CHRIS DE BURGH/Moonfleet & Other Stories REVIEWED!

CHRIS de BURGH

MOONFLEET & OTHER STORIES

Available NOW

Here's what our very own Stephen SPAZ Schnee had to say about CHRIS DE BURGH's latest album over on All Music Guide. 

"Chris de Burgh has had a long and fruitful career, though he is best known for his 1986 worldwide hit, “The Lady In Red”.  While that song is not entirely atypical of his catalog, it doesn’t represent the depth and width of his songwriting and vocal talents, either.  In fact, de Burgh had already been a recording artist for over a decade before that massive hit and he’s continued to release music ever since. 

His ‘70s recordings were enchanting singer/songwriter affairs with intelligently crafted lyrics dealing with history, religion and other universal themes.  Once the ‘80s (and ‘90s) rolled around, he began having commercial hits and his lyrics began to touch on simpler themes: mainly love and relationships. 

With Moonfleet, de Burgh is sure to satisfy fans of both sides of his musical personality. This concept album, mostly based around J. Meade Falkner’s 1898 novel, Moonfleet, tells the tale of smuggling, treasure, friendship, love and loss in the 18^th century. With exquisite orchestration, great songwriting and the unmistakable voice of de Burgh, this is his most consistent set of songs in nearly a decade (and that is saying a lot, since he hasn’t put out a bad album yet).  From glorious and emotional ballads like “Go Where Your Heart Believes” and “My Heart’s Surrender” to the rum-guzzling stomp of “Have A Care”/”Treasure And Betrayal” via the Irish jigging of “The Storm”, the album is an absolute treasure to behold (pun intended). 

With a few instrumental and narrative passages, the listener will be swept away by the story and de Burgh’s musical interpretation of this tale. The music is somewhat reminiscent of the Pop oriented scores of Disney’s blockbuster animated features in the ‘90s and ‘00s (Lion King, Tarzan, Hunchback Of Notre Dame, etc) although there is a little more depth to de Burgh’s musical tale.

The ‘other stories’ of the album’s title refers to the final six tracks on the album which are musically similar to Moonfleet, but are thematically unrelated.  With topics ranging from the Mona Lisa to a 2009 atrocity in Iran, these tracks are further proof that de Burgh has both returned to his roots and expanded his musical vision at the same time.  You can’t say ‘they don’t make albums like that anymore’ because de Burgh just did."-Stephen SPAZ Schnee/All Music Guide

SANTA RECOMMENDS...ONE NIGHT ONLY

Hello, kids!

CHRISTMAS is almost here!  My elves are busy building toys, reading your e-mails and keeping busy.  A few of them spend far too much time on Facebook these days, but we're still on schedule so I won't complain.

Have you written out your Christmas wish list yet?  No?  Well, you better get busy.  There's only a little time left before I load my sleigh up with gifts and make my journey around the world on Christmas night! 

If you are having a hard time deciding what you want, may I suggest this?

ONE NIGHT ONLY

ONE NIGHT ONLY

This band of young British whippernappers put out a fine album back in 2008 called Started A Fire, which blended right in with the rest of great music coming out of the UK during that period (like The Kooks and The Wombats).  But two years on, these boys have either learned their chops or have been replaced by music industry-created robots because this album is a HUGE leap forward from songwriting to production.  In fact, it could almost be an entirely different band!  Filled to the brim with great songs that sound great in the headphones and your car stereo, this self-titled release is a must-have for anyone remotely interested in modern British music.  Sure, at times, it may sound a little too polished and clean, but the songs and the energy of the album totally make up for it. Yours truly will be cranking this one up as I take my sleigh out for a test drive before the big day.

I must get going now.  Mrs. Claus needs some help in eating those delicicious Russian Tea Cakes and I don't want to miss out!  They are fresh out of the oven, you know! Yum Yum!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Santa

SANTA RECOMMENDS...ONE NIGHT ONLY

Hello, kids!

CHRISTMAS is almost here!  My elves are busy building toys, reading your e-mails and keeping busy.  A few of them spend far too much time on Facebook these days, but we're still on schedule so I won't complain.

Have you written out your Christmas wish list yet?  No?  Well, you better get busy.  There's only a little time left before I load my sleigh up with gifts and make my journey around the world on Christmas night! 

If you are having a hard time deciding what you want, may I suggest this?

ONE NIGHT ONLY

ONE NIGHT ONLY

This band of young British whippernappers put out a fine album back in 2008 called Started A Fire, which blended right in with the rest of great music coming out of the UK during that period (like The Kooks and The Wombats).  But two years on, these boys have either learned their chops or have been replaced by music industry-created robots because this album is a HUGE leap forward from songwriting to production.  In fact, it could almost be an entirely different band!  Filled to the brim with great songs that sound great in the headphones and your car stereo, this self-titled release is a must-have for anyone remotely interested in modern British music.  Sure, at times, it may sound a little too polished and clean, but the songs and the energy of the album totally make up for it. Yours truly will be cranking this one up as I take my sleigh out for a test drive before the big day.

I must get going now.  Mrs. Claus needs some help in eating those delicicious Russian Tea Cakes and I don't want to miss out!  They are fresh out of the oven, you know! Yum Yum!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Santa

THE NITS/Strawberry Wood CD review

NITS

Strawberry Wood

Available NOW!

     While most secrets are better left unsaid, that is certainly NOT the case when it comes to great music.  From the dawn of recorded music, there have been many artists who barely caused a ripple when they were creating their finest works, only to be discovered and given a full reappraisal many years after they left the industry (or worse yet, left this mortal coil!). Some great artists never receive the recognition they deserve, apart from a devoted fanbase who attempt to keep the artist's name alive.

Which brings me to one of the finest 'best kept secrets' in the music business: The Nits!

The Nits (or Nits as they are now known), are a Dutch band yet have a devoted following all around the world. Sadly, they remain barely known outside of Europe.

Not only are the band still creating great music, they continue to evolve with each release.  During their first 15 years of existence, they never made the same album twice. Even the last decade and a half has seen many changes to the band's sound, but not as drastic as the first half of their career.

The band released their first independent album in 1978, followed a year later by their major label debut.  Since '79, they have remained part of the Sony family (bar one album), even having an album released in the U.S. in the mid '90s (Da Da Da). But through it all, only deeply devoted music fans outside of Europe have fallen under their spell.  Supposedly, they have a rabid following in Canada but you can certainly find small patches of them on every continent if you do a little 'net surfing.

The band has remained a trio, on and off, since 1986. Henk Hofstede and Rob Kloet have been there since the band's 1974 formation while Robert Jan Stips (formerly the leader of Supersister) joined in 1981. All three write and perform The Nits unique music, which blends intelligent Art-Rock with European Folk, '60s Pop, Classical and anything else that moves them. 

When tracing the band's musical career, comparisons to XTC usually arise.  Both bands began as quirky and eccentric New Wavey popsters, gradually transforming into intelligent, earthy and mature music makers. Comparisons end in the '90s, when XTC quietly split up while The Nits continued creating amazingly complex yet fun pop music.  Stips did leave for a brief time (two albums) but he's back and The Nits continue to amaze their fans and surprise the critics.

Their latest release is Strawberry Wood, and it's another jewel in the band's crown.

The album is quintessential Nits: gently strummed guitars, inventive arrangements, warm and atmospheric keyboards, intricate percussion and great melodies.  Stips keyboards never sound simply like keyboards: they are part of the musical tapestry that The Nits weave throughout each song. And being The Nits, comparisons are very difficult, if not impossible. There are hints of XTC, The Beatles, the Finn Brothers, Supersister and Dylan, but they sound only like The Nits

Strawberry Wood is a softer, kinder extension of 2008's Doing The Dishes. It's more pensive than playful, but that works in it's favor.  There are plenty of fun moments on Strawberry Wood, but its more of a 'thinking man's Pop' album and should be immediately embraced by those who adore smartly crafted, non-pretentious music.

Highlights on the album include 'The Hours', 'Return', 'Tannenbaum' and "Departure', but your favorites are likely to change with each listen.

The Nits have made some great records in their time and Strawberry Wood rates as one of their best!

You're welcome!
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

TENPOLE TUDOR/Made It This Far CD Review

For over three decades, I've been a fan of this British gent who goes by the names Ed Tudor Pole and Ed Tenpole. Most people know him as the frontman for Tenpole Tudor, one of the most entertaining and under-appreciated 'Rock' bands of the early '80s.

From the time I heard his wildly eccentric debut recordings on Sex Pistols' The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle soundtrack ("Who Killed Bambi?" and 'Rock Around The Clock") to the two albums the band released on Stiff Records in 1980 and '81 (Eddie, Old Bob, Dick & Garry and Let The Four Winds Blow), there was nothing 'average' about Tenpole Tudor. Like Marc Bolan (T.Rex) before him, Eddie took average Rock 'n' Roll chord changes and turned them upside down, adding elements that other musicians were either too stupid or too studied to add to their three-chord rockers. Of course, Tenpole Tudor sounded NOTHING like T. Rex, but both bands took simplicty and created something special out of it.

I was devasted when Tenpole Tudor broke up after their sophomore album. But then I was pleasently surprised when Eddie released his single, "The Hayrick Song", at the same time as his former bandmates, now renamed The Tudors, released their single "Tied Up With Lou Cool"! I was overjoyed that out of one band, we'd be getting two great acts! But alas, that's the last we heard of either of them....

Eddie has continued to be involved with music, although very little info has drifted over to the U.S. He's even been an emcee at Punk shows, festivals and such, which has managed to help remind people of his musical legacy. But before anyone labels Eddie a Punk, think again. Eddie has a DIY/Punk ethic, but his true inspiration lies in Rock 'n' Roll. Tenpole Tudor, the band, were only punks in spirit. Go back and give 'em another listen and you'll hear a great, loud Rock 'n' Roll band with heart.

So, 28 years after their last album, Tenpole Tudor has returned with the excellent 'new' album Made It This Far. The tracks on the album were recorded over a 20+ year period at different studios, with different budgets but the outcome is a treat for fans of the band and the man.

While Eddie remains the only 'original' member of the line-up that created the first two albums, it is very apparent that he was, and will always be, the true heart and soul of the band. The songwriting, dynamics, harmonies and unbriddled energy is still intact, although the huge, sometimes overbearing, wall of guitars from the old days have been stripped away, allowing the songs to breathe a little easier. And the songs are really what matters in the end...

Made It This Far is not a Rockabilly album, nor is it an acoustic album, a Punk album or a straight Rock 'n' Roll album: it is all of these and more! With his energy, attitude, songwriting skills and voice intact, Eddie and his new (and revolving) cast of merry men have created a 16 track album that may the most consistent Tenpole Tudor album to date! Now, don't get me wrong, I still love and stand by the two original albums but almost every track here is more than worthy of the Tenpole legacy and the album has a comfortable flow that allows the listener to drift along with it.

While it may not have the BIG production of the early albums, Eddie has taken his original vision and continued with it regardless of the ever-changing musical landscape. These songs could have been created by no one else but Eddie Tenpole. Or Eddie Tudor Pole. Whatever you wanna call him.

Eddie is at the forefront of every song, although he is ably assisted by guitars, fiddles, bass, accordians, drums and any other instrument they could bring into the studio.

"Yippee Yi Yay", a re-recording of the non-album "Real Fun", "Mohican" and the title track are just a few of the standouts. Eddie's vocal on "Such Desire" is certainly one of his best, proving that he has still got 'it' in spades!

Made It This Far? Yes, you have, Eddie! GO TENPOLE!

There are no clips of tracks from the album available on youtube, but here's a track that represents what Eddie is all about:

Wunderbar,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

LET THEM KNOW: THE STORY OF YOUTH BRIGADE AND BYO RECORDS box sets! Coming 9/22/2009

Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records

DVD/CD/Coffee Table Book DVD/2LP/Coffee Table Book

A lasting tribute and testament to over 25 years of BYO, Youth Brigade and the DIY spirit that has inspired and continues to inspire so many to change the world... Told through interviews and rare footage of the explosive LA punk rock scene from the 80's until now, Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records is a full length documentary feature film that looks at the last 25 years of the influential L.A. Punk band Youth Brigade and BYO Records. This movie documents the early L.A. punk and D.I.Y. scene. Riots, harassment from the law, amazing bands, crazy stories, and best of all, The Sterns Family's earnest desire to change the world through punk rock are captured in this moving documentary.

Founded by brothers, Shawn and Mark Stern from the band Youth Brigade, the BYO was part political movement, part business venture that began as a way to organize punks to take positive action to help sustain their scene and their way of life. The ideals upon which BYO was founded helped countless bands put on shows, release records, and otherwise get their music out to the world. It allowed for the making of the landmark punk documentary Another State of Mind and it spawned BYO Records, which stands today as one of the oldest surviving independent punk rock labels in the world.

BYO, Youth Brigade, and the Stern family are three intertwined entities that comprise one of the too-often-overlooked chapters in the history of punk.

Interviews with Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat, founder of Dischord Records), Fat Mike (NOFX, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, founder of Fat Wreck Chords), Steve Soto (Adolescents, Manic Hispanic), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Gary Tovar (founder of Goldenvoice Promotions), Brendan Mullen (founder of The Masque Club, author of Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and The Germs), members of The Bouncing Souls, Swingin' Utters, 7 Seconds, and many others involved in the So Cal Punk Scene.

Let Them Know... comes in two different configurations. Both feature the documentary DVD (with bonus material) and a beautiful coffee table book containing photos, quotes and more. One box is available with a 31 track CD while the other contains two colored vinyl LPs with those 31 tracks spread over four sides!

UK DECAY/For Madmen Only: Finally available on CD!

UK DECAY's 1981 album FOR MADMEN ONLY is finally hitting stores on CD in July, 2009! More details coming soon!

Here's what we know so far...

2009 digitally remastered and expended edition of this classic 1981 Punk album, appearing for the first time on CD along with eight bonus tracks taken from non-album singles. UK Decay were creators of the Goth and Positive Punk movements and had four #1 records in the UK Independent Chart. The band were among the first Punk groups to make music outside of the original 1234 Punk style, along with Killing Joke and Bauhaus, but retained the Punk spirit, touring the UK and the US with The Dead Kennedys. They also toured the West Coast of America in 1981 with the likes of DOA, Black Flag, Circle Jerks and X. 19 tracks.

30 Years of complete and utter MADNESS!

In celebration of MADNESS' 30th Anniversary AND the release of their long-awaited (and critically adored) 2009 album THE LIBERTY OF NORTON FOLGATE (which I will be reviewing in the next few days), I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about my life filled with Madness moments...

My love affair with MADNESS started 30 years ago when I first heard their debut album ONE STEP BEYOND. Being in my mid-teens and hungry to hear as much new music as possible, the sounds that Madness created made my head spin. Sure, I knew what Ska music was all about, but to me, Madness were not a Ska band. They were something bigger...

The following year, I remember sitting in Drivers Ed class, waiting for the bell to ring so class would be over and I could hop on my bike and pedal myself down to the local Licorice Pizza (a music retail chain) and buy their second album, ABSOLUTELY. From the moment "Baggy Trousers" blared out of the speakers, I knew I was in for yet another treat... and I was right. I loved this album even more than the first one!

So, in May of '81, I see Madness are going to play in Reseda at a place called The Country Club. I begged for my allowance early from my folks and asked them to call and buy tickets for me. I might have even promised to mow the lawn every weekend for the rest of my life! But alas, the show as sold out!

My buddy Rick Intveld and my bro Michael were going to go see Robert Gordon at the Roxy a few days later and asked if I wanted to go. Since they had a spare ticket, I went. Well, guess who just happened to be attending that very same show? Five of the seven members of Madness!!

Being the slobbering fool that I was, I went up and introduced myself to them. I got all their names right except for Bedders, who I called Woody (they all laughed... stupid me) They were all really cool, but were certainly more interested in the hot L.A. babes than this little fan-boy. Suggs pointed me in the direction of Lee Thompson, who was standing apart from the rest of them and I went and had a nice conversation with him. I was in awe that this talented guy would talk to a schmuck like me, but I was in heaven.

Later on, while inside the club, Lee passed me in the corridor and said "Steve plus one!". I said "What?" And he leaned over and spoke in my ear, stating "Steve plus one. I'll get you on the guest list!".

Two nights later, I was at the Reseda Country Club watching Madness. It was one of the most fantastic nights of my life. I did all the fanboy stuff: spotted different band members in the crowd before the show and had them sign my LPs and singles. When the band came onstage, I yelled out "Chas!" Band member Chas Smash (Carl Smythe) spun around, walked over to me and shook my hand. I think I finally understood what the term 'fookin' brilliant' meant that night!

I continued to buy every seven inch and twelve inch single released by the boys and every version of their albums I could find (UK pressing, US pressing, German pressing, etc). 'Twas such a joy to collect their stuff and play it for friends, who were all usually gobsmacked by how great Madness was.

Within a few years, it seemed that everyone was finally catching on: "Our House" was a bona-fide U.S. hit! I wasn't 'proud' per say, but it felt good that people were finally buying their albums here in the states. I had NO idea how popular or unpopular they were anywhere else since I didn't know about UK magazines like NME, Melody Maker, etc. until a few years later.

Anyway, my friends and I drove up to L.A. when their U.S.-only album, Madness, was released, the band did an in-store at...hmmmm... I think it was Licorice Pizza! I stood in line to get their autographs (although I already had them from the Country Club show) and when I tried to talk to Lee Thompson about meeting him at the Roxy, he just said "There were a lot of people at that show, mate!" and that was it. I was bummed... but only for a few moments because I realized that, sure, I got to meet Lee Thompson, one of only seven members of Madness, but he's had the chance to meet thousands upon thousands of fanboys just like me... and I think we kind of all look the same! So, no harm, no foul!

As the years rolled on, many more Madness releases came, but then the world seemed to crumble once keyboardist MIKE BARSON announced he was leaving the band. What? Monsieur Barso leaving the nutty boys? Wassup wid dat?

Their post-Baron album, Mad Not Mad, was a much more somber, mature effort and initially caught me by surprise. But, upon second, third and fourth listens, I was hooked. "Yesterday's Men" still sounds wonderful today.

When Madness announced that they were splitting up in 1986, I was majorly bummed yet again. But you know what? I realized they had a great run and better to go off on a good note than just keep touring the band into the ground until all that was left was Suggs and six young musicians from L.A. touring the fairs as Madness featuring Suggs.

Because of Madness, my eyes were opened to a lot more styles of music. I'd go back and buy albums from the bands that they were influenced by. I'd buy records by bands that they picked to open for them. I'd buy any and all albums produced by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley (who produced all of the Madness albums). I'd buy anything that former Madness members released, played on or produced. And almost everything was top notch (Feargal Sharkey's "Listen To Your Father" single is the best Madness song they never released so go check it out if you can find it).

A decade after they split, Madness reunited for live dates and the magic was back. In 1999, they released the album Wonderful, which certainly lived up to it's title! It was my favorite Madness album since Seven was released in 1981!

In 2005, their Dangerman Sessions album was released, which consisted of cover versions of songs that influenced them. As good as the album was, I'm not big on covers albums by anyone! So, it's got a ton of great things on it but I don't go back and listen to it as often as their other albums.

Now, 30 years after I first heard Madness, I sit here with a physical copy of THE LIBERTY OF NORTON FOLGATE at my fingertips, amazed at what I hear. Could this be Madness' best album yet? Find out when I review it here on the blog!!!

Madness is all in the mind,

Stephen SPAZ Schnee