Aloha Kakahiaka

2004-11-04 | EVOL AHI

I went to a local book store here in Tucson the other day and bought a couple of used cd's, a couple of which I've been looking for used for a long time, so I was more than pleased with my findings.

One cd I found there was Let it Come Down by James Iha, former guitarist for Smashing Pumpkins and current member of a Perfect Circle.
It's not a great album, but it's a good and very suprising effort. I enjoy it. Knowing the current band he is in, and the later releases by the Pumpkins, and not to mention by looking at the album cover, where even though it's bright, he is looking sadly towards the ground, you would think that the album would be on the sadder side, but it's not. Quite the contrary. He mentions the word "love" in pretty much every song, and usually multiple times, and most of the backing music is very poppy, energetic and happy. The lyrics are not his strong point, but his charm and earnestness carry the album.
It's one of those albums you just like to have around the house. You don't listen to it every week, but you have a hard time parting with it, because when you listen to it you feel good, you smile, and/or you fall asleep. (purposely, not because of the boredom, but because of the comfort factor)
Maybe the reason it didn't do so well is because he didn't try to do some weird avant garde music, and he wasn't angry enough for todays audiences. There is no angst. There is lots of love, and it's very refreshing. It's nice to see this side of somebody you think you have pegged as something totally different. I've always liked James Iha. I've always liked his personality and image. I like the way he looks on screen, and I like his shyness in interviews. After listening to his solo album, I have a newfound respect for him....well I've always had respect, but it's just an added respect I guess. I like him even more now. Actually, after listening to him sing about love for an hour or so, I can't help but kinda....well, LOVE him.

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