Odds and Ends

Each week I use this space to post some mini-reviews, cool tracks, random thoughts, neat news, or whatever else I damn well please.







MiniReview

Xorigin “State Of The Art” – Frontiers Records has done a superb job this year keeping the flame of the melodic rock genre alive and well. They’ve put out terrific contemporary AOR records from Toby Hitchcock, Work Of Art, Airrace, and more, and now we have Xorigin to add to that fine collection. Xorigin is influenced by Giant, Toto, Foreigner, and Yes, and features AOR veterans Johannes Stole (vocals, keyboards) and Daniel Palmqvist (guitars, The Murder of My Sweet). Standout tracks include the fighting anthem “Can’t Keep Running”, “Crying For You”, and the harmonious mid-tempo rocker “The One For Me”. “In The Blink Of An Eye” is a grand power ballad in the REO Speedwagon tradition. Very little filler on this one, so be sure to check it out if you miss the 80s melodic rock heyday. More info on the band can be found here.







Surprise of the week

Lou Reed made the guys in Metallica cry. Here’s why.



News





Cruise on over to the web site for The Tonighters and grab three of their EPs for FREE! Masterminded by UK musician Billy Gilbert, the Tonighters incorporates elements from his extensive background in diverse musical areas ranging from power pop to punk. Awesomely catchy pop rock here, with some of my favorites including “Sad Forever” and “Down To One” from “Closet Classics Volume I”, “How Am I Supposed To Let You Go?” from “Closet Classics Volume 2”, and “Finish What You Started” from “Trivia Melodies”. With a total of 10 tracks, you are bound to find something you’ll love.

Get the free downloads here (if all used up, wait until Sept 7).

And be sure to “Like” them here.



Both amazing Jellyfish albums are being re-issued on vinyl only – details here.



New CD of Aerosmith rarities coming soon! Track list can be found here.



Producer Jack Douglas says that the new Aerosmith is due May 2012 and will be “nasty and raw” – kind of like those chicken fingers I ordered at Pizzeria Uno. Read about it here.



Next to jump on the covers album bandwagon: Scott Weiland. Details here.



The new Chickenfoot video, for lead single “Bigfoot”





What are the guys from the Replacements doing now? Well, Tommy Stinson just released a new solo record and Paul Westerberg contributed to the latest record by Glen Campbell. Details here.



Random iPOD song of the week

Sinead O’Connor does a brilliantly endearing rendition of this wonderful song originally performed by Elton John. This track appeared on the 1991 Elton John Tribute album, “Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin”

Kneejerk: Fran Healy – Elton John and Leon Russell

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


Fran Healy “WRECKORDER”

“WRECKORDER” is the solo debut from Fran Healy, the lead singer and songwriter of the Scottish rock band Travis. Travis made quite the splash in the late 90s and early 2000s with their breakthrough CD, “The Man Who” and equally excellent follow-up, “The Invisible Band”. Little did we know how prescient that title was, as Travis quickly fell off the radar. The good news is that Healy’s first solo outing is more or less a return to what made Travis successful back in the day. While not a perfect record, it feels more like the legitimate successor to “The Invisible Band” than the gloomy “12 Memories”. Healy’s vulnerable voice charms on melodious tracks like “In the Morning” and “Holiday”. “Sing Me To Sleep”, a duet with Neko Case, is another atmospheric gem. “Anything” is my favorite track in this 10 song collection, a sweeping piece beautifully sung and well orchestrated. The first single, “Buttercups” is a close second, featuring crisp acoustic guitar that pairs perfectly with Healy’s vocals. Not all of “WRECKORDER” is light and easy on the ears - tunes like “Fly in the Ointment” and “Shadow Boxing” are distinctly darker in tone. Ironically, they are less interesting and forgettable. Healy begins a tour with Brandon Flowers of The Killers on November 10.


Elton John and Leon Russell “The Union”

Everyone knows Elton John, but I doubt half the number know of Leon Russell. Russell has played for just about everyone in the music business across multiple genres and had a string of modest chart successes in the 70s. Although he’s been more behind the scenes than Elton John, Russell has earned an esteemed reputation as a session player and songwriter. These two icons, both having their heyday in the 70s, have teamed up to create this record with T Bone Burnett producing and a boatload of guest talent including Neil Young, Brian Wilson, and Don Was. “The Union” generally captures many elements from 70s piano rock, and continues along the path that Elton committed himself to with the outstanding back-to-basics ethics of “Songs From The West Coast”. The two seem to play off one another, rejuvenating their vigor in the performances, which can best be felt on Elton’s enthusiastic singing of “Hey Ahab”, Russell’s sly delivery of “If It Wasn’t For Bad”. With a couple country-flavored tunes (“Jimmie Rodgers' Dream”), honky tonk (“Monkey Suit”), and the typical Elton John balladry (“Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)”), there’s a little something for everyone here. The fun these two had in making “The Union” is contagious, providing the listener with a thrilling experience, especially those fans of 70s era rock.