The Mong's 666 Commentary

“The Mong” – Music Group Commentary, June 6, 2006

BAD RELIGION – STRANGER THAN FICTION = 1 STAR
I’m willing to admit that I’ve always had a bit of a prejudice against hardcore; mostly because I find that most hardcore is, well, not very hardcore. Bad Religion has always lived up to my lack of expectations for hardcore bands but this is not why I generally dislike them. Throughout their long career, and especially when STRANGER THAN FICTION was released, there were/are always just better bands to listen to.

LACUNA COIL – KARMACODE = 0 STAR
Okay, I listened to this whole goth metal CD. Now I want to know who is going to give me those forty-seven minutes and twenty-seven seconds of my life back.

MEDESKI MARTIN AND WOOD – BEST OF
Having saved this listen for last, it seems as though, for me, this month was mostly about challenging my musical prejudices. Perhaps some of these can be deemed, “unreasonable convictions,” but definitely not as said prejudices pertain to goth metal. But as proof that one can overcome preconceptions, I was relieved that MM&W pole-vaulted right over their “alternative jazz” tag to be my surprise-of-the-month. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t be playing this at any of my parties (unless, of course, we drop acid), but if we officially graded “best of” selections, I would give this one at least a three.

PROFESSOR LONGHAIR – ROCK & ROLL GUMBO = 2 STARS (for Relevance)
Another, “I appreciate it for what is and I acknowledge its relevance within the era it was created,” etc., etc., etc., but I refuse to pretend I like it just because I’m supposed to. This New Orleans R&B sound has become so co-opted by white culture that I find it impossible to disassociate this type of music from the countless “whitey” weddings, bar band shindigs, and backyard barbeques where, being white, I often find myself. When in these situations, I surrender myself to alcohol so I can get drunk enough to keep the New Orleans R&B sound from ruining what is, otherwise, usually a pretty good time. And guess what: I don’t like gospel either.

SUFJAN STEVENS – ILLINOISE = 4 STARS
Finally, something that I can’t quite put my finger on. I’m not sure if I like it but I know it’s good: really good. This ambitious singer/songwriter’s complex compositions and elegant lyrics are certainly aspiring to greatness and, credit where credit is due, he achieves it far more often than not.

Songs that bring honest tears to my eyes:
1) “I’m in Love With a Girl” by Big Star off Radio City (tears of joy)
2) “Here” by Pavement off Slanted and Enchanted (tears of sadness)
3) “House Where Nobody Lives” by Tom Waits off Mule Variations (tears of joy)
4) “Eureka I.V.” by the Grifters off the Eureka e.p. (tears of sadness)
5) “Venus Stop the Train” by Wilco off Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Demos) (tears of sadness)

Songs that make me angry or upset about what is being sung about:
1) “Imagine” by John Lennon off Imagine
2) “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana off Nevermind
3) “Holiday” by Green Day off American Idiot
4) “Unsung” by Helmet off Mean Time
5) “Motor Away” by Guided by Voices of Alien Lanes

Songs that cheer me up or make me even happier:
1) “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys from Ill Communication
2) “I Wanna Be Sedated” by the Ramones off Road to Ruin
3) “Cold Beverage” by G. Love & Special Sauce off self-titled
4) “It Takes Two” by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock off It Takes Two
5) “I’m Straight” by the Modern Lovers off The Modern Lovers

Songs that best describe who I am:
(TV ANNOUNCER VOICE: Self-awareness comes with everything you see here. Some self-mocking assembly required.)
1) “I Don’t Want to Grow Up” by Tom Waits off Bone Machine
2) “King Kong” by The Kinks off Arthur (w/ bonus tracks)
3) “Touch Me I’m Sick” by Mudhoney off March to Fuzz
4) “The Fitted Shirt” by Spoon off Girls Can Tell
5) “Happy Kid” by Nada Surf off Let Go

Top 100 Living Songwriters

according to Paste magazine. Feel free to discuss....

http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article?article_id=3003

Here is what I actually said.

Music group xxii


Bad Religion
Here is my problem with Bad Religion cd’s. You always get two or three great songs. Then you get another few that are still pretty good. But you always get a few that tend to be weak and sound awfully alike each other. Luckily this cd has more of the great than the bad. Incomplete, the title Track, 21st Century Digital Boy, and Infected are all great tunes. The rest are okay but nothing great. I have a feeling that Bad religions catalog would make an awesome two cd greatest hits package. 2.5

Lacuna Coil
Okay will this band get a clue and just fire the male lead singer. With a singer as good as Cristina Scabbia you do not need some guy growling in the background. Did not like this as much as Comalies seems to be missing a bit of the epic sound that one possessed. But I still find myself enjoying the songs, the voice and musicianship these guys have. Also they did a great version of Enjoy the Silence. 3


Professor Longhair
Just because I know a few of the words to Iko Iko does not make me a Cajun singer. Ergo just because your band uses a washboard drum sound does it make your band classic Cajun. Average musicianship. Below average vocalist. In fact I bet if this cd was played during our meeting it would be tuned out and if it was being played live we would probably ignore or discuss something that was better. So next time I am in the mood for classic Cajun I’ll grab my Wild Tchoupitoulas tape. 1

Illinoise
Okay I get the idea. 50 states you get 50 cd’s. Pretty much guarantees yourself a pretty good back catalog if you can pull it off. There is nothing wrong with this disc. The songs are nice, the lyrics are interesting (although I do not yearn to travel to Illinois anytime soon) and the musicianship is decent. There are actually a couple of tunes that even stand out a bit like Chicago and Come on feel the llinoise. But for the most part this cd turns into a soundtrack. And soundtracks are made to support the movie or an idea, not carry the lead. (Unless its Dazed and Confused) So like most soundtracks the music is lost in the plot, which is the artist's sojourn across the country. 2

Medinski Martin and Wood
I have come to the conclusion that I like songs. I need lyrics, a chorus, and yes a bridge sometimes. Also a guitar is always appreciated too. Now with this being said, I still liked this cd but only in small doses. After a while I would get a little bored and move to something else. So give me three songs I was happy. With the fourth not so much. These guys are talented and they do some interesting things but as it has been said many times before, don’t bore us, get to the chorus.


Songs That Make You…

Teary
I try to avoid entertainment that brings me down. Especially music. Since I look to music as my escape. So I usually avoid sad songs. Thus I could put the whole Johnny Cash American IV cd as one but I would rarely listen to it, as it is obviously his epitaph. But I have two songs that make me truly sad

1 The Thorns “I Can’t Remember” as it’s the song that was playing when I put my dog down and is on a continuous loop on CVS muzac stations
2 Hallelujah Jeff Buckley or Rufus Wainwright versions.


Angry
1 Any song that is a ballad that follows a really great rocking first single
2 Wanted dead or alive. Bon Jovi
3 Turn The Page. Bob Seger So you are living the rock musicians life and I am supposed to feel sorry for you, Fuck You

I’m So Happy
1 Back on My Feet Again, The Babys Hey they call it a guilty pleasure for a reason
2 Complicated Poi Dog Pondering It’s a head bobber what can you say.
3 Feeling Stronger Everyday, Chicago. Just a great song
4 The absolutely no question happiest tune ever. Windy. The Association. I dare any one not to smile when this comes on. Besides Drew Carey proved even played it on a Harp it still is one party tune.

A Little Late- So Sue Me

Another zipfest of a meeting last week. Probably one of our more polarized meetings with reviews all over the gad darn place. Each of the selection received at least one review of 1 or less. Three discs received 4's but from different people and no disc garnered higher than a 2.36 average rating. So, we basically thought this months music blew.

Monsta did his best to regain the curmudgeon title to no avail since he had to give his own disc a 4. We've decided that we have no fargon clue as to what the other Mike's taste truly are as he gave Sufjan a 4. Jen gave it a 3, but hell she likes Lovage and Mr. Bungle. D'Arcy supported the belief that hates geriatric musicians unless they are British and Byron continued to pelt us with prog-metal. Ken provide a delightful mix of Medeski Martin and Wood that the group really didn't think was so delightful.

In regards to the topic yours truly found it surprising that evoking emotion matters little with the enjoyment of music except for Mike M who actually showed he has a heart. Jay and Byron proved that they have no feelings whatsever.

It was voted that Monsta provided the this month wacky hilarity. Thumbs up Mike H. And this was Neil's most profound and well written reviews yet.

Next Month
Host- D'Arcy
gHits- Ocean Colour Scene

Old- Katrina and the Waves- self titled (Byron)
Old- Bad Brains- I Against I (Neil)
New- Drive By Truckers- Blessing and a Curse (Monsta)
New- Joy Zippper- Heartlight Set (Mike M)

those with homework for next meeting on July 11th:

Host- Jen
New- Neil, Jay
Old- Ken, Mike M

Midwest Mike's cheery June reviews

Professor Longhair – A little historical background: Professor Longhair had a few hits in the early 1950’s. Like most artists of his time, his record company robbed him blind. By the 1960’s, he was penniless, and in fact was believed to be dead or to have disappeared by the end of the decade. When this was recorded in 1974, ‘Fess was working for minimum wage as a janitor. Additionally, his uninsured house had burned to the ground destroying all his possessions the week before this album was made.

Hard to believe how upbeat this disc is given where he must have been mentally at the time of the recording. The songs rock, his piano playing is gorgeous, and the accompaniment is superb, particularly Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown on guitar and fiddle. This is no-nonsense Cajun rock and roll that is a joy to listen to from start to finish, despite the occasional lapse into Boucher-like mush-mouth vocals. 4 stars.

Bad Religion – Here is the recipe for Stranger Than Fiction:

1 Cup of Ramones, removing any humor and 60’s pop influences
1 Cup of twang-less Social Distortion
½ cup of prog rock “everything I say is important” vocals
Heaping tablespoon of Henry Rollins Brand Lyrical Pretentiousness sauce
1 tempo (more than one spoils the disc)

Stir until smooth. Heat at an extremely low temperature for 50 minutes. Serve lukewarm. When done, disc will be bland. Serves skateboarders and punk wannabees. 1 ½ stars.

Lacuna Coil – 2 questions:
1) Can anyone really tell the difference between this band and Evanescence?
2) Is it now mandatory for prog bands to do a song in Spanish ? If so, who do I talk to about getting this law repealed?

Dull, monotonous and repetitious. 1 star for the Depeche Mode cover.

Sufjan Stevens – (Full disclosure – I did not re-visit this disc. I did listen to it numerous times last year and my review is based on that.) Count me as one of the nimrods who bought into the amazingly universal 5 star reviews for this disc. Purchased it without ever hearing any of it. Mistake, although I set a personal best for shortest time between purchasing and E-Baying a disc. This may be the most self-indulgent piece of tripe I have ever heard. How artistic, how clever, 22 songs with some ties to Illinois (even if half of it is by title only). Yes, Sufjan is clever, but the music sucks. Artsy-Fartsy, tedious, sounding like a precious child yelling “See what I can do???” Ugh. 0 stars

Medeski, Martin & Wood – I was glad to get this collection. For years I’ve wondered who did the soundtracks for those late night Cinemax classics like “Vixen Detectives in Chains”. Strangely, I’ve never made it to the end of one of those films, so I never get to see the credits. Now I know. This disc will be kept be kept in my nightstand (with Lovage) for those “special” nights.


Discussion Question

Songs that make me teary eyed – Not being a sissy, I generally don’t get teary-eyed listening to music. These songs probably come closest:

“Philadelphia” – Neil Young
“Born to Run” (Solo Acoustic version) – Bruce
“Fall On Me” – REM
“Not Dark Yet” - Dylan

Songs that make me angry. I’m assuming songs I actually like, since putting on almost any radio station in St Louis makes me angry:

The entire new Neil Young CD ("Living With War")
“Can’t Make It Here Anymore” – James McMurtry
“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” – Bob Dylan
“Ohio” - CSNY
“Gimmie Some Truth” – Pearl Jam cover of Lennon’s song
“What’s So Funny (About Peace, Love & Understanding)” – Elvis Costello Version

Songs that cheer me up or make me happier – This list could have been 500 songs long…

“Heavy Metal Drummer” (especially the “Woo-Ooh Hey!” part) - Wilco
Any Ramones Song
“Brown Eyed Girl” or “Jackie Wilson Said” – Van Morrison
“Dead Flowers” and any Rolling Stones song featuring Keith on lead vocals
“Train In Vain” – Clash

Songs that best describe me. An impossible question to answer, particularly as the moderator offered no guidance.

Smart-ass Answers:

“Fat Man in the Bathtub” – Little Feat
“Old Man on the Farm” – Randy Newman
“Wife Beater” – DBT

Semi-Serious Answers

“I Want Everyone to Like Me” – Randy Newman – Randy’s 3 minute definition of happiness & contentment completely sums up mine
“The Pretender” – Jackson Browne – “happy idiot struggling for the legal tender”
“I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” – Tom Waits - self-explanatory

Don't Spoil Your Meeting By Reading KB's June Reviews

Music Club
June 2006

Lacuna Coil- Karmacode
While the female vocal is a nice touch, it’s not enough to completely win me over. I found Karamacode to sound like a modern horror movie soundtrack (picture a woman running through the woods in the dark of course as a madman chases her). This is not to say that the disc is totally awful. I found that the songs individually were better than all at once because the songs blend together with heavily mixed guitars, non-existent bass and same tempo. There were moments I liked, such as “Fragments” heavier sound the poppy opening of “Closer” and the cover “Enjoy the Silence”. Wouldn’t turn off for one song, but after 3 in a row maybe.(2)

Professor Longhair- Rock and Roll Gumbo
Decent happy New Orleans music. Perfect for picnics or Cajun outings. Not necessarily something to listen to on a regular basis. The musicians are top shelf and create a solid Louisiana groove. I have always had an affinity for old time musicians who play with conviction, and Longhair fits the bill. (3)

Bad Religion- Stranger than Fiction
First- yes I like the Ramones, Social Distortion and the Thermals. Yes their music has a tendency to sound quite similar. Stranger than Fiction sounds like one continual BOOM BOOM BOOM, with little melodic variance and non-fluid lyrics. I didn’t like the album when it came out but I gave it another spin. Maybe it’s the over fast tempo (except for the single) with no perceptive groove or the fact that the lyrics just don’t work. This album got good reviews when it came out but not from me. (1)

Sufjan Stevens-Illinoise
File this in the “Use Wacky Instruments in Rock with a Big Concept” file. I listened to this back when the raves were being printed. Accept for “Gacy” I found this disc as dull as a plain rice cake. Sure it’s daunting trying to write an album for each of the 50 states. It would be more interesting if he adopted the prevalent style of music of the state – like Chicago blues maybe… Titles the lengths of novellas, kooky instruments, effeminate over-sensitive vocals- bleech (.5 for a sad song about a serial killer)

Medeski Martin and Wood Ghits
I chose this group for their completely unique style and funk laden sound. Some of their music is waaaaaay out there sometimes but when they decided to work with a riff they are pretty entertaining. Saw them open for Morphine many years back and they definitely rock and grooved. Most of their albums are 60-40, the 40 being “what the…?!?” End of the World Party is my favorite by them for what it is worth. I left the real bizarre stuff off. Hopefully you all got a little bit from this.


Emotions
I brought up this question to see what songs really affect/effect each of us. We are all different, but I was curious if there was a similar chord between us. The following songs, for me, can consistently evoke emotions- though some may be dated. I'm sure there are others.

Tears;
Hurt- Johnny Cash
One- U2
Blue- Lucinda Williams
Am I Pretty Enough- Kasey Chambers (have to have a daughter for this one)
Keep Me in Your Heart- Warren Zevon

Anger;
Dear God- XTC
The Ballad of the Kingsmen- Todd Snider
Black Boys on Mopeds- Sinead O’ Connor
Amerika 6.0- Steve Earle

Cheer;
Family Picture- Donna the Buffalo
Be Good- Hot House Fowers
Move With Me Sister- Del Fuegos
I Found Love- Lone Justice
One Time, Two Time Devastated- Dom Mariani
Living with a Dreaming Body- Poi Dog Pondering
Any Southern on the Culture tune

Describes Me;
I Am the Ocean- Neil Young
Tree House- Buffalo Tom
Teen Angst- Cracker
Slow Turnin’- John Hiatt
Gimme Shelter- Rolling Stones
Burn in Hell- Two Cow Garage
Want Get Dead- Tsar
Blankest Year- Nada Surf

Free CDs maybe?

Sony is settling a class action suit concerning CDs they sold that had spyware on it. If you purchased one of them, you are entitled to either 3 CDs or a CD + $7.50. Here is a link to the CDs affected. There were a few "Down Our Nose"-friendly ones, so I thought it was worth throwing it out there...

MH

https://secureweb.rustconsulting.com/sonybmgcdtechsettlement/Instructions.aspx