NEW MUSIC CORNER #40 (Black Country Communion, Christopher Cross)

[Scott]

Two new releases that couldn't be any further apart stylistically.    As usual, I will weigh in after the comments die down...   Playlist: http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/d7ebd14c89e23005087c6816ca721453   First up, not shockingly and to Niels dismay is...

 

Black Country Communion - 2

1. The Battle For Hadrians Wall

2. An Ordinary Son

3. Faithless

4. Little Secret

5. Crossfire

 

((From: classicrock.about.com))

As a notorious track-skipper, I'm always happy to find an album that I listen to all the way through, without jumping over tracks that don't really grab me. Having seen the video for "Man in the Middle" before hearing the CD, I wasn't so sure that I wouldn't skip that track, but as I listened to it, I realized my problem wasn't with the song so much as with the video, which, to me, is not at all connected to the lyrics.

 

It took a little while for BCC to grow on me with their first album, but with 2 I'm solidly converted. Having listened to it all the way through a couple of times now, I won't be surprised if it turns out to be as successful as the debut album, if not more so, especially now that the band has time to do more touring.

 

There are several good reasons for me to recommend this album. You may have a particular fondness for one or more of the artists and/or the other bands they've played with. Maybe you just like the supergroup concept, especially when it's well executed. But mostly, for whatever reasons you like classic rock, you'll like Black Country Communion's 2.

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Christopher Cross - Dr. Faith

6. Hey Kid

7.  I'm Too Old For This

8. Leave It To Me

9. Dr Faith

10. Still I Resist

 

((From: Examiner.com))

Doctor Faith is Christopher Cross' first studio album in a dozen years, and it's an interesting step forward for the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter.

 

You wouldn't particularly think of Cross in terms of social commentary, but Doctor Faith is infused with themes of aging, looking back on one's life and coming to grips with the changes time brings, good and bad. The lyrics convey a weary cynicism as Cross comments on the failings of his generation, while expressing both optimism and frustration for subsequent generations.

 

Doctor Faith is a near-perfect blend of the best of Cross' past work with some interesting new ideas and influences. Most new albums by classic artists are fairly rote affairs. Kudos to Christopher Cross, at this late date in his career and after a long absence from recording, for producing an album that actually moves the ball forward artistically.

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[Niels (Mod)]

Oh nonono, I KNEW you were gonna post it. I've got two albums ready for next week allready, so it's no problem at all. I'll be listening to Christopher Cross tomorrow and tell you, what I think of both albums.

[Jon]

Just finished listening to MY copy of BCC and like it a lot. I actually went to Best Buy today figuring that I might as well pick up the first one and, shockingly, they didn't have that or this one. So I wasted twenty bucks on a couple movies. Anyway, great choice on BCC Scott?

 

Will give Mr Cross a listen early next week.

[Niels (Mod)]

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION - THUMBS UP

I liked the album from last year, but I like this even more. I'm not saying, that it's a 10/10-album, it's more like 8.5/10. I do like Hughes vocals. but he has been better. In fact the song you start up with, is with a very good vocal from Banamassa, or WTF (RJhog?!)his name is. I think it's an album, I'm going to listen to a lot during the summer, and I'll be very surprised if it's not on my Top-10 at the end of the year.

 

CHRISTOPHER CROSS - THUMBS EVEN

Hmmmm, this is not really my scene. It's okay, and nice to have in the background, and I can't really say anything bad about it, but then again, not much good either. 

[Scott]

Nice reviews Niels, You gave C Cross a better score than I thought you would! 

[Niels (Mod)]

Yeah well, my wife entered my "computer-room", while I was listening to CC, and I said "I'll turn it of, if you wanna talk" and she said "nono, it's very nice to listen to", yeah well, she said it in danish of course, but my point is, "chicks" dig CC's music!!

[Scott]

Sounds like its now a "must buy" due to the simple fact that it makes your wife happy!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Maybe RJhog should change his username to WTF...

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm using a new grading scale for NMC.  No particular reason.  I'm grading on a track by track basis, which will give each album (as far as the tracks posted are concerned) a final letter grade.  A strongly liked song gets 20%, while an okay song (something that I don't dislike but it just doesn't grab me) will get 10%.  Of course, a song that I don't care for will get 0 per centage points.  Here is the scale:

 

95% - 100% - A+ (I will buy this)

90% - 94% - A (there is a strong chance I will buy it)

80% - 89% - B (probably won't buy, but can't be sure at this point)

75% - 79% - C (don't hate it, don't love it, probably won't purchase)

70% - 74% - D (will not buy)

Below 70% is an F (will not spread the word that you posted this album)

 

Some of you Americans may be familiar with this scale.  Anyway, here is my debut grading scale.

 

Black Country Communion (100% - A+)

 

I already have this.  The songs Scott picked are all outstanding.  My only slight problem with this album is actually one of it's strengths, although that makes no sense.  It really plods along in the middle third.  But the reason that is a strength is that it shows this band is making music they wanna make, not what they think I wanna hear.  Which is exactly what I wanna hear. 

 

Christopher Cross (80%- B)

 

This is not bad at all.  I like tracks 1,2 and 4.  The other two tracks fall in the "just okay" category.  Tell me, is that Michael McDonald I here on track 4?  I like his backing vocals, but I seem to remember somebody here not liking them in an early comment.  Songs 1 and 2 are very good, and I really like them lyrically as well.  He has an extremely smooth voice.  It's a shame he'll get no radio airplay in 2011.

 

 

 

[Jon]

Me no likey MM.

[Jon]

I am going to give Christopher Cross a thumbs up. Like all the tracks except for "Dr Faith", it just didn't fit in with the rest for some reason. And it seemed to end really suddenly?