Alas, I've not listened to KPIG. But here's what I
have listened to this week:
Prince,
3121 - "Te Amo Corazón" and "Fury" are phenomenomenal (for those who heard
Musicology, it's the new album's equivalent to "A Million Days," only more passionate; I still like Prince best as a rocker); too much predictable loverman balladry, but still likely Top 10 for the year.
Teena Marie,
Sapphire - DUD. Overly satin-y and bloated. (The album, not her, though it might apply to her as well.)
Neil Young,
Living With War - Instant Classic, especially "Restless Consumer." Y'all have got to listen to this in its entirety; it's still available for free online streaming. at
http://www.hyfntrak.com/neilyoung2/AFF23130/ and other mirrored sites.
Paul Simon,
Surprise - Only heard two tracks, but they seemed cluttered.
Van Hunt,
On the Jungle Floor - Some great moments, but no more essential than the new Prince, which is really unfortunate when you think about it.
Morrissey,
Ringleader of the Tormentors - Quite possibly his best solo album to date, and that's saying a lot since I loved
You Are the Quarry. I'd love to write an essay on this one. He sounds, for the first time, utterly free of the pressure to make a Smiths record; and what his voice has lost in gravitas it's more than gained in malleability. The songwriting is mostly splendid, particularly "Dear God, Please Help Me," the record Robbie Williams wishes he were courageous enough to make and which sums up pretty much everything Boy George wanted to say before he became a club kid at age 40. You can stream lead single "You Have Killed Me" at
http://myspace.com/morrissey .
Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs,
Under the Covers, Vol. 1 - I gave Matthew another chance even though the Thorns disappointed me so, like Frosted Mini-Wheats with no milk. Happily, he and Susanna harmonize marvelously, and the more obscure their choices on this covers album, the better they are, especially on the Left Banke's "She May Call You Up Tonight" and the Zombies' "Care of Cell #44." I think most of you would love this. Even though Matthew is disturbingly turning into Leslie West in appearance.
Gnarls Barkley,
St. Elsewhere - Only a small amount of filler in the 14 tracks, and barring a religious experience it will be my #1 album of the year. Get it get it get it. You're welcome.
Happy weekend, all!
Gaz