“The Mong” – Music Group Commentary, July 11, 2006

MUSIC COMMENTARY

Crazy busy this month; hence, the brevity of my commentary.

BAD BRAINS – I AGAINST I = 5 STARS (THEN) / 4 STARS (NOW) = 4.5 STARS
Bad Brains best and it holds up surprising well. And the much-missed SST label released it too. SST, where are you now?

DRIVE BY TRUCKERS – A BLESSING AND A CURSE = 4 STARS
So-called “Alt Country” is always hit or miss for me but when I do like it (see topic question), I rarely like it this much.

JOY ZIPPER – THE HEARTLIGHT SET = 4.5 STARS
Yes, I give all my own selections high ratings. This is because I take the trouble to choose releases for my music club friends that I truly love and that I believe achieves some level of greatness, innovation, and/or brilliance. I do it all for you. You’re welcome.

KATRINA AND THE WAVES – SELF-TITLED = 2.5 STARS (THEN AND NOW)
Perfectly harmless and fun summer pop. Still holds up too.

OCEAN COLOUR SCENE – BEST OF
Awesome. I wonder why I don’t listen to them more often.

TOPIC

As mentioned, way too busy this month to give more than one example for each side of the coin.

Band(s) that has, over time, changed my opinion of them for the better:
Wilco
I couldn’t have liked Wilco less when I heard them through various friends or on random CD samplers over the years. Then, one day, I had one more CD to choose on my BMG introductory offer. It was then that I decided to give all the praise of “A Ghost is Born” and the collective critical praise of most of their releases prior to that its due and take a risk. It was “free” anyway. After being blown away by that album I was inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt when, before, I had not, and, backtracking from there, came to know their brilliance. Now I love-love-love Wilco now and “celebrate their entire catalogue.”

Band(s) that has, over time, changed my opinion of them for the worse:
The Rolling Stones
I think the only word to describe what the Rolling Stones have become is, “pathetic.” Once they were the epitome of rebellion, talent, and youth; now they are the epitome of conformity, mediocrity, and graceless aging. If they actually believe that anything they’ve done after Tattoo You is inspired, then they are kidding themselves more than fans who have stuck by them for about two too many decades. Notice I use the word, “inspired,” not, “groundbreaking,” or even, “valid,” which is to say that a band or artist doesn’t necessarily need to always be pushing the proverbial envelope to be good.