Tribal Opera (What? Records 1987)

the songs: I Am An Emotional Man / Is It Any Wonder / Watching The Ship Go Down / Talk To Me / Go Ask The Dead Man / Love Is Bigger Than Life / How To Grow Up Big and Strong / Everybody Dances / Why Can't We Just Say No / Hold Back Your Tears

I missed the bus when this first came out. A couple years later I found a copy - on cassette. I hate cassettes! But that was the only format I could get this brilliant release on. To make matters worse I was told that their last CD copy was sold a day earlier.

One day I will get this on CD, but until then I sparingly listen to my dreaded cassette copy. There isn't a bad song on this album. Mark Heard wrote and performed all of the songs, and if there was any justice this should have sold millions of copies. The music was a blend of pop and electronic combined with Mark's lyrical genius.

What? Records was part of the A&M family and this was a major label release. It stiffed and was hole punched. Surely there are enough of the Mark Heard faithful who wish like me, they had this on CD to warrant a reissue.

Reviewed August 18, 2000

extra bit of who cares info: I have this on CD at last, but it's a home-made thing I did by recording my dreaded cassette copy onto my hard drive, did some digital editing and then burned it to CD. Not great, but it's better than nothing.

Shine Down (©2002 Mike Indest)

1: Shine Down 2: Trouble and Sorrow 3: One of Them

Mike who?

Mike Indest is an independent recording artist who came to my attention through the wonderfully eclectic Sediment anthology series. I like a lot of independent music, but find I often have to make allowances for recording quality, and lack of performance ability – more to the point I have to view it like kid’s art work. Mike’s work stood out like a boil on a prom queen – holy crap who is this guy?

Shine Down is a couple of years old now, and with only three songs is far too short, and only hints at what he could pull off. Sonically these are pretty decent sounding recordings – a little too bright perhaps, but it’s amazing what you can do at home now. The title track is a nod to 80’s synthesizer rock – it’s like a “good” song by Pet Shop Boys. Trouble and Sorrow remains one of the best pop songs I’ve heard in a couple of years, it’s a guitar driven track that stops short of bursting into flame – it’s a wonderfully smoldering tune. One of Them – is a song with great potential that could do with a better mix. Minor quibble.

Who knows if Mike will ever get a chance to reach a wider audience; there are quite literally thousands of unbelievably talented artists out there. It’s not like he doesn’t have the goods, all he needs is a little luck, and who knows, the sun may indeed shine on this talented artist.

Reviewed April 20, 2005

X (Atlantic 1990)

the songs: Suicide Blonde / Disappear / The Stairs / Faith In Each Other / By My Side / Lately / Who Pays The Price / Know The Difference / Bitter Tears / On My Way / Hear That Sound

I got this one from a buddy who didn't like it very much. His loss was my gain. This is another solid album by Inxs. It would have been a pretty impressive trick to top Kick (I guess my buddy was expecting Kick II or something).

No surprise that it's not as good, but don't dismiss the album as being crap either. The lead off track is excellent, and while the rest of the album isn't as good, the songs are vintage Inxs. I put in on again today and was surprise by how good it really was.

Reviewed August 18, 2000

Speak of the Devil (Reprise 1998)

the songs: Please / Flying / Walk Slow / Break Apart / This Time / Speak of the Devil / Like The Way She Moves / Wanderin' / Don't Get So Down On Yourself / Black Flowers / I'm Not Sleepy / 7 Lonely Nights / Talkin' 'Bout A Home / Super Magic 2000

Ah, another Chris Isaak album.  This guy keeps releasing one good album after another.  No suprises on this album, no funky electro-dance crap, just one solid song after another.  Of course there's nothing here that will ever top "Wicked Game", but he knows how to craft a really good pop song. Here's a guy you'd love to have hang around your pool party with his guitar just and sing for you.

Always Got Tonight (©2002 Reprise)

1: One Day 2: Let Me Down Easy 3: Worked It Out Wrong 4: Courthouse 5: Life Will Go On 6: Always Got Tonight 7: Cool Love 8: Notice The Ring 9: I See You Everywhere 10: American Boy 11: Somebody To Love 12: Nothing To Say

I like Chris Isaak a lot. He quietly releases one solid album after another (haven't I aid that before?), manages to get a little airplay and remains just under the radar. If you like his style of classic pop with warm vocals, bright guitars and songs about life and heartache then you’re probably like me and can’t get enough.

Always Got Tonight is more from the same vein, which isn’t a bad thing. Musically there’s enough variety here to keep it interesting, but not so overpowering as to be mistaken for noise. This is music that can play in the background while sitting with your girl, or you can play it when you want to listen to an artist.

Choice bits: There are no weak songs here, but for me the killer here is “Life Will Go On” which features a similar melancholy chiming guitar tone to “Wicked Game” it is a beautiful song. Chris’ has a voice them evokes images of a tortured Roy Orbison.

There will come a day when Mister Isaak will get his due.

Reviewed October 20, 2005