THINK SPANISH ARMADA
I dare you to categorize them
Music reviewers often pass around clich+â-¬s, especially the one that claims a certain group is difficult to categorize. Usually, this indicates laziness, but in the case of British Sea Power, the clich+â-¬ might be the only phrase that fits. At times post-punk, at times Britpop and at times chamber pop, England's British Sea Power might be the quirkiest band to emerge in some time. The four members --Yan, Hamilton, Noble and Wood -- cite Charles Lindbergh and John Keats as influences. They sing lyrics like, "Just like Liberace / I will return to haunt you with peculiar piano rifts" and "Oh, Fyodor, you are the most attractive man I know / Your Russian heart is strong and has been bleeding for too long." These lyrics and their old-English names notwithstanding, the four-piece performs wearing military uniforms on a stage decorated in twigs and life-sized models of owls and herons. Perhaps because of these questionable idiosyncrasies, some critics have cast the British lads aside, scoffing at their self-indulgence and art-project pretension. Yan, disagreeing, has said, "I think we're an art project that absolutely rocks." That's a fair statement, as the band's debut album, "The Decline of British Sea Power," has garnered rave reviews in England and made several year-end, best-of lists in publications on both sides of the Atlantic. The band, of course, is not for everyone; fans of The Smiths, David Bowie, R.E.M. and The Pixies, however, will likely get British Sea Power's endlessly interesting song structures and dense lyrics.
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HE'S LIKE A MUSEUM
Forever Neil Young
Neil Young is an institution. His work spans nearly five decades, from his stints in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, to his expansive, influential solo career, including classic records like "Harvest," "Rust Never Sleeps" and "After the Gold Rush." Now, he's touring in support of "Greendale," his most recent release on Reprise Records. Young's second concept album discusses the decline of American morality and the American family as it affects the Green family. He toured with the album for a year before releasing it in the fall, featuring actors and a set behind him, portraying the songs' stories as he sang them. Now, he's back touring again, in support of a film release of the same name and same goals. Often considered the father of grunge and alt-country music, Young has spent most of his career avoiding expectations, having spent most of the 1980s in a funk called "artistic exploration" while releasing experimental techno, and classic rockabilly, records. He got going again in the '90s, performing an MTV Unplugged show (twice, actually, as the first performance didn't meet his standards), collaborating with bands like Pearl Jam and spearheading the Farm Aid concerts. If for nothing else, seeing him live will be an ode to his career and work, as well as to musical history.
YOU WON A SINGING CONTEST?!?
Not everyone's idols
On any given Saturday, you could find capable karaoke singers in Muncie. Maybe they won't have incredible range, or a captivating stage presence, but surely, they do justice to their chosen songs. So, the only thing that separates these weekend stars from Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson is a stylist. A stylist and Simon Cowell's A&R money. Because we understand Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini are glorified karaoke singers. Sure, these American Idol winners are slightly more attractive than a typical BW-3 crooner, and the singing is more polished, but in the end, their job is the same. They sing other artists' songs poorly. Now, of course, each of these four has a record out, which, in the case of Clay and Ruben, are selling nearly as fast as they're pressed. So while Ruben is tearing up MTV with "Sorry 2004," Clay and Kelly are touring, supporting one another's quest to become the most-famous karaoke singer ever. Wherever these two go, fans and critics alike will hear the unmistakable sounds of trying too hard. At least five different notes will be sung for every lyric; and, you better believe the song will climax Broadway-style right before the end so we can hear their golden pipes. Of course, Clay and Kelly are sincere, and they're succeeding because they were given a chance. So, for passive music listeners, Clay and Kelly are as good as it gets. For everyone else, they're too much to take.
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