New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Box sets and deluxe versions of classic albums usually become musical “coffee table” books.
(Editor’s note: New Music That Doesn’t Suck is an occasional commentary on the current state of rock music by music industry veteran David Hersrud.)
I usually avoid box sets and deluxe versions of classic albums. Unless you are a totally devoted fan they don’t offer much in the way of new insights. The people I have talked to about their purchase usually tell me they play it through once and then file it.
They become musical “coffee table” books. So buying a copy of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust Era”, The Beatles super deluxe edition of “Revolver” complete with a 100 page booklet of detailed liner notes and photos, or another super deluxe box set of Pink Floyd’s 50th anniversary remaster of “Dark Side of the Moon” just doesn’t interest me.
Having said that, I have to admit to buying “The Making of Five Leaves Left”, the 4 volume set that chronicles the making of Nick Drake’s classic first album.
Nick Drake: “Cello Song” from “Five Leaves Left”
If you aren’t a fan of Nick Drake or haven’t heard his music it might be hard to understand the reverence with which he is held even 50 plus years after his death. For some he is only known for the use of his music in Volkswagen commercials in the late 90s. He was a masterful acoustic guitarist with a warm somewhat hushed baritone voice. He was also by all accounts incredibly shy. The set contains no new or unearthed songs; instead there are demos, alternate takes that only serve to enhance the mystique. There is also a 60 page booklet. And while some box sets seem thrown together, the Drake set took 9 years to complete.
Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD: “My Only Angel”
A unique but welcome collaboration between Aerosmith and the English rocker that included an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards and the opening salvo of what will hopefully be a 5 song EP. This represents the band’s first new music in over a decade
Ivy: “Heartbreak” from “Traces of You”
Another long-overdue offering that seemed hard to fathom after the death of band-mate Adam Schlesinger (also the co-founder of Fountains of Wayne) in 2020. The band “stumbled” upon numerous unfinished songs while preparing reissues and proceeded to turn them into an album.
“Silver Bleeds The Black Sun” is the band’s 12th album. Starting as a hardcore punk band in the early 90s, they have subtly shifted musical direction numerous times. This without losing their core audience. Their latest foray into 80s gothic rock makes for one of their best and most interesting albums to date.
The Grimm: “Crawlin” from “Grimm Fairy Tales”
The music press is full of stories about bands that are releasing new music years and years after breaking up. However, 50 years must be some kind of record. The Grimm were formed in 1961 as a folk group but were caught up in Beatlemania and went electric. And just as the band was about to sign with a major label, the Vietnam War and Christian mission work split them up.
Fortunately a reunion got the band together to record some of their original songs. The response to the original music was such that the band is ready to release it’s 5th studio album.
Another electro-pop gem from the English band and to quote a review, “Helen Marnie sounds as exquisitely bored as she always has”. They have 7 albums to their credit and remixes for bands like Blondie, Nine Inch Nails, Gang of Four and Goldfrapp. Hopefully the new single is a precursor to album #8.
The latest from one of the most recognizable voices in rock music (see Led Zeppelin). His latest musical effort is what he calls “a song book of the lost and found” as it is equal parts blues, folk and gospel. “Saving Grace” isn’t a solo album as Plant’s participation might lead one to believe. His best music has always been produced when part of an ensemble and “Saving Grace” is no different.
Smashing Pumpkins: “Chrome Jets”
The alt-rock legends are back with a song left over from their 2023 album Aghori Mhori Mei (the bands 13th album). It’s a return to the guitar driven rock that defined their earlier music and gave them 2 albums listed in The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Mavis Staples: ”Beautiful Strangers”
It’s easy to add “legendary” to a musical description but impossible to remove when discussing the musical contributions of a Mavis Staples. She has gone from being a member of God’s Greatest Hitmakers to winning numerous Grammy awards, being inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and named as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Her latest album "Sad And Beautiful World” features guest artists Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt and MJ Lenderman.
Spinal Tap and Elton John: “Stonehenge” from “The End Continues”
The song is a re-recording of music from the 1984 mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap”. The album is rated as one of the 50 Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time
I thought I would leave you with another song from “Five Leave Left”; it’s also one of my favorites.
Till next time…..good listening.
David Hersrud is a third-generation South Dakota native. After college and graduate school, he spent more than six years in the music industry working with bands and artists like George Harrison, Eagles, The Beach Boys, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac. He stayed active after returning to South Dakota and the family business as a writer, consultant and then the host of CDTV for 12 years. David and his wife Kathy live in Sturgis.
Photo courtesy David Hersrud
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