The Austin Sessions
(Atlantic)
****
You'll be wanting this. Assuming, that is....
(1) You're a fan of gruff, soulful country voices. Kristofferson is vastly underrated as both a singer and as a songwriter -- as underrated at these talents as he is overrated as an actor. There's no denying that his bluesy, manly tales of runnin' with the Devil and sleeping around are redolent of a particular era (the late '60s/early '70s), when the American Male found the road to freedom (once more) and decided to hit those great open, sun-strewn highways. The songs Kristofferson chooses for his authentic-sounding, neatly underplayed Austin Sessions album are evocative indeed. What other word is there to describe tracks like "Me and Bobby McGee," the unashamedly lonesome "Help Me Make It through the Night," and gospel-esque "Sunday Morning Coming Down"? This man has the heart of a poet, and the beard of a very scary person.
(2) You're a fan of old work revisited.... Thought not. Me, neither. Austin Sessions is, however, unusually sensitive and nostalgic, without being maudlin. (Partly because of the material, of course. Most of the world-weary songs Kristofferson sings with such charm almost demand that you've drained life's bitter cup and have nothing to lose.) And who cares if the singers Kristofferson asks to help him howl the blues are -- almost without exception -- beyond the critical pale (Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler, '60s reject Jackson Browne)? What matters is the arrangements. Songs like the reflective "Silver Tongued Devil and I" and "Why Me?" are consummately arranged.
(3) You like any of that pathetic alt-country shit. Yes! No? Either way, buy this, and study at the feet of a master. EVERETT TRUE
THE WEDDING PRESENT
Singles 1995-97
(Cooking Vinyl/spinART)
****
Though his male fans are legion, I don't know a woman alive who's heard the dulcet, lovestruck tones of the Wedding Present's David Gedge and not fallen under his spell. A master of observation who recalls the tiniest nuance of his every past obsession, Gedge is the guy you wish would write songs about you, the sad fact being that by the time he did, you'd already be long gone.
And then there's the jangle, glorious and unrelenting whether it's whispering or wailing, slowing down only to let Gedge wonder whether he's said too much before erupting in a flurry of apprehension and misguided optimism. Urgent simplicity and layered girl-boy vocals bounce and bumble along toward the inevitable moment when the lyrics turn bittersweet, usually signaled by the honk of an organ that sounds like it wants to laugh as much as it wants to cry.
Singles 1995-97 is what it claims to be, and so much more. Full blown versions of "Jet Girl" and "Sports Car" are presented with their acoustic counterparts, the latter sung by Jayne Lockey for a change. Ripping live versions of "My Favourite Dress" and "Brassneck" are included, as well as the Tom Waits cover "Red Shoes by the Drugstore" and an impressively scrappy reworking of the theme from Cheers. True, there's nothing on Singles that hasn't been released in some form or another on a multitude of labels, but even the most dedicated Wedding Present archivist will appreciate a disc that gathers these gems into one tidy package -- and those new to the band (for shame!) will be provided with a sparkling, error-free introduction. KATHLEEN WILSON
IN STORES 10/26
Stone Temple Pilots, No. 4 (Atlantic). STP's first since Tiny Music (Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop), which should be hard to promote since singer Scott Weiland is currently in the klink for the next year.
Bush, The Science of Things (Trauma). Third album -- produced by the band despite a legal brouhaha concerning producers who only think they produced -- containing songs singer Gavin Rossdale describes as "soundscapes." And his dog barks in time to the music. Run for the hills.
Alice In Chains, Music Bank (Columbia). The full-blown source for the teaser CD, Nothing Safe -- Best of the Box, with three discs containing demos, live tracks, and a previously unreleased single, and a fourth made up of multimedia including interviews, performances, and an Alice In Chains game.
Master P, Only God Could Judge Me (Priority). Well that's not very accurate, now is it? Originally conceived as a greatest hits album after P's alleged retirement from rapping after '98's Da Last Don, the album now features new material because Master P was "inspired" by working with Nas and producer Jermaine Dupri. And then, in a move reminiscent of Garth Brooks at the San Diego Padres' spring training, Master P will join the NBA's Toronto Raptors training camp. But I'm sure they won't judge him.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Looking Forward (Reprise). A reunion album recorded without the hassle of an actual reunion. Ah, technology. Look for the members to reunite for real when the "CSNY-Y2K" world tour hits the road early next year. We're not kidding.
IMx, Introducing IMx (MCA). The band formerly known as Immature, now grown up?
Dolly Parton, The Grass Is Blue (BlueEye Records/Sugar Hill). Long before Dolly turned into the "9 to 5"-singing, booberific cartoon movie star she's been for the last 20 years, she was country music's purest voice. Look for Dolly to reconnect with her roots on her first bluegrass album, featuring help from Alison Krauss and Patty Loveless.
Goodie Mob, World Party (Arista). Consistently wise, funny, and lyrically astute, Goodie Mob's releases are always highly anticipated. Their aesthetic is evident in rapper Khujo's "Slumtionary," a lexicon of slang from the Atlanta 'hood. Fie Fie Deleesh: Something serious (e.g. "Shawty got dat fie fie deleesh."); Slick: A person with much game, a person with sneaky or rat-like ways (e.g. "You think you slick, but chu ain't."); Dairy Products (Cheese, Cheddar, Cream): Money (e.g. "When I go to da club, I like to have plenty of cheddar in my pockets.")
LeAnn Rimes, Big Deal (Curb). What is she, 16 now?
Luna, The Days of Our Nights (Jericho/Sire). More from former Galaxie 500 member Dean Wareham. Hard telling where this one will go; earlier records leaped from shimmery pop to buzzing distortion, each disc as stunning as the last.
Dream Theatre, Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory (EastWest/Elektra). "Experimental" metal from a band that's been delivering heavy shit since forever.
Deadsy, Commencement (Sire/WB). Cher and Gregg Allman's kid, Elijah Blue, shouts into the wind.
High Llamas, Snowbug (V2). Influences of Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach, with Moog keyboards and lush vocal harmonies -- orchestral pop at its best.
Incubus, Make Yourself (Immortal/Epic). Los Angeles-based group that rips off Faith No More. As if anyone would still want to.
The Hang Ups, Second Story (Restless). Chiming guitar pop that isn't afraid to be quirky.
