Dig These Discs :: Duncan Sheik, Kate Bush, Dane Rumble, Ford & Lopatin, Light Asylum

"Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe."

Here's to all the June brides (and grooms) for this latest installment of "Dig These Discs." I don't have a silver sixpence handy right now. I do have five CDs though, to offer up as a token during this upcoming summer of love. As it has been said, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Though...there is one CD reviewed here, that you just might want to discard, after all the gifts are opened. Single ladies and gentlemen, you too, can just "listen to the music." Hopefully, with a little help from your friends.

"Covers 80s" (Duncan Sheik)

Duncan Sheik holds court in a Renaissance fashion as a singing minstrel man with numerous musical gems from the 1980s. His musical perspective on each song is one that is simply done, with strong sight on the lyrics and the musical structure is pure. Picture him, a mandolin, a fair maiden and a breezy summer afternoon frolicking outside...get the picture? The sounds are relaxing, and it may take a moment to realize the original hits as Sheik's presentation shines new light on a new way to present these songs. Pluck the petals from a daisy, "He loves me, he loves me not" as he serenades with Howard Jones' "What is Love?" or The Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now." Can't imagine this kind of vibe with "So Alive" by Love and Rockets? Imagine that and grab a hold of a new ingenuity and perspective with "Covers 80s" by Duncan Sheik. (Available now)

"Director’s Cut" (Kate Bush)

What an ingenious concept for an album! Kate Bush aptly titled her new release "Director's Cut" as she revisits and renews song material, which she felt deserved a second-time around. Songs originally presented on her albums "Red Shoes" and "The Sensual World" makes up the eleven songs and Bush steps up to the plate with new lyrics and new vocals. She maintains all the original musicianship initially used with the exception of the drum sections. The "future that is now" frustration of considering a computer a friend is blended in with her Nordic sense of womanly spirit as she gallops into various other songs with passion, fury, despair and downright anger. Beautifully done, it's always refreshing to see a true artist tinker more with what they considered art in the first place. Memories of her first single off "Hounds of Love," "Running Up That Hill" return... hearing her again on "Director's Cut." (Available now)

"The Experiment" EP (Dane Rumble)

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is his real name. Even though it sounds like something agent Henry Willson concocted by calling Roy Fitzgerald by the new moniker, Rock Hudson. This New Zealand import is generating major heat down under as a bright new talent. This EP set of five songs has a distinctly American flavor though. It's like Rick Springfield came back with a vengeance and now is also able to throw a good rap line around for good measure. The guitars provide the mean pump and the material is catchy as hell in a "party on" Wayne-way. Dane Rumble also has the look. He is a cross between a roughed-up and tougher Ryan Seacrest with the sexy pout of Billy Idol or Vanilla Ice. This doesn't hurt in the least with a fan base of hormonal boys and girls on the prowl for the next big thing in rock music. (Available June 21)

"Channel Pressure" (Ford & Lopatin)

Referring back to my intro for this installment of "Dig These Discs," there is always something like a "toaster oven," received as a gift after the nuptials. So, keep the receipt, if you catch my drift for "Channel Pressure." The musical structure is part "Tommy" "2001" with a touch of 10CC and The Human League thrown in for good measure. Hey, maybe a toaster oven is just what you wanted? Just keep repeating "Big Boys Don't Cry" because there is no love lost here. The back story of this musical tale presented by Ford & Lopatin has been described as "a concept album, following a loosely knit epic involving a teenage anti-hero, violent robo-jocks and a record industry run by a super computer. Oh...I get it. There is that feeling of being chased by Pac-Man. It brings to mind a bride saying, "Honey, can you get off the computer? It's our wedding night!" (Available now)

"In Tension" EP (Light Asylum)

Now, this is a mash-up of styles that seams flawlessly together into new sounds. Light Asylum soars with a vocalist, Shannon Funchess who exudes Devo, Alison Moyet, Johnny Rotten and Elvis...for reals. The lyrics alone on the four songs presented will have sparks flying out of your head. Musical partner, Bruno Coviello takes the reins tightly to capture the intense emotions on demand. "In Tension" is more musical fun than an amusement park. Can't wait for MORE! Take a real good listen. Lead singer Shannon Funchess creates a big vocal explosion. Like Aerosmith put it, "Dude looks like a lady," except in this phenomenal case, Funchess is a lady who sings deep enough to sound like a man, but is a woman. Now, with that out of the way, take cover and revel in a true advancement in innovative new sounds from Light Asylum. (Available June 14)