Days Like This

by

Van Morrison

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Strangely enough, it seems in my survey that most hard-core Van Morrison fans despise this release, just absolutely loathe it, and I can't quite figure out why. While not necessarily my favorite VM album of all time (Live at the Grand Opera House-Belfast, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher), this is one I keep coming back to on a regular basis, and usually listening all the way through, at least four or five times through.

The tone for this recording is set on the first track with the irresistible "Perfect Fit." If you don't find this song entertaining and infectious with its rhythm, horn arrangements, and simple yet compelling backbeat and bass line, then you're musically inaccessible and/or dead.

The album is a superb collection of songs exploring common emotions and situations with which we are all familiar, yet those not too often explored by the more mainstream artists, or let out into the open by us, the public. A great example is "Underlying Depression," exploring the blues we are all susceptible too, the blues which are caused by and obvious in everything around us, yet which communicates an unspoken hope. The same is true of "Melancholia." Then there is the subtle it's-me-against-the-world message of "Russian Roulette." The same is true on "Days Like This" with its "poor me" attitude couched in a naturally seductive melody.

Also on the CD are a two odes to Morrison's Christian mysticism, "No Religion" and "Ancient Highway." "Religion" laments the distractions of modern life and the inherent contradictions which challenge faith. "Highway" is a serene and finally intense emotional exploration of inequity, betrayal, falsity, and VM's stated requirement for a spiritual grounding in order to escape and ultimately triumph over the difficulties we experience each day. "Highway" is highly reminiscent of "Rave On" from the "Live at the Royal Opera House" release.

An interesting bit of VM trivia: both "Raincheck" and "No Religion" are banned in Malaysia. Both are considered to be subversive, and possibly even heretical in questioning the authority and the strength/presence of religion.

All in all, this is one of my favorite VM recordings, getting play at least four or five times a month. It is thematically and musically consistent and fluid throughout, an enjoyable musical experience, and a vigorous emotional, spiritual, and intellectual workout if you choose to take that challenge.

First, I have to say that Van Morrison is my favorite singer. Moondance is the most amazing album ever. His early work is untouchable. But- now we have Brian Kennedy and, god help us, his daughter on this album. Before I realized it was his kid singing with him on "You Don't Know Me" and "I'll Never Be Free", I wondered why this woman who couldn't really sing was doing duets with him. Now we know. I can't stand Brian Kennedy. This guy pops up in practically every album, minus the earlier ones, and his role seems to be just to annoyingly repeat whatever line Van has just sung. He has got to go. That said, there are redeeming songs on the album, notably Ancient Highway, which sounds like the Van we love. I had to write this review because it seems like people only review albums they enjoy, so that even if you go to a horrible album, say Vanilla Ice or something, the reviews will be raves. I must admit though that Van at his worst is still pretty damn good, and it is hard to top perfection. This is not the best Van album and it's not the first one anyone should buy. Check out Astral Weeks, Moondance, or Tupelo Honey (ooh, chills). Those are truly rave-worthy.