Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
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Free Music Notes for Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
Free Music Review: A Sequel that Works
Hit: 5 Stars
This followup to Volume 1 finds Bragg and Wilco continuing to do their best work (Bragg, especially) with the help of Woody Guthrie's great lyrics. Wilco have the best moments: the combo of "Secret of the Sea" (which is the albums best pop moment) and "Remember the Mountain Bed" are their peaks. While Bragg doesn't get anything as classic as the first volume's "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key", he nevertheless gets off 2 great ones with "Hot Rod Hotel" and "Black Wind Blowing". As they were on MA1, Natalie Merchant and Corey Harris are back. Merchant's contribution is on the melancholy "I Was Born" (w/Bragg on acoustic guitar). It's a must hear. Corey Harris' "Aginst Th' Law" is a jaunty blues piece pitted against a politically charged Woody lyric. If the initial discovery of volume 1 is lost at first listen, give the record a couple of more spins (and then play it back to back with volume 1) and you'll then find that this is indeed a worthy sequel. Buy 'em both.Free Music Review: Another brilliant album from Bragg & Wilco
Hit: 5 Stars
I'll admit that I barely knew who Woody Guthrie was when a friend first threw MM:I on the CD player a couple years ago during breakfast.But after hearing MM:I, I was astonished by what a great lyricist Guthrie was. How far ahead of his time he was.
I went out and bought MM:I right away, and dabbled in the likes of Wilco and Son Volt soon thereafter.
With MM:II, Bragg & Wilco have continued the legacy with another great album.
I'm not going to get into all of the songs, but like others have said, I enjoyed many of the tunes especially the opening "Airline To Heaven".
I agree with many people that there are similar sounds in "Secret of the Sea" which is almost like a Tom Petty/Traveling Wilburys sound.
And "My Flying Saucer" had me scratching my head because the opening almost sounded like the Fleetwood Mac song "Second Hand News".
But the rest of it sound very original, and again stands out as one of the most intriguing and enjoyable CDs that I have picked up in some time.
Free Music Review: Another brilliant album from Bragg & Wilco
Hit: 5 Stars
I'll admit that I barely knew who Woody Guthrie was when a friend first threw MM:I on the CD player a couple years ago during breakfast.But after hearing MM:I, I was astonished by what a great lyricist Guthrie was. How far ahead of his time he was.
I went out and bought MM:I right away, and dabbled in the likes of Wilco and Son Volt soon thereafter.
With MM:II, Bragg & Wilco have continued the legacy with another great album.
I'm not going to get into all of the songs, but like others have said, I enjoyed many of the tunes especially the opening "Airline To Heaven".
I agree with many people that there are similar sounds in "Secret of the Sea" which is almost like a Tom Petty/Traveling Wilburys sound.
And "My Flying Saucer" had me scratching my head because the opening almost sounded like the Fleetwood Mac song "Second Hand News".
But the rest of it sound very original, and again stands out as one of the most intriguing and enjoyable CDs that I have picked up in some time.
Free Music Review: A Perfect Album & Perfect Piece of Literature
Hit: 5 Stars
This new collection of Bragg/Wilco/Guthrie tunes makes for a convincing case that Woody Guthrie's lyrics should be on the mandatory curriculum for any English high school student in North America. The fact that these powerful gems having been left to gather dust for the past 50-60 years is a shame . . . but all the better for us, who are being introduced to them for the first time. This CD is worth the price just for the words of "Remember the Mountain Bed" alone. Much darker and grittier than the first volume, this second Mermain Avenue collection is more fully realized than the first. You can hear the musicians digging INTO the words and not tip-toeing around like they were on some of the tracks on Volume One.
Standouts include the spooky "Hot Rod Hotel," the beautifully melodic layered guitars and harmonies of "Secret of the Sea" and the majestic paen to love of "Remember the Mountain Bed" (9 verses and no chorus -- yay! Stick that in your hat Backstreet Boys).
A perfect album.
Free Music Review: Why don't we hear this great music on the radio?
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm not the only one who's ticked off about the state of radio today (maybe it's only in Florida). The only way I found out about this album was thru record reviews in newspapers and magazines. Radio in my area consists of Oldies (If I hear 'Satisfaction' or 'My Girl' again I'll scream), Country, Soft Rock and Hard. I bought this album from reviews. When I first saw the cover, I didn't know if this was techno-rock, punk or what. Reading the review piqued my interest so I purchased it without hearing a note and I was glad I did. Marvelous Folk-Rock. Billy Bragg and Wilco take Woody Guthrie's lyrics and come up with an eclectic blend of interesting sounds. It's like an old friend in a brand new suit. Reminds me of Dylan, Tom Petty, The Byrds but with a new attitude and new production ideas. Fun music. I don't have the first one, but it is on order. If you're tired of the same old same old, try this one, I guarantee you love it. In the meantime, I'll turn the radio on, oooooh It's Ricky Martin!