Becks new CD Guero is ultra cool; Keane and Snow Patrol announce Seattle concert dates; Brendan Benson scores on The Alternative to Love
Friday,
March 11, 2005
Volume 33,
Issue 10
Sun, Mar 21, 2010
IN THE SGN
SECTION ONE
Front Page
MORE/ALL
SECTION ONE
STORIES
SECTION TW0
Arts & Entertainment
the Music Lounge by Albert Rodriguez, SGN A&E Writer |
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| Beck returns to being creatively goofy on stellar new CD Guero | ||
| One of the best things about being a music writer is getting advance copies of soon-to-be released CDs. I already tossed J-Los Rebirth in my trash can and Im halfway through listening to Mobys newbie Hotel. But the CD thats been commanding my attention for the past five days, and counting, is Becks Guero. I was personally handed a copy of the SoCal hipsters latest disc by his record label and it went immediately into my portable CD player. And it hasnt come out since.
Becks previous recording Sea Change, SGNs pick for Album/CD of the Year of 2002, was a brilliant, yet downright depressing work that displayed a guy whose heart was completely shattered and was feeling rather lonely. Guero is the opposite. Its an uppity, slick-sounding CD with lots of clever and quirky lyrics, cool arrangements, interesting noises, hip-hop beats and shout outs to the people in the barrio. On the Mexi-pop number Que Onda Guero, Becks Spanglish gets a nice workout. I love the line where he talks about the abuelitas (grandmas) walking to church with their Spanish candles in plastic bags. Hell Yes, where Beck raps like he did on Loser, features a funky-loungy background, turntable scratches and an Asian-accented woman at the end who says your beat is nice. That cracks me up every time I listen to it. Elsewhere on Guero, the lead-off track and first released single E-Pro is an energizing entry guided by hard rocking guitars and a pulsating beat, Girl seems to channel Brian Wilson, offering a zippy acoustic guitar and a breezy undercurrent, Black Tambourine is a jangly piece with a bass line that recalls the Rolling Stones in their prime, and my personal favorite is Rental Car, a nice mix of retro keyboards, guitars and background vocals. Every song is good on this CD, so make sure you pick it up when it hits record stores on Tuesday, March 29. Music from Becks Guero, which means light-skinned guy or white boy in Spanish, was recently featured on the TV teen soap opera The O.C. and on National Public Radios All Songs Considered. Ill keep you updated on any news regarding Beck. The multi-Grammy winner hasnt announced any tour dates, though Im betting hell be on the road this summer or fall. By the way, the main reason why Beck is making happy music again these days might be because he became a father last year to son Cossimo Henri. The mother is Marissa Ribisi. |
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| Keane and Snow Patrol, two amazing bands, playing separate Seattle shows in May | ||
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| Two bands worthy of all the hype surrounding them, Snow Patrol and Keane, will return to Seattle in May for shows at the Moore and Paramount Theatres. Both groups landed inside the SGNs list of Top Ten Albums/CDs of 2004. And both bands played at 107.7 The Ends Deck the Hall Ball in December with four other acts on the bill. This time around, theyll each headline their own concerts.
Snow Patrol, who also appeared on SGNs Top Ten Singles/Tracks of 2004 and Artists Who Rocked and Looked Hot Doing It lists, will perform at the Moore Theatre on Wednesday, May 4 for an all-ages show that is likely to sell-out fast. I strongly recommend you buy tickets tomorrow as soon as they go on sale at 10:00 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com, priced at $18.50. The Glasgow, Scotland-based outfit has some incredible melodramatic rock songs in its short, yet impressive catalog, and theyre also very easy on the eye . Lead singer Gary Lightbody is considered one of alternative rock musics newest sex symbols, sporting a geeky-cute image that often makes Gay boys, like myself, go weak at the knees. Keane, comprised of two musicians and one vocalist, are scheduled to play the Paramount Theatre on Monday, May 9 with special guest Brendan Benson. Youll find information on Benson in this column. Keanes style of melodic pop-rock music is driven by strong piano backgrounds and fronted by Tom Chapins passionate vocals. Tickets for Keane with Brendan Benson go on sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com, priced at $26.50. |
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| Brendan Bensons The Alternative to Love is exceptionally good | ||
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| A note to Gay alternative pop-rockers out there. Grab a copy of Brendans Bensons The Alternative to Love when its released on Tuesday, March 22. Im not the only one praising the Detroit rockers latest offering. Entertainment Weekly, Blender, Jane, and Alternative Press magazines all give The Alternative to Love great buzz and better-than-favorable reviews. Seriously, the songs on this CD will make you melt. The lead-off track Spit It Out will sound beautiful pouring out from your car or home stereo speakers. Its got a lot of fun energy to it. Cold Hands (Warm Heart) is a preliminary favorite of those whove already listened to the disc. Feels Like Myself resembles what The Cars were putting out in their early days. The Pledge isnt your typical cheesy pop ballad, but rather a sweet and open-hearted love song that pursues commitment.
Also on the disc, Them and Me and Biggest Fan are what Id consider the two best cuts. Though, that could easily be argued since the entire CD clocks in as a must-listen. Benson opens for Keane at the Moore Theatre on May 9, and what a concert this is going to be! If you dig alternative pop-rock music, and I know there are plenty of us in the Gay swirl who do, then grab The Alternative to Love at Sonic Boom or Tower record stores on March 22. |
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 SEX TALK Simon Sheppard |
