When He’s Not Shooting Animals, Nugent’s Writing Songs About It

Sun., May 14, 1995

From Billboard

Ted Nugent

“Spirit Of The Wild” - Atlantic

Deer excepted, Nugent’s latest album promises to appeal to a widerranging audience than some of his other wildman-schtick fare.

The hunter/he-man themes are familiar - “Primitive Man,” one of several unremarkable full-metal tracks, remains Nugent’s highest selfboast - but much of the music here gently plumbs a bluesy vein to pleasing effect (notably “I Shoot Back”). Elsewhere, gentle melodies meld cleanly with Nugent’s muscular strumming, as on spirited “Lovejacker” and the pretty title track. “Fred Bear,” an odd, epic anthem with an addictive chorus, is the highlight.

King Crimson

“Thrak” - Virgin

A decade since splintering into solo projects, the King Crimson lineup of Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Bill Bruford reunites, now augmented by Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto on stick and percussion.

Rather than breaking new ground, as has been the band’s wont since its debut in 1969, the “double-trio” format revisits the Crimsons of yore, notably the mid-‘70s “Red” period and the early ‘80s. Highlights include “Dinosaur,” “One Time,” “Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream” and instrumental epic “Vrooom.” A welcome return by a progressive outfit that never lost its footing.

Various Artists

“For The Love Of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson” - MusicMasters

Harry Nilsson had friends too numerous to mention, but some of their last names are Newman, Starr, Nicks, Forbert, Kooper and Crenshaw. They and such other notables as Brian Wilson, Aimee Mann, Victoria Williams and newcomer Jennifer Trynin pay homage to the late songwriter’s genius by performing 23 of his songs, including “One,” “Coconut,” “Lay Down Your Arms,” “The Puppy Song,” and “Me And My Arrow.” The depth and diversity of the project shows that rockers from the underground to the Hall of Fame appreciate a great song, and Nilsson gave them plenty of those.

Various Artists

Terence Trent D’Arby, “TTD’s Vibrator” Work

Reinforcing the widespread belief that talent and egomania are inseparable, Terence Trent D’Arby imparts enough of both on his fourth outing to interest his fans and detractors alike.

If every song on the album were of the caliber of the catchy “Supermodel Sandwich” (featured on the “Ready To Wear” soundtrack) and the Stevie Wonderinspired ballad “Undeniably,” the album would be an unqualified winner.

But marred by TTD’s over-indulgence and self-absorbed “philosophy,” “Vibrator” fails to satisfy.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = ALBUM REVIEW, COLUMN - Album reviews

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