I’m always on the look out for sites that showcase LP/CD and related artwork. Here are some links to checkout:
Sleevage
Record Envelope
LP Cover Lover (my favorite is above…)
Blue Note Covers Gallery
Album Cover Art Gallery
I suppose I must link this over-linked Worst Album Covers page.
Sadly one of my favorites – a large collection of Bollywood LP covers seems to be offline now. Please post some links to good LP/CD art in the comments if you have any…
Carrie Brownstein has a blog and it’s pretty good. Here’s a sampling from the most recent posting.
My deal-breaker is preciousness: when the music is a tiny, baby bird that needs us to be nurturing and respectful, otherwise it can’t spread its wings. I like quiet music, folk music, solo artists–it’s not a matter of volume or numbers, but it is a matter of art being able to stand on its own two feet. I don’t think music needs to be coddled, no matter how delicate or soft it sounds. When a band or singer makes me go “awwww,” as I would at the sight of a newborn child, then that is a band that needs a pacifier not an amplifier. Other indicators of preciousness include, but are not limited to: matching old-timey outfits; mumbling, soft-spoken stage banter that trails off and is quickly followed by a cutesy smile, which for some reason garners huge cheers from the audience; being so nervous on stage that someone in the crowd has to yell “you can do it!” or “we love you” (exception made here for child performers); asking people to lie down on the floor for the next song; and any audience sing-along or participation so complicated that it needs to be explained BEFORE the song starts. When I am at an overly precious show, I am often filled with contrarian, immature urges: suddenly banging a gong, stepping on a whoopee cushion, or knocking some vegans together to start a mosh pit. I think what bothers me the most about preciousness is that it takes good form and reduces it to good manners, and turns performance into charade. I have no trouble taking music seriously or considering it special, but I don’t need to be instructed about why it is.
It’s like she’s plugged right into the RTH mind!
Of course, you might that a devoted follower of “small-rock” such as myself may have issues with this piece, but not really! If Belle and Sebastian can bring a sense of showmanship (and they do!) then anyone can!
Okay, so the “rock musical” thread was a Very Sad Thing indeed. This next video treasure hunt gives us ample opportunity to make us feel a whole lot better about the intersection of music and showbiz. What I’m looking for is the best performance — real or lip-synch’ed, actual YouTube links are appreciated — in a dramatic motion picture, in a “supporting role.” There are some ground rules:
I hope this is clear enough. If it isn’t, consider The Yardbirds’ performance in Blowup — or, better yet, consider The Chocolate Watchband in Riot On Sunset Strip:
I look forward to your responses.
HVB
p.s.: Mad Props to Collin Wade Monk, Nashville scenester, rocker, and RTH lurker, for pointing me in the direction of this excellent clip. Hear Collin spiel at http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Arts/Music/SceneCast.
Out of respect for Prince’s Web Sheriff, popular rock music discussion blog Rock Town Hall will remove all images of and references to the artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.
“Out of respect for the Web Sheriff, the Prince organization, its crack legal team, Prince’s standing in the Munchkin community, and all true fans of the artist,” said the Hall’s Mr. Moderator, “we will begin wiping Rock Town Hall of all traces of this great man’s work, from discussions of his last 22 albums that came and went without a trace to our extensive collection of fan fiction and sketches.”
As examples of the sort of material that will no longer appear on Rock Town Hall, Mr. Moderator points to this, this, and this. “We do fear that removal of these images will change to flavor of the site, but our efforts at supporting the works of Prince only represent a small portion of the millions of fans who received free copies of his last album by buying whatever newspaper it was that included it along with the coupons.” Mr. Moderator said that he and The Back Office have discussed replacing some of the images of Prince that are essential to its layout with those of Bob Seger.
Mr. Moderator continued, “I’m most worried about Townsmen Hrrundi and Geo. They have come to depend on Rock Town Hall, in large part, for our members’ enthusiasm over the man’s earlier and underappreciated works.”
It’s been some time since we conducted a full-blown Dugout Chatter among Townspeople. Whaddayousay? Let’s hear some noise! Your gut answers to the following provocative questions are appreciated.
Ian Stewart playing piano and running errands for the Stones or Ian Stewart playing piano and running errands for Zeppelin?
True of False: If a gun was pointed at my head I could name a second song by Golden Earring.
Golden Palominos or Golden Smog?
Quick! Without looking it up can you name eight members of Golden Palominos?
Who’s your favorite rock musician commentator featured on rockumentaries whose own music you really don’t care for?
What’s the least logical live bill you’ve ever attended?
In terms of coolness, please rank the members of The Monkees.
I’m not sure any of them don’t suck, but: what’s the best “rock” musical? I contnue to believe that “Jesus Christ Superstar” is patchily listenable, but in general it’s still a turd. Can it really be the best of the bunch?
