Today's iTunes Purchases: 11/2/05


I am truly an addict. There is no other explanation.

Seriously, I purchase on iTunes in ways that I not only would never purchase if in the store, but would not purchase on Amazon, even with one-click. I now seem to think nothing of spending $9.99 just to hear if I like something! What is wrong with me?

This week's free single: Bom, Bom, Bom by Living Things. OK, this song makes you feel slightly dirty. I can imagine some very greasy-haired, goth-y types sitting around listening to the Rolling Stones from the 70s and the Sisters of Mercy from the 80's and deciding to do a mash-up. Hey, that way they can sort of glom off each sound without actually sounding enough like either one for it to be actionable! Harmless song. But also forgettable.

Albums:

The Five Blind Boys of Alabama: Deep River. If you like them, you'll like it. This is powerhouse gospel, with a strong R&B flavor. Sometimes there's nothing like a raspy voice that sounds like it's coming from someone who has been around the block a time or two. The funny thing is that I'm not a Christian, but occasionally find artists who perform religiously-themed music with a musical skill and passion that makes their work universal. I even like a Christian pop artist or two, most notably Jars of Clay. The Five Blind Boys are that kind of artist. They transcend their genre to appeal to anyone who likes to hear some down home, chunky, music that screams soul!

Imogen Heap: Speak for Yourself. I've actually known and liked Imogen Heap for a long time. I saw her perform in a tiny little space years back after she had a minor single, Come Here, Boy as a solo artist. She then became part of the group Frou-Frou, whose music was used to notable effect by Zach Braff in the movie Garden State. (He's a budding Cameron Crowe when it comes to movie music selection.) She's back with a solo album, and I just really like her sound. Her voice is unique and haunting. Her music carries the beats of electronica at times, but there is a recurrent use of acoustic piano that humanizes the sound. For every synthesized chorus, there's one that features lush, harmonies and sound. Mostly I like that there is a sense of tension to her music. A shadow that hangs over her. She's not ethereal, like Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins; she's more haunted...like a darker, more contained Alanis Morrisette. Very intriguing.

Santana: All That I Am. This is the purchase that has convinced me I'm an addict. I'm not even a huge Santana fan. I haven't heard one song from this. I like Mary J. Blige. I liked his last couple collaborations with Michelle Branch. (Which is probably because both sounds sound exactly alike. And this collaboration sounds exactly like the others too!) Are those reasons to buy an entire album? Apparently for me, they are. When Santana works without the net of guest artists he produces some smoking Latin rock. The opening two songs on the album are pretty cool. But it begins to sound like when an artist partners with Santana what you get is "typical" insert-artist-name-here vocals, paired with "typical" Santana guitar licks. I'm not sure the partnerships get much unexpected out of the vocalists, nor out of Santana. Certainly that's true of the collaborations with Branch and Blige and Joss Stone. I was quite surprised that one of the songs I liked the best on the album was his collaboration with Steve Tyler, since I'm not an Aerosmith fan. But Steven Tyler actually sings here, not just screams, and the song never drives itself over the top that I find Aerosmith always goes over. Point of interest: American Idol runner-up Bo Bice is featured on an unfortunately titled song, "Brown-skin Girl." Bice definitely blends right in with the rest of the more well-known crowd here, and I mean that in the complimentary way. IN a not-so-complimentary way I'm going to say that I do not get the popularity of Los Lonely Boys.

Singles:

Goo Goo Dolls: Better Days (Acoustic Version). I have a little thing for the Goo Goo Dolls, and I do consider it a bit of a guilty pleasure. Mostly because their anthemic ballads are all starting to sound the same, but I like them all just the same. Generally speaking I value creativity and originality more than that. But I like Mr. Lead Singer With the Un-Spellable Name's voice. And I like their melodies. And usually their lyrics aren't too insufferable. (Although in this case the acoustic version gives you more opportunity to listen to the lyrics, and I'm not sure it's a boon to the song.) Anyway, this is a song with a message you can't dislike (about hoping for better days) but I'm not sure the acoustic version is different enough from the radio version to warrant having recorded both!

Posted: Wed - November 2, 2005 at 12:54 PM       EmailFeedback

©