snide's Album Review for Has Been
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Remember that episode of Star Trek...
You know the episode... Arena, the one where Captain Kirk gets stuck on the planet in a duel to the death contest with a lizardman (cheesy costume and all). For once in his life he's stuck in a situation where his patented two-fisted punch just won't work and he had to think his way out of the situation. So what did Kirk do? He built a big *** gun out of diamonds and bamboo shoots and triumphed once again.
In a way that episode is symbolic of Mr. Shatner's entire career and success. Here's a guy who, let's be honest, isn't terribly goodlooking, has questionable acting skills and is as far from "hollywood" as you can imagine. Despite all this, he somehow always finds a way to pull it off... even if he's up against a giant Lizardman.
Has been, his new record, is a diamond shooting right through that ugly f***ing beast's heart. It's clever, funny, surprisingly touching and dare I say it... musical. Now of course he's got Mr. Folds playing Oz behind the curtain, but that's no reason to discredit Shatner's prowess here. His wordplay is inspired and paves the way for a performance that only a burnt out old man could give. I dare you to listen to "Common People" and find fault with his rendition... and that's coming from a huge Pulp fan. I can't believe I'm saying this, but only Shatner could cover that song and make it more crass then the original.
There's more to like on the album then that one single though; so if you think it's just a gimmick just go pick the album up and trust me. Folds' piano playing combined with Shatner's spoken word style gives it a very Vegas lounge feel. In that way the album, and Shatner don't take themselves too seriously. That said, some of the songs are actually great on their own merit and Together ends up being one of the better songs I've heard this year.
Is this review biased? Hell yeah, I'd be the first to admit Kirk owns Picard, but I wouldn't be surprised if people who had no clue who Shatner was (a long shot) really dug this album. Check it out, have some fun and re-watch Arena.
In a way that episode is symbolic of Mr. Shatner's entire career and success. Here's a guy who, let's be honest, isn't terribly goodlooking, has questionable acting skills and is as far from "hollywood" as you can imagine. Despite all this, he somehow always finds a way to pull it off... even if he's up against a giant Lizardman.
Has been, his new record, is a diamond shooting right through that ugly f***ing beast's heart. It's clever, funny, surprisingly touching and dare I say it... musical. Now of course he's got Mr. Folds playing Oz behind the curtain, but that's no reason to discredit Shatner's prowess here. His wordplay is inspired and paves the way for a performance that only a burnt out old man could give. I dare you to listen to "Common People" and find fault with his rendition... and that's coming from a huge Pulp fan. I can't believe I'm saying this, but only Shatner could cover that song and make it more crass then the original.
There's more to like on the album then that one single though; so if you think it's just a gimmick just go pick the album up and trust me. Folds' piano playing combined with Shatner's spoken word style gives it a very Vegas lounge feel. In that way the album, and Shatner don't take themselves too seriously. That said, some of the songs are actually great on their own merit and Together ends up being one of the better songs I've heard this year.
Is this review biased? Hell yeah, I'd be the first to admit Kirk owns Picard, but I wouldn't be surprised if people who had no clue who Shatner was (a long shot) really dug this album. Check it out, have some fun and re-watch Arena.
posted Oct 14, 2004
Agree
Disagree
