By Paul Casey
In a rock band, the lead singer is perhaps the most important element in lending identity and credibility. A distinctive, forceful voice can knock people down quicker than even the most distorted guitar. The Kills‘ new album Blood Pressures, while enjoyable, suffers from Alison Mosshart’s inability to adequately fill her role as front person.
By Paul Casey
Photo from Wendy & Lisa’s MySpace page
When Prince fired Wendy & Lisa in 1986, the most significant writing partnership in that precious little Minnesotan’s career left with them. Not only are Wendy & Lisa credited as co-writers on many classic Prince and the Revolution songs—including “Sometimes It Snows In April,” “Computer Blue,” and “Mountains”—their influence on popular music of the past 30 years is considerable, extending to associated artists, like The Time and Apollonia 6. As well as producing five albums since leaving The Revolution, the duo has written scores for the television show Heroes and currently, Showtime’s Nurse Jackie.
In addition, Wendy & Lisa’s soft, mature approach to their sexuality, especially following The Revolution, mark them as two of the more inspiring musical figures to resonate with the LGBT community.
By Paul Casey
Photo © kDamo
Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
March 14, 2011
From the upper tiers of the Olympia Theatre, surrounded by a mass of attractive people —some bearded, some without— I watched Sam Beam and his band perform a set of material spanning the last decade of his career. Although I cannot claim that seeing Iron & Wine live was a particularly revelatory experience, it was an enjoyable one. Beam’s eye on developing his musical palette, particularly from 2007’s Shepherd’s Dog onwards, has led to his earlier work sometimes coming out at unusual angles in a live setting.
By Paul Casey
The first thing to be said about Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears‘ second LP, Scandalous, is how decent it sounds. The production by Jim Eno emphasizes the rough edges built into these tales of betrayal, sadness, and unusual sexual requests. Joe Lewis’s voice, while not terribly distinctive, has enough energy to keep things flowing. His Honeybears also manage to keep things rocking along, with a solid horn section.
By Paul Casey
Dear _____,
How are you? I was pleased to receive your last letter. I am glad that you are proceeding well with your descent into the mire of popular music and that you no longer scoff at the genre of R&B in such an ill conceived and self-satisfied manner. That you can acknowledge you were mistaken to hold that Keane album above “any R&B album of the last twenty years” is something.