The Return of the Young Female One.

CD Reviews:

Beck – The Information:
I have always been an enormous Beck fan from an early start. Some of his albums have been hit or miss over the years, though all would at least receive a 2.5 or greater if scoring for the music group. Would he go the route of Sea Change, one his most different – yet most beautiful albums, or perhaps would he go the route of Sea Vultures and funk it up again? Early reviews compared it most to Odelay and I was very eager to finally pick it up. When I first bought it the day it came out, I was a bit disappointed. I loved the first single, but many of the other songs did not impress me as Odelay had. It was kind of tossed aside and The Killers album (released the same day as Beck) ended up reigning in my stereo.

I was glad to have it resurface for the music group. I listened to it a lot more this time around and grew to appreciate it a lot more than I had initially. Is it another Odelay? No. Some songs are great whilst others bored me. But Beck’s average score from me will not be affected by this album. It is neither a tremendous smash or tremendous trash. So it ends up middle of the road. Score: 2.5

The Decemberists – The Crane Wife:
A lot of diehard Decemberists’ fans had their doubts about this album seeing as it was their first major label release. I wish I had saved some of the debates I read on certain websites/blogs…they were downright comical. The reason they made me laugh, is that I could not possibly see how The Decemberists could possibly sell-out. Their sound isn’t mainstream, and the only way to do so would be to completely change their entire sound…which just wouldn’t be the Decemberists.

My only reservation about this album was that it could have been over-produced like many a major label likes to do. But, if anything, I feel their unique sound was enhanced in a spectacular way. It may not be as catchy as their last album, Picaresque, but it is quite extraordinary as is the majority of their material. The amazing storytelling is still here and if anything it has become better. I thought it would be impossible to top Picaresque, and at first I didn’t think it was possible, however with each listen it had slowly gained on Picaresque and has very slightly conquered it to be my favorite album of theirs. It may not still be as catchy, but it is just a better quality album from beginning to end. It will surely be on my Top Ten. Score: 5

Fear – The Record:
Nice in-your-face L.A. punk record. The vocals sounded like a mix between Jello Biafra and Cookie Monster, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Hilariously offensive lyrics and a great crunchy raw sound. “New York’s Alright if You Like Saxophones” was great, as was the opening political statement “Let’s Have a War” which is quite appropriate for recent times. I dug it. Nothing spectacular musically, but I like to have some in-your-face punk around at times.
Score: 2.5


Jason & the Scorchers – Lost & Found:
Why do I suddenly feel like I should have curlers in my hair, a baby in one arm, cigarette hanging out of my mouth, and frying spam while looking out my trailer window at my stained-wife-beater-wearing husband? When I first began listening to the disc, my immediate reaction was that there might be a decent rockabilly record here. Then as the album progressed, I realized I was wrong. It is horribly dated, and did not age well at all. I don’t care if the album is 20+ years old; the production of it was horrible. Even song wise – each track for me got progressively worse. Nothing impressed me about this CD except for the first few toe-tapping seconds of track one that misled me. Score: 0

Superdrag – Greatest Hits:
Wow! I remember “Sucked Out!” That was a great single and reminded me of high school (sorry to date you guys!). So I was anxious to hear what else Superdrag did, since I never got into them past that single. My expectations fell short though. I had hoped they would keep up the super-happy-pop sound throughout, but I found many of the tracks boring and being lumped into that sappy Gin Blossom-y sound, you know…the adult-contemporary of the 90’s rock movement. I might keep a track or two (I don’t have the disc in front of me for names), but that’s about it.


Topic
When I first began reading the question my first reaction was CELLO PLAYER! Until Mike stepped in and only allowed certain instruments. So, since I cannot pick cello player…I will pick my second favorite (and closest sounding) instrument…bass. I have always been a big fan of bass, but more importantly…everyone always reveres the guitarist or lead singer, but it takes a good ear to hear a great bass player. Maybe I am too much of an elitist, but I would want the crème de la crème as my devotees. Bass players like John Entwistle and Billy Sheehan were/are AMAZING, yet they weren’t in the forefront. It wasn’t an in-your-face style. They add depth and substance, not too overpowering, but those that appreciate the bass are astounded. Those that don’t will leave you alone.

Fearing December

The Decemberists
To be fair I listened to this for the first time when I had food poisoning and a touch of the 24hr flu. It bugged the piss out of me. 24 hrs later a second chance was given. Same whiny vocals. Same songs that seemed to drag on far too long, with some songs being way to repetitive. Sorry there was no third listening. 1

Fear
Lee Ving was in a great rock and roll movie called get crazy. Hell it even had Lou Reed acting in it. He was also in Streets of Fire. The fact that I lead with those facts explains my feeling of this cd. Fast guitars, pissed off at the world lyrics and a horrible cover does not make great social commentary record. What it does make is a similar sounding songs following one right after another with no reason to differentiate between them as the fly by. I’ll probably watch the movies again, but not the cd. 1

Beck
Not a big Beck fan in general. I understand that he is extremely talented singer songwriter. I respect his willingness to push what is expected, switching from style to style with ease and still consistently putting out quality work. I liked his funky stuff, and his band driven stuff, not so much his work that’s studio driven. I found this particular cd okay. Sometimes the rhythm tracks he brings to the foreground did not add much to the tune. His lyrics were good but not really terribly memorable. I just found this a middle tempod middle of the road cd. 2.5


Jason and the Scorchers
This is the album that for me all other “alt country” albums should be compared to. When released it was way too heavy to be country, and to country to be heavy, so it had no place on the dial. Jason the singer with the nasal twang and Warren Hodges a guitar hero in any book created a sound unique to their time. A strong rhythm section that kept the tunes chugging forward and a classic record was created. From the bass fill in Last Time Around, to the catchy chorus of White Lies, to grandeur of I Really Don’t Want to Know the album is one great song after another. And that unfortunately was their demise, while the second record was still really good, they fell into the trap that all bands that do not fit the dial try and do. Change so they will. Some questionable covers, some cd’s that were heavy on filler and light on killer followed. But they would always have one or two tracks that just knocked you backwards in a good way. Perhaps they were ahead of there time; perhaps they would never quite fit in. But maybe some of the current “alt country” bands should look at this cd and remember what was good about this genre. Not play and twiddle in the studio, but put your head down and race to the end. 4.5

Superdrag
Great band with a great pop ear. Had lots of fun listening to it. Need copies of Head trip, and Vitriol. Thought I had three could only find the two. What’s the deal skipping Keep It Close to Me.


Topic

I want to be the bass player. I suppose its my classical training in Trombone that draws me to the idea that the best part of a band is to support the overall sound then fill in as needed to create interesting runs or help drive the song forward. Also if you research the bands I truly find influential all had strong bass players who were instrumental in the song writing process, if not the actual lead song writer of the band. Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, Pete Way of UFO, Michael Been of the Call, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden all were phenomenal bass players and chief songwriters of their bands. Throw in John Deacon of Queen, Nicky Wire of The Manic Street Preachers, and Chris Carter of Dramarama all of whom were responsible for some of my favorite songs from their bands. Then of course there was a guy named McCartney especially in his early work.

Now I don’t think I want to be the front man of the band like Been and Lynott, but I would want to be part of the process that helps write the music and the words, and be the support the band needs to create their sound.

It's a Crazy Holiday Nut Bang Here.What better time to do the summation.

We had 4.5 members this time. Jay fagged out but Byron showed up late to tell us he did none of the required listening. Kudos. Neil as usual made us listen to his disc without providing his deep insight for the third month in a row.

Still awaiting Jay's reviews but on average, as a whole, the music was considered mediocre. Nothing higher than 2.8. Beck was met with a yawn and Jason and the Scorchers was given high five except Jen gave it a knee in the nuts. But what the hell does she know..... Fear was greeted with a ticket to the bottom 10. I am predicting that it may a get a boost from our resident punk-freak Jay. Mike M and D'Arcy had a man love thing going on by bashing an excellent Decemberists disc. I was the only separatist in regards to Superdrag which is amazing that once again the whole group was proven wrong.

As for being the perfect instrumentalist- two wished to be rhythm guitarists, 2 bassists and a lead slamma jamma guitarist. I'll let the posts speak for themselves.

Next meeting is our Shpradoinkle Dinner Dance, January 23rd at the Wood N' Tap in Rocky Hill. Please bring your top 10's for 2006 (in order to appease Mr. Movieman) and a disc of your fave's for the year.

Those with homeowork to bring for February's meeting;

New: Byron, Ken
Old: Jay, Monsta
Host: Neil

Happy Christmas, Merry Chanukah, Baked Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, and Other Mixed Festivus Greetings

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

MUSIC COMMENTARY

BECK – THE INFORMATION (New / Monsta ) = 4 STARS
Arguably Beck’s best CD since, well, his last one. This guy consistently puts out great material and this is right up there. Few, if any, artists are better at mixing a vast array of genres and influences that (remarkably and unlike many who attempt to do this) never sounds forced or elitist. Considering his body of work, I would go so far as to call Beck a genius and “The Information” is another chapter in his remarkable career. The DVD this CD came with, however, is a complete waste of time. It’s just so, “That’s what’s neat about me,” that Beck and all his pals got together with a HD camera and made crap up for (apparently) a weekend and then called the results music videos, but I think the only people who will enjoy it are, well, Beck and his pals. I know that’s the point, more or less, but still...

DECEMBERISTS – THE CRANE WIFE (New / Jen) = 1 STAR
Wait, I’ve got a better title for this CD: “Welcome to Middle Earth.” Seriously, if this band’s primary influence isn’t the quivery-voiced bard who strummed and sang all the songs in the animated version of “The Hobbit,” then there’s some uncanny channeling going on here. And that’s “uncanny” creepy and bad, not the cool X-Men kind of “uncanny.” All not-kidding aside, musically the band is okay but the vocalist has a gratingly annoying voice (aforementioned bard-like, quivery, nasally tone) and his melodies mostly sound the same. And back to influences: OK Decemberists, just step away from your piles of vastly overrated Elephant 6 Collective CDs (Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf Power, The Apples in Stereo, etc.) and no one gets hurt.

FEAR – THE RECORD (Old / Neil) = 3 STARS
I’d like to pretend I was into Fear at the height of the LA punk/hardcore scene, but that would be untrue. This album was, however, much appreciated and often cranked in my high-school heavy metal circles, right along with Stormtroopers of Death, mostly because this stuff was combative, juvenile, and funny. A deeper understanding and appreciation of Fear and their contemporaries came in college. Go figure. But a heady analysis of the sociological, historical, psychological, and other relevant causes/effects of punk/hardcore is a chore best left for Greil Marcus (author of “Lipstick Traces,” etc.) so I’ll spare us all my academic musings. I will say this, though: Listening to “The Record” again for the first time in ages, I admit that it’s hard to factor-out the nostalgia in my rating but, truth is, I still think it’s funny and slam-danceable. And now I know it’s relevant too. Man, I’m getting’ old.

JASON AND THE SCORCHERS – LOST AND FOUND (Old / D’Arcy) = 2.5 STARS
A better-than-average Rock & Roll bar band. Not much more to say about ’em. By the way, if you rated this higher than The Gravel Pit (“Mass Avenue Freeze-Out”), inarguably a bar band in this vein, then I’ve got one question for you: Where do you get your crack?

SUPERDRAG – BEST OF (Me) = 5 STARS IF WE RANKED G’HITS
They consistently cranked out one great album after another and, unfortunately, no one seemed noticed. Hopefully future generations will discover them.

TOPIC

If I could be any member of a rock band (and not be the world’s greatest bass player, as Jay suspects), I would be the lead/sole guitarist. My style and sensibilities and stage presence would lean towards Alex Lifeson of Rush. Lifeson always knows exactly when to hold back and let his playing serve the song but when it’s time to step up and jam, he rocks. Even though his lead playing tends towards sloppy, I’d stay on track with this since, well, that’s one of the reasons why I love his playing. I would marry AL’s abilities with the great, six-string, song writing abilities and general chops of John Lennon. If it would even be possible to combine the multi-layered effects sound of Lifeson and straight-ahead style and sound of Lennon with yet another guitarist, my sound (tonally/sonically) would combine the denser, eviler sound of Josh Homme of Kyuss/Queens of the Stones Age, who, incidentally, is an immensely underrated guitarist/songwriter. So, while we’re at it, throw in a bit of Josh’s chops and lead playing into the mix. The result: if this is even possible, I would be a freestyle-progish, top forty, hard rock guitarist/songwriter.

Dec Report-Holds nothing of any value. Like Ken's undies.

Beck – The disc that firmly entrenches Beck into the category of “all I will ever need from this guy is a greatest hits disc”. 20 minutes of good stuff, but regrettably, the album clocks in at over an hour. He pulled a Clapton on me, releasing a kick-ass single that convinced me to buy the disc, which didn’t live up to the advance track. Highlights include “Strange Apparition” and “Nausea”. Low points include every track after #6. Elapsed time from purchase to selling on e-bay was 72 hours. 2 1/2 stars.

Decemberists – The most challenging disc in a long while for me. I’d listen to it, decide I didn’t like it, listen again and decide it was good, repeat ad infinitum. There are moments on the disc that are sublime, “ The Crane Wife 3” & “O Valencia!” being the sub-limiest; but the two long tracks ventured a little too far into “Yes” territory for me. I thought the combination of folk, prog, and Talking Heads-ish white boy funk, made for a very interesting, if uneven, disc. 3 stars

Fear – If I were forced to make the choice to either listen to this disc again, get a severe case of rectal itch or watch an episode of “Full House”, I’d call it a tossup. Hardcore, yes. Containing anything remotely resembling a tune, discernable lyrics or musical talent, no. 0 #$#)$)# ing stars

Jason & the Scorchers – Listening to this made me conjure the following images: Cow shit, mean dogs, pickup trucks with gun racks, big hats, belt buckles, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, that damned 80’s “Born in the USA” big drum sound, drinking Bud longnecks in a sleazy bar where you practically stick to the floor, “trailer park hot” chicks, and the Zen of twang. These are things to be celebrated (except the 80’s drum sound). 4 stars

Superdrag – I can see why this band never made it big. Great catchy tunes, clever lyrics, fantastic harmonies, its all here, and on damn near every track. There’s no place in radio for a band like this. “Baby Goes to Eleven” is just a quintessential pop song, and “Sucked Out” is a stone classic. Never heard of these guys before this, very glad it was submitted.

Discussion Question


I would fancy myself a rhythm guitar player. I’ve always enjoyed hearing the guitar parts that are usually underneath the songs and behind the lead player’s.

Pete Townshend would be my primary influence to draw on. He does play lead, but is basically a rhythm guitarist. I definitely dig the power chord style his playing is based upon, and his sense of theatrics (windmills, leaps, smashing crap up) has always been exciting. Ken will vouch, playing like Pete is in my blood.

Keith Richards would have to be the other influence. Incredibly unusual sense of timing, but everything he plays always sounds like it is exactly the right sound in the right space. To be able to sing like Keith would be an added bonus…

Challenge for the group – name an innovative guitarist who hasn’t been on the scene for at least 15 years. I can’t come up with one.

December Report Early and Crisp, like Monsta's undies

Music Club
December 2006

Beck - Information
Beck has been here before. It was a CD called Odelay. While some of the songs are pasted together well with (“Cell Phone’s Dead”) others sound like recycled snippets (“Elevator Music”). When he gets poppy with more structured lyrics (“Think I’m Love”, “Strange Apparition”, “Nausea”) he sounds fresh because he has done the cryptic thing a bit too much. I tend to lose interest after “Nausea” with a couple of exceptions in “No Complaints” and “The Information”. Too many arbitrary noises and a lack of catchiness and the last cut is totally unnecessary. Let’s go back to Guerro and press do-over. (2.0)

Fear- The Record
Don’t know if this is hardcore. Some is comical (Beef Bologna”), some offensive (“Fresh Flesh”, “We Destroy the Family”) and there is a little punk attitude (“I Don’t Car About You”). “New York’s Alright if You Like Saxophones” and “Foreign Policy” show a little thought. Their Animals cover is completely distinguishable from the original (which is ok since I can’t stand the song anyway). The Record’s overall attitude seems contrived and not authentic but it was nice that they kept their songs to roughly 2 minutes long. I didn’t totally hate it but won’t be on a desert island pick anytime soon. (2.0)

Jason and the Scorchers- Lot and Found
They seem to have come along a little too early. If they could have waited until the mid-90’s I think they would have found more success with the alt-country onset. It would have also given them a chance to find a better drummer, at least one who could play real drums. Lost and Found has good ol’ twang rock songs and a good version of Hank’s “Lost Highway”. I would call them a country Social Distortion and not at all D’Arciesque. (3)

Decemberists- The Crane Wife
The Decemberists sound like an English literary novel, but they get away with it without sounding like they are trying too hard. I almost feel smarter listening to it- almost that is. The Crane Wife is a disc you have to listen from beginning to end. Skipping around takes away from beauty and flow of the album. The landscapes and descriptions painted are stunning and they’re surrounded by a virtually perfect soundtrack. It’s a Broadway musical. I already had the requisite listens to this disc prior to Jen selecting it and I was happy to learn I would be forced to listen to it more. (4 and leaning higher)

Superdrag Ghits
I was psyched to have this be our greatest hits as I have no Superdrag in my collection and have heard numerous positives about them. Unfortunately I found the band to be a super drag. I found nothing new or interesting in the music- he says as he sadly places the disc in a bin with The Posies and Gin Blossoms.

If I Were a Rich…. guitarist
Yes I will be cliché. I do play guitar but lets face it doesn’t everyone? Whether real or air? I would lean towards being a rhythm guitarist (Pete Townsend, Edge) because I believe a good rhythm section carries a song. This includes being the riff master. I could be happy banging our the lines to “How Many More Times” and allow Jimmy Page go to town or crunching a Billy Duffy riff to let him rip it up. I would like to reserve the right to be allowed to go off on song or two occasionally like Neil and Terry Kath did. But let me bang out power chords, do the wall of sound, windmill, pick out groupies for later and I’d be a happy man.

November Rantings

Damone - I think there is only one chick in the band, so the comparison isn’t entirely accurate, but my first thought is that it’s the Go Gos on Crank. And that works for me. The natural progression from the Go Gos through the Donnas to Damone. Yeah, I know it breaks no new ground, but good pop, by definition rarely does. The hooks are decent, the playing as adequate as it needs to be and despite the fact that they employ every metal cliché known to man and that they occasionally come dangerously close to crossing the line toward bands like Scandal, it has a certain exhuberence that merits a 3.5

Isis – Five seconds in I was thinking it needed to be nearly perfect the rest of the way out just to get back to a 0, but over time it became bearable and even had its moments. The problem is, though, that my feeble mind is already cluttered with too many sub-genres – alt country, metal pop (see Damone), surf punk, etc. - and I really don’t think I have a place for instrumental metal. And that’s essentially what this is – or at least should be as his singing is clearly there to annoy or startle one out of the metal instrumental coma. Sorry, that was gratuitous. I really didn’t dislike it that much. I’m simply over sub-genre’d. Anyway, certain songs had moments, like the 3rd and the 5th (don’t have the CD in front of me so I can’t give you the names), and it would be intellectually dishonest for me to rip this on one hand and then wax eloquent about, say, Sonic Youth, because while there is a fairly wide creative gap between the two, these guys often head out into the same territory as my heroes. 2.5

Kinks – I probably should like this more, but found myself under-whelmed and, quite frankly a bit bored. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood as I have to be in the mood for music that is as dated as this sounds. Not a criticism necessarily, most rock from the 60s sounds dated, but I just wasn’t into it. Quality writing, some good melodies…blah blah blah. I sacreligiously give it a 2.

Postscript – yeah, I know I gave a record by Damone a much higher rating than a record by the Kinks and, on the surface, that’s patently absurd. Here’s a rationale. Some records get judged by how successfully they accomplish what they set out to do. And records also get judged against the expectations that previous and subsequent releases by that band create. In my opinion, even though their sights were not set very high (it’s metal pop after all), Damone got close to what they were trying to do. I can’t think of many bands like them doing a better job as a matter of fact. Arthur, on the other hand, while good, is a middle of the road Kinks record in my opinion. There are a handful of Kinks records that are better, so it suffers by comparison and if it is not up to their best, by definition, it could be considered a “failure.” Mostly, I was just a little bored by it, but there’s some food for thought here anyway.



Robert Randolph and the Family Band – There has been this promise – expounded upon by critics ever since I started paying attention – that certain bands combined soul, funk and rock to create a unique and interesting sound. It goes back to James Brown, and moves forward through Sly, George Clinton and Prince. And quite frankly I never thought any of those bands and many that I didn’t mention lived up to the promise – at least with regard to the “rock” element. Robert Randolph lives up to that promise. Predictably, I liked the funkier, harder rocking songs, but every song has something to offer, even the unnecessary cover of Jesus Is Just Alright With me, because eventually his inventive, at time smokin’ guitar work saves even the mellow songs. Ain’t nothing wrong with this indeed! One of my favorite records of the year. 4.5


Stooges – Suprisingly enough, I don’t buy into the punk influence line of thinking as much as most critics. I acknowledge that certain influential punks were personally moved by Iggy’s music and more importantly his persona, but nobody has come close to anything resembling Iggy and the Stooges musical style. So I don’t love this music as an artifact or as an important document. I love it on it’s own. I’m guessing that it is easy to be critical of this music. The recording quality is at times barely adequate (but a huge step up from the original un-remastered versions, by the way), there is a sameness that pervades many of the songs and the lyrics are simplistic (I think someone counted the total different words on the first record and the number barely made it into 3 digits). None of that matters, though. For me, this is the essence of rock and roll. Power, energy, evil, sex - it’s all there and the repetition gives it an unrelenting quality that is rare. I don’t have the ability as a writer to correctly explain why it’s great. All I know is it makes me want to want to play air guitar and sing along at the top of my lungs. I won’t go so far as to say that in my house, it’s “love Iggy and the Stooges or there’s the fuckin’ door,” but I will say that if you don’t hear great rock and roll when you put this on then not only are you and I listening to rock for entirely different reasons, but we’re getting entirely different things out of rock music. And I feel bad for you.

Discussion

My original list was:

Replacements – Tim
Clash – London Calling
Allman Brothers – Fillmore East
Buzzcocks – Singles Going Steady
Saw Doctors – Sing a Powerful Song
Neil Young – Tonight’s the Night
Dictators – Go Girl Crazy
Matthew Sweet – Live in Chicago
Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

I would upgrade London Calling to the 25th anniversary edition and I would upgrade the Fillmore album to the new 2 disc version.

I still love the Saw Doctors, but I’ve probably played that record more times in the last 5 years than any other record and I guess I’m over it now. I’ll replace that with the Stooges first record.

Bar Mitzvah Yon Up the Cranberry.

I didn't have a witty title so bite me. Another brilliant conclave. We attribute this maybe to Ms. Token's absence, but we will know for sure when she rejoins us on December 19th.

This month was a real head scratcher, me due to my raging dry scalp. Jay giving the Kinks a 2.5 and half- C'MON. Mike M trying to justify the existence of Isis but questioning life's meaning after listening to Damone. Yes he is insane. D'Arcy averaged almost 3.0 for everything leading us to believe he doesn't bother to listen to the discs and Ken being spot on as always. Mike H provided the deepest insight, "Yeeeeeorg wahhhh debwap guuuugh". Byron abstained from voting for personal reasons for the 3rd meeting in a row. Neil, we understand killed another Disney character at the time of our meeting.

The Stooges were enjoyed by all and Jay nominated them for Beatification. We are waiting to hear back from the Pope.

Not a lot of Desert Island changes a few here and dere but most remaining staus quo. Jay told Ken that Exile on Main Street was not even close to being the best Stones album. Ken said, You're and idiot" and won the argument outright.

Highlight of the meeting was the discussion of Zombie movies. It was agreed that Night of the Living Dead (1968) was the best with discussion for 28 Days and the remake of Dawn of the Dead high on the list.

For Next Month- December 19th
New- Decemberists- The Crane Wife (Jen)
New- Beck- Information (Monsta)
Old- Jason and the Scorcers- Lost and Found (D'Arcy)
Old- Fear (Neil)
Ghits- Superdrag (Mike M the host)

Topic - see December 1 post.

Homework- For everyone

Top 10 of 2006 and a cd of your fave's for the year.

Dinner- January 23rd at the Wood n' Tap in Rocky Hill 7:00 pm kickoff.

DePalma, zombies and yes dessert islands

Damone
I really liked Damone’s first cd. Then the songwriter/guitarist quit and so I thought did the band. But Damone’s second cd is still really good. Noelle has a strong rock voice. Mike Wood delivers catchy riffs, and the band as a whole delivers short catchy rock songs. Yes they do slip into some 80’s clichés every once in a while but I forgive them because most of the time the deliver besides this. It will be interesting to see how these continue to grow. Also nice Iron Maiden cover. 3

Isis
Okay I hate the vocals on this cd. In fact I could not tell you a single word that comes out of his mouth because when that heavy metal guttural growl entered the mix I just tuned it out. Now the music on the other hand I found strangely atmospheric. Heavy at times quiet at others. It was repetitive and at times typically prog self indulgence but that was okay. I found it interesting. And liked having it played in the background. Of course the growl would appear and I would be forced away from what I truly enjoyed about this cd. Luckily the vocals are at a minimum so this was avoided for most of the cd. 2.5

The Kinks
Can anyone really say anything about a Kinks release? Yes there has been some average attempts especially in the late 80’s but there catalog can be placed with anyone and hold its own. This was a grower on me, as I tend to prefer the guitar-laden albums a bit to their folksy ones. Great lyrics (as usual) some interesting arrangements, nice back ground horns. I think the idea that it was supposed to be a soundtrack led to the interesting arrangements and subject matter. Could have done without some of the sludgy vocals on a few tracks prefer Ray Davies true voice anytime, but that’s just nit picking. 3



Robert Randolph
I had a disc in mind for new this month but my friends car was stolen and along with it my copy of the Elected. Thus I went to the new release page at AMG and chose the cd that I was most interested in. I figured we tend to get into ruts with our choices and this cd would make a nice change from our normal selection types. First I must apologize because I swore that I would never introduce anything that contained anything that had Dave Mathews on into the group. That being said, even his two songs are pretty good on this cd. It is obvious from track 1 that Robert Randolph is one hell of a slide player. But he has collected a group of songs that not only showcase him but his band as well. Yes Clapton plays on Jesus, but if I hadn’t ready I wouldn’t really have noticed. Instead besides all the guests, the cd just shows off Randolph and his band over and over. This is definitely a band that needs to be seen live. 3


Iggy
Raw unpolished and just plain fun. Was surprised just how much I enjoyed the guitar work on this collection.



New
Desert Island Discs
UFO Strangers In The Night
Echo and The Bunnymen Ocean Rain
Dramarama Stuck in Wonderamaland
Beatles Revolver
Queen II
Dada Puzzle
The Frames Fitzcaraldo
The Wildhearts Earth vs
Manic Street Preachers Generation Terrorists
Old 97’s Fight Songs

Old
Ufo- Strangers in the Night
Manic St Pr - Generation Tourist
Dramarama- Welcome to Dramaramaland
Wildhearts- Earth Vs
Dada- Puzzle
Beatles- Revolver
Queen- Jazz
Echo- Ocean Rain
The Call- Live Red Mood
Stereophonics- Performance and cocktails

The Frames replace the Stereophonics. After seeing them live must have them around
Queen II instead of Jazz. Just choosing the heavier more epic of the two
Old 97’s Fight songs Just a good cd over another. Could switch back at a later date.

But again no recently released cd makes the grade

Nov. Synopsis to come but for now...

Music Club
November 2006

Isis-Plenoptic
Easily one of the 5 worst vocal performances ever recorded, which is a shame, since much of the music is well done. The wavering between crunch hard metal and intricate bass and guitar interplay is done fairly successfully albeit minutes too long. “In Fiction” and “Willis Dissolve” are examples that when this singer opens his mouth everything is ruined. Hopefully he didn’t spend time or waste ink and paper on lyrics as it is impossible to decipher what the hell he is saying anyways. 3 for the music, -2 for vocals. (1)

Robert Randolph & the Family Band-Color Blind
I was lucky to catch this virtuoso open for the dreadful Black Crows, so I was very excited to have this thrown into the mix. Randolph is unbelievable live primarily due to his prowess, his out of this world band and that he focuses on his groove jams. He opened the show with this disc’s opener and I could have listened to them wail on that for 45 minutes. Now back to the disc. Keep the first 3 tracks, take away the sucrose laden ballads and you got 5-6 song masterpiece. But we have to take into consideration those sappy songs when looking at this recording and that is what brings this disc down. Luckily this is only his second studio recording so he can mend his ways and stick to the Fishbone a ala Sly Stone rave ups. (2.5)

Damone-Out Here All Night
I liked Damon’s first outing From the Attic but this disc left me sad. First they can’t decide- are they a pop-metal band or a straight ahead radio friendly rock band? In either case it sounded too much like the formulaic crud on the radio. The lead guitarist can play and he is the bright spot. But after repeated listens and trying to tell myself that I must be wrong, in the end I don’t think I am. It’s just not that good. (1.5)

Kinks- Arthur
This is one of those gems that never got heard, except for “Victoria”. Made to be a soundtrack for a movie that never got made this recording got pushed aside making the audience who actually heard it quite small. Luckily it has been reissued as Arthur showcases Ray Davies satirical writing aptitude and the tight but not too tight sound the Kinks are famous for. Solid songs throughout and close to must have. (4)

Stooges Ghits
Seminal is the perfect word for the Stooges. It is clear from listening that this band influenced countless bands in regards to front man showmanship to DIY recording to the true essence of punk attitude. The mix is good representation of their output where the less is more is apropos. All the big hits with a bullet are here. Good to have another disc to piss off the missus.


Desert Island Picks- redux

Original Listing

Blood on the Tracks- Dylan
Ragged Glory- Mr. Young
Exile on Main Street- Stones
Goo- Sonic Youth
100% Fun- Matthew Sweet
Songbooks- Ella Fitzgerald
Favorite Things- John Coltrane
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me- Cure
Electric- Cult
Hot Rats- Zappa

Updated Listing

This list is different from my top 10 favorites of all time. This list tries to encompass all the music styles I like. There is so many I could have had……….. very hard to do.

Blood on the Tracks- Bob Dylan –still the best introspective story telling album ever.
Ragged Glory- Neil Young- Tonight’s the Night is close, Ragged showcases noise with meaning.
Exile on Main Street- Rolling Stones- Great roots rock album with boozy country.
Songbooks- Ella Fitzgerald- My favorite female vocalist of all time. No one was smoother.
Kind of Blue- Miles Davis- Has both Miles and Coltrane on one great collaboration. The only reason to nix Favorite Things.
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me- Cure- My goth, hate you music with some poppy undertones.
Electric- Cult – RIFF BABY!
Hot Rats- Frank Zappa- Just a mesmerizing recording that encompasses jazz, intelligent rock jams and silliness.
Okkervil River- Black Sheep Boy- Just a brilliant emotional album where perfection is sacrificed for feeling.
Audioslave- Out of Exile- My noise funk quotient with Tom Morello’s inventive guitar that isn’t too poppy but not too over top either.

Matthew Sweet’s 100% Fun got eliminated due to lack of listens over the past few years. Sonic Youth’s Goo was supplanted by AudioSlave because I needed a disc of Morello’s playing without the abrasiveness of Zach’s voice (I love Rage still though). Favorite Things was nixed due to the needing Miles and Coltrane and this does it in one recording, albeit a great one.

Topic for December by "The Mong"

If you could be any member of a rock & roll band, who would you be: the singer, the guitarist, the bass player, the drummer, or the keyboardist? Yes, you are limited to only one of these five (no saxophonists, percussionists, backup singers, etc. … Give me a break if that’s what you’d really choose to be, anyway). Cite at least two influences for the role you’d take and explain how you’d either follow in their footsteps and/or expand upon their abilities and styles. Write as little or much as is needed to answer the topic.

And Then There Were Four...?

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

MUSIC COMMENTARY

Another crazy month: thus, the brevity of my commentary.

DAMON – OUT HERE ALL NIGHT (New / Byron) = 0 STAR
Could this sound more pop-metal ’80s? I think that’s the point. It’s self-aware, right? So what! It’s still unoriginal and annoying to the point of actually being depressing. Seriously, this CD made me wonder if it’s all worth it: not musically, in an existential sense.

ISIS – PANOPTIC (Old / Mike M.) = 4 STARS
Hypnotic, dense guitar epics that rouse the soul. Not for everyone, but for me it doesn’t get much better than this.

THE KINKS – ARTHUR (Old / Ken) = 5 STARS
One of the best, most overlooked albums of the era, by one of the best, most overlooked bands of the era.

ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND – COLORBLIND (New / D’Arcy ) = 2.5 STARS
Some tight, soulful stuff. Considering the technical musical proficiency, metronome precise timing, and fanatically perfect production and engineering, that fact that this stuff comes off as even remotely inspired is really pretty amazing.

THE STOOGES – BEST OF (Jay) = 5 STARS IF WE RANKED G’HITS
Does the heart and soul good, especially after Damon.

TOPIC

Revisit Desert Island Top Ten:

I couldn’t find my original list, which I remember as being my “Top Ten of All Time” anyway, and that’s not the same thing (for me). But working from memory, I have noted the ones that I believe were overlaps with an asterisk. This is in my order of preference too…

1) Nirvana: Nevermind*
2) Beatles: White Album
3) Guided By Voices: Bee Thousand*
4) Green Day: American Idiot
5) Beastie Boys: Check Your Head
6) Spoon: Girls Can Tell
7) Sonic Youth: Dirty
8) Rush: 2112*
9) Pavement: Crooked Rain Crooked Rain*
10) Nada Surf: Let Go

I reserve the right to change this list on any given day.