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