As reported by Townsman Hrrundi…
May 232007
May 222007
Doors’ drummer John Densmore borrowed a great catch quote in his article about a permanent stance of his on greed (that of his bandmates), and continuously having to veto the use of The Doors’ songs for commercial pursuit gains in a past written article for The Nation.
John wrote: “Vaclav Havel had it right when he took over as president of Czechoslovakia, after the fall of Communism. He said, ‘We’re not going to rush into this too quickly, because I don’t know if there’s that much difference between KGB and IBM.'”
John Densmore (The Doors) – Article – Riders On the Storm
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20020708/densmore
Is there really any difference between selling your music and selling your music? Wink, wink – right? Is it selling out, or rather, is it just about getting an artist’s music heard and having fun with a “product”?
I have to admit that I have mixed feelings myself when I hear a band I love’s music on the ‘ol boob tube or in a “spot” on the radio. The silliest being The Zombies’ ‘Time of the Season’ being used for Tampax (smirking aside) of all things, and the awe of new and old commercials by hipster-label companies using Pink Moon by Nick Drake (Volkswagen), or Revolution by The Beatles (for Nike, a Yoko OH-NO-YOU-DIDN’T production) and You’re Gonna Miss Me by The 13th Floor Elevators (for Dell). Someone’s already even put together a whole best-of compilation for the songs that have been used to sell certain products, I’m sure – making money off the money makers, so to speak.
Townsman Ismine was so good as to remind me, that while I was writing this – I had to at least make sure that I included The Who Sell Out – and how could I not? The album with its ideas squared firmly around early AM radio ads utilizing catchy music-filled jingles to sell a product. Commercialism in music at its youngest and maybe finest. As if they were daring you to: use our product to sell yours!
She ripped her glittering gown / Couldn’t face another show, no / Her deodorant had let her down / She should have used [insert your choice of deodorant here please – I prefer “Secret”, because it’s made for a man but… well, you know]…
However, what I’d really like to talk to you about today, is BEER. When Mr. Mod originally brought up the article for Motorcycles In Rock, I was already thinking of Beer In Rock. I didn’t know where it could go, and I’m still not even sure that it’s a worthy topic. But, well – here I am.
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May 222007
Congrats!
May 222007
Judging by the title of the mix I received, there’s little mistaking who put this mix of recent-vintage songs together. I assume Mr. Mod sent it my way because it had so much new music and because he knew I’d recently been scooping up Thin Lizzy‘s back catalog.
Overall, when I play this in the background, it’s a solid mix. When I try to break it down song-by-song I run into difficulties. For fair balance, you can download the entire mix here.
The CD starts with driving drums and off-kilter guitar that sounds like the prelude to one of those neo-Gang of Four bands that we all the rage 2 years ago. (Was it that long ago?) Then things settle down into on OK, ’90s, neo-proto-goth vibe. What was that band with the redheaded Scottish singer and Nirvana’s producer, Garbage? The song is called “Rideshare” and it’s by Beauty Pill. Don’t know a thing about them. Best thing about the song is that it ends like it begins.
A newer PJ Harvey song, “Big Exit”, follows. I like this one. It’s got a verse that sounds like what Patti Smith might do if she could sing and if her band didn’t sound like warmed-over E-Streeters, and the verse sounds a lot like Heart. There’s some Modern Rock cheese smeared across it, but this one delivers on the pounding beat.
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May 212007
Hey, RTH — I just want to go on record as saying I’m appalled that all of you have let Mr. Mod and others ride roughshod over Charlie Watts’ reputation. Anyone with brain one ought to be able to see with crystal clarity just how vital the Watts groove thang is to the band; how he’s single-handedly responsible for setting the vibe on dozens of classic Stones traxx.
To help prove this point, I’ve assembled a montage of Watts drum intros to 12 classic Stones tracks. Now, since I assembled the montage, I already know which songs they introduce. But I’m certain there are more than a few of you who ought to be able to identify the tracks in question. Especially since I’m willing to offer up a helpful hint: All the tracks are in alphabetical order.
So come on, Watts fans and Stones know-it-alls! Show us how vital Watts really is to that band! Identify these traxx!
May 212007
YOUNGSTOWN, OH—Though he admitted he hasn’t listened to the band in 10 years, tech-support specialist Jonathan Meagher, 25, somehow found himself defending Green Day while slightly intoxicated at a local bar Saturday.
“Some guy we were drinking with said the band was ‘complete shit,’ which, I mean, say what you want about Green Day, but ‘complete shit’ is a bit of an overstatement,” Meagher said. “Then the guy said something about Limp Bizkit being better, and before I knew it, I’m pounding my fist on the bar and saying that Green Day might be the best band of our generation. Seriously, I don’t even know the lead singer’s name.”
Shortly after returning home from the bar, Meagher purchased the Green Day song “American Idiot” from iTunes, played the major-label debut album Dookie, and reported being amazed that the band hadn’t really changed at all since 1994.
May 212007
It’s that time again, people — time to don our white robes, shave our heads, and go wandering through the dusty record bins of our favorite neighborhood thrift stores, in the hope that our wayward paths will intersect with interesting new music.
Actually, the last few weeks have provided an abundance of riches in the Thrifty Music department — so much so that I’ve decided I need to really get picky for a change, selecting only the tracks that have really rocked my world for 25 cents. And note that I’m pushing these tracks out the door in anticipation of the Great Thrifty Music Score Listening Party, wherein Townsman Christian and I will select some seriously amazing traxx from a wonderful haul I made a week or two ago — a haul remarkable enough to even get E Pluribus to nod his head in sage approval.
Anyhow, on to the matter at hand. Up for your consideration this fine day:
The Stylistics, “People Make the World Go Round” — there’s a story floating around out there that Dionne Warwick once placed an urgent call to Burt Bacharach upon hearing Thom Bell‘s work with the Stylistics, basically to tell him that there was a black cat out there that was one-upping Burt’s sophisticated pop thang, with a whole new groove. I can believe it. This track, from the Stylistics’ first album (by the way, is that a great cover, or what? I love velour suits as much as the next guy, but seeing the Stylistics kickin’ back in the grass, hippie-stylee, makes me all happy for some reason) — sorry, as I say, from their first album, is a total “In your face, Burt!” from the composer/arranger for whom I may have the biggest Kentonite boner, Thom Bell. And dig the coda at the end… in 9/8 time! Wowsers!
Next up, Betty Everett, delivering the first (and clearly best) version of “You’re No Good”. Wotta great production! I read recently that one of the reasons this single sounds so slammin’ is because of a studio fluke: The Dells were listening to the playback in the VeeJay control room, tapping/stomping their feet in unison with the groove. Mr. Producer stopped tape, ran things back, and added a track of the Dells’ feet-stompery, knowing a great thing when he heard one. Instant hit!
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