Reviews a la mode, Ken style

Music Club
August 2006

Gravel Pit-Mass Avenue Freeze Out
Completely caught me off guard. I expected a totally different album and not one that was catchy, well written and performed. Place them neatly in with Nada Surf, Fountains of Wayne and Matthew Sweet under Beatles. Clever lyrics and each track has its’ squeezable freshness. The only song that dragged was the closer “Short Western Film”. (4)

Matisyahu- Youth
Rating based on scientific mathematical theorem calculations. No need for further explanation its all here plain as day. Plus 10 for original gimmick, minus 3 for echo, divide by derivative 3 for Jamaica-Jew fake accent, add 2/3 of one percent for using an acoustic guitar once, round up 1 for having a socio-political message, deduct .5 for not caring about socio-political message, bell curve by 60% to smooth out over-hyping, multiply by a quotient of 8 for lack of sex appeal and round to nearest half for statistical boredom accuracy. (1.5)

Possum Dixon
I am quite biased on this band. I like the raw, messy energy. I like the irreverent lyrics. Quirky voices- I’m in. I put this disc in because its one I turn to now and then to bring me back to basics. This band is no more which is too bad. They made intelligent garage noise. Robert Zabrecky was the quirky voice and stand up bass backed by a solid rhythm section that included piano/keyboard fills that sounded like Robert O’Sullivan was arbitrarily banging his head on the keys. They weren’t the best musicians but it worked. (4.5)

Somerdale-Friday Night in America
See Gravel Pit and invert it. Not good. Was sacrificed shortly after attempted second listen. (0)

Radiohead Ghits
This was the disc I had the most anticipation and trepidation to listen to. I have always said I wasn’t a fan except for “Creep” but I’ve still had ad empty feeling like I was missing something I should have been catching. So I gave this an intent listening to and here is my conclusion; as the disc progresses I like the latter songs much less than the earlier numbers. I liked the Pablo Honey, The Bends and Ok Computer songs but nothing really from Kid A on. A few songs off the later albums start or end decently but those other halves make it not worth my time investment. (“2+2=5”, “Where I End & You Begin” , “Myxomatosis” and “A Wolf at the Door” for examples). I request copies of the three I liked but the rest can stay put.

Wedding Tunes
I can’t answer this totally selfishly, since it was posted as a selfish question. I can not take out the fact that others love to hear or want to hear certain songs at weddings (i.e. chicken dance). I may want to put that fork in my eye at times but I accept that I am not the star at every wedding and sometimes seeing 80 year olds having fun dancing to something I hate is still kind of sweet. With that now said…..

Banned Substances;
· “Old Time Rock and Roll”- okay my Mom loved this song, but that doesn’t help it endear itself to me. It wasn’t cool when it was recorded and is less cool than Barney now.
· Chicken Dance- worst of all group dances
· “Lady in Red”- so not romantic
· Disco versions of classic swing numbers. I would rather hear the Chickens do Beethoven.
· “Celebrate”- Time to retire this ditty and find a new standard to start hating.

Approved Substances;
· There has to be at least one group dance so the generations can all look goofy together. Your pick; hokey pokey, cotton eye joe, electric slide….etc…. not the Chicken Dance (see above)
· Need to have songs from every genre represented. If you have a cousin into goth metal find at least one song that can be played to appease them and not offend the rest.
· One song as an inside joke. Ex: when I used to DJ weddings I would play a slow song “Secret Lovers”. You would see these couples gush on each other all gooey like and I knew they had no clue that the song is about both partners having separate affairs.
· Sinatra- cool to all
· Neil Young’s Arc- If you can’t get down to this, you’re dead.