Beginning this week and continuing through the semester the WebDevil will feature music reviews in a new section called 'REtroVIEWS.'
Retroviews will give sheltered, not-in-the-know readers a chance to get a whiff of albums of the past that may have been glossed over in the generational gap.
The reviewer will focus on some of the greatest (and maybe worst!) previously released albums that were originally put out during that given week. To all the readers who are fed up with the mush that is passed off as music today and want to relive the glory days of recorded ROCK, this column is for you.
RetroView Vol. 1
Tenacious D
Tenacious D (Epic 2001)
It just so happens that the inaugural Retroview coincided with the past release date of the self-proclaimed "Greatest Band in the World's" debut album. One need not dig into the $3 discount bin for this one--it's only a few years old and still quite successful. During this week of September of 2001 perhaps the tastiest nugget of rockin' ever squeezed out was at last plopped into the public ear.
Tenacious D, or merely 'The D,' to true fans put out its self-titled album after much anticipation from rock-hungry fiends.
Lead singer and brains of the group, Jack Black (aka. JB and Jables), previously recognized for his Hollywood endeavors, belts out gut-busting vocals that are sure to bust your guts. The sometimes raucous, sometimes sweet tones that come from his pipes are sure to leave the listener far more satisfied than had they popped in Will Smith's latest failure.
If JB is the brains then Kage (aka. Kyle Gass, KG, Rage) is the brawn of this power duo. He, with his acoustic guitar third limb, wails out melodic riffs and face-melting solos. His portly stature, due to a few too many helpings of 'western bacon chee,' is the root of his rock power and also keeps The D in the good graces of the female fans. Kage proves on the album that his guitar knowledge encompasses metal, blues, funk, and even some classical Bach, which he learned in the School of Hard Knocks.
The lyrics and songs themselves are taken as merely comical to some, but the two epic tracks that are the real meat and potatoes of the album, "Wonderboy" and "Tribute", demonstrate the raw talent and power these 'two kings' of rock possess. These classic rock renditions are songs of hope to listeners of a dying genre: rock and roll.
With the added bonuses of Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) bashing the hell out of the drums on multiple songs and the production skills of the Dust Brothers (Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique, Beck's Odelay) this cream dream of an album is sure to unite D-sciples across the nation.
