The day after a big holiday Monday is usually a very sad day for music new releases. All the music distributors and shippers shut down on Monday holidays. Because of this, the labels traditionally keep the Tuesday releases pretty slim the day after the holiday. So R. Kelly and Perry Farrell are both pretty lucky with two new albums out today. Without much competition, the albums might do a little better than they probably should. Most Janes Addiction fans would probably appreciate it if Perry Farrell just stopped making music. He managed to make some brilliant albums in the late 80s and early 90s. He even did pretty good with his post Jane's Addiction band Porno for Pyros. "We'll make great pets" is still repeating in my head after all these years. It was a super catchy song.

Perry Farrell started playing music in the brilliant but short lived band Psi Com. The band released one self titled album in 1985. He went on to create two excellent album with Jane's Addiction. "Nothing's Shocking" and "Ritual de lo Habitual" had a major influence on many of us who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s. Especially those of us growing up in southern California. These albums and their singles were heard everywhere. Everyone had the tapes blasting in their cars and I swear that I probably heard Jane's Addiction at least once a day, somewhere. The band became known as the symbol for alternative music. Back when alternative actually still meant something. Perry Farrell also went on to create the alternative music festival known as Lollapalooza. This was  a pretty exciting festival for kids who had never experienced anything like this before. Perry Farrell also released the movie "The Gift" in 1993. While this may be one of the worst films ever released, it remained one of my favorites for many years.

After a couple failed Jane's Addiction reunions, Perry has now moved on with a new project. Titled Perry Farrell's Satelite Party. The band release their debut album "Ultra Payloaded" today. I'm still regretting that I even listened to it. But the curiosity was killing me. I would not even be talking about it. But there is not much else out today to talk about. Perry Farrell does seem to be having some sort of party on this album. But it seems he doesn't really care if anyone else gets it. Or maybe he really does think this album is some amazing party album that everyone is gonna put on during their next party. The album includes great song titles like "Wish Upon a Dogstar" and "Mr. Sunshine" and "Insanity Rains." It really makes me a little sad. I would really love for him to make another brilliant and relevant album. But I just don't think it is going to happen. Within his songs you can almost hear the old Perry Farrell that you loved not so long ago. But it is buried deep within these horrible party songs. Try to imagine Jim Morrison singing with the Black Crowes  at some bad hippie trance rave that you don't want to be at. That is kind of what this albums is like. The worst of the bunch is for sure "Awesome." The song literally repeats the phrase "Awesome" over and over and over again. I actually made it through the entire album. And I think I deserve some sort of prize for making it that far. I dare anyone else to do the same. I only hope that he at least had a good time making the album. I am gonna try and forget this album so I can get back my memories of the guy that I did love. He made some brilliant albums that still have a hold on me.

Also out today is the new album by the genius that is R. Kelly. I really do hold him up as some sort of genius. He has managed to create some brilliant catchy R & B songs over the years. Robert Slyvester Kelly got his start in the group Public Announcement. But he quickly rose to super stardom with his solo songs "Bump N' Grind" and the brilliant "I Believe I Can Fly." R. Kelly has gonna through a lot the last couple years. He has gone through a trial, been spoofed on South Park and released the amazing 12 part video movie "Trapped in the Closet." He now releases his eighth album "Double Up." The new album features "Pull Ya Hair" and "Freaky in the Club." It also features Snoop Dogg, T.I., Nelly, and T-Pain.

What I love about R. Kelly is that he truly believes that he is a brilliant song writer. He imagines himself as God's gift to the musical world. You really can't blame him. He still remains one of the most popular stars of R & B after all these years. His brilliance was really made evident with the release of "Trapped in the Closet." I really recommend checking it out if you have not had the chance yet. The commentary on the DVD is amazing. I can't really even explain it. But it involves R. Kelly cheating with a woman whose man is cheating on her with another man. Its like a soap opera and R. Kelly is for sure the star. It was even spoofed by the guys of South Park. It was the episode that Tom Cruise tried to ban from TV. They brilliantly combined R. Kelly's song with Tom actually being trapped in the closet. I am sure R. Kelly never planned on his song being used like this. But maybe he did. That is just how brilliant he is.  My favorite songs so far on the album are "Hook it Up" and "Freaky in the Club." Although the more I listen to it, the more favorite songs I get. I could listen to his lyrics all day long. There are some great lyrics in the world of R & B. But he is really at the top. R. Kelly is great at creating stories with his albums. He knows he is writing future hits. But he is also very careful to create a lasting story for his fans.  He has made another brilliant album of smooth R & B. There is no one quite like R. Kelly.
One of my favorite R. Kelly moments still remains his duet with Sparkle, "Careful." Just in case you forgot this catchy song of 1998...here is the video...


also out today...






"Sweet Warrior" by Richard Thompson













"In Glorious Times" by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum










"Se Dice Bisonte No Bufalo" by Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez