Rocktrospectiva: The Powerful "Big Music" Turns 10

Released on 31 October 2024, "Big Music" was the 16th., studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, the album spawned three singles "Honest Town, "Let The Day Begin", & "Midnight Walking".

The story of the album began in the days of their previous studio album "Graffiti Soul", according to Jim Kerr, the band had a lot of ideas at the moment, so the chance to write two albums simultaneously was something for real, indeed several tracks were omitted from "Graffiti Soul" the vibe full of passion, power, raw urgency and vitality was a plus. 

The retunr of Mel Gaynor to drums brougth a familiar propeller to band itself, this aided a lot the classic foundation of Charlie Burchill on guitars and Andy Gillespie on synths supporting Kerr's roaring voice, so this album practically finds the band as a complete circle, gaining inspiration from 1979 rediscovering the urgency of certain record such as "Empires And Dance" & "Sons And Fascination", but instead to recreated they just integrated with the guitar-focus on works suchs as "NEw Gold Dream", "Sparkle In The Rain" and "Once Upon A Time" and you can notice this on three tracks such as "Blindfolded", "Midnight Walking" and "Imagination" draw inspiration on the band's 1982-1985 period full of big beats and drums programming with and edgy guitar. 

Jim Kerr's phrasing and trademark voice is remarkable on "Honest Town" which was written by Iain Cook of Chvrches, "Someone Somewhere In Summertime" is brilliant with Kerr pulsating narrative through the track, "Blood Diamonds", the other Cook written by Cook, gathers a a synth-driven vintage sound to a modern dance pop, "Kill Or Cure" is fantastice with its fat bassline, synth pulses and shimmering guitars in the verses, "Imagination" has a certain The Cult guitar intro influence, other irresistible tracks are "Concrete And Cherry Blossom" and "broken Glass Park" both cotains irresistible hooks and warm atmosphere supporting Kerr's dramatic voice, and finally The Call's cover "Let The Day Begin" surrounded by zig-zagging synths and roaring guitars by Burchill.

Practically the album has everything you can expect drom the band, who finally seems to come to gather all the pieces of their identity to turn this album into their most consistent work since "Once Upon A Time".

The critics were positive considered the album as their best in decades, matching the bold music within with the title, embracing their past and looking forward the future, an album to fully appreciate again the band, that helped the album to reach No. 12 on the UK Albums chart.

 

Big Music Track List:

 

1. Blindfolded

2. Midnight Walking

3. Honest Town

4. Big Music

5. Human

6. Blood Diamonds

7. Let The Day Begin

8. Concrete And Cherry Blossom

9. Imagination

10. Kill Or Cure

11. Broken Glass Park

12. Spirited Away

Rocktrospectiva: The Finest "Can't Fight Fate" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, although some other recalled it was on 7 October "Can't Fight Fate" was the second studio album by American singer Taylor Dayne, the album continued her chart success spawning four massive singles "With Every Beat Of My Heart" No. 5, "I'll Be Your Shelter" No. 4, "Heart Of Stone" No. 12 and of course he brilliant and her most synonymous song "Love Will Lead Your Back" that peaked at No. 1

One of the most fantastic and truly gifted vocalist of the late 80's., early 90's, her powerful and incredibly soulful vocals would go on to help secure her as not only one of the ‘80s strongest voices, but also one of the strongest of all time for certain people. The artist went on to do something that most artists struggle with, she released an equally, or maybe better, follow-up album. Like its predecessor, Can’t Fight Fate also delivered ten strong tracks, this time with the likes of the legendary hitmaker Dianne Warre.

On "Can’t Fight Fate" the artist gently tried to move away from the dance tracks from their Tell It To My Heart days. You can find a much more adult contemporary feel about this album, certain tracks from this album had supposedly been offered to Dayne’s peers at the time, perhaps Tina Turner or Whitney Houston, but were ultimately turned down. So they looked forward to Dayne and she not only gained some incredible songs, but she now had the music and production to sink that enormous voice into. 

Although the album is set in the adult contemporary genre, notable tracks like "I’ll Be Your Shelter" sit firmly in the pop arena, but with Warren"s artistry, they paved the way for Dayne’s vocals to remain unrestricted. The album's lead single "With Every Beat of My Heart" appeared as if it was designed to capitalize on the formula that had so clearly worked prior, and it did, confirming that Dayne was anything but a one hit wonder with a big voice.

The track "Heart of Stone." showcases the strength and soul in Dayne's vocals, and what about the feeling on "Love Will Lead You Back" one of the most heartbreaking power ballads ever released, "You Can't Fight Fate," also penned by Warren, and "Ain’t No Good" continue with this adult contemporary feel, heading into rock territory, something that worked wonders with Dayne’s voice. The dance floor was not forgotten either so she included "Up All Night," now this is a pure club classic.

Critics noticed and declared the album was lush and dramatic, especially for the power ballads, but the rock tracks here were the real killers, delivering a true rock star sound, the album is considered one of the most diverse and exciting dance pop and rock album from that magical and golden era in the late 80's/early 90's, unfortunately, she would not go on to achieve the same commercial success that both of these albums, in particular Can’t Fight Fate, went on to achieve. Even the phenomenal balladry that Dayne delivered on “Love Will Lead You Back” was not enough to see the singer secure the same commercial success she had become accustomed to, maybe because the times and sounds changed in the years to come, nevertheless, this is Dayne’s finest work to date. 

 

Can't Fight Fate Track List:  

 

1. With Every Beat Of My Heart

2. I'll Be Your Shelter

3. Love Will Lead You Back

4. Heart Of Stone

5. You Can't Fight Fate

6. Up All Night

7. I Know The Feeling

8. Wait For Me

9. You Meant The World Of Me

10. Ain't No Good 

Rocktrospectiva: The Rawer "Book Of Days" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, "Book Of Days" was the sixth studio album by the English alternative rock band The Psychedelic Furs, the album peaked at No. 74 in the UK and No. 138 on the Billboard 200, spawned two singles "Should God Forget" and "House" which peaked at No. 8 and No. 1 respectively on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. 

 

Co-produced by David M. Allen, the album marked the return of original member Vince Ely,  the album was deemed as dense, murky, agitated, dark, raw and hauntingly pretty that captures the attention of long time fans, the voice of Butler was so intense and the guitars were perfectly rawer to create an alternative rock sound that was emerging back then.

The band was looking to return to their roots, so this album was a rawer return thanks in part to Ely's return, the sound caught everyone as a surprise, cause the public expected more of their polished pop hits but nevertheless, the album is still highly regarded and remains an integral part of their canon today.

 

The album has interesting tunes such as the brilliant "All That Money Wants", propelled by Vince Ely fine work on drums, definitely "Book Of Days"  benefited from a great producer Dave Allen, whose work with the Cure is partially echoed at many points on this textured and intense collection of songs. Perhaps Richard Butler's voice isn't remarkably different than before but he sounds better all the same, this was taking in count by Allen letting his voice through the mix while John Ashton's rich and ringing guitars fill out the mix instead of keyboards. 

 

The strong part relies on the Tim Butler & Ely rhythm section, if not always as frenetic as in early days, shows a partnership well reestablished, and the end result can often rival the early Furs at their best, unfortunately, the set hadn't hook mainstream songs althought this never was a problem for the band, often the best moments aren't the individual songs but their differing approaches like the heavily distorted bass rumble of "Entertain Me," the stripped-down blend of acoustic guitar and cello of "Torch.", you can also notices the echoes of The Cure and The Chameleons here on the finest "I Don't Mine", the killer "House" offering an intense explosion of modern rock alternative sound with the Furs at its prime.

 

Book Of Days Track List: 

 

1. Shine

2. Entertain Me

3. Book Of Days

4. Should God Forget 

5. Torch 

6. Parade

7. Mother-Son

8. House

9. Wedding

10. I Don't Mine

The Event: Pet Shop Boys At The EMAs 2024

Pet Shop Boys will receive their first MTV EMA, Pop Pioneers Award at the 2024 MTV EMA, The event is set to take place on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. 

The legendary English duo, consisting of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, will also perform on the show with the Manchester Camerata, an orchestra that has been working in Manchester and beyond since 1972.

The award recognizes "their contribution to the world of pop music, including the groundbreaking sonic and visual spectacles they create for their fans. The award also honors their unique style, enduring influence, and their army of steadfast fans around the world," according to a statement.

This 2024 marks 40 years since the first Pet Shop Boys record was released. The duo has notched 22 top 10 hits on the Official U.K. Singles chart (including four No. 1s) and five top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (including one No. 1)."West End Girl"  reached No. 1 on both charts. "It’s a Sin," "Always On My Mind" and "Heart" were their other U.K. to hit the No. 1

The Item: Celebrating The Pet Shop Boys 40 Years Of Career With Fine Bone China Tea Set

Pet Shop Boys are celebrating 40 years of career with a campaign called "Since 1984", with a commemorative set which marks four decades since the duo – starring Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – emerged on the scene

The duo said: We are promised a series of exclusive products, under this brand, and in true PSB style the first is rather un-rock ’n’ roll – a fine bone china tea set!

The 22-karat gold-plated range has been designed by longtime design partners Farrow and encompasses cups, saucer, tea pot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Each piece is "hand-finished" and decorated with PSB symbols (pointy hats, silhouettes, Chris' glasses from the Suburbia single sleeve, etc) and has been made in the UK by Duchess China.

Each set comes with a certificate of authenticity and prices start at £200 (for a milk jug and sugar bowl). They will be ‘released’ in November and can be pre-ordered vía the PSB site: petshopboys since 1984

In Memoriam: The Beloved "Teri Garr " Dies At 79

Teri Garr, que fabulous and hilarious comedy actress who rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star "Tootsie," she was 79. Garr died Tuesday of multiple sclerosis surrounded by family and friends, said publicist Heidi Schaeffer. Garr battled other health problems in recent years and underwent an operation in January 2007 to repair an aneurysm.

The actor, who was sometimes credited as Terri, Terry or Terry Ann during her long career, seemed destined for show business from her childhood. Her father was Eddie Garr, a well-known vaudeville comedian; her mother was Phyllis Lind, one of the original high-kicking Rockettes at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Their daughter began dance lessons at 6 and by 14 was dancing with the San Francisco and Los Angeles ballet companies. She was 16 when she joined the road company of “West Side Story” in Los Angeles, and as early as 1963 she began appearing in bit parts in films.

From there, Garr found steady work dancing in movies, and she appeared in the chorus of nine Presley films, including "Viva Las Vegas," "Roustabout" and "Clambake." She also appeared on numerous television shows, including "Star Trek," "Dr. Kildare" and "Batman," and was a featured dancer on the rock ‘n’ roll music show "Shindig,2 the rock concert performance T.A.M.I. and a cast member of "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour."

Her big film break came as Gene Hackman’s girlfriend in 1974’s Francis Ford Coppola thriller "The Conversation." That led to an interview with Mel Brooks, who said he would hire her for the role of Gene Wilder’s German lab assistant in 1974’s "Young Frankenstein" — if she could speak with a German accent. The film established her as a talented comedy performer, with New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael proclaiming her “the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen.”

Her big smile and off-center appeal helped land her roles in "Oh, God!" opposite George Burns and John Denver, "Mr. Mom" as Michael Keaton's wife" and "Tootsie" in which she played the girlfriend who loses Dustin Hoffman to Jessica Lange and learns that he has dressed up as a woman to revive his career. She also lost the supporting actress Oscar at that year’s Academy Awards to Lange.

Garr showed in other films such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "The Black Stallion" and "The Escape Artist" that she could handle drama equally wellI would like to play "Norma Rae" and "Sophie’s Choice," but I never got the chance, she once said, adding she had become typecast as a comic actor.

Often playing David Letterman’s foil during guest appearances on NBC’s “Late Night With David Letterman” early in its run. Her appearances became so frequent, and the pair’s good-natured bickering so convincing, that for a time rumors cropped up that they were romantically involved. Years later, Letterman credited those early appearances with helping make the show a hit. It was also during those years that Garr began to feel "a little beeping or ticking" in her right leg. It began in 1983 and eventually spread to her right arm as well, but she felt she could live with it. By 1999 the symptoms had become so severe that she consulted a doctor. The diagnosis: multiple sclerosis.

For three years Garr didn’t reveal her illness."I was afraid that I wouldn’t get work," she explained in a 2003 interview. After going public, she became a spokesperson for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, making humorous speeches to gatherings in the U.S. and Canada. She also continued to act, appearing on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Greetings From Tucson," "Life With Bonnie" and other TV shows. She also had a brief recurring role on "Friends" in the 1990s as Lisa Kudrow’s mother. Garr married contractor John O’Neil in 1993. They adopted a daughter, Molly, before divorcing in 1996.

Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and a grandson, Tyryn.

Rocktrospectiva: The Darkert And Conceptual "Road To Hell" Turns 35

Released on 30 October 1989, "The Road To Hell" was the tenth studio album by British artist Chris Rea, considered the most successful studio album by the artist, topped the UL for three weeks and it was considered as a modern masterpiece, the album contains strong elements of social commentary, addressing alienation, violence and redemption. The album spawned four singles "The Road To Hell", "That's What They Always Say", "Texas" & "Tell Me There's A Heaven".  

Written and recorded within four weeks. Rea had a lot of trouble with the album arising out of the attitude of his record company, so he recorded the next album – Auberge – before, as an agreement with Warner Brothers. So if Road To Hell didn’t work – and they said it won't – we would jump straight away to Auberge and forget about it, of course things work for this album, so there was no need to do what was agreed.

The Road To Hell is a concept album about the problems of modern society, and while this subject recurs throught the album, it is balanced by another recurring subject, the solace of love and family. The album begins with the sound of a disturbing phenomenon: a traffic jam. This leads into "The Road To Hell Parts 1 and 2", with lyrics evoking impending doom and fears of technology, economic collapse fear of violence on city street, other highlights includes "You Must Be Evil" deals with the irresponsible depiction on television news, "Texas", which depicts the feeling of being trapped economically or socially, and seeing escape to a new environment as the only way out; "Looking For a Rainbow", a cathartic anthem which describes the search for a better life by those who are economically disadvantaged, but reflects the struggles we all face to improve ourselves; "That's What They Always Say", a song about the special kind of hell experienced by those whose ambitions are thwarted; and "Tell Me There's a Heaven", whose lovely orchestral atmosphere belies its bleak message and "Daytona" which is about the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

Is definitely darkest and best album , a concept album about the horrors of the modern age . Still potent with a message for modern days, and the effect was inmediately cause this is Rea's most exciting, potent and comercially succesful album to date. 

 

The Road To Hell Track List:

1. The Road To Hell (Part 1)

2. The Road To Hell (Part 2)

3. You Must Be Evil

4. Texas

5. Looking For A Rainbow

6. Your Warm And Tender Love

7. Daytona

8. That's What They Always Say

9. I Just Wann Be With You

10. Tell Me There's A Heaven

New Music: A Fragile Thing

           

 

Taken from The Cure's forthcoming new album "Songs Of A Lost World", here's the second single "A Fragile Thing", which is a lush, expansive rock tune that evokes the deep feeling of what is considering the band's masterpiece "Disintegration", actually this song if you hear properly has that certain 1989 vibe, although this is not a new proper song, it has been on the band's set list almost two years ago, when the band debuted the song, the songs reflects on how two people can be completely isolated from one another, no matter what they might feel for each other, while bass and guitars and and pianos churn all around Smith's still-remarkable voice, the new album will be released this 1st., November.

New Music: Lewis In Pomona

          

Underworld has evolved from electronic punk to dance music, and now with their brand new single "Lewis in Pomona", they continue their audiophile-focused direction. looking to chase mainstream exposure this time, their new material demands to be experienced on quality speakers or headphones, staying true to their commitment to sonic detail something that audiences thanks a lot because it'srefreshing to see artists who still prioritize the complete listening experience. Beautiful and Brilliant.

Rocktrospectiva: The Massive And Succesfully "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" Turns 40

 

Released on 29 October 1984 "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" was the debut studio album by English synth-pop band Frankie Goes To Hollywood, the album was a massive chart succesful topping the UK charts, and then coquered the rest of the world including the United States, spawning four singles "Relax", "Two Tribes", "The Power Of Love" & "Welcome To The Pleasuredome". Produced by the giant Trevor Horn, in which he had and active role.

 

It was 1984, and this band was so courageously by declared themselves openly gay, so this stir up a lot of hype, controversy, including a shocking cover art refused to be printed, this helped a lot to increase the sales and the interest on this band, their first singles "Relax" and "Two Tribes" chartered well in the United States, but the album had other curious and nice tracks such as "Welcome To The Pleasuredome", the less-know tracks "Krisco Kisses", "The Only Star In Heaven", the UK hit "The Power Of Love" still sounds glorious this hyper-ballad. 

 

Despite the album is far considered as a Trevor Horn new extension on his catalogue at the time, this affirmation is that the result was catchy and massive and almost a top chart breaker synth rock of the early 80's that still sound fine and refreshing 40 years later, another remarkable tracks are "War" the cover of Edwin Starr, "Born To Run" of Bruce Springsteen, "San Jose (The Way)" and "Ferry (Go)", even though Holly Johnson's voice needs more passion sometimes, this wasn't the case for the album or at least for the fans and listeners back then. 

 

Come critics reviewed the album as an overkill, overjoy and overcompensation sound, almost a guilty pleasure to listen, and superb production, with inteligence, real sexual glamour and certain sense of gun that put them apart of other contemporaries in pop music back then a fun released boosted by Horn's production skills than anything else paving the road for future acts such as Erasure. 

 

Welcome To The Pleasuredome Track List: 

 

1. The World Is My Oyster

2. Welcome To The Pleasuredome

3. Relax (Come Fighting)

4. War (...And Hide)

5. Two Tribes (For The Victims Of Ravishment)

6. Tag

7. Ferry (Go)

8. Born To Run

9. San Jose (The Way)

10. Wish (The Lads Were Here)

11. The Ballad Of 32

12. Krisco Kisses

13. Balck Night White Light

14. The Only Star In Heaven

15. The Power Of Love

16. ...Bang

New Music: I Was Born With A Broken Heart

          

The Måneskin musician Damiano David has released a new single "I Was Born With A Broken Heart", is the follow-up to last month's track "Silverline", Damiano says he wrote the track when he was getting out of a very dark place, the emotionless feeling in which he was afraid to lost the ability to feel things either good or bad, so the song was a way to make mayself make sense of what I was feeling and look at it from a less scary perspective. Featuring a video directed by Aerin Moreno, which Damiano decribes as being his personal fantasy, a world where no matter what, once you step through the door, everything becomes magical and beautiful, recreating a fancy era in hte 1950s/1960s.

New Music: Afterlife

          

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory announce their self-titled debut album, out February 7th, and release the lead single, "Afterlife." Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory presents an exhilarating new dimension of Van Etten’s sound and songwriting. For the first time, it was written and recorded in total collaboration with her band — Jorge Balbi (drums, machines), Devra Hoff (bass, vocals), and Teeny Lieberson (synth, piano, guitar, vocals) — allowing Van Etten the freedom that comes by letting go. The themes are timeless, classic Sharon, but the sounds are new, wholly realized and sharp as glass. This new approach began while rehearsing in the desert for an upcoming tour when Van Etten invited her band into the creative process. The video, directed by Susu Laroche, collects footage of the band debuting many of the album songs in London’s intimate 100 Club in the midst of recording the album.

New Music: Hiding In Plain Sight

          

Manic Street Preachers have announced their 15th., studio album "Critical Thinkings" due to be out next January 31st., according to Nicky Wire: This is a record of opposites colliding – of dialectics trying to find a path of resolution,”. “While the music has an effervescence and an elegiac uplift, most of the words deal with the cold analysis of the self, the exception being the three lyrics by James (Dean Bradfield) which look for and hopefully find answers in people, their memories, language and beliefs. The music is energised and at times euphoric. The band just share their new single "Hiding In Plain Sight" which is kinda of historical, because it's the first single sung by bassist Nicky Wire, so definitely he brings a different vibe to the band’s anthemic style.

New Music: Freedom Of The Night

          

Sophie Ellis-Bextor new disco-pop single "Freedom Of The Night" it's a follow-up of her 2001 classic Murder On The Dancefloor" a song that went viral thanks to "Saltburn", so, the pop star returned to disco flair on her new single, the artist commented:  “I have always been someone that needs music to help me recalibrate, and ‘Freedom of the Night’ is all about that feeling," the video is a recreation of her 2001 classic, directed by Sophie Muller & Theo Adams starring Sophie and Harrier Rodgers as the mini-Sophie.

New Music: Little Shrew

          

Kate Bush is back, as she launched a new short film she has written and directed to raise money for children affected by war. The black-and-white, four-minute animation, called "Little Shrew," is set to her 2011 track Snowflake and aims to raise money and awareness for the charity War Child. To donate: https://WarChild.org.uk

News: Kate Bush Reveals Plans To Name New Music

The iconical female singer, Kate Bush has shied away from the spotlight in recent years, her last  studio album released was in 2011. But now, she is very keen to start working on new music.The singer said there are lots of ideas she wants to pursue on BBC Radio 4's show. "I'm really looking forward to getting back into that creative space, it's been a long time."

Her last record "50 Words For Snow", was released in 2011. Since then, her only releases have been live or compilation albums. Bush gave a rare interview to presenter Emma Barnett as she launched a new short film she has written and directed to raise money for children affected by war. It's a black-and-white, four-minute animation, called Little Shrew, is set to her 2011 track Snowflake and aims to raise money and awareness for the charity War Child.

Attracted a new generation of fans in 2022 when one of her biggest songs, Running Up That Hill, was used in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Asked whether she was currently working on new material, Bush said: "Not at the moment, but I've been caught up doing a lot of archive work over the last few years, redesigning our website, putting a lyric book together. "And I'm very keen to start working on a new album when I've got this finished. I've got lots of ideas and I'm really looking forward to getting back into that creative space, it's been a long time."

Little Shrew is released on Bush's official website on Friday. It is free to watch, but encourages viewers to support organisations helping children in conflict. The short film, which Bush worked with an illustrator to create, was partly inspired by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"I started working on it a couple of years ago, it was not long after the Ukrainian war broke out, and I think it was such a shock for all of us," Bush explained. "It's been such a long period of peace we'd all been living through. And I just felt I wanted to make a little animation that would feature, originally, a little girl. It was really the idea of children caught up in war. I wanted to draw attention to how horrific it is for children. "And so I came up with this idea for a storyboard and felt that, actually, people would be more empathetic towards a creature rather than a human. So I came up with the idea of it being a little shrew."

The 66-year-old added: "I think we've all been through very difficult times. These are dark times that we're living in and I think, to a certain extent, everyone is just worn out." "We went through the pandemic, that was a huge shock, and I think we felt that, once that was over, that we would be able to get on with some kind of normal life. "But in fact it just seems to be going from one situation to another, and more wars seem to be breaking out all the time.

Rocktrospectiva: The Smooth And Powerful "Bedtime Stories" Turns 30

 

Released on 25 October 1994, "Bedtime Stories" was the sixth studio album by American singer Madonna, released after another controversial title "Erotica" and the table book "Sex", and her performance in the erotic thrille "Body Of Evidence" all of three project  received negatively comments from critics and fans alike due to their sexually explicit nature. 

 

So, Madonna decided that she needed to soften her image if she wanted to regain her audience. The first attempt was the ballad "I'll Remember" from the soundtrack to the 1994 film With Honors, and then "Bedtime Stories", her sixth studio album, in which she decided to incorporate R&B elements, and collaborated with Babyface, Dallas Austin, and Dave Hall. She also chose to explore the British club musical scene, where genres such as dub had been growing in popularity, and hired producer Nellee Hooper. 

 

Basically, it's a pop album with elements of R&B and hip hop, exploring lyrical themes of love and romance, but with a toned-down, less sexual approach. In the song "Human Nature", Madonna explicitly addresses the backlash and controversy surrounding her previous projects, whereas title track "Bedtime Story" saw her working with Icelandic singer Björk. The album yielded two top-three singles, "Secret" and "Take a Bow"; the latter stayed at number one for seven weeks on the chart. Follow-ups "Bedtime Story" and "Human Nature" were both top-ten hits on the UK Singles Chart and peaking the No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Regarding a controversial period of her career, the singer recalled: "I feel I've been misunderstood. I tried to make a statement about feeling good about yourself and exploring your sexuality, but people took it to mean that everyone should go out and have sex with everyone. I decided to leave it alone because that's what everyone ended up concentrating on". Madonna came to the conclusion that she needed to "soften" her image in order to reconnect with her audience. The album was recorded at nine different studios. 

 

Madonna started to work with powerful R&B producers such as Babyface, Dallas Austin and Dave Hall, with the first one, worked on the songs "Forbidden Love", and the ballad "Take A Bow" following her desires to chase lush ballads, then with Dallas Austin she created "Secret", "Don't Stop" and "Sanctuary" and with Dave Hall the sexy "Human Nature" the song "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" was recorded as a duet with Tupac Shakur, in a time Madonna had an affair with the late rapper, but after the rapper became involved in a sexual assault case, she decided to replaced his parts with Meshell Ndegeocello. 

But despite Madonna's desires to had a huge impact on the R&B her voice wasn't powerful enough so, turned to the British club scene, focusing on dub genre thanks to Björk, Massive Attack and Soul II Soul impact, so checked for producer Nellee Hooper and added a certain European sensibility creating the songs "Survival" and "Inside Of Me", Madonna was a huge fan of Björk's "Debut" album and asked Hooper to contacted her to write a track for the album, the Icelandic wasn't a huge fan of Madonna but give a try a created "Let's Get Unconscious" borned out from Björk's criticism of Madonna's aesthetic, and for the final versión became "Bedtime Story". 

 

The album was a blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop and a Madonna record, with lyrics and themes that are "romantic and very reflective". The sequence of the songs is something Madonna paid "particular attention to", as she wanted to create a "truly cohesive" record. The opener "Survival" is a sweetly funky song in which Madonna talks directly to the public and addresses her feelings regarding the controversies in which she was embroiled in the past, "Secret", finds Madonna singing in a husky alto and features an unhurried Memphis soul beat and talks about spirituality and self-empowerment.

 

In the "soulful sass" of "I'd Rather Be Your Lover", Madonna lusts after the unattainable through processes of negotiation, and runs down the relations she would rather not be: a sister, mother, friend and brother, the fourth song "Don't Stop" has been referred to as Bedtime Stories' sole call to the dance floor with bliks of "Everybody" single from 1982 and achoes back to "Vogue" from 1990, next is "Human Nature" is a hip hop-influenced track that begins is a with heavy bass and drums looping. In "Forbidden Love", the album's seventh track, Madonna "dismisses any relationship untouched by taboo", "Love Tried to Welcome Me" is a song that fetishizes rejection, "Sanctuary" quotes Walt Whitman's poem Vocalism, and it is a song that draws inspiration from Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" (1962), and aligns love and death. The ending of "Sanctuary" is linked to the beginning of the next song, title track "Bedtime Story" that unlike most of the songs on the album, which are heavily R&B-influenced, "Bedtime Story" is an electronica-doused track with a "trippy" vibe. and the closer "Take a Bow" is a midtempo pop ballad with "a "'Sukiyaki'"-like Japanese touch".

 

Unlike "Erotica", "Bedtime Stories" received generally positive reviews from critics. considered a warm album, with deep, gently pulsating grooves, as well as the singer's most humane and open, she never sounded as emotionally vulnerable or cerebrally plugged in as she does in, considered so far by many as winning" album and more appealing than that on Erotica, perhaps "Bedtime Stories" is Madonna's most underrated and overlooked work, due to it being trapped between her most controversial album "Erotica" and, arguably, her best "Ray of Light", 

 

 Bedtime Stories Track List: 

 

1. Survival

2. Secret

3. I'd Taher Be Your Lover 

4. Don't Stop

5. Inside Of Me

6. Human Nature

7. Forbidden Love

8. Love Tried To Welcome Me

9. Sanctuary 

10. Bedtime Story

11. Take A Bow

Rocktrospectiva: The Powerful "11" Turns 35

 

 

Released on 24 October 1989, "11" was the third studio album by American indie rock band The Smithereens, the album-titled was inspired by the film "Ocean's 11", and spawned four singles "A Girl Like Your" which reached the Billboard top 40, "Blues Before And After", "Yesterday Girl" and "Blue Period". 

The Smithereens decided to switch producers for the album, and make a bet with Ed Stasium who had produced to The Ramones and Living Colour, according to Pat DiNizio the choice was probably because they were looking for a heavier guitar sound but at the same preserve their style and achieve radio play. 

The album is pure set of potent indie rock and pop, a memorable album without sacrifice the energy, this is what just the band needed back then, increasing the band ability to play brilliant, harmony-drenched melodic indie power pop. About the album content and lyrics, DiNizio focused on upbeat tunes and romantic side of relationships, like in the tracks "Kiss Your Tears Away", the lovely power ballad "A Girl Like You", a sort of AC/DC/The Beatles tune in every context, crunchy guitars without losing the melodic sense of the Liverpool band, and the curious but enjoyable "Maria Elena" inspired by Buddy Holly's widow and "William Wilson" about a father and son reunion. 

The songs and sound are diverse, you have the melancholic collaboration between the band and the lovely Belinda Carlisle on "Blue Period", the fuzzy "Blues Before And After" and the sparkling vibrant "Cut Flowers" which was a collaboration between DiNizio and Jim Babjak. Now everything makes sense, the band wanted to sound more direct to audience with a powerful guitar sound and bass line, according to bass player Mike Mesaros: "We wanted to captured the esence when we play live, a sort of heavy and raunchy live, and that is what we wanted to take to the record, a definitely that harder sound is attributable to Ed Stasium they're new producer back then, using his experiencie on hard-rockin' acts such as the Ramones, Soul Asylum or Livin Colour and that powerful heavy pop sound is brilliantly capture here on the record. 

There is a curious story about Ed and Pat, the last recalls when he was 14, he used to go to a guitar store at his home town and worship a particular guitar, a blue Kalamazoo electric cheaper version of a Gibson, the salesman/guitar teacher always let him take it off and play it, even when he knew that pat couldn't afford it, it results that the guy on that store was Ed Stasium, the record producer on this album, so that's damn curious.

The album was well-received, and received a boosted thanks to the single "A Girl Like You" which was originally written on demand for Cameron Crowe's film "Say Anything", but the film producer asked DiNizio to changed the lyrics because it revealed a lot of the movie plot, so Pat refused and the band decided to keep the song for their album, they were ambitious looking to hire Madonna for harmony vocals but failed to show up, instead, Maria Vidal then did the vocals, the single peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's mainstream rock chart and No. 3 on modern rock tracks, and made it into the Billboard Hot 100 peaked at no. 38, while "Blues Before And After reached the No. 94 on same chart. 

 

11 Track List: 

 

1. A Girl Like You

2. Blues Before And After

3. Blue Period

4. Baby Be Good 

5. Room Without A View 

6. Yesterday Girl 

7. Cut Flowers

8. William Wilson 

9. Maria Elena 

10. Kiss Your Tears Away

Rocktrospectiva: The Intense And Succesful "Storm Front" Turns 35

 

Released on 23 October 1989, "Storm Front" was the 11th., studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, the album features the hit "We Didn't Start The Fire" the song peaked at No. 1 notable for being a fast-paced song that cataloged a list of historical events, trends, and cultural icons from 1949 (when Joel was born) until 1989. The album spawned six singles " We Didn't Start The Fire", "Leningrad", "I Go To Extremes", "The Downeaster Alexa", "That's Not Her Style", "And So It Goes" and "Shameless" the first single prompted the album to reach No. 1 on Billboard 200. 

 

It was 1989, and it had been three years since Joel had released a record "The Bridge", it wasn't a hig one but sold reasonably, prompting Joel to play for the first time in the Soviet Union, but then the live album "Kohuept" was a sort of slip, also he was struggling with his manager Frank Weber who betrayed him by stolen millions from him, so Billy decide to sued him. Apparently things got wrong for Joel, but he move forward, and did a big step with "Storm Front". 

 

His comeback was so strong that put three top 40 hits inmediately, the epic "We Didn't Start The Fire" went straight to No. 1 and the video had a heavy rotation on the MTV, but things don't stop there, "I Go To Extremes" about the ups and downs of his life back then reached the No. 6 and "So It Goes" was No. 37, the album had a harder, bluesier edge than The Bridge.

 

This was because Billy worked with a new producer, Mick Jones and replaced some members of his band (Doug Stegmeyer and Russell Javors) with new musicians including bassist Schuyler Deale and talented multi-instrumentalists Crystal Taliefero and Mindy Jostyn (for a brief period on tour, followed by Tommy Byrnes on guitar).  Drummer Liberty DeVitto remained in the band, and guitarist David Brown apparently rejoined to record Storm Front.  These changes helped give Billy and his music a new perspective and sound. 

 

In a perspective way, it was Billy's return to the blue-eyed soul and rock that he used to play with his 60s bands like the The Lost Souls and then The Commandos and The Hassles, track such as "That's Not Her Style", "When In Rome", "I Go To Extremes", & the title-album track "Storm Front" we're clearly a reminiscence of that, and the you have the political and social issues in themes like "Leningrad" & "The Downeaster 'Alexa", and the tender "And So It Goes", but definitely the big one "We Didn't Start The Fire" was something apart, reaching the No. 1 it was something like a white man's rap with the lyrics telling a simply string of notable events and figures from the past four decades, this really caught the attention of many people in schools and universities because the historical facts, something Billy really enjoyed because he told many times that if he wouldn't be a musician then he would be a history teacher. 

Storm Front was not a fully return to Billy Joel's days as a singer-songwriter, many old fans dissapointed about this, but it doesn't matter because in the process Billy earned new ones, maybe the songs wasn't strong enough as in their previous albums but there is something we have to thank Billy, and that's because he always tried to do something different, never repeating the same formula whether was succesful or not. Th album and the single "We Didn't Start The Fire" both reached the No. 1 on the charts in 1989 and earned five Grammy nominations when this achievement meant something.

Storm Front Track List: 

 

1. That's Not Her Style

2. We Didn't Start The Fire

3. The Downeaster 'Alexa

4. I Go To Extremes

5. Shameless

6. Storm Front

7. Leningrad

8. State Of Grace

Rocktrospectiva: The Moderate "Getahead" Turns 35

Released on 23 October 1989 "Getahead" was the second studio album by British sophisti-pop band Curiosity Killed The Cat, the album peaked at No. 29 in the UK and produced two singles "Name And Number" the hit single and "First Place" that was a flop peaking at No. 86

Unfortunately the band found it increasingly difficult to replicate their earlier success, they decided to sack songwriter Toby Anderson and had to wait two years to release a follow-up album proved unwise then, the band was dropped by Mercury Records.

Containing 12 tracks, the album opens with the ringing phone of "Name And Number", a really nice swaggering track, but is quite verbose and sometimes forgettable in the verses. The chorus is definitely the catchy hook the track needs to lift, the single reacje the UK's top 20 "Do Your Believin", an easy swagger to it, aided by some nice bass guitar and brass interjections. The lyrics are about religion, and even a slightly catchy chorus, and a nice mid-section with female vocalists but it’s not particularly memorable. "Cascade" Ben’s vocal delivery of the chorus is really nice, and whilst we’re treated again to excellent musicianship, the track sits comfortably in a middle-of-the-road jazz bar background music.

Second single First Place is next, opening with a gentle synth pad, a slower track, "We Just Gotta Do It (For Us)" is next but it's a song seems to be almost a jam session, electric guitar leads us into Go-Go Ahead, stepping aside intermittently for the brass stabs and piano tinkling. Trees Don’t Grow On Money, which opens with a thunderstorm, which gives way to a funky bass and guitar this track has a bit more of a melody, although the environmental lyrics stumble about a little, the chorus sounds really nice. "Treat You So Well" follows this, which feels much more up-beat, this song feels much lighter and pop-ish than the other tracks here this track works really well, and gives them a nice little pop song that really should have made it as a single.

The lower vocals return for Who Are You, and returns us to the more jazzy funk songs that most of the album is full of. There’s some fantastic backing vocals here, though they remain uncredited, "Security Lady", which opens with a jumble sale of instruments before brass pierces, Something New, Something Blue, a nice upbeat song that has some really nice sounds in it from guitar and strings, and the chorus works really well, and finally the album closes with Keep On Trying which offers us a seemingly more percussive intro with an unnamed female vocalists leading us into the song. Piano takes over with a funky bass in tow. 

The album couldn't connect with a massive audience, despite it sounds great with highly skilled musician and a fine vocalist, but 12 tracks that almost sounds like a one single song were too much, certain upbeat moments with plenty of choruses and nice mid section with rich soulful tones kinda like Simply Red back then, great tracks such as "Name And Number", "Something New Something Blue" & "Treat You So Well" are the ones here but unfortunately didn't make it as a single except for the first one, instead, chose "First Place" which was fine but not enough for full expectations. 

 

Getahead Track List:  

 

1. Name And Number

2. Do Your Believin'

3. Cascade

4. First Place

5. We Just Gotta Do It (For Us)

6. Go Go Ahead

7. Trees Don't Grow On Money

8. Treat You So Well

9. Security Lady

10. Something New, Something Blue

11. Keep On Trying

Rocktrospectiva: The Less-Enthusiastic "Waking Up With The House On Fire" Turns 40

Released on 22 October 1984, "Waking Up With The House On Fire" was the third studio album by English band Culture Club, despite the problems and differences during recording, the album managed to peaked at No. 2 in the UK. The title for the new album was inspired by a line that Boy George spotted in an old Doris Day film. The album spawned three singles "The War Song", "The Medal Song" & "Mistake No. 3".

The album was less successful than the group's previous album, Colour by Numbers. This was an obvious thing because the chart phenomenon the band used to be, began to fade, even thought it was still going strong two years later, due in fact by the hysteria caused by "Karma Chameleon" and the Colour By Numbers album, recording sessions were awful, Jon Moss, recalls he made light of the writing sessions for the record: “We booked two or three weeks to do the songwriting and didn’t use one day of it. We had an argument and we left. We tried again three days later and had another argument. We rowed and rowed and George smashed his tape recorder and I threw a chair at him. Then we wrote the album in four days.

But things got cooled at the end of that 1984, and the new release, again produced by regular collaborator Steve Levine, was introduced by the UK No.2 single "The War Song," which also went Top 20 in the United States and several other countries, in order to support the album, the band already touring in the United States, finished in the UK and then moved on to Japan in where still exists a sort of mania for the band.

As expected, reviews were negative stated the album was a disaster of mediocrity and that the majority of the tracks were just a bunch of characterless stodge of bland blue-eyed soul, slouching rhythms, pedestrian horns and nonchalant vocals songs. Definitely the overexposure in the media, the ever-changing tides and trends of pop music, and, quite frankly, a less than laudable collection of songs resulted in a less than enthusiastic response, except for "The War Song", "Crime Time" and the upbeat and soulful "Mannequin,". 

Waking Up With The House On Fire Track List: 

 

1. The Dive

2. The Medal Song

3. Don't Talk About It

4. Mannequin

5. Hello Goodbye

6. Dangerous Man

7. The War Song

8. Unfortunate Thing

9. Crime Time

10. Mistake No. 3

Rocktrospectiva: The Fairly Odd Soundtrack "Give My Regards To Broad Street" Turns 40

Released on 22 October 1984, "Give My Regards To Broad Street" was the fifth studio album by English rock musician Paul McCartney, it's also the soundtrack to the film of the samen name, featuring covers of the Beatles, Wings and solo track by Paul McCartney with a few new songs, the album peaked at No. 1 on the UK Charts and lead and solo single "No More Lonely Nights" featuring the David Gilmour guitar, peaked at No. 6 in the United States and No. 2 in The UK. 

About the album/soundtrack, it's a sort of retrospective-sequenced that follows the order of the songs appearance in the film, many of these songs features re-interpretations of McCartney classics with The Bealtes and Wings such as "Good Day Sunshine", "Yesterday", "Here, There and Everywhere", "Silly Love Songs" , "For No One", "Eleanor Rigby" and "The Long and Winding Road". 

There were also interpretations of songs from McCartney's more recent albums back then such as "Ballroom Dancing" and "Wanderlust" (Tug Of War) and "So Bad" from (Pipes Of Peace). "No More Lonely Nights" also heard in a dance version, was the last songs recorded late 1983/early 1984 for the film, other previously-unheard tracks were "Not Such a Bad Boy", "No Values" and a symphonic extension of "Eleanor Rigby" here entitled as "Eleanor's Dream". 

Back then, the lenght of the album was so long, that its vinyl release had edited versions of the songs, nevertheless, the cassette and the later CD edition preserved the tracks' full lengths, the CD contains a bonus track a 1940s-styled song called "Goodnight Princess". 

Don't remember too much the movie, but many people and critics alike said the movie is utterly awful, and probably this album despite enjoyed a certain worldwide-success it's not amongst fans/critics Paul's favourites, perhaps the fact, Mccartney following-up was "Press To Play" help to released a certain weight, because that album is generally considered as the worst of the worst ever released by Paul, but going back to this soundtrack, critics and fans alike complained a lot about the new re-imagined versions of the Beatles, liketh gasthly sound of “The Long and Winding Road” McCartney does his damnedest to lounge lizard the hell out of what was once an earnest, emotional song.

Sames as "Yesterday", "Good Day Sunshine", and "Eleanor Rigby" all suffer from the same comparing the original version of "Yesterday" where he sounds maybe at least a little broken up about it, compared to the Broad Street version where he sings like he is showing off one of his greatest compositions in a failed attempt to shore up his lame movie. The original "Good Day Sunshine" was bursting with sunny enthusiasm the version here sounds laid back, same with "Eleanor Rigby".

The pointless remake of "Ballroom Dancing" sounds a lot looser than the original, for "So Bad”  the arrangement on this one is pretty bland compared to the Pipes of Peace version, but there are two Beatles remakes on this album that are better than the originals, those are "Here, There, and Everywhere".  with an especial Paul’s acoustic treatment suits the song better than the electric guitars on the original and "For No One".  it blows the original because the song always had an amazing melody, and some of McCartney’s best lyrics, the acoustic guitar and strings are far more emotive in the Broad Street remake than the piano in the original.  And there’s that cool violin part in the last chorus and a marvelous French horn solo is better in the remake. 

"Wanderlust" is a major improvement, this is a more majestic and graceful version than the original from Tug of War. obviously, the brilliant "No More Lonely Nights" is something pretty special.  It’s got a fantastic Paul McCartney melody, emotive vocals, exceptional production, and some incredible guitar work David Gilmour, "Not Such a Bad Boy" is kind of fun, "No Values" is pretty good too. 

Possibly the worst rock movie ever made but there are some things to love about the Broad Street album, which isn't a bad album, at least and enjoyable one depends you're mood. 

Give My Regards To Broad Street Track List: 

 

1. No More Lonely Nights (Ballad)

2. Good Day Sunshine/Corridor Music

3. Yesterday

4. Here, There And Everywhere

5. Wanderlust

6. Ballroom Dancing

7. Silly Love SOngs/Silly Love Songs (Reprise)

8. Not Such A Bad Boy

9. So Bad

10. No Values

11. No More Lonely Nights (Reprise)/"Bor No One"

12. Eleanors Rigby/"Eleanor's Dream"

13. The Long And Winding Road 

14. No More Lonely Nights (playout version)

15. Goodnight Princess