I owe a debt of "gratitude" to lurking Townsman Great 48 for introducing me to this video. He said all kinds of mean things about it when he brought it to my attention, but I know we can do better. I think it's time we focused our positivity together -- there's been far too much snark around here lately. So remember: if you can't say anything nice about "Puff Puff Give" by Hannah's Field... don't say anything at all.

By the way: extra points for saying something nice about the trustafarian playing the drum.

I look forward to your nice responses.

HVB

Wasn't there a crack in a Seinfeld episode in which Jerry, I believe, said to George something to the effect of anyone who wears a sweatsuit in public for non-sports-related purposes is announcing that they've given up on life? I believe Natalie Merchant is the musical equivalent of that sweatsuit. I know a lot of you R.E.M. fans thought she was special when 10,000 Maniacs first hit and she was Michael Stipe's tour bus partner, but come on, if you're listening to Natalie Merchant in 2010 are you announcing to the world that you've given up on music?

Actually, rather than pile on with negativity, as we here in the Halls of Rock Town are sometimes wont to do, let's make an extra effort effort to find something good to say about, you know, stuff that is clearly godawful.

It is in that spirit that we embark on yet another effort to bring some positivity to our proceedings. Please spend some quality time with the video above, then -- if you can -- please find something nice to say about it. You'll feel a whole lot better, I promise you.

I look forward to your comments. Just remember, if you can't say anything nice about this video... please don't say anything at all.

We here in the Halls of Rock Town are sometimes taken to task for being overly negative, snarky, hyper-critical, and all too often, just downright rude. As part of our collective efforts to bring a bit of sunshine and light to the world wide web, we occasionally make an extra effort effort to find something *good* to say about, you know, stuff that is clearly godawful.

It is in that spirit that we embark on yet another effort to bring some positivity to our proceedings. Please spend some quality time with the video above, then -- if you can -- please find something *nice* to say about it. You'll feel a whole lot better, I promise you.

I look forward to your comments. Just remember, if you can't say anything nice about this video... please don't say anything at all.

HVB

You know the drill. Review this performance, then comment. But remember, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!

I look forward to your responses.

HVB

I don't want to hear nothin' about how Uriah Heep were the poor man's poor man's Deep Purple. I don't want to hear nothin' about the swell clothes the band is sporting in this clip. And I don't want to hear *nothin'* about the out-of-control inverse relationship between quality of music and quality of poon on display in this clip. What I *do* want to hear are all the nice things you have to say about this particular performance. Extra credit if you can say something nice about the lyric to this song, "Wizard."

I'll start: what, it's okay to pump your fist along to "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding," but taking the time to show your solidarity with Heep's message of universal brotherhood is for losers? These guys were *way* ahead of the Hands Across America curve!

Your turn. And remember, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!

HVB

Greetings! With this post, we inaugurate a new series of fun and games here at RTH, entitled "If You Can't Say Anything Nice..." -- as in "if you can't say anything nice about somebody, don't say anything at all." You know, like your Moms taught you when you were a kid. The principle here is similar: RTH posts a song or video or image for you to consider. Then -- if you can -- it's your job to say something nice about what you've witnessed. The most convincingly "nice" set of observations wins a coveted RTH No-Prize.

Today, we're inaugurating the series with a fascinating performance by Deep Purple (but mainly Ritchie Blackmore) at California Jam, in 1974. Have a look, and let us all know what you think. But remember: if you can't say anything nice...

I look forward to your responses.

HVB