Reviews by Deseret News staff writers of recent folk, rock and pop recordings:\ BILLY BRAGG; "Don't Try This At Home (Elektra Records). * * * 1/2.Britain's own proletariat poet, Billy Bragg, finally has his career on track where it ought to be.
After releasing the critically and commercially ignored "The Internationale," a collection of rabble-rousing folk covers, Bragg has returned to a much better formula - mixing his outspoken folk with his often touching love songs (such as on his "Workers Playtime" album).
This time, Bragg's even brought along guest artists and friends, such as R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and Peter Buck on the bluegrass stomp "You Woke Up My Neighborhood" and Electronic guitarist Johnny Marr for the poppy "Sexuality," as close a brush with the mainstream as Bragg's ever had.
The album isn't without its missteps, such as an awkward cover of "Dolphins." The rest of this very personal release, however, is a delight. - Jeff ViceBRYAN ADAMS; "Waking Up the Neighbors" (A&M Records). * 1/2
Bryan Adams' first release in about five years certainly seems to have all the right stuff: a lead-off single "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" that virtually camped at No. 1, just the right mix of radio-friendly rockers and ballads, and a stab at social consciousness.
At first blush, it appears Adams - the one-time rock wonderboy - is back on target. But after the second or third or fourth listen, it becomes increasingly evident that "Waking Up the Neighbors" runs a mile wide and an inch deep.
With the exception of "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You," there is nothing on this album worth remembering beyond next Tuesday. "Don't Drop That Bomb on Me" is nothing short of environmental pandering as he sings, "Don't drop that bomb on me, Save a little tree, Don't drop that bomb on me, Save our seven seas, Don't drop it, Don't drop it, Don't drop that bomb on me."
Yuck. - Jerry SpanglerBLACK; "Black" (A&M Records). * * * 1/2
Black isn't black at all.
Nevertheless, black would be an adequate color to describe the feelings his melancholic music evokes. It's melancholy because he writes about the way people feel, he says, and not about the way they'd like to feel.
Black - the vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, string-player and keyboardist - just released his third, self-titled album. As his record company states, "Black uses his music to reflect his personal observations."
On this album, Black does indeed voice concerns about his family, on "Too Many Times" and "She's my Best Friend," songs about his father and his wife respectively. Yet he's also worried about self-obsession and paranoia typical of people living in any big city in the '90s.
So, he's not going to promise any one a "Wonderful Life" anymore, as he did on his debut album in 1986. But his music is intriguing, for it contains many new elements, yet is reminiscent of such soulful and innovative bands as Roxy Music and the Blue Nile.
Just a personal observation: Black is excellent listening pleasure to help city dwellers - and isolated country folks as well - make their transition from fall into winter. - Dagi Binggeli