October Knowlege

Jennifer O’Connell – Pretty decent, though unspectacular, singer songwriter type. Great voice and some compelling songs, and at first I didn’t feel it was in a league with the likes of Lucinda Williams and Kathleen Edwards, but actually grew to like it just as much as I do those chick singers 3

French Guy – Must have been some mix up because I got the CD Mike meant to send to his Gay French music club so the guy in his French club must have gotten the cutting edge, really cool rock and roll CD that a big time Hollywood director of Mike’s magnitude no doubt chose for his selection this month. But, since I have this CD, I may as well give it a shot. First off, -sort of hard to tell much from a lyrical standpoint because, as Steve Martin said, those French, they have a different word for everything. I’m sure the songs deal with the usual French topics – smoking cigarettes, misjudging the quality of French wine, having sex with their cousins and trying to convince ignorant Americans that cheese with mold was actually intentional, not some huge mistake that we mistook for something that should be put on salads instead of thrown in the trash. But I digress. Musically, it is a fine example of the French invasion when French music was all the rage in the US for 3 days in July of ‘65 and again for 4 days in January of 66. Seriously, this is a fairly cool recording that, at its best recalls the best of the 2nd tier British invasion and US garage rock Lite bands found on the Nuggets and Pebbles collections. And, while I can’t understand it, it seems to rhyme. And I like his Dylan take on L’operation. 3 stars instead of 3.5, because, after all it IS French!

Long Winters – Normally a band that would annoy me, but these guys write better songs, don’t over-emote and have more interesting arrangements that all of their Oasis/Stone Roses cousins. 3

Los Lobos – One of those bands that read better than they listen. Critics love them and on paper it looks good, but I’m somewhat underwhelmed. I probably need to give them a few more listens. Maybe it seems a little light on passion because the phrase that comes to mind is “solidly unspectacular.” I like it, but as a non-fan who has read about them I was thinking it would be better.

Greatest Song Ever – Summertime Blues – the essence of rock and roll – rebellious and whimsical at the same time.

Five Best Debut albums ever:

Ramones – Truly changed Rock and Roll
REM/Murmer - Still their best
Television/Marquee Moon – Totally original and fully realized
Gin Blossoms/New Miserable Experience – Still defines the genre
Hendrix/Are you Experienced? - Changed Rock and Roll

Birthday News

Bill Wyman is 70 F*&!ing Years Old Today!

Bulletin: October Meeting Notes

Damn site locked up and lost my whole post. I don't have another 30 minutes to recreate so see the files and posts to get reviews.

Next meeting is November 21

New- Damon- Out Here All Night (Byron)
New- Robert Randolph and the Family Band (D'ARcy)
Old- Isis- Panoptic (MikeM)
Old- Kinks- Arthur... (Ken)

Host- Jay- Ghits - Stooges w/curly

Topic- Revisit your Desert Top 10. What changes do you have and why.

Homework for December:

Host- Mike M
New- Monsta/Jen
Old- D'Arcy/Neil (already have)

NOTE: January meeting will be only top 10 lists for 2006 and a cd of your faves of the same year.

Cripes, this would have been my best post ever....

Get Busy

If you listen to 2 a week, it will only take you about 10 years....

http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm

For the love of Rock......

Today is Chuck Berry's 80th birthday. Whether you like his music or not, he is worthy of all taking a moment to duck walk and play air guitar.

Pull out a greatest hits compilation and go to town.

So say I.

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

MUSIC COMMENTARY

JACQUES DUTRONC – LES PLAYBOYS = 5 STARS
Groovy, baby. As much a precursor to the Jangle Pop of R.E.M. and The Replacements as early Beatles or The Zombies ever were.

THE LONG WINTERS – PUTTING THE DAYS TO BED = 2 STARS
From credible online sources, I’ve learned that this is considered a “pop masterpiece.” Good thing I did a little research or I would never have known that “Putting the Days to Bed” is so freakin’ good. Facetiousness aside, this CD ain’t bad, but it sure as hell ain’t a “masterpiece.” Ultimately, though, the precision musicianship and slick production isn’t enough to counterbalance the predictable songwriting or one the most limited range and generic sounding male singers I’ve ever heard.

JENNIFER O’CONNOR – OVER THE MOUNTAIN…AND BACK TO THE STARS = 1.5 STARS
Nice lyrics, nice melodies, nice harmonies, overall nice, but so is vanilla ice cream. Straining for depth, lacking in soul (or the ability to impart soul), every song seems calculated and contrived. And if it isn’t either-or, that makes the attempt even sadder. My very safe bet is that this is, indeed, a sincere attempt; hence, the low marks.

G’HITS – NEVER RECEIVED IT

TOPIC

MIKE HOPKIN’S TOPIC:

1) Top 5 debut albums/CDs of all time. List 'em & defend 'em in a sentence or 2.

I am defaulting to first indie or major label releases; therefore, artists’ early self-releases (if any) are not being considered. Although these releases are part of many of these artists’ catalogues now, they were not in wide-release until they “made it big,” and, hence, do not count as their debut. So say I.

My Top Five
- The Beastie Boys – License to Ill
- Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted
- Guided by Voices – Bee Thousand
- Liz Phair – Exile in Guyville
- Weezer – Blue Album

Music History’s Top Five
- The Who – My Generation and/or The Who Sings My Generation
- Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
- The Pretenders - Pretenders
- The Police – Outlandos d’Amour
- Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking

I don’t feel the need to defend any of these choices.

2) "In my opinion, the greatest song ever written is..."

“Helter Skelter” by The Beatles from “The White Album”

...which is not necessarily my favorite song.

No Peaking you little runts...

The Long Winters- Putting the Days to Bed
Can’t put my finger on it but there’s a familiarity with this band. “Pushover” starts and my database starts searching for who this sounds like, because it definitely does sound like something. Colin Hay maybe fronting Fastball? No big whoop. The more I listen, the more I like. Well written songs with good melodic variety. Straight ahead rock, Motown-ish beats, pop (“Teaspoon”) with a full bodied big sound. “Honest” and “Clouds” are the least special on the disc, but they are sandwiched between nine solid other songs. (3)

Jennifer O’Connor- Over the Mountain, Across the Valley and Back to the Stars
The title is a mouthful. Jen is pre-Over Sexes Liz though more on key with a better backing band. A little Tegan and Sarah like. Stripped down, introspective, pure, at times mournful and autobiographical. When listening I almost feel as if I am intruding on her private concert to herself. “Exeter, Rhode Island”, “Turn it Down” and ”Sister” demonstrates that she can rock it up a bit but the majority of the material could be performed with just her and her acoustic guitar. For a blind selection it was a nice surprise for moi. (4)

Jacques Dutronc- Les Playboys
Kitschy. This guy was a student of the then modern American rock and pop sound. Can hear Bringing it All Back Home, Sonny Bono, Tommy Roe, Beach Movies and the hippy organ. Can see go-go dancing and blob backgrounds. He could be speaking to me like a Viking sailor but who cares. It’s fun. Good music to put on when your ripped and you want to see if your guests are paying attention. It didn’t crack my top 100 but heck it’s guffaw and a half. (2.5)

Los Lobos Ghits
This is a band I should have been all over when they came out. I can vouch for Midwest Mike as he was always a fan. This mix was nice to add to the collection. The Lobos have not lost any of their chops and appear to be as good now as when they came onto the scene. Could have done without the Marvin Gaye cover but I was never a big Marvin Gaye fan. Good mix and its great to have it.

Topics
Let me go on record to state that these questions were hellish and more unfair than Pedro Martinez change up in his prime.

Top 5 Debut Albums:
I tried to take musical legacy out of the equation, as some artists peaked on their debuts, but I had to keep a small portion of personal taste in. I also discounted many of the rock gods as most put out their best stuff after they cut their teeth awhile.


Not in order:

Guns and Roses- Appetite for Destruction- Arguably one of the greatest metal albums evah!
Sex Pistols- Never Mind the Bullocks- Though I am not a punk freakazoid, still see the importance which is underscored by the fact it was their first, and really their only, album.
Jimi Hendrix- Are You Experienced- The real guitar solo is born.
Velvet Underground & Nico- Let’s count how many bands were influenced by this….. Complete introduction of the complete disregard for MOR music.
Rage Against the Machine- (self titled)- BAM! A socially conscious, vocally abrasive bitch slap in your face with the most inventive guitarist in the last 15 years.

Not honorable mentions, just those I considered- Boston (hate to admit it), George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass (didn’t know if that counted), Chicago Transit Authority, Zappa’s Freak Out (just not listenable over and over again) and Lone Justice.

Greatest Song Ever-
I hope this earns amnesty with the Down Your Nose Judges:

Sweet Child O Mine- Guns and Roses; You expected a Dylan song, no? This question made me listen to every song ever recorded and rate them based on lyrical value, melody, arrangement etc… After listening to every song ever recorded I kept coming back to this one. It is the greatest song for a number of reasons; 1- it is a semi-ballad for the ladies, 2- it has a bitchin’ guitar solo for the gents, 3- though a little mushy the lyrics really aren’t too bad, 4- the riff is emblazoned in every music freaks head, 5- it starts off like one song and becomes another by the end and 6- most sane people between 20 and 50 would find it hard to turn the dial when it comes on.

The song has everything in it. My next choices were Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, Party Like it Was Your Birthday, Itsy Bitsy Spider, I’m a Little Tea Cup, Rubber Duckie, Fruit Salad (yummy yummy) and Ace of Spades.

My reviews & clemancy plea...

Jacques Dutronc –Well, if it’s a joke, I fell for it. Listened to it 5 times thinking there must be something here. There isn’t. Campy, bad Bob Dylan impersonators don’t make the cut in any language. Ce disque a sucé les balles de singe. Aucunes étoiles.

Misfits – I think Jen’s apologies should have been directed to Neil & I, not the people who didn’t get a copy. The repetitive Gothic-Goofball shtick gets old in a hurry, like 15 seconds into track 2. It is my fervent prayer that none of this made the final cut for the wedding. On a positive note, it’s in English. ½ star

Jennifer O’Connor – The problem with female singer/songwriter CDs is they need either great songs, (Aimee Mann), great vocals (Emmylou), or have really good songs AND vocals (Kasey Chambers). Nothing on this disc is bad, but none of it is really good either. It’s the kind of non-offensive disc I might put on if my in-laws were coming for dinner. She’s probably a great coffeehouse act, since you could load up on caffeine to stay awake while you listened. 2 stars

Long Winters – With all due respect to Mr. Somerdale, THIS is power pop. A great disc, nary a bad track in the bunch. Far too many highlights to mention, but the two standouts for me are the insanely catchy “Teaspoon” and the driving “Rich Wife”. Oh yeah, and those channeled-from-the-grave Rick Danko vocals on “Honest”. Oh yeah, and the chorus of “The Sky is Open”. Oh yeah, and that opening riff of “Departure”. You get the idea. Clever lyrics, fantastic harmonies, great guitar work, and there are more hooks on this disc than in noseforbeer’s tackle box. 4 stars

Los Lobos – A very underrated & under-appreciated band. Combine elements of rock, country, Tex-Mex, and gospel to make a unique blend. Very strong musicians, excellent songwriters and lyricists. That said, they haven’t made a great album since 1987’s “By the Light of the Moon”. They’ve made many good ones, with some great individual tracks, just haven’t been able to sustain the consistent highs of the first two releases. The kind of band where a good “best of” will be all most people ever need. I think the disc presents a pretty complete picture of the band. Apologies for the “bonus” track which was only supposed to be on Ken’s copy. Blame him, I know I do.

Discussion Questions

I’ve had to re-do this list about a half dozen times. Fortunately since its my question, I can do honorable mentions…


5 Greatest Debuts (In no particular order)

The Clash (self titled) – At the time I first heard this, my 3 favorite bands were ELO, Fleetwood Mac and Dire Straits. Clearly, this was a life-changing disc.

Elvis Costello (My Aim Is True) – Call it pub rock, new wave, punk, whatever. Incredible songs that still sound fresh today.

Warren Zevon (self titled) – One of the 5 greatest albums of the 1970’s. Combines old westerns, firearms, drugs and failed romance into a glorious 11 songs showcasing his incredible knack for detail and black humor. Produced by Jackson Browne!!!

The Pretenders (self titled) – The crunch of those guitars, Martin Chambers’ fantastic drumming and good Lord, those Chrissie Hynde vocals. Throw in Nick Lowe’s production, an obscure Kinks cover and you have the recipe for greatness. Nothing dated about this 25 years later.

Velvet Underground &Nico (self-titled) – I was late discovering this one, but there is no disputing it. “I’ll Be Your Mirror”, “All Tomorrow’s Parties”, “Sunday Morning”, hell, every song on it is a classic.

Honorable mention
Counting Crows – August & Everything After
Nick Lowe – Pure Pop for Now People
Cracker – S/T
Liz Phair – Exile in Guyville

Bette Midler Conviction Appeal

The greatest song ever written starts off with a single snare drum hit out of the right speaker. Bruce Springsteen would describe it as “the snare shot that sounded like somebody kicked open the door to your mind.” The strumming of Michael Bloomfields’s electric guitar soon follows, as does that incredible Hammond B-3 organ (played by a guy who wasn’t a keyboardist). Soon, the distinctive voice, “Once upon a time you dressed so fine…..” And just like that, rock and roll music is never the same again. “Like a Rolling Stone” breaks every rule there is, in terms of length, structure, lyrics, genre. The song sounds as fresh today as it did 41 years ago. Its easy to dismiss it as an oldie, but really listen to it and you can see it is lightning in a bottle. Unless you’re paying close attention, you don’t even notice the tambourine player, just try to keep time with him, it can’t be done. The greatest songwriter of our lifetime at his absolute finest moment.

NOSEFORBEER OCT REV'S

THE LONG WINTERS - PUTTING THE DAYS TO BED = 4 STARS
GREAT CD. HATS OFF TO THE SUBMITTER OF THIS GREAT SELECTION.

JENNIFER O'CONNOR- OVER THE MOUNTAIN, ACROSS THE VALLEY AND BACK TO THE STARS = 2 STARS
NOT HORRIBLE, BUT NOT GREAT. I THINK IF A GUY WOULD HAVE MADE SOMETHING THIS MEDIOCRE I WOULD HATE IT. I MUST HAVE HIGHER STANDARDS FOR MALE SONG WRITERS.

MISFITS – AMERICAN PSYCHO = 1-1/2 STARS
AT ONE TIME I DID LIKE SOME OF THE MISFITS SONGS, BUT NOT THIS LP.

JACQUES DUTRONC – LES PLAYBOYS = 1/4 STAR
YET ANOTHER REASON TO DESPISE THE FRENCH. MAKES ME THINK OF FRENCH-HIPPY-FREE-LOVE--WITH HAIRY ARMPITS.

BEST OF - LOS LOBOS
THE GREATEST BAR BAND TO MAKE IT BIG. THEIR MUSIC CROSSES MANY GENRES.

TOPIC. GREATEST SONG EVER:

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
words and music by Woody Guthrie

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me

I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me

As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.

SOCIALY NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED FROM WHEN THIS SONG WAS WRTTEN.