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Dream Forge Demo 1995 February
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1995-02-01
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SPIRITUAL MUSIC ADVICE `N' STuFF
by Rev. Richard Visage
Well, it's nice to know that in the coldest depths of winter
one can take a break from watching the snow drift around the yard
to enjoy a few tunes. I can also count on my e-mail to warm me up.
That, and watching Ms. LaBamba doing ski stretching exercises in her
leg warmers.
To those who whined, sure, I'll stop ragging on Eric Clapton's
turgid `Back to the Cradle' album any day now, especially if he
actually shows signs of life in the next decade. Like, what can you
expect from someone who has photo-ops with Brit Royalty? "Smile,
Fergie, we'll prop up Eric next to you..."
Sorry, but we don't do full page ads from EMI in DREAM FORGE, so
you get no holds barred full-body-contact Rock and Roll kinda reviews
in here. At least until we get some serious money in the contract,
anyway . . .
Well, kids, let's spin a CD or two and see who we can offend
this month.
VITALOGY
Pearl Jam
The last year has seen Eddie and the boys jamming with Neil Young
on the MTV awards, getting gushy reviews in `Rolling Stone' and in
`People' Magazine. A real indicator of just how mainstream Grunge
music has become was when a Canadian band, Moist, had a hit that
was a desperate P.J. ripoff complete with a video featuring Eddie-
twitches by the lead singer -- and they were mobbed by teenie boppers
in suburban shopping malls all over the country.
Gawd, the next thing you know, you'll be at the vegetable counter
at the supermarket and you'll hear the Philadelphia Lite Strings'
Muzak version of `Jeremy' echoing from the cantaloups.
One tends to be cynical right off the bat when you see the
publicity Pearl Jam has received lately, and after their well
publicised campaign to keep ticket prices at concerts down, then to
see them pronounced as America's number one band in `People.'
Having said all this, it'd be the next logical step to tell you
that the album bites, bigtime.
But, it doesn't. This is, in fact, a remarkable album, up to and
exceeding the standards that one has come to expect from Pearl Jam.
It drives right from the start with the perhaps too simple `Last Exit'
and `Spins the Black Circle', and then begins to create magic with
`Nothingman.' There are many more golden moments, in fact, the last
five tunes of this CD rate as a high order rock 'n' roll suite.
There's a moment of something very different on `Pry,To' -- could
it be jazz intonations? Hmm, keep an eye out for new musical
directions in the future.
`Bugs' is the oddball tune on the CD, a kind of accordion
ditty/chant that I found hilarious. Buy this one quick, before the
Philadelphia Lite Strings get a hold of it.
LIVE AT THE BBS
The Beatles
It's nothing short of amazing to have a new Beatles album to
review, I believe the last one I reviewed was released was well
over twenty years ago. If memory serves me, the album was `Let it Be'
-- an album actually made before `Abbey Road', but released afterwards
due to the many problems the Beatles were going through at the time.
Damn, I just dated myself again. Don't worry kids, I won't fall down
and break my hip any time soon.
But I digress. This new collection is from an era previous to
`Let it Be'. Prior to rubbing a lamp on `Revolver' and letting the
creative genie completely loose on `Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts
Club Band', the Beatles were the MopTop Fab Four, singing yeah-yeah-
yeah tunes. Somewhere in the middle of the sixties, there is a
dividing line between the like of Herman's Hermits and The Electric
Prunes -- and this material is definitely from the former.
They did the yeah-yeah-yeah stuff damn well, mind you. This
collection has some real jewels from that era, and will be a treasure
chest for Beatlephiles and music historians.
It's not likely to turn the crank of anyone without lots of grey
hair. Interesting stuff, but don't expect anything that doesn't sound
like 1964.
HELL FREEZES OVER
The Eagles
Oh hey, there's a nice version of `Hotel California' on this
puppy. The tune has some nice trick guitar work, is beautifully
recorded, and I'd really enjoyed it if I hadn't heard it a bazillion
times, as has everyone else on the planet. There's also updates of
Eagles standards `Tequila Sunrise' and `Desperado', both well done.
The question does arise as to why the Eagles felt the need to redo
these classics, though.
There's new material as well, however, but it seems to be thrown
together -- perhaps it's a musical interpretation of Glen Frey's
gastroenteritis. Both Frey and Henley have had standout solo albums,
so one must surmise that they just didn't care about this one.
Break back up, guys!
ILL COMMUNICATION
The Beastie Boys
This album has been released for some time, and I hadn't bothered
to give it a listen.
It would seem that, these days, to have credibility as a rap
artist, one not only has to be black but must also be up for charges
in a drive-by shooting. Stereotypical, sure, but I'm as capable of
falling into the trap as anyone else. I had relegated the Beastie
Boys into the category of a novelty white act in a black genre.
Their comic-book tits 'n ass videos that accompanied their
initial and rather lame, efforts put them squarely in the category
of shopping mall rappers. It was only when I recently saw them
perform on Saturday Night Live that I thought I should give this
a listen.
Big surprise. The band can actually play now, and the boys sound
serious. If you listen to rap, check it out.
Religiously yours,
Rev. Richard Visage
rv@visage.jammys.net
(Note to editors: You'll be happy to know that I accomplished my
New Years Resolution with alarming speed. I still haven't figured
out how to get the red lace out from between my teeth, mind you.
Any progress on those endorsement contracts with the big recording
houses? Like, would it help if I said something nice about Whitney
Houston? ewwww.)
(Editor's note: You'll be happy to know our new health plan and
HMO provided by Dr. Jahhirr Alahbaphar, now includes testing for
many new and varied exoctic strains of STD's. He also recommends
brushing after every "meal" and adds, "Flossin'sooo good to you."
Ah! . . . the negotiations are, umm . . . in the mail, along with
your check. Perhaps it would be best if Whitney's Christmas
contributions were left unmentioned, maybe next year, or the year
after that.)
{DREAM}
Copyright 1995 Rev. Richard Visage
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. Richard Visage is the official Spiritual Advisor to Fidonet, and
is listed on the masthead of the Fidonews, where his correspondence
with the infamous Doc Logger is published regularly. The Rev. operates
1:163/409 on a laptop from various hotel rooms, and is bankrolled by
expense accounts from unsuspecting publications who showed the poor
judgement of hiring him. Canadian Government officials list him and
his semi-clad secretary, Ms. LaBamba, as officially being "at large"
somewhere in North America.
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