Mongillo Reviews Via Ken's

Michael Mongillo – Music Group Commentary, February 21, 2006

I devoted all my time to the topic this month so my “commentary” on this month selections is pretty thin. But, come to think of it, I like them short and sweet and may limit myself to no more than two sentences on each month’s selections from now on. I bet that would make some of you happy.

THE ANNIVERSARY – “YOUR MAJESTY” (Old Selection) = 3 STARS
A good mix of inviting hooks, eclectic instrumentations, and unusual song structure, The Anniversary’s “Your Majesty” is a good listen from start to finish; yet, it never quite achieves the scale of grandeur it seemed to be striving for and it is instantly forgettable.

THE DARKNESS – “ONE WAY TICKET TO HELL AND BACK” (New Selection) = 1 STAR
This was definitely a one-way ticket to Hell, but it took me taking it out of my CD player to get back. I know it does what it’s supposed to do, such as it is, so it makes me wonder if I take music too seriously but, then again, I can’t be convinced that these guys don’t take (or intend) it seriously.

FISCHERSPOONER – “ODYSSEY” (New Selection) = 4 STARS
Fun synth-pop tunes with equally fun lyrics that clock-in at radio-friendly play-lengths makes Fischerspooner’s “Odyseey” a genuine pleasure.

STEELY DAN – “BEST OF”
Puts me to sleep but I guess it’s pretty good.

NEIL YOUNG – “TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT” (Old Selection) = 5 STARS
‘Nuff said.

TOPIC
What constitutes a great guitar song or CD?
Guts and heart and, next, riffs and chord progressions. After that, sound and/or tone of said guitars is key, as in what it imparts sonically to make it distinct or original; and if not original, then memorable. If you’re over sixteen, it should be clear that the least important factor for great “guitar rock” is soloing ability, since precious few technically proficient players have any heart or soul. Perhaps a deeper analysis of my selections will reveal more...

TOP TEN GUITAR CDs/ALBUMS
This list is my favorite “guitar-rock” albums, not those that I believe are the most influential and/or important; however, some of these could arguably be on that list too. Whatever though, because, as this was a nearly impossible list to compile, I reserve the right to revise this list at any time.

1. TIE:
NIRVANA: NEVERMIND (1991) and
SONIC YOUTH: DIRTY (1992)
The walls of impenetrable sound have never been done better than with sonic guitars driving snotty, indignant punk/rock/pop. Producer Butch Vig is to guitar what chocolate is to milk.

2. RUSH: 2112 (1976)
The album is about a guy finding a guitar in the future, after all. Alex Lifeson is the unsung hero of this band, with the most distinct guitar sound, rhythm and soloing style since, perhaps, Hendrix. And with this album, at least we get the sounds of someone tuning a guitar under a minute-long sound effects bed of crickets, lovely crickets. Also has the added bonus of being one of the best drum albums of all time. I know, side two isn’t that great compared to the side-one rock opera, which is why this one clocks in at number two, not number one.

3. NEIL YOUNG: HARVEST (1972)
There’s something supernatural about the guitar tones and styles on this album.

4. TIE:
DINOSAUR JR.: WHERE YOU BEEN (1993) and
BUILT TO SPILL: KEEP IT LIKE A SECRET (1999)
A winning formula: riff, sing, guitar solo; riff, sing, guitar solo; riff, sing, big guitar solo; and repeat.

5. BLACK SABBATH: MASTERS OF REALITY (1971)
“Paranoid” might be the popular choice but this is the album where dense guitar fuzz was truly perfected. Tony Iommi’s Guitar licks, riffs, and hypnotic melodies are even more catchy than Ozzy’s trademark wailing. “Sweet Leaf” and “Lord of the Void“” alone put this one on the list.

6. HELMET: MEAN TIME (1992)
Everything must service the mathematical guitar riffs, and it’s still one great tune after another. Like nothing before it, even Helmet never came close to surpassing their major label debut. The driving, dense, distorted guitar will make even the most peaceful among us feel homicidal. I would have “Mean Time” on my headphones as I marched into battle.

7. GRIFTERS: CRAPPIN’ YOU NEGATIVE (1994)
“Crappin’ You Negative” is low-fi, shambling, drunken yet massive “guitar rock” that will amaze and consume you.

8. MATTHEW SWEET: DINOSAUR ACT (1993)
The anime boy makes good with a perfect album that also happens to be a perfect “guitar rock” album. Finding and gathering much of the influences owed to the aforementioned “Harvest,” “Dinosaur Act” squeezes in a frenzied, inspired guitar solos wherever it possibly can. Nice.

9. TIE:
THE WHO: WHO’S NEXT (1971) and
GREEN DAY: AMERICAN IDIOT (2004) and
Fist-pumping “guitar rock” anthems with a sneering mod/punk up-yours attitude.

10. ROBERT POLLARD WITH DOUG GILLARD: SPEAK KINDLY OF YOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT (1999)
“Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Department” is the “guitar rock” album that the Beatles inspired but were never capable of recording. I mean that as a compliment to both bands, even though that statement may come across as an insult.

THE FINAL ANALYSIS: I guess this list proves, insofar as my taste goes, the 70s and the 90s are the best “guitar rock” decades. Also, some association with the word “Dinosaur” couldn’t hurt.