Four albums to free your mind from the pandemic dread
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Letter To You
ON his 20th and latest album. The Boss revisits his classic Born To Run recording first released in 1975. It’s also the first time in six years that most of the band members in the Born To Run sessions are back with Springsteen for 2020’s ‘Letter To You.’ There’s pianist Roy Bittan, guitarist Nils Lofgren, and bassist Gary Tallent, to name three. while the late great saxophonist Clarence “Big Man” Clemons has been replaced by his nephew Jake Clemons.
For all intents and purposes, the sound and ferocity of “Born To Run” inform the classic rock sonics of “Letter To You.” But instead of racing on the streets, 71-year old Bruce is acting his age, reflecting now about what has gone before minus the pent-up rage of youth almost five decades before.
Still, he’s got some beef to settle going by such titles as “Last Man Standing” and “Burnin’ Train” and some allusions to the climate change
dilemma in the fiery “Rainmaker.” Then he also delivers a moving “The Power of Prayer” that makes one think Springsteen may be considering his future move, including probably how he wants his ride into the sunset.
Despite sounding like some throwback, “Letter To You” could be The Boss saying he’s back on the saddle reprising his best years in the ‘70s. Who knows, next time we hear from him, Bruce could be singing his ‘80s opus reclaimed titled “Born in the USA (Finally Free Again}”? That’ll be the day.
ARTEMIUS Small Kcid Energy
THE nonsensical album title hardly clues you in on what’s going on in Artemius’ musical world. One thing sure is. The five tracks on his new album actually brim with enough oomph to rock you mind and body out of your lockdown blues. Speaking of the blues, “Runaway Blues” is one tough thoroughbred that should be strutting soon at the Roadhouse. Follow up “Sin Again” plays footsie with ZZ Top by way of Van Halen. “Clash City Rockers” propels the punk-like swagger of “No One’s Type”. Artemius will break out big once all these emergency measures get dismantled by the wayside.
I AM Z I Wanna Be Free
ONE man act I am Z counts among his influences The Eraserheads, The Beatles and Daft Punk. The E-heads and The Beatles are pretty obvious in the melodies and hooks Z crams in his songs. Rather than Daft Punk, he should also count Carlos Santana because Z’s guitar runs operate in the extended solo space inhabited by the likes of Santana and Jeff Beck.
The great thing is, Z’s first album roams freely outside of classic rock tradition. Tracks like “Baby, Let’s Go,” “Sa Bagong Mundo” and the opening titular cut are just as much pop heaven as rock dreamland. There’s even a hint of Alamid in “Sa Bagong Mundo” that should cross it over to alternative rock as well as mainstream pop fans.