Sound judgment

MUSIC REVIEWS: The Flatlanders, The Cure, Dave Douglas

February 8, 2004

AMERICANA

By Flatlanders standards, "Wheels of Fortune" is a hurried-up affair. Fans of the Texas supergroup waited 30 years for "Now Again," the acclaimed 2002 follow-up (if you can call it that) to the trio's 1972 debut, which has acquired a cult following over the years. This time out, Flatlanders Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock kept followers waiting a mere 20 months for a new recording. The three say they were so energized by their 80-city "Now Again" tour that they rushed into the studio as soon as their travels ended and began experimenting with tunes from their individual repertoires.

The result is an easygoing but surefooted blend of rock, folk, country and blues that gives each one multiple moments to shine. Hancock's come on gentle folk disc opener "Baby Do You Love Me Still?" and a fresh treatment of Gilmore's "Deep Eddy Blues." Ely nearly steals the show with the alt-country "Neon of Nashville," the sorrowful tale of a female singer who falls to ruin in Music City. Gilmore's otherworldly voice, which makes everything it graces special, is a perfect match for Hancock's wistful "Wishin' for You."

All three Flatlanders are approaching 60, and Ely said in a recent interview, "We don't plan on doing any more records." Our response after hearing "Wheels of Fortune": Say it ain't so, Joe.

By Greg Crawford, Free Press staff writer

FROM THE VAULT

There was a time in my life when I would have preferred the disease to the Cure, the English band which can be credited, or blamed, depending on your loyalties, for throwing stadium light on the goth movement. After the band's arresting original punk-era singles, the moody "Boys Don't Cry" and "Killing an Arab" (inspired by Albert Camus' existentialist novel "The Stranger"), it seemed to become a parody of itself, more notable for leader and primary composer Robert Smith's inspiration of Johnny Depp's alienated "Edward Scissorhands" than its repetitive and moody meanders through the despairing dream lives of outsiders.

Obviously, some of us weren't listening hard enough, and this 70-track, four-disc collection of non-album recordings, demos and covers effectively makes the point. The earlier stuff is still the best: The first cut on the first disc, "10:15 Saturday Night" is as evocative and universally inward as pop records get. But once they get in your head, songs like "The Exploding Boy" and the acoustic version of "Maybe Someday" and a new mix of "A Forest" -- with guitarist Earl Slick contributing contrastingly tasty licks -- are almost as hard to get out as those by gloom merchant Morrissey.

By Terry Lawson, Free Press staff writer

JAZZ

Trumpeter Dave Douglas leads so many different bands that you never know what the next CD will bring. "Strange Liberation" brings back the straight-ahead quintet from his 2002 Miles Davis tribute, "The Infinite," except that the polyglot guitarist Bill Frisell has been added as special guest. The late '60s Miles' vibe remains -- ambiguous harmony, intense but pastel sound painting, modal/chromatic concepts, blues allusions, and Uri Caine's electric piano employed in an unambiguously jazz context.

But Douglas' inventive compositions, the originality of the soloists and the easy fluidity within the ensemble anchor this music completely in 2004. There are surprises around every corner, from Frisell's ether-like attack and melodicism to the fresh excitement in the tightly focused solos by tenor saxophonist Chris Potter and the leader, who skitters less and swings more than on some earlier albums in this idiom.

By Mark Stryker, Free Press music critic

ELECTRONIC/SOUNDTRACK

Various artists -- "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" Capitol - THREE STARS out of four

The wry, often hilarious show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" has quickly moved from cable to network juggernaut in less than a year. Now the show takes the next natural step -- merchandising! Hence the arrival of the "Queer Eye" companion book and CD. Much like the show, the CD is an upbeat musical romp that still manages to be stylish and (occasionally) cutting edge. But you don't have to have seen the show to enjoy this CD. Leaning heavily toward lively dance music and pop, "Queer Eye" features predominantly new (or remixed) tracks, most of them likable or familiar.

The Chemical Brothers give Kylie Minogue's minimal new single "Slow" a booming boost with their remix, while Duran Duran's uplifting "Sunrise" is perked up by Jason Nevins. Basement Jaxx's relentlessly funky "Good Luck," featuring delicious vocals by Lisa Kekaula, is a foot-stomper, as is the extremely hooky "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior. And then there's the entertaining yet gimmicky mash-up of Fischerspooner with Billy Squier(!) in "Everybody Wants You to Emerge." Yes, plenty of good-time party music to keep your ears away from the drab and hip to the fab. In stores Tuesday.

By Tim Pratt, Free Press special writer

POP-ROCK

Melissa Etheridge -- "Lucky" (Island) THREE STARS out of four

Etheridge's last recording, "Skin," explored in painful detail the dissolution of her longtime relationship with Julie Cypher. "Lucky" is its refreshing polar opposite, a bombastically joyful collection of heart-on-the-sleeve songs inspired by her new life partner, Tammy Lynn Michaels, whom Etheridge married last September.

Happiness suits Etheridge particularly well; her reign as rock's Queen of Pain was overdue to end. There's only so much rage, anguish and jealousy a listener can take before they press the eject button.

Album highlight "Secret Agent" proves Etheridge can be lucky in love without turning all placid and wimpy. The track starts with a deeply sexy bass line, layers on some snarling guitars and roars to a crescendo with some screaming vocals to rival Robert Plant. Other standouts include "Come On Out Tonight," which playfully mixes funk, hip-hop and played-to-the-rafters rock 'n' roll, and "Kiss Me," a slinky erotic fantasy. In stores Tuesday.

Melissa Etheridge performs March 9, 10 and 11 at Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth, Royal Oak. 248-544-7949. $75.