Sometime in 1985, Tipper Gore rounded up some of her best friends, popped open a bottle of Dom Perignon, and spent the night listening to Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath. At least I hope this is what happened.
Backstreet's Back: Thoughts on Adele's "Hello"
Like many women my age, I spent much of my freshman and sophomore year of college crying to Adele. I was all about Adele. I’m not sure why, as it’s not like I had any dramatic relationships or star-cross’d lovers by 19, but Adele songs are sort of like the horoscopes in the newspaper: you can convince yourself they apply perfectly to any situation you are in-- like they were written just for you.
WRITERS ROUND: Bruce Springsteen - "Fire"
Bruce Springsteen’s songwriting vault is something that I’d like to break into like I was in Oceans 11. I’d likely use an elaborate machine to simulate an earthquake in Colt’s Neck, New Jersey, dodge the incoming stampede of prized show horses, and then make off with an armful of notebooks, studio tapes, and Sony MiniDiscs.
From Fans to Frontmen: The Piano Men at The Sutler
None of the musicians in The Piano Men: The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel wear oversized glitter glasses. They have never played a sold-out concert in Russia at the height of the Cold War. What they offer are the songs of two musical geniuses played with the esteem and reverence that exists only among fans.
DEEP CUTS: Cruzados - "Small Town Love"
One of my favorite things about continuing to buy physical media is the idea of the “Blind Buy.” You’re flipping through stacks of vinyl or browsing along rows of CDs and something just catches your eye. Sure, you COULD walk the record over to the store’s listening station to check it out, but there’s something really exciting about adding it to your pile and being surprised when you get home, especially when you’re only out a dollar or two. There are a few things that can ensure an album gets brought home with me even if I’ve never heard it before: general weirdness, an awesome cover, or killer liner notes. This week’s Deep Cut features all three.
