the weekly budd

Closet Life - Yank! and The Pride

2010-02-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

"I'm a fighter." That's what the character Stu finally realizes at the end of act two of the new off Broadway musical Yank!. His journey to self realization is told during World War II from boot camp to deployment in the Pacific. Yank! is called "A WWII Love Story" with the tagline "Some stories don't make it into the history books" referring to the fact that Stu is gay and falls in love with one of his fellow soldiers he meets in boot camp. The story highlights not only homophobia within the military but the dangers of living in the closet way before the creation of Don't Ask Don't Tell. The closet is a devastating place and dealing with internal homophobia can be far worse. Stu falls for Mitch, the handsome fellow soldier who seems at ease in this military world, but the audience eventually realizes that Stu is the real hero. A man that is comfortable with himself and stronger for the experience of falling in love. He sings with Mitch the memorable number "A Couple Of Regular Guys" that talks about what their lives together will be like when the hell of war is over. It's hopeful and charming as they sing about living together in an optimistic America where they will be accepted for who they are. In 1940s America this story has probably been attempted and you have to admire the courage of those attempting it back then.

Yank! is not heavy handed and is quite funny. Some of the numbers fall a little flat, but there are some standouts including "Remembering You" and "Blue Twilight". The cast is great. Bobby Steggert plays Stu and I was lucky enough to see him as Younger Brother in Ragtime before it closed on Broadway. Ivan Hernandez plays Mitch and Jeffery Denan plays Artie who becomes a mentor to Stu and helps guide him on his path of self-realization. Nancy Anderson plays a variety cast of female characters and does a terrific job.

I also had a chance to see another gay-themed play recently when my friend Marty got tickets to see The Pride. This tells the story of three characters in 1958 and 2008 London simultaneously. Again it is a tale about the self destruction of the closet and the fear of allowing oneself to be true to oneself.

The character Oliver, played by Ben Whishaw, is a meek mild childrens author in 1958 and in 2008 he's a freelance journalist addicted to anonymous sex. In both cases he's trying to explore a relationship with Philip, played by Hugh Dancy. In 1958 Philip is a closeted man married to Sylvia, played by Andrea Riseborough, in 2008 he's Oliver's frustrated boyfriend. There is a really fantastic moment in the beginning of the play in which Oliver is telling a story of a recent trip to Greece. He describes the amazing beauty of Delphi and when he wanders out on his own he hears a voice calling his name telling him those sleepless nights will pass and sometime maybe years from now things will be better. Is this Oracle right? Have things gotten better? We still live in a society in which many think gay people can be "saved" and "reprogrammed". The Pride is beautifully written by Alexi Kaye Campbell and asks these questions and many more.

There seems to be several gay themed shows recently and both of these take a look at gay life in the past. Maybe by providing enough distance we can take stock of our lives today.

A NEWS FAST INTERRUPTED

2009-08-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

A News fast can be a wonderful thing. I highly recommend it. However, it has become harder and harder to truly fast these days. I was on vacation last week in Provincetown, MA and enjoying the lobster rolls, the art galleries, the sun and especially the cocktails by the pool when I turned on the small TV in my B&B. I just felt like checking in for some reason. When I pushed the ON button the first channel that popped up was CSPAN. I was just in time to see Senator Arlen Spector’s Townhall in Lebanon PA. Oh goodie.

I was about to change the channel when I watched as a rather vocal man was intent on asking the Senator a question. He had trouble vocalizing, probably because he was nervous, but when he got his chance to speak he simply asked the Senator if he would go back to DC and represent the "true Americans.” What exactly did he mean by that? More angry voices spoke up and made it clear they “didn’t want our country to turn into Russia”. “This is the Soviet Union, this is Maoist China,” one man yelled to him. “The people in this room want their country back.” I had had enough already and turned the TV off. I was going to do my best to continue my fast. On the trip home on Sunday it was announced that the White House might give up on the Public Option. Seemed like bad news all around for Obama and the Democrats healthcare plan.

I guess I’m tired of all these disruptions and all this yelling and I’m especially over all the misinformation – thank you kindly Sarah Palin with your Death Panel rants on Facebook. Keep up the good work. Who are the “true Americans” these days? And why is it OK to do everything they can to spread rumors filled with tales of putting your grandma down? I thought these folks went away on January 20. What is going on these days in our country? I think it is what’s always been there— fear. People are afraid of things changing too fast. We have a black President. He just appointed a Wise Latina to the Supreme Court. What will he do next? What happened to my America? We are becoming a more blended melting pot of a nation as every day and every minute goes by. I think these people are afraid of losing power and there’s probably no way to reason with them.

I feel like our country is still more divided than ever. It’s still red states versus blue states I suppose. It is totally American to dissent and to fight for your rights, I feel like what’s going on at these Townhalls is not dissent because you never get the chance to hear a debate. These people seem to be only there to cause disruption and distraction. Well I’m tired of it. I feel like the Republicans are only fueling the fire. They’ve offered no clear alternatives and seem unwilling to support any kind of Healthcare reform. Also there doesn’t seem to be one Republican willing to denounce these disruptions or criticize these folks who are showing up with guns strapped to their legs. What the heck is that about? Things appear to be getting out of hand and if that continues I fear bad news all around.

I want to live in country where we debate and discuss. The Obama proposed healthcare plan is not even fully flushed out – there are several versions of the bill in both the House and the Senate that are still up for discussion – yet all the people are up in arms screaming about things that prove to be completely untrue. I personally think there should be a Public Option. I have a sister that is without affordable insurance and I think she could benefit from it. People argue that this already exists because no one can be turned away at an emergency room and they don’t want to pay to support the uninsured. Unfortunately what they don’t realize is that we are already paying for them as preventable illnesses become more serious and costly as the uninsured wait until the last minute for treatment. Lies and misinformation run rampant and only play on everyone’s fears. I want there to be more debate. Perhaps the administration is to blame by not making all this information available to quell fears, but it looks like that is starting to change. Today they launched a website to help fight the misinformation. Check out: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/settingtherecord

Also, Obama is set to give an online press conference today at 2pm and I’ll be watching. I want to learn more. It is time for reason to triumph over confusion. I thought we made some progress in January, but it looks like it’s going to be a long road ahead to clarity.

Spring Songs - Three Troubadours: Morrissey, Ray LaMontagne & Ben Lee

2009-03-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Spring is trying to spring here in Manhattan and I'm walking the streets listening to a selection of three very cool new projects from three very different artists. I'm sure as I look back on these days this music will begin to define early spring 2009 in New York.

Morrissey has returned with Years Of Refusal—a collection of wonderful songs and clever songwriting. It's also a bit harder than a lot of his previous works, but still features some of the same typical Morrissey songs about love and loss. It begins with the hard edged "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" and careens it's way through "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris", "That's How People Grow Up" and the very funny "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore." He sounds better than ever and this album is a worthy addition to his catalog.

I saw Ray LaMontagne perform on Saturday Night Live a few weeks ago and was really impressed and inspired. I watched him perform "You Are The Best Thing" and immediately had to go get his album Gossip In The Grain. You can hear so many influences in his work—from James Taylor to Joe Cocker to Cats Stevens. It has a very 70s singer songwriter vibe that sounds really updated and new. A real stand out on the album is the track "Meg White" which sounds fantastic blasting through my headphones on my way down 23rd street.

Ben Lee has always been a favorite of mine and his latest release The Rebirth Of Venus does not disappoint. It begins with the catchy "What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)" and continues on with some great pop songs like "Wake Up To America", "Sing", "Yoko Ono", "Bad Poetry" and the sing along anthem "Surrender". "I Love Pop Music" takes on the medium itself and our need for pop music that makes us feel better in such uncertain times.

With all the crap that's going on around us right now slipping on my headphones and listening to these three troubadours continues to be a great escape from a chilly spring in New York.

Gossip In The Grain and Years Of Refusal are out now. The Rebirth Of Venus comes out on April 28.

MILK—we need him more than ever

2008-11-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

"I am Harvey Milk and I'm here to recruit you," screams Sean Penn into a bullhorn while playing the slain San Francisco City Supervisor. Those words still resonate today. If Harvey Milk were alive today, Proposition 8 would never have seen the light of day. Harvey Milk inspired hundreds of thousands of gay people in his lifetime and now with Gus Van Sant's new film Milk he has the opportunity to reach millions more in death.

MILK begins with a collage of black and white news footage of mostly men being rounded up, handcuffed and piled into paddy wagons. Shot after shot show people burying their faces in their hands dodging the harsh lights of the news crew. One customer even throws his drink at the camera. This was the closeted life of a gay man in the late 60s/early 70s. This was a life of fear and a life without power. It's in response to that life without power that Harvey Milk finds his voice.

We first see Sean Penn as Harvey Milk as he records his thoughts to tape in the event that he is ever assassinated while in office. He begins to look back at his life and we meet him again earlier in his life. He's a closeted gay man living in New York City turning 40 and after picking up James Franco in the subway he tells him that he hasn't accomplished anything in his life. "I need to make a change, " he says. He and Franco move to San Francisco to drop out and there he does begin to change. He first becomes a business owner by opening up Castro Camera and then becomes inspired to run for City Supervisor several times until he finally wins.

Sean Penn plays his part with subtle brilliance. He's completely inspiring in moments and he captures the spirit of a masterful politician. James Franco, Josh Brolin and Emile Hirsch are also terrific as is Allison Pill as his lesbian campaign manager. Gus Van Sant does an amazing job with this film. There are a few over the top sentimental moments, but overall Milk packs a wallop. I think what really struck me the most is how what happened in 1978 still resonates today. We've come a long way baby, or maybe not.

In the film Harvey Milk is battling against Proposition 6 which was intended to discriminate against the hiring of gays and lesbians. It played upon people's fears of having their children taught by gay people. It was backed by religious leaders including the very outspoken Anita Bryant. Sound familiar? Harvey was able to organize people and defeat it. If only we had him now.

Last Saturday afternoon I attended a rally in City Hall to lend my voice in support of marriage equality and in protest of Proposition 8. I was among thousands who turned up that day in New York along with hundreds of thousands more who turned out in almost every city across the country. My friends in LA marched in the heat and my friend in Phoenix uploaded pictures to Facebook. Seems like if there's any silver lining to glean from the passage of Proposition 8, it has now galvanized and energized so many people gay and straight to take to the streets to vent their anger. It also struck me as I looked around that day at how many young people were taking part. I think that would have made Harvey Milk very proud. It was in the youth that he saw the most opportunity to inspire with hope. I think he knew that it was their voices that were the voices of the future that could most make a difference.

Near the end of the film and near the end of Harvey's actual recording he says, "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." He was prophetic about his own life and prophetic in regards to many of those closet doors. We've moved forward on many issues, but it seems like with Proposition 8 we took a huge step backward. It's not about blaming any one group or organization. It's time to acknowledge that proponents of Prop 8 were better funded and better organized. The got their message out successfully. Now it's time to take a page out of Harvey Milk's book. In the film, he felt that if every gay person came out to their co-workers, friends and families then they could shatter fears and stereotypes. If they know us, then they are more likely to vote with us and support us and our cries for civil rights. We need our straight allies and we need our friends and our families to stand with us now more than ever. We could also use Harvey Milk back on our side.

Cry Baby

2008-11-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

I spent a good part of last Tuesday crying. It started early in the morning right after I got back from voting. I turned on The Today Show and watched my candidate and his family vote in Chicago. Then Meredith had to mention how sad it was that his grandmother couldn't last one more day to see the results. That comment alone along with the images of the Obamas at the polls was enough to make me cry like a baby. After several minutes I calmed down, looked myself in the mirror and said "get it together" and left for work.

At work I was able to keep busy and distracted from the news. I looked up now and then at the TV in my office and allowed myself to marvel at the footage coming in from all of the country of lines after lines of people waiting to elect a new President. As soon as some bit of emotion started rising up in me, I looked away and did my best to concentrate on my daily chores.

I got through the day and left work a bit early to meet up with my neighbor to watch the results come in. I met him at the grocery store where we got snacks for the evening. We rushed upstairs. I didn't want to jinx anything, but I felt good enough to run into my apartment to find a bottle of Dom Perignon that I had stored away for a special occasion. The results started coming in and I was getting nervous. They hadn't called any big states yet, so I tried keeping it in perspective. I dealt with CNN's holograms and more election calls that weren't going Obama's way. We ordered pizza, our other neighbor came over and we kept calm. "Did you just see that?", I said. Florida had just started to go in Obama's favor. Then Pennsylvania turned blue. Then Ohio. 11PM came and CNN called it. Our 44th President was officially Barack Obama. Unbelievable. We opened the Dom and celebrated.

Then it hit me. All this time I was hoping and praying for this win. Battling my parents and friends. Winning some arguments and losing others. It all led up to this moment. This victory. I was exhausted, but like Obama has always said this election was never just about him. It was about all of us. That was evident from the countless live feeds from Grant Park in Chicago, Election Plaza in New York and especially the footage coming from the streets outside the White House. America was celebrating. It was a brand new day. I promptly burst into tears. My neighbor hugged me and and I let it all go. I cried and cried. I had never felt so proud to be an American.

Not only is it a complete U-turn from the last eight years, this election is a huge step forward in race relations in this country. Many people never thought they would see an African American President in their lifetime. That dream was no longer deferred and that made me cry even harder. I am a white man. I could never know the kind of struggles African Americans have gone through and keep going through each day, but I think I can empathize a bit as a gay man. I've been lucky enough in my lifetime. I've never had problems getting a job, my family accepted me point blank and I only got beat up once. That's not a huge struggle by any means. I was explaining this a bit to a girl I met at my local watering hole on Friday night. We were talking about the election and I told her that I had been a blubbering mess since. She was of mixed race herself and she understood more than me. She just turned to me and said, "It's OK baby. You've been touched by hate a little bit yourself. You understand what it's like." I guess she was right. I had been touched I suppose. I think maybe all of us have been touched by hate over the last eight years.

Barack has a lot to live up to. There's a ton of weight on that man's shoulders, but I feel confident and hopeful that things will work out. I promise to try and keep a stiff upper lip at least until January 20. I might have a little trouble that day.

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED—A WEDDING TO REMEMBER

2008-10-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

AMEND—transitive verb 1: to put right ; especially : to make emendations in (as a text) 2 a: to change or modify for the better : improve <amend the situation> b: to alter especially in phraseology ; especially : to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition <amend a constitution>

"Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others" Step 9 in AA's 12 Step Program

Making amends is also at the heart of the new Jonathan Demme film RACHEL GETTING MARRIED. The story written by Jenny Lumet centers around Kym, who's been in and out of rehab for ten years, returning home for her sister Rachel's wedding. Anne Hathaway is truly sensational in her portrayal of Kym Buchman. At first you want to absolutely hate her and tell her to shut up (especially during her uncomfortable toast to the bride and groom at the rehearsal dinner), but as the film progresses she breaks your heart.

The film is almost entirely filmed with hand held cameras. The result is a quiet intimate film that makes the viewer feel like they are one of the invited guests to this wedding. Mr. Demme's film career that ranges from mainstream films and documentaries to concert films and all of those skills are showcased here. Not only does he bring out amazing performances from his actors but also from the musical performers including Fab Five Freddy, Tamyra Grey, Robyn Hitchcock as well as Tunde Adebimpe (from TV On The Radio) who plays the groom. I read on the film's website that the majority of the film's extras and wedding guests are made up of Mr. Demme's friends and family. Perhaps that's what gives the film its special look and feel.

Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel is also sensational and Bill Irwin plays their devoted father with so much overwhelming sweetness that it literally tugs at your heartstrings. Another stand out is Debra Winger as their cool and distant mother and her scene with Anne Hathaway literally hits a crescendo in the film. This film truly does belong to Ms. Hathaway and I'm sure she will be remembered at Oscar time.

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED opens Friday in New York and LA.

Jay Brannan—Queer Folk For All

2008-07-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

It was a free download of "Half Boyfriend" on the gay blog/website Towleroad that peaked my interest in actor/singer-songwriter Jay Brannan. His voice is completely distinctive and new. It doesn't really fit any traditional mold and I thought I was alone in thinking he's the male version of Joni Mitchell, but I read that comparison on his ITunes bio. Perhaps if Nick Drake, Janis Ian and Liz Phair all were mixed up in a blender you'd get his sound and songwriting skills.

After hearing the free download, I searched for more about him and came across all of his YouTube videos. All of his homemade videos are great, but it was his video for "Housewife" that I think really stands out. Jay sings, "I want to be a housewife" and goes on to describe his perfect boyfriend/husband that he "hasn't met." The video pictures gay domestic bliss behind Jay as he sings. It's such a well written song and if sung by a female singer-songwriter it wouldn't make quite the impact as it does sung by a man to another man. I suppose this almost becomes a political statement of some kind, but I don't think that's the intention here. This is just one singer songwriter writing songs and singing from his heart and his experiences. Seems like that's nothing new, but to me it is completely refreshing and welcoming.

Some real stand out tracks to me in addition to "Half Boyfriend" and "Housewife" include "Can't Have It All", "American Idol" and "Bowlegged and Starving." Gay or straight, I don't think it makes a difference to appreciate the work on his debut album GODDAMED. Currently Jay's album is doing very well on the Itunes folk chart as the physical release came out on July 15.

Wall-E—How A Robot And Music Make Us Human

2008-06-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

It's the music in the new Pixar Disney film Wall-E that made such an impact on me. The film opens with an excerpt of "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" sung by Michael Crawford from the movie musical HELLO DOLLY and it becomes Wall-E's leitmotif as he spends the next two hours searching for love and friendship in a trash filled future Earth. It's this song and the clip from the film that reminds Wall-E about life before trash took over the planet and represents his longing to connect to someone else. Who would of thought that this movie musical could resonate so loudly to Wall-E and therefore to us. As a viewer you immediately connect to Wall-E's plight as he does some of the same dance moves using a hub cap in lieu of a straw hat. When he meets Eve, a probe sent to find life on Earth, he brings her back to his home and it's another musical number that makes his case for finding true love. This time it's "It Only Takes A Moment" again from Hello Dolly and again sung by Michael Crawford. All Wall-E wants to do is hold EVE's hand and that's amplified even further as it plays out with the couple in Hello Dolly. It's the music along with the amazing Pixar animation that makes you want to connect to this little trash compacter. Maybe this tells us a little something about the power of music and the power of nostalgia. When they are combined with a great story and terrific animation it makes for amazing movie making. You also get to hear "La Vie En Rose" by Louis Armstrong and a new track from Peter Gabriel closes the movie, but I think it's that opening number that will stick with me the most.

"... and we won't come back until we kiss a girl" and does Wall-E? I won't tell. Go see it for yourself.

ROBYN-THE POP CANDY EVERYONE SHOULD WANT

2008-05-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

Looking for something a little better than HARD CANDY? Get a taste of ROBYN's new self-titled release. This album came out in 2005 in Europe, but took two years to get a release date scheduled domestically. It is well worth the wait.

Perez Hilton was raving about her months ago, but I wasn't so sure I could trust that snarky one's opinion. It took her performance on The Late Show With David Letterman two weeks ago to convince me. She performed "Cobrastyle" alongside a band of giant bears (the song is by The Teddybears from their Soft Machine release... get it?) and tore it apart.

Her album is a blast from beginning to end and features one terrific pop song after the other. My friends and I always try to predict the song of the summer at the beginning of the season. What's the one song that will define Summer 2008? It will probably be a re-mix of something from Madge or perhaps Mimi, but it should be something from this album. This is that rare piece of work that has the potential to generate one hit after the other. Perhaps it's too Euro to connect widely here, but once you hear "Cobrastyle," "Be Mine", "With Every Heartbeat" "Konichiwa Bitches" or "Crash And Burn Girl" you might change your mind. You only have to close your eyes and picture the crowd going bananas on the dance floor to any of these tracks.

Robyn has a very distinct look with her angular new wave haircut. Her imaging and videos are highly stylized. She's from Sweden—hello land of ABBA (and IKEA).

If you are looking for a smarter, edgier alternative to the Material Girl's latest, pick up ROBYN. Don't get me wrong I like the new Madonna album, but ROBYN offers up much more interesting treats. Madge better watch her back.

I've posted several of her videos below along with her very cool performance on Letterman.

GYPSY AND PATTI LUPONE—A True Diva Moment

2008-04-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

There I was in the back row of the St. Jame Theater last Saturday night witnessing Patti LuPone sink her teeth into the role of Mama Rose in GYPSY and tear the place apart. It was an amazing evening as she practically took the roof off of the place. I felt like I was witnessing some kind of historic event. That sounds like an awfully bold statement I know, but she is on fire and you can tell she's having a blast with this character.

I do not claim to be a Broadway expert, but I do know that this role was created for Ethel Merman in 1959 and few actresses have been able to compete. It's a really strenuous role with one gigantic powerful song after the other. A difficult feat to take one for any actress, but Ms LuPone delivers the goods. I was lucky enough to see this at City Stages last fall, but seeing it on Broadway was a whole new experience. I wasn't that familiar with the story or the show. I had always caught various scenes and I knew some of the songs, but I had no idea how many great songs are in the show that I did know. And the story of an over the top stage mother that would do anything to make her daughter a star is really great.

The play opens with children on stage auditioning for Uncle Jocko's Talent Show in Seattle then from the audience Mama Rose screams out , "Sing out Lousie" as she's walking down the aisle. The audience goes nuts and Patti LuPone works it as she pauses before delivering the next line. It is a true diva moment.

Some of the best songs for me included "Some People", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", and "You'll Never Get Away From Me". Charles Isherwood in The New York Times a few weeks ago pointed out the differences between this revival and the recently opened SOUTH PACIFIC. SOUTH PACIFIC opened the decade of the Fifties and reflects the sweetness and innocence of a country healing after WWII. It features many great songs including "A Wonderful Guy" in which the lead character sings, "I'm as normal as blueberry pie". GYPSY closed the 50s when it premiered on Broadway in 1959. It's definitely a darker tale and acts as reflection of the turbulent decade to come. In comparison, Mama Rose in "Some People" sings "Goodbye to blueberry pie". It sums up how different both shows are and how they defined that decade. Stephen Sondhiem, the show's lyricist, ushered in a whole new era of Broadway musicals with GYPSY.

Patti LuPone closes the show with "Rose's Turn" and it is truly a show stopper. When she finished last Saturday night the crowd erupted and jumped to their feet. It was quite a moment. GYPSY with Patti LuPone is not just a must see this season, it is truly an event.

THE B52s—BIG FUN AT THE FUNPLEX

2008-04-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

"I'm at the mall on a diet pill!" shouts Fred Schneider on the single and title track "Funplex" and with that ladies and gentlemen please welcome back The B52s. It's been sixteen years since their last studio album and they don't disappoint on this triumphant return.

Funplex takes me back to 1989 when The B52s ruled the airwaves and video channels with "Love Shack" and "Roam". It's eleven songs about love, non-stop parties, pink helicopters and most of all FUN. Put it on and you can't help but smile. Some of the real standout songs for me include "Ultra Violet," "Deviant Ingredient" and "Juliette Of The Spirits." Each member is now in their 50s and it's a different world for them since they premiered "Rock Lobster" to an awe-struck crowd at CBGBs here in New York. Apparently people in the audience thought the gals were drag queens with their hairstyles and outfits. I remember dancing at my high school dances to that song and everyone lying on the floor and kicking up their legs at the height of it. The world is a way different place since those days for me and everyone. "Things are down and dirty in Washington", they sing on "Keep This Party Going" and that's an understatement, but The B52s help make all your troubles go away.

The music on FUNPLEX sounds fresh and new and the harmonies of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson reminds me of old friends coming home. Welcome back indeed!

August: Osage County—madness from the plains

2008-03-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

THE MOST EXCITING NEW AMERICAN PLAY BROADWAY HAS SEEN IN YEARS."
- Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

"Life is very long, " the family's patriarch says and so begins the Tracy Letts' play August : Osage County now running through April 29 at the Imperial Theatre (then to the Music Box through July 6). Beverly Weston, this family's patriarch, is quoting T.S. Eliot and is in the midst of hiring a live in housekeeper as the play opens. Johnna, the American Indian, is hired and his last words after this exchange is more T.S. Eliot, "Here we go round the prickly pear, prickly pear prickly pear." Oh boy, he's got that right.

The play crashes and careens around the lives of this family living outside Pawhuska, Oklahoma 60 miles northwest of Tulsa. From the pill-popping mother to the three daughters each with their own dark secrets, it's a play where the women take center stage. Deanna Dunagan as Violet Weston, the family's drug-addled matriarch, is fantastic. She's a mix of Martha from Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolf with a dash of Blanche Dubois and a healthy dosage of Violet Venable from Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer. Deanna Dunagan plays the part to perfection and is a force to be reckoned with on stage. Amy Morton, who plays the eldest daughter Barbara, is also unstoppable in her performance as a woman who's marriage is falling apart as she returns to her childhood home. All the actors are superb in this, as you probably have to be to join the Steppenwolf Theater Company.

Tracy Letts, the playwright, mixes comedy with tragedy so skillfully that you almost have to think twice when you hear "He killed himself" delivered as a punch line. He credits his influences to Mr. Williams along with the novels of William Faulkner and Jim Thompson. His writing in this play is fantastic. I'm sure the Tony Awards and the Pulitzer will be calling soon for these actors and Mr. Letts.

I was able to get a $25 ticket ($36 after all those crazy surcharges) and sat in the very back row of the mezzanine last Sunday. You sure couldn't bake a souffle up there, but it was perfect. I could hear and see everything plus I paid a third of what others paid and saw with a partial view. Be aware that some of the action takes place on the third story of this country house set and if you are sitting in the rear orchestra you'll miss some of it. The play is 3 1/2 hours long with two intermissions. I know that sounds like a lot, but I could have stayed for another 3 1/2 as I watched this American family come unglued. August: Osage County is not be missed in my opinion.

DUFFY—A NEW OLD VOICE

2008-03-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

"And so to the year's brightest new talent: the pocket-sized Welsh girl with the voice of a '60s soul diva. Move over Amy Winehouse..." --Q Magazine

I just got my hands on an album sampler from Duffy the other day and lucky, lucky me. I had heard about her from various sources, but it was last Saturday afternoon when I first heard her voice. I was listening to Anne Litt's show on KCRW.com. She just played a Dusty Springfield song and then suddenly I heard a new song called "Warwick Avenue". Something inside told me that was her. That was Duffy and I was blown away.

I went online to learn that she's from a small town in North Whales and made her new album with former Suede guitarist and record producer Bernard Butler. Her sound is definitely inspired from an earlier era, but she's put a new spin on it that cuts through all the other musical clutter. "Mercy" is the first single here and in the U.K. and it's super catchy. I'm sure it will soon be climbing up the charts. Check out the video below. She probably should thank artists like Amy Winehouse for opening the doors for her and her sound, but I think she'll set her own course.

Right now, all I have is this five song sampler. I'll have to keep playing that over and over again until her album ROCKFERRY is available here on May 13.

Check out Duffy. It's so worth the listen.

Vampire Weekend—Blogger Band Makes Good

2008-01-29T19:01:00.001-08:00

Indie rock darlings Vampire Weekend got my $11 and I couldn't be happier. I picked up their self-titled debut album today on my lunch break and I am really digging it. Self described "Upper West Side Soweto", the album is a mix of African beats, classical string arrangements and quirky lyrics. Think Graceland meets Tchaikovsky while getting drunk at some bar on the lower east side.

I read about them briefly on Stereogum and then saw their "A Punk" video on Spinner.com. I guess it was the blogs that broke them, but what got me was seeing their very cool album posters up all over the city on Monday. What can I say I'm a sucker for good cover art—an ever declining group of folks these days I'm afraid. I was drawn to the pink washed out front cover Polaroid style shot of a chandelier above a group of party goers. Not sure why, but it made me take notice and then connect the dots back to some of the blog stories I read about earlier. I fell right into the record company's marketing trap. They got me.

The songs are about relationships while referencing architecture, grammar and Cape Cod. Very odd indeed, but very appealing. Vampire Weekend is made up of a group of friends that met while attending Columbia. They've put together a really unusual and in my opinion a must have album for the new year. The blog's have already begun anticipating the backlash to come as this little indie band breaks big and people are already sure they'll fade away like all the other buzz bands before them. I'm not so sure. Regardless of all that, I think it's worth enjoying now.

Check out the video for "A-Punk" video below for a glimpse into their quirky world.

SHELBY DOES DUSTY

2008-01-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

"Just a little lovin' early in the morning. Beats a cup of coffee for starting off the day. Just a little lovin' when the world is dawning makes you wake up feeling good things are coming your way."

A few weeks ago I was invited to the Hiro Ballroom to see Shelby Lynne perform her new album JUST A LITTLE LOVIN' from beginning to end. It was a very memorable evening and I was lucky to be there. Her new release is a collection of ten classic Dusty Springfield songs sung by one of today's best voices in popular music.

The lights went down, a spotlight came on hitting a single disco ball from above transporting the room and all those in it as the first notes of "Just A Little Lovin'" began. We were all transfixed. It was as if seeing Dusty herself take the stage. She went on to do such classics as "I Only Want To Be With You", "Anyone Who Had A Heart", "The Look Of Love" and one of my all time favorites, "Breakfast In Bed". Her interpretations moved ever so slowly as if each line was more painful to express than the next. She had me completely in awe. It was a really amazing evening.

Now, lucky for all of us JUST A LITTLE LOVIN' produced by Phil Ramone comes out this month. It is a truly beautiful album and the way she held me in a spell that night is perfectly captured here. It will be unlikely that this album will get traditional radio or video play, but it will hopefully finds its way through word of mouth. It's a perfect Starbucks album. She's already gotten a lot of press including the cover of No Depression and a full features in last Sunday's New York Times Magazine. I'm confident that this album will find it's way to true music fans. Maybe it will also expose Dusty Springfield's catalog to a whole new audience. For a great collection of Dusty songs pick up Rhino's DUSTY SPRINGFIELD'S ANTHOLOGY.

She says that she wanted to do a Dusty album because she is a Dusty Springfield fan and a fan of these songs. She says, "Dusty Springfield was a soulful singer. You can't ever fill her shoes. So I just set out to sing songs we all want to hear again. The road map I followed when cutting these, was the one she made years ago. It was easy. I just sang and let the songs do the work. I'm so glad I did. Dusty inspired it all." By doing this album she's given us all the opportunity to listen to these great songs again. Thanks Shelby.

JUST A LITTLE LOVIN' is on sale January 29.

RUFUS! RUFUS! RUFUS!

2007-12-20T12:14:00.000-08:00

The audience claps at the very beginning of the 4 minute overture and throughout as the orchestra does selections of "The Trolly Song," "The Man That Got Away" and of course "Over The Rainbow." Then the audience roars as Rufus Wainwright takes the stage. I was lucky enough to be there that June night last summer as Rufus re-created Judy Garland's famous 1961 concert. Now with the release of RUFUS DOES JUDY I can go back and listen to it all over again. Re-creating a classic concert by a cultural icon is a daunting task to say the least, but it worked and this CD captures all of it. What comes across is ultimately devotion from one artist to another.

I remember listening to my copy of Judy Live At Carnegie Hall the week up until that night just so I could be prepared and I was not alone. The audience had done their homework too. I had gotten it when Capitol released a 40th anniversary edition a few years ago. I remember listening to it then and noting how passionate and fervent the audience was when she took the stage and throughout. She sang every hit and kept them begging for more. Rufus does the same. He talks when Judy talks and even messes up "You Go To My Head" just as Judy had done. The best thing about that night that comes across on this two CD set is the passion of the audience. We were all so happy to be there. I felt like I was taking part in some kind of cultural event and I know I wasn't alone.

There are some really terrific classic songs here from "Come Rain And Come Shine", "I Can't Buy You Anything But Love," to "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart", "That's Entertainment" and of course "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". It was quite a night and it's all here. It was also pointed out in a photo inside the playbill (and in the CD) that his parents—Loudan Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle—were in the audience in 1961. You can tell that family is so important to him as his mother and his sister Martha joined him on stage. Martha Wainwright does an amazing version of "Stormy Weather". I remember being completely blown away by her that night and that same goose-bump inducing performance is captured here.

I'm so happy to have a copy of this right now as it takes me back to that summer night on these cold days. These songs also seem completely perfect for this time of year. As I've said before, nostalgia is a powerful thing that can take you away. Whether it's from 1961 or from the summer of 2006, it's a wonderful trip to take.

I'M NOT THERE-THE MOVIE, THE MUSIC

2007-12-05T19:52:00.001-08:00

Creativity is thrilling to watch unravel and inspirational to experience as it happens. I walked out of Todd Haynes' new film I'M NOT THERE simply in awe and hard pressed to fully comprehend what I just saw. I knew only that I was fully entertained and energized about what I witnessed at the Film Forum. The story was non linear as it jumped from decade to decade without warning while it's subject matter—Bob Dylan— was played by six different actors. I've been a huge fan of Todd Haynes for years. I consider SAFE one of my favorite films and FAR FROM HEAVEN --oh Lord forget about it. Amazing.

In addition to six different actors playing the lead, Todd Haynes chose to film it in various styles. From the documentary-style of Christian Bale's folk singer turned evangelical to the surreal black and white cinema verite style of Cate Blanchett's Jude character dealing with sex, drugs and rock'n'roll of the 60s. Marcus Carl Franklin who plays the Dylan character Woody was a real standout for me. You meet him as he jumps aboard a speeding train and tells his story to two fellow hobos. He is wise beyond his years and in one scene a woman who's family has taken him in simply says "Sing about your own times." Was this what Dylan was told when he began his career as a Woody Gutherie like folk singer? The film doesn't come out and portray actual incidents apart from a reinterpreting of Dylan's move from folk to rock at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1965. Here it is shown as actual machine gun fire onto the crowd. Instead the film interprets and re-imagines the music and life of the singer songwriter and what perhaps influenced him. It was especially fascinating to me to see how the world related back to the various Dylan characters. In particular to Cate Blanchett's Jude and the violence and adoration of his fans.

My friend Katharine gave me a copy of the soundtrack the other day and I've been listening to it non-stop. Richie Havens' version of "Tombstone Blues", Jim James and Calexico's "Going to Aculpolco", "Ballad Of A Thin Man" by Stephen Malkmus and The Million Dollar Bashers and John Doe's "Pressing On" all featured in the film are true standouts. Other great tracks include Mason Jennings "The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll" (was that the character that told Woody in the film to sing about his own times?) , Cat Power's "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again" and Antony & The Johnson's version of "Knocking On Heaven's Door" are all terrific. The two CD set features eighteen tracks by such artists as Sonic Youth, Los Lobos, Iron & Wine, Willie Nelson and Yo La Tengo. It also contains the original version of the title track "I'm Not There" by Bob Dylan which was only available as a bootleg recording before this soundtrack. Todd Haynes also helped produce this soundtrack which is a great companion piece to the film.

Christine Vachon who help produce the film is quoted as saying, "The film is going to be inspired by Dylan's music and his ability to re-create and re-imagine himself time and time again," and that does a succinct job of wrapping up what it is about. Under Todd Haynes' direction it is a truly remarkable and unique film experience.

When I left the theater I walked north through Washington Square park in the cold and golden light of the late afternoon. I felt almost like I stepped out of Dylan's The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan album cover. I walked through a part of New York that was important in the folk music movement and to Dylan himself. As the film suggests Dylan is part of all of us. There and then not there.

KYLIE AND THE WALK HOME

2007-11-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

I was walking home tonight through the crowded streets of New York thinking about the day while trying to avoid slipping on the wet leaves. A friend of mine gave me a copy of Kylie Minogue's X as I was leaving so I thought I'd play it on my journey home. One word WONDERFUL.

Ok, ok. I know I can get carried away sometimes, but I have to say this album was the perfect remedy to a long day at work behind a computer. X is a blast from one song to the next. I found myself dancing at stop lights—much to the dismay of many onlookers. I didn't care. I was in a completely different place. I remember hearing the first track and the first single "2 Hearts" a few weeks ago and not really feeling it, but after listening to it again tonight with it's repeating chorus "I'm in love wooh" it had me hooked. Then it goes directly into one groove after the other with "Like A Drug", "In My Arms" "No More Rain" and "Sensitized", but I think the real standout is the track "Speakerphone". It's got her trademark sexy breathy vocals along with some really interesting vocal tricks and a great beat. I'm sure it will be another track that I'll obsess about on the way back to work.

This album and how it influenced my walk got me thinking about the lack of really great dance music out there these days. It also reminds me a bit of the new Britney Spears album Blackout which is another really good dance album that has unfortunately been overshadowed by Ms. Spears' current media meltdown. Maybe Britney should take a page from Kylie's book when it comes to life in the public eye. Kylie's various trials and tribulations aren't covered as widely here as opposed to the rest of the world, but when she is in the tabloids she seems to somehow rise above from any drama and not let it distract from her music. Her recent battle with breast cancer has also certainly endeared her to many.

I'm hoping that X will be released here soon as right now it's only available as an import. I was very lucky to get my hands on a copy today. Come one Kylie how about the rest of us? These days more than ever our world needs good dance music and a chance to take a wonderful escape.

SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS—BRINGING SOUL BACK

2007-11-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Word of mouth is a powerful thing. My friend first told me about Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings about a month ago after he got back from seeing her at The Apollo. He told me that she was sort of like the female James Brown and had rocked the theater with her powerful voice.

I was reading Stereogum last week and low and behold I came across a link to the video for their single "100 Days, 100 Nights." Wowee! It is so amazing. Turns out the video was filmed using two vintage television cameras purchased on Ebay for $50 each. The video looks like it came to us directly from The Ed Sullivan Show and took me a minute to explain to some of my friends that this was a new artist.

100 DAYS, 100 NIGHTS is actually Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings third album on the Brooklyn based Daptone Records. Sharon Jones, born Sharon Lafaye Jones in 1956, grew up practicing and performing James Brown songs with her brothers. Turns out they were all from the same town. According to the press release, it sounds like it wasn't until 2001 that Ms. Jones finally caught a break, found a home with the newly created Daptone Records, teamed up with the Dap Kings and released an album. Seems like timing is everything. The popularity of this old soul sound has increased tremendously this year with the success of Amy Winhouse's BACK TO BLACK as well as Mark Ronson covers album VERSION.

The next step for me was purchasing the new album on Itunes on Tuesday night. The title track it the most obvious hit, but I really enjoy the record from beginning to end. She has an amazing voice that needs its time in the sun. It might not have the same immediacy of Black To Black, but it's filled with heart and soul from beginning to end. It might be more about that great video right now for me, but the album really does deserve it's chance to shine.

Like I said, word of mouth is a powerful thing. Go tell a friend about Ms. Jones!

BEN LEE—TOTALLY RIPE

2007-10-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

"I'm writing pop songs. Done it for so long. Sometimes I dream about a chorus that's so clever and dumb. Now their telling me, the music industry, 'you can stay if you behave. be a good boy go to sleep' But I refuse to go numb."— Ben Lee

Oh remember 1995 when Ben Lee came on the scene with Grandpaw Would on the now defunct Grand Royal Records? Or better yet, how about his band Noise Addict's release the year before? The buzz-iest thing about Mr. Lee was the fact that he hadn't even hit puberty yet and was writing amazing pop songs. I still listen to "Away With The Pixies". There's been a lot of great albums along with way including the wonderful Breathing Tornados from 1999. He even does a great cover of "Wicked Little Town" from the Hedwig and the Angry Inch tribute album WIG IN A BOX. Looks like Ben is back in a great way with RIPE.

RIPE is a really great collection of twelve terrific pop songs. When most artists today only give us one or two songs and force us to pay $18 to put up with another ten tracks that are simply filler, Ben Lee has produced a true album that's great from beginning to end.

RIPE features a bunch of guests artists including Rooney on "American Television" a song about growing up in the 90s watching America and "being in love with possibility". "Birds And Bees" is a duet with Mandy Moore that reminds me of Nancy Sinatra's "Something Stupid". Other stand outs include "Home" in which he sings about loneliness, but that somber topic disappears among the raucous beat and suddenly you are singing along. One of the best songs on this album is "What Would JayZ Do". I think we all can benefit by taking the time to ask ourselves that from time to time when the going gets rough. He sings "What does he do when it's hard to get through?" The answer is probably something involving "the hottest chick in the game" or "vacationing in St.Tropez", but at the end of the day I think Ben's trying to tell us that everyone has got drama.

The world (and music business potentially) is truly a better place with Ben Lee in it. RIPE is proof of that.

DIE MOMMIE DIE—DIVA TO DIVA

2007-10-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

"Forgive my appearance. I've been up to my elbows all day in manure."

And with that Charles Busch enters stage left through the garden door dressed head to toe in a beautiful floral print dress/slacks combo. The hair and makeup are flawless. He hesitates and waits. The audience roars. He tilts his head and looks coyly at the crowd. More applause. Then he delivers his next line as the fading femme fatale Angela Arden.

That's Charles Busch the diva channeling another diva in his play DIE MOMMIE DIE now playing at the New World Stages here in New York. DIE MOMMIE DIE is Mr. Busch's return to Broadway and tells the story of Angela Arden and her rather dysfunctional family. It's filled with sex, blackmail and murder most sweet.

The play begins in 1957 with a series of projections telling the story of Arden's falling and fading star. At once America's Sweetheart as told through a series of magazine covers, movie stills and album covers. Angela now finds herself box office poison. Turns out Marie Antoinette -The Musical was a flop. Her career unwinds and her singing abilities falter. Also, there's mention of the tragic suicide death of her twin sister Barbara. All this leads to her retirement from show business.

It's now 1967, and that's where we join the action. She's married to Sol Sussman, a very famous Hollywood producer who's career seems to be on the decline as well. He's back from Europe trying with no success to raise funds for his latest feature. His over-excited/mini-skirt wearing daughter Edie is overjoyed at his return. Whereas his wife Angela is more interested in trying to revive her career and leaving Hollywood for a Greenwich Village apartment to share with her tennis instructor lover Tony. You realize that perhaps Tony might be more interested in Angela's money or perhaps something else. At one point she tells him, "You've slipped into my life as easily as vermouth into a glass of gin... quickly and just a bit too smooth." It's that kind of stilted language that runs rampant throughout the show. Needless to say the affair is discovered. Sol refuses to divorce her, cancels her comeback tour of the Catskill Resorts and worst of all cancels all her charge cards. She becomes a prisoner in her own home. Her only hope is murder. Cue the dramatic music and the arsenic laced suppository.

DIE MOMMIE DIE channels all the great horror suspense dramas from the 50s and 60s. Think Mildred Pierce meets Hush. . . Hush Sweet Charlotte while hanging out with Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? Charles Busch plays Angela Arden to perfection with a mix of Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Lana Turner. Some of the most entertaining moments are simply his dramatic entrances and exits. The costumes and wigs alone are worth the price of admission. The cast is great especially Kristine Nielsen as Bootsie the boozey/Bible beating/ Republican housekeeper. The revelatory LSD induced confession scene is a little too long and could use a bit of an edit, but overall DIE MOMMIE DIE is a campy fun night at the theater After a standing ovation Mr. Busch thanked the crowd for welcoming him back to the theater. I couldn't tell if that was Angela Arden or Charles Busch speaking. The lines between divas was blurred, but who cares. I could watch both of them over and over again.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS—GETTING IT RIGHT

2007-10-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been a bit uninspired to keep up on my blog. That changed tonight.

I just got home from seeing Lucinda Williams at Town Hall here in NYC. She is here all week performing various albums start to finish from her amazing career. Tonight I was lucky enough to see her perform 1998's CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD.

Car Wheels is not only one of my favorite Lucinda Williams albums, but it's also one of my favorite albums of all time. It was this album that garnered her critical acclaim, some mainstream success and earned her a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album. This album took Lucinda over six years to write and record.

It was also this quest for perfection that became apparent tonight. There were a few times when she stopped mid song because something wasn't right. That sent the pacing a bit off through out the evening, but I must say it made the night even more enjoyable for me. Seeing and artist perform with that kind of pursuit for perfections was very cool.

She spoke between sets about each song and what it meant. She talked about the first time she performed the title track in Memphis while her father was in the audience. The song is basically a series of images set to song about life growing up in the South. He came up to her afterwards and said, "I'm sorry." "Why," she said. "Because that's you as the little girl in that song." Which on a conscious level she never realized before. She talked about how "2 Cool 2 Be 4-gotten" was written on a New Years Day and inspired by two books of photography— Juke Joint: Photographs by Birney Imes and Appalachian Portraits by Shelby Lee Adams. I love that song with it's refrain "June Bug vs. Hurricane" and it's descriptive lyrics that make these world of photographs come alive.

I enjoyed listening to her talk and describe each song and how it came to be. It gave the audience an insight into her artistic process even if it meant stopping to get it right. She was joined on stage by several guests including Steve Earle. Without his help Car Wheels would have not existed according to her. He simply replied, "It was hard to fuck up great songs".

She finished the last song on the album (Jackson) and left the stage for a bit of an intermission. She came back to perform other songs from other albums including songs from her new album West. One of the highlights of the night was a duet she did with Steve Earle that was written in the vain of old country duets (think Tammy Wynette and George Jones) titled "Jail House Tears". It was a real treat. Steve Earle performed an amazing version of "Ellis Unit One" which was stunning. Another guest to join her was Fionn Regan. All I can say is wow. He only performed one song ("Be Good Or Be Gone") and left the stage to tremendous applause. I'm looking forward to learning more about him and his music.

One of the last songs she did was "Unsuffer Me" from West. This was also one of the songs she stopped and had to start from the beginning. Needless to say it was completely worth it as it left the audience on their feet yelling for more. She has a few more dates in the city and I urge anyone in town to see one of these shows. It was a wonderful evening watching this artist get it right. She mentioned a less than favorable review she got from Time Out New York. That seemed to set her off a bit, but she responded to the crowd, "listen I'm an artist not a performer. You get what you get." Yes, you do Lucinda and thank you for that.

TEGAN AND SARA–RIOT GRRRLS 2007

2007-09-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Oh sweet Tegan and Sara, how I love thee and your new album The Con. Let me count the ways.

No seriously, these two sisters from Canada have put together a great collection of catchy rock meets techno dance meets indie rock pop songs.
The Con is their fifth release and came out in July. I, of course being on the cutting edge, found out about it last week. Oy vey, I've got to get out more.

This is how I came to find out what I was missing. I was in Provincetown in early August when a local entertainment paper had an intriguing photo of both girls and a story of their album already in shops. Later that month, I was listening to Sirius Radio's Left Of Center Channel (which I highly recommend, especially their great Blog Radio program) and I heard this amazing pop/rock song called "Back In Your Head". Guess who? That's right. Tegan and Sara.

It's interesting how music industry folks talk about the decline of radio and the simple power of Word Of Mouth. When in my world it was a combo of several factors including radio. Maybe traditional radio is over and we are now getting our news and information from niche media outlets like Sirius' Left Of Center and local entertainment papers. The latest news is that Rick Rubin as head of Columbia Records is creating a Word Of Mouth department which is nothing more than street team marketing. Nothing new here folks. Anyway, I digress.

Pick up The Con from Tegan and Sara. Each track is a surprise with it's own influences. It is produced by Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla. Listening to The Con reminds me of the first time I found out about Sleater Kinney and listening to 1998's Dig Me Out. I have The New York Times to thanks for that one.

The Con harkens back to some of that Riot Grrl stuff going on in the 90s, but Tegan and Sara manage to put a whole new spin on it and give us something fresh to listen to. Thanks gals and see you in New York this November. Oh by the way, got a spare ticket?

US OPEN TODAY with James and Serena!

2007-08-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

STILL AN IMPERIAL TEEN 5 YEARS LATER

2007-08-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

"We had a party at the shim sham club
Youth in motion doubled up the buzz
Back and forth and back and in between
We sang and danced the band was rock-a-teen"—Shim Sham, Imperial Teen

I spent my lunch break going from store to store in the pouring rain today until I got my hands on THE HAIR, THE TV, THE BABY & THE BAND the newest album from Imperial Teen. I first tried Best Buy only to find the CD never arrived to their Chelsea store. I then jostled through a sea of umbrellas to the other side of the street to find one copy at Barnes & Noble. I probably ended up paying $3 more, but I didn't care. I got my copy! Did you get yours yet? You should.

This is Imperial Teen's first album in five years and it sounds as fresh to me as their first album Seasick. I never got why these guys were not at the top of all the charts and not in constant rotation on the radio and on MTV. But, then again radio only plays about five songs these days and MTV stopped playing videos years ago. Anyway, they are back after five years with a great collection of well crafted pop songs that make you want to jump out of your seat. Their songs are a perfect blend of female and male harmonies with each member taking turns on lead vocals. The songs are so much fun. The first single (per their website) is "Shim Sham" and it reminds me a bit of the B52s or better yet maybe The Mama's And The Papa's— it's as if Fred Schneider and Mama Cass had four spunky talented kids.

The album title refers to what the band has been up to over the last five years. Per Imperialteen.com—Jone has been styling and cutting hair, Roddy's been writing music for TV, Lynn has a new baby and Will has been touring the world with his other band Hey Willpower. Like old friends it's great catching up with them. I feel like we've just left off where we were five years ago with no awkward or uncomfortable pauses. You put this album in and it's a pure punk pop soundtrack to a happy happy day. It reminds me of my time growing up in LA. I'd go see them perform at Spaceland or The Troubadour at night and play Seasick loud in my car to and from work. It was a time of listening to That Dog (Anna Waronker co-produced this album with Red Kross' Steve McDonald), Weezer, Soul Coughing, Sleater Kinney and more. Oh the mid-nineties. Oh LA. On a very cool note, this album is dedicated to Randy Kaye who passed away suddenly last year. I knew Randy when I interned at Slash Records for a minute. I like the fact that they did that.

Imperial Teen to me I guess kind of represents that time in my life and nostalgia is a powerful thing. It's just good to know that they are back and back in a big way.

Provincetown

2007-08-15T08:15:00.001-07:00