GREG GREAT NEWS.....

http://www.hollywoodrag.com/index.php?/weblog/amy_winehouse_divorcing_for_new_lover/

...a little something for Greg, MMMM goooood.

Jay's Disc sound suspiciously a lot like Mendoza Line....

...anyone else notice that? Well since you're here, he's a mini meeting synopsis.

The meeting of 4 went off splendidly. All of the discs did well with the lowest score being a hefty 2.83 for the Answer, which garnered the only "1" of the evening provided by our LA HQ head. Mr. Lowe's disc was the most polarizing with 2 ejaculating over it and 3 not giving much of shit. Speaking of ejaculating, it reminds me of a story that involves a hideous monster, fair maiden and a raft, but I digress.

The topic was a short but enjoyable one with no answers being considered wrong. Embarrassing, but not wrong, unless it is wrong to be embarrassed by something you like or if you like to be embarrassed by doing wrong things. Sorry, I'm getting off track again.

I'll plop up the scoreboard once Jenn Graces us with a review, which I believe she owes us for two months.

The next meeting is on 5/13 and consists of;

Ken- old- Enon- High Society going out today
Monsta- new- REM- Accelerate see above
Jay- New - no clue because my copy was Mendoza Line

here is where it gets confusing..

since Greg took Jen's spot then Jenn should be host and owes a Ghits and topic and Greg will assume Jenn's scheduled Old. If there is a problem with this alert us. We will all assume Greg will be sending us some freak out drummer so just start listening to all drummers you can drum up (ha! get it).

It's Ken's Turn to Post. Whoopeeeeee!

Black Mountain- In the Future

Sure, call them an experimental Black Zeppelin throwback but just try and eject this out of my cd player. Besides the ridiculously long “Bright Lights”, where an easy 8 minutes or so of ambient crap resides, this is a tremendous recording. The hemp fueled riffs are and will become legendary. Of course I am a Black Zeppelin fan so it’s no surprise that this rates high. (4.0)- would be close to 5 if they could have eviscerated “Bright Lights”. Note- live their female singer’s high wail is enough to bring you to suicide.

Greenhornes- Dual Mono

I had to look up that I was actually listening, a) to a Jen selection, and 2) that this wasn’t a lost gem from my sweet spot era of1960’s garage band pop. Loved it so much I bought their catalogue (4.5)

Nick Lowe- Pure Pop for Now People

I have the utmost respect for Lowe as a songwriter and producer, but he needs Dave Edmunds when he records. The songs are good enough, though the lyrics tend to be 50’s naïve, but they lack any edge and they are most definitely dated. They border on over produced- nah they are over produced. (2.0)

The Answer- Rise

In the first 30 seconds I thought, whoa we got another Dirty Sweet here! But after the third song it became the same song over and over. There was little variance in song dynamics, especially the vocals, but the biggest sin was the lack of soul. They got the rock thing down but it feels too rehearsed and perfected. No angst. I need angst. (2.0)

Tool

We have our new Mike Patton, sans song list….. I will admit, I knew/know very little about this band. I have read the accolades but I can’t get into them. I don’t get it. They are fine musicians, and hats off to the drummer (thus Greg’s infatuation) he is quite good. But I just can’t do it.

Topic

What is your absolute favorite song (no using the song that will make you sound coolest) I want your real favorite song.

Historically mine has been Tangled Up in Blue- Bob Dylan, but depending on life at any particular moment this will temporarily change.

Name your favorite guilty pleasure song.

As of this moment in time Don’t Feel Like Dancing- Scissor Sisters but I have an enormous amount of songs I am embarrassed to like.

What is the definitive Rock song, can be old or new. This is the one song that IS the perfect rock song in your mind.

Sweet Child of Mine- Guns and Roses It has the chick slow dance part, the angst, the love, the guitar god solo and unbelievable ending. Not to forget its’ amazing riff and melody.

G's Review

Nick Lowe- Pure Pop for Now People - 4
Nick Lowe is just plain good. Not only has he written some of the best songs that other people have done (What’s so funny about peace love and understanding) he’s saved a few gems for himself. Each song catchier than the last, how can anyone listen to Nick Lowe and not be happy.

The Answer- Rise - 4
Wow, Foreigner meets Rainbow meets AC/DC. I thought that the vocals were a perfect match of Graham Bonnet and Lou Graham. This CD started a little slow for me, but once I hit “Sometimes your Love” I was pretty much sold. Really strong vocals and straight forward rock and roll just kept driving each song. I could have done without a couple of the power jams and 70’s cliché riffs, but the good far outweighed the bad. D’Arcy picked a good one this month.

Black Mountain- In the Future – 3.5
Really weird stuff here, but it’s weird in a good way. I think that all bands should have more than one lead singer, that way when one leaves they are covered. I preferred the songs where the woman sang, but they were all good. I have no idea how they fit all 200 songs on the cd though.

the Green hornes- Dual Mono – 2.5
I was ready to trash this one to hell after hearing “Gonna Get Me Someone” it was pretty much just plain annoying. I felt like I was listening to a Dunkin Donuts commercial on a loop. Then I heard the rest of the cd, yes I think that the whole retro thing is getting old too. Been there done that, let’s move on (except of course for Amy Winehouse), but for the most part the other song grew on me and all in all not my style, but a good cd.

GHits- Tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool – 5
Like them or not, Tool puts so much time and energy into their music that the more you listen the more you hear. They might be strange, but there are so many different levels to the music, even if you ignore the sometimes inaudible and bizarre lyrics the music will most definitely keep you interested.

Question:
1. If you were to pick one song that is your absolute favorite song (no using the song that will make you sound coolest) I want your real favorite song.
Journey Anyway You Want It - I can’t help but immediately think of Rodney Dangerfield dancing on the golf course in Caddyshack when I hear this song. It’s just a feel good fast paced great song. I know it’s Journey, but their old stuff was really good.
2. Name your favorite guilty pleasure song.
Making Love Out Of Nothing At All. No I’m not gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but this song holds a special place for me. It’s mostly about a girl, blah blah blah.
3. What is the definitive Rock song, can be old or new. This is the one song that IS the perfect rock song in your mind.Not even a question in my mind “Stairway to Heaven” just kidding, actually, my pick would have to be Boston “More Than A Feeling” I only wish that I was old enough to appreciate the first time I heard Brad Delp (God rest his soul) sing this song. What an awesome all around perfect balance of guitar, vocals and straight forward no nonsense rock.

As come April...

The Answer

This was a band that I kept reading about in almost every English music magazine. You either loved them or hated them, but man they were everywhere. They toured constantly and opened for everyone so I bought the import. Love the first track, it just rocks. Great guitar, awesome bass lines, really good drum parts. Then it flows into Never Too Late. Again another great riff. Yes the band owes it sound to seventies guitar rock but so what. If you’re going to steal, steal from the best decade of music ever. And besides Come Follow Me just rocks. Yes they lose a little when they must find their obligatory blues song with Memphis Water. But it picks right back up and end with a strong 1-2 of Preacher and Always. (Some nice slide work on preacher). 4.0

Black Mountain

I was sitting by the pool in Vegas, and I put on Black Mountain, and all I could think was man I wish I had a joint. There is just some music that really describes that feeling. Organ, strings, guitar riffs dual lead vocals, heavy bass, its got everything. Yes it’s the first song, but remember I’m a smoking and my short-term memory is shot. Yes the steal heavily from everyone. Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Dream Syndicate, and X they are all there, and they blend them well. Unfortunately they also need to stop smoking a bit themselves otherwise Bright Lights would never have existed. And that is some of the problem with Black Mountain. They tend to wander off into themselves and it does not always work. Night work being another example. And what’s the deal with Bonus tracks. Do I get it cheaper without them, no. So just either includes them as part of the disc or save them for later. Overall more highs than lows 3.0

Greenhornes

Just a really good record. Loves the riffs. The songs are great. Short to the point and they grab you immediately. A cool garage feel to them. And it is a true sound, not the garage label placed on so many bands today. It’s a bob your head and enjoy the riffs listen 3.5

Nick Lowe

It’s a Nick Lowe album. Some good songs, some just okay, but none that are bad either. Unfortunately there are no great songs here. Yes the lyrics are good. Nick Lowe was always able to write great lyrics. There just doesn’t seem to be any songs that truly stand out in a memorable way. 2.5

Tool

I remember hearing tool for the first time. I was watching MTV with my brother and their video for Sober came on. Both of us were just mesmerized. We didn’t say a word until the song was over then we both said who was that. That is the good of Tool. They can be brilliant, a sound that is all there own. When they are being played they are made to be noticed. However, only in small doses. After a while you start to feel that their sound, like being hit over the head with a hammer, is just continually pummeling you. So yes Tool is a great band, but I can only take small amounts.

Favorite Song

I Don’t Wanna, The Call

Guilty Pleasure

Windy, The Association. (Love Grows was second)

Rock Song

Misty Mountain Hop Great riff, great organ part, bass line thumping. Plant at his best. And the only truly great song that the drums are the lead. (second was Iron Fist, Motorhead)

April - Where the old selections sound newer than the new ones...

Greenhornes – Don’t know who they are or where they came from, but this one is a dandy. Simple, basic, garage rock that begs for maximum volume and cold beer. The sloppy playing and under production are spot-on. I hate the term “retro”, but this could have been recorded in 1968 and wouldn’t sound much different. Has been an almost daily listen this month. 4 stars

Nick Lowe – Incredible power pop disc holds up perfectly after 30 years (sorry Jay, but its better than the UK version also). Each song has a hook big enough to catch a whale, and is deftly executed. The tunes and sound are so great, its easy to overlook the brilliantly witty lyrics. Lowe’s characters cut off their right arms, love the sound of breaking glass, castrate Fidel Castro and go see the Bay City Rollers. Highlight unquestionably is “Marie Provost”, where a silent film star dies alone and is devoured by her dachshund. Has a chorus ever been written better than “She was a winner/that became the doggie’s dinner”? I think not. 5 stars

The Answer – Rather pedantic classic rock. We seem to be in the midst of a period where heavy, overproduced rock is hip again, and I couldn’t be less excited. There’s nothing here to distinguish these guys from Wolfmother or any of a half-dozen other groups. Good guitar work and playing throughout. Lead vocals dropped this one a half star. 2.5 stars

Black Mountain – “In the Future”??? “In the Past” would have been a more accurate title. I’m going to cop out and play the “good in its genre” card. If you like that mid-70’s knuckle scraping, Sabbath/King Crimson sound, this was up your alley. This genre bores me; but I can’t say these guys don’t do it well. 2.5 stars

Tool – I wanted to write a Ken-like review telling how my eyes have been opened, and how I respect what these guys are doing. Can’t do it. I suspected I’d hate it, and I did. The only thing worse than the song length and monotonous guitar sound were the God-forsaken “ooh watch out, I’m scary guy” vocals. Elapsed time from last note of disc to said disc hitting the trash basket: 2.76 seconds, ½ second off the record established by Matisyahu in 2006.

Discussion Question

1. I hate to give D’Arcy & Ken more ammunition, but Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” is the one that comes to mind first.

2. I don’t buy into the “guilty pleasure”. If I like something, there’s no guilt. I assume the question refers to a song that would not be on the off-beat paths this group tends to travel on. I’ll go with Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69”.

3. “No Particular Place to Go” – Chuck Berry. It has everything a rock song should have: memorable guitar riff, simplicity, an excellent solo in the middle (battling Johnny Johnson’s piano for attention), adolescent frustration, humor and of course sex, all in under 3 minutes. That is perfection.

April's Crap That is Less Crappy Than Everyone Elses Crap

Music Group April 2008

Black Mountain - The album gets off to a great start with a couple of songs reminiscent of some of X’s moodier stuff, not only because of the vocals, but the songs are similar in style. The next song, Tyrants, gets off to a rousing start, but falls apart. The next few are listenable, but forgettable and then there are two fairly interesting songs that have the style and song structure of prog songs except that these, unlike most prog songs, end when they are supposed to. Then Black Mountain has a song that doesn’t end when it is supposed to; in fact I don’t think it has ended yet and I put the CD on yesterday. And then I just lost interest. Parts of this record are truly inspired, but ultimately there are just too many down spots and at times is absolutely unlistenable. 2.5

Greenhornes – The danger with something that is so obviously tied to another era in terms of the sound is that it can make you want to go back and listen to the original bands that developed that sound. Let’s face it – it’s a lot more interesting to go back and discover (or re-discover) old Yardbirds or Pretty Things songs than it is to discover the Greenhornes. And part of what made those old artists interesting and relavent was that they were breaking new ground to some degree in 1965 or 66. The Greenhornes are not breaking any new ground at all, but for all its derivative nature, it still puts some modern touches on an old sound with good playing and production, well written melodies and a female vocal thrown in for good measure. 3

The Answer – They are the answer if the question is "what band holds the record for total number of rock and metal musical and lyrical clichés for one record." From the guitar pyrotechnics to the obligatory gotta get religion song to the equally obligatory power ballad to the truly dopey, cliché ridden lyrics…can I get an oh yeah.. this thing borrows from EVERYONE. So if this is such a stupid record on any number of levels, why do I like it so much? I suppose the answer lies in the enthusiasm they exhibit and what appears to be an honest reverence for the artist they borrow from. And, let’s be honest, it kicks ass most of the time. 3.5

Nick Lowe – Speaking of cool, and this is directed mostly at our esteemed colleague from the state of Missouri, I naturally bought this as an import with the substantially cooler title Jesus Of Cool. As Hopkins will argue, though, and I will concur, the belatedly released Pure Pop for Now People is actually a better record for a couple of reasons. He re-worked the order, so the pacing is better, They Called it Rock is better than Shake and Pop even though it is basically the same song speeded up and the addition of Rollers Show was a plus. Back in the day, I bought everything Lowe and for good reason. Every song here has something to offer, the writing and arranging and production are great. This is probably in my top 25 all time most listened to records. Can't give it the 5 I would have a year after its release because it didn't age as well as it could have, but the disc has a special place in my heart and it gets a 4.5

Tool - They say that you have to see them live to truly appreciate them. Well, I haven't, so I don't get it. They say that they are great musicians. Well, I'm on record as putting "good musicianship" somewhere below having a cool name when listing qualities a good band must posess, so again, I don't get it. Listeners to our radio station are unbelievably passionate about this band. Well, we play a lot of shit, so again, I don't get it. Not as annoying as I figured it would be, but I just don't get it.



Favorite Song – First of all, you can’t do one song lists, especially for your favorite song. I’d be hard pressed to give you a top 10. Desert Island mix disc with 70 minutes of music would take me weeks. The truth is, I don’t have one favorite song, but if pressed at this particular moment, I'll give you Master Race Rock by the Dictators.

Perfect Rock Song - Whole Lotta Love - great riff, hot solo, weird bridge with sexual overtones and then back to the riff. Also, probably the first song that truly blew me away as a kid. Other contenders included Enter Sandman, Rockaway Beach and Like a Rolling Stone.

Favorite Guilty Pleasure – Bay City Rollers – I Only Want to Be With You. THE definitive version of this song by one of the most reviled bands in history.

More Notes From Sunny Los Angeles

The Mong
Music Group Commentary
April 2008

THE ANSWER – “‘RISE” = 1 STAR
If this is the answer then what is the question? Could it be, do you want to hear some generally sucky music? Wait, let me guess, I’m about the hundredth “blogger” to take that easy yet sadly accurate rip. Then I guess that makes me about as inspired and original as The Answer.

BLACK MOUNTAIN – “IN THE FUTURE” = 4.5 STARS
Stoner rock is not dead; it was just over-baked for a while but thankfully Black Mountain brings it back to its roots. This release is even better than their first. Super cool (even the sixteen-minute epic).

THE GREENHORNES – “DUAL MONO” = 2.5 STARS
Fun and compact rockin’ tunes that make me wonder if The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” is their favorite song. Not a bad thing but sometimes limiting and surely repetitive. Still a keeper, though.

NICK LOWE – “PURE POP FOR NOW PEOPLE” = 2.5 STARS
Pure pop for then people. Quite dated but still a good listen.

G’HITS – TOOL
I always want to like Tool more than I do but alas... And considering some of the shit I like, I’m as confused by this as, perhaps, you are.

TOPIC
1. What is my favorite song? My real favorite song?
I’m sorry but this is just an impossible question to answer. I don’t know, according to my iTunes ‘Top 25 Most Played” list, lately it’s “Side With the Seeds” by Wilco.

2. What is my favorite guilty pleasure song?
Probably the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.”

3. What is the definitive/perfect rock song?
We answered a question similar to this awhile back and I’ll stick with my selection from then, which was/is, “Helter Skelter” by the Beatles.

REQUEST
Ken, please post who owes what next. Looks like I’m going to be out here until at least June so I'll send them out to everyone.