OK, I give The Beach Boys, post 1972, way too much leeway, but I don’t think I can let this one pass without calling BULLSHIT.
Take a look at the PR blurb that was on the email announcing an upcoming Beach Boys concert in Atlanta:
Jun 012011
Jun 012011
This better come with a centerfold!
While browsing through eMusic yesterday I came across the following new entry to the digital music distributor’s catalog: Charlie, Anthology.
You may remember Charlie, or at least the band’s album covers, from an old RTH Confessional post by our man sammymaudlin.
You may remember hearing their music on an episode of our weekly podcast, Saturday Night Shut-In, as first heard at the 21:52 mark in this archived podcast.
That said, is anyone asking for any sort of Charlie anthology other than, perhaps, a glossy magazine, complete with centerfold, of shots of the album cover models?
May 312011
NOT a '90s artist!
The list of 1990s bands (mostly alt-rock) that were still out there workin’ for a livin’ was an easy target for bashing—at least for me. When y’all jumped in and turned it into a pile on of alterna-bashing, I started to have second thoughts about this fine group of young musicians that just wanted to let their hair down and fly thier flannel flag (or union jack).
I propose another look at the 1990s.
Let’s create the RTH Top 25 CDs of the 1990s from bands that are considered ’90s bands (as in I would count Jane’s Addiction, although their debut came out in ’88 or ’89 [I had it in high school, so it had to have been out prior to spring 1989]). This is not a place to list REM‘s Automatic For the People or a ’90s Tom Waits record; this is for ’90s bands.
Please consider the following criteria/limitations when posting your thoughts on the matter:
- One record per band, 13 albums per Townsperson (an alternative band number if there ever was one)
- Loose definition of “alternative”: CD would have been played on Alternative Rock Radio (or should have been) or at least college radio.
I’ll start with my own:
May 312011
A good friend “turned me on” to a British band from the 70s called Showaddywaddy — a sort of UK version of Sha Na Na — saying bands like Showaddywaddy were the main reason the Sex Pistols came into existence. I cued up the video she sent along, and was suitably horrified. I then commenced an InterWeb search to find out more about this godawful band of musical merrymen, and found this, from the frequently “huh?” AllMusicGuide:
“One of the finest rock & roll revival bands of the 1970s, Showaddywaddy also proved to be one of the most successful and enduring. … The group’s run of greatest hits sounds devastatingly pure, even authentic…”
To which I say: WTF?! I mean, I’m used to a bit of ass-lickery on the part of AMG, but surely this is beyond the pale… right?
HVB
May 292011
Townspeople,
Can you help me out with a project? I would like to compile Rock Town Hall’s Essential Rock Video Collection, from our community’s perspective the most-visually compelling rock videos ever made. I think you’d agree that Feargal Sharkey‘s full music video for “A Good Heart” is one such example. Our Essential RockVideo Collection, however, is not limited to the ’80s but should span all eras and styles in rock music. The videos may be staged or live; all I ask is that they are essential and visually compelling. And, preferably, instructive.
The videos I seek to compile need not contain a single compelling note of music; in fact, the best way to gauge whether they are fit for this collection will be to view them with the sound off. Please post your nominees for this honor. I am hoping to compile a collection of 50 visually compelling, from a Rock Town Hall perspective, videos. Thank you.
May 282011
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
Following last week’s possible farewell edition of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator takes a run at the sun on this Memorial Weekend, Summer-Fun broadcast with a No-Muss, No-Fuss 30th Episode! Selections from the likes of Lou Reed, Amon Düül, and Snakefinger will have you reaching for the suntan lotion! And get this: as good as this episode promises to be it’s nothing more than a prelude to next weekend’s Sausages for Sammy Extravaganza and Classic Rock Psychic Rock Block Event!
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-30.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 30][Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download of each week’s podcast.]
May 282011
“The definitive version,” you say? Perhaps, but tell us what else is on your mind.
