Song: Calhoun Square
Album: Crystal Ball
Year: 1998
Named after a shopping district in Minneapolis, this track starts out with a nice funky bass line with some organ hits and a fairly straight-forward drum track. The lead guitar cuts in to transform the chorus into more of rock jam a la Living Colour and then back to the funk-tinged verse. It would have been groundbreaking in the late 80s and perhaps still was when recorded in 1993. Twenty-one years after it's release, however, it's just meh. But at least it's an elongated and hopeful meeeeeeeh rather than a blunt, dismissive, MEH!
Verdict: 3/5 stars
Would I sing it at karaoke? Doubtful
Song: Sister Midnight - Live
Album: A Reality Tour
Year: 2004
Written by David Bowie waaaaaay back in 1977 for Iggy Pop's inaugural solo album The Idiot, Sister Midnight is a tune that seems to be about an oedipal complex but is in reality about drug addiction. (For what it's worth, the song China Girl, also an oldie from The Idiot, is not really about a girl from China). Oh the complex and wonderful masquerade that is metaphor! I am quite familiar with this song and have always loved Iggy Pop's dark, droning and gritty take on it. This version retains the killer bass line but adds in some excellent hi-hat percussion work and some raging guitar licks that turn it into a rocker. It's no less gritty . . . just wonderfully loud.
Verdict: 4/5 stars
Would I sing it at karaoke? Absolutely. I can't wait to!
Winner: Sister Midnight - Live
Running Score: Bowie 27, Prince 17
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