BetterForgotten

I saw Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway this past week - nice to see that Michael Park continues to be a strong presence on Broadway. This must be the 3rd or 4th Broadway show I've seen him in over the last 5 or so years.

Roseanne posted some pics from the set and from their first table read on her Facebook page today. Looks like they've rebuilt the old set (or one iteration of it at least):

At least she's not playing it as safe as some assumed she would - if it backfires, oh well, she tried. As I said before, maybe she cares more about being an albums artist rather than a singles artist with this new album. Perhaps it's not going to be as radio friendly as we're used to from her, but maybe it's more about the overall concept of the album as opposed to a bunch of radio-friendly singles. That whole part about "the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now" may be a metaphor for the next phase of her music career. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Who knows, she could just go the Beyonce route and revert back to being an "albums artist" as opposed to a "singles artist." Either way, at least she's building anticipation for her product. I hope she stretches herself with this project artistically, but maintain her pop appeal at the same time.

I just wish she'd take some chances again with her music again. I know the last time she really did (Try This in 2003), it was a commercial flop, but I know she has it in her to do so much more than the formulaic albums she's released in the last 10 years. I don't think she'll ever top M!ssundazstood (nor has she or should she try). That was her first time taking a chance with her music after LA Reid forced that faux-R&B image and sound on her with her first album. I know she and Linda Perry had a big falling out since then, but Perry [and Dallas Austin] gelled well with her in ways I don't think anyone else really has.

If I'm honest, I haven't really cared for anything she's released since M!ssundaztood. A lot of it has been too samey for me since then. That said, I do think she's a decent vocalist and has it in her to be a great songwriter.