Another Valentine’s Day is upon us, and all the stores, TV shows, and papers are in the usual Love Frenzy, which is great for all those who are happy and in love. But what about the bitter, sad, cynical folk, who might be long past the losing end of love, or still caught in the middle of it. Well, folks, these albums are for you! Here are 5 essential breakup albums, full of bitter songs of longing, regret, and resent.

01) Bob Dylan: Blood On The Tracks
Spending much of the early 70s in quiet retreat, the Poet Laureate of the 1960s focused much of his attention on being a family man. However, all was not well and Dylan soon found himself estranged from his wife, Sara. While he claims that these songs were not inspired by that (instead claiming influence from Anton Chekhov), this album features ten of Dylan’s most heartbreaking songs, including the longing “If You See Her, Say Hello”, the classic failed love story, “Tangled Up In Blue”, and the vitriol that is “Idiot Wind”.

02) Bruce Springsteen: Tunnel Of Love
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen became a superstar. And, like most superstars, he married an actress (Julianne Phillips). However, as his mammoth Born In The USA tour rolled on, sparks flew between Bruce and tour singer, Patti Scialfa, and the aforementioned marriage soon crumbled and made its way onto Bruce’s 8th album. Featuring the tear-jerker, “Brilliant Disguise”, and the brittle “Tougher Than The Rest”, Bruce not only produced an album that stripped away the bombast of his earlier material, but created a work that showed that even The Boss can be fragile. Bruce and Scialfa are now in their third decade of marriage, so it wasn’t all in vain.

03) Richard & Linda Thompson: Shoot Out The Lights
Richard & Linda Thompson were folk-rock royalty, having released six albums together in a span of nine years. At the end of those nine years came the breakup of their marriage, and their final album together. Featuring classics such as “Walking On A Wire”, “Wall Of Death”, and the powerful title track, this was clearly the end of the line – an ironic-yet-perfect way to go out.

04) Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
Everyone knows the story: The McVies were married. Buckingham and Nicks were an item. Those partnerships joined forces to form the most successful incarnation of The Mac. Fame, drugs, and inter-band relations ensued, all while producing the band’s most successful work. The relationships died but the band lived on. While some of the album avoids these themes, others such as “Second Hand News”, “The Chain”, and “Go Your Own Way” clearly reflect that.

05) Marvin Gaye: Here My Dear
As part of his divorce settlement from Anna Gordy, Marvin Gaye was required to award her all of the royalties from his next album release. While Gaye could have released any old gobbledygook and given her a check, he instead recorded the aptly (and wryly) titled “Here, My Dear”, a double album filled with aching, longing, bitter songs such as the title track, “I Met A Little Girl”, “Anna’s Song”, and “You Can Leave, But It’s Going To Cost You”. The perfect breakup album.


There you have it. Five albums for those more jaded V-Day celebrators. Each album, on its own, stands among the greatest of all time. Taken together, they take on an even greater meaning, whether you are in love, wish you were in love, or never want to be in love again.

For the curious, I fall into the #1 category….but I have known a thing or two about the other two…

==============================================================

Local Goes Idol
Anyone who tuned into to the premiere of season nine of American Idol may have caught a brief glimpse of a familiar face – Alexandria native Bryce Larsen. Currently living in Long Island NY, Larsen was one of hundreds of hopefuls who braved the first audition in Boston, and was one of the lucky few who got the coveted “golden ticket” to Hollywood.

Like many who feature on American Idol, this is not the beginning of the musical road for Larsen. For the past nine years, Bryce has fronted the Long Island-based band, Stealing Jane, a hard hitting, horn-laden, groove-happy pop rock band that has made a name for itself within the New York scene, as well as New England and beyond. With two releases under their belt, the band seems poised for greatness, should they continue.

Bryce has also kept busy as a solo artist, performing acoustically as well as releasing the fantastic full-length album, Sport Of Kings. Citing influences from Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, & Stevie Wonder to Elvis Costello, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Marley, Bryce (both within and without the band) weaves his influences into a musical tapestry that is all his own. Highlights of the album include the jazzy opener, “Sting”, the breezy “Barefeet”, and the album-closing cover of Elvis Costello’s, “Big Sister’s Clothes”.

What matters most for the judges and viewers of American Idol, however, is Bryce’s voice. Fortunately, there is no shortage in that department. Blessed with a set of pipes that recall the smooth stylings of Michael Buble, the funky affectations of Stevie Wonder, and the laid-back delivery of Jack Johnson, there is also a mysterious dynamic range that shows its colors only when the time is right (unlike some Idol contestants). Fans of last year’s winner, Kris Allen, will quickly gather into Bryce Larsen’s corner.

As of this writing, Bryce Larsen was among the winners from the Boston audition, and is headed for the brutality that is known as Hollywood Week. By the time this goes to press, who knows what will have happened in the fast-paced world of American Idol, but be sure that we will all be cheering for our hometown boy!

For more information on Bryce & Stealing Jane, and to hear samples and buy CDs, visit http://myspace.com/bryceacoustic and http://www.myspace.com.stealingjane or check out their releases on iTunes.

< Prev		Next >