Music Review with Polythene Ham: Part Deux

Hey, Ham Fans!!! Please accept my deepest and sincerest apologies for my prolonged absence from Hamarama.com. That H1N1 stuff don’t play! But I’m all better now and ready to catch you up on all the latest music reviews from the past weeks. Get ready for blasts from the past this week as well!

 April 28 – May 5, 2009

 Ben Folds – “University A Cappella”

As promised, we’ll start with Ben Folds latest release. Quite simply, this is a compilation of some of their best songs performed by various collegiate a cappella groups. Of course, they are not strictly a cappella (enter the drum machine), but the effect is still the same.

Ben Folds lyrics + rich choral sounds = listening pleasure.

Definitely worth the time and money for any Ben Folds fan.

 Ben Harper and Relentless 7 – “White Lies for Dark Times”

As a lifelong Texan, I’ve gotta say a few words for this practically local band of rockers. While their sound is very “southern rock,” they still have a distinction about them that I think all bands strive for. Who wants to sound like everyone else??? Decent lyrics, nice guitar playing…overall not bad.

 Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – “Outer South”

Yay!! As a Bright Eyes fan, how could I not be excited about Conor Oberst’s latest project? Same distinctive vocal stylings, lyrics that don’t make me wanna slit my wrists, complimented by talented musicians…what a combination!

I love it, so you must love it as well. Seriously…you’ll thank me later.

 May 12, 2009

 Better Than Ezra – “Plays Paper Empire”

I’m sorry, did you say Better Than Ezra? I thought that was an alternative band from the early ‘90s. Are those guys still playing? OH!! I had no idea. No offense, but they haven’t really been part of the scene for the last decade or so. Oh well, I’ll try anything once (uh…twice?). Seriously, though, if you liked them then, you will probably like them now. If you are too young to remember, you might still like them now. They still sound like Better Than Ezra, but at least the sound has been updated. From what I can tell, they’ve progressed and aren’t trying to repackage what worked for them.

 Meat Puppets – “Sewn Together”

Hmm…I think I must have tripped and fallen into some type of Mario-esque warp zone. Weren’t the Meat Puppets a grunge band way back in the day? Don’t get me wrong, I love ‘em, but I just didn’t expect to see another band from my early teen years making a comeback of sorts. OK, I am keeping a pretty open mind, because I must respect those that were instrumental in making rock what it is today. For what it’s worth, I like it. It’s out today, so maybe give them a chance to re-win you over.

 New Release Preview – 05/19/2009 (totally serious)

Cheech and Chong

The Oak Ridge Boys

Winger

Bizzy Bone

 OK, so recent releases have brought on a case of nostalgia. Please excuse me, but I’ve gotta dig out my combat boots and flannel shirt. Come back next week for more music reviews.

Advertisement