RAGE RECOMMENDS

A FIESTA OF SOUND AND VISION

SHAKE THE FEELING: OUTTAKES & RARITIES 2015-2021 Iceage

If Iceage is a band that doesn’t put a chill in your heart and a fire in your thoughts, get out of that pre-hysteria rage and check these unheard of gems from these musical punks and pundits of expression. Don’t say “Why! I’ve never heard of Iceage before!” Just listen, realize how rad these guys are, and crank it. No, it’s not a case of rediscovering your youth but having an open musical mind to two-sided lyrics and slamming guitars of quality. That’s all. The youth and scope of the band led by lead singer Elias Bender Rønnenfelt, who hails from beautiful Copenhagen is a sonic trip through the rebellious, yet humanistic qualities found within the songwriting. Released on the Mexican Summer label, the tracks are all unheard of until this collection and truly add to the legacy of Iceage’s previous works. To quote Elias, he calls the non-LP cuts “Misfit children.” Right now, I’m listening to the band’s remake of the classic Abner Jay song, “My Mule.” Can’t stop smiling at their rendition while “I’m Ready to Make a Baby” is so twisted that even the band knows that theory isn’t going to procreate by any means. Yes, Iceage was on COVID lockdown too and the proof is so righteously expressed on “Lockdown Blues.” All I can say is, “Thank goodness, this stunning and enjoyable collection has been unlocked. Available now

VIVA HOLLYWOOD: THE LEGACY OF LATIN AND HISPANIC ARTISTS IN AMERICAN FILM Luis I. Reyes

“You excite me. Beyond my power to explain. Yours is the art to start my heart a bubbling like champagne.” That sentiment in a musical titled Tonight and Every Night performed by screen star goddess Rita Hayworth, daughter of a Spanish father, embody the sex appeal, talent, strength and bravado in the history of Latin and Hispanic people presented on film. Author Luis I. Reyes has put his heart, intense passion and intelligent writing into a stunning cavalcade of the history of these performers individually and as a culture. All the shifts in the movie industry are presented clearly over the decades but the spotlight is given to the talent and remarkable gifts presented on screen. From Jennifer Lopez to Carmen Miranda or the likes of Gilbert Roland or Antonio Banderas and numerous others including Spanish directors of note, Viva Hollywood is truly a fiesta of the finest. Available now

OLDER (DELUXE LIMITED EDITION BOX SET)

George Michael

The British and international music star died at 52 years old on Christmas 2016. George Michael has received the royal treatment from Sony Music for this exceptionally fine box set of his master work, Older, initially released in 1996 and re-released on September 30. It is hailed as his finest album.

Remember the adage from TV’s American Bandstand? “It’s got a good beat and I can dance to it.” Michael produced, arranged and wrote Older. The album is a seriously lyrical study into his emotional core as a gay man and pop superstar. It takes an understanding to delve into each song and read the lyrics to comprehend his frame of mind and philosophy at that time. Sure, the hits flew up the charts with songs such as “Fast Love, Pt. 1,” “Spinning the Wheel” and “Jesus to a Child,” thus creating a phenomenon of success. Yet, his true brilliance lies exposed in the scope of feelings presented with his lyrics and arrangements throughout the entire production of Older.

When spinning this disc for the first time in 1996, I didn’t read the small print and that includes the lyrics. George Michael had a solid way with enunciation, which is clearly lacking in some regards these days. However, in 2022 I noticed one notation from him that added new relevance and meaning to his arrangements. On the last page of text of the CD booklet is “This album is dedicated to Antônio Carlos Jobim, who changed the way I listened to music.” Jobim was a true musical genius of Brazilian music. I can almost hear Michael saying after completing the album, “It’s bloody amazing. I’ve truly outdone myself!” Sway this way to the wonder of rediscovering Older. Available now