|
|
  |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No
Doubt
Return
of Saturn
They
came screaming out of Orange County five years
ago to dazzle the rock world with Tragic Kingdom,
their debut album. Since then, No Doubt has
had its share of changes, including losing one
member to suicide, then having Gwen Stafani's
brother forsake the keyboard for an animation
gig on The Simpsons. Through it all, they stuck
to their ska/reggae roots and kept on touring.
The result of all that energy and commitment
can clearly be heard throughout Return of Saturn,
their impressive new album that attacks the
universal problem of insecurity. In "Ex-Girlfriend."
Stefani sings in a punkish/hip/hoppish mode
of a dark love destined to get darker. Then
there's "Simple Kind of Life," an
anthem-like ballad that finds the singer sandwiched
between the longing for romance and the need
to be free. Bittersweet. Quirky. And in a sonic
groove all their own, No Doubt now takes the
pole position in the race for musical clarity
and crispness.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmy
Page and The Black Crowes
Live
at the Greek
It's
hard to say who had the bright idea of putting guitar
legend Jimmy Page in the same room with hard-nosed
rockers The Black Crowes, but they must have known
that the feathers would fly. The joint venture actually
began with a few concert dates in southern California,
but the chemistry was unmistakable and now they've
hit upon a unique way to bring that magic to market.
Available only on the web (at musicmaker.com), you
can choose a standard two-disc set compiled from
the shows at the Greek Theater or a one or two-disc
custom compilation of just the tracks that drive
you nuts. Prodded on by the blood-and-guts fury
of the Crows, Page gives his best performances in
years, particularly in a fiery rendition of "Heartbreaker."
|
|
|
|
|
