Missing Greg's July Reviews

Music Group July 14, 2009

Placebo – Battle for the Sun – 4

First time Placebo listener, I hope they are the real thing because I really like the way I feel when I listen to them. I loved the catchy lyrics and the singer’s carefree nasally voice made were a perfect match for one another. At times I think they were a little too “Pet Shop Boys”, I even heard a little Johnny Rotten in his voice on “Speak in Tongues”, I could see this being a bigger band in the 1980s though. Not enough bands incorporate horns and strings into their music and the ones that do typically don’t seem to be as popular as the three chord bands. I checked out the bands older songs and they are a lot more poppy then their earlier stuff, but I like it. It may be no surprise, but this was my “album of the month”. Although it should be noted that at writing time I haven’t received any other cds except for Modest Mouse. 4

Modest Mouse – 1.5

I was excited when I saw MM on the list for this month, I was a little disappointed with what I heard though. Nothing really flowed for me with this band. I felt like I was listening more to a garage band that never quite made it so they threw together a mishmash of their jam songs and put them on a cd and said what the fuck. That’s what I find myself saying too. A few songs were Pink Floyd enough for me to pay attention, but beyond those the disk was flat. Maybe the other albums are worth the hype, but not this one. 1.5

Cracker – Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey – 3.5

God help me, I think I might like country music, well; I really like “Friends” at least. Does tongue in cheek country still count as country? One way or another Cracker was pretty good. The cd had just enough diversity to not bore me to death. After each song I found myself ready to just forward through the next song anticipating it to be similar to the previous song, but I was always pleasantly surprised and found myself enjoying most of the cd. I’d almost compare this cd to a modern day Travelling Wilbury’s CD, just enough Dylan and Petty and catchiness. 3.5

Otis Redding – Greatest Hits

I had no idea where a few of these songs that others have covered actually came from. Obviously Otis is the man. It’s a shame that he isn’t as popular as some of the remake bands, he obviously has more talent than some of them. I suppose coming from a Tom Waits fan, I’m used to that.

Great talent, great fun.

Herbie Hancock –

Sorry I lost this disk. It’s too bad because I have never heard anything by Herbie except “Rockit”

Question1 - It's a hypothetical...you meet an amazing girl who really wants to get to know you better. Problem is that she wants you to bear your soul to her through a mix of music that you think expresses the depth and range of your emotions. She enjoys all kinds of music, but only has an attention span of 30 minutes...so what 30 minutes of music would you give her?

Hello….. Of course it’s a hypothetical. We are a bunch of guys hanging out in a sports bar talking about music. Maybe it’s a good thing I am not at this meeting.

There are actually two sets of songs that I can use. The “I want to marry this girl” songs, and the “I am going to get so laid tonight” songs. Also, I have to assume that because of my typical taste I’m going to lose this girl if I play her what I really like. If I did play her my actual ultimate playlist and she liked it, she’s either the one for me, or she’s a psycho killer. With that said, I’m assuming that I need these 30 minutes to get into her pants. But here are my two scenarios: (in keeping with the group rules I’ll keep both lists to a combined 30 minutes)

Marry me songs:

Unchained Melody – Righteous Brothers

As Time Goes By – Dooly Wilson

Journey – Open Arms (Trust me, it works)

Get ready for the best 30 seconds of your life songs:

Prince – Darling Nikki (that’s probably the only song I’ll get to play)

If I’m having an especially good night I’ll go with Barry White “Can’t get enough of your love, baby”

Question 2 - Another hypothetical...you are dying. You are comfortable, but bed ridden and you know you only have 30 minutes left to live. You decide to listen to music with your remaining time alive. What do you listen to?

Kind of a morbid question, Alan. Maybe you are spending too much time away from home.

Anyway, my answer, and hopefully it isn’t something I’ll have to ponder any time too soon is:

Either:

Vivaldi Four Seasons or Rush Moving Pictures (how’s that for diversity? Either way I’m not getting through either album in its entirety)