Spring 2010 is apparently the period where every 90s rocker decides to try their hand in the new decade. In this case, we have new works by Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, and Melissa Etheridge, each creating 'back-to-basics' albums reuniting them with the sounds which made them famous.Melissa Etheridge
"Fearless Love" album
Released: April 27th, 2010
Melissa Etheridge has never really taken a break from recording since her 1988 debut. However, not since 1995's "Your Little Secret" has Etheridge attempted to record an album of her trademark anthemic rock. From the urgent opening track "Fearless Love", the listener is prepared for a tidal wave of electric guitars, drums and Etheridge's signature Joplin-esque voice. Etheridge continues the momentum with Bruce Springsteen inspired "The Wanting of You" through the playful ZZ Top guitar riff on "Nervous". After seven classic rock anthems, the album completely falls flat and never picks itself back up. Etheridge ends with five rather lackluster mid-tempo tracks that struggle to achieve the grandiose nature of the first half of the album. While her efforts are duly noted, the collection as a whole suffers from a fading of cohesion.
Watch video for "Fearless Love"
Hole
"Nobody's Daughter" album
Released: April 27th, 2010
Quite simply: the biggest disappointment in a 90s rock band reunion. First of all, Courtney Love is the only remaining member of Hole. So essentially, this is Love's second solo album with a thrown-together group of musicians under the band moniker which made her music famous. (She had to do this; especially since her 2004 solo debut tanked.) Love began writing "Nobody's Daughter" in 2005. Early demos received glowing reviews, marking the album as an instant classic. Critics praised the gentle acoustic sound and personal lyrics. After years of struggling to get the work released, Love retooled the songs into a thrashing hour of relentless crap. Love's once incredible voice has been reduced to hoarse shrieks. The only thing going for this album is the perfectly fine tuned players and production of the instruments.
Listen to "Skinny Little Bitch"
Smashing Pumpkins
"Songs For A Sailor" ep
Released: May 25, 2010
Similarly to Courtney Love, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins is the sole remaining member of his 90s breakthrough band. However, in this case, Corgan has proved he never needed the other band members to write incredible music. Sure, since the Pumpkins split in 2001, Corgan has had some misses with Zwan and his solo album. But, forget all of that.
"Songs For A Sailor" is a four-track ep that previews the direction of Corgan's grand 44 song opus "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope." Since December 2009, Corgan has released these tracks for free download on the Pumpkins website. Opening with the Led Zeppelin inspired "A Song For A Son," Corgan has resurrected his career from the ground up. "Astral Planes" is an experiment in 70's psychedelic rock, followed by the pop friendly "Widow Wake My Mind." The ep ends with the brilliant acoustic track "A Stitch In Time." I recommend downloading these songs while they are still free!
Listen and download ep
