Thursday March 24, 2005

Forever Elvis

Compiled by MELODY L. GOH

Elvis Presley
Love, Elvis
Sony BMG

Elvis may have left the building but his music has stayed on. Many of his songs have been revived by artistes of different musical genres, but none are as good as the originals. This album is a romantic collection of 24 numbers by the King himself, including one previously unreleased alternate track of For the Good Times. The songs selected are more intimate. So only ballads and slow tunes are wheeled out here to fund new renovations for Graceland. If you're a wedding planner, this package is quite a peach, too. Among the soppy favourites revisited include Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Always On My Mind, Hawaiian Wedding Song, There Goes My Everything, The Wonder Of You, And I Love You So and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me. Love, Elvis, indeed.

Brian McKnight
Gemini
Universal

It has been a few years since Brian McKnight released his last album, so this new one is much welcomed. McKnight still has that smooth, almost high-pitched voice that many women find so attractive and he manipulates it in the songs on Gemini. Some of the tracks do seem a bit outdated though, and sound much like his previous work, but there are enough good songs to tide you over till the next album. Song titles include Me & You, Come Back, What We Do Here, Grown Man Business, Everything I Do and All Over Now.

Steve Vai
Real Illusions: Reflections
Sony BMG

Guitarist Steve Vai’s latest album has been getting mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. While some describe it as a “masterpiece”, others think it’s nothing more than just music for yoga. Vai, however, calls it his “rock fable”, and tries to explain further what he means by it in the CD inlay, but realises halfway that it’s just not possible. So, if you’re a big fan of Vai, then maybe you’ll understand this album better than most of us. Contains tracks like Under It All, I’m Your Secrets, Lotus Feet, Firewall, Dying for Your Love and Yai Yai.

Various Artistes
Rockstar: The New Rock Generation
Universal Music

With the way rock music is evolving these days, there are always a number of exciting rock songs that seem to please music fans – no matter how fickle they are. This rock sampler takes a sweep through the new rock trends and fast fading genres. From hyped Las Vegas dance-rock (The Killers) to outrageous NY glam (Scissor Sisters) to chart fodder (Limp Bizkit, etc) and Marilyn Manson, you know the net is cast far and wide. This 19-track collection blazes through songs like This Love (Maroon 5), The Reason (Hoobastank), Falls On Me (Fuel), Here Without You (3 Doors Down), Behind Blue Eyes (Limp Bizkit), We’re All to Blame (Sum 41), Personal Jesus (Marilyn Manson), Laura (Scissor Sisters) and Somebody Told Me (The Killers). The gym is going to a much louder place after this CD gets a spin there.

Spring and Slam
Terunggul
Sony BMG

In the early 1990s, the number of rock bands in Malaysia started to increase with the success of bands like Search, Wings and even XPDC. Spring and Slam are two rock bands that managed to dominate the charts and airwaves at the time, selling out concerts and hitting platinum in domestic record sales for many of their albums. It has been more than five years since either Spring and Slam have released any album, so this double-disc compilation really is a trip down memory lane. There are 28 songs in the album, 14 from each band. Songs from Spring include Sampai Hati, Bourgenvilla, Butakah Cinta, Sejujur Mana Kata-Kata, Menggapai Sinarmu and Romantis, while songs from Slam include Gerimis Mengundang, Bukan Niat Membalas Derita, Entah Mengapa, Terasing Dalam Sepi, Jika Kau Rasa Getarnya and Rindiani.

Silvard
Heartfelt/
Postcard From Cape Cod
IO Music

Richard Clayderman not your cup of tea? Then check out Silvard Kool, a Netherlands-born internationally acclaimed pianist and composer. These two re-released albums features music which Silvard himself composed, as well as a number of classical favourites. Tracks in Heartfelt contain a mix of Silvard originals and classical fare, like Ballade pour Adeline, Ocean Voyage, Music Box Dancer, Honshu Sunrise, Littorina Rag, Mozartasia, Speak Softly Love (yes, The Godfather song), while tracks in Postcard from Cape Cod are all written by Silvard, including Ocean Spirits, Lullaby, Dawn, Cranberry Harvest and Whale Watch. If you notice, Silvard is very much influenced by the ocean and ocean life, as he is also a noted marine biologist.

eCentral

Forever Elvis