Skronker

I’m perplexed and annoyed by the current common usage of the term “comeback.” Take, for example, Britney Spears’ Womanizer. Why does the media keep referring to this single as a “comeback”? Britney released an album LAST YEAR. And three singles. One of which made it into the top ten. Yes, her latest single is her first #1 hit since Hit Me Baby One More Time (even though Piece of Me truly deserved to do better than it did – That is a great song and a far superior one to Womanizer), which may be why people are referring to this as a “comeback” but they also referred to the previous album as a “comeback.”

To come back don’t you first have to go away? B-Spea never went anywhere. Well, maybe LaLa Land, but the cameras were with her every step of the way. So, it’s like she never left. 

Is this just lazy writing and reporting or a result or the acceleration of culture or both?

Now, if Chinese Democracy (due, Nov. 23, 2008) is any good, THAT will be a comeback. Guns N’ Roses being one of my favourite bands of all time, I’m  NERVOUS about the release and can’t help but think it might have been better to wait for Chinese democracy to become a reality before making Chinese Democracy a reality.

No matter what Axl does he can’t win. Unless this album is truly amazing in a way that I can’t imagine, and the tracks I’ve heard don’t seem to indicate that this is the case, the critics are going to rip him to shreds. And I just love him too much (God help me I do!) not be a little upset by this.

Other examples of albums that have been referred to as “comebacks”

AC/DC, Black Ice (2008): It has been 8 years since the release of Stiff Upper Lip but is that not a reasonable amount of time to take between records for dudes in their 60s? And they didn’t drop off the radar and have played Toronto in the interim.

Is it a comeback? No.

Eminem, Relapse (due – Dec 1, 2008): It has only been four years since Eminem took a hiatus. But he was such a force on the hip hop scene that his absence was notable. I often said to myself “I wonder what Eminem is up to.” Therefore,

Is it a comeback? Yes.

Lily Allen, It’s Not Me, It’s You (due – Feb. 10, 2009): Lily’s Smile came out in 2006 so, that’s 3 years between records but she’s been in the tabloids so much I feel like she’s in my living room. And she did a collaboration with Common.

Is it a comeback? No.

Michael Jackson, maybe releasing an album in 2009: Michael looks pretty illin’ these days and I’m not sure I buy the promise of an album but word is that he is recording or has recorded one in Vegas. If he does make it, chances that it will be any good are impossible to estimate. He last toured in 1996 and last released a studio album in 2001. Michael has, however, remained in the news as we wait for his bits to fall off and try to remember the guy who recorded Thriller.

Will it be a comeback? How does your cat always know to lie on the page you were reading? 

Grace Jones, Hurricane, (Oct. 27, 2008): I have a friend who was very seriously considering embarking on a documentary project to find out what Grace Jones is up to these days. When I told him she was releasing a comeback album he said, “So much for that idea.” Her last record came out in 1989. She’s 60.

Is it a comeback? Yes.

And, in the spirit of skronker, let’s have a look at Grace, shall we? We shall. Welcome to my arty. Live in France much? She must live in France. Psst. Pay close attention to the 3:25 mark. It’s Jennifer Beals!