Counting Crows’ latest a must-buy for any fan
The Counting Crows’ latest release, Films About Ghosts, enjoyably spans the band’s 11-year career with its collection of hits.
The album’s 16 tracks include older favorites such as “Round Here” and “Mr. Jones” and more recent hits like their cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.”
While the chance to acquire a wealth of hits from a popular band may attract many who wouldn’t otherwise buy a Counting Crows album, the new recordings of “Friend of the Devil” and “She Don’t Want Nobody Near” will lure long-time fans.
Perhaps the only problem the compilation suffers from is that the collection hardly does justice to lead-singer Adam Duritz’s unique storytelling ability.
Although the lack of much new content makes for little excitement about the release, Films About Ghosts is more than capable of pleasing the Counting Crows’ newest fan or most dedicated follower.
Grade: B+
– Jason Abbruzzese
The Bens are solid but not quite cohesive
Ben Lee, Ben Folds and Ben Kweller’s “The Bens Rock Over Australia” tour was a dream come true for indie rock fans who had fantasized about such a collaboration for years.
Calling themselves “the Bens,” the indie darlings recorded a four-track EP just before the tour last spring. After selling it at the shows, it recently became available on the internet and in stores, featuring different cover art.
The Bens untitled EP could be called “Ben and the Bens.” Although musically solid, the Bens maintain their separate identities instead of making the EP a collaborative work.
Folds, Lee and Kweller harmonize together on the folk-sounding track “Just Pretend,” but the artists’ musical styles remain distinct as they each lead one of other tracks.
Lee’s track “Xfire” bounces with the electronic-pop beats and quirky lyrics that characterize his recent album Hey You Yes You, and Kweller employs the same type of quick, freestyle lyrics on “Stop!” that popularized Sha Sha, his debut album.
On the piano ballad “Bruised,” Folds returns to his common theme of scarred love. The surging piano melodies soften a sharp percussive beat as Lee and Kweller sing background “ba ba bas.”
Like the other tracks, it’s very good. It’s just not enough to be the Bens.
Grade: A-
– Emily Beaver
Devil isn’t hella good
Characterized by intense beats and complex sounds, it’s hard to believe that Sacramento-based Hella is made up of only two members. With their fourth album, The Devil isn’t Red, guitarist Spencer Seim produces the sounds of two erratic guitarists rolled into one as he plays off Zach Hill’s pounding drums.
The instrumental album is unpredictable and seemingly improvisational as the 11 tracks mix together, creating a 40-minute pre-planned jam session.
Hella proves that there is a fine line between genius and insanity with the track “Hello Great Architect of the Universe.” The Devil Isn’t Red is lighter than Hella’s acclaimed first album, Hold Your Horse Is, yet the band continues to develop and define its unique sound.
The music combines the feeling of improvisation with the innovativeness of Primus, leaving much to look forward to in Hella’s future.
Grade: B-
-Shannon Moore
Kreators’ creation tame
On their debut album Live Coverage, Boston-based Kreators, composed of XL, Big Juan, Jaysaun and G-Squared, walk the tightrope between mainstream flashy and underground grime.
The group boasts about being big ballers but maintains its underground appeal with help from underground mainstays like Ed O.G and Cappadonna. The album sounds surprisingly West Coast influenced with its quick-paced hard-hitting anthems.
DJ Revolution contributes the horn-driven single “Smashed Up” while “Ain’t Nuttin” features a marching drum beat matched with a Nate Dogg-esque, smoked out hook.
Meanwhile, the single “Nightlife” reflects an urban pull. The song may use a Pete Rock throwaway beat, but it still adds a party-up component to Live Coverage.
The gem of the 18-track album is “Home,” the classic Boston anthem that was first featured on the compilation Home-Boston Underground Hip Hop and features Guru of Gangstarr, Ed O.G., Big Shug, Krumbsnatcha and Akrobatik. The final cut saves an otherwise tame album, but the Kreators still come up short.
Grade: B-
-Scott Hazleton