Frenchy’s Fracas

General Description
Artist/Band: Paul Weller
Album Title: Studio 150
Year: 2004

There’s no greater musician’s musician than Paul Weller. He’s been around for a coupla seasons and you know for sure he’ll still be inspiring aspiring artists to pick up a guitar and seriously working to become heart-and-soul musicians.
”As the leader of the Jam, Paul Weller fronted the most popular British band of the punk era, influencing legions of English rockers that ranged from his mod-revival contemporaries to the Smiths in the ’80s and Oasis in the ’90s.“ - VH1
 
How I Got Into This Music
Well.. Lil’ geriatric ol’ me remembers listening to The Jam’s “Town Called Malice“ and really thinking just one thing: WOW! I was amazed at the pure power coming from that band and its skinny white lead singer with a voice that begot respect. It was an incredible surprise to see Paul Weller’s change to moody hip-cat music during his stint with The Style Council. Songs like “You’re The Best Thing“ and “Have You Ever Had It Blue“ made you feel that warm summer breeze on your face. His solo work still proves he has become one of the true exponents of British Rock/Pop Music (and I refuse to associate him with BritPop).

Tracks that got my attention:

Wishing On A Star
Hmm.. Makes me wish for some earlier version of the track

The Bottle
It takes a lot of guts to cover this song and sadly, it doesn’t work for me (even without comparing it to Gil Scott-Heron’s version) 

Black Is The Colour 
Nice song, his voice is great on this traditional folk song

Early Morning Rain 
Weller at his best

All Along The Watchtower 
[ouch]
   

Conclusion
This really hurts as hell, but this album really, really, really didn’t work for me. Paul Weller’s a frigging great artist and he’ll continue to be so,
but this album just isn’t any good at all. Wishing on a star the next album’s a great one again

Rating: (and a bit)

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General Description
Artist/Band: Tom Waits
Album Title: Real Gone
Year: 2004

This guy is extraordinary. He doesn’t do “mainstream“. He gets weird roles in the weirdest movies. He really does exactly whatever he wants and that’s not something you see that much anymore from a performer / composer / actor / musician.
”What category do I fall under? I’ve never fallen under a category. I fell underneath a car once, and I haven’t been the same since.“ - BBC Music / Profiles
 
How I Got Into This Music
Well.. I remember waaay back when here in Holland we had this music show called, “TopPop“. That show ruled the LowLands and its presenter was this geeky guy with the power of gods over its audience. Anyways, at the end of the show, you’d get something like “The next great Hit“ bit and that’s were I first saw Tom Waits video for “In The Neighbourhood“. I always, always kept the name and the song in my head (as if I had a choice, great song!), but I never “got into the music“ seriously. My favorite thing about Tom Waits is the track they used in the movie Smoke - “Innocent When You Dream“: fantastic! So now I heard about this new album..

Tracks that got my attention:

Top Of The Hill
Okay, I didn’t expect scratching and breakbeats on a Tom Waits track, but it works nicely

Hoist That Rag
Now, I’m really surprised: this is like some Latin track with some great drama-percussion! 

Sins Of My Father 
Way too long, but okay

Shake It 
Great tempo changes

How’s It Gonna End 
Spooky music, great suspense track for a rooftop chase. Imagine Hitchcock getting a chance to use this for a movie

Baby Gonna Leave Me 
Great track, his voice really putting a sandblaster to shame
  
Day After Tomorrow 
This track is simply beautiful. Music can evoke images in your head and emotions, we all know that. This song paints a picture that’d make any great painter start doubting his true calling 
   

Conclusion
Tom Waits is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and interesting artists walking this great big heap of rock. First time I heard the album I wasn’t thrilled: too much noise, disturbing any possible chance to get your bearing. After a coupla times you get used to the warped collection of things happening on the album and then you start enjoying his work. I have to wait and see if I’ll still be playing the album after two or three weeks, but it’s that kinda music

Rating:

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General Description
Artist/Band: Amy Winehouse
Album Title: Frank
Year: 2004

This lady’s special. Her mix of urban (I know, but I can’t really find another word for it) and acid jazz combined with a husky almost nasal voice works for me. Especially if you take the time to listen to her lyrics, incredibly honest and in your face!

How I Got Into This Music
Well.. This one almost didn’t work for me. Her first single “Stronger Than Me“ had a video with her scowling at her man and I was thinking “Yeah right, been there, heard that before“. But still I listened to her album just to check out the total package. Her voice sometimes got on my nerves and I was ready to discard the album as a whole. Then.. I started paying attention to her lyrics.

Tracks that got my attention:

Stronger Than Me
Ouch! Any man on the receiving end of that verbal baseball bat will hope it’s aimed at the big head instead of the little one

You Sent Me Flying
Great song, in a couple of years this’ll be an anthem, think of about it: you put a whole dance floor in full anticipation for two and a half minutes with a semi-acapella thing and the payoff’s a great groove! 

Know You Now 
Here, I really, really love her voice

Fuck Me Pumps 
Ouch!!(The Sequel) Here’s miss Winehouse taking her high heels to someone’s sorry-assed face: “Like the news, everyday you get pressed” 

I Heard Love Is Blind 
Ouch!!!(The Butcher’s Return) Any guy getting a flashback from this story must’ve had some serious sessions at the shrink and still is monitored by the Suicide Prevention Squad. Go, girl! 

In My Bed 
Perfect combo of street sounds, jazzy grooves, sharp lyrics and Amy’s brittle voice
  
Take The Box 
Wow! Moody, jazzy, blue 
   

Conclusion
This girl puts her soul, her heart and intelligent mind in this album and delivers us a gem of street vibes, jazz, blues and incredible lyrics. This is one of my favorite performers of the moment. British Soul is having a little Renaissance and this album is little bit of genius!

Rating:

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This week is my first week on the new job.

What else? Well… As a told you in last week’s Fracas the great singer Andre Hazes left this tedium of mediocrity. This week they held a memorial service for him in Amsterdam, a chance for his fans to bid a final farewell. To my incredible surprise it was held in a fully packed stadium where fifty thousand people came to listen to a free concert with top Dutch artists singing mister Hazes’ songs. What scared the life out of me, was that during the service the coffin with the deceased was put in the middle of the soccer, I mean, football field, like Ghandi just frigging died. I liked the guy, but it seems to me that people were getting a bit carried away.

What else? Well.. I keep wondering what went wrong. Eighteen months ago, I was as sure as sure can be that George W would not be doing a second term. Not because Kerry’s such a great alternative, but because Bush got caught with his pants down. I guess anything can get a positive spin, even a war to retrieve the still-not-found WMD’s.

What else? Well.. I got bored yesterday, so I Googled up this site: Social History of the Pineapple

What else? Well.. dunno, the week ain’t over yet.. Oh yeah, this weekend, my great friend Ronald and the love of his life Patricia were blessed with the birth of their third child Mical. Gonna visit the happy family tomorrow!

This week’s album reviews:
Rammstein - “Reise, Reise“
Jill Scott - “Beautifully Human, Words And Music Vol.2“
Amy Winehouse - “Frank“

Check my album reviews here

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General Description
Artist/Band: Rammstein
Album Title: Reise, Reise
Year: 2004

Germany’s Scary Rock Band, or something like that.. These guys somehow got the right stuff: a Heavy name for the Band, a Scary sound and a bit of Mystery and Melancholy on the side. I really like this band! Their style, visual and musical, is refreshing. A couple months ago I heard some soundbite calling Coldplay the greatest rock band of this moment. Don’t get me wrong: Coldplay makes nice music and have a serious reputation, but a band like Rammstein really show people why rock music is great, like a real rock act should be.

How I Got Into This Music
Well.. I can’t remember the title of the first track I heard from these guys, but I felt kinda caught off guard. I was surprised at the fact that music resembling thrash/death rock was produced so well. They also gave me the creeps coz it almost seemed like a group of right-wing idiots with more than little bit of the wrong kind of brown shirt, jack boot nostalgia. But I was wrong. After that I kept my eye out for anything these guys were selling. 

Tracks that got my attention:

Mein Teil
Man, Goth Rock meets Metallica and you keep expecting to see disturbing images if ever a video is made for this track.

Dalai Lama
If ever there was a track that would go well with a chase scene, this would be the perfect choice!

Los 
Great classic rock

Amerika 
Current single, great song, great video

Moskau 
I’m wondering if the Russian shock girlies Tatu are doing the vocals. Here’s a song that’s ready for the charts. 

Stein Um Stein
Moody piece of moodiness, guitar solo at the end is a bit crappy, though
  
Ohne Dich 
One of the few slow tracks, doesn’t work for me 
   

Conclusion
I like the band better than the whole album. I am 100% sure these guys are doing something that matters. Not all the tracks work for me and I don’t think I’ll play this album very often, but I still think that this is a great band with an OK album. Anybody who likes their music a bit heavy, should listen to “Reise, Reise“

Rating:

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