Post Pop Depression - Iggy Pop

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49403376

I feel like I’m closing up after this. That’s what I feel. It’s my gut instinct. Iggy Pop on Post Pop Depression - Beats1 Radio. 

Iggy's 17th album is stellar. The 68 year old collaborated with Queens of the Stone Age's Joshua Homme to bring a raw, sobering mix of Iggy's classic sound and his spoken word acceptance of his own hard life and mortality.

Post pop depression is masterfully aided by Queens of the Stone Age Joshua Homme, softening some of the edges and giving the listener corners to seek solace in. If this is Iggy's last album, it is his gift to us.

Break Into Your Heart 
It's Iggy of then and now. It's Nightclubbing and Iggy who just rejoined The Stooges on stage for a tour. It's Iggy whose seen the best and worst of people. He has a mission in mind - and it's to get through that snow-capped covered heart.

Gardenia
He's the sexy spoken word poet. Gardenia, the flower of the night.

American Valhalla
This is where Iggy's spoken word gift and thoughts of his mortality eek into the album. It's a reminder that this really could be Iggy's last album.  

Where is American Valhalla
Death is the pill that's hard to swallow
Is anybody in there?
And can I bring a friend?
I'm not the man with everything
I've nothing, but my name

 

In the Lobby
Oh Iggy, what is the metaphor for this lobby. This is a dual song, I feel. Maybe his time in Berlin with Bowie, or his time now, looking at the inevitable end. It's about following your past and looking to your future -- and in all begins in the lobby.
 
Sunday
Great bass line, poetic lyrics, sly references ... Sunday when you don't have to move. 

Vulture
Simple song with a complex theme - death. It's an amalgam of Morricone-esque showdown music, simple guitar riffs, and Iggy's singing / speaking. He's in showdown mode with mortality. 

German Days
This song can make you both sad and happy - when you wonder if it's looking back to his Berlin days with Bowie. Partying, extravagance, forgotten nights, painful nights, the closest friendship you may ever have ... Berlin and Christ.

Chocolate Drops
Iggy is the only one that can tell us that shirt turns into chocolate drops - and get away with it being a really great song. 

There is nothing in the stars if you fail to move
There is nothing in the dark, it's just some old excuse
Hanging on, let it go!  

Paraguay
It's angry Iggy on this one --angry spoken word Iggy whose pissed off at the world of corruption. 
 

I Don't Know Where I'm Going From Here, But I Promise It Won't Be Boring ~ David Bowie

 Look up here, I’m in heaven
I’ve got scars that can’t be seen
I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen
Everybody knows me now

Lazarus ~David Bowie

David Robert Jones was destined to be a glittery, innovative, artistic star. With Space Oddity and  The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the world would never be the same. He would constantly metamorphose, never looking for permission, never asking forgiveness. He's created some of our generation's most iconic and almost cult classic songs. He stood along side other rock icons, Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger, played with Stevie Ray Vaughan and T Rex,  and gave us songs that should be considered a part of the gospels of rock and roll. 

David Bowie inspired artists and musicians alike. He epitomized inventing oneself over and over. And yet he was inspired by artists and musicians as well. Glam, soul, funk, rock, blues influenced his sound and his soul. 

Outside of music he acted and became a part of every 80's kid childhood as Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth. His characters were as unique as Bowie himself.

Even on his 69th birthday a few, short days ago, we received more wonderful music from him with the release of Blackstar. Re-invented again, the lyrics as gorgeous as ever, but haunting. His voice still glittery, shining and pure. He always knew and accepted his fame and wanted to be the best and that best was to be superhuman and a star. 

The world seems a little less glittery today but the stars a bit brighter. Our starman is now waiting in the sky. 

Street Dogs ... Wrecking the Halls For Ten Years On

Punk is still alive and well in Boston. 2015 saw the tenth annual Wreck the Halls held this year at Allston’s Brighton Music Hall. For the first time, the Street Dogs played full albums for each show. Savin Hill, Back to the World, Fading American Dream were heard track by track, along with some fan favorites like Tobe's Got a Drinking Problem and Not Without a Purpose, along with band favorites by The Clash on December 18th, 19th, and 20th. 

Photo credit John Cetrino 2015

 With Mike McColgan on lead vocals, Johnny Rioux on bass, Matt Pruitt on lead guitar, and Lenny Lashley on rhythm guitar, the current lineup of the 12 year old band was honored on December 18th by Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh, who proclaimed the day Street Dogs Day in Boston. 

With the Boston Police Department Pipes and Drums kicking off Friday night, it was full on pogo time with moshing (co-ed), stage diving, and lots of oi's being thrown about. What was very evident, was how the band, who took a brief hiatus in 2012, is still growing in their fan base. Why? It has to do with their roots. 

Boston is a proud city, understatement of the century. Street Dogs is a band that supports not only Boston, but its workers, unions, and military. Their fan base are kids, adults, Boston born and bred Sox and Celtic fans, who work tirelessly for the City they love. It's a perfect match.

If you're not into punk so much, but still dig an album that Mick Jones and Joe Strummer could have written the lyrics for, check out FM 359, a side project of SD members McColgan, Rioux, and Sosa along with Rick Barton.They released Truth, Love and Liberty in January 2014 and according to Michael Rampa of Octane Magazine:

 Some are calling it a “humanitarian (non-religious) gospel Americana (punk) rock record”, While the influences are apparent , the resulting sound is unique and defies being categorized in any single genre. Whatever its label, this band has the potential to bring an unconventional sound into the mainstream  the way Mumford and Sons turned folk into chart gold. 

Truth, Love and Liberty has the punk attitude and Boston pride, but it is stripped down to the barest, yet fullest of sound. Give the  album a whirl, especially if you like a Celtic or Mumford and Sons sound.

Hopefully 2016 will give us some more touring and more tunes for the Street Dogs to follow up on their Record Day release of Street Dogs Crooked Drunken Sons. Heavy material, but definitely deserved of an audience. There are politics to discuss, unions to defend, and our heroes in uniform that need our support. This is the band to put lyrics to the issues and strike a chord (literally) with some of their listeners. Street Dogs write songs that matter. And Street Dogs write songs you should listen to.

Everything About You Is So F*I*N*E Fine

26 years later and each word comes back like the first day this album debuted. While their tenth album, it catapulted them off their previous album, Permanent Vacation. Hits like Angel, Ragdoll, and Dude Looks Like a Lady had them on the pop charts. While no stranger to fame, it would be Permanent Vacation and Pump that made them video stars. 

I also look back and think If my parents only knew what I was listening to! This album is filled with sex, sex, some serious heavy shit, and a little more sex. It's classic Aerosmith filled with ballads, driving rhythm(pun intended if you like), and quick tempo songs with the addition of horns and some didgeridoos. From the first beats of Young Lust to the final notes of What it Takes, its classic toxic twins Aerosmith. 

Young Lust
The opening beats speed along until you're hit full speed with Joey Kramer's drums and Perry's signature guitar. Perfect intro anthem for this album.

FINE
You don't learn what this title stands for until you watch the documentary on the making of Pump. And it so fits the attitude of this album and of the band at this time in their career. 

I feel like I'm hung up on the line
I'd die for you but we were partners in the crime
Everything about you is so f-i-n-e- FINE
Let's put our clothes back on
and by the way girl
What's your name again?

 One night stands, with standards, and obsessing about a woman in particular, FINE kicks of an album that truly is F#%ked Up * Insecrure *Neruotic  *Emotional

Goin' Down / Love in an Elevator
How many of you still think of this song when you get into an elevator. Innuendo packed and one of Aerosmith's classic songs, Elevator lives up to Aerosmith sexy reputation.


Monkey on My Back
Bluesy and the only time you hear the title (PUMP) whispered once the drums start. A song about the monkey on Aerosmith's drug and alcohol addictions, this song has serious message. 
 
Water Song >Janie's Got a Gun 
The band really had some heavy material to deal with on this album. A song about a young woman who kills her abuser, who happens to be her father, again Aerosmith brings attention to pressing matters on this album.

Dulcimer Stomp>Other Side
How Shakespearean? Just what is "the other side" Steven?

My Girl
A rocking love song about Sadie and how awesome she is. 

Don't Get Mad Get Even
What do you do when your girlfriend with her skirt hiked up to here?? A great revenge song. So much blues influence on this song and reminiscent of their song St. John. Lyrically, this is blues poetry. A song that should have been a hit.

Roll the dice get lucky 'cause they roll you for the dime

you got nothin' else to lose if you only lose your mind

when pleasure that is shallow causes trouble to be deep

you've been dusted with the devil while he sweeps you off your feet

Hoodoo>Voodoo Medicine Man
A fun digeredoo filled New Orleans-ish song. 
 
What It Takes
The ultimate Aerosmith song of anger and lost love. He still loves this woman, but she's run off several times. The final song on Pump is the perfect closure to an emotional album. It's mellow, like the sadness of watching your love get away, and knowing that really this is Aerosmith's last great album ... ooops, that slipped.

Eternally Wild With The Power

Michael Kelland John Hutchence January 22, 1960 - November 22, 1997

Many of us grew up listening to INXS. The songs are our youth. My first INXS memory came with listening to the cassette of The Swing. For about six months, I thought it was Dancing on Jelly. So I was like ten and we didn't have jetty's in western Pennsylvania. The sounds were new, fluid, and KICK is a soundtrack of many wonderful memories. When we hear those strings from Never Tear Us Apart, we are reminded of those nervous moments at school dances. Devil Inside was the song that meant fun was going to be had. And New Sensation was an anthem of experimentation. Moving along, X was the more mature anthem. Come on, who didn't get overwhelmed at By Your Side or relate to the symbolism in The Stairs.  

While we all love Kirk, Gary, Andrew, Jon, and Tim, it was Michael that lead the band with his charismatic persona, golden good looks, and sultry soft yet powerful voice. He was vulnerable and powerful. Our Michael was an enigma wrapped up in a devilish grin and tight pants. However, with our love and fandom of him also came our sadness for the troubles and trials we had to endure. His music made him a video star. And media killed our video star. Tabloid fodder brought down our shining star.

Each passing year, we reminisce and pay homage to Michael Kelland John Hutchence. In our memories he will always be the young, warm, energetic, soft spoken heart throb lead singer.In our hearts, he will always be our youth.

In Michael's words ... Love and Peace.

The nature of your tragedy
Is chained around your neck
Do you lead or are you lead
Are you sure that you don't care
There are reasons here to give your life
And follow in your way
The passion lives to keep your faith
Though all are different, all are great
Climbing as we fall
We dare to hold on to our fate
And steal away our destiny
To catch ourselves
With quiet grace

 PMCarlson 2000 Sydney

Eternal Life - The Annual NYC Tribute to Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley’s spirit was definitely hovering around Arlene’s Grocery for his Annual Tribute concert but together by Robert Urban. Each year I am both astonished and selfish about the growth of Jeff’s fan base. On the verge of  what would have been Jeff’s 49^th birthday, I met a 22 year old drummer from the UK who discovered Jeff only four years ago. He, like most of us, quickly fell in love with Jeff.

There were new faces that sang the songs Jeff wrote as well as songs both by musicians who inspired him and musicians he inspired. The early highlights include Adam Cohen, Edwin Blas with Cesar Presa, and Matt DeBenedetti of Toy Cars. From Hallelujah to Radiohead’s High and Dry, the night kicked off with some great music fit for Jeff.

Now if people weren’t already moved when French musician Michael DeFleur hit the stage after being in New York City while his country was tragically attacked last week, he finished with a song that a handful understood. Jeff Buckley’s Eternal Life on the Live at Sin-é opened with the following monologue:  

This is a song about, it's an angry song. Life is too short and too complicated for people behind desks and people behind masks to be ruining other people’s lives, initiating force against other people’s lives on the basis of their income, their color, their class, their religious beliefs, their whatever.

But Michael did not recite that … he only sang the following before leaving the stage and it was a statement so raw that it was hauntingly beautifully framed because it was Jeff’s words:

There's no time for hatred, only questions
Where is love, where is happiness, what is Life,
where is peace?

And what’s a Jeff Buckley Tribute without a cabaret? Honestly, one of the most beautiful moments was Tracey Stark, Kathleen Stuart, Gretchen Reinhagen and Beau Howard singing a beautiful and soul filled rendition of Hallelujah. It’s moments like those that make the annual tribute so special. And more moments were promised as Robert Urban joined the Jenny’s and Mike Linkens almost the most Buckley-esque performance of the evening … almost.

Gary Lucas, guitar master, a mentee of Captain Beefheart, song writer, and co-writer with Jeff himself...broke a guitar string when he started to play Mojo Pin with Tara Lynne. 

 But meanwhile as the guitar was re-strung, Mike Linkens joined Gary after a masterful acoustic solo. It was as if Jeff walked onto the stage and we were taken back to the days of Gods and Monsters. A snapshot in time given to us as gift to the Buckley faithful. See you all again for Jeff's 50th birthday next year.

Eternal Life is now on my trail
Got my red glitter coffin, man, just need one last nail
While all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games
there's a flaming red horizon that screams our names
And as your fantasies are broken in two
Did you really think this bloody road
would pave the way for you?
You better turn around
and blow your kiss hello to life eternal, angel
Racist every man, what have you done?
Man, you've made a killer of your unborn son...
Crown my fear your king at the point of a gun
All I want to do is love everyone...
And as your fantasies are broken in two
did you really think this bloody road
would pave the way for you?
You better turn around
and blow your kiss hello to life eternal
Oh...
There's no time for hatred, only questions
Where is love, where is happiness, what is Life,
where is peace?
When will I find the strength to bring me release?
And tell me where is the love in what your prophet has said?
Man, It sounds to me just like a prison for the walking dead
And I've got a message for you and your twisted hell
You better turn around and blow your kiss goodbye
to life eternal angel...
Angel...

 

"They want to shut us up. They want to silence us. And we won’t let them"

U2 at memorial outside of Paris  venue Bataclan

 

These are our people,  said Bono. This could be me at a show, you at a show…It’s a very recognizable situation.

 

 

Friday's attack in the City of Love hit the heart and soul of many music fans. People out enjoying a carefree Friday night out in Paris became the target of anger and hate. The goal is to make us live in fear. Targeted because it was a mass gathering, or because it was a venue recently sold by its Jewish owners, or just a random, nonsensical act of barbarity, there are more questions than answers. Families, lovers, friends, lost on a night where others dined, and watched a football match, all completely unaware that they would not see another Paris sunrise.

 

What lessons can be learned? Love. Strength. No Fear. Acknowledgement that the hate will not simply vanish because we want it to. It is our love, determination, and our unwavering spirit of freedom that cannot be silenced. All we can do is continue to moving forward. We cannot cower and hide. We must live our lives,  for when we stop enjoying it is then that hate truly will win.

 

 

 

 

 



 

I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through long years to come, I see the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out...
Charles Dickens  A Tale of Two Cities