SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:44 Min.
Originally, this radio hit came off Billy Joel’s 1978 album, 52nd Street. It later served as the theme song for the Tom Hanks-Peter Scolari 1980-82 ABC TV sitcom, Bosom Buddies.
REVIEW:
No matter how dated, “My Life” remains wonderfully vibrant. In terms of some vintage Billy Joel, this feel-good download fits any home or work playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:57 Min.
Covering ABBA, Meryl Streep performs this tune for Mamma Mia!’s 2008 soundtrack.
REVIEW:
This poignant take on “The Winner Takes It All” is definitely one of the soundtrack’s highlights. Meryl Streep’s artistic versatility, not to mention her expressive vocal range, is most impressive here – it’s a similar gift that Helen Reddy had. Gradually transforming this reflective ballad into a soaring pop tune is no easy task, but Streep accomplishes it with aplomb.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
Note: Streep’s dynamite rendition of “Mamma Mia” from the same album is also highly recommended.
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.
As the lead cut off their same-titled 1984 album, “The Warrior” endures as Scandal’s signature radio hit. Although credited as a featured vocalist, Patty Smyth was in fact the band’s lead singer.
Note: The song’s co-composer is Holly Knight. Knight’s resumé includes writing/co-writing multiple Tina Turner hits, such as “The Best” and Grammy-winning “Better Be Good to Me;” Aerosmith’s “Rag Doll;” and Animotion’s “Obsession.”
REVIEW:
The primary reason this energetic tune sounds so reminiscent of Pat Benatar and Joan Jett isn’t just Patty Smyth’s vocal style; rather, it’s attributable to songwriter/musician Holly Knight. Having composed both 1985’s “Invincible” and, before that, 1983’s Grammy-winning “Love is a Battlefield” for Benatar, Knight’s assertive fingerprints are evident on “The Warrior.”
Hearing the way Patty Smyth croons its aggressive lyrics, there’s no mistaking that this formulaic tune came from Knight’s arsenal of high-powered 80’s female empowerment rock. While Scandal’s instrumentals are terrific, they are frankly indistinguishable from similar bands of this era. What readily sells “The Warrior” is Smyth’s knockout delivery. Even if the song falls short on originality, this track is still worth adding to any workout or dance party playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.
For this 2013 single, Norwegian composer-musician Thomas Bergersen creates a low-key ballad with one of his regular collaborators: vocalist Merethe Soltvedt.
REVIEW:
Thomas Bergersen delivers another terrific effort with “The Hero in Your Heart.” His low-key instrumental work conveys a sense of calmness as if awaiting some undefined threat. Representing one’s summoning of emotional courage, Soltvedt’s serene vocals further enhance this track’s classiness. Considering how four minutes flies by surprisingly fast, the song is reminiscent of catchy instrumentals utilized for fantasy movie trailers. Accordingly, “The Hero In Your Heart” makes a worthy contrast to Bergersen’s far bolder epic instrumentals.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:07 Min.
For their 2017 album, Memories … Do Not Open, The Chainsmokers get an assist from Coldplay on this rock homage to super-heroes. The credited composer is Guy Berryman.
REVIEW:
Echoing the romantic analogy to play grown-up in a relationship vs. just reading kiddie comic books, it’s an excellent track. Not only are the lyrics spot-on, The Chainsmokers & Coldplay take full advantage of this song’s appealing melody. “Something Just Like This” is a worthwhile choice for any number of contemporary rock playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: Thematically, another download option is 2014’s “Superheroes” by The Script, from the album: No Sound Without Silence.
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:12 Min.
It’s the title track (Track # 5) off Toni’s Braxton’s 2020 R&B album. Johnny Yukon is credited for additional vocals.
REVIEW:
Leading off with a nice intro from Johnny Yukon, “Spell My Name” seeks to demonstrate that Toni Braxton is still on her game. Despite its contemporary pop/R&B sound, this tune is frankly a disappointment. Aside from seeking a Beyoncé-style radio hit, there’s nothing distinctive about the song itself. Worst yet, the short running time doesn’t give Braxton’s smoky voice enough to do. Hence, “Spell My Name” come off as if it’s glorified filler.
Braxton’s best works (i.e. “Another Sad Love Song;” “Breathe Again;” and Love Shoulda Brought You Home” – all from her 1992-93 self-titled debut album) permit her vocals sufficient time (say, at least four minutes) to express and even transform a song’s lyrics into some high-caliber R&B/soul. “Spell My Name” isn’t close to the same league; it’s really a sampler by comparison.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:07 Min.
This 2011 hard rock/metal track from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was deployed at one time as wrestler Cody Rhodes’ entrance theme. “Smoke And Mirrors” has appeared on some WWE multi-media projects, i.e. compilation CD’s and video games.
REVIEW:
Courtesy of a pulsating dance-rock beat and pitch-perfect vocals, “Smoke And Mirrors” is an underrated gem! Its instrumental gimmickry is extensive, but the energizing end result pays off. This track is well worth the download for rock playlists and definitely for workouts.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 46:00 Min.
Tunnel of Love is Bruce Springsteen’s eighth studio album released on October 9, 1987, by Columbia Records. This twelve-track album was recorded from January through July of 1987.
Note: Despite the insert’s first paragraph claiming Tunnel of Love as Springsteen’s fourth album, it’s actually his eighth!
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REVIEW:
Tunnel of Love had the difficult task of following up Springsteen’s prior album, Born in the U.S.A.. In hopes to be original, Tunnel of Love has an almost entirely different sound. Every track is a love song of some sort — some with a bitter tone and others with a more lighthearted one. Ain’t Got You is a failed attempt at R&B, and no one would blame you for hitting the skip button.
In Tougher Than The Rest, Springsteen sings about two lovers who have a lot of baggage from their prior relationships. It’s simplistic yet sweet getting its point across to the listener. The same could be said for the third track on the album, All That Heaven Will Allow. It’s an upbeat, run-of-the-mill love song, but it does its job. Spare Parts shows the first signs of Springsteen’s storytelling ability. The title and chorus are forgettable, but the other verses aren’t so bad. Even so, other songs like The River have similar messages and are vastly superior to this one.
The fifth song, Cautious Man, is a mellow, Nebraska-esque track that again tells the story of a failing relationship. The song is pretty good, but it once again feels like already-charted territory with The River’s Stolen Car. Regardless, it’s worth a listen. Walk Like A Man describes someone trying to follow in his father’s footsteps by being a caring father and husband. It’s fine but nothing great.
The title track, Tunnel of Love, is where this album really takes off. Tunnel of Love distances itself from the stripped-down and explicit lyrics of the other six tracks that came before it. Springsteen compares a tunnel of love to a marriage, and it works beautifully. Springsteen also fully utilizes synthesizers, Patti Scialfa’s back-up vocals, and Max Weinberg’s drums. The title track is one of the best from Tunnel of Love as it feels more complete than many of the other songs.
Two Faces reverts back to the other five songs’ slow pace and raw tone. The main character in the song loves his partner yet mistreats her at the same time. It’s an interesting theme, but there are better songs on the album that do a better job of sending this message. Brilliant Disguise is arguably Springsteen’s best song from the post-Born in the U.S.A. era. Like Tunnel of Love, the use of drums, piano, and an electric organ work very well with Springsteen’s vocals and guitar. Brilliant Disguise is truly one of the best songs of Springsteen’s career.
One Step Up uses multiple analogies to describe a relationship that can’t be salvaged. It’s more complete than many of the other songs on Tunnel of Love, but it isn’t quite as good as Brilliant Disguise or the title track. The eleventh track, When You’re Alone, is what it sounds like. The character is lonely and reminiscing on his past relationship with someone. Nothing elaborate but it works fine. The final song, Valentine’s Day, shows a man who is ready to finally settle down. It’s an okay song but nothing more than that.
The only major flaw with Tunnel of Love is the lack of diversity between its themes. Many of the songs tell similar stories to others on the album. The majority feel incomplete or come off as filler tracks. None of them are particularly bad; however, only a few on this album could be considered highlights of Springsteen’s career.
ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:03 Min.
Originally released as the lead cut off 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II movie soundtrack, this Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band pop-rock track would eventually resurface on their 2003 Greatest Hits, Volume 2.
Note: Among the song’s composers is Harold Faltermeyer, who had previously scored 1986’s Top Gun.
REVIEW:
Still packing a wallop, “Shakedown” is vintage, high-octane Seger! The upbeat melody’s catchiness, some top-notch electric guitar work, and Seger’s energetic vocals makes it a terrific ‘80s tune. The co-producers of Beverly Hills Cop II, Don Simpson & Jerry Bruckheimer, made a inspired choice recruiting Seger for this hard-charging track re: an L.A. cop tenaciously pursuing an elusive criminal’s arrest. “Shakedown” is an ideal addition to any workout or road trip playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:46 Min.
For their 1997 album, Love Among the Ruins, 10,000 Maniacs reinvented their MTV-friendly sound by promoting back-up singer/violinist, Mary Ramsey, to replace Natalie Merchant as lead vocalist. Ramsey also plays the viola for this album. The breezy “Rainy Day” serves as the album’s lead-off track.
REVIEW:
One might well have preferred Natalie Merchant’s demure voice interpreting this upbeat tune. Still, her replacement, Mary Ramsey, imbues “Rainy Day” with an endearingly sunny vibe. Further, Ramsey’s gentle vocals are easily understood, which offers an asset over Merchant’s tendency to mumble lyrics. “Rainy Day” isn’t a Top-Five 10,000 Maniacs gem, but it has instant appeal for any soft rock playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
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