Del Amitri- Yes, Kathryn, I do have their new record and I do like them. They write very catchy pop rock songs. I remember seeing them in the clubs here in Boston, some rowdy shows as I recall. Very good music to hear in a pub. I don't say much about them because I think they sort of ran their course and it does seem they could be finished. Last I heard they don't have a label and they could not get their record picked up by anyone in the States. They did a small tour in Europe and packed it in. Don't know if it's true but the singer has supposedly had some serious problems with heroin addiction. They say he cleaned up but who knows. The last record was a bit melancholy and seemed to reflect the idea that this was their last go round. It's interesting to think about all the bands that have come and gone since the 80's. Del Amitri, the BoDeans, World Party...these groups were popular and pretty talented, but now they seem to have faded away. World Party, much like Del Amitri put out a record recently and could not get it picked up in the US. It was called "Dumbing Up", it's available as an import only. A pretty cool record that retains the sound of their previous records. World Party is pretty much just a guy named Karl Wallinger. You probably remember them or him. Good Beatles like pop rock songs. He could not even get his tour off the ground after putting the record out and like Del Amitri I think was dropped from his label and could be finished as well. Well, really when I say finished what I mean is finished with the big labels and any sort of major touring. It would be nice to see people like this continue to play, I think the BoDeans do, at a smaller level but I believe the expense becomes greater to them at that point. It's sort of like ELO, someone mentioned how they tried to tour for the last record and overestimated their popularity at this point and booked large venues. When attempting that sort of come back it may be best to scale down and play a club or county fair for $9 a head. Or try to assemble a package tour with a number of acts that would go well together. Imagine a Rock Of The 80's tour with David & David, Del Amitri, World Party, the BoDeans, maybe have Don Henley headline the thing. Funny, maybe that would sell tickets.
Boston- I was never a big fan but Brad Delp and Tom Sholtz still show up right down the street from where I am in a little club in Maynard and play once and a while. They live local here. The singer Delp also performs in a Beatles tribute band called BeatleJuice. Just because he loves the Beatles and I suppose because it's a long time between Boston records and the guy just wants to play. I have not heard the most recent record but it got good reviews here from the hometown critics and their live show to back the new one was hailed as their best ever by the locals.
Neil Young- I have not heard the new one but I've always liked Neil. Actually my favorite Neil record of the last couple decades was "Ragged Glory". I still love that record and it's fun to throw it on the player and crank it up.
The Thorns- I've only heard one song from them. Don't remember it's name but it's on one of those discs from Paste magizine. I didn't care for it. Maybe it was the fact that there was a Jayhawks song that either followed it or preceeded it that was just far better. I thought Dale was gonna get this because he was excited about it and I figured I'd get a review from him. Last time I e-mailed Dale though he still had not picked it up. Dale, anything to say on The Thorns yet?
Radiohead- Hey I've done some posting about music lately, mainly just about these guys. I think everyone is all Radioheaded out though because there was not much comment on my last few posts on them. I have been listening to their stuff a lot lately. Mainly the new record these days.
David Baerwald- I am curious to hear what he's been doing with the soundtrack stuff. I guessing he's working on it and his studio is done because we haven't heard much from him. Silence in this case could translate to progress, let's hope.
