Word: songe
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Back on Top, Van Morrison explores his life and success from the perspective of a middle-aged man. The title song, one of the two upbeat numbers of the album, is an introspective piece. However, those familiar with his music shouldn't be surprised by the amount of existential restlessness in this album. In fact, Van Morrison's snappy blues beat and ample use of harmonica and saxophone make the somewhat morose lyrics come to life. Even the bizarre "Golden Autumn Days" (a song about a man who has been mugged and wants to flog his assailants) is surprisingly soothing...
...What Lang needs to learn is modulation and moderation. Instead of barreling through his songs like there's no tomorrow, he should vary the force with which he punches into each tune. He certainly is capable of variation, as he proves in his first album, where the soulful ballads are balanced by funky tracks and all-out rock grooves. His second effort, Wander this World, is an unsteady foray into the mainstream. Even that word mainstream connotes a Spam product which inevitably sullies the unique with the base. This shift in focus is what was displayed at the live show...
...moves seemed to be directly lifted from the repertoire of 'N SYNC's predecessors, Boston's own New Kids On The Block. I started having flashbacks to "The Right Stuff" and for a brief second wondered if they would parody their whole boy band phenomenon-frenzy by covering that song. Sadly, it was not to be, but it would have been a nice touch of irony from a band sometimes compared to that late 80s merchandising empire/band...
...Their first few songs proved that Sebadoh can still slam it home. Amid rebel yells from the audience, "Careful" and "Dramamine" filled the hall with jagged guitar and gunshot-like drums. Jason Lowenstein and Lou Barlow were joined by Russ Pollard, the drummer and collaborator on their latest album The Sebadoh, a fine new incarnation of this long standing band. This album, out of Sub Pop, is a mixture of ballads by Lou and yelling, fuzz-guitar romps from Jason and creates a tight, impressively "together" sound. Songs such as "Flame" and "Love is Stronger" are plaintive and sensitive, filled...
...Obviously tired, Sebadoh was not prepared for the raucousness of the crowd at the Roxy. Tired of chanting at the radio, people took the pauses between songs as opportunities to shout at Lou and Jason. Answering sometimes, Jason finally stated dryly, "Alright, people from Boston shouting." But like an irreverent monster beyond anyone's control, the crowd heaved and surged until finally it produced a young woman, who perched on the shoulders of someone near the front. Throwing both her shirt and bra at Lou, she crowd surfed until she was dropped, then clamored up onto the stage...