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