Has Been asin: B0002RUPH4 binding: Audio CD list price: $18.98 USD amazon price: $14.99 USD

First, I have to admit that I'm not a Trekkie. I'd watch an episode on occasion, but I never really got addicted to it. To that end, I haven't much thought of William Shatner as a compelling personality. I did get a few snickers out of his old Transformed Man album as a kid listening to Dr Dimento.

That is until last year when KGLT started playing tracks from Has Been. It was produced by Ben Folds, who is a definite favorite artist of mine, and his influence is apparent right off the bat on the first track, "Common People." Backing vocals were furnished with another personal musical hero, Joe Jackson.

What really got my attention was the very personal and honest delivery of tracks "It Hasn't Happened Yet" And "That's Me Trying." It's a bit of a jolt coming from someone known for over-the-top delivery of dialogue. Neither compare to the achingly sad true story of finding his deceased wife as told in "What Have You Done?"

Another highlight of this CD is "I Can't Get Behind That." William Shatner and Henry Rollins shouting about their dislikes in the world around them amidst a driving and chaotic mass of percussion. It doesn't get any cooler than that.

I'm probably weird in thinking of Mr. Shatner as himself and not Capt. Kirk, but I can live with that. I'll leave that to the Trekkies. Once the listener suspends their expectations, he or she would enjoy Has Been for what it is, which is not so much a musical experience as it is a piece of performance art. Well, "performance art" may not be the best term for it, because it's more accesible than that. Still, it's an extraordinary piece of work. I still probably won't ever buy Transformed Man, though.