03/15/08
DECCA
THREE GRACES: In the waning moments of the music business, before Ashley Dupre’s MySpace page became the new standard of excellence, they kept the lights burning up at Decca to find the new page in the adult pop book. Melding three thrushes with adult pop chops ranging from Broadway to Michael Bubby to Andrea Bocelli, the resultant thinking was that three Sarah Brightman’s were better than one. Top flight songwriters that weren’t Diane Warren applied the symphonic patina and if this ain’t the kind of thing that can do monster business just from the next PBS pledge night, then the next Celtic Whosis can’t do it either. Event music for adult tastes scared off by classical, this has all the pomp and circumstance of heavy music but the three babes keep it on just the right keel to bring people into the tent rather than scare them off. Tasty, fun stuff you’re just as sure to find in a soccer mom’s mini van as you are her pair of Spanx.
9914
LOTOS NILE
BAND OF HEATHENS: Known for their live albums, the best Austin band of 2007 shows the Austin’s indy spirit is alive and well with this set that feels like the young Eagles come to Texas, mix it up with the locals and play to the fans rather than the industry hipsters. Smart southern/country rock that has some heartland heart running through it as well. A sure bet for anyone that’s ever grooved to that vibe and wants more without it being more of the same. Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard if that’s keeping it real enough for you.
1 (BOH)
ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
LE VENT DU NORD/Dans les Airs: The old time/modern fusion of French Quebec organic dance/party music continues on in fine form as the quartet kicks up their heels again in a sprightly fusion of foreign music from within our close by borders. Music that was originally made to make you tap your toes (due to space limitations), the toe tapping continues as does the grinning and other nods of approval. Organic stuff borne of church basements and festivals, this is the kind of stuff yuppies love when the need an aural getaway arises.
189 (Borealis)
WOLFSON PUBLIC RELATIONS
DAVID FAGIN/For Promotional Use Only: The left skewing singer/songwriter former leader of The Rosenbergs comes back to fiercely do it his way, so fierce in fact that’s he’s threatening to drop himself from his own label if this doesn’t hit in four months. More introspective this time around than you might remember him from the past, he’s still just as left of center as ever and if you dug him before, you might even dig him more now since he’s really putting it out front and center. The offbeat is alive and well.
(Noshpit)
Volume 31/Number 136
March 15, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record