For some reason I had saved drafts of these posts, so putting them back up ...
Roger Waters ~ Is This The Life We Really Want?
I recall saying something uncharitable here about a live clip from the album that IMHO was fairly cringeworthy, however, as we know, studio and live are poles apart and on that basis, I have to recant my scathing indictment. At this stage of the proceedings, RW should really stick to studio recordings - his voice is shot but the content of the album is such that the shot voice of an angry older man kinda works. He doesn’t hold back on the effing and blinding either – not sure it’s all entirely necessary, but it is what it is – he’s seriously cheesed off. I feel a bit sorry for him actually; he gives the impression of constantly, his whole life, having been at odds with … errr … pretty much everything. Must be exhausting.
It’s taken a couple of listens because I kept stalling at a certain point - found it difficult to get past the ever-so-apparent cynicism and vitriol which is quite harsh to begin with, in fact my first response was negative. There’s enough mayhem in the world, too much, and we know all about it because we are exposed to every kind of awful happening almost instantly via our technology - I didn’t know if I could cope with yet another ranting! A panacea would be nice, some hope, maybe, as opposed to a knot in the stomach, although to give him credit, he does comes down a bit at the end. When I did eventually get over myself enough to listen calmly, I had to concede that it’s a good, albeit regurgitated job, even if it does give voice to rather a lot of doom, gloom and bitterness (sadly, not untrue). Musically, there are quite a lot of Pink Floyd references, many, in fact, which is to be expected, but I think more so than his previous solo albums – nothing new.
Whether I will be listening to this with any regularity is doubtful, but that said, it’s not an album that can be absorbed in one sitting either and it adds to the growing number of ‘say it like it is’ releases by our mature rock n roll statesmen (not that RW’s ever been a shrinking violet in that department). In my view, so far, none of them beat Leonard Cohen for wry wisdom and subtlety, and as a band, IMO, Marillion takes protest honours with their beautifully thought out and executed F.E.A.R.
This has grown on me … “Wait For Her”, inspired by and with lyrics from a poem by Mahmoud Darwish …
Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie
Well I can say right up front that overall, I like this album. The first five songs are good, as is the final track and the remaining four are not awful. Five of the ten tracks were written by Lindsey Buckingham, two by Christine McVie and the remaining three jointly, by both of them. On the aforementioned six picks, lead vocals are an even split. The album is a pertinent reminder of the super sets of skills that made up Fleetwood Mac; these two are excellent songwriters, each in their own capacity, and they are both versatile and highly competent musicians.
This release won’t set the world on fire, but it’s polished and assured pop/rock, and one feels in safe hands, so to speak! Even if you had no clue who it was, you’d make the FM connection – not that surprising since Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are right here too. On the more critical side, I’d say there’s a chance one might eventually tire of listening to four chords – it’s a bit samey and ever so slightly dated. However, I don’t mind the retro thing because I’m currently appreciating irrepressibly happy energy; I think they had a fine, fulfilling time putting it all together, and it definitely translates! Light and easy.
Lindsey Buckingham is a bit of a vocal chameleon and here he seems to be flying the colours of … Ryan Adams??! Anyone else get that? Written and sung by himself … “Love Is Here To Stay” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOl1ero7Sk
The final track “Carnival Begin” with Christine McVie singing and Mr Buckingham letting rip on lead …
Update: abundant earworms on this, I now find!
Roger Waters ~ Is This The Life We Really Want?
I recall saying something uncharitable here about a live clip from the album that IMHO was fairly cringeworthy, however, as we know, studio and live are poles apart and on that basis, I have to recant my scathing indictment. At this stage of the proceedings, RW should really stick to studio recordings - his voice is shot but the content of the album is such that the shot voice of an angry older man kinda works. He doesn’t hold back on the effing and blinding either – not sure it’s all entirely necessary, but it is what it is – he’s seriously cheesed off. I feel a bit sorry for him actually; he gives the impression of constantly, his whole life, having been at odds with … errr … pretty much everything. Must be exhausting.
It’s taken a couple of listens because I kept stalling at a certain point - found it difficult to get past the ever-so-apparent cynicism and vitriol which is quite harsh to begin with, in fact my first response was negative. There’s enough mayhem in the world, too much, and we know all about it because we are exposed to every kind of awful happening almost instantly via our technology - I didn’t know if I could cope with yet another ranting! A panacea would be nice, some hope, maybe, as opposed to a knot in the stomach, although to give him credit, he does comes down a bit at the end. When I did eventually get over myself enough to listen calmly, I had to concede that it’s a good, albeit regurgitated job, even if it does give voice to rather a lot of doom, gloom and bitterness (sadly, not untrue). Musically, there are quite a lot of Pink Floyd references, many, in fact, which is to be expected, but I think more so than his previous solo albums – nothing new.
Whether I will be listening to this with any regularity is doubtful, but that said, it’s not an album that can be absorbed in one sitting either and it adds to the growing number of ‘say it like it is’ releases by our mature rock n roll statesmen (not that RW’s ever been a shrinking violet in that department). In my view, so far, none of them beat Leonard Cohen for wry wisdom and subtlety, and as a band, IMO, Marillion takes protest honours with their beautifully thought out and executed F.E.A.R.
This has grown on me … “Wait For Her”, inspired by and with lyrics from a poem by Mahmoud Darwish …
Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie
Well I can say right up front that overall, I like this album. The first five songs are good, as is the final track and the remaining four are not awful. Five of the ten tracks were written by Lindsey Buckingham, two by Christine McVie and the remaining three jointly, by both of them. On the aforementioned six picks, lead vocals are an even split. The album is a pertinent reminder of the super sets of skills that made up Fleetwood Mac; these two are excellent songwriters, each in their own capacity, and they are both versatile and highly competent musicians.
This release won’t set the world on fire, but it’s polished and assured pop/rock, and one feels in safe hands, so to speak! Even if you had no clue who it was, you’d make the FM connection – not that surprising since Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are right here too. On the more critical side, I’d say there’s a chance one might eventually tire of listening to four chords – it’s a bit samey and ever so slightly dated. However, I don’t mind the retro thing because I’m currently appreciating irrepressibly happy energy; I think they had a fine, fulfilling time putting it all together, and it definitely translates! Light and easy.
Lindsey Buckingham is a bit of a vocal chameleon and here he seems to be flying the colours of … Ryan Adams??! Anyone else get that? Written and sung by himself … “Love Is Here To Stay” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOl1ero7Sk
The final track “Carnival Begin” with Christine McVie singing and Mr Buckingham letting rip on lead …
Update: abundant earworms on this, I now find!
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson