Mind the madness
R&B singer-songwriter Miguel knows that some of us just want a respite from the madness of this mad world.
But ignorance is a bliss that has its price, as he tries to tell us through the brilliant groovy number Told You So.
On the surface, Miguel invites you to dance and forget about your worries. But take a peek at
Neil Young + Promise of the Real
the lyrics (“As long as you know, baby/Every pleasure you taste has its price”) and you can see something sinister is happening.
The aftermath of the madness that Miguel is trying to warn you about is evident in City Of Angels. The moody guitar number hints at a devastating war that happened in Los Angeles.
But that song could also serve as a heartbreak anthem for cheaters. The point is, if you don’t like it when Miguel gets serious and political, then you can tune your ears to the “Leisure” part of this album.
Wolves and Harem are two sexy songs that will do just that for you. Just remember to give the “War” side a whirl as you don’t want to miss out on some of the album’s best numbers (Criminal, Banana Clip).
War & Leisure is an interesting, thoughtful and almost addictive take on the state of our world and the people whose minds are wandering elsewhere. – Angelin Yeoh The Visitor NEIL Young is unhappy. That’s good news for music fans.
Young is back and crotchety in The Visitor, a record that finds him lashing out against President Donald Trump, environmental degradation, the fate of mankind and nearly everything in between.
He doesn’t go full-Grandpa Simpson here but it is close. Not that it’s a bad thing.
Young sets the mood right out of the gate with Already Great, a notso-subtle dig at Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again”.
“You’re the promise land, the helping hand,” Young sings in the first of many digs against the president. “No wall. No hate. No fascist USA.”
With backing once again from the band Promise of the Real, the 72-year-old Young continues taking a stand on this his 39th record which is something most pop stars young enough to be his grandchildren refuse to do.
He’s also all over the map musically. The freewheeling journey finds Young exploring Caribbean and Latin music on Stand Tall, the blues on Diggin’ A Hole and funk on When Bad Got Good.
He also brings in a full-blown orchestra, but just for one song. Why overdo it?
Young closes the record with a familiar environmental anthem Forever, hitting on themes he’s returned to repeatedly over his 50-year career.
“Earth is like a church without a preacher,” Young sings during the 10-minute song. “The people have to pray for themselves.” – Scott Bauer/AP