www.bahrainthismonth.com 136 April 2016 music Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression Shorts You and I – Jeff Buckley You and I is a compilation album of tunes that Buckley actually recorded in 1993 but which had been locked in a vault until now. It relies on covers, accompanied by nothing more than an electric guitar strummed as if it were an acoustic. Most of the songs celebrate both the history of classic and alternatve rock together with some of the artist’s inspirations. The songs, in particular Bob Dylan’s Just Like a Woman and Led Zeppelin’s Night Flight, are given a new lease of life. Despite being the property of other writers, these tunes seem, impressively, to belong to Buckley. Lonely Is a Lifetime – The Wild Feathers Nashville’s Wild Feathers have delivered another workmanlike, country-rock gem, although this time they have dialled back on the Southern twang and introduced elements of psych, pop and anthemic alt-rock into the mix. The results are mixed, with the band’s expanding palette showcasing their talents, but with the modern touches and big production values tarnishing their raw vulnerability somewhat. The highlight is the driving opener Overnight, which impresses with hooks galore and a chorus that unapologetically shoots for the moon. Us and the Night – 3 Doors Down 3 Doors Down have disappointed of late, and the onset of a career slump forced the band to fracture. Now with a refreshed line-up, they have returned with their first album in five years. Despite its nocturnal title, Us and the Night is by many measures a brighter affair than previous albums, with the guitars cranked to the max, booming stadium choruses and positive, optimistic lyrics. A lot of the fare here is mainstream fluff; but at least they’re going about it in a happy way this time, which helps the listener appreciate it more than they should. What’s the story? This is Iggy Pop’s 18th studio album – and this time he’s roped in Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme to act as producer. Iggy reached out to Homme by text message to ask if he was interested in writing music together, and then sent him lyrics by mail. Three months later, Homme sent lyrics of his own to Iggy and they agreed to work together on recording songs in a studio. They brought incomplete ideas as opposed to finished songs so they could work on them together. Iggy has described the album’s theme, reflected in the title, as discussing issues of what happens when your utility is at an end, and dealing with your legacy. Worth a listen? Iggy’s vocals and lyrics are astounding; he’s like an angry young man all over again, far more gnarly and potent than any of his contemporaries. Over the hill relying on past accolades, he certainly isn’t. Post Pop Depression is an intelligent, sassy garage rock record that’s obsessed with two things: sex and death. Iggy’s always been to the point, lyrically, but it’s still disturbing to hear him sound quite so wary of whatever’s around the corner and how he’s going to enjoy his time before he rounds it. Best of all is killer closing track Paraguay, a true gestation of everything that’s so thrilling about both Homme and Iggy individually. If this turns out to be his last album, it is as genius a parting statement as you can put out. Verdict: Even in the twilight of his career, Iggy still has it.
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