Following are reviews of new albums by members of the Deseret News staff:
MERRILL JENSON; "Pioneer Portrait: A Celebration of Courage" (Shadow Mountain). * * * 1/2
With "Pioneer Portrait: A Celebration of Courage," Salt Lake composer Merrill Jenson has created a film score - without a film.
Aided by the London National Philharmonic Orchestra, Jenson (who composed, conducted and produced the album) exercises the listener's imagination for what might be called a movie of the mind. Without resorting to dialogue or lyrics, he deftly illustrates the Mormon exodus with musical tracks specifically connected to various aspects of the journey. The result is a recounting of pioneer history told with music instead of words.
Following an overture, "Nauvoo the Beautiful" brings to mind a bustling city, as converts settle in Illinois; "The Great Migration" illustrates the beginning of the Latter-day Saints' departure westward, and "The Miracle of the Gulls" . . . well, you know about that, and there's much more. Jenson's interrelated melodies, occasionally bolstered by well-known hymns, Mormon and otherwise ("Come, Come, Ye Saints," "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," etc.), add to the wide range of emotions stirred up in this imaginative collection.
- Chris Hicks
DIAMOND RIO; "IV" (Arista). * * *
There is a fine line between folk-rock, mild blues and modern country. In fact, sometimes that line becomes one big blur.
Such is the case with Diamond Rio's fourth album, forthrightly called "IV." The collection has some great hooks, easy guitars and fine harmonies. And it's not too much country for some and not too much folky pop for others. This is a solid album that has potential to keep this band making new fans across the nation.
The six-man band has garnered two platinum albums, one gold album, five Grammy nominations and three Country Music Association awards as vocal group of the year. In addition, Diamond Rio snagged two Academy of Country Music trophies for top vocal group.
"IV" will keep the music and credentials rolling along. Opening with "Holding," a hum-easy tune filled with light guitar jangles and heartfelt harmonies, and ending with a funky hip-hoppy-tonk instrumental, "Big," the album touches on a variety of styles. Country-pop shows up in "Walkin' Away," the mandolin-laden ballad "That's What I Get for Loving You" and the emotional "She Misses Him on Sunday the Most." The slide-blues ramble of "It's All in Your Head" and the soulful "Who Am I" contrast with the very country "Is That Askin' Too Much" and the acoustic piano-based "Just Another Heart," which in turn brings to mind, lyrically, the Eagles' "Desperado."
- Scott Iwasaki
BAD RELIGION; "The Gray Race" (Atlantic). * * *
In mixing old-school punk and modern grind, Bad Religion stands alone. The band cannot be accused of jumping on the bandwagon and cranking out the pop-grind many bands pass off as neo-punk these days. Instead, the Southern California underground icons are still playing powerful musical friction with thought-provoking, sometimes provocative lyrics.
"The Gray Race," the long-awaited followup to 1994's acclaimed "Stranger Than Fiction," finds the band at a crossroads. While that stage has proved fatal for other bands who actually change styles to fit the trend, Bad Religion's intersection is more a result of lineup changes and new musicians.
New guitarist Brian Baker, formerly of Dag Nasty and Minor Threat, stepped in when Brett Gurewitz left the band to focus on its self-created record label, Epitaph.
Instead of changing to fit Baker's form, Gurewitz just added new dimension. And fans, don't worry, Bad Religion's energetic mosh is intact. The band even hired former Cars vocalist and current producer Ric Ocasek to make sure they sound strong.
Once the band kicks off with the album's title track, it doesn't even try to take a breath. "A Walk," "Parallel" and "Punk Rock Song" drive with frantic beats and rolling guitars. Bad Religion fans won't be disappointed.
- Scott Iwasaki
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.