Time to review an old favorite from my collection and something newer that caught my ear...
"Peter Gabriel" - Peter Gabriel (released 1977)
After six albums fronting progressive rock forerunners Genesis, Peter Gabriel's debut solo album was a surprising sampler of styles and textures. Produced by Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper) this record presents the rock listener with a fairly astounding amount of musical diversity. Gabriel eases us into his solo career with a very Genesis-like "Moribund the Meisterberger". The bouncy pop of "Solsbury Hill" is a joy and the nearest thing to a hit single (#68). "Modern Love" is a driving rocker that wouldn't sound out of place on an Alice Cooper LP and "Excuse Me" charms with it's opening barbershop quartet vocals. "Humdrum" is an appealing low-key tune that builds to a flowing finish awash in keyboards and guitar. "Slowburn" brings us the hardest rocker of the bunch featuring the soaring guitar of Steve Hunter (an Ezrin favorite). The dramatically bluesy "Waiting for the Big One" is oddly reminiscent of the Randy Newman song of the same name. "Down the Dolce Vita" is a fascinating combination of bombast (London Symphony Orchestra), guitar muscle (Steve Hunter again), military drums and ticking clocks (don't try to make sense of it, just be dazzled). The album ends with a beautiful ballad "Here Comes the Flood". I remember being awed by the sheer variety of music when this album was released but it all holds together thanks to Ezrin's production and the first-class musicians involved including Tony Levin on bass (who records and tours with him to this day)! Gabriel's refusal to be pigeon-holed to any one genre has given rise to an astonishing solo career and it all started here!
"Wild Stab" - The I Don't Cares (released 2016)
Referring to themselves as "Donnie & Marie with switchblades" in the liner notes, two rock 'n' roll lifers produce the surprise album of 2016! acclaimed songwriters Paul Westerberg (Replacements) and Juliana Hatfield (Blake Babies) clean out their musical cupboards and the result is this 16 song lo-fi sparkler. The songs tumble out like so many jackstraws with the focus on catching that magical first take immediacy and energy. Westerberg contributes the lead vocals on most tracks while Hatfield shines as the perfect collaborator. Their ramshackle guitars and woozy voices play like out-takes from the "Exile on Main Street" era of the Rolling Stones. The upbeat "Wear Me Out Loud" with it's raw harmonica break and "Dance to the Fight" are songs the Stones would write today if they could! Two more highlights are the hopped-up frenetic "Done Done Done" and the punky pop buzzsaw "Love Out Loud". The disheveled "Need the Guys" is most reminiscent of the Replacements while the rhythmic push and pull of "Outta my System" is elevated by Hatfields elastic harmonies. "Sorry For Tomorrow" and the closing "Hands Together" are heartfelt ballads and my favorite song, "King of America" is an affecting passionate defense of immigrants in this country without shame. Juliana Hatfield's presence drew me to this record but this has become my favorite Paul Westerberg project which is really saying something!
