From: owner-jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org (jangle-poets-digest) To: jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org Subject: jangle-poets-digest V9 #137 Reply-To: jangle-poets@smoe.org Sender: owner-jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk jangle-poets-digest Thursday, February 28 2008 Volume 09 : Number 137 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [JP] Better Dreams review ["Passe, Jeff" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:25:22 -0500 From: "Passe, Jeff" Subject: [JP] Better Dreams review Let me say, right off, that it's by far their best album. I was a bit disappointed with Songs of the Open Road, not for the performances (I love, love, love "This Moment!") but for the fact that there were no original songs. I thought the songwriting on Half a Million Miles was just superb and was hoping to hear more new ones. This cd continues where Half a Million Miles left off. The Kennedys have (ahem) evolved into songwriters who have captured the mystical in their music. Between the jangling guitar chords, and the spiritual lyrics, the songs synthesize the yin and yang of music and words into a glorious evocation of our inner lives. I honestly believe that they've taken us down the path that George Harrison began to blaze all those many years ago. Take "Breathe" for instance. It's supposedly about dreams, but to me it's a guide for living. There's so much wisdom we can draw from dreams, as Maura asks us to challenge our perceptions. I can't wait to hear this from the Falcon Ridge stage on Sunday morning. "The Speed of Soul" just rolls along. I like hearing Pete's voice on the harmonies. That Rachael Davis giggle at the end reminds me of the various sound effects on the Beatle's White Album. There are two love songs that make me wonder. Both are beautiful. "I Found a Road" and "Light My Way" could be dedicated to a lover, but also to some version of God. It doesn't matter which. After all, the best love songs capture the eternal essence of that emotion, which should transcend mortal souls. The sitar work creates the perfect ambience. "No Mornings' is the masterpiece of the cd. First, there's the AMAZING vocal, maybe Maura's best ever. Then, there's the gorgeous melody. The guitar and violin work is just so sensitive and soothing. But what makes the song so special is the lyrics that require one to ponder. What does it all mean? As in a dream, one can never be sure. In the case of this song, we can keep coming back to listen. "Better Dreams" is a treat because of the presence of the Strangelings. There's no band around that sounds quite like them, and it's a joy to hear them play something beside covers. (I imagine that, these days, Pete and Maura have to make a decision with each song, whether to make it a Strangelings, Kennedys or Stringbuster song. I suppose Neil Young used to do the same thing.) As for the song, I love the rhymes, and, of course, the message - "Put your faith in better dreams." Good advice, on many levels. Then we get to the political songs. They change the mood, especially Sago Mine (which possible should have been saved for another disk.) As countless songwriters have learned, topical songs can get old in a hurry. But yes, do give me back my country. I want to give voice to the American Wish. I am very hopeful these days. You can say that I'm having better dreams. The guitars on all three songs are great, especially the U2-like jam at the end of American Wish. Those extended jams are what first drew me to the Kennedys. I'm hoping to hear more of them in concert. (I'll be in Chapel Hill on Saturday night. I CANNOT WAIT!) The cd winds down beautifully, with lilting, uplifting melodies and lyrics, gradually changing into ethereal sounds that are perfect for, what else, falling asleep. Or, in my case, I hit "play" again. For what it's worth Jeff from Charlotte Check out the Kennedys' Official Home Page: http://www.KennedysMusic.com/ Fab photos, the Official tour diary, dashboard Buddha haiku, groovy merchandise...what more could you ask for? ------------------------------ End of jangle-poets-digest V9 #137 **********************************