| [LICD Review] The Oregonian |
| February 26, 1998, 11:00 pm |
Source: The Baltimore Sun ROCK LET IT COME DOWN JAMES IHA VIRGIN ** 1/2; [SUNRISE Edition] From wire reports. The Oregonian. Portland, Or.: Feb 27, 1998. pg. 46 Column Name: Audio Zone CD Reviews Section: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Abstract (Document Summary) Rock LET IT COME DOWN James Iha Virgin ** 1/2 After watching him strum sullenly beside Billy Corgan for so many years, no one would guess that, deep down, Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha was such a ray of sunshine. But that's precisely the impression offered by Iha's first solo album, "Let It Come Down." Light, bright and cheery, Iha's songs are worlds away from the alt-rock angst of the Pumpkins. "Sound of Love" recalls the happy hippie phase of Donovan's career, while "Winter" evokes the melancholy warmth of Jack Bruce's acoustic songs for Cream. So even though Iha's singing doesn't always match his strengths as a songwriter and guitarist, the general good feelings he evokes more than make up the difference. The immaculately tasteful composer and trumpeter Mark Isham puts his Miles-and-mute fixation to fine use on this score for Alan Rudolph's latest film about the dangers and demands of love. The spare moodiness of the ballads draws comparisons (undoubtedly intended) to Davis' classic, improvised score for Louis Malle's "L'Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud," but this music needs no visual images to complete it. Full Text (2878 words) Copyright Oregonian Publishing Company Feb 27, 1998 Rock LET IT COME DOWN James Iha Virgin ** 1/2 After watching him strum sullenly beside Billy Corgan for so many years, no one would guess that, deep down, Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha was such a ray of sunshine. But that's precisely the impression offered by Iha's first solo album, "Let It Come Down." Light, bright and cheery, Iha's songs are worlds away from the alt-rock angst of the Pumpkins. "Sound of Love" recalls the happy hippie phase of Donovan's career, while "Winter" evokes the melancholy warmth of Jack Bruce's acoustic songs for Cream. So even though Iha's singing doesn't always match his strengths as a songwriter and guitarist, the general good feelings he evokes more than make up the difference. To hear "Winter," call Inside Line, 225-5555, category 2372. -- J.D. Considine The Baltimore Sun Rap Credit: The Oregonian |