Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

Once and For All: What’s the Best Prog-Rock Song?

Mar 152010

This question is likely to be a Hobson’s Choice for many of you, but I think it’s important that those of you who feel this way contribute. Considering that the term song held little weight in the glory days of progressive rock, our most song-oriented Townspeople, who may have an aversion to this subgenre of rock music, may be best qualified to help determine the answer to this question…Once and For All!

I’m torn between a couple of Yes songs that may be helpful in starting this discussion, but I’m thinking the following may be met with the least resistance for at least beginning this dialog.
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Spot the Actual Music References in This Record Review

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 152010

In the March 19 issue of Entertainment Weekly there’s a record review for Hands, a new album by an artist known as Little Boots, that is shockingly devoid of musical content!

The reviewer’s name is Melissa Maerz, about whom I know absolutely nothing. It goes without saying that EW is not the sort of magazine a music lover’s music lover like myself should fret over for lack of musical content, but at least I think my beef is justified as a bathroom reader’s bathroom reader. Check out the mini-review, which I’ve copied in full, after the jump, and see if you can spot any actual music references. Continue reading »

Solos That Get It

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 152010

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I was out to dinner with some friends and fellow Townsmen last night, and Townsman machinery, who’s never yet launched a thread in the Halls of Rock said, “Here’s what I’d like to know: when we talk about the greatest guitarists in rock, why does no one ever mention Neil Young?” He acknowledged that his playing is simple, but that his solos are so identifiable and have so much feeling.

I realized this tied into something I’ve been thinking about: solos that get it.
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All-Star Jam: Magyar Retro All-Request Weekend!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 132010

Why didn’t I learn about this stuff the year I lived in Hungary? I’ve come across a boatload of Hungarian rock ‘n roll videos from the ’60s through early ’80s, and I’ve got to share some with you. It’s our Magyar Retro All-Request Weekend, and this first number goes out to my main Townsman, dbuskirk!
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This next one goes out to General Slocum. I imagine that the bass part is something he would have dug as a teenage boy living in Budapest in the mid-70s.

Canada: Land of Funny People With Surprisingly Few Funny Bands?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 112010

I must ask one of those questions that seems really dumb but may possibly demonstrate the sort of rock insight that’s characteristic of our special powers as Townspeople:
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Sincerity: Why Do We Ever Care?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 092010

Another long-suffering musician commits suicide, opening new opportunities to explore the signs of his downfall in his lyrics. An old music-scene friend whose deadpan humor was a set-up for truly good times passes through town and plays a last-minute show. Thomas Newman, brother of Randy [CLICK HERE to see that I’ve already been corrected about this blatant inaccuracy – it was noisy in the kitchen while I was trying to hear this interview the other day, sorry], is interviewed on NPR regarding his Oscar-nominated score for some movie, probably Up. Did you know Thomas Newman talks nothing like brother [CLICK HERE to see that I’ve already been corrected about this blatant inaccuracy – it was noisy in the kitchen while I was trying to hear this interview the other day, sorry] Randy?

We’ve long been aware of the pitfalls of the Sincerity Fallacy, but let’s face it: there are times now and then when even the most enlightened among us like a little sincerity.
Continue reading »

Constructing the Band With the Worst Collection of Gear Ever

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 092010

In our recent RTH Confessional thread detailing Rock Crimes we’ve committed over the years, Townsman cherguevara confessed to owning and playing on stage a set of Simmons drums. Then he offered to organize a Simmons/Steinberger jam session.

We may be set with our aesthetically clueless band’s rhythm section, but can we construct a band with the (aesthetically) worst collection of gear ever? Please be specific, and feel free to provide links to the offending pieces of gear.

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