I like Rick Springfield's music, since the innocent "Jesse's Girl" days. I always thought he was an underrated guitarist and songwriter. It's been unfair that Springfield has been judged by Springsteen's greatness.
I saw Springfield for the first time in concert twice last year, first in Atlantic City solo, then in December with Richard Marx in Bethlehem. Both shows were fun.
When he mentioned a new album soon called "The Snake King" I looked forward to new Springfield music, as I enjoyed the country-ish-sounding rock-a-billy sound of his previous album, "Rocket Science."
After listening to "The Snake King" I was impressed how different it sounds, more blues, with a touch of hard rock, pop and country sprinkled in. Mostly gritty, hard-driven blues.
Springfield is better than ever on guitar on the new record. His now gravelly voice is perfect for such a hard-edge, bluesy album. The music is great. It's the lyrics that suck.
Most of the time, Springfield's words are clever and amusing and thoughtful. Of course, he has always sang about love and sex, and has commented on social issues, not afraid to express his opinion. For that, I give him credit.
But "The Snake King" is so over the top on religion and how much Springfield feels God and Jesus aren't real, that it wears on you and begins to turn you off to the point where you feel, OK, enough already- lighten up!
I know Springfield went through a really depressing time last year after his mother died. maybe he went off the deep-end, as he claims he was close to suicide. That's when he wrote most of this album, and it's darkness shows big time.
There are some really catchy songs on the album, including the opener, "In The Land of the Blind" and the follow-up song, " The Devil That You Know." There are a lot of references to the devil, Lucifer, and demons. I know Springfield played Satan in the TV series "Supernatural."But it seems like every song mentions the devil, or not believing in God. In fact, another song is called "Santa is an Anagram" ( for Satan).
It's almost disturbing how hard Springfield is screaming to say something, that he practically forces whatever message he is trying to convey down your throat with every song.
The music is good, and Springfield's guitar-work is top-notch, but the overall message is a total turn-off. I admire his energy and the fact he does put out new music often ( Billy Joel, take note). Hopefully his next effort is more light-hearted and Springfield doesn't take himself so seriously.
No comments:
Post a Comment