"These Days" is the band's sixth studio release, and ranks near the top of that list of impressive albums. "Hey God" is a strong rock song that breaks through the mold many have of the band as soft on hard tracks. The track might be the band's strongest and really draws listener's into the disc as the premier cut.
That's not to say Bon Jovi has become a hard rock band and forgotten the jems of its repetoire for fans, the sensitive ballads that score highest on the charts. The first single, "This Ain't a Love Song" is one of many ballads that should add to the band's list of Top 10 tracks.
Other songs in that category are "Lie To Me" and "My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms," both of which sound as good as the first single - that is to say they sound super.
The band has songs accross the rock spectrum on "These Days." Another rocker is "Damned," which doesn't sound as good as "Hey God," but it's alright. In the middle between the ballads and the head bangers are tracks such as the title track and "Something for the Pain," both of which are more fun and have produced Top 40 hits for Bon Jovi.
In general, the album is consistently strong and definitely worth hearing.
Here's a link to Polygram's Bon Jovi Homepage.
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ROCK
Santana Brothers, Santana Brothers, (Island Records)
Carlos' brother Jorge and their nephew Carlos Hernandez all have notes in their blood vessels.
Together, they play very well.
Half of "Transmutation/Industrial" is spacey guitar and drums, similar to the Grateful Dead's "Space."
The second half features a few vocals that are hard to understand, but seem to warn people to become
more spiritual before it's too late.
The rest of the songs are instrumentals and sound more conventional as light, playful accoustic music,
often with lead guitar accompaniment, bongos, or both.
"Cantigo (With You)" is the best track. It gradually builds into a very lively, up-beat, kick below the
belt number that sounds great.
A few of the other songs build to an exciting climax, but most are more introspective and reflective.
Each song, fast- or slow-paced, sounds good.
The music sounds different than that of famous guitar-bongo rockers Santana. Frankly, it's better.
FRD, Revolt of the Perverse, (Astralwerks)
Almost every other track consists of fast-paced instrumentals, similar to that of an action sequence in
a Tangerine Dream film score. Yet these instrumentals sound more violent.
The electronic elements borrow some ingredients from speed metal, although minus the angry lyrics.
Yet these tracks also might be interpreted as a car chase or just television film footage of a busy highway
on fast forward, with the headlights creating quite a blur.
"I Need Drugs" sounds almost like R&B and talks about an addict seeking out the source of his
miserable existence. Another song with vocals, "Transformation," sounds more like alternative music,
similar to Love & Rockets or the Church. "Just Because" sounds similar to Beastie Boys.
This music almost defies category, but it defines itself well.
Either/Orchestra, The Brunt, (Accurate)
The 10 musicians produce a full sound that carries the listener quickly to the big finish, almost like a
beach ball is tossed from one surf punk to another until it splashes into the water.
The creativity of the band starts with its name, which listeners find catchy and fun, either/or, and
continues to the music.
"Pas de Trois" is one of the best tracks - it moves into the area made famous by such acts as Spyro
Gyra, Oceans and Yellow Jackets.
Many of the tracks sound more simple and spontaneous, although the band's jazzed up version of
Bob Dylan's, "Lay Lady Lay" is a must hear.
Horns seem to dominate the sound, but the jazz does span the spectrum, however, staying within the
realm of good stuff.
(C) 1995 Daniel E. Klatt Enterprises.
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ELECTRONIC/FUNK
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JAZZ
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Ratings are based on a scale of up to four discs, with one meaning the music is a waste of
listeners’ money and four denoting an excellent disc that belongs on everyone’s shelf.
