Customer Reviews

Urban Urbane

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am very biased when it comes to David J. I have been a fan of his for 20 years. This may be his best solo effort. He seems to be able to capture the allure and pitfalls of fame and success perfectly. David's solo work is very different from Love and Rockets and Bauhaus. While Peter and Daniel seem to stick with that same style and feel, David J moves in and around it and often surprises you with his direction. If you haven't listened to David's solo work, buy this album first.

Gee whiz, I'm the first person to review this album! This speaks volumes considering this album was released way back in 1992! At the time, most music critics gave this album a paltry 2 stars, while its predecessor, 1990's "Songs From Another Season," usually earned 4 out of 5 stars. Well, truthfully speaking, "Urban Urbane" pales in comparison to David's other albums, but I believe there are a few treasures here worth discovering.

Without further adieu, here's my quick breakdown:

1. "Some Big City" --0 stars-- The album's opener is by far the worst track. The funky rhythm, horn section, and female backup singers reminds one of Prince and the New Power Generation--but done badly!

2. "A Man of Influential Taste" --1 star-- The second track would almost be a nightclub jazz number if it weren't for the irritating Hammond organ. Still, one can almost imagine David J. in a black tuxedo trying to "one up" Bryan Ferry as the consummate lounge lizard.

3. "Smashed Princess" --2 stars-- a bit dull, but beginning to sound like David J.

4. "Ten Little Beauty Queens" --3 stars-- the first respectable cut on the album.

5. "Candy on the Cross" --4 stars-- the album's sole single. Herein lies the tragic story of the hapless prima donna turned drug-crazed prostitute. Peter Murphy's guest appearance on backup vocals is quite welcome indeed!

6. "Space Cowboy" --5 stars-- by far the album's best moment! I'm surprised that this one was not chosen as the lead single. I hate to wax nostalgic, but it sounds very much like the better material on Love and Rockets' "Express."

7. "Serial Killer Blues" --4 stars-- another fun track. The bluesy harmonica and processed vocals bear a stricking resemblance to Love and Rockets' "Bound for Hell."

8. "Tinseltown" --3 stars-- a fairly upbeat and pleasant track that seems to echo the same sentiment as Love and Rockets' "Life in Laralay."

9. "Bouquets, Wreaths, and Laurels" --2 stars-- dull, filler song.

10. "No Faith" --3 stars-- very "experimental" in that it starts off sounding like a typical Rolling Stones song. Interestingly though, David J's vocal delivery bears a striking resemblance to David Bowie's "TVC 15."

11. "Pilgrims, Martyrs, and Saints" --2 stars-- lifeless filler track.

12. "Hoagy Carmicheal Never Went to New Orleans" --4 stars-- this pleasant tune seems to me like a somewhat slower and "prettier" version of "I'll Be Your Chauffeur." It certainly sounds very similar.

To sum it all up, this album has only three or four songs that are memorable, but these few tunes are well worth the ticket price---at the time of this review the "low price" is only $0.01. That's right, only one copper penny. Who could go wrong?