Album of the week
As much as her success comes from a sensuous singing style, Bogguss also owes it to her idiosyncratic choice of material. The title track of this splendidly entertaining album is an example. Reminiscent of the hilarious holdup scene in Woody Allen's Take the Money and Run ("I am pointing a gub at you"), "Nobody Love" is about a convenience-store robber's typographical error. It's a nice joke, but Bogguss sings it straight, especially the refrain: "He said, 'What the hell, I can't spell, but you know what I meant.' And she said, 'Yeah, but that ain't what you said.' " What follows is philosophizing of a sort—and proof that Bogguss can see more in a song than its surface. She also chooses illustrious backup performers, including Patty Loveless, Kathy Martea and Trisha Yearwood. Garth Brooks's backup vocal on "Take Me Back" even suggests a pairing for a dynamite duet album one day.
Bottom Line: Bogguss at her best
Lenny Kravitz (Virgin)
After originally titling his new CD Black Velveteen, Kravitz, whose tendency to imitate has led to past criticism, apparently thought better of using the name of an imitation fabric for this collection of highly derivative funk-rock. Son of the late Roxie Roker of TV's The Jeffersons, Kravitz grew up in 90210 country, attending Beverly Hills High with classmate Saul Hudson (Slash of Guns N' Roses). Originally known as a rock-and-roller wannabe who was married to TV actress Lisa Bonet of The Cosby Show (their marriage dissolved in 1991 after five years and one daughter), he first gained musical notice with 1989's Let Love Rule, an album dense with '60s vibes and echoes of Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Mayfield and others. On subsequent albums, observers noted, he sang like Elvis Costello, looked like Prince and sounded like just about every funk-rocker not named Kravitz. Although he can be more than a mere imitator, unfortunately this CD again seems to mimic the music of others, including Sly Stone and Rick James. Which raises one question: Why buy 5 if you can still hear the originals?
Bottom Line: Been there, heard that
Soul Asylum (Columbia)
With their 1993 pop anthem "Runaway Train," this Minneapolis quartet made a neat pirouette from punk noisemakers to melodic tunesmiths. Of course, even as lead singer Dave Pirner walked down Hollywood's red carpets with his now-ex-girlfriend Winona Ryder, he remained loyal to his look: rat's-nest hair and tattered denims. Now, three years after his group's last, much lauded album, Let Your Dim Light Shine, Pirner is back, his appearance intact but the move away from loud, thrashing, anarchistic punk now complete. A sampler of invigorating power-pop anthems, jangly, falling-in-and-out-of-love songs and edgy ballads, Candy finds Pirner (backed by guitarist Dan Murphy, bassist Karl Mueller and drummer Sterling Campbell) at his pop music best. The 34-year-old rocker sounds, in turn, optimistic, melancholy and inspired, and on one of many standout tunes, "Close," even turns a trifling pun into a lovely lyric.
Bottom Line: Former punk-rock rebels find harmony
Stevie Nicks (Atlantic/Modern)
As one-fifth of Fleetwood Mac, the chiffon-wearing, tambourine-banging Nicks seemed to specialize in singing songs about dreams, gypsies and gold-dust women. This three-disc set documents her more earth-bound solo output (from '81 to '94). Though padded, at times, with lesser-known cuts off her five albums, Enchanted may be a revelation for those familiar only with Nicks's hits. "Rock a Little (Go Ahead Lily)" and "I Sing for the Things" possess a delicate beauty, while "Wild Heart" and "Ooh My Love" throb with passion. And few '80s classics have aged as nicely as "Leather and Lace."
Bottom Line: An often ethereal collection of soft-rock oldies
>"CUT YOU IN" Jerry Cantrell Best known for playing guitar and writing grunge anthems for Alice in Chains, Cantrell can also sing a tune with more finesse than most sidemen, as this solo single shows.
"ADIA" Sarah McLachlan The latest single from this Canadian singer-songwriter's double-platinum Surfacing album is a lovely, piano-based pop lullaby with a haunting, almost fragile air.
"BUCKAROO" Lee Ann Womack Sounding far sassier than she did on last year's No. 2 hit, "The Fool," Womack heads for country-music dance floors with this fourth single from her self-titled debut CD.
- Contributors:
- Ralph Novak,
- Steve Dougherty,
- Jeremy Helligar.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
