The Cure, Boys Don’t Cry
An EP of several older Cure songs, mainly remixes of “Boys Don’t Cry” that hadn’t been available in recent years. “Boys Don’t Cry” was first recorded in 1979, then remixed and newly recorded vocals released in new versions in 1986. Considered as one of The Cure’s most important early releases. It is the band’s top streamed song on Spotify. The 12” mix is exceedingly good.
Also included are b-sides “Plastic Passion” (79 mix), “Pillbox Tales” (86 mix), and “Do the Hansa” (86 mix). Of the three, “Do the Hansa” has an aggressive, thumping bass line and chunky rhythm guitar, and thoroughly enchanting.
Claypool Lennon Delirium, The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy
The third full studio album by the duo of Les Claypool and Sean Ono Lennon. I’ve listened to this album a couple of times and my conclusion is that as a concept album, I still don’t understand it. The album contains several really fine songs that I like, most based on several reoccurring motifs.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium can best be described as Magic Mystery Tour meets Alan Parsons meets XTC. Quirky, proggy and psychedelic, nothing wrong with that. Prog concept albums are a big task, the whole must be great than the sum of its parts or it hasn’t achieved it’s objective. I believe that it partially works here. The songs that work are nice, not great, but have that fun, sunshine pop vibe until the prog pops in.
Songs I enjoyed:
“The Wake Up Call”
“The Meat Machine”
“Heart of Chrome”
“Through the Horizon”
“Mantra of the Manatee”
“Melody of Entropy”
“It’s a Wrap”
Les Claypool is a tremendous bass player, he unleashes his instrument as though he’s playing lead, reminiscent of Chris Squire and John Entwistle. Sean Lennon has a pleasant, smooth, high tenor vocal that glides through these songs.
Joe Jackson, Hope and Fury
One reviewer called this album genre-bending because of his eclectic blend of styles that Jackson refers to as “LatinJazzFunkRock.” That’s accurate, as Jackson covers the bases with his first album of original material since 2019. On first listen, the songs feels familiar, a career-spanning disc of past styles. There’s something here for nearly everyone to vibe to.
I never get too mixed up in lyrical content, but I listen for themes and smart writing. Jackson split his time between his native England and NYC, and now Berlin, which explains his bicoastal attitude, the socio-political climate of different nations to comment on. He’s not the angry young man of the early 1980s, though his points are sharp and focus, just not delivered in a frenzy.
The best songs include “Fabulous People” “After All This Time”. Jackson has the ability to write melodies that stay with you and beg for additional plays. I like the arrangements on these songs, plenty of percussion, jazzy bass lines, aggressive guitar licks and smart piano fills. “The Face” affords Jackson and band to open up the song for some creative playing. If you are okay with be-bopping between different styles, this album will grow on you with a listen or two. Hope and Fury is Jackson’s 21st album.
Produced by Jackson and Patrick Dillett
All songs written by Jackson
Ticket 2 Ride 
Leave a comment