'Punishing Kiss'

Getting this one out of the way because it is terrible.

However, it is interesting. It's basically a covers album with The Divine Comedy (more on them on a later date) as her band doing songs of Scott Walker, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Nick Cave. It's pretty unspectacular and boring unless you're into singer types.

Ute Lemper is German and she's described as a chanteuse, which translates to female singer, but the denotation is clearly above and beyond Grace Slick or Chrissy Hynde. There's a sort of regalness to the term and sophistication. It fits Lemper pretty well.

It's a lot like "magnate," which just means a "great man" although Albert Pujols is not a baseball magnate but Andrew Carnegie was a steel magnate. It's a cool word if you can get there with your life.

Lemper also is known for her renditions of Kurt Weill, the German-Jewish composer of the first part of the 20th century. Renowned all over the world, he fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s and wound up in New York City. Among other well-known songs, he wrote "Mack the Knife."

'In the Wee Small Hours'

This album is a success because it evokes the same feelings and attitude that its songs, cover art, title and all included implies. It's as much a concept album as some swanky Sinatra record.

It's moody, blue, slightly angry, but more lonely than hostile.

It's best played after midnight. With scotch.

'Close To You'

Gonna be honest here, I really like the Carpenters. Always kinda have, even as a teenager.

I mean, if it was uncool in 1973 for a teen to like the Carpenters, imagine 1996. Not only was it uncool, but most of my peers didn't even really know who the Carpenters were.

My fascination of the Carpenters has two origins.

One is the film "Tommy Boy" when Chris Farley's and David Spade's characters awkwardly land on "Superstar" as they're driving, trying to divorce themselves unsuccessfully from loving the song. Eventually, they end up singing it with much vim and vigor.

Two, I saw the "The Karen Carpenter Story" on TV and I thought it really sad that someone as pretty and talented as Karent Carpenter was so sad.

Anyway, how can anyone not like the Carpenters? Who does like infectious melodies, borderline corny lyrics and breathtaking vocals? It's like not liking ice cream.

Plus, Karen played the drums. At the time, that seems really appealing to me.

'Songs for Swingin' Lovers'

What do Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley, The Doors, Janis Joplin and others have in common?

They're all overrated in my book.

Not that they're bad. Sinatra is a fine singer. On the other hand, Stevie Ray Vaughn was a shitty singer, but at the very least he wrote songs and he was an extremely good guitar player.

Sinatra didn't write songs, play an instrument or do anything other than go on stage and sing standards. He doesn't have extraordinary vocal range.

There's something to be said about style. There is a reason he's more popular than the rest of the Rat Pack or singers of his ilk. He was extremely good looking, ventured into acting and basically rode a wave of cool all the way to the bank.