My Amazon Reviews: Dio "Holy Diver"

And on the day after the Sabbath...

5 Out of 5 Stars

...Ronnie James Dio created "Holy Diver." Dio was already on a hot streak after pretty much rescuing Black Sabbath for two outstanding albums, but the usual "creative differences" led him to form his own band. He brought white hot Vivian Campbell on as guitarist and nicked Vinnie Appice from the touring Sabbs, along with bassist Jimmy Bain, formed the lineup that recorded this classic album along with almost as incredible "Last In Line."

As most followers had already figured, Dio had a penchant for 'mystical' lyrics about lost souls, dragons, demons and "Rainbow(s) In The Dark." "Holy Diver" is loaded with them, which may have fueled criticism that the album was an aural 80's airbrushed metal van, but time has allowed Dio the room to grow in appreciation. Dio's multi-ranged vocals go from whispers to growls to howls. It's easy to miss just how expressive the guy was as a singer, and there was never a knowing smirk or condescending aside to mark the music as something other than the band's true passion.

Because of this commitment, the songs "Rainbow In The Dark," "Straight Through The Heart," "Stand Up and Shout" and the title track are hard rock classics. Campbell's riffing is every bit as powerful as Dio's singing, matching blow by blow for sheer force. What is missing now is a respectful re-master of this and other Dio albums (perhaps given the same generous treatment Dio's Sabbath era albums have been given). Even with the less than spectacular sound, "Holy Diver" is still an album to be reckoned with.

   

My Amazon Reviews: The National "High Violet"

High Violet, Low Aim

3 Out of 5 Stars

I guess I am missing the hype. But when I read the Amazon review about "melodic and explosive," I wonder if we're spinning the same CD. One thing "High Violet" is not is melodic. Droning and almost brutally depressive, yes. Melodic? No way.

OK, I get it, every hipster band these days worships either Joy Division and Jesus & Mary Chain or Beach Boys (and in the case of Fleet Foxes, both). But what The National seems to have missed here is writing any actual songs. Joy Division whipped up a credible melody when they wanted to, and there's nothing here I am going to hum after a few weeks of listening to "High Violet." It's like Interpol with no hooks or JMC without the wicked subversive humor.

There are two moments that I can get hints of what all the excitement is about, and they're both at "High Violet's" midpoint. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" sounds like The National just finished watching a season of TruBlood and hit the studio. As a love song gone wrong, it's the best thing here. It's also the moment where the depressive poetry of the lyrics hits a level of intrigue that most everything else here doesn't.

Right afterwards is "Lemonworld," which carries along only a stuttered chorus and its brevity. I guess it is one of those old songwriting saws that if you run out of words, 'la la la" (or in this case, doo-doo-doo) will make it all OK. Those two songs keep "High Violet" from sinking below an average 3-star rating. If anything, The National remind me of The Editors at the moment they recorded "An End Has a Start," seemingly stuck in a loop of what made them interesting early on. The Editors broke that chain by moving off towards a new direction. Maybe next CD, The National will make that kind of leap as well.

  

My Amazon Reviews: Alice Cooper "Along Came a Spider"

Love him, yes we Love Him

4 Out of 5 Stars

Little Steven is back for his fourth round as Alice Cooper's madchild alter-ego on his 25th studio album, "Along Came a Spider." Cooper has been on a hot streak since entering the new century with Brutal Planet, and he once again proves that when it comes to horror rock, he has few peers. The little boy who couldn't escape his night terrors in Welcome to My Nightmare, battled the devil in the devil's own disco during Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, then got trapped in an evil carnival to fight off The Last Temptation has grown up to be a serial killer. "Along Came a Spider" is the musical diary of Steven's carnage.

Like both Dragontown and Dirty Diamonds, Alice has surrounded himself with a solid band (this time many of the DD touring crew, and Slash on "Vengeance is Mine"), and they rock with conviction and clarity. While anyone expecting the grit of Killer will be disappointed, this is certainly nowhere near as lame as the late 80's albums for Warners. One of the oddities for me is Alice (who, it must be noted, considers himself a born again Christian) wailing on "Salvation":

"Any chance for Salvation?
Someone died for me
washed in blood

he cared enough to pity me."

The standard ballad also appears in the form of "Killed By Love." But there's also plenty of guts, gore and dangerous innuendo ("I've got chloroform and handcuffs just for you" he sneers during "I'm Hungry"), as well as that famous AC attitude. For a 60 year old guy to sing "It's your world, but it's my street" and sound like he could still kick your butt is pretty impressive.

Equally impressive is the quality package, with some of Steve's murderous drawings and some great artwork in the liner book. Each lyric is illustrated with some Grindhouse Movie style poster art (personal favorite, Alice crying spider tears and Saw-ish gear for "I am The Spider"). Great stuff for both us older Billion Dollar Babies and for those who may just have cheered School's Out forever, "Along Came a Spider" is as good as any of Alice Cooper's solo albums. I'm digging this just as much as this year's Motley Crue "Saints of Los Angeles" and Judas Priest's "Nostradamus."