|
MAY 2005 ISSUE #71 
13 song CD I know what you're thinking---why is this guy reviewing Joe Perry? He's hardly independent---he's freaking Aerosmith! Well, I have two reasons to justify it: the first being that he has probably influenced more modern day guitarists than just about anyone else in rock outside of Jimmy Page, and second---this album is sure to confound just about every big time rock journalist out there, because it certainly ain't Steven Tyler & Co. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for his pedigree, this album surely wouldn't have the backing of a major label like Columbia. This is actually Perry's fourth solo album, his first three were released during his infamous absence from Aerosmith in the mid 80s. Those releases were pretty much straight-ahead rockers, which didn't stray very far from the classic rock formula. This one is a little different, in that Perry takes a lot of chances and risks which one normally wouldn't expect from a highly commercialized rock star. While the album is full of hits and misses, it is refreshing to know that Perry isn't just painting by numbers. The record is truly a labor of love, and it shows. Case in point being that Perry handles the vocal duties, although even by self-admission he does not have a great singing voice. The high points come when Perry breaks loose with
the big guitars he's famous for, like the full-throttle assault
of Shakin' My Cage, or the mean bar-stomping blooze
of Woody Guthrie's Vigilante Man. He also scores points with the
introspective Pray For Me, a laid back ballad which
revolves around mystical eastern sounds and cool world rhythms.
The album jumps the tracks notably in a few spots, like the ill-fated
cover of The Door's Crystal Ship (a non-singer should
not try to emulate one of rock's greatest singers), and the cliché-heavy
Ten Years, which features mind-numbing lyrics like,
"When you smile at me it's a brand new day, when you smile
at me it takes my breath away, when you smile at me my sun comes
out, when you smile at me it makes me want to shout." Ugh.
That is downright painful. When it comes down to it, I have to hand it to the guy. It's a noble effort, even though he certainly doesn't have to make one. Perry does well to follow his own advice and let the music do the talking. MISH MASH Mandate: Perry Project
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
HEY BANDS! OPEN YOUR OWN ONLINE T-SHIRT SHOP FOR FREE!
|
New Music Reviews |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contramano Contramano El Cacho 12 song CD
The band is most outstanding on the track Checking U, where their
pop sensibilities shine through brilliantly. The song begins with
a racing line from the cello, which gives way to a quick, catchy
and rhythmically jerky little power pop song. It's a perfect blend
of angst and creative songwriting, where all the band's strengths
come together. This one is definitely going into the stack of favorites. Contramano Website Flunk All Day And All Of The Night Remixes Kriztal 7 song CD
Flunk has taken The Kinks' All Day And All Of The Night
and transformed it from a garage punk icon into a dreamy dance floor
booty-shaker. This extended EP (is there such a thing?) features
their cover, along with a remix of their rendition of the Kinks
classic. Also included are remixes of Flunk's own Play,
which has gained notoriety by being on the soundtrack for the hit
TV show, The O.C.. If nothing else, this is a sweet little taste of an exciting group, and it leaves you wanting much, much more. MISH MASH Mandate: Kinky Dreams Cricket Motel Magazine Self-Released 8 Song CD
This is classic rock, old school style. Name a group, and these
guys probably have some element in their sound which would remind
you of them. Cricket is a power trio hailing from Louisville,
KY, and they've certainly done their rock-n-roll homework. Think
Thin Lizzy-meets-Motley Crue-meets-The White Stripes. They've
got it all. MISH MASH Mandate: Motel Madness Double Split 7" singles Boyarm Records 2 7" vinyl singles
Record number two begins with a pop gem from TWFS called Shake
You Off, which mixes melodic Brian Wilson-esque melodies and jangly
indie guitar pop. Side two takes us into a completely different
direction, as Sybris goes ethereal and atmospheric with the quiet
loneliness of The Clowns Were Hilarious. While there's only four
songs represented here, the whole package and concept makes it
feel complete. Ten Words For Snow Website Bolt Movement And Detail Self-Released 11 Song CD
Bolt Website
Anya Marina Miss Halfway Good Rope Records 11 song CD
MISH MASH Mandate: Half Full Anya Marina Website © 2005 Mish Mash Music Reviews, All Rights Reserved
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
