Artist: The Waterboys
Title: Life, Death and Dennis Hopper (Sun Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Waterboys, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple
Tell me more: The life and legend of legendary actor/photographer/filmmaker Dennis Hopper is revisited and masterfully brought to life via the Waterboys' ambitious new album Life, Death and Dennis Hopper. Waterboys band leader Mike Scott chronicles the life and mythos of the late Hollywood icon (Hopper died at age 74 in 2010) via a 25-track masterwork that proves to be one of the Waterboys' greatest-ever albums.
While each of the tracks on Life, Death and Dennis Hopper stand on their own as great songs, the album is best listened to in chronological order and in its entirety. Things kick off with the acoustic Americana cut "Kansas," featuring guest lead vocals from singer Steve Earle (who co-wrote the nugget with Scott).
Subsequent songs continue to highlight key events in Hopper's life and career; highlights include the jazzy "Hollywood '55" recalling Hopper being cast in "Rebel Without A Cause" and his introduction to actress Natalie Wood; "Live In The Moment, Baby" is a punk rock cut that finds Hopper recalling advice given to him by "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant" co-star James Dean; Hopper's fascination with photography is highlighted in the shimmering retro rocker "The Tourist" (the latter featuring backing vocals courtesy of Sugarfoot).
Moving along Scott touches on the movie "Easy Rider" in the lush "Blues For Terry Southern" and lilting "Riding Down To Mardi Gras," the lovely instrumental "Daria," the stark "Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend" featuring affecting lead vocals and piano from Fiona Apple, Hopper's successful battle against addiction in the poignant "I Don't Know How I Made It," and spoken word-anchored rocker "Aftermath" reflecting on Hopper's life immediately after his passing. Each selection on Life, Death and Dennis Hopper propels and enhances the concept album.
Robert Kinsler
