate the reggae feel, many feel it doesn't suit Henley's style. but still, The End Of The Innocence wouldn’t be the same without this tune, "Gimmie What You Got" has a funky groove, catchy chorus, and lively arrangement that makes it a banging tune which compels me to turn the volume up each time it comes on, "If Dirt Were Dollars" is a great song with a killer bluesy rock arrangement to complement Henley’s raw vocal energy. and finally "The Heart Of The Matter" is a lovely song to close the album on, but it does become an earworm; a thoroughly enjoyable one, but an earworm nonetheless. Still, it’s the perfect song that allows for contemplation of the music you’ve just heard while simultaneously encouraging you to play the record again.

The critical were variable but praised the album as one of his finest production, sharply focused lyrical studies of men in troubled transition, from youth to adulthood, innocence to responsibility, the synthesizers expanded his musical palette, with great melodies that allow his poignant lyrices to penetrate

Definitely, this album stands out as not only a timeless work but one that is cohesive and memorable. Yes, it is most certainly an album of the 80s, but its production is so strong that it can still be appreciated by modern audiences. For those with an interest in Henley, the Eagles, or classic rock, The End Of The Innocence is an essential listen.

 

The End Of The Innocence Track List: 

 

1. The End Of The Innocence

2. How Bad Do You Want It

3. I Will Not Go Quietly

4. The Last Worthless Evening

5. New York Minute

6. Shangri-La

7. Little Tin God

8. Gimme What You Got

9. If Dirt Were Dollars

10. The Heart Of The Matter 

Rocktrospectiva: The Confident And Succesful "Cosmic Thing" Turns 35

 

Released on 27 June 1989, "Cosmic Thing" was the fifth studio album by American new wave/alternative band The B-52s., the album reached the No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and spawned five singles "Channel Z", "Cosmic Thing", "Love Shack", "Roam", & "Deadbeat Club", the album was produced by Nile Rodgers and Don Was, and it was the 9th., best-selling album on 1990 in the US alone, also had international success charting in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

 

The album helped the band as a comeback after the death of guitarist songwriter and founding member Ricky Wilson, in 1985, the band was uncertain about their future together, therefore this album had been the band's most expensive to produce, and their foregoing of a tour to promote it resulted in the band seeing little revenue, which led to them experiencing great financial difficulties.

 

Back in 1988, prompted by drummer/guitarist Keith Strickland, the band began to group together and write new songs, the result was so catartic, singer Kate Pierson described this as a healing process for herself and the band after Wilson's death three years prior. Much of the album was written in Woodstock and surrounding areas in upstate New York, a place to which Strickland and Pierson had both relocated during the group's hiatus, and all four members felt a proximity to nature in these places that was not found in their previous home of New York City. The band spent a year writing the songs for this album, this was what the band needed, also, they get rid of their former manager Gary Kurfirst and moved from Warner Bros. to Reprise. 

Strickland took over guitar duties and composition, recorded demos, while Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Fred Scheneider improvise on melodies and lyrics over the recordings, they came out with the autobiographical "Deadbeat Club", about band's early life in Athens, Georgia, "Junebug" came out as a jam along with the whole band, many of the songs on "Cosmic Thing" are about their concerns as the environmentalism more than on previous albums, a light tone, but all grown and matured, "Channel Z" by instance stands s political matter as a band and all the serious and important things that was happening back then. The band biggest hit "Love Shack" was the last song recorded for the album, this was taken from 15-minute unfinished piece the band had created, initially Strickland felt the song was not ready or suitable to be included but Pierson and Schneider tought the contrary. 

 

The first single "Channel Z" released on march 1989, was not commercially succesfull but generated amounts of airplay on college radio, this helped the band to regain the popularity between young people and eventually hit the No. 1 on Modern rock track chart, next was "Cosmic Thing" and the "Love Shack", the radios at first wasn't too enthusiastic, at first it was embraced by college radio and then breakout worldwide reaching No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100, then it comes "Roam" a top 20 hit and "Deadbeat Club" a top 30 hit, this prompted the album to sell strongly specially in the US. 

The critics were good praising the record as touching brave attempt to keep moving away from catastrophe, a remarkable fresh record back then despite still using their classic formula, unlike AllMusic critic that tough the album as a first-class return to form updating their sound with shiny new  surfaces and deep, full of funky groove containing their best set of songs since a long time ago, this record achieved to deliver the band's sound to the mainstream. 

 

Cosmic Thing Track List: 

 

1. Cosmic Thing

2. Dry County

3. Deadbeat Club

4. Love Shack

5. Junebug

6. Roam

7. Bushfire

8. Channel Z

9. Topaz

10. Follow Your Bliss

Rocktrospectiva: The Massive Succesful Bad English Self-itled Album Turns 35

 

Released on 26 June 1989 "Bad English" is the debut studio album by British/American rock band Bad English, the album was a massive success, due to its singles, especially the No. 1 smash hit "When i See You Smile", and the two top 40 hits "Price Of Love" & "Posession", the album spawned another three singles "Don't Walk Away", "Forget Me Not" & "Heaven Is A 4 Letter Word". 

 

Bad English was a combination of several acts, three of the band members already played together in band called The Babys in the 1970s, then the keyboardist Jonathan Cain joined Journey and John Waite started a succesful solo-career, back in 1988 when Journey reached an indefinite hiatus and John Waite wanted to be in a band again, both parts decided to reunite, also they call Neal Schon from Journey and added the drummer Deen Castronovo, and Bad English was born, many people considered the band as a one hit wonder, actually is not like that, they released a bunch of singles still well-remembered until now, back in 1989 they were huge and massive with their singles and videos all over. 

 

The album had full of enough hard driving rock and roll with power chords to please any AOR fan, the album opened with "Best Of What I Got", great opener, bluesy and bombastic with a rhythm section so intense, a hell of track that plays durint the closing credits of the 1989's film "Tango & Cash", next is "Heaven Is A 4 Letter Word", cool riff and guitar solo, with a pretty good sing.alone and chorus line, a pretty good song to jam it, "Possesion" a killer ballad, certainly this band knows how to do it and this is a finest example of it, cool song, melodies, chorus, arrangement, guitar solo and vocal, "Forget Me Not" another cool song with certain heavier sound, one of the album's highlights and absolutelly and 80's banger back then, a curious song based on the Anne Rice books, so the story goes about the vampire trilogies, alright now we have "When I See You Smile" the big single, a timeless power ballad with a Neal Schon great guitar solo with fine and lovely lyrics, now this is a timeless epic power ballad, "Tough Times Don't Last" a rock tune here with a fine intro, the band really rocks here, with chorus and melodies fantastic, a big guitar solo and a fina arragement of the verse, a fine quality track and one of the John Waite's best work here. 

 

Now we go with "Ghost In Your Heart" great bass melodies and cool solo, an eerie sounding intro with a reverb-filled drum, cool song by the way, another cool tune "Price Of Love" you can clearly see and hear that Bad English is not a one hit wonder band, this track managed to reach No. 5 another killer ballad, a brilliant song, not the same way as "When I See You Smile", this sounds different, remember the video with Waite travelling on the top of a bus around the city, a cool great song with John And Neal killing the fades out, "Ready When You Are", now this is a a filler, not so bad it all but not enough powered as the coolest songs on the set, "Lay Down" was the B-side of "Heaven Is A 4 Letter Word", another filler despite it has a great solo, "The Restless Ones", a great hidden gem, the band really knows how the play here, a beautiful perfect song and one of John Waite's finest as a singer, "Rockin' Horse", had a cool riff, bass line and vocal, the band were on fire here, and finally "Don't Walk Away" a clean electric guitar to change some things here, a fantastic production and arragement, with a heavy vocal here. 

 

The critics were fine, considered the best AOR album of the past six months back then, cool rock and roll power chords and great vocals here, a well-balanced, solid, melodic, hard rock with a band at their best with enough quality hooks, a fine way to end of an era, with some decen hard rock here. 

 

Bad English Track List: 

 

1. Best Of What I Got 

2. Heaven Is A 4 Letter Word

3. Possesion

4. Forget Me Not

5. When I See You Smile

6. Tough Times Don't Last 

7. Ghost In Your Heart 

8. Price Of Love

9. Ready When You Are

10. Lay Down

11. The Restless Ones

12. Rockin' Horse

13. Don't Walk Away

New Music: Heavy Heart

          

Swiss singer Paula Dalla Corte, released her brand new power ballad "Heavy Heart" intense sound a straight vision on this video in order to highlight the power and talent of this artist.

Rocktrospectiva: The Massive "Purple Rain" Turns 40

 

Released on 25 June 1984, "Purple Rain" was the sixth studio album by the American singer, Prince, it was released as the soundtrack album to the 1984 film of the same name, the sound is much more denser than Prince's previous albums, for the ocassion the listener can hear multiple layers of guitars, keyboards, electronic synthesizer effects, drum machines, and other instruments, the album spawned five singles ""When Doves Cry", ""Let's Go Crazy", "Purple Rain", "I Would Die 4 U", & "Take Mw With U", the first two reached No. 1, while "Purple Rain" No. 2 and "I Would Die 4 U" No. 8, making the album to reach the No. 1 on Billboard 200.

 

While Prince¡s previous album were solo recordings by himself, this record contained credits under the name of Prince And The Revolution, recorded between July 1983 and March 1984, except for "Baby I'm A Satr" early in December 1981 and "I Would Die 4 U", & "Purple Rain" and the first one were recorded as live track on 3 August 1983, this marked Prince's first album to include live recordings. 

 

Purple Rain was musically denser than Prince's previous albums, emphasizing full band performances, and multiple layers of guitars, keyboards, electronic synthesizer effects, drum machines, and other instruments, and as a soundtrack record, much of the music had a grandiose, synthesized, and even – by some evaluations a psychedelic sheen to the production and performances, regarded as the most pop-oriented record on Prince's career, with a certain elements of more experimental and creative, the artist was always open to anybody trying to contribute creatively to the process of writing but Prince was the main lyricist and melody maker for all the songs, the band members were "absolute musical equals in the sense that Prince respected us, and allowed us to contribute to the music without any interference.

 

Revolution members Fink, Coleman, and Melvoin helped write the album's fourth track "Computer Blue", the full band appears on six tracks: "Let's Go Crazy", "Take Me With U", "Computer Blue", "I Would Die 4 U", "Baby I'm A Star" and "Purple Rain" while the remaining three tracks are essentially solo performances by Prince. Apollonia sings co-lead on "Take Me With U". Three of the tracks include a string section arranged by Coleman and Prince which were conducted by Coleman and Melvoin: "Take Me With U", "Baby I'm A Star", and "Purple Rain". The string players are violin and viola player Novi Novog and cellists David Coleman and Suzie Katayama.

 

The critics ignored the album at the beginning but once this take off, the music critics noted the innovative and experimental aspects of the soundtrack's music, most famously on the spare, bass-less "When Doves Cry", its synthesis of electronic elements with organic instrumentation and full-band performances along with its consolidation of rock and R&B, were identified by critics as distinguishing, even experimental factors, and due this, the album was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry list of sound recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". 

 

Purple Rain Track List:

 

1. Let's Go Crazy

2. Take Me With U

3. The Beautiful Ones

4. Computer Blue

5. Darling Nikki

6. When Doves Cry

7. I Would Die 4 U

8. Baby I'm A Star

9. Purple Rain

Rocktrospectiva: The Fantastic And Underrated "Parade" Turns 40

 

Released on 25 June 1984, "Parade" was the fourth studio album by English new wave band, Spandau Ballet, the banda wanted to sound more louder and open, so Gary Kemp came up with material he felt would be more appropriate for the arenas in which they performed now since they were attracting larger audiences. The whole idea of the title concept was because they would be parading themselves around the world as part of the album's corresponding tour, he hit upon the idea of a parade as the theme of the album and included an international cast of characters taking part in a parade on the album cover. 

 

The album peaked at number No. 2 in the UK spawned four singles "Only When You Leave" the most praise from the pack peaking the No. 3, and then "I'll Fly For You", "Highly Strung" and "Round And Round", but the critics backlashed the album because they found it to be a bland copy of their previous album "True".

 

After finished promotion on their 1983's album "True," the band keep moving with the tandem Tony Swain and Steve Jolley, they had fantastic ideas and a sense of what they had in mind for the next project, but the band wanted to achieved a louder sound of their live performance for this album, so Kemp shifted his writing style to create songs geared toward arenas, also he wanted to continue with songs from a personal nature as he did for "True" instead danceable music, once Kemp finished to write the songs, the band rehearsed for two months, and then come with the recordings in Munich in order to felt that urban feeling more aproppiate for the sound, the sound was more guitar-oriented than before, and according to band, the album finally sound for the first time like truly Spandau Ballet. 

 

The beautiful cover emerged as a way to honored Sgt. Pepper album from the Beatles, so they wanted to put famous people from the 80s., but had not enough time and also it would be too kitsch, instead the band move with David Band who painted a banner of the profile of a man standing and pointing straight ahead with one hand while the other provides a visor for his eyes. The man represented their experience during the True tour of moving forward while being blinded by a shower of accolades, the banner is prominently displayed on the album cover, where it hangs in front of an art deco building. 

 

The critics were variable focused on their instrumental sound and praising the track "Revenge For Love", Highly Strung" as the album landmarks and Hadley vocals most powerful tan ever, Kemp's guitar playing is more evident, with a more crisp sound and the arrangementes are well-executed, basically critics praised "Only When You Leave" as a superb pop track and Hadley emerging as a fine crooner, but on the other hand, certains medias and magazines dismissed the album and compared as a simply mered copy of their previous effort, throught the years, the album emerged as one their most impressive and favourites by band members, Hadley still love it, comparing that period as one of the most stables for the band despite the record wasn't like the band wanted to sound.

 

Parade Track List: 

1. Only When You Leave

2. Highly Strung

3. I'll Fly For You

4. Nature Of The Beast

5. Revenge For Love

6. Always In The Back Of My Mind

7. With The Pride

8. Round And Round

New Music: The Hardest Part

           

The world's first music video made with OpenAI's Sora, "The Hardest Part" is the first single from Washed Out new album "Notes From A Quiet Life", a nice and smooth track, in wich frotman Ernest Greene agreed to collaborate with filmmaker Paul Trillo on the world's first music video to be made entirely using OpenAI's video-generation tool Sora, according to Greene, the video is dizzying, surreal, uncanny, valley-ish tour through the life of a couple, and making some comparison on what it was the early computer animation in Dire Strait's Money For Nothing video in the 1980s., and see what people should think about this new tool that it feels like a natural extension of of some of the other experimental music videos I’ve done in the past.

New Music: Supersad

           

Suki Waterhouse has announced a new double album "Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin'", and this is the first single out of it, and 90s-inspired single "Supersad", according to artist, she tried to write a nineties song you could hear playing at the mall like in Clueless or as an opening track for the film "Legally Blonde", the video was directed by Émile Richard-Froozan.

New Music: Sad Song

           

Singer and Songwriter Martina Armour presents her beautiful brand new single "Sad Song" a nostalgic indie pop track that resonates with complex and mixed emotions we experience when we hear a song like that, deeply personal and that still stir up memories in a relationship, even in its bittersweet end, the song evokes that nostalgia and yearning feelings. The video was directed by Martina herself driving a classic Toyota Pick Up while Martina is picking up several items on the road and playing a cassette tape on the radio just like the old days. 

New Music: Basta Cazzate

           

The French outfit of dance/electronica music Bon Entendeur stayed last summer at the Club Med in Cefalù, Sicily, the outfit transformed the resort into an open-air studio and filmed this single "Basta Cazzatte" their brand new cut from their new third album "Rivages", a fantastic danceable sound to add fun and flavour to your summer, the Mireille Produccion directed the video with memorable encounters and places starring the outfit, the Casty Sister, and many people around, the idea was to share their best anecdotes from this awesome place of inspiration.

New Music: Cherry Blossom

           

Empire of the Sun shared their epic brand new single, "Cherry Blossom" from their forthcoming album "Ask That God", and the third one after "Changes" & "Music On The Radio", it's a song about love and connection to an upbeat pop sound, the video is directed by Micheal Maxxis filmed in Thailand with a lot fun, color and majestic nature, there is a sort of mystic and playful energy combined with the upbeat and uplifting sound. The album will be the first in eight years by Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore members of Empire Of The Sun.

New Music: Favourite

           

Fontaines DC unleashed they're brilliant brand new single "Favourite" taken off their new album "Romance", a single that feels so fresh and yet nostalgic at the same time, acording to bandleader Grian Chatten, this tune has this never-ending sound to it, a continuous cycle from euphoria to sadness, two worlds spinning forever, the video was directed by the band itself made of childhood footage of the band members with clips from their recent trip to Madrid. 

New Music: Actual Daydream

           

Kings Of Leon's "Actual Daydream" delves into the chaotic and often surreal experience of modern life, where reality and illusion frequently blur, the newest track by the American band from their magnificent "Can We Please Have Fun" practically the new album is a superb production wise and bold and with a lot of soul, the video has an ethereal vibe full darks and blue tones producing a hazy shimmering atmosphere. 

Rocktrospectiva: Powerful "The Real Thing" Turns 35

 

Released on 20 June 1989, "The Real Thing" was the third studio album by American band Faith No More, it was the first album to feature singer Mike Patton following dismisall of Chuck Mosley, their previous singer, the album has an eclectic sound combining elements of funk metal, rap metal and alternative rock, spawning five single "From Out To Nowhere", "Epic", "Falling To Pieces", "Surprise! You're Dead" & "Edge Of The World". 

The origins of this breakthrough album comes after the tour for "Introduce Yourself" emerging a demo version of "The Morning After", "Surprise! You're Dead", and then, Mike Patton arrived and finished to wrote the rest of the songs and then recorded them the following month over the music, definitely the last minute recruit of Patton was a plus, adjusting the process so well, his insane wide-ranging musical interest would be great for the record, vibrant riffs, rhythm slams and heavy cool synth sounds worth the listen, fabulous lounge sound vibes on "Edge Of The World" the curious Arabic melodies on "Woodpeckers From Mars", the powerful "Falling To Pieces" astonishing performed by Patton, the intense "Surprise! You're Dead" are amongst the most powerful tracks on the record, but "Epic" has a proper distiction on its own, the timeless single, powerful and bombastic that finished with that touching piano took the band into another level and worldwid popularity, and finally the Black Sabbath cover "War Pigs" is a truly well-crafted cover the audiences took it and love it so much.

The Real Thing, is definitely one of the most successful albums to date in their career, a classic standard between metal fans and critics alike, it was something like a slow-burner, it would took nearly a year to reach the Billboard 200, after the released of "Epic" was when the album peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the kings of neo metal was the perfect accurate for the band, even though the band has a wider sound influence, that was the reason that the genre for the album wa so confusing back then, roaming between funk, metal and rock instrumental with sorts of easy listening, that still sounds fresh and intense 35 years later.

The Real Thing Track List: 

1. From Out Of Nowhere 

2. Epic

3. Falling To Pieces

4. Surprise! You're Dead

5. Zombie Eaters 

6. The Real Thing

7. Underwater Lover

8. The Morning After

9. Woodpecker From Mars

10. War Pigs

11. Edge Of The World

In Memoriam: Actor "Donald Sutherland" Dies At 88

The Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, has died at 88 after a long illness. His son, the actor Kiefer Sutherland, said: "With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film.

Sutherland had almost 200 credits to his name, in a more than half a century career, "Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly". He just loved what he did and did what he loved. Sutherland was born in New Brunswick in 1935. After graduating with degrees in engineering and drama from the Unversity of Toronto, he moved to London to start his acting career. 

He had small roles in Italian and British films, before making his feature film debut in the 1964 movie "Castle of the Living Dead." His breakthrough role as Vernon Pinkley in the 1967 film "The Dirty Dozen" catapulted Sutherland to his first starring role in the hit film "M*A*S*H.!, He was a man with a strong presence, a brilliance in his craft and truly, truly a great Canadian artist.

The 1970s also saw him play an IRA member in The Eagle Has Landed, a pot-smoking college professor in National Lampoon's Animal House and the lead in the 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and the iconical "Kelly's Heroes" alongside Telly Zabalas and Clint Eastwood playing the role of the weirdo Sargeant Oddball.In the 1980s, Sutherland played the father of a suicidal teenager in the Oscar-winning "Ordinary Peopl"e.

He turned to television in the 2000s, appearing in such series as Dirty Sexy Money and Commander-in-Chief., despite his numerous roles, he was never nominated for an Oscar. He did receive an honorary Academy Award in 2017. Sutherland was known for his political activism throughout his career, and protested against the Vietnam war alongside Fonda.

Over the last years. he also channelled his beliefs into some of his roles, including The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, where he played the tyrannical President Snow. His Memoir, "Made Up, But Still True", is due to be published in November.

Rocktrospectiva: Prince's "Batman" Soundtrack Album Turns 35

Released on 20 June 1989, "Batman" was the soundtrack album and the eleventh studio album by American artists, Prince, his involvement in the soundtrack was designed to leverage the media company's contract-bound talent as well as fulfill the artist's need for a commercial revival. The bet result into another multi-platinum successful album. The soundtrack spawned five singles "Batdance", "Partyman", "The Arms Of Orion", "Scandalous!", & "The Future". 

The soundtrack album stayed at number one on the Billboard 200, and it was Prince's No. 1 album since "Around The World In A Day", and the single "Batdance" his first No. 1 since the single "Kiss". Recorded in six weeks, from mid-February to late March 1989,the artist used also three tracks he had bfore "Electric Chair", "Scandalous!" and "Vicki Waiting", some rumours saind the tracks "1999" and "Baby I'm A Star" from earlier albums were slated to bu usde in the film, but Prince changed that and focused in material related with the topic, back in 2010 during an interview with Rolling Stone magazina, the soundtrack was initially supposed to be a duet colaboration between he and Michael Jackson, Jacko was Batman and Prince the Joker, then Prince would have played funk songs for the villains, while Michael ballads for the heroes. 

 

Obviously this never came true due Jackson's commiments with Bad World Tour, and signed with Epic label, while the film was under production. The album was performed entirely by Prince with a few exceptions with Sheena Easton performing on "The Arms Of Orion", "Trust" features a sampled horn part by Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss, and "The Future", features strings by Clare Fischer, "Batdance" includes a sample of Prince's technician Matthew Larson, and "Partyman", features a vocal from Anna Fantastic, Prince's former girlfriend.  

 

All the dialogue sampled on the album, is taken directly from a workprint of Batman, especially noticeable in the beginning of the first track, "The Future", with dialogue of Michael Keaton speaking as Batman. The lyrics of each song are associated with one of the characters in the film: "The Future" and "Scandalous" are credited to Batman; while "Electric Chair" and "Trust" are credited to the Joker. "Vicki Waiting" is sung from the perspective of Bruce Wayne, while "Lemon Crush" comes from Vicki Vale; the two characters share the duet, "The Arms of Orion". "Partyman" was inspired by Prince's first meeting with Jack Nicholson (out-of-character) on-set, Batdance", whose lyrics consist mostly of samples from the film, is credited to all aforementioned parties, as well as Gemini, Prince's Batman-centric alter ego that resembles Batman villain Two-Face—Prince on the right half of the body and the Joker on the left. Prince himself is credited with singing two lines of the album as himself: "Who do you trust if you can't trust God? Who can you trust—who can ya? Nobody" in "Trust"; and the word "Stop!" that ends "Batdance".

 

The album marked a change in Prince's appearance, he switched out the elaborate costumes, polka dots and lace for much simpler attire, usually donning dark blue/black clothing and "Batman" boots. The artist's hair was fully straightened from his signature wavy curls, as shown in the "Batdance" video and his songs in the soundtrack suggest a goofy, perverse, sensuous, somewhat introverted Batman film that so far we've never gotten from anyone.

Rocktrospectiva: Succesfully "Soul Provider" Turns 35

Released on 19 June 1989, "Soul Provider" was the sixth studio album by American artist Michael Bolton, the album was the most successful on Bolton's career selling more than 12.5 million copies worldwide, the album spawned five singles "Soul Provider", "How Am I Supposed To live Without You", "How Can We Be Lovers?", ""When I'm Back On My Feet Again" & "Georgia On My Mind", helping the record to hit No. 3 on Billboard 200 and spent almost four years on the chart.

Bolton produced most of the record himself and teamed up with heavy romantic rock ballad writers back then such as Diane Warren & Desmond Child, also included the R&B cover by Ray Charles's "Georgia On My Mind", also he reclaimed the brilliant power ballad "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You" from Laura Branigan, on his voice this song swept the charts and airwaves worldwide, the result of this ingredients were five top 40 hits and millions of copies sold, even thought you hate it or not, his voice was now taking up the romantic listeners worldwide, which was cool back then, remember that this was the record that turn Bolton into a massive huge star and probably is the most accurate of his career. 

Even though the album doesn't really offered much in terms of lyrically, this album stand alone beacause features many of Bolton's strongest original song, three remarkable tracks you can find here, "Soul Provider", "Whem I'm Back On My Feet Again" & "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You", the classic "Georgia On My Mind" that gave the feeling on Bolton's performaces, solid and soulful, and definitely his vocal Grammy award for "How Am I Supposed To Live Without you" was well-deserved because Bolton sing it with passion like no one else on this, and not like Laura Branigan did on this song.

Although the album is cool, it does have manu imperfections, many songs are about being in love or breaking up and nothing else, so don't try find something deeper here cause you won't find it, I think the perfect accurate on this record is that propelled Bolton's career, is the strongest and the best to listen from his catalogue.  

 

Soul Provider Track List: 

1. Soul Provider 

2. Georgia On My Mind

3. It's Only My Heart

4. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You

5. How Can We Be Lovers?

6. You Wouldn't Know Love

7. When I'm back On My Feet Again

8. From Now On

9. Love Cuts Deep

10. Stand Up For Love

11. Forever Eyes

Rocktrospectiva: The Inventive "Who's Afraid Of Art Of Noise" Turns 40

 

Released on 19 June 1984 "Who's Afraid Of Art Of Noise" was the debut studio album by English avant-garde synth pop band Art Of Noise, the album spawned three singles "Beat Box", "Close (To The Edit)", & "Moments In Love", the album reached No. 27 on the UK charts and No. 85 on Billboard 200, the album is considered a techno-pop classic that encapsulates the popularity of synthesizer and popular music in 1984, as a dawn of new pop sensibility where sequencers, samplers and drum machines made the day. 

 

This is such an experimental rock and new wave both, too brash and innovative, a groundbreaking record, entertaining and cutting-edge in many ways, because back then, it was considered as an album trully inventive, reasonably danceable, and what contemporary listeners back then, thought it would be the sound of the future. 

 

One of the most remarkable tracks is still "Close (To The Edit)", a strong funk groove with a certain sense of humor in the vocals, part of the thrill and amusement on this record is the sense of juxtaposition and sound playing around, something that was and still not common in pop music, the political "A Time For Fear (Who's Afraid)" is fantastic, and the abstrack "How To Kill" achieved same levels of sampling, slams and sonic beats with a serene orchestration, "Beat Box" captures heavy grooves with quirky vocals bits and curious gloomy, with patented Trevor Horn orchestral stabs and the gently arrangements from Anne Dudley's vibes, and this is something palpable in the brilliant "Moments In Love" which probably is the most triumphantly track here, a strange instrumental tune that still resonates today, an 80's., standard classic. 

 

The album had brilliant critic, considered a frightening album, innovative, danceable and groubreaking for the 1984 standards, the music here is thrilling inventive, reasonably,danceable, and with interesting cuts of love, dance, politics and laugh too. 

 

Who's Afraid Of Art Of Noise Track List: 

 

1. A Time For Fear (Who's Afraid)

2. Beat Box (Diversion One)

3. Snapshot

4. Close (To The Edit)

5. Who's Afraid (Of The Art Of Noise)

6. Moments In Love

7. Momento

8. How To Kill

9. Realization

Rocktrospectiva: The Criminally Underrated "Protest Songs" Turns 35

Released on 19 June 1989, "Protest Songs" was the fourth studio album by Englisn sophistipop band Prefab Sprout, the album features minimal production style and released no singles, due this was to be released on Decemebre 1985 as a follow-up to the bands critically acclaimed second album "Steve McQueen"/"Two Wheels Good", but it was put on hold for commercial reasons and the band then moved on to their 1988's "From Langley Park To Memphis", the album reached No. 18 on the UK Albums chart. 

After the critical and commercial success of "Steve McQueen" Paddy McAloon felt under pressure to deliver a worthy follow-up, so he solved to record a new one using limited production in late 1985, so McAloon then described the album a down-to-earth record, his title "Protest Songs", recorded over 12 days in Newcastle upon Tyne under relaxed session, the original released date was December 2, 1985. 

But there was a fear about this record could affect the sales and loss profit on "Steve McQueen" so the label decided to shelving the record, leaving then fans without a proper follow up for nearly three years until March 14th, 1988 when "From Langley Park To Memphis" came out, the record then remained in the archives for about four years but a fistful of copies mamaging. to get into the hands of bootlegger's who widespread it in the UK.

Curiously, "Protest Songs" did what "From Langley Park To Memphis" couldn't, offered a proper sequel to "Steve McQueen", this record is arguably as good as the first one, delivered a similar sound as its predecessor without the definitive sound of "Steve Mcqueen", the record offered nostalgia, heartbreak and irony, the desolate "Dublin" is a perfect example about the IRA and its methods of spreading propaganda, "Tiffany's" an older song who has this fine tasty jangle pop, "Diana" is about the Princess of Wales weaving stories of jealousy and betrayal, "Talking Scarlet" is about a love story between the narrator and Scarlet, "Pearly Gates" is a desolately beautiful song in its wake, and vibrant and joyful "Life Of Surprises" which is in fact the only track to represent the album on the 1992 compilation of the band and also had a video.

The album never received the same praised as "Steve McQueen", no singles were released, and it's incredible but this is an album ignored by all die hard fans of the band, no wonder why?, despite following the same template and lyrical subject to "Steve McQueen", but things tend to change, and practically I think is just a matter of time before the greatness of "Protest Songs" will be discovered appealing for a new generation that can enjoy and appreciate this gem for sure. 

Protest Songs:

 

1. The World Awake

2. Life Of Surprises

3. Horsechimes

4. Wicked Things

5. Dublin

6. Tiffany's 

7. Diana

8. Talking Scarlet

9. 'Til The Cows Come Home

10. Pearly Gates

Rocktrospectiva: The Fairly "Breaking Hearts" Turns 40

 

Released on 18 June 1984, "Breaking Hearts" was the 18th., studio album by English musician Elton John, it would be the last album to feature all core members of the Elton John Band line up, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson, making four top 40 singles "Sad Songs (Say So Much)", "Who Wears These Shoes" and "In Neon", and finally the top 5 in the UK "Passengers".  

"Breaking Hearts" was also the first album to not feature a string or horn section on any track, and one of the two records that features the unofficial member Ray Cooper. The album was built it from the success of his previous album "Too Low For Zero", Elton John retained his classic quartet, and reunited with Bernie Taupin in order to attempt a musical resurrection of their early-to-mid 70's sound, although this is on his most consistent efforts during his half decade on Geffen Records between 1981-1986.

 

The album has nice tracks, focusing on the hits "Who Wears These Shoes" and the top 5 "Sad Songs (Say So Much)", a confident and joy song that Elton still performs until now, both are truly massive, but you have some others like the oftenly over look track such as "L'il Refrigerator" a truly rocker, "Restless" is one of the most heavy and groovy track on the record, "In Neon" is a fine track and the reggae-dub influenced "Passengers" in one of the best tracks well-deserved to be played in Adult Contemporary radio format, and finally the underrated "Breaking Hearts "(Ain't What It Used To Be)", but the majority of the LP is indistinguishable from much of his mid 1980s and early 1990s catalogue. 

 

The new technologies available for Elton John helped a lot, it was total change, they had drum machines that recorded everything inmediately, so practically it tooks no more than two weeks to finish the record, the album finally consolidated the success of the previous "2 Low 4 Zero" elevating Elton John to an upper echelon on the charts all over the world.

Breaking Hearts Track List: 

 

1. Restless
2. Slow Down Georgie (She’s Poison)
3. Who Wears These Shoes?
4. Breaking Hearts (Ain’t What It Used To Be)
5. Li’l ’Frigerator

6. Passengers

7. In Neon
8. Burning Buildings

9. Did He Shoot Her?

10. Sad Songs (Say So Much)

New Music: Ronnie

           

The Mancunian band Picture Parlour released their brand new single "Ronnie" from their EP "Face In The Picture" the track is heavy and full of distortion that represents the essence of this brand new band, with a simple black and white video portraying the singer and guitarrist altogether with the remaining members joined at the very end, definitely a track you should listen carefully, believe me, you won't regret about it.

New Music: Missing Out

           

Maya Hawke's brand new single "Missing Out" straight out of her third album "Chaos Angel", it's a melacholy ode to missing out on normal, accompanied by a video directed by Trevor Tweeten, in where the artists/actress appears on prime focus singing the tune and below the video supplements the lyrics.

Rocktrospectiva: The Seminal "Bleach" Turns 35

 

Released on 15 June 1989, "Bleach" was the debut studio album by American alternative rock band, Nirvana, it was Nirvana's only album released on the Sub Pop label and their only studio album to feature drummer Chad Channing, the album spawned two singles "Love Buzz" and "Blew". The album originally did not chart but was well received by critics, following the breakthrough success of the band's second album "Nevermind", "Bleached" peaked at No. 89 on the Billboard 200, No. 33 on the UK albums chart and No. 34 on the Australia chart, turning into the Sub Pop's best-selling album to date.

 

Like a fairytale, the band practically had no chance of anything, even Sub Pop label was doubtful to hire them at the beginning, but they decided to gave them a chance under the condition the band pay for the production, so they began the recordings between December 1988 and January 1989, it was a simple record session cause the band were in there for just five hours at the studio on Christmas eve and then comeback three days later to finish everything on New Year's Eve.

The songs were described as deliberately bleak, claustrophobic, and lyrically sparse, with none of the manic derangement or sense of release of the live performance", the sound was heavily influenced by Seattle sludge metal scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, some others describe the sound of various songs as folk influenced melody with certain Led Zeppelin rhythm, about the lyrics, most of them are about my life in Aberdeen, but as Cobain said once in 1993: "I didn't give a fuck what the lyrics were about" and many of them were written the nigh before recording, some songs like "Mr. Moustache" were inspired by Cobain's dislike of macho behaviour, "School" was a critique of Seattle music scene and Sub Pop. 

The single "Love Buzz" was a cover of the bizarre dutch rock band Shocking Blue, "About A Girl" was a dedication to Cobain's former girlfriend, a little bit pop sound but catchy at once, "Blew" was another cool one alongside "Been A Son" and "Stain", the reflective "Negative Creep" was another essential an all-time favourite in the band's playlist amongst fans. The album had certain curiosities, Dale Crover of the Melvins played the drums originally, but then, the band decided to use Chad Channing but he had certain issues during the recordings with "Floyd The Barber", "Paper Cuts" and "Downer" and the band didn't like it, so they decided to remixed Crover recordings, another musician was Jason Everman, he put the $606 the band needed to finish the recording sessions, so he joined the band as a second musician but then due the lack of afinity, he quitted the band but remains on the album credits. 

The album was about to be called "Too Many Humans"  but then it was renamed "Bleach" after Cobain found and AIDS prevention poster while Nirvana was driving through San Francisco, featuring the slogan "Bleach Your Works", and the cover was photographed by Cobain's former girlfriend Tracy Marander during a concert at the Reki Muse art Gallery in Olympia, Washington.

Bleach did not sell well but received positive rewiews from critics, some called this is the biggest, baddest sound from Sub Pop, so primitive that they manage Mudhoney to sound like Genesis, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth was impressed by the album, called completely melodious but also punk vibes, and this was the inspiration the band use to record "Goo" in 1990,  the album defined the entire decade of the 90's, and this was the essence and their most essential record of their catalogue. 

Bleach Track List:

1. Blew 

2. Floyd The Barber

3. About A Girl

4. School

5. Love Buzz

6. Paper Cuts

7. Negative Creeps 

8. Scoff

9. Swap Meet

10. Mr. Moustache

11. Sifting

New Music: Ballerina Radio

          

Kings Of Leon's on fire, now they're back again with this smooth and touchy single "Ballerina Radio" one of the most brilliant tracks from their brand new album "Can We Please Have Fun", you can noticed the vulnerability of Caleb's at the beginning of the track and then the smooth dancing with the guitar and the rest of the band joined him, the melancholy synthesizers in the chorus, the guitar sounds and the final part of the video makes this, the most outstanding track of the album.

Rocktrospectiva: The Smooth Sexy-Classy "Heart Shaped World" Turns 35

Released on 13 June 1989, "Heart Shaped World" was the third studio album by rockabilly heartthrob Chris Isaak, it was the artist breakthrough album featured the smash single "Wicked Game". The album spawnd three singles "Wicked Game", "Don't Make Dream About You" & "Spanish Blue Sky", and reached No. 10 on Billboard 200, the single "Wicked Game" reached No. 6 on Billboard top 100. 

The album was originally released in the summer of 1989, and reached No. 149 on Billboard 200, but things were about to change, when Lee Chesnut music director in WAPW in Atlanta played the song "Wicked Game" over two weeks constantly after hearing and instrumental version on the soundtrack from the 1990 David Lynch film "Wild At Heart", so couple of years later, the single was re-released and this propelled the album straight to top 10 in USA, the video for the single filmed in black and white amd featured topless diva Helena Christensen and a shirtless Isaak on the beach became a landmark and it shown on heavy rotation on MTV.

Chris Isaak was no new to music, he released two albums before "Silvertone" in 1985 and "Chris Isaak" in 1987 but despite the good critics and merit, there was no commercial breakthrough, according to artist: "We got some radio play before, and I don't really feel slighted because most of the people I like who are getting a lot of play have six albums out or so,” back in June 1989, so this is only my third album. I just figure if I keep doing stuff that I like, eventually I'll find people that like it too. The tough thing about radio is I've met a lot of people in it who like my music. But it's hard for them to figure out how to play what they like when there's somebody up above them yelling 'you have to play this.' It's weird. I'll go to radio stations and the deejay will say, 'I can't play your record, but will you autograph it?'”

As a sort kind of prophecy, and even in spite his brand new album received good critics, originally only reached no more than No. 149 on the Billboard 200, so Isaak's label Reprise was about to retire any support on it, and his contract was under risk, the finest "Don't Make Me Dream About You" did little on the ariwaves, and after just ten weeks, the album dissapeared from the charts, son Isaak and his bandmates were back in the studio within a year to begin a new recording, so all in a sudden, Isaak become succesful overnight, "Wicked Game" reached the No. 6 on top ten and the album reached No. 7 early in April 1991.

But besides this heavy sexy track, the album is beautiful, Isaak aching vocal and a desolate sound underneath a drumm loop, a simple bass line and muted background vocals to create a haunting vibe, "Wicked Game" remain as an isolation and regret track until now, but you also have "In The Heat Of The Jungle" a curious six-minute jam between Isaak, Wilsey and the bassist Rowland Sally and the drummer Kenney Dale Johnson, the vibrant power ballad "Don't Make Dream About You" is a fantastic standard on its own.

The emotional "Diddley Daddy" so playful and tasty, "Forever Young" optimistic with its rapid two-step beat and fine guitar riff, the emotionals "Nothing's Changed" and "Kings Of The Highway", are enough rockabilly to captivate audiences, "Blue Spanish Sky" is a dramatic ballad, so slow and sad, and the distant trumpet solo give chills to audiences, it was supposed to performed by Chet Baker, but the trumpeter died in May 1988.

Probably the most enduring impact this album had on Isaak is that allowed the artist to remain authentically for years, an outsider and with image too uncommon to be a part of the common pop scene, but this album was the spark that powered Isaak to many opportunities, play roles on films and television: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Friends, Little Buddha, and his own "The Chris Isaak Show", finally "Heart Shaped World provide Isaak a unique embodiment of Americana style, achieving recognition and affection on his own.  

Heart Shaped World Track List: 

 

1. Heart Shaped World

2. I'm Not Waiting

3. Don't Make Me Dream About You

4. Kings Of The Highwat

5. Wicked Game

6. Blue Spanish Sky

7. Wrong To Love You

8. Forever young

9. Nothing's Changed

10. In The Heat Of The Jungle

11. Diddley Daddy