SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:45 Min.
It’s the second track off Coldplay’s 2014 album, Ghost Stories.
REVIEW:
Coldplay delivers an ideal slice of smooth rock, as this tune makes for some great repetitive listening. “Magic” is definitely recommended for any soft rock playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: COMBINED RUNNING TIME: 199 Min.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen three-disc set was released on November 11, 2003, by Sony BMG. The tracks were recorded from 1972-2002. This anthology includes studio recordings, outtakes, live show performances, and covers.
Disc 1 (running time: 76 Min.)
Disc 2 (running time: 76 Min.)
Limited Edition Disc 3 (running time: 47 Min.)
The set’s booklet includes lyrics to each song; photos from Springsteen’s career; credits; and an opening message for the listener.
Note: This set was re-released in 2015 with two discs and a new set of songs, but it retains the same title and packaging.
REVIEW:
Disc 1
Disc 1 has almost everything 70s and early-80s Springsteen fans could ask for. Of the fifteen songs chosen for Disc 1, it’s hard to argue that any of them should be taken off. There are songs about being young and bold like “Born to Run;” in contrast, there’s the despair of the 1970s American landscape heard in Badlands and The Promised Land. Songs of triumph, songs of letdown — this first disc is what makes Bruce Springsteen “The Boss.”
Disc 2
Disc 2 picks up from where Disc 1 left off, chronicling Springsteen’s career, from his most recognizable work, Born in the U.S.A., through the 1990s, to his reunion with the E Street Band. Much like Disc 1, it’s difficult to argue that any of these songs aren’t among Springsteen’s greatest hits. There’s great variety, too, including songs about growing old to hits like The Rising and Born in the U.S.A. that address American turmoil. This disc finds an excellent balance between Springsteen’s up-beat 80s tempo to his later, more ominous tone.
Limited Edition Disc 3
Disc 3 is a mix of studio outtakes, covers, and live show performances. Few, if any of these tracks, should be considered part of an “essential” Bruce Springsteen set. None of the songs are bad. However, nothing about them is memorable, nor did this anthology need a third disc.
If those involved felt a third disc was necessary, there are notable songs that didn’t make the cut. On the first page of the booklet included in this set, Springsteen remarks, “In any body of work there are obvious high points. The rest depends on who’s doing the listening.” He then goes on to mention “Grown’ Up,” “Racing in the Street,” “Backstreets,” and “My City of Ruins,” implying that they were considered for the album, but they weren’t some of Springsteen’s personal favorites. Even so, those four tracks and many more could have easily made up a third track worth of greatest hits.
Ultimately, the first two discs are a Springsteen fan’s dream, but the third disc could be viewed as a letdown.
PACKAGING:
There isn’t anything significantly special with the packaging. Fortunately, the discs aren’t stacked, which may help prevent long-term damage.
ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:16 Min.
From her 1990 album, Have You Seen Me Lately?, Carly Simon wrote and performs this track. As for the ‘gate’ in question, Simon’s tune contemplates a long-missed lover’s release from prison.
REVIEW:
“Waiting at the Gate” melds Carly Simon’s wistful vocals with an upbeat melody. Suffice to say, it’s impressive storytelling, as Simon brings this easy-listening tune to life. Brimming with hope, it’s a thoughtful and intriguing track worth re-discovery.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:53 Min.
It’s the sixth track off U2’s seminal 1987 album, The Joshua Tree.
REVIEW:
Overshadowed by the album’s hit tracks: “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “Without Or Without You,” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” this tune is possibly The Joshua Tree’s best filler track. At a minimum, even if the song isn’t radio-friendly, it possesses that distinctive U2 sound to enhance an intriguing set of lyrics. For those listeners downloading The Joshua Tree, “Red Hill Mining Town” is a track worth checking out.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:22 Min.
Deniece Williams recorded this romantic R&B-dance-pop tune for 1984’s Footloose movie soundtrack. Her credited back-up vocalists are George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, as it’s prior to their formation as the pop duo known as ‘Boy Meets Girl.’
Along with the album’s title track, this radio-friendly tune was nominated for the 1985 Academy Award for Best Original Song. Including the soundtrack’s 1998 15th Anniversary Edition, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” has subsequently appeared on a number of ‘80s pop compilation albums.
REVIEW:
Though this song’s melody is dated, it doesn’t diminish the stellar job Deniece Williams does. Perfectly suited for Footloose’s storyline, the tune’s sunny charm is still magnetic. “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” would be a fun choice to add to ‘80s pop, soundtrack, and even aerobic workout playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:38 Min.
First appearing on Seal’s 1994 self-titled album (also known as Seal II), this love song’s popularity, of course, comes from 1995’s Batman Forever film soundtrack. In addition to a MTV music video, the song went to score three Grammys. Although it might well have won an Oscar, “Kiss From a Rose” was technically ineligible because the song hadn’t been created for the film.
REVIEW:
If there is a definitive Seal hit, “Kiss From a Rose” fits the bill. Taking full advantage of its exuberant melody, Seal’s vocals on this romantic track are fabulous. Highly recommended!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
Note: Other tracks from this album worth considering include: Brandy’s “Where Are You Now?” and The Devlins’ “Crossing The River.”
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:30 Min.
Recorded by Method Man, it’s the tenth tune off 1995’s Batman Forever movie soundtrack.
REVIEW:
Maybe it sounded hip for its time, but this rap track is easily forgettable. Its melody is okay, but the song itself merely takes up space on the Batman Forever album.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:53 Min.
This live 1993 performance by 10,000 Maniacs is the first track off their MTV Unplugged album recorded from the same-named cable TV series. Natalie Merchant was the group’s lead vocalist at the time.
REVIEW:
It’s vintage 10,000 Maniacs, as Natalie Merchant’s low-key voice and the group’s instrumentals are at their best. This effervescent rendition of “These Are Days” is a nostalgic time warp for the band’s fans. The track is a superb download option.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:45 Min.
Recorded for the 1983 Eddie and the Cruisers film soundtrack, John Cafferty (as the fictional Eddie Wilson’s singing voice) and The Beaver Brown Band (as the fictional Cruisers) perform this bittersweet rock ballad.
REVIEW:
Bringing the film’s signature ballad to life, John Cafferty and saxophonist Wendell “Tunes” Antunes, in particular, are superb. For soft rock aficionados, this track is heartily recommended. Considering that actress Helen Schneider’s version (as Cruiser ‘Joann Carlino’) of “Tender Years” is also briefly heard in the film, it’s a shame that her rendition isn’t included on the soundtrack.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:42 Min.
Recorded for the 1983 Eddie and the Cruisers film soundtrack, John Cafferty (as the fictional Eddie Wilson’s singing voice) and The Beaver Brown Band (as the fictional Cruisers) perform this upbeat rock tune.
REVIEW:
“Wild Summer Nights” is an underrated crowd-pleaser. Its only off-note is a quick anachronism describing hardcore surfers as ‘cyborgs,’ which seems odd for a song supposedly performed in 1962-63 (during the film’s flashbacks). Though it isn’t as appealing as “On the Dark Side,” this tune is worth considering as a download option for 60s-style rock playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
