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March Reviews

Jedediah Parish - My original review after only 2 listens noted that "it often sounds like something I'd like, but falls short because there is not enough melody and his voice doesn't cover the inadequacies of the songs." Or something to that effect. Happened to listen to it a couple more times and it was upgraded from a 2 to a 3.

Kate Nash - Heres some advice - choose better men for fuck's sake! Going out with dickheads is a "you" problem. But I guess it makes great fodder for pop songs, so I guess she has a right to go at it. And go at it she does, with mixed results. My confilicting opinions on this record ultimately are what I found appealing. It sounds alternately gimmicky and inventive, poignant and crass and those confliclting emotions are chrystalized in "Foundations," which seems like the central song of the CD. She sings one line and it seems achingly real in its simplicity, but the next line makes me want to tell her to shut the fuck up and get over it. Overall, it would be easy to knock this as a gimmicky (I mean does anyone this side of the characters in Mary Popins acatually talk like that), lyrically simplistic mess, but I found beauty in the simplicity and contradictions so it gets a 3.5

Joe Ely - One of my favorite live records - Joe Ely at home in Austin in a famous venue with a great band playing great rock/blues/country songs. The opening of Me and Billy the Kid into Are You Listening Lucky is pure rock magic and if that doesn't move the needle for you, I guess you're listening to music for different reasons than me. Whether it's his lurically evocative songs like BBQ and Foam and Grandfather's Blues, or the mindless rave-ups inke Musta Notta Gotta Lotta and Ridin' to the Poorhouse in a Limousine, this entire album bristles with energy - 4.5

Pucifer - If I was playing it on a turntable I would have been annoyed that the pitch was off and it was playing at 31 rpm instead of 33. Oh, wait, he's trying to sound that way! Interesting and compelling only in that it is interesting and compelling that some people think this is intersting and compelling when in fact it is neither. Listening through it the first time, I was not infuriated or even completely annoyed, but I can't imagine a scenario in which I would ever play it again. 1

Thin Lizzy - I always wondered why they were never bigger in the US. I never get tired of hearing the couple hits and the bulk of this is really good, but it sort of didn't resonate with me, so maybe it's not a mystery. Still a great collection to have.

Nirvana - Of course they were overrated, yet it is one of the few bands I can pinpoint the first time I heard them, so they obviously had some impact. And with Nirvana, I had never heard of them when Pam Brooks gave me a copy of the cassette - yes cassette - of Nevermind. I listened to it on the way home that day and could clearly tell that it was something completely different. Pearl Jam probably influenced more bands musically, but Nirvana's DIY mentality served a purpose. It's like the difference between the Stooges and the Ramones. Bands in the late 70's cited both as influences (even though the Stooges pre-dated them by 8 years), but bands copied the Ramones musically, but didn't try to imitate the Stooges. The Stooges were more of an attitudenal influence.

Poser for you all.....

In reading the Nirvana comments (which in my opinion were very interesting and well done) it got me thinking.....

When doesn't the album or group that "changes music" not be loathed on some level (please understand the quotations). As a challenge come up with 3 that are not. I come up with 1 maybe 2.

Sent items

I sent my new selection to all

Black Mountain- In the Future
and Monsta's Old
Nick Lowe- Pure Pop for Now People

Lemme know what the other items are.

KB

Here's Me Post

Kate Nash

I had heard of Kate Nash as the next big thing coming out of the UK. I listened to some of her songs and I thought that they were okay. Now listening to the whole cd, my opinion has not changed. There are some stop and listen moments on this cd. It’s when she decides to stop being the cheeky English singer and just a singer. But there are some songs in between that just are to repetitive in their format. What Kate Nash has is a nice pop cd that tends to sneak up on you with certain songs. It will be interesting if she has left herself room to grow. 2.5

Joe Ely

The worst thing in live music is a drum solo. The second a prolonged guitar solo. Joe Ely must feel the same because on one tune he fades himself out. When not trying to show off his chops what we have left is a bar band troubadour with a few occasionally witty lyrics. There is nothing amazing in either his singing, playing, or songs. Although in person the extended versions of these songs may holds one interest, here its just space until we get back to the chorus. (If you are going to take over six minutes to build a climax on a song end the cd. Don’t come back for an average throwaway tune.) Not horrible and probably quite likable in a pub. 2

Pucifer

I remember Tool being a powerful band that drew my attention immediately. And even if I didn’t like what they put out in later discs, they still managed to be different. With this cd II get many different versions of the sopranos opening, or at least it seems that way. Yes Greg the rhythm tracks are excellent, but the rest just isn’t 1

Jedidiah Parish

What happened to all those electric organ stores that used to be in every mall? There sounds echoing throughout as the guy in the bad jacket, worst hair pittered away. Well Jedidiah remembers. Hell it’s the featured instrument in one whole song. And interesting cd that has a poor man’s okerville river feel to it. That being said the vocals are not as strong nor is the instrumentations. The singer does tend to whine a bit excessively especially through the choruses. The band is tight and the lyrics offer some as seen through the eyes moments. At times great, at time infuriating. 2.5

Thin Lizzy

Phil Lynott was one of the coolest front men in music history. An acclaimed poet, who was able to tell a story, and then flush it out within a 3 to 5 minute song. He may not have invented the dual lead guitar sound but with Scott Gorham playing with the likes of Eric Bell, Snowy White, John Sykes and Brian Robertson, he came close to perfecting it. He also had a solid bottom to all his songs provided by his brilliant at times bass playing and solid drumming of Brian Downey. In putting together this greatest hits I tried to pull a little from the whole catalogue. Ignored were some of the slower songs, (Renegade, Sarah, Parisian Walkways) and a few of his Irish Classics (Black Rose, Emerald). What I hoped to show was the whole of their career, from the pub rockers of the Rocker, and Thunder Lightning, to the over the top metal of Angel of Death. And along the way sprinkle in a few of his pop classics like Boys Are Back in Town, Jailbreak, and Hollywood. I always thought that if you could create a sound that was instantly memorable, that announced who you were immediately, then you have done something truly great. Thin Lizzy did it with Jailbreak, and throughout a great career.

The Question

I remember the first time I heard Smells Like Teen Spirit. I was driving in San Francisco, and the local alternative station was playing new and upcoming songs. The first was Monster and Angels by Voices of the Beehive, and then came Nirvana.

But that in a nutshell was the problem. At first Nirvana was part of the Alternative seen, and then they were responsible for destroying it. Radio stations jumped on the bandwagon playing this “new” thing called grunge and ignoring anything that sounded different. Gone was any possibility of a talented pop band getting any airtime because they did not have the right sound, and there were no formats that let an alternative band play.

Was this truly a new sound? To me it just sounded like a good heavy rock band. But instead of leather, spandex and pyro, we got flannel shirts, long shorts and rip jeans. Funny alternative had a uniform. Isn’t that the same thing as when punk had shirts on sale at Macy’s?

As for the music, does anyone really have Nirvana in his or her personal play list anymore? If you look at growth through their music they are way behind after three cd’s when compared to their peers. I’ll take Soungarden’s Badmotorfinger, Alice in Chains’ Dirt, and even Stone Temple Pilots’ Tiny Music over In Utero any day. Besides the band everyone wanted to be and still wants to be is Pearl Jam. You don’t find to many Nirvana wannabe’s in music history, but the list for Pearl Jam is enormous.

Did Nirvana change music? Yes. Or at least the corpreate idea of the band. But not for the better. They helped make it easier to pigeonhole a band and create this corporate driven music field, which has taken the Internet to finally start chipping away at. And remember there truly one great live moment came on a made for TV event for MTV unplugged.

Nirvana’s place in history will always be strong because of how they ended. They were never given the opportunity to be bad. Plus with Dave Grohl putting out consistently strong product it only adds to the could have been discussions. But Nirvana was Kurt Cobain’s band. As time increases it seems that they are destined to follow the footsteps of another band that had far too many similarities career wise. The Doors.

Song:

Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes.

Of interest.....

From the best of discs I investigated 12 different discs.

Of which 8 I have obtained thus far.

here's an "atta boy" to the group.

The Hoff

Ken's Absentee Reviews

Music Club

February 2008

Joe Ely- Live at Liberty Lunch

Now there is nothing wrong with Joe, but there’s nothing great either. He sounds like a local favorite that if you are not part of the group you just won’t get it. The opener (“Me and Billy the Kid”) I liked quite a bit but then it all sounded the same with the usual performance inflections that the regulars expect to cheer for. I guess I’ll have to move to Austin to really get this one (2.0)

Kate Nash- Made of Bricks

I am split on Kate. I like her piano heavy arrangements, energy and vocal delivery (reminiscent of Dresden Dolls with Tori Amos helping with vocals). I like the song variance. What I had some issue with is her lyrics. Not that they are most definitely feministic, but that there seemed to be little thought to them other than to shock or sound girly strong and confident. A little maturity and extra hours at the language lab and I think she will become a premiere songwriter/performer. I will probably be the sole male in the group who did decide to retain the disc. (3.0)

Jedediah Parish- 21^st Century American

My first listen brought forth swearing that my car hasn’t heard since the clam chowder incident of ‘94. His voice is unbearably grating making my eyes blur and armpit hair stand on end. But after the 2^nd listen it was more tolerable, only if I focused on the melodies. I intend to try again, but I think it will be more work than enjoyment. (2.0)

Pulsifer- V is For Vagina

Worst album title in 10 years. I liked the first track with its pseudo 90s, cool alternative rock feel. Problem was that it was like one long first song. Okay not totally, but there was little variety. I filed this in “won’t cringe if I heard it on the radio”. Which in CT will be never. (2.0)

Thin Lizzy

I’m not a subscriber to the Thin Lizzy movement. I am in the minority, but after “The Rocker” I can’t get into any of their other tunes, especially the 2 big hits. Guitar work is fine, but I find the songs contrived and a little corporate rock sounding.

Topic

Nirvana is given much credit for being revolutionary and changing music, but were they? Did they in fact change anything and was it for the better. Please includes thoughts that include radio, live performances, and music business as a whole. And on a lighter note, what was the first song that you remember really liking.

Part I

Take a seat D’Arcy. You’re not going to believe my answer……

I do not think that Nirvana changed music. What I believe their importance is, is that they rejuvenated the rock scene. Sure there was a alternative scene (the original alt rock movement) but here came Nirvana to be the poster boys that brought back messy, garage guitar rock, with a punk, anti-establishment attitude. Their attitude and haphazard delivery is what the public attached to. They weren’t the first grungers but I think they or Pearl Jam were the best. I personally really like their discs, but I don’t believe they did anything hot off the griddle new.

Part II

Believe it or not, the first song I can remember really getting into was Let it Be by the Beatles. I remember riding my bike in Enfield singing it.

Greg's Posts ON TIME!

Jedediah Parish – 3.5
Cool name. Cool album. Just plain cool. I felt like I was in a different time listening to this cd. My favorite of the month, next to Pucifer.

Kate Nash – Made of Bricks – 3.5
I can’t help but picture Morrissey in a dress when I listen to this cd. I really like this disk too, but I found that it made better background music than a “play in my car to get me psyched to go out” cd. Dickhead was kind of different, I’m sensing a little anger here. All in all, I think I’ll keep it on when it shuffles through my iPod.

Thin Lizzy – Greatest Hits

Joe Ely – Letter to L. A. – 2.5
A little too bluesy for me and the mood I was in when I listened to it. Obviously a real talent, but I didn’t hear anything original enough to really blow me away. Best to listen to this in a bar where they serve only beer and whiskey.

Pucifer – V is for Vagina – 4
Maynard might be a little odd, but he’s diverse. I was hoping for something a little more Tool like, but was pleasantly surprised after listening to this cd a few times. Some of the songs drag on but I still listened.

Nirvana is given much credit for being revolutionary and changing music but were they. Did they in fact change anything and was it for the better. Please includes thoughts that include radio, live performances, and music business as a whole.
Yes! Maybe they had timing on their side, but all of the planets were aligned for Nirvana to get the acclaim they received. It could have been any band though, that’s why chance was such a factor. After the 80’s, a change was desperately needed and Nirvana was there to pick up the pieces. With that said, they were also a very talented group of guys. Not only was Dave Grohl a perfect fit as a drummer, but he’s an immense talent in general, I believe I read that his ideas weren’t readily accepted by Kurt Cobain. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that a million other bands could have taken place of Nirvana, but they were there when it counted.

And on a lighter note. What was the first song that you remember really liking. To us older folks I am guessing its an AM classic, because Ken I don't think Blood on the Tracks was the first song you latched on to.
Three songs for me that made me into the music lover I am today
Bridge over Troubled Waters – Simon & Garfunkel
Dance the Night Away – Van Halen
Dream Police – Cheap Trick
After that I can’t even tell you the number of songs that if I heard them today act as time machines for me.

Notes from Snowy St Louis en route to Sunny San Diego

Jedediah Parish – Tried, but couldn’t get into this one. It really dragged on. Sounds like a one-man band type of thing, and it didn’t engage me musically or lyrically. “Clawfoot Tub” is just brutal. 1 star

Joe Ely – Nice disc. Ely is a good songwriter, with a tight band. He’s an excellent storyteller, and musically versatile. The two songs running over 5 minutes dragged this down by half a star. What is entertaining at a show doesn’t always transfer to recordings. 3 stars

Kate Nash – Very different, and a nice change of pace. The lyrics are great, and the pop-oriented songs like “Foundations” and “Pumpkin Soup” work really well. A little too precocious in places (“Mariella”, “Dickhead”) but all in all a really good effort. Love the Cockney accent. 3.5 stars

Pucifer – The title is prophetic. What’s round, has a hole in the middle, is entertaining for 3-4 minutes and stinks the rest of the time? This disc. ½ star

Thin Lizzy – A handful of great tracks, and a lot of mediocre ones. I can see why people like them, but that whole mid-70’s arena rock sound just isn’t my cup of tea. 1/3 of the disc made it to the Zune.


Discussion

Nirvana was a good band that made a great CD. Were they revolutionary? No. Guns and Roses were playing in-your-face guitar music before Nirvana. Pearl Jam’s “grunge” debut (and infinitely superior) “Ten” was released a month before “Nevermind”.

Radio:
Nirvana may have changed the sound of radio for a while. Certainly bands like Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, and to an extent Green Day got some radio play that maybe they don’t get if the hype of “Nevermind” isn’t in full swing. But most of the better-known cuts on “Nevermind” now get played on “classic rock” formats, so how revolutionary is that? Radio sucks worse today than it ever has, so I can’t see how Nirvana changed it for the better over the long haul.

Live:
Townshend was smashing guitars long before Kurt. The “Unplugged” series existed before Nirvana did their gig. Don’t see anything revolutionary or rock-changing here.

The Business:
Again, short-term, they definitely left a mark. A boatload of smaller, independent bands got signed in Nirvana’s wake that probably wouldn’t have without “Nevermind”. Today, the industry is in worse shape than ever. Radio and sales are dominated by teen-pop, fake country and rap, much like before the release of “Nevermind”. They didn’t change anything over the long-haul for the better.

Bottom line for me is that Nirvana was a good band, one that was at the forefront of a fashionable wave that lasted a few years. Sadly, Cobain’s death romanticizes the band’s alleged influence. I say if Eddie Vedder had blown his brains out and Kurt had hung around for 15 years making (mostly) good music, D’Arcy’s question would have been centered on Pearl Jam’s influence and legacy.


Discussion – Part II

The first song I remember really liking was “Bennie and the Jets”. It was the first 45 I ever bought, and Elton John’s Greatest Hits was the first album I ever bought. He was my favorite artist during my childhood, and I still have a soft spot for his music 30+ years later.

Notes From Sunny Los Angeles

The Mong
Music Group Commentary
March 2008

JOE ELY – “LIVE AT LIBERTY LUNCH” = 4 STARS
Now that’s great country! Sweet guitar work. And live no less. Wow!

KATE NASH – “MADE OF BRICKS” = 4.5 STARS
Walking that dangerously fine line between sincere/heartfelt and clever/amusing to near perfection. Holy shit this is a great record!

JEDEDIAH PARISH – “TWENTY FIRST CENTURY AMERICAN” = 4.5 STARS
And repeat: “Walking that dangerously fine line between sincere/heartfelt and clever/amusing to near perfection. Holy shit this is a great record!” Jed is a later day Tom Waits who deserves to be heard by the whole wide world.

PUSCIFER – “‘V’ IS FOR VIGINA” = 2 STARS
We seem to have a theme of, “What is good clever?” this month. For all that’s good here, and there’s much (the solid production/engineering among them), this is mostly “bad clever” that’s trying too hard.

G’HITS – BEST OF THIN LIZZY
What’s not to love? Seriously though.

Topic 1:
- D’Arcy Question: Nirvana is given much credit for being revolutionary and changing music but were they. Did they in fact change anything and was it for the better? Please include thoughts that include radio, live performances, and music business as a whole.
- Answer: PART 1: Yes, Nirvana was revolutionary and changed music, which is not the same thing as being completely original, which doesn’t mean they weren’t brilliant, perhaps genius.
- PART 2: At the time, they changed music for the better because they blew open the doors for great new acts to muscle into the mainstream, which changed the face of radio and labels, and also helped to expose bands to those who wanted to delve deeper into the so-called underground and all this is indeed ‘for the better;’ however, the changes they helped to bring about have more or less been co-opted and formularized by big business and hence the lineage (from here to there) of the bands and trends that have resulted mostly suck ass, which is decidedly not ‘for the better.’
- PART 3: Among the greatest live performances I’ve seen was Nirvana, living up to their punk/hardcore roots. The best part of the show wasn’t necessarily the performance (which was noisy and sloppy but awesome nonetheless) but what ended the show. It was in Springfield, MA, 90s, and the show was largely populated by muscle-heads, frat boys, and jocks (not all of whom are tough-guy assholes but it seemed that every one in attendance that night was a tough-guy asshole) from Umass and the other nearby colleges. These assholes were so rowdy, slamming violently (not for fun), picking fights, basically ruining the show for everyone else, that after about the tenth time Kurt nicely asked them to (collectively), “Calm the fuck down,” and they didn’t/wouldn’t, he abruptly ended the show by leaning his Strat against his amp, turning both up all the way, resulting in deafening feedback, and then he told the sound guy to leave it up as all three of them promptly left the stage. That fucker buzzed and whaled and was still going strong when I was two blocks away from the stadium, twenty minutes later. “In Bloom” come to life, indeed. Remember the lyrics? “He's the one / Who likes all our pretty songs / And he likes to sing along / And he likes to shoot his gun / But he knows not what it means...” God fucking bless Kurt Cobain and the boys.

Topic 2:
D’Arcy Question: And on a lighter note. What was the first song that you remember really liking? To us older folks I am guessing its an AM classic, because Ken I don't think Blood on the Tracks was the first song you latched on to.
- Answer: Probably “Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting” by Elton John. And it was definitely on AM radio.

Review discs for this month;

Old- Jedediah Parish- 21st Century American
Old- Joe Ely- Live at Liberty Lunch
New- Pusifier- V is for Vagina
New- Kate Nash- Made of Bricks
Ghits- Thin Lizzy

Topic

Nirvana is given much credit for being revolutionary and changing music but were they. Did they in fact change anything and was it for the better. Please includes thoughts that include radio, live performances, and music business as a whole.

And on a lighter note. What was the first song that you remember really liking.