Mariah Carey’s ‘Daydream’ Is Much More Than A Fantasy
Mariah Carey
“Daydream” - Columbia
Preceded by a single, “Fantasy,” that rocketed to the top of the Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts in its first week, the new album from superstar Mariah Carey is poised to take an already stellar career to new heights. Loaded with such hit-bound tracks as ballads “Underneath The Stars” and “Always Be My Baby,” duets “One Sweet Day” (Boyz II Men) and “Melt Away” (Babyface), and Journey cover “Open Arms,” “Daydream” is a guaranteed multiformat smash.
With Carey spearheading the production and the songwriting, album is not only a showcase for her melismatic voice but a hallmark of her growth as an artist.
Grateful Dead
“Hundred Year Hall” - Arista
Appropriately, the first Grateful Dead release in the post-Jerry Garcia period is an album that presents the band in its natural habitat: the stage. A German concert recording from the tour that yielded the landmark Europe ‘72 live set, “Hundred Year Hall” finds Garcia, Bob Weir and company engaging in their trademark telepathic improvisations and showcasing eventual classics, such as “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “Playing In The Band” - all of which were new at the time. Album is the first in a series of planned releases by Arista of the Grateful Dead Records catalog, which includes such titles as “I From The Vault,” “Wake Of The Flood” and “Blues From Allah.”
Dan Zanes
“Cool Down Time” - Private Music
Former Del Fuegos front man Dan Zanes steps out on his own with an inspired album that shines equally for its songwriting, production and musicality. By turns bluesy, rollicking and foreboding, this is an album to keep on the deck at all times - one in which every song is unassumingly excellent. Among the brightest moments are “Tested,” “No Sky,” “Little Blue Suit,” “Rough Spot,” “Tic Tac,” touching ballad “Carelessly,” and unlikely Mose Allison cover “If You Live.” Production by Mitchell Froom and additional studio wizardry by Tom Waits cohort Tchad Blake give this album a swampy, underground feel that is bound to age well. A revelation.
“The Gold Experience”
Warner Bros.
Artist formerly known as Prince re-establishes creative integrity through energetic production and stylishly sonic arrangements. Current set features broad array of tracks, ranging from funky, albeit raunchy, “P Control” to “I Hate You,” which eloquently juxtaposes love and hate. Wiry rock guitar, an artist staple, interlaces with a loud but meaningful live band to leave listeners wringing with twisted pleasure. Set includes the previously released “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World.”
“Essential Blues - House of Blues”
House Of Blues Music Co.
The successful House of Blues chain gets its L.A.-based label off the ground with a two-CD survey of some of the biggest blues tunes of all time, from such heavies as Elmore James, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Albert King, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, and others. Also represented are lesser-known but highly deserving artists, such as Latimore, Fenton Robinson, and Katie Webster.
Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
“Tails” - Geffen
Debut album by bespectacled singer/songwriter who captured hearts with her “Reality Bites” track, “Stay (I Missed You),” delivers on the promise of that hit, and then some. Acoustic-oriented gems in the “Stay” vein abound here, including lead single “Do You Sleep?,” “Hurricane,” and “All The Stars Were Falling.” But there are also hard-rocking entries that reveal an artistic breadth well beyond the folk/ rock core.Album also includes breakthrough hit, making it extra palatable for an already considerable base.
Menthol
Capitol
The album sounds great, thanks to hotter-than-hot producer Brad Wood, but to say that musical depth is lacking would be kind. In an unusual reversal for rock’n’roll, the album’s lyrical content is unique and interesting, but memorable tunes are few and far between. Worse, the lead singer sounds disturbingly like Axl Rose when his voice scales the higher registers. But with such tracks as “Stress Is Best,” which mates compelling words with crunching guitars and a distinctive melody, this trio shows potential.