Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Amazon review: Four-year career hiatuses followed by sprawling double-albums could spell trouble for a band of the Chili Peppers' stature: consider they'd originally recorded enough for three discs. The restless, trouble-plagued outfit that helped break alternative rock into the mainstream with a potent fusion of punk 'n' funk in the '80s finds itself two decades on almost completely devoid of the former's energetic abandon, while the latter's effusive rhythms are considerably subdued over the course of this two-hour, 28-track collection. It's not so much that the Peppers have lost their muscular, often uber-macho edge as they have willfully tamed it in service of mature reinvention here. The mellower, often introspective, if no less potent pop ethos that characterized the crossover hit "Under the Bridge" blossoms fully here on tracks like disc one's "Snow," "Wet Sand," and the jazz-cool of "Hey."
The title track, "Desecration Smile," and "She Looks To Me" finds them venturing further into laid back pop ballad territory, while the tricky rhythms of "Dani California," "Charlie," and "So Much I" eventually kick into familiar top gear on the pop-savvy "Tell Me Baby" and hip-hop seasoned "Storm in a Teacup." It's not that there's a paucity of musical adventure here ("If" and "Animal Bar" finds them wafting into Floydish neo-psychedelia while "Make You Feel Better" seems to channel no less than Joe Jackson) but that it's delivered with a subtlety--and dare we say it?--tasteful musical restraint that's a stark contrast to the band's early, overly overt nature. There's perhaps too much mid-tempo simmering and reflection going on; like most double-albums it could be focused into a much more compelling single disc. But that seems largely beside the Peppers' hooks-over-histrionics point here: an unlikely record to kick back to, and one that both challenges assumptions and eases the band into middle age with an oft languorous, if undeniably savory groove. Try here
Shakira - Oral Fixation 2 (and more!)
Amazon review: The English-language Oral Fixation Vol. 2 finds Shakira reclaiming some of the bite she showcased on 1998's smashing Donde Estan Los Ladrones? The Colombian rock goddess is making up for lost time: this is her second disc of new material in 2005. It's quite a feat, considering the four-year gap since Laundry Service, her scattershot, English-language debut album. Oral Fixation Vol. 2 is more mature and better focused than the spin-cycle pop of that 2001 disc. Kick-off track "How Do You Do" starts with a haunting reading of "The Lord's Prayer" before launching into a risky questioning of faith and religion. Shakira touches on the highs and lows of celebrity on a trio of tracks--the bittersweet "Your Embrace," the guitar-driven "Costume Makes the Clown," and the disco-fied, politically charged "Timor." Selfish men and failed relationships--two oft-mentioned topics of interest--anchor much of Oral Fixation Vol. 2. First single "Don't Bother" is a bitter ode to strength, jealousy, and survival; "Dreams for Plans" is a wistful collage of relationship memories; and Carlos Santana slides a sexy guitar riff under soulful standout track "Illegal." The purple haze of Prince hangs over "Animal City," one of the disc's most inventive moments. It's a free-wheeling melange of rock riffs, electronic accents, mariachi horns and confident vocals. Two songs from Fijacion Oral Vol. 1 make appearances--the somber "Something" and "The Day and the Time," which improves greatly upon its Spanish counterpart. Vol. 1, while at times enjoyable, was a portrait of a gifted artist struggling to keep her footing and retain her confidence. Oral Fixation Vol. 2 finds Shakira embracing the eclectic beauty within. It's a wonderful sound. Try here
Led Zeppelin
Good to know: The story of the top rock band that got its name when drummer Keith Moon predicted how the band would go over with audiences after hearing their demo tapes. Led Zeppelin's first album reached number 10 on the charts in 1969, and their popularity continued to grow with each subsequent album. But they were among the most hedonistic of all rock bands, and their indulgences led to a series of tragedies that ultimately broke up the band. However, they rank second only to The Beatles in sales. Try here Queen selected songs
Biography: In 1970 'Smile', the band formed by Brian May and Roger Taylor, had just lost its singer. Adding bass-player Mike Grose and vocalist Freddie Bulsara, they renamed the band 'Queen', and played their first gig in June. Grose lasted a month and was replaced by Barry Mitchell, who made it through to the end of the year. Bulsara, meanwhile, changed his name to Freddie Mercury. Mitchell quit in January and was replaced for one show by "a guy named Doug". When John Deacon succeeded him, the classic Queen line-up had been formed.Deacon's first gig was in July 1971 and in the second half of the year, the band formed an agreement with the new De Lane Lea studio, to demonstrate the facilities for potential clients, in exchange for recording their demo for free. One interested party was Trident Audio Production, who then sign Queen. They spent the rest of 1972 recording an album, but still had no record deal.
In March 1973 the band finally signed to EMI, and released their first album, 'Queen', later in the year. The single 'Keep Yourself Alive' failed to be play-listed on Radio 1, but was picked up by the Old Grey Whistle Test instead. Popular reception was better than the critical response, and the band finished the year supporting Mott the Hoople on Tour.
1974 started with a brief but disastrous tour of Australia, but a first appearance on 'Top of the Pops', and the release of their second album, lead to their first headlining tour of Britain. They followed this with half a tour of the US under Mott the Hoople again, before illness brought them home. As the year continued, their punishing tour schedule continued to win them fans, without converting the music press.
The release of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on October 31, 1975 was a turning point for the band. At first, the record company were reluctant to put it out, as it was nearly 6 minutes long, but enthusiastic support from Kenny Everett and a revolutionary promotional video took it to number one in the charts. It stayed there for nine weeks.
Over the next fifteen years, Queen established their reputation for extravagant live performances and studio albums full of their unique sound - loud, tuneful and almost operatic. They won awards for their songwriting, respect for their studio techniques and praise for their energy and showmanship in performance. They also provided the soundtrack for two films: 'Flash Gordon' and 'Highlander'.
Controversy arose in 1984 when the band played in South Africa, then still under Apartheid, which lead to them being blacklisted by the United Nations. However, the next year they were one of the biggest acts in the Live Aid concert for Famine Relief. This performance, regarded by many as the highlight of the night, firmly established them as a landmark in English Rock.
On November 23rd, 1991 Freddie Mercury announced to the world's press that he had AIDS. Exhausted after a long illness, he died the next day. The rest of the band released a charity single of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust, and followed that the next year with a Wembley Stadium concert celebrating his life.
The surviving members of the band continue to make music, both together and separately. In 2002, the group's greatest hits were turned into a stage musical,'"We Will Rock You' by Ben Elton. Critical reviews were, as ever, poor, but the production is a large commercial success.
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Guns N' Roses - Lies
A fan about the album: GN'R Lies is Guns N' Roses second album, and was released in 1988. It consists of eight songs.
The first four songs are actually Guns N' Roses independently released EP "Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide." These songs Pre-Date the band's major label debut "Appetite for Destruction." The highlight of this half, in my opinion, is the cover of the Aerosmith classic "Mama Kin." All of the songs on this side are supposedly live, though Axl Rose once said that most of the songs were recorded in a home studio, and had a live track placed in the background.
The second half of the album is entirely made up of acoustic tracks, all of which were recorded in one day, with all the band members playing together (the music-video for "Patience" shows footage of the recording session). "Patience" was the most successful of the songs, and became a massive hit. The album however was plauged (or blessed) by controversy due to the song "One in a Million." The lyrics included racial slurs and "homophobic remarks," in the words of protesters. The controversy only fueled album sales however, as the album went on to sell over 5 million copies.
The album is a solid effort by the Guns. It has been certified as 5x Platinum, and it is one of my favorite albums. Try here
Guns N' Roses - Appetite for destruction
Amazon Review: A glimpse of the future, and not because of its huge influence and umpteen million sales. The poor-little-rich-boy protest "Out ta Get Me" intimates that Axl Rose's egotism and martyr complex were soon to grow bigger than his head; still, Appetite's night-train wreck of punk and metal sounds and sensibilities make it more than just an emblem of its time. Whether GN'R are dancing with Mr. Brownstone, penning a callow kiss-off letter to some chick named Michelle, or passing out on somebody else's sofa, this was and remains a savage journey to the heart of the American--or at least the Hollywood--dream. Try here
