skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Pet Shop Boys
"Yes" album
Released: April 21st, 2009
Depeche Mode"Sounds of the Universe" album
Released: April 21st, 2009
This week marks new releases from two British bands who pioneered the electronic, synth driven music of the 1980s: Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys. Like the sun and moon, these two iconic bands couldn't exist without the other. Since their debut albums, Depeche Mode have explored the dark, somber side of life, while Pet Shop Boys have taken a more colorful, tongue-in-cheek approach. Both groups have also remained suprisingly relevant, while most of their 1980s contemporaries have fallen into obscurity.
On the high-energy "Yes," Pet Shop Boys relish in their sardonic humor and knack for memorable hooks. The opening cut, "Love etc.," bounces along with a bubbly synth line and call-response chorus, declaring a revolution on the shallow excesses of popular culture. "All Around the World" is less cynical and celebrates liberty and freedom. Throughout the album, the lyrics shift from sarcastic optimism to vulnerable confessionals. Musically, Pet Shop Boys are on top of their game with lush string arrangements, acoustic guitar and even harmonica accompanying their wall of synthesizers.
Contrarily, Depeche Mode's "Sounds of the Universe" creates a more atmospheric, less immediate experience. Their focus is on dissonant, oddball arrangements comprised of space-age bleeps and blips along industrial guitar riffs and ambient synths. Lyrically, the album delves into shameful obsessions, imperfections of the soul and unrequited love. The lead single, "Wrong," is from the perspective of a dispirited fatalist, who finds every decision he's made is the result of his erroneous genetics. Although the melodies aren't nearly as accessible as previous work, Depeche Mode has perfected the art of despair.
Watch Pet Shop Boys "Love Etc." music video
Watch Depeche Mode's "Wrong" music video
Black Eyed Peas
"Boom Boom Pow" single
Released: March 30th, 2009
I must be honest, I almost didn't make it through this song...until about half way through. The first two minutes of Black Eyed Peas new single, "Boom Boom Pow," are comprised of a tornado siren, excessive auto-tuned vocals, and an uninspired drum beat. The droning one-note siren gave me flashbacks to the Midwest when we'd run for the basement because a twister was approaching. I doubt that's what the Black Eyed Peas intended...but I was ready for shelter!
Thankfully, at the two minute mark, the dance synthesizers and beats kick in, the siren fades out, and the song seems to be going somewhere. Oh, but how short lived that moment is. Another storm is approaching and it's time to, once again, sound the alarms. This song lacks the funky, get-on your-feet soul of previous work. It simply pales in comparison to "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "Let's Get It Started."
The single currently holds the #1 position on the Billboard Charts. Perhaps, on a few repeated listens, I'll understand why that is. In the meantime, I'll be hunkered down waiting for the tornado to pass.
Watch music video
Jill Sobule
"California Years" albumReleased: April 14th, 2009
A woman who should need no introduction, but always has to remind people of her two semi-hits, is the crafty and folky Jill Sobule. This week she releases her remarkable album, "California Years." A former New Yorker, this album recounts Sobule's new life in the City of Angels. The opening cut, "Palm Springs," introduces the listener to Sobule's pilgrimage to the sunny coasts of California. From there, Sobule's songs recount stories of the various characters she's met and situations she's found herself in. Her clever lyricism exudes sly humour at one moment, than a tender confessional in the next.
Unlike previous albums, "California Years" sounds as if it were a live recording. The vocals are brought to the front of the mix, raw and untreated. The delicate instrumentation mirrors the vocals, providing an intimate experience to the listener.
Sobule's songwriting is perhaps too cunning for the average music audience. This is probably why Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" rocketed to #1, and Sobule's only to #67. Despite this moment in pop music ignorance, go out and purchase Jill Sobule's new album. Trust me, it will outlive most of the garbage that's out there.
Watch music video for "San Francisco"
Eminem"We Made You" single
Released: April 13th, 2009
He's back, ladies and gentlemen... just when you thought his so-called retirement would last. (Do these celebrities really think the public is stupid enough to believe they're actually retiring from the profession that's made them multi-millionaires??)
On the debut single off his first album in 5 years, Eminem returns to form with his signature misogynistic, homophobic celebrity-bashing. However, this time his references are incredibly dated...yesterday's news...obsolete. He waxes poetically about Sarah Palin, Britney and K-Fed, Jessica Alba, Amy Winehouse, etc. Who cares about these stories anymore? We're in a world where Obama is in the White House, Britney's gotten her shit together and Winehouse has been a rehab junkie for years. His sexist rants aren't even relevant.
Eminem built a career on staying a step ahead of the curve. "We Made You" sounds like recycled trash from former hits "Without Me" and "The Real Slim Shady." However, you can guarantee that this song will be at the top of the charts. Where the lyrics fail, the music picks up the slack. The song is built around an undeniably catchy chorus, sung by new-comer Charmagne Tripp. Similarly to his 2000 hit, "Stan," Eminem ironically relies on a female vocalist to carry his raps. For a chauvinist narcissist, this must really burn. Although, don't count on him to recognize this fact. Without these women...would we even be discussing Eminem? After all, they're the ones who made him.
Watch music video
"Duck Hunt Reviews" is a weekly flock of critiques highlighting the best (and worst) the music industry has to offer.
Each review is accompanied by a 5 duck rating system and an original inspired art piece by the blogger, Mark Frossard. All comments are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!
On the high-energy "Yes," Pet Shop Boys relish in their sardonic humor and knack for memorable hooks. The opening cut, "Love etc.," bounces along with a bubbly synth line and call-response chorus, declaring a revolution on the shallow excesses of popular culture. "All Around the World" is less cynical and celebrates liberty and freedom. Throughout the album, the lyrics shift from sarcastic optimism to vulnerable confessionals. Musically, Pet Shop Boys are on top of their game with lush string arrangements, acoustic guitar and even harmonica accompanying their wall of synthesizers. 
Contrarily, Depeche Mode's "Sounds of the Universe" creates a more atmospheric, less immediate experience. Their focus is on dissonant, oddball arrangements comprised of space-age bleeps and blips along industrial guitar riffs and ambient synths. Lyrically, the album delves into shameful obsessions, imperfections of the soul and unrequited love. The lead single, "Wrong," is from the perspective of a dispirited fatalist, who finds every decision he's made is the result of his erroneous genetics. Although the melodies aren't nearly as accessible as previous work, Depeche Mode has perfected the art of despair.
