Geddy Auerbach

The Mong / Music Group Commentary / August 2011

Dave Alvin – “Eleven Eleven” = 2 Stars
Sensational musicianship and polished arrangements are largely spoiled by Alvin’s on-the-nose lyrics and sort-of-singing talk-vocals.

The Kills – “Blood Pressures” = 2.5 Stars
Some standout tracks but mostly filler and precious few variations from its overall repetitiveness.

Presto Ballet – “Invisible Places” = 2 Stars
A channeling of ELP, Yes, and Iron Maiden. Three great tastes that do not go great together.

Okay, whose idea of a sick joke was
it to have two Roger Waters
albums in the month?
That’s fucked-up!

Roger Waters – “Amused to Death” = 1 Star
To call this a childish, pretentious, overblown piece-of-shit would be an insult to childish, pretentious, overblown pieces of shit. I’ve read protest signs with more subtlety and eloquence.

Roger Waters – “Pros and Cons of Hitchhikin’” = 1.5 Stars
I was lucky enough to get a copy of this with the uncensored album cover when I was in high school but, after listening to it a few times, even that hot ass couldn’t keep me from trading it in for something good. Even at the brink of something resembling my own midlife crisis, Roger’s attempt to encapsulate his own (at the time) seems even more distant to me at forty-two than it did at sixteen. And for that, I thank my lucky stars. It means I’m not a whinny, self-consumed pussy.

G’hits – Joe Pernice
I was talking with Ed Valauskas of The Gravel Pit a few years back about Joe Pernice’s (then new) album, “Live a Little,” and Ed observed, “Joe Pernice has never written a bad song.” I agree. The collection I put together I think are the best of his best in his various solo and band incarnations. I hope it was enjoyed by all but something tells me it won’t be.

Topic Answers

Not knowing what the future holds, if I could be any current Rock star, becoming them instead of me, I guess I’d pick Dan Auerbach (Black Keys). He’s still young but not a boy, seems like a cool and smart guy from the few interviews I’ve read, and I predict his music will endure.

If I could have been in the right place at the right time, had the chops, and joined any band at any time, remaining myself, and affecting no change to the band’s catalogue or general history, I pick the obvious (for me): Geddy Lee of Rush becomes The Mong of Rush.

Roger Roger Roger

Dave Alvin- 4.0
Dave Alvin loves to tell stories thru his music and has been putting out good stuff since the early 80’s. This latest release is no exception.. A lot of the “characters” in his songs have to deal with a lot of shit- including how we handle the losses of life. A subject that hit close to home as I lost my buddy John Mobley to colon cancer a month ago. I think Alvin is a great wordsmith and a great songwriter. So much of this record deals with how we handle what life dishes out. We either let it get to us or we embrace the experiences and let them enrich us.

Presto Ballet- 3.5
Never heard of Kurdt Vander hoof before listening to this cd. And since I’m a fan of 70’s prog rock- I’m a fan of Presto Ballet. Although I’m not sure any song needs to be 12 min long-- my only criticism of the record. Lots of melodic hooks coupled with some fine musicianship make me think of Kansas, Styx, and Rush. All good things to sound like.

The Kills- 3.0
Not a huge fan of moody garage rock but I like Allison Mosshart’s vocals. She can be romantic and silky and she can be gritty and raw. The record is actually pretty melodic and I do like that fuzzy, guttural guitar. Although on Baby Says it sounds like the guitar part was recorded on a defective tape machine. It was actually kind of annoying.

Roger Waters 4.0 each
The king of the concept album for sure. And when you get guitarists like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton to play on your records – well that’s pretty cool too. These are not necessarily cd’s you would reach for if want casual background music. These are cd’s you really have to listen to if you want to discern what they’re all about. In Amused to Death the cynical Waters tells us a story about the demise of the human race. A human race that has replaced decency and humanity with a destructive culture of greed and consumption. And it is the utter disregard for the consequences of our actions on other human beings as well as our planet that will lead to our demise. Yet here we all are- laughing as we plummet towards total environmental and economic collapse. Chilling. I feel it’s even more relevant today than it was in 1992. Oh yeah- the music? Very Pink Floyd-ish.

In Pro’s and Con’s Waters weaves his tale through a series of dreams –or is it a nightmare- that take place from 4:30 AM to 5:11 AM. What a concept! The dreams have to do with life. Marriage; kids; the other woman; making enemies; being successful; and just being a middle aged guy with doubts and fears and questions about all the choices you have made thus far in your life. Makes you think. Oh yeah- the music? With E.C. swinging the axe--brilliant stuff!

Topic
1. Ben Gibbard…… Lucky bastard- married to Zooey Deschanel
2. Wilco- nuf said

These are the Pros and Cons...

Roger Waters – Amused to Death

I figured that if I was going to give this a fair trial, I should spark one up first, put on some headphones and pretend it’s 1992. So I start listening after I’m sufficiently buzzed and it’s pretty cool…the first two minutes of “Bill Hubbard” feel like I’ve been listening for a half hour, and…ooh, so now we’re about 5 and a half minutes in…and God wants peace, war, famine and cheese curls…OK I’m right with him on the cheese curls, but the best I can do is a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and for what seems like the next half hour it all makes perfect sense…even Marv Albert…YES…and then, it sounds like Roger Waters meets Jimmy Buffett for a song…and then…after a toke or two and a day or two of droning, down tempo stuff…my first “whoa” moment…didn’t I hear this before? What God wants…Man, he wants a lot of shit…and then the phone rings, but the monkey gets it I guess, because I don’t. And then…I run out of Doritos, so no more smoke…and now he’s singing about a girl on TV…and while this is going on, I start thinking about some other lyrics…”The Jews kill the Arabs and the Arabs kill the hostages which make them as bad as the Jews. Is it any wonder that the monkey is confused”…and I’m thinking, how prophetic…In Middle East matters Obama DOES seem confused. Anyway, you know how this plays out…I come down and it’s nowhere near as much fun to listen, so I have to give this two grades – a 4 if you’re high and a 2 if you’re not. It averages out to a 3, though I suggest only listening when stoned.

Roger Waters – The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking

I’m a sucker for EC’s lead playing and this is a perfect canvas for him to paint on. Add to that some terrific saxophone and one of the best album covers ever and it ranks up there as my favorite Roger Waters solo album. I’m not sure how I’d grade it if I gave it the same treatment as “Amused to Death”, but even on its own, without any “listening enhancements” it’s a solid 4. The title track alone makes it good for me, but I also like the fact that it sounds like it all takes place very early in the morning, in that dark time when most of the world is asleep.

Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven

I think he’s one of the most underrated guitarists out there…the vocals are an acquired taste, but he’s more accessible than Tom Waits or Randy Newman and there’s a little James McMurtry in songs like Gary, Indiana 1959 – and an understanding of rock and roll history, in songs like Johnny Ace is Dead and What’s Up With Your Brother. All in all, a solid effort. 3.5

The Kills – Blood Pressures

The more I listened, the less ponderous and meat-handed I thought it was, but the production on this made it hard to listen to…very muddy and bottom-heavy. I liked the songs that feature the female vocalist best, those tracks remind me of the Raveonettes. Rhythmically, it’s not a far stretch from “Nail in my Coffin” to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” though musically in total, they didn’t do a whole lot for me, and songs like DNA are forgettable and boring, but there were a couple of cool moments like the waltz, “The Last Goodbye”. 2.5.

Presto Ballet - Invisible Places

There was a point in time when I would listen to Yes, Kansas, and Styx incessantly. I wore the grooves off “The Grand Illusion”, “The Yes Album” and “Close to the Edge”. This is as good, if not better than a lot of that music, and it is very reminiscent of that sound. As unimpressive as the Kills were musically, that’s how interesting these guys are. Thanks, D’Arcy for bringing me back to this sound…I have to dig out “Leftoverture” and “Point of No Return” again. 4

GH – The Pernice Brothers – A nice mix of folk/pop songs from musicians that I heard a few tracks from, but were never very familiar with. Thanks, Mong for filling the void and getting me into the Pernice Brothers.

Topic: 1) Not knowing the personal or professional outcome of a current, living, working rock star, musician, composer, producer, or some other music industry professional (again, currently working and “famous”), who would you be? Not who would you be “Freaky Friday-style” (where you’re still you in someone else’s body) but “Heaven Can Wait-style” (when you become that person, no longer yourself).

I would be Keith Richards. I wanted to be him as a punk kid, I wanted to be him all through my teens and twenties…I would trade off the incredibly dangerous, unhealthful behavior for a chance to be that cool, principled, intelligent, and talented.


2) If you could go back in time as you and be in the right place at the right time with the right chops to be in any band, what band would it be? You joining the band won’t change the timeline…they’ll still become the same band with the same catalogue.

I’d want to be the guitarist for the Spiders from Mars…I’d take the Mick Ronson role in a heartbeat. And I’d want to keep it beyond when he did, right through the Station to Station period. It would have been awesome to play with Bowie from ’71-’76 or so.

I'll take my prog, but pass on the side of folk

Presto Ballet

I originally bought this cd for my brother’s birthday, but Kurdt Vanderhoof has been a favorite guitarist of mine for a long time. Was introduced to him by my brother’s friend when he gave Byron the first Metal Church album. Although not a fan of the thrash metal scene the album and the following two had some great guitar parts. Then came his band Vanderhoof and I was pleased to discover he found Deep purple. Now with Presto Ballet he seems to have discovered the late 70’s prog style. Instead of the overindulgent noodling that is persistent in today’s prog rock, here we find riffs from the guitar, runs on the organ and a singer whose voice is right for the music rather than another instrument to blend in. Throughout the cd you can choose which band from the 70’s they are borrowing from (especially the Marillion like guitar parts) but they make them their own. A surprising nice trip to the past with a flair for the future. 3.5

Roger Waters Hitchhiker

Not sure about Pink Floyd or Roger Waters. Remember listening to this cd on my long drives home from Rochester. Of course in those days there were extra stimulus to enhance the experience. Now minus this I find myself in flux. Sometimes I find the music brilliant and full of layers, building to the crescendo that is timed perfectly. Others it’s here comes the choir let’s get ready for the end. At times all the singers are perfectly blended to the songs, especially when he stays in the lower key. Then I listen to the lyrics and especially when he gets in that scream whining stage wish he would keep quiet. There is much Floyd, especially The Wall, in this cd with many a song bringing reminders of pieces past. What Roger Waters does prove once again is that Clapton is great when he doesn’t have to shoulder the load. 3.0

Roger Water Amused

It seems for this cd Roger Waters decided that he was going to spend some time playing in the studio. While with Hitchhiker he surrounded himself with a band, here he used studio greats. Members of Toto, Wire Train, and a slew of other great musicians were probably hired because they were used to recording this way. Yes Jeff Beck and Don Henley appear (One good, one not so good) but this is Roger playing with toys. His sound is the same, big choruses, spoken word singing, mad at something, and incredible choral background. 3

The Kills

Nice fuzz guitar. Good him her harmony vocals, plus love hate lyrics. Like the fact as a two piece they have the feel of bringing in other instruments. Cool hipster feel to the music giving it the sound of a dingy basement tape. 3.0

Dave Alvin

Never was a big fan of The Blasters so now that Mr. Alvin has taken some of the rawness out of his music he loses me even more. At times the guitar work is brilliant in his slow rockabilly/rock riff and solo vibe he has had. But whenever his vocals come in, the songs come to a screaming halt. This cd has all the faults that all the recent folk cds we have reviewed lately. One or two good songs early on the disc, then followed by a lot of sameness throughout. 2.0

Pernice Brothers

Yeah another folk cd. While the songs here are far superior to those on Dave Alvin’s, it does suffer a bit if listened in one sitting.

Topic

1 Dave Grohl, since the last time we had this question he got to play with Zeppelin in front 100,000 people

Dave Murray being the quiet guy who wrote a lot of the riffs for Iron Maiden. The idea they went from a punk/metal club band to playing to the masses would be a fun ride.

Corey Taylor. Yes I’d have to deal with the slip knot years, but what he is doing with Stone Sour and as a solo artist lends me to believe he gets it. An artist that knows he’s lucky to be where he is and is going to take advantage while he can.

2 Queen, Iron Maiden

Waters is awesome

Roger Waters – Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking - 4.5

This has so much of the Final cut in it, and apparently this was supposed to be part of that album. Pink Floyd got most of the better songs for The Final Count but these are no slouches either. With Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen and Andy Newmark it would be hard to make a bad album. The guitar solo in Every Stranger’s Eye (my favorite song on the CD) clearly an almost dead on copy of the song the Rose (I’d like to know if anyone else heard that). I think that Roger Waters was clearly the genius in the Pink Floyd, but David Gilmour was the hit maker. When was the last solo Roger Waters song you heard played on the radio?

Roger Waters – Amused to Death - 5

Perhaps one of the best thought through albums I’ve ever heard. Ever song is a story that just connects back to the beginning, but not one song sounded like another. Waters clearly has a ton of time on his hands and a ton of resentment toward his father, but it helps make a great cd. Bravery of being out of range is a fantastic song as is the chilling Ballad of Billy Hubbard. The only week song that I don’t feel fits in well with the rest of the cd is Watching TV except the part about perfect breasts and my wife is Asian, otherwise it’s just plain weird.. Going back, another interesting theme to Waters music is that he has never had anything good to say about any American president, I can only imagine what the next album will sound like if Obama is still in office.

Presto Ballet – Invisible Places – 2.5

I’m pretty sure that this was a D’Arcy contribution. This sounds like it could have been a Jeff Tate side project, one way or another there is a great deal of Queensryche, Yes, Genesis and Dream Theatre influence. This is not necessarily a bad thing (for me). I just couldn’t listen to this and get excited. I may be outgrowing the whole progressive rock thing, at least do something original if you’re going to do it, and get a cooler name.

The Kills – Blood Pressure - 4

Great bass tracks and lows, I don’t think they ever leave a D note the entire album. A little dreary and depressing, but I love the singer’s sultry voice. I think that the music could have worked with almost any singer, but I like who they’ve picked. Since Concrete Blond broke up and of course the demise of my darling Amy, there aren’t enough strong female vocalists. This is an album that I’m glad I gave a chance to, it got better with each listen.

Joe Pernice - Greatest Hits

Great re-make of Wichita Lineman! Kind of a silly song about nothing but a cool melody. Joe Pernice is obviously talented but his voice just made me want to take a nap. He doesn’t have a really great voice, just a plain one. He had a Michael Penn thing going on a few songs.

Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven - 3

Dave Alvin’s a pretty laid back dude. Personally I liked these songs, but I think a few of them may have popped if they were a little faster paced. Something like George Thorogood. Two lucky Bums sounded a little too Sesame Street to me, but the majority of the cd was pretty easy to listen to. If I had it a little longer I think it would have grown on me.

1) Not knowing the personal or professional outcome of a current, living, working rock star, musician, composer, producer, or some other music industry professional (again, currently working and “famous”), who would you be? Not who would you be “Freaky Friday-style” (where you’re still you in someone else’s body) but “Heaven Can Wait-style” (when you become that person, no longer yourself).

DaDave Grohl

2) If you could go back in time as you and be in the right place at the right time with the right chops to be in any band, what band would it be? You joining the band won’t change the timeline…they’ll still become the same band with the same catalogue.

BeBeatles

RuRush

Maybe we should have done David Gilmour instead...

Dave Alvin – In constant rotation this month.  There’s a lot of death and loss going on throughout the disc, but Alvin’s guitar work tramples all over the darkness of the lyrics.  The Lou Reed style vocals take some getting used to, but even on the slower numbers, his voice is incredibly smooth. Highlight is the mini-Blasters reunion on “What’s Up With Your Brother”.   Potential year-end list entry. 4 stars 

Kills – Sounded a lot like the Jack White thing (I’m too lazy to look it up) from last year that I wasn’t wild about. The better tracks, like the opener, were reminiscent of the Ravonettes.  The lesser tracks were in Missing Persons territory.  I really liked the ballad and wish they did a few more like that.  2.5 stars

Presto Ballet –  Hard to review this one due to my inherent dislike of this genre.  The instrumental passages, while too synth/organ heavy for me are ok, but the vocals are brutal.  The production and mix are excellent.  Not my thing, but the musicians have talent and people who like this style would probably enjoy it.  2 stars

Amused To Death – I find Roger Waters fascinating. To me, the only remotely interesting Pink Floyd comes post-Barrett, when Waters becomes the alpha dog. He’s the living embodiment of the twisted, tortured artist, which is intriguing. Yet, tortured artist or not, there needs to be more than 40 minutes of actual music on an 80 minute concept disc. He covered the themes of “war sucks” and “religion is a sham” in a far more entertaining manner on “The Final Cut”. Bonus ½ star for the Marv Albert cameo. 1.5 stars

Pros and Cons – I’m all for concept albums, but this one is weak in concept and execution. My understanding is that the protagonist (Waters?) is giving us a running narrative of his dream about banging a chick he picks up hitch-hiking.  Not a whole lot of “concept” there.  I like the title track, and the guitar playing (Clapton, no?) is pretty good throughout.  Waters over-emotes constantly, which wears thin, and he steals from his own material, as there were more than a few melodies lifted off “The Wall”. 2 stars

Joe Pernice – This one batted about .500.  I liked the more flushed out numbers like “Snow” which sound like a mash-up of the Byrds and the Old 97s.  The slower, acoustic numbers tended to drag the disc down, and no amount of hipster doofus irony can change the fact that “Chevy Van” is quite possibly the worst song ever recorded regardless of who is covering it.

Discussion Question

#1) Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne.  I want to possess the genius that rhymes “Cracker Barrel” with “Will Ferrell”.

#2) Is this a trick question?  How can anyone’s answer NOT be Keith Richards??