Prince rules the charts with a lace glove. |
Prince is enthroned atop the “Billboard” album chart with “3121” (Universal)
as I write this. It’s an amazing capper to the commercial comeback
he initiated with 2004’s “Musicology” album and ensuing
mega-successful tour. The best part of this achievement is that “3121” deserves
its success. The 12-track set is funky and fun, modern sounding yet underpinned
by the classic Prince flourishes fans know and love. Current single “Black
Sweat” has broken the ice at radio and video outlets. Synth-pop
gem “Lolita,” danceable “Love” and rocking “Fury” could
follow all the way to the top.
In this age when any female artist who warbles on key is labeled a diva,
thank goodness for singers like Etta James who truly deserve the title. “All
The Way” (RCA Victor), Etta’s latest release in a career that’s
already spanned five decades, is a collection of songs “that I heard
and thought, ‘wish I could have been the one to do that one first!’” James
puts her unique stamp on 11 old and new classics ranging from Frank Sinatra’s
signature “All The Way” to John Lennon’s “Imagine” to
Prince’s “Purple Rain.” The album’s high point
is a flawlessly arranged cover of Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s “Strung
Out.”
“Supernature,” the third album from U.K. electro-pop duo Goldfrapp,
is — to quote the press release — “a colossal, multi-layered,
sonic-pop thriller.” Dynamic duo Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory
cuisinart their influences (everything from Giorgio Moroder’s robo-disco
to Marc Bolan’s glam-ed rock to Kate Bush’s ethereal pop) then
add a cup of tomorrow to cook up a sound that’s unmistakably Goldfrapp: “Great
fun, quirky and a bit nasty but simple as well,” says the original
Ali G.
Not to be outdone, a handful of queer artists have new releases in the
bins (or on the way).
Erasure’s Andy Bell (’mo) and Vince Clark (no) pull the plug
on “Union Street” (Mute) — literally — eschewing
their trademark synths for acoustic takes on 11 career-spanning songs.
The result proves there’s always been more to Erasure than shiny
pop thrills.
Out Canadian Ashley MacIsaac switches from Celtic revivalist fiddler to
lo-fi singer-songwriter on his latest album, “Pride” (Koch).
The 29-year-old, who has previously collaborated with David Byrne and the
Chieftains, has more in common with Tom Waits and Nick Cave in his new
incarnation. Lead single is the attitude-fueled “Bitch.”
Australian quartet GloveboX, fronted by Hungarian/Cyprian lesbian Mishka,
are well known Down Under, now they’re ready to conquer the U.S.
with their “electrorganic” grooves. The band’s 13-cut
self-titled debut (Baria) skips through old skool synthfunk, drum and bass
and downtempo with aplomb.
Kevin Cahoon and Ghetto Cowboy are gaining huge buzz in the downtown New
York music scene. Small wonder, the spiky, way-gay glam rock of “Doll” (Anchor
C), the ensemble’s 10-track introduction, is perfect for the hipster
set. Broadway queen Cahoon (pictured), wailing like a real-life Hedwig — whom
he played in N.Y., Frisco and Boston productions — even thrashes
through a version of Anne Murray’s “Could I Have This Dance.” What’s
not to love?
info: audiophile@q-notes.com |
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