You know we're talking slow week here when the biggest release on the list comes from a guy who hasn't had a bonafide hit record in some two decades.
But you still have to give ol' Alice Cooper his props. On his new concept album, Along Came A Spider, the guy who single handedly invented the rock theatrical spectacle that spawned several decades of imitators from Kiss to Marilyn Manson to Slipknot, still shows the young bucks how to get it done.
In my original review here a few weeks back, I wrote that although there isn't anything here as memorable as "I'm Eighteen" or "School's Out," the band still rocks pretty hard and Alice's voice has held up remarkably well. This one probably won't sell that many copies past the diehards, but it's good nonetheless to see Alice still going a lot stronger than you might expect (especially for a guy who's gotta' be pushing 60).
Another guy who saw his best years a few decades back, but is apparently still going strong is Rick Springfield. I was never a fan, but like Alice, I'll give Springfield credit. He's more or less maintained his teen-idol good looks, and I have to admit that the single "What's Victoria Secret?" (don't tell anyone, but I saw it performed on General Hospital this week) is a damned hooky sounding little pop tune. I'm sure our fearless leader Connie Phillips already has her copy of Springfield's new Venus in Overdrive.
Also of note this week is a recording of one of the last HBO standup performances from the late, great George Carlin. Just be forewarned that in addition to Carlin's usual brilliance, there's ample use of those "seven words" (and a few more) on It's Bad for Ya.
Since it's a slow week and all, we bent the rules a little this week and allowed Josh Hathaway to write about the Stones (we don't usually cover DVD's here), as well as plug a couple of his buddies (since they are also friends of ours). Mark Saleski also gives us his take on the new collaboration between an MG and a Rascal.
As for me, wake me up when it's August.
If I was to make up a list of my favorite guitar players (But of course, I wouldn't dare do that because then I'd be exposing myself to the Internet scourge known as GuitarFan™. You know the type. They blurt out things like "Where's Slash?!!" and "Dimebag!" — think of it as a kind of Rock and Roll Tourette's) then Steve Cropper would have to be there. Going all the way back to his smokin' work with Booker T & the MGs, Cropper's guitar has always had that unique twang that I just love.
On Nudge It Up a Notch, Cropper is joined by Felix Cavaliere, vocalist and B3 player for the Rascals. I'm afraid I may have to turn this up very loud.
P.S. Yes, I was sucked in by the record player on the cover.
I'd like to throw out a special plug for a free new release before we get to my Official Pick of the Week. Somrod has just released Magic Junk Radio 11: Slow Ahead. The download is free and well worth the listen.
![Shine a Light [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X9rXbz5gL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
it is never a slow week when a new Magic Junk Radio podcast show up.
2 - Glen Boyd
And will ya feast your eyes on those page breaks? I don't think I've ever seen em' break quite that right...
-Glen
3 - Lauri J
Rick Springfield's "Venus in Overdrive" cd is catchy, great pop and just all around pleasing entertainment. Love it - played it over and over and think everyone will enjoy giving it a listen. It has a few reminders of past music which is clever and fun, and then the rest is sweet, loving, about love and you'll love it!
4 - Pico
"Rock and Roll Tourette's" indeed.
5 - Tom Johnson
A funny thing about Alice Cooper is that, for me, at least, it's kind of hard to not see him now as the guy who hawks cars for a local auto dealer or the guy who appears in a couple of goofy commercials for the DMV (he lives in Phoenix. Another Phoenician I see regularly on TV is Leslie Neilsen, who basically Frank Drebens his way through some local credit union commercials.)
6 - Mark Saleski
hey, once you've been on the hollywood squares....
7 - Sabrina
For me, musical quality is more important than quantity. So what if the person doesn't have a hit song every single year? Not all baseball players strike a home run at each game, do they? I've not had the chance to hear Alice Cooper's or George Carlin's CD, but I can tell you with certainty that Rick Springfield's CD Venus In Overdrive is definitely listener worthy! It truly is some of his best work in his 40 year career as a musician. There are several quality songs on it that demonstrate his ability to craft a song that is not only "catchy" but also meaningful, too. Music-wise, he does cherry pick somewhat from the past...there are definitely noticeable strains of "Jesse's Girl" in the song "What's Victoria's Secret?" but it's ok! He has a special way of making those classic sounds of rock song sound fresh and new again...and that's why his music is so fun to listen to.
My picks on this CD? the title track, Venus In Overdrive because of its honesty and intensity where human relationships are concerned (I, just like in that Paul McCartney song, have had enough of "silly love songs" that drown you in sentimentality and am glad to hear a love song written for ADULTS that is somewhat intense, but honest.) I also liked 3 Warning Shots. This is basically an "open letter" to Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon. It's a somewhat "dark" kind of song, but I felt the lyrics accurately described the feelings of many of us when we found out about this crime. Overall, I think the CD has an eclectic mix of musical styles...something for everyone.