Classic Standards

The Mong / Music Group Commentary / September 2008

DEL AMITRI – “DEL AMITRI” = 4 STARS
This is about as accomplished as Pop gets. Its pretty cleverness, both musically and lyrically, although amazing, could benefit from an equal helping of reckless abandon. But meeting this record on its own terms, it is undeniably perfect.

ALEJANDRO ESCOVERDO – “REAL ANIMAL” = 2 STARS
“Real Animal,” apparently Escoverdo’s testament to his brush with death, has plenty of great hooks, but its pedestrian, straight-ahead Rock/Country ditties combined with its literal lyrical sappiness makes it more depressing than inspiring.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON – “ANYWHERE I LAY MY HEAD” = 3.5 STARS
Hell, even Tom Waits likes this CD. Even if I wanted to disagree, I can’t, because this Air-esque movie soundtrack without a movie gets better and better with each listen.

VELVET CRUSH – “TEENAGE SYMPHONIES TO GOD” = 2.5 STARS
Serviceable Power Pop but nothing special. Maybe it’s because they’re from Rhode Island.

G’HITS – TOM MORELLO
Taking it in under the banner of Morello and not the respective bands makes quite an impact. This guy’s a legend for a reason.

TOPIC
Part 1: the definition of 'standard' is a song that transcend generations and genres where virtually everybody knows it and any band worth their salt can play it. (ex; "It Had to Be You", "Wild Thing", "Crazy"...etc). See if you can find 5-10 songs that we can all agree are new standards from 1980 on.

1) “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
2) “Like a Virgin” – Madonna
3) “Dancing in the Dark” – Bruce Springsteen
4) “1999” – Prince
5) “I Love Rock & Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
6) “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
7) “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – The Clash
8) “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
9) “Start Me Up” – Rolling Stones
10) “Lady” – Kenny Rogers

That was a lot like compiling a wedding band’s set list.

Part 2: the definition of 'classic', of late, has been over used to describe bands or songs. In your opinion should the term be used in conjuncture with artists/recordings because of their career longevity or because of the importance of their past work or both?- maybe it ties in with Part 1. Along with your opinion provide us 5 "classic" recordings from 1990 on (if you can based on your opinion) and 5 misuses of the term. Again the attempt is to provide examples we can all agree upon.

Answer: The term “classic” can be applied simply to designate a song’s staying-power and its (excuse the term) multicultural penetration, even “one hit wonders.” An artist’s longevity and/or their past or current work need not be applied to define a song as a “classic.” Using this definition, I’m not sure how to provide five misuses of the term “classic,” since, even though I’m the one defining it, that pretty much sums up how musicians, critics, and DJs define it, too.