Wilco, Then and Now: The Whole Love

 Posted by
Dec 082011
 

Although I’ve never been a full-blown fan of the band, I’ve made a habit of keeping up with each new Wilco release, buying about two thirds of their albums over the years. The band’s latest album, The Whole Love, has been in my rotation the last month.  It’s my favorite album by them since Summerteeth. That doesn’t mean I like it without reservations and anxieties that a man my age should not experience over a rock ‘n roll album. But I do, and you know I will share.

In the coming days I will revisit some of the band’s earlier releases, pulling out my original reviews at the time of their release. I hope you find the development in my views on the band enlightening, but let’s start in the present tense…after the jump! 

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Rock Town Hall Seeks Field of 64 Specifically Named, Dedicated Backing Bands for Competition to Determine…Once and For All…Rock’s Greatest Backing Band Ever!

 Posted by
Dec 072011
 

#2 seed Silver Bullet Band with some guy named Seger.

In what promises to be one of the most-definitive Once and For All tournaments ever, Rock Town Hall seeks a field of 64 specifically named, dedicated backing bands for a competition to determine—once and for all—rock’s greatest backing band ever! Before the competition can take place, we need YOUR help in determining the field.

Entry criteria are simple:

  • The backing band must have an official name, used on an album cover or other branded piece, and be tied to a specific artist, such as Bill Haley & The Comets.
  • The backing band cannot be merely a backing band for hire and/or studio backing band (eg, Booker & The MGs).
  • The backing band’s official name must have been officially in use while it was backing its lead artist (eg, The Band was not officially known as “The Band” until after having backed Bob Dylan, so they would not qualify).
  • Unless the leader and his or her backing band are an a capella group, strictly vocal backing bands do not qualify (eg, Smokey Robinson’s Miracles).
  • Additional criteria may be added, as necessary.

Backing bands will be bracketed into 4 conferences of 16, as follows:

  1. The Legacy Conference
  2. The Expansion Conference
  3. The Classic Conference
  4. The Rebel Conference

Only one backing band has been seeded at the start of this process, The Silver Bullet Band (Bob Seger), drawing a #2 seed in the Classic Conference. They were offered the top seed, but chose to begin play at a slight disadvantage.

Let us begin the selection process for the remaining 63 contestants. You may suggest a conference and any supporting documentation with your nominations. Following seeding, which is expected this weekend, the tournament will proceed!

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Mad Props! to Volkswagen Passat Ad Featuring Elton John’s “Rocket Man”

 Posted by
Dec 072011
 

My wife seems capable of singing along with the lyrics to any song on the radio, even Elton John songs. I’ve always found him to be the most difficult singer to understand in rock, even more difficult to understand than David Bowie. Thank you, Volkswagen Passat.

In other rock-ad news, what’s your reaction to Devo doing those “Drink It” radio spots for Pepsi?

Finally, speaking of Pepsi, can anyone clear up if it was The Hawks or The Band playing on the following movie intermission ad?

Continue reading »

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Dugout Chatter

 Posted by
Dec 062011
 

With perhaps the lamest Nice post ever being rightfully ignored, perhaps it’s time for a rapid-fire round of Dugout Chatter. If you don’t know the drill it’s easy: provide your gut answers to the following questions. There’s no wrong answer and probably no right one. Just your answer.

What football-related theme (see Springsteen’s bit with the refs) might Madonna and Cirque du Soleil work into their coming Super Bowl Halftime Extravaganza performance?

What obscure artist are you most likely to try to turn a “normal” (ie, not music-obsessed) friend or colleague onto?

If you were a rock ‘n roll Henry Higgins what “crude” or “raw” artist would be your Eliza Doolittle?

Which version of Nirvana‘s “All Apologies” do you prefer, the studio version or the MTV Unplugged version?

If you could ask a fellow Townsperson any musical question, what would it be and whom would you ask?

If it came up over a lunchtime conversation, what obscure artist you love would you least want to try to explain to one of your “normal” friends or colleagues?

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If You Can’t Say Anything Nice About…Siam Shade

 Posted by
Dec 062011
 


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.

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