CD Review: Muse - HAARP

Following on from my much documented Muse euphoria (after seeing them live in March), I ordered the HAARP package. This package is based on two live concerts that Muse held in the new Wembley stadium over two days in June 2007. The CD captures the one day while the DVD is of the other day. Fortunately for me it did actually arrive and I have been listening to/watching it ever since. It is described as a live CD that includes a bonus DVD, but to me I view it as the other way round i.e. a live DVD with a live CD to accompany it (there are more songs on the DVD than there are on the CD).

Separating them out, let’s take a look at the CD first. If I consider what makes a live album great, it is very difficult to pinpoint one single thing. Obviously there are some factors that have to be good, such as song selection and recording quality. But the truly great ones capture something extra. In the case of AC/DC’s ‘If you want blood..’ there is a raw energy and excitement that make the album crackle with energy. The crowd chanting ‘Angus, Angus, Angus’, and Angus himself giving it his all as solo after solo sneaks in and boogie woogies all round your head, cannot be equalled. Then there is Iron Maiden’s ‘Live after death’ with Bruce Dickinson exhorting the crowd to ‘scream for me Long Beach’, a now classic quote. Others such as the Eels’ ‘Oh what a beautiful morning’, Talking Heads’ ‘Stop making sense’, Little Feat’s ‘ Waiting for Columbus’, Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s ‘Pack up the plantations’, Nick Cave’s wall of sound on ‘The abattoir blues tour’ and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘One more from the road’ have something special that makes them great. There are also some weird anomalies such as Lou Reed’s ‘Take no prisoners’ where the level of self, and audience,-loathing makes this a one of a kind too, but that is the exception rather than the rule. In each case it may be a different factor but in the end it is all about what the artists choose to reveal to their audiences, and the fun that they have playing their music (except for Lou).

On this CD, sound quality is really good, with the live mix coming across well. The track-listing covers all aspects of their career so far and my only beef is that there is no ‘Feelin’ Good’ on the CD. In terms of the ‘something extra’ discussed above, the band give it their all with an energy that is infectious. While not much dialogue takes place with the audience, there are enough quips and ‘thank yous’ to ‘Wemberley’ to keep this alive and energetic. What is astounding is the way that the band sound better with every song. Towards the end, Matt’s voice sounds stronger than when he started.

The DVD however is what makes this package worthwhile in my opinion, especially if you have been to a Muse concert. It functions as a perfect document of what a Muse concert is like and had my daughter and me reminiscing all the way as we recognised elements of the concert we had experienced in Johannesburg. Here the track-listing is far more comprehensive than the CD, covering 6 more songs (including Feelin’ good). As a bonus DVD, this far exceeds expectations. The sound and visual quality is of the highest standard, hence my comment about it being the actual item in the package with the CD as a bonus. Their concerts in general are grandiose, high energy, affairs, and in the case of these Wembley showings even more so. The energy and spectacle is thrillingly captured in this format. Musicianship is flawless with Muse the band delivering like a well-oiled machine.

In terms of extras, there is not much. There is a ‘making of’ type documentary that is interesting enough, but what would have been nice are some interviews with the band members, and a photo gallery. This brings me to the one thing that I would raise as a criticism. This is definitely not a band that gets very involved with their audience. They keep to themselves. Ultimately I suppose that their interaction is more at the emotional level, and at this they are very good. They manage to generate excitement, elation and euphoria with their craft. This to me is preferable to singers or bands who hold long one-way conversations with their audiences and then deliver an average performance. But, some insights into the band members and what they are like as people would have been very welcome.

Well I don’t want this blog to become a Muse blog in general and therefore will have to get over the band at some stage.

Don’t forget, your comments are most welcome.

CD Review: Bob Dylan - Modern Times

CD Review: Bob Dylan – Modern Times

In my explorations in the World Wide Web I have noticed that this album caused some controversy on its release in 2006. Several authoritative publications rated it as a 10/10 or full marks on whatever scale they use, and then very vocal commentators disagreed with that saying that it is not ‘Blond on blond’ or ‘Highway …’. This interested me and I decided that I should form my own opinion. The first thing that you should know is that up until now, I have never owned or heard a full Bob Dylan album – there I said it. Of course I have heard most of the most famous songs, and who does not totally enjoy Hendrix’s version of ‘All along the Watchtower’, but I have no prior experience of a Dylan album. Why I make this point is that, hopefully this will mean that I can provide a view on the album without having any pre-conceived ideas, and also make no comparison to prior work.

Although I must mention that the CD sleeve tells one almost nothing, I have determined that the band on the album is the same that has been touring with Dylan recently and the album was produced by Dylan himself.

In my mind, the antecedents of this album seem to align themselves for the production of a gem. Namely, there is no external pressure on Dylan to produce a best seller or hit single, I don’t think that he needs the money and his last two albums have been hailed as a return to form. Therefore he can go into the studio for the right reasons, to have fun recording a new album with nothing to prove.

So, what is the album like?

The answer is that it rocks! This bunch of old guys, lead by main old guy, Bob Dylan, lay down some funky grooves. The drum and bass section are rock solid. Every song bounces along on some of the coolest rhythm tracks one can imagine. The rest of the band is even better. Then Dylan adds more lyrics to each song than one can believe possible. He just keeps going and he’s got a lot to say. I always thought that his voice would start to grate after a couple of songs into any album, but in a strange way he manages to keep things fresh each time.

The question is: what does he sing about at such length? And interestingly, apart from a couple of barbed political numbers (which are thought-provoking and insightful), the story is the same as any guy has – guy meets girl, guy falls in love with girl, girl frustrates the hell out of guy. Listening to this album is like having a real heart-to-heart discussion on life with your most beloved Uncle. Here he is at 70 odd years, and still describing with such vivid clarity what you have been through, and what you can expect to go through for the next half of your life too. It is encouraging and empathetic in a way that leaves me motivated and glad to be alive and in a relationship. This may sound as if males may get more out of the songs than females, but what I would say is that if you as a female wonder what guys talk about – have a listen to this, you may gain some insights. I know I am generalising dangerously here. You are welcome to disagree; this is only my opinion

As I mentioned, there is not much information on the sleeve notes so I don’t see any song-writing credits. However I recognise some of these songs such as ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’’ and ‘When the Levee breaks’, but I am pretty sure the lyrics are largely his own. My personal favourite track is ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’’ closely followed by ‘Nettie Moore’. Dylan can pull rhymes out of thin air with nonchalant ease. His craft in this area is awesome to behold (sonically that is). Every song is strong and of high quality both musically and in terms of the lyrics – they have already become old friends to me and I can’t help smiling when each song starts and I anticipate what he is going to be singing about. Dylan is one witty guy who really loves music and still has a lot to say. The love of music is very tangible and this is why I like the album so much. In recording this album, Dylan also performs a very important role in an ‘oral history’ type of way by updating some near-traditional old songs, polishing them up and delivering them to generations who may never have heard them. Hopefully this will encourage people, especially other musicians, to examine their roots from time to time.

The band sounds comfortable and un-hurried. Dylan has taken some time to get into a studio, gather his thoughts and deliver a carefully prepared package of songs for his audience. My interpretation of the message is that people should stick together, enjoy life and don’t forget to stop and laugh at yourself every now and then.

I think that I should explore some of Dylan’s back-catalogue.

Or would that destroy the impression I now have?

Please add comments if you have them, they are most welcome.

Classic albums revisited 1: Iron Maiden – Killers

Sometimes one has such great memories of albums. Due to possibly a relationship one is in (or just been dumped out of) or a group of friends one is hanging out with or even doing something else that one really enjoys (like work !!@@&&??? – I’ve heard that it happens????). Certain albums take on a special significance and become beacons in your past that highlight certain episodes of your life. So far in my life, there are many. Iron Maiden’s ‘Killers’ is one of them. In revisiting these albums I hope to test them for durability and determine whether they really were as good as I thought that they were at the time.

I stumbled across the Iron Maiden website recently (http://www.ironmaiden.com/) while following a news item relating to the fact that they will soon be releasing a Greatest (early) Hits album, and it instantly got the memories going. By the way the Greatest Hits album will be free for three listens or something like that…. I still have a few of their albums in their original vinyl format, I was a big fan in my teens, and when I saw the digital download section on the website, with digitally remastered versions of their early albums – I could not resist. I also saw them live in Johannesburg once with Blaze Bayley on lead vocals, it was pretty good.

My copy of ‘Killers’ is shot and, being my favourite Maiden album in those days, it was my immediate first choice for a download.

Listening to it now, I think my copy back in those days was probably shot right from the beginning. These remasters are crystal clear and have detail that I’ve never noticed before. That is rather a good start to revisiting the album, I would say.

Tracks
The Ides of March
A terrific instrumental opener to the album. Searing guitar soloing screams out, beware a killer set of tracks coming up, beware, beware (sorry William S)! Drums roll on from on high and the portends are there, get ready for some uplifting rock music that will transport to the grimy underworld of serial killers, madmen and bad thing worshippers.

This moves straight into Wrathchild. What a great name for a song. Paul Dianno kicks in on the vocals and Steve Harris seems out to bludgeon the wrathchild with his bass guitar. The great thing about this album is that the songs are carried on a platform of drumming and very melodic bass with the guitarists peeling off solo after solo. Throughout the songs the power chords are incidental. Wow what a formula!

Next is Murders in the Rue Morgue. Poor misunderstood Paul gets into a frenzied case of mistaken identity while in Paris. The whole situation is exacerbated due to the fact that he can’t speak French. Please don’t arrest him gendarmes, he has 8 more tracks to sing, and what about the real killer who has gone free. Oh, I got carried away again, this happened in my teens too. These songs have always done that to me, whisking me away in a fury of duelling screaming axe work, rampant drumming and a galloping bass-line.

Three tracks in and I can’t believe that I have deprived myself of this for so long. What’s next: Another Life. I love the guitar work jumping from structure to structure in the song, and the tone is really cool.

Another life is followed by Genghis Khan another stormer of a tune. This is Genghis with his mind set on mayhem. On his horse storming through the steppes looking for people to slash, slash and slash (he would probably kill me for spelling his name wrong, let me check….). By the way this one is an instrumental – pretty evocative though….

Up next is Innocent Exile starting with Harris on bass causing everyone to question why he didn’t just get a normal guitar and deal out the punishment like we know he can. Ah, I know the bass is more punishing! This is a really cool song to headbang along to, not to mention annoying poser air-guitaring.

The title track Killers brings on some of the most unremorseful killer lyrics I have heard, it’s really fun stuff like ‘oh my God, what have I done? Ooh yea, I’ve done it again’. Starting off ominously, Harris bass foundation is slashed and stabbed at in violent intervals by Dianno yelping and the guitars cutting. I love this stuff. Dianno’s voice is great and the twin guitar attack will kill you if you let it.

After Killers come The Prodigal Son which is one of the slower mellower tracks on the album. I’ve heard that if you play it backwards you can hear Dianno sing ‘the Devils got hold of my soul and he won’t let me be’. Oh, wait a minute, you don’t even have to play it backward to hear him say that.

Purgatory is up next, and that’s probably where I will end up when I’m punished for my corny jokes. The bass echoes the rabid riffing of the guitar attack and rock classics don’t get much better than this, ‘please take me away, take me away, so far way’ go the lyrics, with all the instruments chiming along.

I’m exhausted from moshing in the lounge while trying not to crack my darling’s latest pottery creation, and there are two more songs to go starting with Twilight Zone. Dare I say the weakest track on the album, in my opinion.

Finally shattered, sweating and slightly embarrassed (the kids just don’t understand) we hit Drifter. One guitar starts, the bass joins in the next guitar starts, Dianno and the drums kick in and we have another killer track (OK I waited long enough to use that as a pun, so let me). This has some of my favourite guitar work ever, and the bass is just as good. Dianno exhorting everyone to sing along. Where has he been the last ten tracks, why does he think I’m so hoarse?

OK, I loved this album then, and I still do! It is a real classic. In addition who can deny the brilliance of the album artwork? It is possible that this album was over-shadowed by the ‘Number of the Beast’ album, the arrival of Bruce Dickinson, and the over-whelming momentum gathered due to their spectacular live shows.

March 2008 What's on the player

OK – I did this for February, and here is the March roundup. This is a brief take on what my opinion is on a few albums that I have been listening to recently i.e. the current albums rotating through my player.

Radiohead – In Rainbows

I had this on frequent rotation in February, and still cannot bring myself to remove it from the CD player. I really like this album!

Muse – Black Holes and Revelations

As in my previous posting where I reported on seeing Muse live at the My Coke Fest, I mentioned that I had the Black Holes and Revelations album (my only Muse album) on heavy rotation for the remainder of that weekend, and up until now as well. It is a strong offering that survives repeated listening with ease. At the concert they also played ‘Feelin’ Good’ which really impressed me and I hope to get a copy of that soon. Speaking of which I have ordered a copy of HAARP from Amazon and I expect it to arrive this week (if it arrives at all – over Xmas I ordered some CD’s and books from Amazon that never arrived, some South African Customs employees family members are now grooving to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’s new album while reading the complete Michelle Paver ‘Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’ series, and I can’t bring myself to buy it all again – so I still haven’t heard the afore-mentioned album). I will provide my thoughts on HAARP in time.

Pearl Jam – Rearviewmirror

This was my first ever digital download of an album bought through the OD service. I must say, I still much prefer buying the physical CD’s. When it comes to Pearl Jam there is even more reason to buy the CD as their packaging is often quite different and fun. Well, what I find interesting about this one is that I seemed to have mellowed a bit since buying it. It has always been an album of two discs, and by that I mean that the first is the ‘heavy’ one and the second more ‘mellow’. When I first got the album I preferred the first disc, now I am tending more towards the second. My view is that the second discs songs are stronger.

Scars (Gary Moore) – Scars

This album is quite a curiosity. It is Gary Moore’s version of the power trio and it works very well. I believe that Mr. Moore should be much more successful than he is – not that he is struggling, but it could be even better. Perhaps he has been missing a constant creative partner much in the way Jagger - Richards or Page - Plant were writing teams. I recently listened to some of his early eighties output and found it quite cringe-worthy. I would call it Cheese-rock i.e. cheesy rock. But compare that to his work with Thin Lizzy, then to his Blues-era material and then to Scars and you can forgive him for that. Scars influences to me are Cream era Clapton, Hendrix and even, now that I think about it, more modern bands such as …..Muse. It is a solid album with strong songs, excellent guitar, and Moore’s vocals sounding strong. I wish he would do another Scars project. By the way one of my favourite DVD’s for a long time has to be ‘Gary Moore and friends – A tribute to Phil Lynott’, if you can get a copy of that grab it I guarantee you will love it. Something else worth mention is the StratPack DVD. This DVD contains a host of very average performances, until Mr. Moore takes the stage. Wow he outclasses everybody else with his version of ‘Red House’.