Al Johnson's story is like so many other New Orleans' musicians. A resident of the Ninth Ward, when the levees broke his house was swamped and he was forced to evacuate. The house was lifted up off its foundations and moved on its lot a few feet. While Al was able to rescue a couple of items ("things that were laminated, he said") the city demolished his house without asking his permission or even letting him know. (Since we know from Naomi Klien's book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise Of Disaster Capitalism in her chapter on New Orleans, that there is a concentrated effort by politicians at the state and local level to prevent the rebuilding of housing, you have to wonder how many houses were destroyed in just this manner).
Now aside from the feeling that you're doing something intrinsically good by purchasing You're Not Alone when it goes on sale next Tuesday, you'll also receive some really good music. I wasn't familiar with either band before reviewing the material so I had no idea what to expect musically when I first listened to it. The title is taken from a line in David Bowie's classic tune from the Ziggy Stardust album "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," one of two cover tunes the bands play.
Damian Kulash, lead singer of OK Go, does a magnificent job of re-interpreting the vocal line for "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide." His inflections are such that he is reminiscent of Bowie without really sounding like him. He is able bring the proper emotional weight to the material while avoiding sliding over the edge into the melodrama. Of course Bonerama, a brass band, are right at home with the song and have expanded upon the original's use of horns. It always continues to amaze me how sultry a trombone can be made to sound in the proper hands.
I was pleasantly surprised by the three original songs from OK Go's most recent release Oh No that have been adapted for this release with "Lately It's So Quiet" standing out in particular. While both "A Million Ways" and "It's A Disaster" are good songs, well performed and interestingly arranged, there was something about the emotional quality of "Lately It's So Quiet" that held my attention more than the others. Kulash has an impressive voice, not so much in terms of power but in its expressiveness.
Article comments
1 - Spyboy Jon
Thanks for a thoughtful review and for understanding the situation here in New Orleans. Damian Kulash met the guys from Bonerama when Damian came to New Orleans to participate in an Artist Activist Retreat. Their chemistry is magical.
One correction I would make to your review. Unless you are speaking metaphorically, New Orleans' displaced musicians are not in refugee camps but have been scattered to remote places from which they often do not have the means to return home.
You are absolutely correct, however, that this is still a situation where help and funding is still needed. The contributions of musicians like Damian and the guys from Bonerama are invaluable. Check out SweetHomeNewOrleans.org to see how you can help.
2 - Christo
Great review and lots of important info regarding New Orleans. Love the line: "It always continues to amaze me how sultry a trombone can be made to sound in the proper hands." Amen.
3 - lori
The chemistry is definitely magical...WOW! It's a dream come true for someone who loves all music New Orelans as well as being a crazy OK GO fan. WOW!!