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| Some of the Great Tracks Released in 2009 Deserve Special Recognition |
| Robert Lawrence 12 Jan 2010 |
I‰d like to share with our readers some music moments of the past year. This is not really a best list as I don‰t believe in one artist being better than another. I do believe in pointing out an artists grand achievements no matter how big or small. The following 10 artists/collections deserve a mention for their contributions to the music industry in 2009.
TREND SETTER - LADY GAGA: Of all artists emerging in 2009 this was definitely Lady Gaga‰s year. Thanks to no output from Christina Aguilera, the timing was just right for a strong female pop vocalist to take hold of the mainstream ear. Her debut (The Fame) ranked number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was followed by an EP of new material (The Fame Monster) charting at number 5. The key to her success was her extravagant stage dress and performance reminiscent of Drag Queens from the Studio 54 days and the 90s Rave Kids, but behind all the glitter and pancake was a strong vocal performance that could not be argued with.
DIVERSITY - QUEEN LATIFAH: Twenty years after her Rap debut ("All Hail The Queen") Latifah released the R&B/Dance project "Persona." In 2004 and 2007 she took a step away from her roots of rap and release two albums that toyed with the Adult Contemporary market. As with her acting career, these pair of releases demonstrated the many sides of Dana Owens. ‹PersonaŠ carries a club feel but still holds on to a Rhythm & Blues base which gives the disc depth and is the perfect showcase for the diversity of this artist. There's no stopping this fine lady who has conquered the small screen, big screen, the stage, and has the gift of music.
HOT REISSUE - D.L. BYRON: First time available on CD, "This Day And Age" was a glorious welcome to me in 2009. Thank you American Beat Records! Almost 30 years since it's vinyl issue, my copy had truly been played to death and my cassette copy was making those irritating squeaking noises. Fresh and never sounding better than ever I can feel "Love In Motion" as a "21st Century Man" while I "Listen To The Heartbeat" with the "Big Boys" and find "No Romance No Weekend No Love" with "Lorryanne" the lonely "Backstage Girl" and "Get With It" not tomorrow but "Today". That was my attempt at throwing all the song titles into one god-awful sentence. If you're a fan of early 80s skinny tie rock, this is the only disc you'll need to add to your collection.
COMEBACK - WHITNEY HOUSTON: Although her voice has matured a bit, most likely due to her train-wreck days with Bobby Brown, Whitney has managed to bounce back this year with a the number one charting, "I Look To You." This can not be considered her best work, but it definitely is a work of interest. Carrying a Spiritual feel in the ballads and covering any vocal short comings with a Disco sound, "I Look To You" goes in many directions but never really finding a home other than Ms. Houston own heart of persistence. A classic example of this is the Leon Redbone track "A Song For You" that displays her most vulnerable side and then whips into a dance frenzy. It's nice to see Whitney back recording and hopefully this is a step in the right direction in her personal recovery.
LOVE LIVE ROCK - FOREIGNER: In late 2008 Journey emerged with a new sound-a-like lead singer (Arnel Pineda) and released the CD/DVD 3-disc Revelations consisting of new material, a revisit of old hits and a live performance. Foreigner just about copied their efforts this year. Their "Can't Slow Down" release featured a disc of new material with sound-a-like front man Kelly Hansen, a disc of remixed original hits, and a live DVD. The difference is that Journey re-recorded the old hits with their new lead singer and Foreigner remixed them to strengthen the sound and left the original vocals. Between the two, I'd have to say that Foreigner's new material is the strongest and more up to date. Journey seemed to just copy the Steve Perry days. Foreigner seems more to want to move forward. The new material reflects back on their glory days, but the vocal approach from Hansen, takes it to the next level. I also like to mention that Kiss also tried a 3-disc effort (Sonic Boom) in 2009, with longtime founding members, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The new material was acceptable, but the re-recordings of their originals was an absolute disaster.
SOPHOMORE JINX? - JAY BRANNAN: One of my favorite songs of 2008, was "Housewife," from Jay's debut. On his Sophomore release "In Living Cover," Brannan, chose to do a short (less than 35 minutes) album of covers, which includes two new tracks of his own. Attempting to due justice on artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, or Ann DiFranco was quite daring for a virtually unknown singer-songwriter. This may have been a smart move on his part. On his first release "Goddamned" he introduced us to his soft eggshell vocal treatments and elegant guitar work. Spinning other composers tales give the listener a chance to see these works from his point of view. My favorites are "The Freshman" (Verve Pipe). and "Zombie" (Cranberries). As a side note Skott Freedman also covered these two tracks on his 2005 release "Judge A Book," so is Brannan covering Freeman covering the others? The style is very similar, so I‰ll let you be the judge.
AT THE MOVIES - WHIP IT: Let me just say, when a movie soundtrack contains both the Ramones and Dolly Parton in the mix, it is sure to be a head turner. Two of my favorite things in music are Compilations and Soundtracks. They are a wondrous vehicle for new artists and new songs from established ones. "Whip It" is especially diverse as its mixes old and new tracks from the well known to the completely never heard of. First time Director Drew Barrymore had her hand in the selections found here. The best of the new tracks are Cut Chemist & Hymnal's Black Eyes Peas inspired "What's the Attitude," a bizarre interpretation of the Association's "Never My Love" from Har Mar Superstar & Adam Green, and the Beck-ish ‹High TimesŠ by Landon Pigg & the Turbo Fruits. Also included are key cuts from the Ravonettes, the Breeders, Peaches, and Tilly and the Wall. Blending the old and the new, a updated remix of the Chordettes 1958 hit "Lollipop" is included.
WHITE BOY SOUL - LEVI KREIS: Forget John Mayer and Jason Mraz folks, Levi Kreis reached way deep into his inner guts to crank out this folk/soul project simply titled "Where I Belong," that says it all. This is his third release and I believe he has found his niche. Going back to the basic sounds of his debut, "One of the Ones," that same simple performance has been enhanced with what I can only explain as a higher power. The disc carries a definite blues feel, but with a robust spirit that guides him through every track making it so sincere. Taping into his former religious career, Levi Kreis has come full circle with this release. No need to single out any one track, the entire collection is a splendor.
NEW ON THE SCENE - THE DRUMS: What if the Beach Boys began their career in 1978 in the dawning of the new wave sound of the 80s? That is what "The Drums" are giving us on their debut EP "Summertime." Compare them to early Cure, Smiths, or Joy Division and it doesn‰t really matter, because just the mention of this makes them something to check out. Their raw echoed sounds and quick beats without a doubt will take you back to that era and more. These four boys from Brooklyn are by far the best non-British, British-sounding band to come along in a long time. Lead by front man Jonathan Pierce they have recreated a feeling, a moment, and a sound that so quickly went commercial like past hit-makers like the Cars and Blondie. My favorite tracks are "I'll Never Drop My SwordŠ and "Don't Be A Jerk Johnny." The new cut "I Felt Stupid," also a gem, is found on the new version of the EP as a bonus track.
COMING OF AGE - DAVID GUETTA: In the last 20 years the club DJ has become more that just a disc spinner, but now he has evolved into a songwriter and producer. Back in the disco days Tom Moulton reigned as king in this area as the next big dance floor hit would carry the tag, ‹A Tom Moulton Mix.Š David Guetta, know world-wide for his "Fuck Me I'm Famous" compilations, broke new ground with "One Love" that hit the number 3 spot on Billboards Hot Electronic Albums. Featuring the Black Eyed Peas song, he produced, that was everywhere in 2009, "I Got a Feeling," and the massive "When Love Takes Over" featuring Kelly Rowland, this collection is a sampling of what the dance floor and today's dance music is all about. |
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