Better Early Than Never

“The Mong” – Music Group Commentary, August, 2006

MUSIC COMMENTARY

Okay, I promised one word reviews but allowed myself as many as four.

THE GRAVEL PIT – MASS AVENUE FREEZE-OUT = 4 STARS (THEN) / 5 STARS (NOW) = 4.5 STARS
Sadly overlooked geniuses.

MATISYAHU – YOUTH = 1.5 STARS
Trying too hard.

POSSUM DIXON – SELF-TITLED = 3.5 STARS
Fun as all heck.

RADIOHEAD – BEST OF [= 4.5 STARS]
Even better when high.

SOMERDALE – FRIDAY NIGHT IN AMERICA = 2 STARS
Interesting failure.

TOPIC

Jennifer, all I can really suggest, I already suggested to you in person. I know it’s your big day (and your groom’s), but a wedding is a party for your friends and family too so play music for you AND for them. I have been to many weddings where people simply refused to play the standards (“Macarena,” “The Electric Slide,” “Rock Around the Clock,” “The Chicken Dance,” etc.) and those weddings may have had their own, shall we call it, “unique” (another word for boring) flavor, but they weren’t fun parties. I know, you being a music snob, this will be particularly difficult for you to accept but, trust me, the folks who don’t want to hear the cheesy aforementioned standards will be far less annoyed than the folks who are flat out and intentionally deigned their opportunity to boogie on the dance floor. Take my advice for whatever you think it's worth.