New Music of November by Sean Jones

New Music of November by Sean Jones

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 02:28

skunkcap Skunk Anansie-"Smashes And Trashes"
(November 2nd)

This multi-platinum English band, after disbanding eight years ago in 2001, comes back together to put out a greatest hits album. Which for a band that has been noted in the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums as one of the most successful UK chart acts, this seems like a good idea for a reintroduction. Skunk Anansie is a brit-rock band that teeters from metal to operatic balladry, adding in a punky vibe as well, sometimes in the same song. In the center of the melee is lead singer Skin, a huge voiced Amazonian with a Grace Jones look. She can scream or screech when it is called for, and at the same time purr and soften her voice when the atmosphere is right. The band does a good job of structuring the songs and giving Skin a frame in which to use her malleable voice.

“Smashes And Trashes” consists of twelve singles, three new songs, and two acoustic songs. It starts with one of the most haunting songs Skunk Anansie has ever made and wouldn't be a complete hits record without "Charlie Big Potato". It is a dark tale reeking of child abuse and Skin whispers to scream leaving a lasting impression of what SA can do, with the backing band delving into industrial riffs increasing the chill factor. Because Skunk Anansie has such different styles from song to song, "Smashes And Trashes" really shows this off. By clever song placement we get one of their punkier brattier songs dipped in angst (Selling Jesus, Brazen) to the mid tempo songs usually about the human condition and social commentary (All I Want, Twisted) and then the slower ones about love and heartbreak (Lately, Secretly). All the hits point out how the band uses simple pop lyricism to get each song’s point straight to the listener, but also complicated musicianship and tempos to keep one interested. The new songs don't really break from the rest but more reinforce it, each falling neatly into one of the categories. "Tear The Place Up" is a raucous and short fist shaking song meant to just rattle some bones…good for a traffic-choked, angry ride home. "Because Of You" is a blamefest set to mid-tempo; not one of Skunk Anansie’s best, but it still fits. "Squander" is in the slower realm of melancholy warning songs, about losing everything else if love is lost first. The album serves as a great reintroduction to a band that hasn't done much in a while, giving a few new tastes that don't really delineate from the great hits they have already released, while showing why their singles have been so acclaimed in the first place.

(Grade A) Highlights: Charlie Big Potato, Brazen (Weep), Twisted

Weezer- "Raditude"
(November 3rd)

The ridiculously titled seventh album from pop band Weezer has some fans scratching their heads. Known for heartfelt but often goofy lyrics, Rivers Cuomo's band has topped many a chart. The thing is…who is “Raditude’s” audience? Many of the songs go back to a time of teenage love and suburban mindsets. “Radititude” starts off well enough with what could be a Dashboard Confessional song but way more upbeat “(If You Are Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To". Next up, "I am Your Daddy" is sleek pop that could have been on any of Weezer’s other previous albums and fit right in. Then the album gets muddles. "The Girl Gets Hot" sounds stilted, forced, and humdrum and if the second half of the album wasn't more then just filler I would say wouldn't fit here…but sadly it does. "Can't Stop Partying" seems like a mock up of hip hop lifestyle with talks of access, bling, and girls. Which would be interesting if it didn't actually include the hip hop clichés, bad electro, and guest rapper Lil Wayne (who's album isn't he on?) that makes you think is Rivers really mocking or does he believe the hype? Going back to something Rivers actually knows and does well, isolation and love longing, with the highly enjoyable "Put Me Back Together". The Indian-infused Bollywood-esque "Love Is The Answer" is too hippy drippy in sentiment to get multiple plays, but you do have to give it up for Weezer trying to think outside the box. Partying in the face of recession is the topic of "Let It All Hang Out", which unlike the rest of the album is quite current. Much more then the "Can't Stop Partying" woe-is-me rich boy tale. With the crazy-good guitar riffs it is one of the best tracks here, perfect for riding with some friends on the way to a night out, especially when you know you only have three dollars amongst you. The rest of the album is basically pop puff with no real audience, about hanging at the mall (In The Mall) falling out of love yawn fests (Turn Me Round) and clichéd 80's chest-pounding, hair metal rip-offs (Get Me Some). This may all be somewhat forgivable if not coming from the mouths of 40-year olds that sound like they are trying to embrace the suburban teenage demographic. I think the youth will see right through it, especially when it comes to the last song "The Underdogs". As a multi-platinum selling band when was the last time the guys of Weezer were the underdogs of anything? Maybe they were trying to put out a graduation song for next year’s high school students, because that is the only place I see this song fitting in. So there are several hits on this album but it’s unbalanced by the many misses that occur on it's tail end and lack of target. Maybe Weezer will soon learn what is to be an underdog after this effort.

(Grade D) Highlights: I'm Your Daddy, Put Me Back Together, Let It All Hang Out

SOUNDING OFF:

It being the Holiday season I have noticed most holidays have pretty good traditional songs, redone by artists on holiday albums. I’m not really a holiday person and haven’t heard most of these albums. Can anyone recommend a really good one? Doesn't matter which holiday really; Halloween, Christmas, or Chanukah. Also, I realized there aren't many songs out for Thanksgiving. I wonder why that is? Who do you think should make a Thanksgiving song or album? I would pick Bubba Sparxxx, the hot bear who looks like he can appreciate a thanksgiving meal. And I feel that hip hop should be introduced into the holiday market. Yes, no? What artist do you think?

seanjones5

Our friend Sean - interviewed just this May – has his finger on the pulse of the cuurent music scene. Beats, personalities and new releases…brought to you by a guy who knows his stuff. With a fresh, new perspective, Sean’s gonna serve it up hot and real. The cub’s sounding off!

Contact Sean using the following link.

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