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“The Mong” – Music Group Commentary, March 2007

MUSIC COMMENTARY

BLOC PARTY – A WEEKEND IN THE CITY = 2 STARS
It can’t help but suffer in comparison to “Silent Alarm,” especially because it just isn’t very good pop or rock, neither of which it ever fully commits to, which is its biggest problem. In the end, too big a shift in style and approach without (it seems) the skill to pull it off. Probably the most notable sophomore letdown since The Strokes second album.

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN – (SELF-TITLED) = 2 STARS
Not bad but not great either. Pretty forgettable and one-speed overall but I wouldn’t run to switch stations if I heard any of this on the radio.

MOTT THE HOPPLE – G’HITS = 4 (IF WE RATED G’HITS)
Some great tunes I haven’t heard in a long time and some more great stuff that I’ve never heard before. A bit dated but still awesome.

TOPIC

1. List five songs that are remakes or covers that outshine the original.
1) “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor) as covered by Cake (on FASHION NUGGET)
2) “Isolation” (John Lennon) as covered by Matthew Sweet (on GOODFRIENDS)
3) “I Fought the Law” (Bobby Fuller / The Clash) as covered by Green Day (The awesome studio version is, apparently, only available through iTunes.)
4) “September Gurls” (Big Star) as covered by Superdrag (Recorded Live on I KNOW THE SCORE)
5) “Godzilla” (Blue Oyster Cult) as covered by Fu Manchu (on EATIN’ DUST)

2. List five bands that should never change their sound/style and/or should have never changed their sound/style.
1) SHOULD NOT (HAVE): The Cars
2) SHOULD NOT: Spoon
3) SHOULD NOT: Wilco (Stay where you are now, please…don’t go back to mostly alt country.)
4) SHOULD NOT: Built to Spill
5) SHOULD NOT (HAVE): G. Love & Special Sauce

3. List five bands that desperately need a change in their sound or style.
1) Pearl Jam
2) Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3) Yo La Tengo
4) Radiohead
5) Helmet (They are still recording, right?)