good God what an awesome sight

The music industry has come to a screeching halt this in the midst of the "Welcome Back" party for Mason Ma$e Berta, rapper turned minister turned rapper, who has returned to the music game one more time announcing his full length album to be out on August 24 of this year. The public was in an uproar of acceptance as the now whole-hearted lover of all people enjoyed the attention that his new album, with a gentle, positive spin to it, was getting.

All that came to an end when I received a Press Release from Shout! Factory entertainment. The release read that William Shatner was also returning to the music game, and his posse could kick the Bad Boy family's ass from here to hell and back. After a collaboration in 1998 on Ben Folds' first attempt at a solo career, Fear of Pop, William Shatner had only a brief history made up of Priceline.com commercials. Now, six years later, that history is lush with plans and meetings, laughs and thoughts: Now that history will result in Has Been, the latest record from William Shatner, due out October 5, 2004.

Thirty-five years after his own solo album came out, Shatner has assembled a crack squad of musical and general talent. Guests include Brad Paisley (every posse needs a country music lame-o), Joe Jackson (think "Is She Really Going Out with Him?", Aimee Mann (think Magnolia soundtrack), Henry Rollins (who needs no credit other than "media whore"), and writer of High Fidelity and About a Boy Nick Hornsby also weighs in with writing credits on "Trying." The musical tough guys include Matt Chamberlain (who worked with Fiona Apple and Tori Amos in the past), Jon Auer of the Posies, and good ol Sebastian Steinberg from the sweet days of Soul Coughing. UK ambient popsters Lemon Jelly also make an appearance on the record. Their music is almost as strange as the Shatner debut record.

As of yet, the only sound you can catch online is a clip of "Common People," the ultimate song from Pulp, covered by Shatner with some vocal assistance by Mr. Joe Jackson. For those wondering, the vocal delivery is just as great as Shatner's work 35 years ago, but the music is definitely jazzed/rocked up by Folds. As producer of the record, Folds is responsible for all the music on the CD, which is a dream team indeed. "Common People" is a story of a rich girl who hooks up with a poor young kid so she can learn what it's like to be one of the common people. The story is delivered like the narrative it is, with piss and disgust for the woman, but an admiring thanks for the free ride.

Shatner wrote most of the songs exclusively on his own, and his lyrics appear to be stunning stuff. One thing's for sure though, if Shatner's trying to get away from his "campy" style of the 60's he surely has a great team to help him out. At the same time, we may never know if Shatner himself is taking the record too seriously, after all, there's a hint of self-parody in everything he does since Star Trek.

Has Been- October 5, 2004
1. “Common People” (with Joe Jackson)
2. “It Hasn't Happened Yet”
3. “You'll Have Time”
4. “Trying” (with Ben Folds and Aimee Mann)
5. “What Have You Done”
6. “Together” (with Lemon Jelly)
7. “Familiar Love”
8. “Ideal Woman”
9. “Has Been “
10. “I Can't Get Behind That” (with Henry Rollins)
11. “Real” (with Brad Paisley)