On the Road Again
May 12th, 2005I’ll be visiting the parents in Alabama this weekend. Keeping me company in the car will be the following four new CDs:
Cold Roses, by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. I hope this doesn’t suck. I keep on buying Ryan Adams albums because there’s always a gem or two. His first solo album was so great, and so was his work with Whiskeytown. Maybe he peaked at 20 years old?
Songs for Silverman, by Ben Folds. Did you realize that the music genius behind William Shatner’s album also has a solo career? There’s a song on here called “Jesusland” and I can’t think of a more appropriate soundtrack for the trek from Georgia to Alabama.
Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out, by Petra Haden. An a capella reworking of the Who classic. I’m not a big Who fan but The Who Sell Out is among my favorite albums ever. (I wasn’t surprised to find it acknowledged as an influence on a more recent favorite, Blueberry Boat by the Fiery Furnaces.) Petra Haden is the daughter of jazz basist Charlie Haden and the newest member of the Decemberists (on violin and backing vocals), but she’s also something special by her own merits. Check this out.
Gimme Fiction, by Spoon. This man says it best.
May 13th, 2005 at 2:18 pm
Thanks for the love! I’m liking the new Folds as well, more each time I listen to it. Haven’t gone back to Adams since Demolition, though “Magnolia Mountain” sounds good on the new one (is that the right title?); agreed that Heartbreaker is his best solo shot.
May 13th, 2005 at 9:20 pm
My wife bought the new RA. She gives it a solid C. I haven’t listened to it yet. I’m with you in that I really liked his first solo and loved his work w/ Whiskeytown.
I’m trying to warm to the new Spoon. I grabbed the live in-store that LHB posted today and it made me like the album a little more. I think it will grow on me.
The Haden is pretty damn weird, but very good for a road trip.
May 14th, 2005 at 9:26 pm
And now Jeff Vandermeer says it waaaay better than I. He always does.