The Return of 90s Rock

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

Nada hit

Janet Jackson
"Nothing" single
Released: March 23rd, 2010






Poor thing. Miss Jackson just can't seem to get a break. Ever since exposing herself at the Superbowl in 2004, Janet hasn't had one hit song. The dance-packed "Feedback" came close...but ultimately failed in comparison to prior chart toppers. So now, Jackson is trying to reclaim her success with a ballad that oozes of her 90s hits, "Again" and "Everytime." And if it were still 1993, this song would undoubtedly be #1. However, it's 2010 and the current music consumer isn't too interested in hushed R & B ballads. "Nothing" brings Jackson a new-found innocence void of the sexually charged lyrics of late. Her breathy approach to singing is gentle and refreshing, perfectly complementing the simple music arrangement. Unfortunately, this nostalgic 90s throwback ballad is not going to give Jackson the attention she so desperately is trying to reclaim.

Watch the video

These Boots Were Made For Dancin'!

Little Boots
"Hands" album
Released: March 2nd, 2010





Move over Lady Gaga, there's a new kid in town. Actually, Little Boots is not that new to the UK, however, she is finally making her American debut. Like Gaga, Boots is a multi-talented pop singer/songwriter who combines guilty hooks with high fashion. Unlike Gaga, her style and music rely on subtleties and not over-the-top extravagance. Boots is an incredible musician to watch, as she navigates keyboards, synthesizers and the unusual Tenori-on. Her keen pop sensibilities shine throughout her debut. Opening with the stellar "New In Town," Boots establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with. The album swirls through 12 addictive 80s inspired songs. Little Boots even brings on Phil Oakley from the Human League for a duet that dares to rival their 1981 hit, "Don't You Want Me." Other notable tracks are the house-influenced "Stuck On Repeat", lyrically clever "Mathematics" and top ten UK hit, "Remedy." Keep an eye out for this one, these boots have more mileage to go.

Watch video for "New In Town"

The Resurrection of Cash

Johnny Cash
"American VI: Ain't No Grave" album
Released: February 23rd, 2010





Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, arrives the second posthumous Johnny Cash album, "American VI: Ain't No Grave." I typically ignore albums released after an artist's death. Typically, they consist of poorly written songs that were never meant to see the light of day. Michael Jackson's "This Is It" single is the most current example of such crap.
However, in this case, these tunes were supposed to have been released. And thankfully, they have been. During the final months of his life, Johnny Cash recorded a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of covers and one original.
Opening with the brilliant arrangement of Claude Ely's "Ain't No Grave", Cash declares that even death won't hold him down. The folky Avett Brothers add a layer of bone-chilling chains, footsteps, and banjo. Throughout the entire "American" series, Cash faces his impending death head on. Producer Rick Rubin's naked presentation highlights the frailty of Cash in his last moments. One can hear each tender crack in Cash's voice. Rubin has allowed the listener to feel as if they were in a living room with Cash during his final performance. Although most songs are about death, the album isn't nearly as depressing as it sounds. Ending with the famous Hawaiian theme "Aloha 'Oe" the album closes on a slightly humorous and uplifting note. Thanks to Rubin, Cash's incredibly prolific career comes to a respectful and dignified end on "American VI".


Listen to "Ain't No Grave"

Worldwide disaster

Artists for Haiti
"We Are The World 25" single
Released: February 12th, 2010





If this song represents who we are in the world, I'm purchasing real estate on Neptune. Although well-intentioned, this vapid cover of Michael Jackson's sing-along is a seven minute disaster of Haiti proportions. Instead of embarrassing themselves in a Hollywood studio, these musicians should have flown to Haiti in their private jets and actually lent a hand.
Opening with creepy 15 year old YouTube sensation, Justin Bieber, this classic is off to a doomed start. As with the original, a who's-who in music trade verses and duet. However, this poorly planned cover is missing a complete lineup of A-list stars that made the 1985 version such a success. Surprisingly absent are Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bono etc. Sure, the 2010 version has Pink, Mary J Blige and Jennifer Hudson, but not even they can stop this train wreck. One cringes as Celine Dion takes over Cyndi Lauper's iconic hiccuping, or when Janet Jackson sings along with Michael's original verse. And don't get me started on the ridiculous rap interlude and auto-tuned vocals of T-Pain and Lil' Wayne. It is the definition of blasphemy.
I wish I could be proud of buying this song for $1.29 to help those in Haiti. However, I feel cheated and am going to donate money through someone else.

Watch the video

Bursting His Bubble

Rob Zombie
"Sick Bubblegum" single
Released: January 12th, 2010





I was never much of a heavy metal fan. Probably because it typically lacked the melodic hooks and harmonies I was attracted to...and it made me want to flip over school buses and pummel innocent people to the ground. But then along came Rob Zombie: a death-rocker who infused his songs with catchy scream-along choruses and traditional pop sensibilities. Singles "Living Dead Girl" and "Never Gonna Stop" broke through to the mainstream and proved that metal could actually be fun. This brings us to his latest boredom of a song, "Sick Bubblegum." A tired rehashing of crunchy guitars and incoherent screaming. Typically, Zombie layers his songs with atypical instruments to the metal genre: synthesizers, tambourines, strings etc. "Sick Bubblegum" contains no surprises, no hooks, just uninspired noise.

Listen to "Sick Bubblegum"

Booze Hound

Ke$ha
"Animal" album
Released: January 5th, 2010





On her debut album, Ke$ha opens by proclaiming "Maybe I need some rehab, or maybe just need some sleep" and from there she pounds out 14 booze-fueled party tracks. Her lead single "TiK ToK" has already broken records with the best weekly download sales of any female artist in history. Not too bad for a rookie. So, is this trashy-chic songstress a one hit wonder, or is there more in store?
Judging by "Animal," Ke$ha has some room for improvement. While her carefree party attitude is amusing, it grows tiresome over the span of 14 songs. While there are plenty of radio-friendly tracks on this album, nothing quite reaches the originality of "TiK ToK". However, her humorous lyrics do set her apart from her contemporaries. After all, who else has admitted to brushing their teeth with Jack Daniels?

Watch music video for "TiK ToK"

Cold Case Love

Rihanna
"Rated R" album
Released: November 20th, 2009





Chris Brown
"Graffiti" album
Released: December 8th, 2009





Only 10 months after their infamous domestic abuse incident, Chris Brown and Rihanna have each released new albums. In February, these two musicians (and lovers) were at the top of their game, both riding the wave of fame after madly successful albums. And then the violent fists of Brown brought their careers to a crushing halt. To ignore this incident is nearly impossible when comparing their latest works. How does the victim respond to her abuser? And how does the abuser make amends to his victim?

On "Rated R", Rihanna has transformed into a true artist. The 'good girl' pop princess is no more. Forget the frivolous party songs "Don't Stop the Music" and "Umbrella." This is a woman who has something to get off her chest, and she does so remarkably. Rihanna's courageous confessionals of an abusive love permeate throughout the album. It allows the listener to finally connect with her on a personal level, outside of the clubs and in the privacy of one's own sacred space. The music itself contains dense beats, haunting synths, and eerie chord arrangements galore. This is not to say Rihanna has completely abandoned her pop roots...far from it; she's now the one packing the punch.

In ignorant contrast, is Chris Brown's "Graffiti." Attempting to sweep his malice under the rug, Brown continues with his sexualized R & B jams. "Sing Like Me," "Wait," and "Take My Time" are just a few examples of Brown's carnal objectifications of women. The lyrics themselves aren't necessarily offensive, it's the context. A man who just recently beat up his girlfriend does not need to be singing about being such a suave ladies man. It's simply disgusting. This is all a real shame, because musically, Brown still has the touch for catchy tunes. "I.Y.A." and "Crawl" rank among his best songs. Too bad he's an unremorseful creep.

Watch music video for Rihanna's "Russian Roulette"
Watch music video for Chris Brown's "I'll Transform Ya"

Soft Rebellious Stoner

John Mayer
"Who Says" single
Released: October 13th, 2009





John Mayer has done the impossible: He's created a stoner song that stoners and non-stoners alike can jam to together. A perfect blend of rebellion in his lyrics and haziness in his voice make this song his best yet. His laid-back defiance is a beautiful contradiction. The self-referential lyrics aren't rebellious in the grand sense of solving hunger or obtaining world peace. Mayer simply wants freedom from the pressures of society. Who can't relate to that? To further the concept, Mayer's gentle acoustic guitar playing and a hushed beat provide the perfect accompaniment.

Watch music video