Once and For All: What’s the Greatest Debut Album Ever?

 Posted by
Jan 222010
 

Townsman Andyr wondered if we’ve ever attempted to determine the Greatest Debut Album Ever. I don’t think we have, so this is as good a time as any to investigate this subject.

As we pondered this subject last night, a dozen debut releases immediately sprang to mind, including those by the The Specials, Jimi Hendrix, Television, The Undertones, The Clash… However, if we’re to consider The Clash, we agreed we should only consider the original UK release, which I don’t find as strong as the later US version. Before we move forward, let’s agree that delayed, alternate releases in other-than-native markets are not open to consideration.

As we talked about this topic, just as many debut albums by beloved bands were far from qualifying. Probably all debut albums released prior to 1967 wouldn’t make the grade. Artist that went on to have long, innovative careers may find that their debut album is overshadowed by the albums that followed. Captain Beefheart may be an example of this. Safe As Milk is an excellent debut and the one album by him that most rock fans have a fighting chance of digging, but what Beefheart fan is going to put the necessary effort into making the case that it is the Greatest Debut Album Ever?

It’s only fair that you take some time to think about this and that we discuss it as a community, but I will tell you that, after discounting Roxy Music‘s debut for running out of gas on side 2, I’m presently considering the merits of two debut albums that I feel are stunning in their own ways: Continue reading »

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Battle Royale: We’re an American Brand

 Posted by
Jan 212010
 

I was poking around in the archives and I came across a discussion in which folks were talking about starting a thread to determine once and for all which rock band has the best logo. I don’t think that discussion ever materialized so I’m starting it here.

What is the Greatest Rock Logo of All Time?

Please don’t just say the name, show your work too. And don’t let your personal taste about the band’s music affect your appreciation of their branding skills.

I’m going to go with…
Continue reading »

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Why Don’t I Like Spoon?

 Posted by
Jan 202010
 

Ce n’est pas une groupe.

I’m listening to the online stream of Spoon‘s new album, Transference. It’s not bad music, but I have no desire to listen to most of it again. In theory, I should like this band: They sound like a cross between Revolver, Bowie/Eno, Prince, and Jon Brion. But something’s missing. Their music always sounds so flat to me. It’s not lo-fi, but it sounds like a well-made album then dubbed onto a bad Maxell or TDK cassette. Reminds me of my dubbed copy of The Joshua Tree, which was a copy of a copy of a copy. No wonder I never could hear the supposed grandeur of that album.

There’s something else, though. Something unfinished about this music in an unappealing way. It’s like they have hooks, but no melodies.

Anyway, they’re not evil and I don’t hate their fans. I’m just happy with them passing me by. I do wonder if I’ve heard too much music, too much alt/indie/punk-type sounds, so this just sounds old-hat to me.

Feel free to let me know if I’m missing something, if I’m full of crap.

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Super Bowl ’10 Set List Sneek Peek

 Posted by
Jan 192010
 

Roger Daltrey just e-mailed me the set list for The Who’s (or A Who’s Who of Olivers, as they are thinking of renaming themselves) Super Bowl Halftime show.

“Baba O’Reily”: They may change the lyric to “Out here ON the field.” They will then skip the “Don’t cry…” part and segue from the “They’re all wasted!” power chords into…

“Join Together”: Lots of crowd shots for this segment. Then…

“Pinball Wizard”: No way they’re getting out of there without playing this one. Into…

“Long Live Rock”: Ignoring the recent ad featuring Eric Clapton hawking a Fender-edition cell phone, the very existence of which conclusively proves that Rock is, in fact, dead, Pete and Roger will trot this one out to the great delight of the crowd. More crowd shots and then into the big scream and last verse of…

“Won’t Get Fooled Again,” during which Pete will attempt to slide across the stage a’la his performance in The Kids Are Alright, but will misjudge it and end up smashing his crotch into the camera, making it the second time in as many years that the halftime performance has tea-bagged the nation. Somewhere in Minnesota, a diminutive man in ass-less pants will once again lament his missed opportunity from ’07.

That’s the set list. I assume that Townsman Alexmagic and some of the others have been working out over/unders on windmills and mic twirls and such, and will release them as we get closer to the game.

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Setting the Parameters for an Objective Appraisal of The Smiths

 Posted by
Jan 192010
 

In a recent thread seeking consensus over a single song for a variety of polarizing bands, Townsman Oats dismissed one subthread as follows:

The Smiths are a band that will never, ever get an objective appraisal here, so I don’t even know why we’re talking about them.

Oats – and fellow Townspeople – I am curious to konw what the parameters might be for an objective appraisal of The Smiths. Can you help us identify these parameters so that we might be able to prove our friend Oats wrong? Might this key piece from our archives help us in our preparation for this challenging task? Thank you.

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Consult the Orockle: Can’t We All Just Agree On One Song by Any of a Handful of Polarizing Bands?

 Posted by
Jan 182010
 

The wisdom of The Hall continues to amaze me. For as many knowledgeable individuals who dazzle with their rock knowledge, it is the collective wisdom of our participants that I find most dazzling.

It is in this spirit that I want to allow for further amazement—not only for the people but by the people. I was going to try to turn this into my own original post, in an attempt to display my deluded sense of having a unique brand of insight and humor, but then I thought better of it. Instead, I’d like to pose this question to the collective wisdom of The Orockle: Can’t we all just agree on one song by any of a handful of polarizing bands?

For instance, Pink Floyd‘s “Wish You Were Here” just came on the radio, and I was reminded of all the times I’d been in the presence of Floyd haters like my wife, who get that faraway look in their eyes whenever that Floyd song comes on the radio. Like a few other friends I know, my wife doesn’t like Pink Floyd even a little, but she digs that song. Can’t we all just agree on that one?

As always, when any of us consult The Orockle, the opportunity exists for folks to ask similar questions and receive similar advice. The topic shouldn’t necessarily focus just on Pink Floyd. Please feel free to suggest the one song by another polarizing band that we all agree is worth listening to when it comes on the radio.

I look forward to your responses.

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