www.markholder.org

  Just your typical 1970s Lou Reed night out I know what you're thinking, that Holder guy and his reviews of old records again. But hear me out; this is a great album.  Recorded at the Bottom Line and released in 1978, the double-album captures Reed at his sarcastic, shit-talking best, talking to the crowd, the band, roadies, even himself at times. Rather than sing "Walk On The Wild Side," which Reed admits is a song he's become bored with, he tells the story of how the song came to be written, shedding light on the Warhol Superstars mentioned throughout.  "Coney Island Baby" has always been one of my favorite songs. The studio version of the song showed Reed at his subtle best. The Take No Prisoners version is anything but subtle, with wailing saxophone, sultry background vocals, and a thundering chorus transforms the piece from a song to an experience.  Take No Prisoners is an intense, honest, even funny album. It captures Reed at an interesting time, afte...

It's been a while since I did an album review (or any review, to be honest) so the time has come. The album will be Terence Trent D'Arby 's 1989 sophomore effort,  Neither Fish Nor Flesh, a Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope & Destruction . I know what you're thinking: why is Mark reviewing a thirty year old album that was considered a failure, even by D'Arby himself? The answer is simple: I enjoy listening to it. I'll go so far as to say I love the album in all its sprawling glory. In 1987, D'Arby made his infamous debut with "Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby," with the claim that "my album is better than Sgt. Pepper." This, in the twentieth anniversary of said Beatles album, caused a huge controversy, as one might imagine. And he was right; I enjoy Introducing The Hardline... more than Sgt. Pepper while remaining a fan of both bands. All this attention caused great expectations for a follow up, but...