Prog Forever!!!!

The Refreshments – Let it Rock 4

This sounded more like Roy Orbison than Chuck Berry.  Very “Refreshing”, not what I was expecting at all.  I loved the flashback to the 50’s for Chuck Berry.  Basically they really limited their market with this cd unless this is how they always sound.    This made my want to go out and buy an old convertible and hit a country road with the stereo cranked.  What a great song Havana Moon is.  I’m sold.

The Sugarplastic Band – Bang the earth is round - 4

At first I thought this band sugarsucked but then they became disturbingly catchy.  I could have done without the freaky voice on “Don’t Sleep”, it reminded me of Charlie the Unicorn, but otherwise, this was an awesome selection.

The Mother Hips – GH

Not probably too surprising to most of you but this was just plain boring.  I’m not sure where the hits were let alone the greatest.  Every song sounded like Tom Petty’s most boring song.  I can appreciate the talent, but just not when it was all put together.  Sorry Sandy, one day we’ll find some common ground.

Marillion – Clutching at Straws - 5

If Fish is writing about himself I have to say that his life is just tragic.  Alcohol, drugs and loneliness.  I like to think that Warm Wet Circles is about what I think it is, but I don’t think it is.  I can imagine the score I’ll get for this cd but I’m sorry, Fish is a brilliant writer and he has a great group of musicians around him.  I feel bad, I think I heard he’s an asshole; his career hasn’t been the same since his parting from the band.  Unfortunately the playlist didn’t come through in the correct order so the flow of the cd was off.  That did have an impact on the flow of the cd.  I’m ready for my bashing.

Holly Williams - The Highway – 3.5

Beautiful voice, relatively hot.  Certainly a talented lyricist, s little twangy and country for my taste, but she has a knack for not being and annoying country singer.  

Part 1. Do you think having a great name adds anything to the success of the band? Or, is it strictly about the music?  Absolutely, I find that bands that seem to jump on the similar name “band” wagon usually leave a bad taste in my mouth.  In the 80’s white Lion, White Zombie, Black Crows, Counting Crows, not it’s the Black Keys.  I wonder if they think that stupid people might confuse similarly named bands and then be too lazy to return what they bought. 

Part 2. List some of your favorite band names and, if you know it, the origin of the name.

Tool is a great name from a military reference when Maynard was in the service. 

Rush, no clue how the name originated.

Pygmy Love Circus – Not sure I want to know

Pearl Jam?