It’s funny that Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong, because I’ve been meaning to write this column for awhile. Y’see it occurred to me a few weeks ago that some artists should only make post breakup records. Sometimes happy music just doesn’t sound so great to the ears.
Maybe it’s the raw emotions that breakups bring to the surface that makes the music so much better. Perhaps it because everyone’s had a bad breakup that put you through the emotional ringer and devastates your very being. Yeah, I think it’s that second one. Sadness is so much more universal than happiness. Thus I present to you five artists that shouldn’t release records unless there’s been a bad breakup involved.
Alanis Morrisette
Her Jagged Little Pill was an angry affair, and much of it was in response to a break up. It was a huge album, and her subsequent releases have yet to match the energy or success. Sure she found peace, but it didn’t make for good listening.
I think that Ryan Reynolds really needs to break her heart, if only for the listening public. Her last decent sized hit also detailed a failed relationship, but she can’t keep mining that same relationship forever. She needs a really harsh break up. I’m guessing that her first post divorce release will do amazing numbers.
Ben Folds
While I prefer his group work (Ben Folds Five) to his solo work, he shouldn’t be able to do either unless he’s had a bad breakup. “Song for the Dumped” isn’t so much sad as it is bitter, but it’s brilliant just the same.
Still his slower stuff really gives him a chance to show off his voice, which has such a vulnerable quality. He really comes to embody the brokenhearted beau. Fortunately I’m not too worried about Ben making happy music anytime soon, given his record with failed marriages.
Fiona Apple
I love Fiona Apple, but she’s not a happy camper and I love it. Her sadness and anger is what makes her music so great. She released three albums and my favorite moments are somber, if not sullen.
As cool as it was that Fiona was shagging P.T.A., the demise of the relationship made for some of the most beautiful moments on Extraordinary Machine. Fiona has quite the knack for truly capturing the anger of a breakup. Not in the brash loudness of Morrisette, but with a verbal tenacity that causes one’s head to spin.
Ryan Adams
I’m a pretty big Ryan Adams fan, but 29 left me flat. That’s probably because it was about him and there wasn’t much heartbreak to be found. His immediate post Parker Posey release was full of depression. But 29 just didn’t have too much to offer in that regard.
Ryan is a great storyteller, but when his tales involve a fragile relationship, that’s when he’s atop his game. Most of my favorites of Adam’s songs involve at least one lovelorn character. I really to hope that his next release has more to offer on that front.
Sheryl Crow
I really was a fan of Sheryl’s, until she found happiness. Her first three albums has their share of peppy singles, but her art could be found in the slow songs where she really cut lose emotionally venting on Owen Wilson and Eric Clapton.
But her last full length album left me feeling vacant. Despite my better judgment I actually picked up C’mon C’mon. Even though I’d heard “Soak Up The Sun” I figured that her album would have some despondent gems. Well I was wrong. The album felt so SoCal, it was disturbingly bland.
Still now that she’s single again (especially since it involved an engagement) I really can’t wait to hear her next album. Not because I want to hear her dish on Lance Armstrong, but because I want to hear her vent.
Think about it like this, breakups sell. Carly Simon had like two huge hits, and the other one was a Bond theme.
R.I.P. The Bootleg
By the time some of you read this column an era will have ended. That’s because you’ll be reading this after you’ve checked out the final edition of The Bootleg.
I really don’t know what to say about The Bootleg and Aaron Cameron. Aaron and I have grown close in our time as web columnists. We’ve gotten about as close as the internet allows. Well, maybe not that close, but at close as two firmly heterosexual guys (one who happens to be married, with a kid) can get.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss The Bootleg. It’s about the most entertaining read out there that’s A) done on a volunteer basis and B) done by someone who’s firmly cemented in the daily grind and not harboring any dreams of celebrity. I marvel at Aaron’s ability to tie random bits of pop culture and 80’s trivia into a cohesive column week after week.
But I’m really going to miss Aaron. Sure his presence will still be felt over in the He-Man Woman Haters’s Club (and I’ll do my best to share those gems with you) and I’ll catch up with him on IM or the occasional email. But it’s the regular dose of Aaron that I’m going to miss the most.
True Fact – Aaron was one of the two writers that I needed to be aboard the InsidePulse Express in order for me to join the exodus from 411 .
Aaron is a class act. He’s a great friend, a talented writer, a competent father, an adequate husband and his music taste shows promise.
Oh wait, did you think that I was going to get completely sentimental?
My main point is that I’m probably going to miss Aaron Cameron and The Bootleg more than you.
Bad Breakup
Trevor claims to be late, but I think I’ve got him beat.
Tom’s Back!
Shawn is really all over the place, but in a good way.
Mike Eagle always blows my mind.
Gloomchen’s teaser poses an eternal question and her column is nothing less than stellar.
And last but not least it’s the penultimate chapter in the sage of The Bootleg read it and find out how you missed your chance to win your very own Ipod Nano!
Happily Ever After
Ian has Yeah Yeah Yeah news, which has caused me to say “yay” not “yeah.”
Phil makes it even harder for me to remember when I loved The Source and has the latest on what might possibly be Hip Hop’s worst beef yet; Will Smith vs Bow Wow. Ouch.
Five Album Instrumentals I’m Bumping Right Now
1. Common Sense – Resurrection
2. Souls of Mischief – 93 til Infinity
3. The Beatnuts – Musical Massacre
4. Big Pun – Capital Punishment
5. Kanye West – The College Dropout
Five Albums That Are In Heavy Rotation
1. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
2. Jeff Buckley – Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk
3. The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come for Free
4. The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth
5. Dizzee Rascal – Boy in da Corner
