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Ben Folds
Ben Folds Live
Sony/Epic
Ben Folds has been without his “Five” for several years now, but his music and songwriting is as strong as ever. His new live album, Ben Folds Live, is a testament to that. The tracks are gathered from his solo tour early this year. Standout cuts include the old favorites “Best Imitation of Myself,” the bitter yet witty “One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces” and the hit single “Brick.” He also includes tunes from his latest album, Rocking the Suburb, with the spirited “Zak and Sara” – from the June 10 Portland show – and a lovely version of “The Luckiest.” He also covers Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”
The tour, and consequently the record, found Folds in fine form, playing with emotion and heart. Despite the lack of a band, both old and new songs sound better than ever. With only his voice and fingers to express himself, Folds dazzles the listener with his talent and energy. He covers a wide array of material, including old Ben Folds Five tunes, unreleased tracks and new songs. Every note, every word seems to hang in the air. If the album is any indication, the tour was one of the best in 2002. For those fans who have been here since “Underground” or those discovering Folds for the first time, Ben Folds Live is a rare treat for the ears; an album full of great piano, philosophical lyrics and Folds’ sense of wit and cynicism. Buy this record now.
-Alex Lehning
Tom Petty
The Last DJ
Warner Brothers
There are very few classic American rock bands left in this country who can emote with the solos, talk with the chords and use simple but soothing lyrics. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are living by the motto “If it ‘aint broke, don’t fix it” with their latest album “The Last DJ.”
The band’s sound remains characteristically poppy, but the message has changed. Petty sounds a bit tired of the corporate legalities of the music industry in “The Last DJ,” “Money Becomes King” and “Joe.”
With his financial woes behind him, however, Petty continues to pump out aura-filled music with “Dreamville” and “Like A Diamond.”
This dog certainly ends up relying on some old tricks with the somewhat formulated songs “You and Me” and “Have Love Will Travel.” But there’s no denying the greatness of Petty’s genius songwriting on “Blue Sunday” and “Can’t Stop the Sun.”
They’ve had their drug problems, band line-up changes, record label problems and someone once tried to burn Petty’s house down. With these things said and done, Tom Petty and The Hearbreakers have completed a feat in and of itself by staying together and putting the music first. Your average listener can certainly hear these ideals in their newest music.
-Marshall Dury
Ryan Adams
Demolition
Lost Highway Records
Ryan Adams’ third solo effort, Demolition, is a collection of 13 songs recorded between tour dates in late 2001 and early 2002. The album is also a delicate blend of country-rock tracks and tender ballads showcasing the rocker’s ample singing and songwriting abilities.
The former Whiskeytown front man has found new life since going solo, particularly with his previous album, Gold, which earned him both critical acclaim and considerable radio play with “New York, New York,” Adams’ ode to the Big Apple.
Adams’ talents are best seen through his slowed-down rock hymns that let him show off his clean, simple guitar riffs and vocals, which fall somewhere between Dylan, Neil Young and Van Morrison.
Track four on Demolition, “Desire” is a particularly good example of Adams’ ability to convey honest emotion through his songs. “She Wants to Play Hearts,” “Dear Chicago” and “Jesus, Don’t Touch My Baby” are also great songs for wallowing in self-pity.
For those that like less depressing tracks, “Nuclear,” “Hallelujah” and “Starting to Hurt” might be more suitable. Either way, Adams’ album provides a little something for all tastes.
And while Demolition may not capture the heart and soul of Gold, it does further establish Adams’ reign on the music genre once held by a man named Dylan.
-Eric Russell
Loudermilk
Red Record
Dreamworks
I’ve heard some real crap coming from today’s bands. Having never heard of the band Loudermilk, I placed their CD, The Red Record into my player with much trepidation. After I couldn’t stop playing the first song, I knew this album was going to kick some serious ass.
“Estrogen Oxygen Aches in the Teeth Again” kicks off this sonically packed album with amazingly alternative rock that will leave you begging for more. Although I don’t personally know them, Loudermilk seems to be out to prove that they are not about the “classic rock” of yesterday. This strong muscial ethic is best seen in “Califonia” and “Anthema.”
While songs like “Rock ‘n’ Roll & The Teenage Desperation” sound a bit too radio-friendly, Loudermilk scores high with the formula of passion in their music and honesty in their lyrics.
Their best song is “Goldie Ella” with its grandiose full sound and hypnotic guitars Loudermilk shows us that even the rockers can slow it down.
This rocking four piece group is very similar to … actually I can think of no one that Loudermilk is similar to. They have a fresh sound and hopefully will crush the lowly class of emo-rockers I’m sure they are being associated with in the indie scene.
-Marshall Dury
Bangor Daily News