Mostly Quickies and Bullshit Lists Mania

The Mong
Music Group Commentary
Jan. 2010

The Avett Brothers – Emotionalism – 4 Stars
“Emotionalism” has all the great attributes of the album that followed, “I and Love and You,” sans the pop-polish that, apparently, elevated greatness to perfection.

Cheap Trick – The Latest – 3 Stars
Shockingly good considering the disaster I was expecting. A very pleasant surprise. But did the opening track get cut off or something?

Fastball – All the Pain Money Can Buy – 3 Stars
Straight-ahead but way above average Rock. Tight songwriting and plenty of hooks. Nice.

Lucero – 1372 Overton Park – 2.5 Stars
Cut and paste Fastball review here but just a little less “nice,” mostly due to the singer’s voice.

Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures – 2.5 Stars
Like most of Josh Homme’s side-projects (the notable exceptions being the first Eagles of Death Metal CD and some standout tracks from the first few Desert Sessions CDs), good but not great. All solid but, really, only one or two real standout tracks and considering the talent here, this kind of pisses me off. So, for fuck’s sake, Mr. Homme, please cut the shit with the side projects and just go make another great Queens of the Stone Age album!

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – G’Hits
Just awesome, good-time fun! Some of the coolest covers ever.

TOP TEN OF 2009
1. The Avett Brothers – “I And Love And You”
2. The Black Crowes – “Before the Frost...”
3. Superdrag – “Industry Giants”
4. Wilco – “Wilco (The Album)”
5. Dinosaur Jr. – “Farm”
6. Polvo – “In Prism”
7. The Thermals – “Now We Can See”
8. Trams Am – “What Day Is It Tonight? (Trans Am Live 1993-2008)”
9. Sonic Youth – “The Eternal”
10. Dan Auerbach – “Keep It Hid”

TOP FIFTEEN OF THE DECADE
1. Green Day – “American Idiot” (2004)
2. Spoon – “Girls Can Tell” (2001)
3. Wilco – “Sky Blue Sky” (2007)
4. Stephen Malkmus (and the Jicks) – “Real Emotional Trash” (2008)
5. The Thermals – “The Body The Blood The Machine” (2006)
6. The Snake The Cross The Crown – “Cotton Teeth” (2007)
7. The Hives – “Veni Vidi Vicious” (2000)
8. Nada Surf – “Let Go” (2003)
9. Superdrag – “In the Valley of Dying Stars” (2000)
10. The Avett Brothers – “I And Love And You” (2009)
11. The Shaky Hands – “Lunglight” (2008)
12. The White Stripes – “Icky Thump” (2007)
13. Trans Am – “Sex Change” (2007)
14. Built to Spill – “You In Reverse” (2006)
15. The Black Crowes – “Before The Frost...” (2009)


JAY’S TOPIC

Christmas/holiday Music. Like it or not? If you do, why? What makes it a good listen?

Sure, I like Christmas/Holiday music. Who doesn’t? I’m not a big fan of cynical remakes, jokey holiday songs (except as noted*, below), or singers brutalizing the standards like Whitney Housten singing the National Anthem, but most of the classics, (carols and classic songs) as well as many sincere versions and/or remakes of these, always help bring on the holiday spirit.

TOP TEN CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY SONGS**
1. “Linus and Lucy” – From “The Peanuts” Christmas Special
2. “Pennies From Heaven” – Louis Prima
(Due to the movie “Elf” this has become a Christmas standard at the Mongillo house.)
3. “Happy Christmas” – John Lennon
4. “2000 Miles” – Merrie Amsterburg
5. “I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” – Dean Martin
6. *“Father Christmas” – The Kinks
7. Yuletide Medley #1 (Oh Holy Night/Joy To The World/Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem/Deck The Halls) – Glen Miller
8. “The Christmas Song” – The Drifters or Ammie Mann
9. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – Bing Crosby
10. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland
** Absolutely subject to change.