William Shatner
Has Been
Shout Factory
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AUDIO CLIP
"Common People"
Beginning with a cover of Pulp's "Common People" that sounds like William Shatner is reading his captain's log, Has Been is a fairly poorly constructed piece of pop. Though there are a few flashes of talent that hint at this album being above a mere E! channel news item -- for example, Shatner hits his stride during the chorus of "Common People" -- it's generally flat. Despite touching on many different styles and genres, it still fails to work very well, even with the assistance of producer and sometimes singer Ben Folds. "It Hasn't Happened Yet" immediately steps back from the energetic Brit-pop opener, sounding like the soundtrack for a smoky piano lounge. The rest of the album bounces between saccharine singing, a near-screaming duet with Henry Rollins on "I Can't Get Behind That" and Shatner's signature overdramatic delivery. Shatner does play the part of narrator very well, but he never fits in with the music. The only good thing about this gig is, unlike Priceline, Leonard Nimoy won't be stealing it.
-- Pat Sisson
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