“That’s unbelievable!”
Today’s All-Star Jam is unbelievable! Martha Quinn gives it up—totally—in honor of our recovering friend and the man who makes The Back Office tick, Townsman sammymaudlin. Get well, my friend!
Feb 192011
Feb 182011
What if Bryan Ferry continued with his 1978-era beard? How might rock history have been changed?
Need more evidence of the potential effects of Bearded Ferry? Continue reading »
Feb 172011
Hey, I just received word that a dear friend and Townsman is in the hospital today and can use our good vibrations. If Psychic TV can send them, you can too. Please use this space to share good vibrations with your fellow Townspeople! Post anecdotes, rock arcana, links, and what have you in the Comments for this thread with the aim of helping a Townsperson in need feel better.
Please continue to use the rest of this blog to cut up on otherwise-beloved artists and argue over stuff only people like us care to argue over.
Feb 162011
I’ve got a theory about why so many Beatles fans despise “She’s Leaving Home”: more than anything I think it’s in defense of George Martin, whose feelings were hurt when he was shut out of arranging the strings. That’s sweet of you, but really, the song’s not that bad! The way I hear my fellow Beatles fans talking about it I have to stop and check that they’re not actually talking about “Fool on the Hill” or one of Paul’s “Auntie” songs.
I think I’m onto something: your hatred of “She’s Leaving Home” is rooted in your desire to defend the honor of Sir George Martin.
As for substitute arranger Mike Leander, what is so bad about his work on that song? What might tasteful George Martin have done differently? I was surprised to learn that Leander had his hand in all sorts of records, most notably serving as Gary Glitter‘s partner in (musical) crime (eg, co-writing his hits, including “Rock ‘n Roll, pt 2”). I think he also did the saccharine string arrangements for The Rolling Stones‘ “As Tears Go By.” So there!
Feb 162011
What’s so bad about Soul Asylum? Why does mere mention of them make the likes of Townsman misterioso “shiver?”
- Was their music all that bad, from their indie, poor man’s Replacements stuff to their giant hit song, “Runaway Train”?
- Is it the fact that they far exceded the popularity of their groundbreaking Twin Cities colleagues?
- Was it the expiration date passing on Dave Pirner‘s rat’s nest hair and severely ripped jeans?
- Was it the other guitarist’s lank mall-rat hair?
- Was it the fact that Pirner dated Winona Ryder while you didn’t?
Is it the fact that their commercial stuff and its “pro” production exposed them and much of that “heartland” ’80s “alternative rock” as little more than wannabe 1970s-era AOR, the kind of stuff Rock Town Hall’s patron saint of mediocrity, Bob Seger, and the likes of REO Speedwagon cranked out? Did Soul Asylum, The Replacements, et al suddenly pale next to a simple, direct artist from the tail end of ’70s AOR like Tom Petty?
While we’re on the subject, what’s going on with Pirner’s hair and jeans these days, and when’s the last time you thought about those big, honking cardboard boxes they used to house CDs in?
Feb 152011
PJ Harvey‘s latest album, Let England Shake, can be previewed here. I’ve only heard a couple of songs so far, but as I’ve felt with just about everything I’ve heard from her since her fourth album, Is This Desire?… (Read on at your own risk; I’m about to get uncharacteristically un-PC.)
Feb 152011
Not that I ever wished for Ellen Foley, specifically, to cover one of my favorite slightly obscure, early Rolling Stones deep cutz, but yikes! Maybe some other day I’ll find a cover of “Stupid Girl” that lives up to my hopes.
What cover of a favorite obscure song are you sorry ever came to fruition?
