Random Sample 11-7-08

And now back to our regularly scheduled program!

“Hymn,” Ultravox (Download) This is one of those groups I tend to rediscover every now and then. I first started listening to Ultravox in the early ’80s, but they tended to lose the battle of the car cassette player to U2 when I was in a “big sound” mood.  However, Midge Ure his band of earnest brothers still have that certain something when it comes to this style of music.  The band is set to release a new collection of songs next year, so we’ll wee if that earnest spirit is still there. Given the working title of the album (“Return to Eden”) it certainly looks like it.

“How to be Invisible,” Kate Bush (Download) Probably my least favorite Kate Bush album, but there are a few songs that I can tolerate on an album that should be subtitled: “Ode to my son, Bertie.” Artists should always follow their muse, their passion, and their art, but it seems my interest level goes way down when the “mommy album” hits the market.  It happened with Tanya Donelly’s second solo album, as it happened with this album by Kate Bush.

“You Don’t Know You’re Born,” Mark Knoplfer (Download) If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you know that I’m a huge Dire Straits fan.  But for some reason, Mark Knoplfer’s solo work has failed to capture my interest the way his work with Dire Staits did. Putting all that aside for a moment, there’s something about this song that does remind me of subtle, yet powerful way Knoplfer used to write songs for Dire Straits — especially the long guitar ride out at the end of the song.

“Dope Nose,” Weezer (Download) I suppose the good thing about a Weezer album is that the songs clock in at 2 1/2 minutes — especially if you’re not down with Weezer.  I, however, am and have been taken by the way in which Rivers Cuomo can pay homage to classic rock while still keeping his alt roots close by.  The first time I heard this tune, I could hear the influence of Boston in the guitar work — but maybe that’s just me.