By Kevin Koeninger
Each year, the holidays bring a smorgasbord of new records and “best of” box sets.
This season is no different. Led Zeppelin has released a two-CD and DVD set entitled “Mothership.”
Another CD release is from James Taylor, the acoustic artist who has compiled his most beloved songs into “One Man Band.” Following suit (in a way) are modern rockers The Killers with “Sawdust,” a collection of previously unreleased songs, along with a few covers and remixes.
Zeppelin’s “Mothership” has been the most hyped and anticipated of the three, and features 24 of the rock gods’ most influential songs, all of which have been fully remastered.
The process was overseen by the band and the result is a louder, clearer Zeppelin. While there is no new material to speak of, the remastered classics provide more than enough reasons to purchase the CD/DVD set.
Making albums for almost 40 years, they are giving their fans a special treat. In addition to the release of “Mothership,” they have also released the album “The Song Remains the Same” which includes earlier unreleased tracks.
James Taylor’s “One Man Band,” while not as highly anticipated as “Mothership,” does a brilliant job of encapsulating the career of music’s most beloved songwriter into a CD/DVD combo package.
The DVD features live performances of Taylor at the Colonial Theatre in the Massachusetts’ Berkshires community. Complete with back stories and anecdotes, they make the songs themselves all the more enjoyable.
The Killers’ most recent release, “Sawdust,” is a bit different in that it includes mainly unreleased tracks and covers, rather than a collection of hits.
Most of the songs featured on the album showcase the band’s garage/synth sound, abandoning the pop sensibility that brought The Killers all of their commercial success.
This is by no means a bad thing. Fans of The Killers should be intrigued and impressed with the band’s diverse and evolving sound.
Some of the more interesting songs on the “Sawdust” album include covers of “Shadowplay” by Joy Division, as well as “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” a country tune made famous by Kenny Rogers.
It is like the old is new again with releases from Taylor and the current with The Killers remaking the prior.
These albums are listen worthy for their fans, new and old.
These artists all coming from different styles and musical talent, have something to offer. Any of these compilations would make an excellent stocking-stuffer for that special someone on your list, but if all else fails, you can always buy one for yourself and make the holidays a bit more musical.
