Category: CD’s

I KEEP COMING BACK TO YOU (by Suzy Bogguss: Something Up My Sleeve)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:08 Min.

This country track appears second on Suzy Bogguss’ 1993 album: Something Up My Sleeve.

REVIEW:

Anchored by a likable melody, the tune’s radio-friendliness is ideal for Suzy Bogguss’ endearingly low-key style. Though the lyrics are standard-issue for the genre, her spot-on vocal delivery makes up the difference. “I Keep Coming Back To You” offers a solid choice for newcomers wanting to hear an underrated Bogguss at her best.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVING YOU (by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts: Up Your Alley)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:06 Min.

It’s the lead cut off Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ 1988 Up Your Alley album. In addition to regular radio play, this hard rock classic was covered by Faith Hill as the opening theme song for NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

REVIEW:

This dynamite effort is Joan Jett at her best. If there’s any song in Jett’s arsenal that defines her husky vocals and trademark caterwauling, it’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” Both the lyrics and the formidable melody from The Blackhearts powering this tune dish out plenty of Late 80s’ nostalgia. Absolutely recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Note: From this same album, Jett’s “I Wanna Be Your Dog” copies essentially the same melody. However, the tune is as awful as its title implies.

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

JEALOUSY (by Natalie Merchant: Tigerlily)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:41 Min.

After departing 10,000 Maniacs, its lead vocalist, Natalie Merchant, launched her solo debut with 1995’s Tigerlily album. This soft rock track, along with “Carnival” and “Wonder,” were radio hits and inspired MTV music videos. “Jealousy” was written by Merchant herself.

REVIEW:

Its running length correctly implies album filler, but “Jealousy” easily surpasses modest expectations. From an upbeat vocal performance by Natalie Merchant and a catchy melody, this song wisely keeps this tune short. More significantly, a Merchant’s insightful lyrics re: a love triangle of sorts expresses plenty in few words. For those who haven’t listened to Tigerlily before, this soft-spoken tune makes a tempting advertisement to seek this album for several high-caliber tracks

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

JEZEBEL (by 10,000 Maniacs: MTV Unplugged)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:07 Min.

This live 1993 performance of 10,000 Maniacs comes from their MTV Unplugged album recorded from the same-named cable TV series. Natalie Merchant was still the group’s lead vocalist at the time.

REVIEW:

This low-key, piano-driven ballad enjoys a beautiful sound, though Natalie Merchant’s soft vocals are initially almost too faint to be audible. Once her thoughtful voice comes to life, this tune transforms into possibly the album’s underrated gem. Concluding their MTV Unplugged concert, 10,000 Maniacs chose this album’s finale well.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

JUMP JIVE AN’ WAIL (by The Brian Setzer Orchestra: The Dirty Boogie)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:53 Min.

From The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 1998 Dirty Boogie album, this rollicking swing jazz/pop tune is its sixth track. It’s also a cover of Louis Prima’s 1956 hit song.

REVIEW:

This is vintage Brian Setzer, as he brings to life retro-swing jazz with a modern dance hall twist. It’s just a blast to listen to. Further, as most of its tracks do, “Jump Jive An’ Wail” is an ideal sample of The Dirty Boogie. If you enjoy this song, then you will likely love Setzer’s album.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: Another exhilarating choice for contemporary swing jazz/pop is Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s self-titled 1994 album.

FACE TO FACE (by Siouxsie & The Banshees: Twice Upon a Time – The Singles)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:25 Min.

Recorded by the British band, Siouxsie and the Banshees, it’s the sole non-instrumental on 1992’s Batman Returns movie soundtrack. The band collaborated with the film’s score composer, Danny Elfman, on “Face to Face.” This song initially appears late in the film when Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne meets up with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Selina Kyle at a posh holiday party. Released in July 1992, the song was simultaneously included on Siouxsie and The Banshees’ retrospective album: Twice Upon a Time: The Singles released that same year.

REVIEW:

It’s a sultry goth-punk ode to Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, as “Face to Face” contemplates her ongoing conflict with duality (and, not to mention, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne/Batman). The song’s placement within the movie itself is ideal, in terms of spelling out Selina Kyle/Catwoman’s inner turmoil.

“Face to Face” also succeeds in subtly hinting how the film resolves her character’s on-screen identity crisis. Both its seductive melody and Siouxsie Sioux’s slinky vocals (closely matching Pfeiffer’s own voice) add extra depth to the film’s enigmatic take on Catwoman.

However, as a download option, due to its sexual inferences, “Face to Face” definitely isn’t a kiddie-friendly song.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

EVAN (by Jan Hammer: Miami Vice, Volume 1 TV soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:06 Min.

The instrumental “Evan” was recorded by Jan Hammer for Miami Vice’s first soundtrack, which was released in 1985. The track memorably appears in the final minutes of the same-named first-season episode guest-starring William Russ as an ill-fated undercover informant. “Evan” was regularly utilized throughout the 1985-89 NBC TV series.

REVIEW:

Short of the TV series theme itself, “Evan” is quite likely the best Jan Hammer instrumental from Miami Vice. Its hauntingly downbeat sound reverberates as Miami Vice’s go-to theme for a pivotal dramatic tragedy. For instance, this track narrates (and plausibly enhances) a further revelation compounding Sonny Crockett’s devastating grief over his wife’s murder in the Season Four finale in 1988.

Considering how valuable it was to the TV series, this track’s effectiveness can’t be overstated. For Jan Hammer enthusiasts and/or instrumental playlists (not to mention Miami Vice-themed lists), “Evan” is a can’t-miss prospect as a download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD {1986’s Highlander} (by Queen: A Kind of Magic, 1991 re-release)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:37 Min.

Recorded by Queen for the 1986 Highlander film, this upbeat rock track later made its CD debut in 1991 upon A Kind of Magic’s re-release. Joan Armatrading makes a vocal cameo.

REVIEW:

Considering its dark humor re: Highlander’s premise, this up-tempo track is actually pretty catchy. Another asset is that it stands out more than some of the album’s filler efforts: “Friends Will Be Friends” and “Pain is So Close to Pleasure.” In that context, “Don’t Lose Your Head” has potential as a solo download. Since there aren’t any movie dialogue clips included, it could readily pass as a regular Queen song of the mid-80’s.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

BREATHE AGAIN (by Toni Braxton: Toni Braxton)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:29 Min.

From her 1993 self-named debut album, this track would serve as Toni Braxton’s signature radio hit.

REVIEW:

Toni Braxton’s sultry, down-to-earth vocals on “Breathe Again” are something of a revelation. Courtesy of Babyface’s classy lyrics, Braxton capitalizes on the song’s low-key R&B romanticism by not showing off. Instead, she knows exactly the right moments when to imbue her personality into this classy song. “Breathe Again” ages well as an ideal showcase for Braxton’s talents.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: Another track worth checking out is Braxton’s duet with Babyface on “Give U My Heart” from 1992’s Boomerang movie soundtrack. Suffice to say, Braxton’s performance overshadows her mentor.