Yoko Ono- Take Me To The Land of Hell album review

 

Yoko Ono

Take Me To The Land Of Hell

Rating: ****

Many things have been said about Yoko Ono over the years. For some, she is seen as the person responsible for the split of the Beatles as she was the wife of John Lennon. Some deem her as controlling and simply cashing in on her late husband. For others, Yoko Ono is seen as an amazing artist. When it comes to her musical career, some critics have gone as far as saying that she was ahead of her, influencing artists such as the B52’s and Lene Lovich. Ono’s latest album, Take Me to the Land of Hell, sees her at it again with her son Sean Lennon and the revamped Plastic Ono Band. This is Ono’s first studio album since 2009’s Between My Head and the Sky. Even at 80 years old, Ono has made an album that sounds very modern.

            For this album, Ono has collaborated with artists who are familiar with electronic music. In recent years, Ono has been able to nab several #1 hits in the Billboard Dance Charts. The collaborations actually pay off. Even with the collaborations, it still sounds like a Yoko Ono album. Ono’s genre of music would be best described as experimental rock or avant garde, which this album certainly is.

            The album’s opener, “Moonbeams”, isn’t the strongest song but it opens the album perfectly: the futuristic sounds mixed in with Ono’s spoken word poetry sets you up for what you’re about to hear. Once you hear Ono’s traditional scream, you know what you’re in for. This is followed by the pleasantly psychedelic “Cheshire Cat”. It has an impressive bass line that drives the entire song in this stoner rock rhythm. “Tabetai” is collaboration with tUnE-yArDs and it’s a very good one: the track is catchy and has great drumming/percussion work. The most interesting of the collaborations would have to be the bouncy “Bad Dancer”, which features the surviving members of the Beastie Boys. I really like this one and the strangest thing is that I have no interest in the Beastie Boys whatsoever.

            Ono also has the chance to shine with several ballads. The self-titled track and “Watching the Dawn” have pretty melodies. The former uses violins while the latter is piano-oriented. While Ono isn’t known for having the greatest voice, she knows how to use it when it comes to ballads. It isn’t much but I think she knows it works. Ono leaves time on the album for the autobiographical “NY Noodle Town”, the funky spoken word “7^th Floor” and the surprisingly jazzy “Leaving Tim”.

            Overall, Take Me to the Land of Hell is a very good album from Yoko Ono. It’s impressive that she can pull this off at her age. However, I can’t say I’d recommend the album. Obviously, Yoko’s music isn’t for everyone. I’d say if you happen to appreciate some experimental music (i.e. Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and/or Tom Waits), give Yoko’s music a chance. If you’re already a fan of Yoko’s music, this is a no brainer: you must get it. 

The Kiss Solo Albums- 35 years later

By 1978, Kiss were one of the biggest rock bands in the world. From their iconic make-up to their explosive concerts, they were instantly loved by teenagers alike. In fact, a 1977 Gallup poll showed that Kiss were the most popular band. The band were also known for their long line of merchandise. Everything from action figures to pinball machines were out there for people to buy.

It was also it 1978 that their management decided that the band was movie material. During this time, the band took part in filming the campy made-for-TV-movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. The filming for the movie was disastrous: the band couldn't act to save their lives and there were also tensions within the band. The movie would later premiere on ABC in October 1978. While it was a hit in the ratings, the movie was panned by critics. Some countries went as far to releasing the movie theatrically (under a different title and with additional scenes).

After the filming of Phantom, guitarist Ace Frehley felt like it was time for him to leave the band. He was told not to and instead, make a solo album while still in the band. This idea grew and in the end, it was decided all four members would  make their own solo album.

The albums were released on September 18, 1978.

Usually in anniversary articles, I go into detail about how the songs were written and came to be. In this case with their being four albums to cover, I will simply review each album.

As for the order I review them in...most Kiss fans will go by the cataloge number of the album. If this is the case, this is the order:

Gene Simmons
Ace Frehley
Peter Criss
Paul Stanley

 

Gene Simmons

1978

Rating: ***

According to his 2002 autobiography Kiss & Make Up, Gene Simmons had one thing in mind when he was making his solo album: his would be the best. The result: eh...it certainly isn't the best but there are some very interesting songs on Gene's album. Of the four albums, Gene's is by far the most diverse. While this is a rock album, Gene experiments with disco, soul, R&B, and even a classical tune. When it comes to rockers, Gene does okay: songs such as "Radioactive" and his re-recording of Kiss' "See You In Your Dreams" are examples. However, Gene doesn't shy away from showing his Beatles influences in "See You Tonight", "Mr. Make Believe" and "Man of 1000 Faces". Gene's album is also the most star-studded featuring musicians such as Joe Perry and Rick Nielsen. Donna Summer is on backing vocals on "Burning Up With Fever" and Cher can be heard on "Living In Sin".  Now what's bad about this album? Well, the soul/R&B songs are the weak spots this album as they are pretty forgettable. He even has the balls to end his album with a cover of "When You Wish Upon a Star".

 

Ace Frehley

Rating: ****

It's pretty funny: it was suggested he should make a solo album and he ended up making probably the best of the four albums. At this point in time, no one had really heard Ace Frehley take the mic. His singing debut was "Shock Me" from Love Gun but this time, he was singing an album's worth of songs. Statistics show that Frehley's album sold the most copies and there's a reason why: it's a great album. Even Kiss' harshest critics have a soft spot for this album. I think what make Ace's album so great is because of its simplicity: basic, hard-hitting rock n roll- no frills. It sounds as if he really wasn't trying. He just went in and made a rock album. Ace certainly doesn't mess around with rip roaring rockers such as "Rip It Out", "Ozone" and "Speedin' Back to My Baby". There even more melodic numbers with "What's On Your Mind" and the instrumental "Fractured Mirror". Unlike the other solo albums, Frehley was able to score a hit single with his cover of Hello's "New York Groove". 

 

Peter Criss

Rating: ** 1/2

It really hurts me to do this: Peter Criss' solo album is, without a doubt, the weakest of the solo albums. Even sales show that his album sold the least of the solo albums. I really don't know what to think of Peter Criss. I think he's a great drummer but he just seems very bitter when he talks about his times in Kiss, especially about the current line-up. As for the album,  it's just boring. I will admit that Peter has a great singing voice but the songs here are dull. I only really like a few songs on here: "I'm Gonna Love You" is a nice pop track while "Tossin' and Turnin'" is good fun. I even like the album's closer, "I Can't Stop the Rain". The rest of the album is mediocre at best. I do like that Peter tried something different but this album could've really used some good hard rockers. There's even a song on here titled "That's The Kind of Sugar Papa Likes". Seriously? Still, I can somehow sit through Peter's album but that doesn't mean it's easy.

 

Paul Stanley

Rating: ****

With him being my favorite member of Kiss, Paul Stanley's solo album has albums been a favorite of mine. Sometimes, I can't decide whether I like Paul's or Ace's more. The thing I like to say is Ace's is the best but Paul's is my favorite. I know that doesn't really make any sense but please work with me for a moment here! Of the four solo albums, Paul's album sounds the most like a Kiss album which what I think I like about it: it's a great combination of hard rock and pop hooks. "Tonight You Belong to Me" is a killer opening track while "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me" has a very power pop sound to it. There are more hard rockers in the form of "Love in Chains" and some more on the pop side such as "It's Alright" and "Goodbye". Paul can't help but have several ballads. The strongest of them, for me personally, is "Take Me Away (Together As One". Paul's vocal performance alone makes that song great.

The solo albums by Kiss were big sellers but critically, the albums were not well received at the time. The band were blamed for being lazy just for taking on such an unusual project. In 1979, the band regrouped for Dynasty. The album was another big seller and featured the hit single "I Was Made For Lovin' You". The fans, however, felt that the band had sold out given the single and the album leaned more towards a disco sound than a hard rock sound. Criss left in 1980 and Frehley followed in 1982. After a series of poor selling albums in the early 1980's, Simmons and Stanley decided it was time for the band to remove their iconic make-up. On September 18, 1983 (five years to the day the solo albums were released) Kiss finally unmasked on MTV and released Lick It Up. It was a brand new chapter for the band and Lick It Up was well received.  

As of 2013, Kiss is still performing (though with the make up back on since 1996). Simmons and Stanley remain the two sole constant members of the band. Since 2004, they have been with guitarist Tommy Thayer and long time drummer Eric Singer. 

As for the Kiss solo albums, some overlook them as flops. Still, there are members of the loyal Kiss Army who still enjoy listening to these four albums. 

Paul McCartney's New to be released October 15

After months of speculation, it's official: Paul McCartney will have a brand new studio album out before the year ends. The album, entitled New, will be McCartney's first studio album since last year's Kisses On the Bottom. Since Kisses was mostly an album of standards, New will be McCartney's first album to consist of original material since 2007's Memory Almost Full. The self-titled track is out now for digital download while the album will be released on October 14 in the UK and on October 15 in the US.

I'm very happy to hear this news. It's great that Paul is coming out with a new studio album so soon after Kisses On the Bottom. I thought Kisses was okay and know it was an album that Paul wanted to make for some time. His previous solo efforts have been good. I enjoyed Memory Almost Full but I think the last great one he released was 2005's Chaos and Creation in the Backyard. My only problem with this news: the album title. C'mon Paul! New? You couldn't think of a better album title? However, the new song is pretty good. It reminds me very much of "Penny Lane" or something the Beatles would've done back in their later years.

So yeah, I'll be looking forward to this.

I'm going to try something different and put the YouTube video right here so you can listen to the song.

Fleetwood Mac- Then Play On reissue/remaster review

 

Fleetwood Mac

Then Play On

1969

Rating: ****

Bonus tracks: ****

Some might find it hard to believe that before their success with albums such as Rumours and Tusk, Fleetwood Mac was actually a blues rock band then they were formed by guitarist Peter Green in 1967. Fleetwood Mac’s third album, Then Play On, is often considered by many to be their best effort when Green was in the band. The album is also the last the band would make with Green, as he left the band a year after the album’s release in 1970. Now in 2013, the album has been reissued and remastered with the original UK tracking list and segues.

Fleetwood Mac was formed in 1967 by guitarist Peter Green. With Green was guitarist Jeremy Spencer, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood. Green named the band using the surnames of the band’s rhythm section of McVie and Fleetwood. By 1969, the band had released two studio albums- a self-titled debut and Mr. Wonderful. Both efforts were simple blues rock albums and good enough for the band to make a name for themselves. IT was also around this time the band added a third guitarist, Danny Kirwin. The band soon achieved success with a hit single in the UK, the instrumental “Albatross”.

An album like Then Play On was a huge step for the band. Green decided that while sticking to their blues roots, why not dabble in progressive rock? “Coming Your Way” is a great intro and fits with the album cover painted by Maxwell Armfield. Green, Spencer and Kirwin all get to shine on this track. Blues comes in the form of the instrumental “Fighting for Madge”, Kirwin’s 12-bar “One Sunny Day”, the boogie riddled “Rattlesnake Shake”, and the sorrowful “Like Crying”. Songs such as “Closing My Eyes”, “Without You” and “When You Say” are beautiful ballads while “Underway” and “Searching for Madge” create this a sort of psychedelic atmosphere.

As for the sound, it’s fantastic. Then Play On is an album that has been retooled and messed with by the record labels for years. As mentioned before, this reissue is a remaster of the UK version. The US version was released twice in 1969. Both versions omitted songs from the UK version and rearranged segues. For example, the giggle at the start of “Like Crying” is moved to the end of “Searching for Madge”. When first released on CD in 1990, the album was changed up again. While mostly following the US versions, the segues were put in different places and once again, omitted several songs.

One major criticism of the 1990 issue that had fans complaining was the sound quality of the digital transfer, citing that there was too much hiss and distortion. I’ve done several sound comparisons of the 1990 issue and the new remaster. The 1990 version sounds much louder but very hissy and perhaps a little too much reverb. The new remaster does not sound distorted nor does it sound hissy. In fact, it sounds perfect. I’ve never heard the original vinyl but I can believe this is what people heard back in 1969. There’s no need to worry about any massive clipping either.

There are a few bonuses with this reissue. Insightful liner notes are written by Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke and there are a few bonus tracks. First, there’s the band’s hit single “Oh Well”. Unlike the 1990 issue in which the track as one nine minute track, the song is split into its original two parts like the original 45 single. Also on is another single, “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” and its B-side “World in Harmony”. The former may sound familiar as it was covered by Judas Priest in 1979 while the latter is seeing its debut appearance on CD.

If you were disappointed by the 1990 issue of Then Play On, this is a no brainer: get this remaster immediately. If you are a stranger to Fleetwood Mac’s bluesy beginnings, Then Play On is a pretty good place to start. 

Riot to release new studio album in 2014

Hard rockers Riot have announced today via Facebook that they will have a new studio album out in 2014. The album will be released on SPV/Steamhammer in the US and Europe and on Avalon/Marquee in Asia. No other information has been given on the album except that an extensive press release will be coming soon, along with samples of the new release. This will be Riot's first studio album without guitarist and founding member Mark Reale, who died back in January 2012 after his lifelong battle with Crohn's Disease.

I'm very happy to hear that Riot will have a new album out. I don't totally understand the album title but I'm sure we'll find out in the near future. Although I'm happy to hear this, I can't help but think if it's okay for their to be a Riot album without Mark Reale on it. Perhaps they could release the album under another name?

Since the Facebook post did say a press release will follow, I will post more on this upcoming album when the time comes.

Update: I have a few things wrong here. Donnie Van Stavern, bassist of Riot, commented on my story on Facebook telling me the album does not have a title yet (although I did put one there, Chapter 5- Back For the Attack- that was the name of the press release). Recording for the album will start in December. Stavern also said that the band name might change.

Black Sabbath come to Philly

Black Sabbath

Live in Philadelphia

Wells Fargo Center

August 10, 2013

It might be hard to believe but after years and years of waiting, Black Sabbath are finally back on tour. The reunited original line up (sans drummer Bill Ward) are touring in support of their latest studio album 13. As you can imagine, the place was packed with Sabbath fans waiting for an evening of great music.

            There was an opening act in the form of Andrew W.K. While his name might sound new, Andrew W.K. is a metal singer turned TV personality. Instead of having his own band and performing his songs, W.K. did something unusual: he stood on top of platform, playing hard rock and heavy metal classics, and at times shooting Sabbath t-shirts into the crowd. It was strange but ironically enough, W.K. did play some Dio and Deep Purple (the irony being that Dio and Ian Gillan have both sung for Sabbath at one point in time). W.K. even played Sabbath’s “Who Are You”, a deep cut from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

            Sabbath hit the stage at around 8:45 pm. The crowd went wild as sirens wailed and the black curtain went up. “How ya doin’?!” singer Ozzy Osbourne yelled as the band went into “War Pigs”. Osbourne let the crowd sing a line or two in the song to the point where he was gleefully conducting the audiences in vocalizing the song.

            Next came fan favorites such as “Into the Void” and “Snowblind”. The band even dug deep in their catalogue with “Under the Sun” and even the instrumental “Rat Salad” which led into a drum solo from drummer Tommy Clufetos. Even though Ward isn’t with the band anymore, Clufetos is a great drummer. The speed and energy Clufetos has is remarkable.

            With this tour being in promotion for their latest studio album, the band did play three songs from 13: “Age of Reason”, “End of the Beginning”, and “God Is Dead?” I find it funny that with a band like Black Sabbath, people are begging for a new studio album. When it comes time for a band to play those new songs, people walk out. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Sabbath: barely anybody in the audience walked out during a new song. It goes to show that people actually like the new album.

            Sabbath also played their classics, all of which had fans singing along and clapping their hands to. During “Black Sabbath”, Osbourne commanded that the crowd turn on their cell phones and light up their cigarette lighters. Looking all around the place, it was a sea of flames. It was amazing. Bassist Geezer Butler had his chance to shine during “Behind the Wall of Sleep” playing his bass solo “Bassically” which, of course, went into the Sabbath classic “N.I.B.”.

            If one member of the band had to be awarded with MVP, guitarist Tony Iommi deserves it. As many know, Iommi is the only member of Sabbath that has been in every line-up change in the band’s history. In early 2012, Iommi was diagnosed with early stages of lymphoma. During the recording of the latest album, Iommi went through chemotherapy. During the concert, it was obvious that lymphoma is no match for the mighty riff master. He nailed every solo in each song, including classic such as “Iron Man”, “Dirty Women”, “Fairies Wear Boots”, and “Children of the Grave”.

            Osbourne was in great shape. It’s no secret that Osbourne has done almost every drug out there for years and years. Despite what most people say, Osbourne’s vocals sounded just fine. His onstage shtick as not changed with his cries of “Let me see ya hands!”, “We love you”, and “How the f*ck are ya?” Overall, Osbourne still has it. 

            “Children of the Grave” was supposed to be the last song played but Osbourne told the crowd if they made enough noise, they’d play one more song. As you can imagine, they did with playing the opening to “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” which went right into “Paranoid”.

“God bless you, Philly! We love you all!” Osbourne yelled.

            Black Sabbath were, in a word, amazing. That’s saying a lot considering these guys are in their mid-60’s. The question is if they’ll ever go back on tour sometime after this current one ends. Judging by the band smiling every so often during the show, it looks like they’re really enjoying this. If Black Sabbath come to a town near you, do yourself a favor and see them.

Setlist

1.      War Pigs

2.      Into the Void

3.      Under the Sun

4.      Snowblind

5.      Age of Reason

6.      Black Sabbath

7.      Behind the Wall of Sleep/NIB

8.      End of the Beginning

9.      Fairies Wear Boots

10.  Rat Salad (with Tommy Clufetos drum solo)

11.  Iron Man

12.  God Is Dead?

13.  Dirty Women

14.  Children of the Grave

Encore

15.  Paranoid (with Sabbath Bloody Sabbath intro)

George Duke dead at 67

George Duke

January 12, 1946-August 5, 2013

Jazz artist and keyboardist George Duke died yesterday. He was 67. The cause of death has yet to be announced. Duke was known for his work in jazz music, starting his career by playing with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. Over the four decades of his career, Duke has collaborated with dozens of artist including Miles Davis and Michael Jackson. 

In the rock world, Duke is best known for being the keyboardist for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Duke joined Zappa in 1970, first appearing on Chunga's Revenge. Duke appears on several of Zappa's most celebrated works including Over-Nite Sensation, One Size Fits All, and Apostrophe just to name a few. 

As a Zappa fan, it is sad to hear of George's passing. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

RIP George.