Last week was quite a week for me, I’ve been going through quite a bit of introspection and self-reflection to discover things I don’t like in the world around me and things I’m afraid of. Most of all, I’m afraid of being more lonely, more rejected than I feel now because of things I do/have done or opinions I’ve had or currently hold. I’ve been on a fanart site that produces some wonderful drawings, though some are decidedly not safe for work/family, but others are and showcase great compassion between characters or rocking awesome art of Godzilla fighting other kaiju. The problem is, I’m afraid that by liking some of the not safe for work/family drawings, I’m losing my place in Heaven, like a man selling his soul to a succubus. There aren’t really any filters on the website to keep this stuff out of your feed either. So, I’m confused as to what path to take, leave and forget the good art and the great people who make it along with the NSFW art, or stay and possibly die and burn for eternity? It’s hard because some of those people really helped me when I was feeling depressed.
As for music releases, Selena Gomez’s Revolucion was a good EP, and since I took two years of High School Spanish, I could understand some of the lyrics from time to time. Blackmore’s Night’s Nature’s Light did indeed have some good rock numbers along with its medieval folk music and I’d recommend fans of Rainbow’s “Down To Earth” album or women singing folk music and rock and roll give it a listen. Chez Kane’s album was a good debut, but there are some tracks that are a little too synthesizer heavy for my tastes, so it’s best to buy it from a digital retailer and put only the ones you like on a portable music player. Bon Jovi’s Rarities album wasn’t on Spotify for reasons unknown, so I’ve only gotten to hear “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and “Helter Skelter.” Both were good, “Wanted Dead or Alive” opens with Jon Bon Jovi telling the audience Bob Dylan told him and Richie Sambora “I love that cowboy song of yours,” and “Helter Skelter” was a nice cover, but it leads into the next track, so for now, it stops abruptly for me until I get more money. Perhaps the biggest release was Junkie XL (film composer who worked on Batman v Superman and the 2018 Tomb Raider movie, co-composed the cinematic Wonder Woman theme with Hans Zimmer) released the first two tracks for the soundtrack of the upcoming “Godzilla vs. Kong” film. Kong’s theme is a nice, moody affair, but it’s a bit too long at 7 minutes. Godzilla’s theme is just over two minutes and has a nice, Ifukube-esque opening, conveying Godzilla’s size and wrath without imagery.
As for this week, we’ve got four releases I’m looking forward to:
Saxon-Inspirations: A covers album by early 80s British Heavy Metal band Saxon, famous for supporting Motorhead and Judas Priest in their heyday (and they supported Judas Priest on their most recent tour, too). As the title suggests, this is a covers album featuring music that influenced the band into being. Great versions of The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” and Deep Purple’s “Speed King” have already been released as singles, and the track listing promises “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin (the AAAAAAAA-AAAAAAAAAAAAH song), “Stone Free” by Jimi Hendrix and “Problem Child” by AC/DC. This definitely sounds like it’ll be worth a listen.
Ringo Starr-Zoom In: Not many people would still be making music after reaching 80 years old, but for Ringo Starr, age is just a number. The first single, “Here’s To The Nights,” released late last year, was an inspirational anthem featuring Sheryl Crow, Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney and several others who used online communication resources like Zoom to submit their parts. Here’s hoping the rest of the EP stands up to the high bar from its first single.
Serj Tankian-Elasticity: Punk Rock singer famous for leading System of a Down, singing Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla” in the credits of “Godzilla; King of the Monsters” and several collaborations with guitarist Tom Morello, Serj Tankian is releasing his own EP. The lead single has a relentless punk rock sound, mixed with Serj’s distinct voice, which can reach several octaves and go from calm to shrieking to calm in a manner of seconds. This should be an entertaining release.
Paul Stanley’s Soul Station-Now and Then: Rhythm guitarist and often lead singer of KISS Paul Stanley decided to take a look back at some of his origins and produce an album made under the influence of Motown and other Soul albums of the 60’s and 70’s. His first single for this project was a cover of Nina Simone’s “O-O-H Child,” but for me, the third single, “I, Oh, I” is the best one from this project. With the strings, horns, light guitars and soft, yet soaring vocals, it captures what I associate with classic Soul sound. I’m hoping for more like it when the album is released.
Music can be quite powerful therapy in and of itself. I hope all of you have some favorite songs to listen to when you feel down and ways to find new songs to help you if the old songs feel too stale sometimes.
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