Mystery Date Revealed: Field Music

 Posted by
Nov 142007
 

I stumbled onto this band thru someone’s “Sounds Like XTC” list on eMusic, which you can definitely hear on the song in the video above. It was, though, the Yes like stuff that took me by surprise. And we’re not the only ones who hear it. A Google on “field music yes” yielded this.

Here’s another XTC-ish tune that isn’t quite as obvious.

These are a trio of lads (2 sibs) from Northern England, not quite Scottish, mrclean, but closer there than London, I think. [Ooh, a Main Stage Pince Nez! – Mod] This is their second release and it is well beyond their first, both of which are on eMusic.
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DVD Review: My Weekend With Tom

 Posted by
Nov 142007
 

Townswoman Citizen Mom sends us the following review of the new Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers collection, Running Down a Dream.

The booklet included in the four-disc DVD set of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down a Dream, calls them “America’s truest rock band,” and after some consideration and more than seven hours of watching and listening last weekend, I am not inclined to disagree.

Though it’s worth noting that, whether ironically or accidentally on purpose, the very best moment in the whole package comes near the very end of Peter Bogdanovich‘s superb documentary, as the band winds down a one-off, one-take version of Hank Williams’ “Lost Highway”.

“Isn’t that a great fuckin’ song? It’s just a great fuckin’ song!” Petty exclaims, giddy like he’s just hearing it for the first time. If you plow through the entire four-hour movie, plus the two-hour 30th anniversary concert DVD, plus the hour-or-so long bonus soundtrack cd, you’re pretty much guaranteed a handful of those moments. Go back and listen to “Here Comes My Girl” or “The Waiting”, and thank the Rock Gods for rhythm guitar and men who fall in love.
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Modern Masterpieces Showdown: The Libertines vs Richard Lloyd

 Posted by
Nov 132007
 


A great deal of fanfare accompanied the brief life of The Libertines. You remember them, right? They were the Greatest Band of the Week a few years back. Right about that time, their leader, that Pete Doherty guy, became better known for poking his arm with needles and poking a fellow junkie supermodel. Great stuff! Probably the greatest band since The Clash, wouldn’t you agree?

Now The Libertines’ legacy is represented by an honest-to-goodness Best of… collection, entitled Time for Heroes: The Best of The Libertines. It’s due for release on December 4, but eMusic subscribers can download an advance copy now. (Remember, if you haven’t tried eMusic yet, you can sample it through the link on the right column of RTH!) The collection culls 13 tracks from their two releases. Talk about some tough decisions…and who even knew they put out a second album?!?! In case you were on vacation during their week in the spotlight, here’s a sampling of what you missed.

The Libertines, “Time for Heroes”
The Libertines, “Don’t Look Back Into the Sun”
The Libertines, “I Get Along”

Whaddaya think? Each song better than the previous one, eh? Each song at least as good as anything The Clash ever did! Don’t miss this band, kids. Get this album before Doherty’s newer band, Babyshambles, does anything that might make you sit up and take notice!

Next: Friend of RTH Richard Lloyd has delivered the greatest album since Electric Ladyland! Continue reading »

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Two Hits…Two Eras…Essentially One Artist…Almost Nothing in Common!

 Posted by
Nov 122007
 

Manfred Mann led bands in two eras and experienced the thrill of a big hit song in each era. His early big hit was this one.

I hear you rustling through your dog-eared copies of the Billboard Top 40 book, nerdboys: a few smaller ’60s hits, including his cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Mighty Quinn”, should also be considered from this era. I’m not calling the guy a 1-hit wonder through the ’60s.

Then the ’60s ended, and Manfred Mann fell out of most rock music circles until he came back with his Earth Band and this cover of an album cut by a “new Dylan”:

Has any other artist had two hits from two different eras that had so little in common?

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Lou Reed…As His Music Was Meant to Sound!

 Posted by
Nov 122007
 


Hearing Lou’s music as it was meant to sound requires a little work in today’s clip. The interviewer asks questions in English and French; Lou seems to understand whatever’s thrown his way and answer back in English. French subtitles will aid our French-speaking readers. First, Lou discusses the universality of New York humor and love. Then, as the YouTube clock runs down to the 4:05 mark, a discussion of the album Magic & Loss ensues. A minute later, after the interviewer bemoans the public’s dismissal of this masterpiece and encourages viewers to revisit the album, our always forward-thinking hero says, “Now they should hear the new one, then they should go back and listen to Magic & Loss.”

To those of you who have questioned the point of this Rock Town Hall series, I hope this answers some of your questions. Believe Lou: hear his music as it was meant to sound and see if it doesn’t enrich your experience of hearing earlier releases as well.

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