by Paul Falardeau (Arts & Life Editor) – Email
Death Cab For Cutie – “Expo ‘86″
A somewhat melancholy retrospective, as I guess I should expect, but poignant – and even catchy – nonetheless. Worth a listen for its lyrical dimensions alone.
Iggy Pop and the Stooges – “1969″
A screaming, adolescent riot of a song, Iggy Pop brings his swagger to a bloody peak amidst the Stooges, who are undulating between funk, punk, and psychedelia and making quite a bit of noise as a result.
RJD2 – “1976″
Resplendent with horns, this funky electro-mash track almost gets an island feel to it; hell, that synth bit in the middle almost sounds like it came from Donkey Kong Country. Masterfully handled, sometimes tired ideas like quick pauses sound fresh here.
Rush – “2112″
Wow. The half hour long epic doesn’t ever really feel that long. It tells some vaguely Ayn Rand-related story about a dystopian future. It’s all worth it when you get through the chaotic freak-out space battle ending to hear that voice saying “We are in control. We are in control. Replay.