Review: The Libertines: Time for Heroes: The Best of

My Libertines review can be found (click here) on treblezine.com


The Libertines
Time for Heroes: The Best of
Rough Trade
2007

"Reissue/repackage…re-evaluate the songs…double pack with a photograph…with a tacky badge."

These immortal words by Morrissey on "Paint a Vulgar Picture" from The Smiths' last opus Strangeways, Here We Come have been an omen to the band and lead singer himself. Guilty of the crimes he had been seething about so eloquently in that infamous song. Morrissey, himself, is set to release yet another solo hits collection, his sixth compilation since the demise of his former group. The question I have to ask is why? Why is this necessary to subject such a bludgeoning to the fan base who's so devoted to you?

To be fair, Morrissey isn't the only one who's committed these acts against his legions of followers. Many artists are guilty of doing so, and with more annoying results. Even though I'm not a fan of such a practice, there are bands that justify releasing a "best of" by adding a track or two. But there's a fallacy to the act of adding new material to a hits compilation—those songs have never been heard before, what makes them worthy of being a "hit" or inclusion on a "best of" CD? I would love an artist to answer that question for me.

For now, my beloved Libertines get to hear it from yours truly. If Time For Heroes is truly a best of collection, what happened to "Music When the Lights go Out?" And, why no "Good Old Days," one of the most quintessential of Libertines tracks? Now boys, why are you doing this to us? I know that things are looking up for you but how about a little quality control over the release of your back catalogue recordings? Why would you try to swindle your fans with such a shoddy compilation? Why not add new or unearthed tracks? And don't even try to justify the release of Time for Heroes by saying that the addition of "May Day" from the I Get Along EP as an unreleased song. Nice try, but I am not buying it.

I know there has to be a rare track or two in the cans. The inclusion of the Bernard Butler produced tracks, including the re-recorded "Death in the Stairs," are lovely additions but not enough. Why not release some live tracks or some rarities like the acoustic X-Mas version of "Time for Heroes" from Jo Whiley's BBC show, where Pete sings "Carlos with his Santa Claus hat?" How about the official release of such classic gems as "Breck Road Lover" and "You're my Waterloo?"

I have loved The Libertines since the good old days; the brilliant music you have created has changed my life. Why not release a compilation worthy of your legacy of greatness? Here's hoping the next time you boys get it right. Until then, I won't hold my breath for a Libertines reunion, but I can at least eagerly await the next Dirty Pretty Things and Babyshambles releases.

Adrian Ernesto Cepeda
12.07.2007

Review: Bob Dylan: Dylan

My Dylan review can be found (click here) on treblezine.com



Bob Dylan
Dylan
Sony/Legacy
2007

I've been on quite a Dylan kick recently since the release of Todd Haynes' magnificent anti-biopic I'm Not There. I would love to say that I've been listening to The American Bard, Bob, all my life but that would be far from the truth. Just like Shakespeare seemed to me in my younger days, Dylan was the one singer that I had to grow to connect with. It took many years to appreciate the infinite complexities and simple beauties that make up the many ballads, epics and lyrical anthems that he has written and recorded throughout his memorable career. It was actually after hearing U2's much criticized cover of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" on Rattle and Hum which got me curious about The Bard. (Incidentally, Dylan plays on a few tracks with U2 including organ on "Hawkmoon 269" and he co-wrote and sings on "Love Rescue Me.")

The first Dylan discs that I ever bought were Biograph and The Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3 1961-91. But still it wasn't till I was living alone, out of my elements, in New Orleans when the words of The Bard finally began to make sense to me in my new surroundings. To this day, I remember hearing Dylan crooning the lyrics to "Love Sick" as I walked the French Quarter streets during my years as a solitary man. His voice resonated through me during my years as a starving artist. I came to appreciate the poet and the singer whom for me was once a stranger in an alternate universe. It's amazing when I finally connected with his music and words. I was reborn, everything changed to me. I looked at life as two distinct periods: before and after Dylan. Before I was blind and confused, and after my rebirth I was awake, aware with a sense of poetic amazement that was missing from my past life.

Yes, this is how much Dylan influenced me, as much as Henry Miller, Mark Twain, Hunter S. Thompson and Shakespeare himself inspired me in my ever growing ways as a writer in residence whilst living in New Orleans. I would disappear weeks on end, writing in my one bedroom Uptown Apartment with Dylan's voice echoing from my stereo as my fingers hit the keyboard. If my friends heard Dylan was singing from my apartment, chances are I was on my computer, and they knew not to bother me.

Times may have changed but my devotion to Dylan continued throughout my many moves around these past few years. The release of this new compilation, Dylan, will bring a new generation of wide-eared, earnest music listeners to the world of this musical marvel. You will find his words beautifully strange at first but listen, really, let him reflect his timeless voice through out you. You will hear shades of your own life, loves, fears, hopes and dreams throughout many of these tracks. The world you always wanted to live in. The girl you always wanted to fall in love with. All of this and more come to life when you press play.

Listening to Dylan is more than to hear a CD. It's an experience worthy of the Springsteen quote—You'll learn more in a three-minute record than you'll ever learn in school. You can bet The Boss was definitely talking about this timeless songwriter. Dylan is the perfect introduction to the School of Bob. This collection is separated in three CDs. The first showcases the Early Years, from 1962's "Song to Woody (Guthrie)" to 1967's "All Along the Watchtower." Disc Two focuses on the seventies, when Dylan's popularity hit its pinnacle from 1969's "Lay Lady Lay" all the way to 1985's "Not Dark Yet." The last volume in this superb collection is the Dylan of late from 1986's epic "Brownsville Girl" to 2006's "When the Deal Goes Down."

Is this the best collection available? Arguably, yes. Although I do tend to favor Biograph and the first Bootleg Series collection, Dylan is the best because of the mastering and the sequencing of the songs. Selected to stir and move you while reflecting on this amazing 3 CD set, you will discover why he is America's Poet Laureate of Rock. Throughout his many incarnations of folk singer, rock, alt-country and 21st Century rocker, Dylan has remained an artist looking forward, relented in searching for his muses through his many voices the results in this amazing collection are pure poetic gold.

So before or after watching I'm Not There, I recommend investing in this must-have document of The American Bard. Dylan will take you to places you have longed to discover inside of you. He sings for all of us in a voice sometimes not so easy to comprehend, but you will understand his message of life, love, faith and despair. Sing along and you will feel the resurrection shaking you into a personal state that reflects truth, beauty and hope that's pure Bob Dylan. Through the shadows of the past in a glimpse of the future that sounds like nothing before and after, you will be changed for the better. Believe Me—how does it feel?

Adrian Ernesto Cepeda
12.05.2007

Review: Soulsavers: It's Not How Far You Fall, It's Where You Land

My Soulsavers review can be found (click here) on treblezine.com



Soulsavers
It's Not How Far You Fall, It's Where You Land
Columbia-Red Ink
2007

What do you get when you combined the electronic eccentricities of Death in Vegas, mixed with atmospheric lush keys of Moby and the darkened gospel of one Mark Lanegan? The result is the Soulsavers. The perfect name for this band and since we are coming up to the end of the year, one of the best and unheard and soon to be underground classics of 2007.

Personally speaking, It's not How Far You Fall, It's where you Land, is the theme of where I was at the beginning of the year. Where were you in January, Soulsavers? Oh well, better late than never. This album is like the soundtrack to a 21st Century resurrection. I've already seen the light and come out of the other side glowing, stronger and better than ever. It's not How Far You Fall is for when you're ready to get up off the ground and peel off those scars in your new and unfamiliar skin, feel the revival in your bones and in your veins.

Speaking of which, "Revival" is the opening cut of the album. It's impossible not to feel inspired by this soulful number. It's like a Southern Gothic soul number with Mark Lanegan crooning "Wanna see revival tonight/Lord, it needs to be revival," backed by gospel singers that you would find singing to the heavens at any church in New Orleans. I was moved throughout "Revival" especially by the soulful organ keys; I felt like shouting, "I was blind now I can see!"

Soulsavers don't leave you hanging at the gates, no sir—the journey with Mark Lanegan as your guide continues with the funky and faithful "The Ghost of You and Me." This song feels like it's haunted, with twisted sax solos and distinctive backing beats that will have your heart racing, ready for more lyrical sermons.

I've always said that Mark Lanegan is the Post Modern Johnny Cash. He's doesn't just dress in black, though—Lanegan is The Man of Midnight. He is darkness incarnate with the light of devotion burning within him. It's this dichotomy of faith and fire that I have always respected from this timeless vocalist. Without his voracious vocals, Soulsavers would be soulless and empty. Lanegan continues his search for salvation on "Paper Money." He sings "Don't you ever leave me baby/ I believe that you can save me/ Heaven, just a taste/ Heaven's so far away." It's as if Lanegan's seeking for his savior outside the holy halls of a church inside his lovers arms. He believes in something, someone out there, rather than a deity it sounds like this soul singer would rather kneel down for just a touch of love.

"Are those halos in your hair/ or diamonds shining there/without a hope without a prayer?" Lanegan sings continuing his search for the one in "The Kingdom of Rain." In this largely acoustic number, Mark's deep vocals are showcased like a loner crooning to the stars: "Before I go I'm hanging on a cross on the nail/I hung on for you in there." He echoes throughout this lament as an ode to the love he's dying to find. Listen for the Neil Young cover of "Through My Sails," a duet with The Sultan of Sorrow, Bonnie "Prince" Billy. This beautiful number is one of the album's staples carries on journey you can feel Lanegan and Billy reaching new heights as they croon together, "Still glaring from the city lights/ into paradise I soared/ unable to come down."

I've always said that Mark Lanegan is the Post Modern Johnny Cash. He's doesn't just dress in black, though—Lanegan is The Man of Midnight. He is darkness incarnate with the light of devotion burning within him. It's this dichotomy of faith and fire that I have always respected from this timeless vocalist. Without his voracious vocals, Soulsavers would be soulless and empty. Lanegan continues his search for salvation on "Paper Money." He sings "Don't you ever leave me baby/ I believe that you can save me/ Heaven, just a taste/ Heaven's so far away." It's as if Lanegan's seeking for his savior outside the holy halls of a church inside his lovers arms. He believes in something, someone out there, rather than a deity it sounds like this soul singer would rather kneel down for just a touch of love.

"Are those halos in your hair/ or diamonds shining there/without a hope without a prayer?" Lanegan sings continuing his search for the one in "The Kingdom of Rain." In this largely acoustic number, Mark's deep vocals are showcased like a loner crooning to the stars: "Before I go I'm hanging on a cross on the nail/I hung on for you in there." He echoes throughout this lament as an ode to the love he's dying to find. Listen for the Neil Young cover of "Through My Sails," a duet with The Sultan of Sorrow, Bonnie "Prince" Billy. This beautiful number is one of the album's staples carries on journey you can feel Lanegan and Billy reaching new heights as they croon together, "Still glaring from the city lights/ into paradise I soared/ unable to come down."

And even though you won't want this trip to end, Soulsavers have saved the best for the finale—a gospel tinged cover of Rolling Stones "No Expectations." The end of the road never sounded this hopefully, beautiful and free. "Our love is like our music/ its here, and then it's gone" are the words that perfectly speak to the feeling I had at the conclusion of It's not How Far You Fall, It's where you Land. You're left dying to re-experience this righteous adventure again.

Though the name of the band is Soulsavers, the star of this show is definitely Mark Lanegan. He's a midnight singer whose voice is like a cigarette burning brightly in the dark. We follow his smoky flavor with songs like hymns, darkened with doubt but still shining with the hope of fulfillment. In every breath he croons for all of us who have fallen and are ready to continue our fight of survival. Lanegan's voice inspires you to believe in yourself and to sing the songs of your own salvation louder than ever before.

Adrian Ernesto Cepeda
12.04.2007

Column: Don't Think Twice It's Alright : Dylan Cover Songs

My Don't Think Twice It's Alright column can be found (click here) on treblezine.com



Don't Think Twice It's Alright

With the release of the soundtrack to Todd Haynes' Dylan biopic I'm Not There, I took it upon myself to go through the archives to find my favorite Bob Dylan covers that I feel are a fitting homage to our greatest living singer/songwriter.

1. Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians – "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall."

From the soundtrack of Oliver Stone's Born of the Forth of July comes this perfect rendition of the Dylan classic. It's original, vibrant and Edie's vocal makes it her own. I actually prefer this to the original.


2. Sophie Zelmani – "Most of the Time"

This song, from a Swedish singer/songwriter who has been compared to Bob, appeared in Masked and Anonymous, which also starred Dylan. It feels like one of her own songs, the way she almost whispers the vocal as if she's reciting a letter in song. I love the echoing guitar solo; it's like a movie flashback coming to life.

3. Johnny Marr – "Don't Think Twice it's Alright."

I was never fan of this ex-Smiths founder and guitarist's solo output, mainly because I could never get past his awkward lyrics. But this version with Marr's trademark harmonica is an acoustic treat that Smiths fans need to seek out.

4. George Harrison – "Mama You've been on my Mind"

From the tumultuous and often bootlegged Get Back/Let It Be Sessions comes this acoustic gem captured on tape by Dylan's pal George Harrison. So intimate in nature this cover is worthy of unearthing by all Fab Fans everywhere.

5. Polly Jean Harvey – "Highway 61 Revisited"

PJ rocks this version from her Albini-produced Rid of Me album, enunciating every syllable of Dylan's lyrics while laying down killer riffs on this classic. Harvey captures the mystical aspect of Dylan's words while giving it the PJ power stroke that we all know and adore.

6. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - "Death is Not the End"

Polly Jean makes an appearance along with Kylie Minogue, Anita Lane and The Pogues' Shane McGowan on this all-star tribute. This rarely remembered yet stirring Dylan number makes for the perfect finale to Cave's Murder Ballads album. Play it and sing along with your drunken barflies during last call at your favorite pub.

7. Cassandra Wilson – "Shelter from the Storm"

The most original of all the covers is this "shelter" from Southern Jazz vocalist Wilson. A perfect blend of Deep South acoustic and her breathy midnight layered vocal.

8. Norah Jones – "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"

America's favorite torch song piano vocalist brings to life this rare cover, crooning over her delicate piano keys. Play this song on your next dinner date with candles and wine to set the mood.

9. Jeff Buckley – "I Shall Be Released"

Buckley performs this version, my favorite of his covers, over the phone on WFMU circa 1992. Even through the telephone, the magic of Buckley's voice comes through as he captures the essence of Dylan's words in this most incredible rendition of this classic.

10. M. Ward with Beth Orton- "Buckets of Rain"

One of my favorite singers, M. Ward, in an aching duet with Orton, brings this Dylan classic to light in this tender yet live setting.

Honorable Mentions:

Jimi Hendrix - "All Along the Watchtower"

Of course, the version by which all Dylan covers are measured. This rendition was so original that after hearing Hendrix's version Dylan has continuously played Jimi's arrangement of his song. This will undoubtedly go down as one the best cover songs ever.

The Rolling Stones – "Like a Rolling Stone"

The Stones finally covered the song which Dylan name checked their band, more a tribute to a Muddy Waters track than the band itself. It's fitting to hear Mick Jagger sing Dylan's words "How does it feel to be on your own…like a Rolling Stone." Art imitates life, indeed.

M.Ward. Conor Oberst and Jim James - "Girl from the New Country"

This rare live cut from the Monsters of Folk tour featuring Ward, Mr. Bright Eyes and My Morning Jacket's James is, wait for it...legendary. Hearing this eclectic trio trade Dylan lyrics is a once in a lifetime event.

Cat Power - "Oh Sister/Knocking on Heaven's Door"

What can you say about the sultry Chan Marshall? She does Bob right, soulful, beautiful and true. The best version of "Door" ever, Lady Cat Marshall sounds simply heavenly.

Adrian Ernesto Cepeda
11.27.2007