We've got quite a backlog of CDs we've never gotten around to, so we're going to try to chip away at the pile with this regular feature. The plan: to take a few at a time and play each CD for as long as I can stand it.
Indigo Girls
Staring Down the Brilliant Dream (Vanguard)
This live, two-CD set contains cuts from various shows over the course of the last few years worth of same-sex hookups. A ton of Prop 8 love has likely been made to these sweet sounds. Look: One should be relatively aware of what they are getting here with this set. These ladies of folk-rock aren't exactly in a hurry to offer up a remix album, a la Sergio Mendes (see after the jump). Rather, this record might be the epitome of the phrase: "It is what it is." For fans of this trial-blazing duo, though, this collection is... wait for it... wait for it...closer to fine.
I made it to: 2:20 into Track No. 6, "Cold Beer & a Remote Control."
Sergio Mendes
Bom Tempo (Concord)
The 69-year-old Brazilian legend has made a career out of borrowing from
well-known Anglo artists and busting out some pretty choice rhythms
with the material. There isn't anything to really dislike here, except
for monotonous bossa nova overload, of course. But Mendes' old-school
sounds haven't exactly aged gracefully. What little of the record I was able
to enjoy seemed mostly to be background music at the latest Uptown wannabe rum-and-cigar lounge. The only thing that might be able
to elevate this album is a bunch of needless remixes.
I made it to: All
the way through Track No. 4, "Ye-Me-Le."
Sergio Mendes
Bom Tempo Brasil: Remixed (Concord)
And there is one! Only, well, nevermind. Not worth the effort. Oakenfold, you should've left well enough alone.
I
made it to: All the way through track No. 1, "Maracatu Atomico (Club
Remix)."