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.