"Cognitive Dissonance" My Aching Ass

The Mong
Music Group Commentary
Sept. 2009

Dinosaur Jr. – Farm – 4 Stars
I know for sure that my musical taste is not stuck in my favorite time-period but I will concede that I’m inclined to favor music from ‘the years that punk broke’ and new music from all my beloved '90s-bands. That probably being obvious enough without my admission, I state it here because although that love is true, I am, if anything, a very demanding fanboy. And boy oh boy, Dinosaur Jr. has delivered another great, guitar-dense original lineup revival here. 2007’s resurrection, “Beyond,” is thee great, 5-star album the original lineup never recorded and “Farm” is another almost-as-amazing 90’s-sounding relic. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it...after you break it once, that is.

Papas Fritas – self-titled – 5 Stars
A perfect indie pop masterpiece. Period.

Richard Thompson – “Rumor & Sigh” – 2 Stars
Richard Thompson, according to that zany Inter-web, is an obscure yet celebrated singer/songwriter/guitarist. Keyword being, “obscure,” which is likely what he’ll remain because, despite strong lyrics and damn fine guitar work, these just aren’t very good songs.

Wilco – [The Album] – 4 Stars
OK, so my last-few-years infatuation with Wilco compelled me to listen to this album about nine more times than I would have if it weren’t Wilco. Around the tenth listen I was hooked. I’ll maintain that my infatuation did not blind me (or make me deaf): it just took me awhile to get this album. And even though this is no “A Ghost is Born” or “Sky Blue Sky” (both solid 5s in my book), it’s still way better than just about anything else I’ve heard this year.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “It’s Blitz” – 2 Stars
Almost no band could have lived up to the hype preceding Yeah Yeah Yeahs first big release but even if expectations weren’t high “Fever to Tell” still would have been merely mediocre. I can’t say much more for “It’s Blitz.”

G’Hits
Terry Kath - The Required Listening (a.k.a. early-Chicago)
Now I understand, Ken. Agreed, Kath rocks the gee-tar. Guitar God! Awesome stuff. Coincidentally, I guess Chicago doesn’t suck quite as much as I once thought.

Ken’s TOPIC Questionnaire:
Best “topic” ever!

And Monsta in person with all in attendance...maybe the best meeting ever. Thanks, guys. But curse dem three dollar pints! Nahhh...I just can't stay mad at beer. Mmmmmmm. Beer.