TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

SPIN THIS

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2007

THE FIERY FURNACES:

WIDOW CITY

(THRILL JOCKEY) **

Repeat an original idea enough times and it becomes formula. Formula becomes shtick, and even good shtick gets old after a while. Fiery Furnaces hit that particular wall on the duo's fifth album.

Not that "Widow City" is particularly lacking compared to the rest of the band's output (other than exceptional 2003 debut, "Gallowsbird's Bark"). But the Friedberger siblings have become increasingly dependent on quirks and surprises over the last three albums and here they run out of tricks.

And where those twists and turns once enhanced the songs, here they are the songs. There's a feeling that the duo threw everything from the sonic trick box into the mix and hoped songs would emerge. Too often, they don't.

Download this: "My Egyptian Grammar"

Curtis Ross

KID ROCK:

ROCK N ROLL JESUS

(ATLANTIC) **½

For those keeping score, Tommy Lee has yet to produce one decent song either as a solo artist or as a member of any band besides Motley Crue.

And Robert Ritchie Jr., a k a Kid Rock, kicks Lee's butt once again with his latest release, which doesn't reinvent the Southern rock wheel, but does put an interesting, if uneven, twist on classic rock radio staples.

Veering from hard rock to rap-rock to country-rock to social commentary, this is an album that's nearly impossible to classify. But does that make it good? Mostly yes.

Longtime fans will love the raw, dirty sex appeal of "So Hott" and "Sugar." Country fans will particularly enjoy "Blue Jeans and a Rosary."

Download this: "So Hott"

John W. Allman

DAVE GAHAN:

HOURGLASS

(MUTE/VIRGIN) ***

Dave Gahan's "Hourglass" is a haunting, mesmerizing electronic masterpiece. It's his best work in years, either solo or fronting Depeche Mode.

Many of the tracks on "Hourglass" would fit nicely on DM's last album, "Playing the Angel," especially the bluesy eroticism of "Use You" and the similarly strong "21 Days."

From the opening drum kick and synthesizer of "Saw Something" to the beautiful ballad "Miracles," the disc rarely falters.

Gahan is in full-on confessional mode here, questioning faith, love and himself. He's sexy, demanding and arrogant - everything he brought to the stage during DM's 2005 comeback tour, when Gahan re-established himself as one of rock's iconic frontmen.

Download this: "Use You"

John W. Allman

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT