In Spite of Ourselves
John Prine
While "superstar" country artists sell millions of units crooning bombastic pseudo-anthems, artists like John Prine go virtually unrecognized in the genre. Prine's latest, "In Spite of Ourselves," is music heaven for country purists, an instant classic. Gorgeous, sweeping ballads mix with wry mid-tempo numbers creating majestic, tuneful bliss. The song selection is spectacular, a perfectly chosen batch of standards and newer material that forgoes a single obvious choice. Every song on the CD is a duet and includes some of country's finest female singers. The guests include legends (Connie Smith, Emmylou Harris), current Music Row stars (Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless) and critically acclaimed up-and-comers (Lucinda Williams, Iris DeMent), all of whom take star turns on the collection, blending perfectly with Prine's unique voice. He's in rare form throughout, his subtle trademark humor twinkling brightly. Prine's peers are artists like Lyle Lovett, too traditional and quirky to ever be a Garth or Shania. Like Bob Dylan, Prine's uber-nasal voice is an acquired taste, a ragged whiskey-and-a-cigarette glory that is as instantly recognized as it is maligned. On "In Spite of Our Selves" his voice seems to have mellowed nicely with age. In fact, he's never sounded better.
New Friends in Low Places: A Tribute To Garth Brooks
various artists
Shameless indeed! While tribute albums should always be approached with extreme caution, "New Friends in Low Places" represents a new nadir. A CD cover bragging about members of Toto, REO Speedwagon and Chicago is already on shaky ground. Anyone remember Jason Scheff? Dave Amato? Bobby Kimball? Me neither, but these "artists" and others apparently felt so inspired by Brooks that they had to be part of this Section-8 collection. Laughably, several numbers, including "Shameless," "To Make You Feel My Love" and "Mr. Blue," are songs that Brooks himself covered. Some tribute! These scamsters don't even make a half-hearted attempt at versions that differ from Brooks'. Garth's undeniable charisma is sorely lacking on this karaoke coat-tail ride, an obvious attempt to cash in on his name and fame. Skip this shoddy "tribute" and stick with the original. "New Friends in Low Places" is all dregs and no Dixie.
Adam's Rib
Melanie Doane
Canadian songstress Melanie Doane makes tuneful mischief on her latest CD, "Adam's Rib." The singer-songwriter is a classically trained violinist whose rocking style adds a unique twist to her swirling, quirky pop tunes. The title track is an ultra-catchy ditty and easily the best song ever written from the perspective of a rib. Doane digs deeper on songs like "Happy Homemaker" and "Goliath," drawing the listener in with her down-to-earth grooves and thought-provoking lyrics. Doane, who recently won a Juno Award (the Canadian Grammy) for best new artist, is known for her energetic, highly musical performances. If you missed her recent appearance at Lilith Fair, check out this class-act on "Adam's Rib."
Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow
The Muffs
The Muffs' new album, "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow," is a frenzied moshpit of pop-punk noise. The Los Angeles trio is fronted by guitarist-vocalist Kim Shattuck, who delivers her songs in an eyes-rolled, post-ironic Courtney drawl that works perfectly alongside the band's punchy backbeats. "I Wish I Could Be You" is a sonic lemon drop that packs extra sass and will probably show up on a few song-of-the-year lists. With titles like "Another Ugly Face" and "Prettier Than Me," you know you're getting on a highly emotional roller coaster, but it's a ride worth taking. The Muffs' members wear their angst on their collective sleeve but rock anyway, creating two-minute musical popcycles like they're going out of style. Easily one of L.A.'s finest exports in years.
-- by Geoff Harkness
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