THE GUTTER TWINS - 'SATURNALIA'

The Gutter Twins, though not brothers at all, are Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) and Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs). Each has worked with several other musicians since the demise of their respective Alt-rock powerhouse groups, but none got the attention that this partnership is garnering.
I think you can attribute that to the fact that neither have relied upon nor rehashed their prior 90's successes. They continue to forge new paths musically, never settle on one idea, and that's something that you just can't say for the Pearl Jam's and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' of the world.
The record is a bit stark and plenty raw, but that's part of the appeal, just as it was for Afghan music and their fans. No wonder, then, that Dulli refers to this duo as "the Satanic Everly Brothers". They're at the Metro on Thursday for a late show (doors at 11:00), and it should be a great one.

BAUHAUS - 'GO AWAY WHITE'

I don't know if I should be crushed that this legendary and monumentally influential group is now officially history (and forever, this time), or simply be thankful that ten years ago they reformed in the first place, allowing me a chance to see even three Bauhaus shows during my lifetime.

This record, their first new one in 25 years, will be their last. There will be no tour to support it. They've decided to cease working as a unit, because of what has been described only as "an incident that occurred". That said, the songs are vintage Bauhaus. Strong, striking, and raw, and mostly all recorded in one take. Despite 25 years of legacy for kickstarting what would be known as the Goth genre (something the band never set out to do, and a tag that they never considered descriptive of themselves), they were always simply a rock band playing guitar, bass and drums...and that spirit is caught once again here.
If you're wondering how, then, they sprouted Goth music if they themselves weren't...well, all you need to look at is their innovative use of lighting and theatrics in their performances, and the dark brooding nature of the songs and vocalist Peter Murphy's unmistakable voice. As a result, legions of black-clad followers materialized.
But here's the remarkable bit...Bauhaus released their 4 trail-blazing records (1980's 'In The Flat Field', 1981's 'Mask', 1982's 'The Sky's Gone Out', and 1983's 'Burning From The Inside'), leaving a lasting change in music, in a span of FOUR YEARS. Nowadays, four years is the amount of time in which some artists write/record/release and tour one album.
Almost immediately, drummer Kevin Haskins, bassist David J, and guitarist Daniel Ash formed Love & Rockets (one of my absolute favorite bands while growing up), while Murphy embarked on quite the successful and illustrious solo career. It's not too often that 4 musicians (even the drummer, no less!) can accomplish and inspire so much together, then apart, then together again. Forget ever having Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey, Interpol, Jane's Addiction nor countless others without this band.
It's sad that this is the final nail in the symbolic coffin of Bauhaus.
Somewhere, there are tears rolling down mascara-smudged cheeks.

ALAN JACKSON - 'GOOD TIME'

Ok, I'll flat out admit: I do not like "modern country". To me, country music is from the likes of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and the like. You know, the guys that wrote songs not of one's dog running away, but of truly hitting rock bottom in life.
But that's just me.
I'm clearly in the minority, based on this guy's credentials. There's no way around the fact that Alan Jackson is a contemporary country monster, with a Grammy plus countless Country Music Association awards to his credit, and albums which combined have amassed sales totalling over 29-times platinum. When you add the fact that this record is getting nothing but glowing reviews, then another platinum notch on his hitching post and more sold-out arenas are likely to come.

Happy listening!
cheers,
pogo