Before he became a walking talking meme, Rick Astley had a string of pop hits in the late ‘80s. They were all produced by the hit factory known as Stock/Aitken/Waterman (sounds like a law firm) and all had a peppy, synth-dappled, proto-house/post-Colonel Abrams dance sound. After two albums, Astley wisely decided to jump ship and break… Read More “Cry For Help” by Rick Astley (1991)
“Better Off Dead” is a stunning (still! 47 years later!) document of a guy who feels he has nothing to offer his partner. He’s a drunk, can’t pay his bills, doesn’t treat his lady right. She’s taken off with the kids, and now he’s staring down the barrel of a gun, ready to take his own… Read More “Better Off Dead” by Bill Withers (1971)
Very few folks know how to write a melancholy song the way Neil Finn does. “Better Be Home Soon” is sort of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” part two, which is fine because “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is one of the 100 or so best songs ever written. Lyrically, it starts off dark and ends on a hopeful note,… Read More “Better Be Home Soon” by Crowded House
Five Star Jamz 