The Clash – General Introduction

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I Fought The Law...

I Fought The Law...

There are many misconceptions surrounding The Clash. Regarding them as nothing more than punk rockers frequently tops the list. This happens because they started as that, and because one of their most successful songs from later on is a very loud number (you know which one – the one posing the existential dilemma).

Out of the six albums they were to release, only the first two ones deserve a “punk” label. They are the self-titled record (1977) and the one named “Give ‘Em Enough Rope” (1978). The third one (“London Calling”, 1979) had them diversifying their sound notably, until they experimented as much (or even more) than the Beatles in their triple album “Sandinista!” (released in 1980). The final album by the classic lineup was “Combat Rock” (1982), and it yielded two major American hits: the banal “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” and the so-so “Rock The Casbah”. These are the two songs most people associate with the band, and it is a bit shameful because they were capable of so much more than misconceptions arise and it is difficult to set things to right sometimes, even when you are talking to people who are music-educated.

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Empty Sky (Elton John) – Album Review

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Empty Sky's Front Cover

Empty Sky's Front Cover

This album is surprising to many people, if only because they believe Elton’s first release was the eponymous record that surfaced the following year. And it is all the more surprising because it is a considerably good album for a first attempt, or at least one whose ambition can’t be vetoed. It also has the distinct advantage of never having been overplayed like his other records, and that makes listening to it a refreshing task.

The whole album was composed by Elton and Bernie. It was produced by Steve Brown, the man who to a certain extent “discovered” them and suggested they began recording songs for themselves instead of being just hired hands for other Dick James Music artists.

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Elton John – General Introduction

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Remember When Rock Was Young?

Remember When Rock Was Young?

It is very, very difficult to generalize about Sir Elton John. As much as I admire the man and his music, I am the first to admit that selectiveness is mandatory when you approach his catalog – and that applies even to his heyday way back in the 70’s.

His heyday way back in the 70’s. Elton achieved a degree of success and resonance no artist could even dare to imagine. And one thing that must be mentioned and remembered is that he fought for every inch of it. He captivated the public with standout records and mesmerizing performances, and he worked relentlessly hard from day one. Continue reading →

Setting Sons (The Jam) – Album Review

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The Cover Adds Even More Panache To The Album

The Cover Adds Even More Panache To The Album

It was only natural that a hardened Who and Kinks fans such as Paul Weller would eventually release an album with conceptual tinges. That is exactly what characterizes the fourth album released by The Jam. The year was 1979, and the name of the release was Setting Sons.

The story involved three childhood friends who became distanced as they grew up, and the responsibilities and the toll of the adult world began manifesting themselves and settling in irretrievably. One of the characters ends up as a left-wing radical, while the other leans markedly to the right. The third character is Weller, who can see both sides clearly. Continue reading →

All Time Greatest Hits (Eddie Rabbitt) – Compilation Album

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This CD Was First Issued In 1991

This CD Was First Issued In 1991

Like most people outside the US, the name Eddie Rabbitt was mostly familiar to me owing to a song which was played left, right and center since it was first released in the 80’s: “Drivin’ My Life Away”. While I always knew the song note by note, and I admit it is infectious like nothing else, I was of the opinion that its excessive fame was a little unwarranted. However, that song created a strong desire in me to know more about the man who composed it, and I hesitated not a single minute to pick up this compilation when I finally found it after actively searching for it and having learned more about the man himself. Continue reading →

Meat Is Murder (The Smiths) – Album Review

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The Album's Cover

The Album's Cover

The second album recorded by the Mancunian ensemble, “Meat Is Murder” features better production, a tougher sound and a broader subject matter. Morrissey now tackles issues such as the British Educational system (“The Headmaster’s Ritual”, the opening number and one of the album’s highlights) as well as vegetarianism (the track that closes the record and which lends its title to the album), whereas some songs like “Nowhere Fast” make clear the political stance of the singer for the first time on record.

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In My Tribe (10000 Maniacs) – Album Review

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The Front Cover

The Front Cover

Released in 1987, “In My Tribe” was the first album by the Maniacs to garner both praise and good sales at the same time. It was no coincidence, as they showed a maturity and a deft touch when it came to dealing with sensitive issues such as the environment, illiteracy, violence towards women and children and also the role some institutions like marriage play out in life.

In a certain sense it could be said that some of the songs are preachy, but this is handled in a conciliatory way, without pointing fingers at anybody. Rather than saying “it is their fault” or “you are to blame” the songs seem to say that what happens in society and in life as a whole is attributed to everybody, and the answer must be a collective one. Maybe (and probably) inspired by a single individual, but the message is that only when we move in unison we can make some progress. Continue reading →

Drums And Wires (XTC) – Album Review

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A Quintessential XTC Cover

A Quintessential XTC Cover

This was the third album released by XTC, and Andy later said he felt their career started there (1979). Not coincidentally, the album signals the arrival of Dave Gregory and the first time that Steve Lillywhite was at the helm.

It was also one of the few XTC albums to yield a Top 20 single: “Making Plans For Nigel” attained that distinction, and I don’t know how telling it is that their first chart hit was not penned by Andy but by Colin, a composer whose melodies are less unpredictable and more true to convention. Still, Andy had his input on the song: the drum pattern you can hear was based on a pattern he wanted Terry to play, and when the drummer misunderstood his instructions the infamous “Nigel” drum track was conceived.

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The Very Best Of Elvis Costello (Single Disc Edition) – Compilation Album

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The Front Cover

The Front Cover

I am reviewing the single disc edition of this 1999 “Best Of” album. It is the one readily available in South America, and it is actually quite reminiscent of other Costello anthologies that summarize his years with The Attractions like the one that was released in 1994 by Rykodisc.

Out of 20 tracks, only 6 do not feature this classic band. They are “Watching The Detectives” and “Alison” (from Elvis’ debut, where he was backed by a band named Clover), “Good Year For The Roses”, and his Bacharach collaboration “God Give Me Strength” (the key tune of the 1996’s movie “Grace Of My Heart”, and the recipient of a Grammy Award). Likewise, the elegiac “Indoor Fireworks” (with Costello backed by “The Confederates”, a band featuring Mitchell Froom) is included. The final non-Attractions song is “She”, Costello’s rendering of the best-loved Charles Aznavour song about the duality of love. The song was a very big hit in South America – Costello is always requested to perform it when he tours these latitudes, and the song is found in countless love compilations sold here to this day. Continue reading →

Elvis Costello – General Introduction

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Elvis Costello. His Real Name Is Declan MacManus.

Elvis Costello. His Real Name Is Declan MacManus.

When discussing songcraft with the bands I work with as a lyricist, one recurrent question I am asked is “Who are these lyricists you look up to?”. I usually answer: “It depends”. That is, the art of crafting songs can be analyzed from the structural point of view, and also from the perspective of the actual content of the composition. If we were to be objective, we would agree that what is said matters as much as the way it is actually being said. That is, form and content go hand in hand – one should not stand out at the expense of the other.

I know three composers that keep everything balanced and whose message is always conveyed in the most memorable fashion of all. I have already discussed two of them (Richard Thompson and Andy Partridge), and it is with great pleasure that I now introduce you to Mr. Elvis Costello.

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