You're the best around

So every band eventually splits right, yesterday I talked about those who got back together, today I'd like to talk about the break-away star from bands that have broken up. Now sometimes very rarely all ex members of a band find their way a la The Beatles ; but most of the time only one or two members really "make it"

Ben Folds - After the Ben Folds Five split up in 2000 (ironically reuniting for a one off in 2008) Ben Folds began to pave the way for a solo carrier. A year later he put out what is arguably best solo record : "Rockin' The Suburbs". Considering Fold's is a pianist the focus of his songs have never really been on the guitar. This provides listeners with a break from the normal pop song however that being said his music is still filled with catchy (and sometimes menacing) lyrics and very good musicianship.

Brian Wilson - The Beach Boys are under appreciated (I feel ; in fact I'll blog about that sometime soon). This man was and continues to be a genius his writing is well above par ; and it's very unfortunate that he fell into the drug scene of the 1970's. That being said as of late the man is most certainly back. The Beach Boys had another run from the mid 80's to the mid 90's and after that he remade (or officially released) "SMiLE" the album that never was. The album of legend - and you know what. It kicked total ass, I believe that this hype monster definitely was more worthwhile then lets say "Chinese Democracy". His most recent triump "That Lucky Old Sun" is also worth noting as one of the finest concept albums ever. Finally free of the "SMiLE" Wilson is once free to persue other dreams.

Ray Davies - After The Kinks finally broke up in 1996 what was Ray Davies to do. He wasn't talking to his brother, he wasn't in his band of over thirty years, what was he to do. Well writing a solo album wasn't a bad idea. 1998's "The Storyteller" began a very strong writing carrier (He had released a solo album in 1985 entitled "Return to Waterloo" but I'm focusing more on the post-kinks era) 2006's "Other People Lives" was a fine peice of work coming after a stab wound that he had encured in New Orleans and it shows. Finally we come to his most recent work - 2008's "Working Man's Cafe" one of my favorite albums of last year he pours his thoughts out onto paper and with guitar and some malace he throws them straight at you. From world affairs, to fan warship, to how things have changed, it really is a fantastic album to just listen through.



- Peace and Love -