Mike M Regains the Curmudgeon Title with this month's Reviews!!

Michael Mongillo – Music Group Commentary, May 9, 2006

ARTIC MONKEYS – WHATEVER...WHAT I AM NOT = 1 STAR
Although I suspect that these guys would put on a killer live show, this CD is just way too one-speed. The music reminds me a lot of what the Hives openly lift, but without the ironic self-awareness, heart-stopping power, or raw talent; hence, the Artic Monkeys’ one-speed trip is not worth taking more than once (which, unfortunately, I did to confirm my opinion).

DONNA THE BUFFALO – POSITIVE FRICTION = 2 STARS
A little too crunchy granola, but pretty harmless even though most of the songs were at least a minute too long. Much more country than rock & roll, and rooted a bit too much in twangy-land, it's not really good enough to transcend the taste of those not inclined to go to a Ho’ Down. But still, I can't dismiss the occasional Carter Family-ish harmonies, pretty ditties, and generally likable feel of the whole thing.

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN – OCEAN RAIN = 0 STARS
I went to art school and still managed to avoid falling in with the Echo & the Bunnymen crowd. I guess I understand why this wuss-rock, in the context of College Rock, was popular for a period, and I can almost understand why people still bestow relevance on this pouty dreck, but I didn't like it then and like it drastically less now.

OKKERVIL RIVER – BLACK SHEEP BOY = 4.5 STARS
There are so many self-important elements within the execution and soundscape of “Black Sheep Boy” that it really has no business being one of my favorite CDs of 2005. Yet it somehow overcomes its own melancholy drama through sheer sincerity. The interconnectedness of the haunting lyrics and the rise and fall of the dense musical movements suggests a rock opera starring several incarnations of the Black Sheep Boy and his Queen that, intentional or not, imparts universal truths of sorrow and beauty.

THE POLICE – “BEST OF”
Hands down, the Police are one of the best bands of the 80s. The inclusion of “Nothing Achieving” (that I haven’t heard since losing some random IRS sampler cassette, way back when) was sweet, but not including “Roxanne” is as obstinately retarded as when Jen didn’t include “Undone – The Sweater Song” on the Weezer “best of.”

TOPIC

Who has the worst and/or best musical taste in the group? I hate to be such a pussoholic about this, but pointing fingers would only hurt people’s feelings so I’d rather not go there. And, honestly, I think we all have valid opinions, even if those opinions are more often based on taste over historical significance or music appreciation. We all lean towards some people’s taste over others and that taste, naturally, reflects our own.