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.