If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 7/13/10

CROWDED HOUSE- INTRIGUER

When Neil Finn reunited Crowded House after the tragic death of drummer Paul Hester, he was already at work on a new solo album. So the fruits of the first meetings became "Time On Earth," a record filled with material from that purported Neil record, as well as newer songs, all of which, when sequenced together, said very little. There was a gem or two, as Neil Finn is one of the finest songwriters of our time. But the first Crowded House release in almost 15 years missed the mark, having none of the spirit or hook-filled melodies that put them on the map many moons ago. It was slapdash and it sounded it.

Today sees the release of "Intriguer," a "real" Crowded House record, with songs written specifically for a Crowded House record. Unfortunately, this fares no better. Neil Finn's songwriting has changed. I can't pinpoint the problem, though I could simply say, the songs aren't very good. Again, there is a gem or two, "Either Side Of The World' and "Twice If You're Lucky" both stand out for me. But "Intriguer" mostly trundles along, with songs that are dense and in need of a real kickstart.

I love Neil Finn, and I want to love "Intriguer." But we shouldn't have to work so hard as fans when listening to pop music. "Intriguer" is hard work for little pay; a collection of tunes in desperate need of choruses.

BUY IT--->http://www.amazon.com/Intriguer-Crowded-House/dp/B003P034UA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021594&sr=8-2







DANGER MOUSE & SPARKLEHORSE- DARK KNIGHT OF THE SOUL

This is apparently a big deal. I missed the boat, I think. Mark Linkous, leader of Sparklehorse started this record with Danger Mouse and left it unfinished, unhappy with his vocals. When Linkous took his life back in March, producer Danger Mouse, and some heavy friends like Iggy Pop, Julian Casablancas, Suzanne Vega, David Lynch and The Flaming Lips for starters, all joined in to complete what is now a tribute. I wasn't a fan of Sparklehorse, and I'm not impressed by any of the music found here, regardless of the sentiment. Amazon download IS only $3.99, though.

GET IT--->http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Night-Soul-Danger-Mouse/dp/B003O6M3NO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021623&sr=1-2










JOE ELLIOTT- MY REGENERATION

Elliott, lead singer of Def Leppard and close personal friend of Ian Hunter has put together quite a bizarre tribute with "My Regeneration." The record features covers of some of Hunter's less popular solo material, and...get this...songs from the two Mott albums that were recorded after Hunter left. I must admit, the fan that I am, enjoyed this. As the quote from the product description on Amazon states, "Sometimes the most interesting projects arise from the most unusual circumstances."

BUY IT--->http://www.amazon.com/My-Regeneration-Joe-Elliott/dp/B003MEFRTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021682&sr=1-1










TOMMY KEENE- YOU HEAR ME: A RETROSPECTIVE 1983-2009

Tommy Keene is a power pop legend who has put out a lot of records, most of which are worth your time. This 2 CD retrospective is perfect. It covers the early EPs, right on through 2009's "In The Late Bright.' 41 tracks in all. (It's priced as a single disc, to boot.)

1 Back to Zero Now (3:06)
2 Mr. Roland (5:41)
3 Baby Face (3:37)
4 Back Again (4:02)
5 Safe in the Light (3:48)
6 Gold Town (3:04)
7 Places That Are Gone (3:51)
8 Paper Words and Lies (2:24)
9 Kill Your Sons (4:58)
10 Call On Me (3:05)
11 My Mother Looked Like Marilyn Monroe (3:23)
12 Underworld (4:57)
13 Astronomy (1:29)
14 Run Now (4:43)
15 Nothing Can Change You (3:18)
16 This Could Be Fiction (3:22)
17 Based on Happy Times (3:46)
18 When Our Vows Break (3:19)
19 Highwire Days (3:35)
20 Don't Sleep in the Daytime (Unreleased Ardent Version) (2:18)
21 A Way Out (4:10)

Disc 2:
1 Love is a Dangerous Thing (3:58)
2 Driving Into The Sun (3:35)
3 Down, Down, Down (4:05)
4 No One in This City (2:34)
5 Turning on Blue (4:15)
6 Your Heart Beats Alone (4:02)
7 Silent Town (3:59)
8 Good Thing Going (2:54)
9 Compromise (3:02)
10 Long Time Missing (4:34)
11 The World Outside (3:18)
12 Never Really Been Gone (3:27)
13 Big Blue Sky (3:46)
14 Black and White New York (5:15)
15 Warren in The 60's (3:24)
16 Lives Become Lies (5:06)
17 A Secret Life of Stories (3:50)
18 Save This Harmony (4:02)
19 Tomorrow's Gone Tonight (3:06)
20 Leaving Your World Behind (4:43)


BUY IT--->http://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Keene-You-Hear-Retrospective/dp/B003O3RI1O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021752&sr=1-1









STING- SYMPHONICITIES

Yes, I know. But hear me out. No really. Please, hear me out. This is ok. It works. I didn't want it to. I was cocked and loaded to load it on this cock, but truth be told, I was once a fan. Pre-tantric sex, pre-beard, pre-Mary J. Blige friendship, pre-lute records, Sting made some great music. "Symphonicities" is NOT a tired re-working of old faves with an orchestra. It's smart. The arrangements are wonderful. And it is the most listenable music from Sting since "Ten Summoners Tales," which I will go on record as saying, is one of the best records of the 90s. Then again, if you hate the man and hate strings, you should move on. Nothing to see here.

TRACK LIST

Tracklist:
1. Next To You 2:30
2. Englishman In New York 4:23
3. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic 4:56
4. I Hung My Head 5:31
5. You Will Be My Ain True Love 3:44
6. Roxanne 3:37
7. When We Dance 5:26
8. The End Of The Game 6:07
9. I Burn For You 4:03
10.We Work The Black Seam 7:18
11.She’s Too Good For Me 3:03
12.The Pirate’s Bride 5:02

Here are two tracks from a recent performance at the Hollywood Bowl. The fidelity is a strong B-plus, and it will at least give you some idea of what's going on with "Symphonicities."

EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC


I HUNG MY HEAD






BUY IT--->http://www.amazon.com/Symphonicities-Sting/dp/B003LAH7MU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021808&sr=1-1-spell






**ALSO OUT THIS WEEK**


MARC ALMOND- VARIETE
http://www.amazon.com/Variete-Marc-Almond/dp/B003JCTISG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021863&sr=1-1-spell

TRACY BONHAM- MASTS OF MANHATTA
http://www.amazon.com/Masts-Manhatta-Tracy-Bonham/dp/B003O9861Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021883&sr=1-1

KORN- KORN III: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
http://www.amazon.com/Korn-III-Remember-Who-Special/dp/B003GE69K2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021903&sr=1-1

M.I.A.- MAYA
http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe/dp/B003M0H4Q8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021926&sr=1-1

R.E.M. - FABLES OF THE RECONSTRUCTION (2 CD DELUXE EDITION)
http://www.amazon.com/Fables-Reconstruction-25th-Anniversary-R-E-M/dp/B003M70P1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021952&sr=1-1

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS- DISCONNECT FROM DESIRE
http://www.amazon.com/Disconnect-Desire-School-Seven-Bells/dp/B003PBYT5S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279021988&sr=1-1