"Feelings Are Good and Other Lies" is the title of John Taylor's
first solo CD. This album is primarily available through mail order
and some indie shops (Record Runner in NYC is the only one I know
of). I like this album, surprisingly. It wasn't what I expected.
I don't really know what I had going around in my head, but John
Taylor is the founding father of Duran Duran and Power Station
(remember them? Supergroup of 1985?). He also did a solo single
thing called "I Do What I Do" (theme song for 9 1/2 Weeks
soundtrack; it starred Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger), so I
expected something along those lines.
However, what I got was a solid and unique album unlike all of the
above; I'll explain.... It is a good freshman effort on the part
of John Taylor. He went through an small independent record label
called B5 Records instead of using his Capitol contract through
Duran Duran. You have to admire the guts and perseverance. This CD
is also cool in its style of distribution, JT didn't want to get
invoibution, JT didn't want to get
involved in anything that will change his music or perceive it to
be different than what it is (i.e.: it's not Duran!). Hence, the
Internet and mail order style. If I remember right, there will be
no singles off the album, JT is going to let the College DJ's see
what they like, what their campus likes and play it. No MTV, VH1
or big production for receiving mass media attention. Gotta admire
that.
Onto the music....
JT, of course, has a few good friends to play on the album as well.
Steve Jones (Sex Pistol fame; now a reunion is in the works) plays
guitar on all tracks, so you know it has a punky groove thang to
it with JT's alternative style. The lyrics are elemental and naked,
the best words I can describe it as. The album is full of personal
angst of what he sees, knows, understands, and feels. If you like
this type of lyric writing, you'll really enjoy this album. It
sounds along the lines of Nirvana or Green Day, I myself, took one
song for the Foo Fighters. It is not a slickly produced album, but
the musical content does rival a bigger outfit. The beats are
absolutely excellent, even on songs I don't care for. The better
songs are: Don't Talk Much, Losing You, Look Homeward Angel, Always
Wrong, Trust The Process, and Feelings Are Good. A total of 12 are
on the album; JT does have a special edition out, an extra track
dedicated to his small daughter. After those are gone, a regular
edition wile, a regular
edition will only be available (can we say collector item!?)
Phone instruments are also used which add flair to the beat and
style of the songs. JT's vocals aren't bad either. He never really
sang before (exception being his 9 1/2 Weeks single), so this is
really a freshman effort on his part. There are already music clips
on the Internet and a number of home pages out there, I believe an
official web site will be up soon for B5 Records.
I also attended a show in which 3 of JT's songs were presented. The
crowd responded really positively and above all that-they enjoyed
themselves immensely. It was at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas, how
more relaxed can you get?? I also saw another show in NYC at Irving
Plaza and Philly at Trocodero's. JT was part of a showcase group
called the Neurotic Outsiders which had a semi-residency at the
Viper Room during last Fall.
