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Pop Rock Nation

Author: Mikey Hersh

  • Another Way To Die (The New James Bond Theme) Hits The Internet

    http://www.007.com/popup/wallpapers/images/qos_keyart_1280x1024.jpg

    What do Paul McCartney, Chris Cornell, Sheena Easton, Rita Coolidge, Tina Turner, and Sheryl Crow all have in common?  They all performed a song that was featured in a James Bond movie.  And now we can add the duo of Jack White and Alicia Keys to this list.  Hmm? Did you ever think you would see these two heavyweights team up for a song?  I sure as hell never did.  Their collaboration, Another Way To Die, from the upcoming James Bond movie which hits theaters in November, has just begun streaming at http://www.thirdmanrecords.com.

    The song has that unique dark sound that identifies it as a Bond tune, but from the opening guitar riff you can tell immediately it’s something from the White Stripes.   The combination of piano, guitars, and full on orchestra to open the song is amazing.   You can also hear the distinct R&B sound in the song to remind you that this isn’t going to be just a rock & roll tune. The vocals don’t come on for about a minute, with Jack White singing the opening lyric, and then the two trading off.  I was figuring Alicia Keys would be doing the vocals, with Jack White also writing the song and contributing the back-up vocals and guitar work.  I’m glad I was wrong.  Although I respect Alicia Keys, it’s Jack White’s contribution I was more interested in.  You also get the familiar random Jack White guitar riffs in the middle of the song.  Another Way To Die is surprisingly good, and I can’t wait to hear it over the opening credits of the new Bond Movie.

    I give it 4 Stars.  Good stuff, as Jack White usually never lets me down.

    For shits and giggles, here is my personal Top 5 Bond Themes:

    1) For Your Eyes Only/Sheena Easton

    2) A View To A Kill/Duran Duran

    3) Thunderball/Tom Jones

    4) Goldfinger/Shirley Bassey

    5) You Know My Name/Chris Cornell  (From Casino Royale)

    And the the worst was Madonna’s Die Another Day.  Uggh!

  • Out There!- “Edge Of A Broken Heart” by Bon Jovi

    Bon Jovi had five Top 40 hits in 1986 and 1987.  Can you name them all?  Livin’ On A Prayer, You Give Love A Bad Name, Wanted Dead Of Alive, Never Say Goodbye and Edge Of A Broken Heart.  Of course!…. Wait a second.  What is Edge Of A Broken Heart?  Stumped you, huh?  Don’t worry, even the most die-hard Bon Jovi fans don’t even know what I’m talking about when I refer to this magnificent tune. I wish I was making this up.

    Edge Of A Broken Heart was Bon Jovi’s fifth Top 40 hit in the 1986/1987 period, peaking at #39 in 1987.  It was never issued on Bon Jovi’s classic album Slippery When Wet.  So how did it become a hit song?   It was surprisingly featured in the camp classic movie Disorderlies starring the Fat Boys.  Which reminds me, why aren’t the Fat Boys given more credit for their influence on hip hop music.  Oh yeah, that’s right, because they sucked!

    The Disorderlies soundtrack has been out of print since 1995, and the song was tough to get my hands on until a fun little internet program called Napster.  I don’t think you’ll find any music outlets carrying a copy of this soundtrack, although the  album did feature songs by other noted artists like the Fat Boys, Gwen Guthrie, Bananarama, and Art Of Noise.  This album could be a nice little find in a local record shop.  Edge Of A Broken Heart was eventually was released in 2004 on Bon Jovi’s box set of B-sides, demos, and rarities, 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong.

    I personally think it’s one of Bon Jovi’s best songs.  Don’t mistake this song as a predecessor to Vixen’s hit song of the same name.  Edge Of A Broken Heart has a great hook. and features the typical 80’s pop/rock sound.  David Bryan’s keyboard work is outstanding on the track, and it makes me yearn for the days when Bon Jovi rocked.  The country shit they have recently put out really bothers me.  Enjoy!

    “On the edge of a broken heart, whoa yeah!”

  • Lindsey Buckingham’s Latest Musical Present: “Gift of Screws”

    Gift Of Screws

    When Rolling Stone magazine or one the gazillion websites out there feature a list of the greatest guitarists of all time, they always leave off Lindsey Buckingham.  I’m not sure why.  The guy is a genius whose self-taught finger plucking technique has created a truly inspiring sound.  For those who don’t know who Lindsay is, he’s the most influential member of Fleetwood Mac whose name isn’t Stevie Nicks.  When Lindsey and Stevie joined the Mac in 1975, Fleetwood Mac soared to new heights.  Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie might have been the faces of the band, but it was Lindsey Buckingham who contributed the most with his unique guitar style and beautiful melodies.  The majority of my favorite Mac songs were written or sung by Lindsey.  For you trivia buffs out there, he also was responsible for Holiday Road, the theme from the National Lampoon Vacation movies.  He also had a few solo hits in the 80’s including Go Insane and Trouble.

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