Farewell 2016!

It's that time once again...time to say goodbye to another year. 

My year...

I didn't really get out to see any live music. The only thing I made it out to was Newport Jazz and Folk. 

I didn't really buy much new music. Off the top of my head I bought David Bowie's Blackstar and The Heavy's Hurt & The Merciless. Both good albums. In both cases, I still find myself going back to their older works. I also picked up SATE's RedBlack&Blue and The Broadcast's From The Horizon. I'm sure there were a few more but that's off the top of my head.

That's not to say I didn't buy music. Most of it was used vinyl or shiny reissues. Notable reissues...Led Zeppelin - The Complete BBC Sessions box set. David Bowie's Bowie At The Beeb: The Best Of The BBC Radio Sessions '68-'72 box set, Hunky Dory, The Man Who Sold The World, Space Oddity and Pinups...yeah I listened to a lot of Bowie. Temple Of The Dog - Temple Of The Dog...still love this album. Metallica - Kill 'Em All...some will frown, but this has always been my favorite of theirs. There were a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.

I streamed a lot of movies and television...spent a lot of time streaming shows on the Acorn channel. I only made it out to the theatre once and that was to see Captain America Civil War...I streamed a lot of comic book movies this year.

I barely touched my camera this year. I've just not felt the inspiration. It will hit again one day, I suppose.

My little corner of the blog world turned eight this year. I didn't think I posted much to the blog but looking at my archives I posted more in 2016 than I ever have...who knew! Overall, I felt more than a bit of apathy this year.

Enough already 2016...stop being obnoxious 2016...just be over already 2016...I'm done with you 2016...I hate you 2016. Various forms of this have been seen all over social media. Some in regards to politics. Some in regards to death. For all of the people who felt the need to chastise folks for telling 2016 enough already...we all know that 2016 didn't pick up an implement of destruction and go on some rampant killing spree. It's just a common thread expression in response to sadness, disappointment, frustration and anger.

Being a presidential election year, I couldn't turn on the news or visit social media without some sort of political experience. I would say that this has been the most angry, hate filled election our country has had as far as I can remember. It was sad watching people I know, reasonably intelligent, normally reasonably sane people, turn vicious and at times childish. It will be a memorable election and I'm sure the coming four years will see more of each side at their worst.

There were a lot of celebrity deaths this year. Yes, I know, there are every year. But this year saw the loss of a lot of people who crossed genres, cultures and generations. Below are just a few of the losses. 

• Alan Rickman (who stole my heart as Hans Gruber and kept it (Always) as Professor Snape and many other characters)
• Alan Thicke
• Anton Yelchin
• Bernie Worrell
• Carrie Fisher
• David Bowie (so many hours of listening pleasure)
• Debbie Reynolds
• Ed Harsch (the Black Crowes were a big part of my music listening...my concert going life and his playing with them was a big part of countless listening sessions)
• Florence Henderson 
• Gene Wilder
• George Irving voice of the Heat Miser (not a Christmas goes by without singing along with the Miser Brothers)
• George Martin
• George Michael (Careless Whisper is still my jam...anyone remember Wham Rap?)
• Glenn Frey (I know more Eagles songs that I care to admit!)
• Greg Lake
• Guy Clark
• Gwen Ifill
• Harper Lee (I don't know how many times I've read To Kill A Mockingbird over the years)
• Keith Emerson
• Leon Russell
• Leonard Cohen
• Maurice White (one of the first live shows I ever remember seeing was Earth Wind & Fire)
• Miss Cleo
• Muhammad Ali
• Natalie Cole (a childhood favorite...yes mom, I still sing a long in my outside voice)
• Patty Duke (I can probably still sing the theme to The Patty Duke Show...watched those repeats endless times as a kid)
• Pete Burns (You Spin Me Round is still my jam)
• Prince (this loss, I think, made me the saddest)
• Ron Glass
• Sharon Jones 
• Vanity
• Zsa Zsa Gabor

Peace to these folks who entertained me in some way and to the many others not listed.

To all of you who have stopped by my little corner of the internet, thank you!

Cheers,
LaNita

Album of the Year...According to Me: U.S. Royalty - Mirrors

Normally at the end of the year, I put together a series of posts “reviewing” records I didn’t get around to mentioning throughout the year. This year, I wanted to change things up a bit. I considered putting together one of those nifty little best of lists. But then, I started thinking... that happens from time to time! There are several records that came out this year that I like be it because they were well crafted, catchy or just because. But, how many of those albums do I really listen to? By really listen to, I mean in regular rotation and can sing-a-long to sort of thing.

I did some highly complicated scientific calculations based on my listening habits and I determined the Quirky NY Chick Album of the Year...According to Me honor goes to, U.S. Royalty for their much listened to Mirrors.

The DC area band released Mirrors, their full-length debut, in January of 2011. When the record landed in my inbox (note to me, order physical copy!), I put it on and it has stayed in regular rotation since then. I’ve listened to it a lot. It’s um, playing right now as I type. Yeah, let’s just say, they would likely even say I’ve listened to their record too much! Is it a perfect record? No, but what is? There are a couple of songs, “Vacation Vacation” and “Old Flames,” that I don’t feel as much as the rest of the album, sorry fellas. That being said, the highlights far outweigh the “I ain’t feeling it” moments. I was initially drawn to “Hollywood Hollows.” I tend to listen to music before I listen to lyrics; it’s just how I work. The stomp blues rock of “Hollywood Hollows” is frankly some of the sexiest sounding rock ‘n’ roll to hit my ears in a while. The first several times I listened to the song, I frankly didn’t care what the lyrics were. The music combined with vocalist John Thornley’s phrasing dripped of musical sexiness and, I happen to like when my rock ‘n’ roll is sexy and a little dirty sounding. However, it’s the catchy “Monte Carlo” that gets stuck in your head for hours at a time. It is quite simply one of those wonderful pop rock songs that is worthy of being #1 on the Billboard charts. The fact that it is reminiscent of some of those classic Buckingham/Nicks era Fleetwood Mac songs (check out Paul Thornley’s guitar work on the track, Buckingham would be proud) just adds to the charm. From there you’re led into “Equestrian” full of driving rhythms that sound incredibly grand. “The Desert Won’t Save You,” another song I listened to several times before even listening to the lyrics, is also rather grand in sound with it’s Zepplinesque vibe. It just sounds intensely heavy reeling you in with seductive guitar work that weaves throughout the song then it pounds you hard before easing you back down through a maze of rhythm to let you go gently. Put on some headphones, grab a glass of wine (or some mother nature if that’s your thing), light some incense and candles and just let it take you away; it’s that kind of song.

Mirrors is an incredibly strong body of work. When I first mentioned this record on my little corner of the internet world, I put it on my list of recommended listens. Almost a year later, I still feel the same way.

U.S. Royalty also get kudos for putting on one helluva live show. They’re full of Stones like bravado giving you a show full of sweat, swagger and good old fashioned, no holds barred, we came to entertain you rock music. My only complaint would be that due to some bizarre cosmic deprivation conspiracy happenings, I only got to see one of their many NYC shows this year!

For those who were curious, the remaining two on my top three ridiculous number of listens list were... Nicole Atkins’ seriously wonderful Mondo Amore and I’ve worn out Jump Into The Gospel’s four song Self-titled EP... more songs, please fellas.

Year End Review: The Black Crowes – Croweology

In August, The Black Crowes released their latest effort, Croweology. The Paul Stacey produced, double disc, acoustic work was released on the band’s own Silver Arrow label. Croweology commemorates the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut classic Shake Your Moneymaker reworking hits, fan favorites and other songs from their career.

When I first sat down to listen to the record, my first thought was, this is what the Crowes brief appearance on Unplugged back in the day should have sounded like. Then I listened again and thought, perhaps not. The Black Crowes that did that were wild, raw and hungry. There was a loose cannon edge to them. I wouldn’t trade that period in Crowes history for the world. Croweology is what years of seasoning and maturity sounds like. Does it make me feel like the guitar and vocals are going to take me over the edge into some unknown territory? No, it doesn’t. Twenty years ago, they made me feel as if they were saying “take my hand, the ride could get intense and scary but it’ll always be alright.” Twenty years later they make me feel like they’re saying “come by for Sunday dinner, we’ll eat and shoot the breeze.” That’s not saying it’s boring. That’s saying we’re grown up; we’re all twenty years older. This is us with lines around our eyes and twenty years of rock ‘n’ roll coursing through our veins. There’s a certain level of visiting an old friend type of comfort in listening to this record.

A friend of mine wasn’t so keen on getting this record because she’s a purist, and why mess with something that wasn’t broken. I think if it were any other band I’d probably feel the same way. But, one of the things I always loved about the Crowes was their desire and ability to change things up a bit live and that’s what this record feels like to me, an acoustic, structured, jam session. Yeah, I know, structured and jam session don’t belong in the same sentence!

Croweology brings back a lot of memories and I’ve enjoyed listening to it. Would I trade in the original versions of the songs for the versions on this collection? No. I might trade in a few of my well worn bootleg versions for these renditions … maybe. And, I have to say, I much prefer this type of “best of” instead of the traditional re-packaging of tracks that are nothing more than exactly what you already have only in a new package. I can do that myself on my music player, it’s called a playlist. So, kudos to the band on taking the mildly alternative route with their “best of” release.

As I played the disc, someone who had to endure endless plays of their albums and probably groaned every time I came back from the mailbox with an envelope of cassettes (they knew that envelope would contain several hours of live Crowes), came into the room. Their favorite Crowes song is “She Talks To Angels” so I skipped to that track. I asked what she thought and she replied “Chris sounds sane.” Huh? I was informed that there was a period where she thought he sounded substance aided lost and crazy. Okay. Vocally, Robinson sounds great on Croweology. To be honest, it might well be the best I’ve heard him, certainly in a good long time. He sounds less nasally, more controlled and there’s a maturity in his voice that’s comforting and warm. The Black Crowes have always been a top notch band. The rest of the band does some excellent work on this record and I’m not slighting them but Robinson’s vocals are the highlight here. The band has perfectly created a stage for Robinson to sparkle and shine.

While some may disagree, I think this is a fitting record to celebrate twenty years. Since the band is going on hiatus for an unspecified amount of time, I think it’s also a fitting way to say, “thanks and see you around” to their fans. Twenty years ago, I saw The Black Crowes, Chris, Rich, Steve, Johnny & Jeff for the first time and began my journey that while altered, has never ended. I’ve come full-circle now. Chris, Rich & Steve thank you for twenty years. To those who have come and gone and those of the current incarnation, thanks as well, you've helped make the journey a memorable one.

Croweology is a tidy package that brings things full-circle. And that my friends, is just what the quirky chick needed.

Track List

Disc 1

• Jealous Again
• Share The Ride
• Remedy
• Non-Fiction
• Hotel Illness
• Soul Singin'
• Ballad In Urgency
• Wiser Time
• Cold Boy Smile
• Under A Mountain

Disc 2

• She Talks To Angels
• Morning Song
• Downtown Money Waster
• Good Friday
• Thorn In My Pride
• Welcome To The Good Times
• Girl From A Pawnshop
• Sister Luck
• She
• Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye

Year End Review: Triple Cobra At Arlene's Grocery

Triple Cobra: August 14 @ Arlene's Grocery, New York, NY

In August, I ventured down to the LES to check out a band I dig at Arlene's Grocery. After that set was over, I was going to leave. Before doing that though, I'd ask someone standing near me if they'd heard the band that was going to play next. They said no. But, the place started filling up and I began to wonder about the band. Then, out walked a group of folks in white to set up. Okay, now I'm really curious. I look up and there's a man in glitter lipstick and eye make-up with flowing sleeves. Okay, I thought, I need to hear what these people sound like! But, I'll be honest, I thought I'd only stay for a song or two.

The band was Triple Cobra from San Francisco (though they're apparently relocating to New York now) and they set about putting on a no holds bar glam rock feast. The show was dark and sweaty. There was confetti and sparks. There were moody light hues. They came to put on a show and they succeeded; their fans loved every bit of it.

I walked in not knowing who this band was. I ended up staying the entire set and enjoying myself. If you haven't seen them live, they're well worth checking out. Triple Cobra are a tremendously fun live band to see.

(More photos HERE)

Year End Review: Paul McCartney & Wings - Band On The Run

November 2, we saw the re-mastered, re-release of Paul McCartney & Wings' classic hit album, Band on the Run. It's the first release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. The 2 CD/1 DVD special edition consists of the original album, a disc of bonus tracks plus a disc containing more than an hours worth of video footage all wrapped up in a tidy enhanced package.

Band on the Run, originally released in 1973, came after some hit and miss McCartney albums. There were some gems on those works but overall, they were just nice. Band on the Run however sparkled and shined with the well crafted pop goodies that McCartney was and is known for. It's a record that still holds up well.

I've been spinning this release. In listening to it, the first thing I noticed was, I needed better headphones! Once that was squared away, I plugged in and cranked the sound. The re-master is louder and more clean than previous releases of the record. I hear more little bits and bobs that I never noticed before.

I realized something while listening to the record. All of the songs that I as a child, first associated as being McCartney, came from this album. Yes, as a kid I knew The Beatles music. But that was The Beatles and Beatle Paul and Wings Paul may have been one and the same, but they were separate in my mind. Beatles Paul was in funny movies and was a cartoon, literally ... oh and he wrote some great songs. But, Wings Paul was a rock star that people could actually go and see. He wasn't the larger than life entity his earlier self had become. Hey, nobody ever said kids made sense! Anyway, two of my all time favorite Wings songs come from this record "Let Me Roll It" and "Bluebird." Even though I've heard the song many times over the years, "Mrs. Vandebilt" has jumped out at me. It just pops on this edition and has been getting repeated plays.

I was excited about the One Hand Clapping video footage. But, I have to say, I'm just a wee bit disappointed. Yes, I'm happy to have it but it doesn't look like it has had any work done to it at all. I realize the footage is old but I expected it to be cleaner. As it stands, it feels a bit like watching a second (maybe third) generation bootleg VHS recording.

In a way, you can consider Band on the Run a best of record. It's some of McCartney's best post Fab Four work to date. I can't imagine a McCartney fan who doesn't own the album. But, if you're one of those who has the album in its original release and never got around to buying it on CD or digitally, now's a good time to pick it up (vinyl lovers need not fear, it's available in that format as well), it's a good little package. Listening to this re-master reminded me just how much I like this record.

Since there are plans to release other records as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, I'm hoping the next one will be Wings Over America with a bonus DVD of Rockshow in its entirety. That would make me one seriously happy chick.

Band on the Run (Special Edition)

Remastered Album

• Band on the Run
• Jet
• Bluebird
• Mrs Vandebilt
• Let Me Roll It
• Mamunia
• No Words
• Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)
• Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

Bonus Audio Tracks

• Helen Wheels
• Country Dreamer
• Bluebird [from One Hand Clapping]
• Jet [from One Hand Clapping]
• Let Me Roll It [from One Hand Clapping]
• Band on the Run [from One Hand Clapping]
• Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five [from One Hand Clapping]
• Country Dreamer [from One Hand Clapping]
• Zoo Gang

DVD

• Band on the Run Music Video
• Mamunia Music Video
• Album Promo Featuring Band on the Run, Mrs Vandebilt, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, Bluebird
• Helen Wheels Music Video
• Wings In Lagos
• Osterley Park
• One Hand Clapping

Year End Review: Langhorne Slim - Be Set Free

Back around late September/early October, Langhorne Slim released his third album, Be Set Free. Slim was one of the few artists whose performance I missed entirely at this years Folk Festival 50 in Newport. I was a bit disappointed as I'd heard he puts on a good show. Ah, perhaps another time.

When I first put Be Set Free on, my initial reaction to the record was "eh." It just didn't do anything for me really. I didn't think it was a bad record. It just didn't grab me. But, I put it on again a week or so later and thought to myself, "hm, this really isn't as "eh" as I remember it being. Maybe I should give this a closer listen." After that revelation and another week or so, I gave the record that closer listen.

Guess what folks? I like Be Set Free! It's records like this that support my "listen to it again even if it didn't do anything for you" theory. Yes, I have a theory. It being, just because something doesn't grab you on initial listen, doesn't mean you won't appreciate it later on down the line. This has happened on several occasions in my life. The theory also has something to do with loving a record and then down the line not being able to tolerate it. But, that's a discussion for another time!

Back to Langhorne and his record. The record kicks off with "Back to the Wild" which is one of the five songs on this 13 track effort that I find myself diggin' the most. The other songs that usually end up having me hit the repeat button on my nifty little media player of choice are, "I Love You, But Goodbye," "Cinderella" which ironically was my least favorite song on the album when I first heard it, the title track, "Be Set Free" and the one that I like the most, "For A Little While." Of course, the whole record is well worth listening too. Give Be Set Free a listen if you haven't already especially, if you're a fan of the modern day semi-alternative folk troubadours. It's an excellent piece of work; one of which I'm glad I gave another chance.

Track Listing

• Back to the Wild
• Say Yes
• I Love You, But Goodbye
• Land Of Dreams
• Cinderella
• Be Set Free
• For A Little While
• Sunday By the Sea
• Leaving My Love
• Yer Wrong
• Blow Your Mind
• So Glad That I'm Coming Home
• Boots Boy

www.langhorneslim.com
www.myspace.com/langhorneslim
www.facebook.com/langhorneslim
twitter.com/langhorneslim

Year End Review: George Harrison - Let It Roll

2009 was a great year from fans of The Beatles. Their entire catalog was digitally re-mastered, they are now a Rock Band video game, former Beatle Paul McCartney released a big ol' honkin' live set and a compilation disc from fellow former bandmate, George Harrison was released. Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison was released back in June, the 16th to be exact. This is the first collection that covers Harrison's entire solo career.

I have a love/hate relationship with best of's, greatest hits, retrospectives, collections or whatever you want to call them. They're great when you're being introduced to an artist or you don't feel like pulling out your whole collection. But, inevitably, there's always something I feel should have been included or left off but, wasn't. Everyone feels that way about these types of productions. There are some glaring omissions on this Harrison compilation but, those omissions have made appearances on some of his other compilations. It still would have been nice to see "Crackerbox Palace," "I Dig Love" and "Cloud Nine" on the collection as well as some of his work with The Traveling Wilburys. But, in all fairness, The Traveling Wilburys records weren't solo efforts. I know, someone will point out that songs he recorded with The Beatles are on here but they're not those versions. The versions that appear on this album come from Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh record thus, a part of his solo career.

What we get with Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison is a very nice look into Harrison's solo career. So many people tend to focus on the Lennon/McCartney songwriting machine that Harrison's songwriting is often overlooked and not as lauded as the solo efforts of Lennon and McCartney. The quiet one wrote his own fair share of classic songs and from beginning to end, you're reminded of that with this record.

How do you review a compilation? Heck, I don't know! Well, lets see, it has a good selection of songs. It covers most of the bases with the casual fan, fan friendly, well known songs. It has some not as well known songs to make the more serious fans happy. I haven't given it a spin on a big fancy stereo system but it sounds great on my media player of choice. There's nothing new or radical here, just 19 songs of good ol' George. If you haven't updated your Harrison collection from vinyl or cassette or for some odd reason need to be introduced to the solo music of George Harrison, this is a good overall place to start.

Track Listing

• Got My Mind Set On You
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
• Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
• My Sweet Lord
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live At Madison Square Garden)
• All Things Must Pass
• Any Road
• This Is Love
• All Those Years Ago
• Marwa Blues
• What Is Life
• Rising Sun
• When We Was Fab
• Something (Live At Madison Square Garden)
• Blow Away
• Cheer Down
• Here Comes The Sun (Live At Madison Square Garden )
• I Don't Want To Do It
• Isn't It A Pity

www.georgeharrison.com

Year End Review: The Black Crowes - Before The Frost...Until The Freeze

Back at the beginning of September, The Black Crowes released their latest record, Before The Frost...Until The Freeze. Prior to the records release, I'd heard "I Ain't Hiding" and got a bit excited. My first thought was, glory be, they're going to get back to the more funky and just outright rockin' stuff. While that song wasn't up there with some of their classic songs of yore, it made me look forward to the upcoming release.

The record came out. I opened up the package and the first thing I notice is, it's a mini replica of a vinyl LP. The casing looks and maneuvers like album covers from back in the day. The CD even comes in a paper sleeve and the disc itself looks like a vinyl record. Nice. It got me feeling all nostalgic and remembering the delightful Three Snakes vinyl 45 singles box set. Y'all remember that box? It also made me sad thinking about the flooded basement destruction of that box set and about 95% of my other Crowes collectibles but, I digress. Anyway, the record is broken into two parts. Before The Frost... and the bonus download ...Until The Freeze.

I popped the disc in. It opens with "Good Morning Captain" which I enjoyed but immediately thought, well, that's not a rocker! "Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)" the second track comes on and is my favorite song on the disc. Nope, that's not a rocker either. As things go on, I begin to wonder how the hell "I Ain't Hiding" fits. Well, it doesn't, not really. I suppose it fits in, in the sense that The Crowes are diverse musicians and aren't hindered by genre labels which is something I always loved about them, especially live. I guess it also fits in the sense that it reminds me of Rod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and some of their earlier stuff reminds me of Stewart ... "Charming Mess" springs to mind. To this day, I still expect to hear Stewart's voice instead of Chris Robinson's when I hear that song. Did I digress again?

"Make Glad" comes the closest to the classic, funky, rockin' Crowes of days gone by. It comes in a close second to being my favorite track on the album. Brace yourselves, I'm going to have one of my questionable comparison moments right now. "And The Band Played On" sounds like some bizarre cross of Little Feat, Led Zeppelin and ELO. Honestly, I can't even tell you how I feel about that song. Before The Frost... ends with "The Last Place That Love Lives" which doesn't do much for me but it's the perfect song to lead you into the bonus ...Until The Freeze portion of the record. That portion of the record kicks off with "Aimless Peacock" which sounds like Uncle Jed went to India to record a record. Were their hookah's involved in the creation of that song? Okay, perhaps that's a bit harsh. My favorite song on that portion of the disc is, "Greenhorn" ... lovin' the guitar work on that one. "Garden Gate" does a nice job of reminding me of Flatt & Scruggs. But honestly, I'd rather slap on the brilliant At Carnegie Hall! instead of hearing The Crowes remind me of them. Maybe down the line I'll toss it on and will feel differently, but right now, I ain't really feelin' the second portion of the record.

The Black Crowes are still a stellar band. Overall, Before The Frost...Until The Freeze is a good record. I without a doubt like it better than Warpaint which I'm still not feeling any love for. But, I prefer them to rock, roll and burn with all of their funky, bluesy, rockin' might.

Track Listing
Before The Frost… (CD Track Listing)

• Good Morning Captain
• Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
• Appaloosa
• A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
• I Ain’t Hiding
• Kept My Soul
• What Is Home
• Houston Don’t Dream About Me
• Make Glad
• And The Band Played On
• Last Place That Love Lives

…Until The Freeze (Free Download Album Track Listing)

• Aimless Peacock
• Shady Grove
• Garden Gate
• Greenhorn
• Shine Along
• Roll Old Jeremiah
• Lady Of Avenue A
• So Many Times
• Fork In The River

www.blackcrowes.com

My Year In Music, Pt. 6 ... Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe: Saints of Los Angeles

Mötley Crüe was one of those bands that as a teen I listened to religiously. The grooves on my Shout At The Devil album are non-existent. I sense some eyes rolling. The chick who declared 80's Alice Cooper too cartoonish wore the grooves off a Crüe record. I've already repented for my anti-Alice sins ... or something. Anyway, I go through extended periods where I don't listen to Mötley Crüe. But, as long as Nikki Sixx's hair still stands proud in all its rock 'n' roll inky black glory, I will always eventually come back to The Crüe.

So, back in June, Mötley Crüe released Saints of Los Angeles. This is the first Crüe record with the original line-up in over a decade. To be honest, I haven't really felt good about any Crüe records since Dr. Feelgood. Sure, I've continued to buy Crüe records but I'd give them a spin and toss them on a pile of stuff in the corner with the other CD's I don't listen to. Saints of Los Angeles proved to be different. Ok, yeah, I couldn't toss it in the corner even if I wanted to because I only bought the download but that's beside the point! I have a special virtual corner for disliked downloads. But I digress.

Feeling a bit nostalgic, I sat down and gave this latest effort a proper listen. I find Saints of Los Angeles enjoyable. It's the closest to back in the day Crüe they've come since well, back in the day! Now, while I don't enjoy it as much as those long ago records I hold near and dear, it certainly gives me a fulfilling dose of Crüe. To be honest, I like it better than Theatre of Pain ... I'm still trying to find some extra love for that record. Anyway, the catchiest numbers for me are the title track, "Saints of Los Angeles," "White Trash Circus" and my favorite of the bunch, "Just Another Psycho."

It's nice to know that Messieurs Sixx, Neil, Mars & Lee can still make a gal feel like a teenager again. In those nostalgic moments, little teenaged rock chick me happily flails around the room thinking my walls look too bare without the multitude of Crüe pictures peering down at me.

I'd recommend it to fans who were on the fence about the record, some casual fans and those special people with crushes on Nikki's hair ... yeah, they exist, I'm acquainted with a few of those people! If you're a beginner, start at the beginning.

Track Listing

• L.A.M.F.
• Face Down In The Dirt
• What's It Gonna Take
• Down At The Whisky
• Saints Of Los Angeles
• Mutherfucker Of The Year
• The Animal In Me
• Welcome To The Machine
• Just Another Psycho
• Chicks = Trouble
• This Ain't A Love Song
• White Trash Circus
• Goin' Out Swingin'
  

http://www.motley.com
http://www.myspace.com/motleycrue

My Year In Music, Pt. 5 ... Danielia Cotton, The BellRays & Little Jackie

It has dawned on me, that I haven't really written much about female artists or bands featuring females. Well, being of the female variety myself, that just won't do!

Danielia Cotton: Rare Child

Back in May, I was browsing around the Internet. I tend to do this a lot in an effort to find something that catches my eyes and or ears. I happened upon a story about singer/guitarist Danielia Cotton. As part of the story they had a song being streamed from her then upcoming record Rare Child. Said record was coming out the following week. I liked the song. The following week rolled around and the record became a part of my collection.

I like this record. It stayed on repeat on my iPod for a few weeks and in heavy rotation for a good while after that. Cotton has a great voice. She has one of those voices that goes from rockin' out to soulful acoustic tinged songs flawlessly. Hers is a warm voice. A lot of times when singers start wailin' and rock shoutin', it gets painful to listen to especially when people don't know when to stop. This doesn't happen in Cotton's case. She has one of those nice blues rock shouts and she is tasteful in using it.

Lyrically, Rare Child is a personal record. This is one of those records that's best if you just sit and listen to all the way through ... you know something we used to do on a more frequent basis before iPod's, playlists and shuffle modes became the norm. The songs do however stand well on their own for those who don't listen to records as a whole. There's really no filler on this record but the highlights for me are, "Make U Move," Rare Child," "Let It Ride" and "Bound."

I think if you're a fan of warm voiced blues rock female singers you'll like Rare Child.

Track Listing

• Make U Move
• Testify
• Didn't U
• Bang My Drum
• Rare Child
• Running
• Righteous People
• Dark Desire
• Let It Ride
• Bound

http://www.danielia.com
http://www.myspace.com/danieliacotton

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The BellRays: Hard Sweet and Sticky

I became familiar with The BellRays sometime in 2007 when I was going through a female rock singer phase. Some browsing around the Internet led me to Lisa Kekaula, The BellRays' throat. A fan was born.

Earlier this year, The BellRays released Hard Sweet and Sticky. I had instantly been taken by their previous release Have A Little Faith. On first listen to Hard Sweet and Sticky, I was a little disappointed. However, after a few listens I started getting into it. Where as their previous effort was more fiery, this outing was a little more understated. Kekaula's voice was still spot on but overall I felt like it was missing some unmph.

"Psychotic Hate Man" and "Pinball City" both display The BellRays familiar punkish side. My favorite song on the album is "Foot Prints On Water" which also appears on an earlier album the band released. The other highlights, "One Big Party," "Infection" and the low key "Blue Against The Sky."

I like the record but it's not my favorite effort by The BellRays. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I would probably suggest picking up some of their earlier works first.

Track Listing

• The Same Way
• One Big Party
• Infection
• Coming Down
• Footprints On Water
• Blue Against The Sky
• Psychotic Hate Man
• The Fire Next Time
• That's Not The Way It Should Be
• Wedding Bells
• Pinball City

http://www.thebellrays.com
http://www.myspace.com/thebellrays

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Little Jackie: The Stoop

I decided to buy The Stoop by Little Jackie after getting the title track as a free download from some service or another. I was familiar with Little Jackie vocalist Imani Coppola's work already so it wasn't a big stretch that I might check out this release.

Normally, I'm not a fan of modern pop flavored R&B and even less of a fan of the hybrid R&B/Hip-hop genre. But, "The Stoop" caught my ear with it's laid back infectiousness. Often times, you're misled by a catchy single and the rest of the album holds nothing similar and you end up disappointed. This doesn't happen with The Stoop. The whole album is full of catchy songs. It's a fun record. It often mixes upbeat catchy music with some rather caustic lyrics. It was a perfect summertime record.

I went to see Little Jackie back in October. The songs translate well live adding to the fun sing-a-long nature of many of the songs. The highlights for me, the amusing "LOL," the upbeat fun "The Kitchen," "28 Butts" and my personal favorite, "Cryin' For The Queen."

Fans of upbeat, catchy, pop infused R&B should check The Stoop out if it's not already in your collection.

Track Listing

• The Stoop
• The World Should Revolve Around Me
• 28 Butts
• Guys Like When Girls Kiss
• Liked You Better Before
• LOL
• Cryin' For The Queen
• Black Barbie
• One Love
• The Kitchen
• Go Hard Or Go Home

http://www.myspace.com/littlejackiemusic

My Year In Music, Pt. 4 ... Priest, Motörhead & Alice

This summer turned out to be a bit of a boon for hard rock/metal fans. For our listening pleasure we got a long talked about, long awaited record from the mighty Priest. Lemmy and crew gave us their 24th album. And shock rock legend Alice Cooper weighed in with a new record of his own. Metal love all around, right?

Judas Priest: Nostradamus

I've been listening to Judas Priest for a good long while. Like with everything, I go through periods where I listen to them more than other times. This year I listened to a lot of Priest and thus found myself thinking that perhaps I should check out Nostradamus when it was released. For those that don't know, Nostradamus is a concept album. They've gone and put Nostradamus' life to song. That right there made me leery and almost prevented me from purchasing it. One, I don't like concept albums and two, I really don't give a wit about Nostradamus. But, it's Priest!

Because I like cute, I picked up the deluxe edition of this two CD opus instead of your standard jewel case edition. It's a very nice package too ... 48 page hardbound book with the lyrics. Great package. Looking at the track listing, Nostradamus looks a wee bit daunting. There are 23 tracks on this puppy! Yeah, that's a lot of Priest but, some of the tracks are more interludes than actual songs.

I really wanted to like this record. I can't honestly say it's a bad record because it's not. The music is your above average Priest fare. Singer Rob Halford can still pull off the vocal feats that Priest fans have come to know and love. My problem with the record, it's overkill. It's just too damned tedious. Nostradamus is one CD too long. There were moments while listening that I found myself looking at my music player and asking, 'how much longer is this going to go on?'

Nostradamus contains no arena rousers. What's that mean? In Quirky Chick speak, it means not once while listening to it did I say to myself "I can't wait to hear this one live!" There will be very few cliche horns in the air, screaming at the top of my lungs, giving myself a headache and or whiplash when one of these songs rolls around live. The biggest standout for me and the song most likely to make me go all cliche metal chick and whatnot is "Persecution." This one has one of those make your ears bleed guitar solos ... yeah, sweet. My second favorite track, the acoustic laced "Alone." Other standout tracks, "Prophecy," "Pestilence and Plague" and "Conquest." Title track, "Nostradamus," starts off with what sounds like Halford standing an audition for an opera before kicking into a blistering Priest romp. And this is a petty personal preference thing on my part but I don't like the word Nostradamus and frankly I find it a bit annoying hearing it blaring through songs.

I wouldn't tell a novice Priest fan to run out and buy this record. It's too overwhelming and tedious. However, I would tell an on the fence Priest fan to buy it. Perhaps this will be one of those records that down the line, I'll pull out, listen to and fall in love with. Right now however, it's the relative you're happy to see a few times a year but you start yawning and hinting how late it's getting after a while.

Track Listing

• Dawn Of Creation
• Prophecy
• Awakening
• Revelations
• The Four Horseman
• War
• Sands Of Time
• Pestilence and Plaque
• Death
• Peace
• Conquest
• Lost Love
• Persecution
• Solitude
• Exiled
• Alone
• Shadows In The Flame
• Visions
• Hope
• New Beginnings
• Calm Before The Storm
• Nostradamus
• Future of Mankind

http://www.judaspriest.com
http://www.myspace.com/judaspriest

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Motörhead: Motörizer

Motörhead is another one of those bands, like AC/DC, that you pretty much know what you're going to get when you buy one of their records. Motörizer has the band staying true to form. That's not a bad thing. The difference between Motörizer and some of their previous efforts is they sound more inspired ... more energetic. Besides, Lemmy is one of those people you can't help but like.

Lyrically, Motörhead has never been anything to write home about in my opinion. Lemmy's voice is even more graveled sounding if that's even possible! "Rock Out" and "Buried Alive" both have the what you would call the classic Motörhead sound. The music of "Back On The Chain" reminds me of "Damage Case" ... I keep expecting to hear it when I listen to this song. Other notable standouts, "When The Eagle Screams," "Time Is Right," "One Short Life," which has a blues vibe, and "(Teach You How To) Sing The Blues."

If someone were to ask me 'should I buy the newest Motörhead record?' I'd say yes. I don't think anyone who likes Motörhead, even casually, would be disappointed in this record.

Track Listing

• Runaround Man
• (Teach You How To) Sing The Blues
• When The Eagle Screams
• Rock Out
• One Short Life
• Buried Alive
• English Rose
• Back On The Chain
• Heroes
• Time Is Right
• The Thousand Names Of God

http://www.imotorhead.com
http://www.myspace.com/motorhead

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Alice Cooper: Along Came A Spider

Alice Cooper decided to give us a concept album too ... chronicling a serial killer. I've already mentioned I don't like conceptual projects. Add to that, I'm not really a fan of post 70's Alice. To be honest, when I was exploring music to listen to that I didn't inherit from family, I ignored Alice. Why? I felt he was a little too over the top cartoonish. I mean come on, I watched him on the Muppet Show for goodness sake! Yeah, I just admitted to watching the Muppet Show but let us not dwell on that. In hindsight, my assessment of Alice Cooper was outright hilarious considering some of the 80's hair metal I just couldn't live without back in the day.

A bit older and a bit wiser, I found myself listening to classic Alice ... you know, back when Alice Cooper was a band and not just a man called Alice. Alice Cooper the band was a damn good band. Discovering this still didn't really have me showing much love for modern day Alice. Oh sure, there were a few songs here and there that I enjoyed but those didn't compare to the older stuff. But, I decided to buy Along Came A Spider and give it a chance.

Of the three albums I've talked about this time around, I found myself liking Along Came A Spider the best. I think it's safe to say I found myself liking this effort because it sounds more like the classic Alice I've already professed to being a fan of. Dare I say I even found myself dancing around the room a bit while listening to this album. What's that? A danceable serial killer story?

I can honestly say that I didn't once feel the urge to skip a track while listening to this record. There are but a hand full of records that came out this year that have that distinction. My favorite track on the album is "Killed By Love." Other highlights, "Wake The Dead," I'm Hungry," "(In Touch With Your) Feminine Side," which has a bit of a Stones vibe to it, and "The One That Got Away."

If you like more of the classic Alice sound, then you'll probably like this record.

Track Listing

• Prologue/I Know Where You Live
• Vengeance Is Mine
• Wake The Dead
• Catch Me If You Can
• (In Touch With Your) Feminine Side
• Wrapped In Silk
• Killed By Love
• I'm Hungry
• The One That Got Away
• Salvation
• I Am The Spider/Epilogue

http://www.alicecooper.com
http://www.myspace.com/officialalicecooper

My Year In Music, Pt. 3 ... Def Leppard & Man Raze

Def Leppard: Songs From The Sparkle Lounge

This past April, Def Leppard released Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, their first album of new songs since 2002's X. I'd say I grew up listening to Def Leppard but that would make me and them seem old. Yeah, okay, we are but I'd rather not think about the decade known as the 80's. The bad hair and horrible clothes that I as a teen insisted were "cool" make me shudder. Who thought spandex and big hair were a good idea? It's amazing fire marshal's allowed 80's rock bands into buildings being the walking fire hazards they were! But, I digress.

Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is the first Def Leppard record I actually kind of looked forward to buying since their monstrously huge Hysteria. I was a bit put off by "Nine Lives" featuring country superstar Tim McGraw being released as the first single. I have nothing against McGraw and to his credit and theirs, it worked without them really altering their sound to include him. Sure, it was a great marketing move having that as a lead off, but that regulated their catchiest song in years, "C'mon C'mon" to second single status. To make matters even worse, they saddled the poor song with possibly the most horrid video since the UK video of "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Of course, videos don't really mean that much these days since most of the music video stations don't actually air music videos! But, they didn't have to treat such a catchy song like a bad seed stepchild.

The standout tracks for me are, "Tomorrow," the already mentioned "C'mon C'mon" and "Hallucinate" The track "Love" has them channeling Queen. I personally prefer the deluxe edition acoustic version of the song. "Bad Actress" wins point for being a solid rocker and bonus points for the odd yet catchy lines, 'You can't sing, can't dance ... Can't fit in your pants.'

You can hear traces of all of their past efforts in this record. While some of us old folks may have sentimental attachments to the 80's era records, there's still plenty here for us to enjoy. In the end, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is a solid outing.

Track Listing

• Go
• Nine Lives (featuring Tim McGraw)
• C'mon C'mon
• Love
• Tomorrow
• Cruise Control
• Hallucinate
• Only The Good Die Young
• Bad Actress
• Come Undone
• Gotta Let It Go
• *Love (acoustic version)
• *Nine Lives (Def Leppard version)
  

*Deluxe Edition

http://www.defleppard.com
http://www.myspace.com/defleppard

Man Raze: Surreal

In June, Man Raze released their debut CD Surreal. For those who don't know, Man Raze is Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen's other band. Joining him in this effort are Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and former Girl cohort Simon Laffy on bass.

Surreal features Collen's gritty vocals. I like the rawness of his voice ... it's not polished or over produced. Man Raze takes us through a variety of sounds ... from the punk'ish punch the air sing-a-long "Turn It Up" to the reggae dub of "Runnin' Me Up." The standout songs for me, "Turn It up," "Skin Crawl," "Connected To You," and "Halo." Overall, this record makes you feel like you're in a small hot sweaty bar listening to them. That my friends, is a good thing!

Track Listing

• This is
• Turn It Up
• Runnin' Me Up
• Every Second Of Ever Day
• Spinning out
• Can't Find My Own Way
• Skin Crawl
• Low
• Connected To You
• Halo
• It's Entertainment
• Shadow Man

http://www.manraze.com
http://www.myspace.com/manraze