Coming Soon: Richard Lloyd Interview!

 Posted by
May 072007
 


Hey, hey, hey! Tomorrow morning I am scheduled to conduct an interview for Rock Town Hall with Richard Lloyd, guitar legend from Television… Solo artist… One of two men who most made listening to Matthew Sweet albums essential… Producer and fill-in for Peter Laughner in the reunited Rocket from the Tombs… I’m psyched. I’ve stood at the feet of this man and wept at his solos. Maybe you have too. At this moment, however, I stand at your virtual feet and ask for your input. Send me your killer question for Richard Lloyd, and maybe I’ll be able to use it! Come on, rock nerds! I thank you in advance.

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Inland Empire: Lynch Takes Communion

 Posted by
May 062007
 


Tonight at The Royal in Toronto, I saw the new David Lynch film, Inland Empire. Clocking in at over 3 hours and shot on mostly grainy video, I was attracted to a review in a local weekly that called the movie Lynch’s most inscrutable film since Eraserhead. I’ve seen that film a baker’s dozen times, and I love it without need for scrutiny; it is what it is! Seeing this new flick in this strange, delightful city seemed like a good idea, and man it was a little more than I could have hoped for.
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“Wildfire” Makes Townswoman Run Calling “Huh?”

 Posted by
May 052007
 

Townswoman Crystal files the following report:

I was compelled to write about this truly awful song, Michael Martin Murphey’s “Wildfire”. I had never heard “Wildfire” until I happened to be listening to a segment on NPR about this. I must have been like 2 when this came out, and my mother had the good sense to shelter me from it. Was this really a hit in the ’70s? Was it because everyone was on drugs? This is like the “Old Yeller” of songs except that it’s not good at all. I kept thinking, Out of all of the songs in the world, NPR had to profile this one because of its “mystery?”

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Last Man Standing: Fake TV “Bands”

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May 032007
 

When I was younger, the family and I used to play a drive-time game called, rather boringly, “Categories.” Somebody would simply shout out a category of something from the back seat, and each member of the family would take turns listing items — one at a time — from that category, until some poor schmo couldn’t think of any more and had to ignominiously admit defeat. The game would continue until there was one person left, who had to end the game with a triumphant final category item after everybody else caved, and he or she was gloriously celebrated as the “Master” of that category.

Here at RTH, we play a more freeform version of the game, and have ascribed a more Mandom-infused name to it as well: “Last Man Standing.” The rules are essentially the same, though those who moderate acknowledge it’s impossible to proclaim a “winner.” It may in fact be the least insightful activity RTHers pursue — it’s silly, pointless, a gigantic waste of time, leads to no greater understanding of any concept, and contributes nothing to any form of “healing” whatsoever. It’s our greatest achievement!

So it is that I offer the first edition of Last Man Standing here at RTH’s new home, in the hopes that it may amuse, and nothing more.

Today’s category is:

Fake TV “Bands” (ie, bands or artists that did not exist outside the boundaries of a TV script or animator’s cel.)

I’ll start with Johnny Bravo, as played by Greg Brady. I’ll throw a couple more in for good measure, to make the concept clear: Josie and the Pussycats and Spock when he jams the Vulcan blues on his Intergalactic lyre.

I look forward to your responses.

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Carsick

 Posted by
May 032007
 

My Hear Factor disc came with this title; not sure about that title, there’s nothing here that causes me any queaziness Here are my intial thoughts after spending a morning with it (screw my clients!):

Fuzzhead – Radio Telescope – not an auspicious way to begin the disc; I like it enough but I wouldn’t want a CD-worth of this sort of ambient/electronica.

Art Brut – My Little Brother – Pink Flag for the 21st century?

Sun Ra – Tiny Pyramids – man, I just don’t know why Ra isn’t spoken of in the same terms as the rest of the jazz giants! This sounds like early (1950s?) Ra when he was very “traditional” sounding. The 2 CD The Singles set is a great place for anyone to start who wants to get into Sun Ra. A leisurely stroll from straight jazz to the more cosmic Ra.

The Original Sins – Shopping Trip To Mercury – too good to take in on a few listens, gotta give this more time.

Buried Beds – Ten Things – never heard of this band before. The vocalist sounds like a good candidate for the vocalist that Richard Thompson has been missing since he split with Linda.

Bobby Bare Jr. – Valentine – do rock & roll bands make rock & roll music like this anymore? This is a more direct descendant of the music that country birthed than most anything you hear these days; daddy must be proud. I think the lyrics seem a little contrived but all is forgiven.

Lotte Lenya – Alabama Song – I don’t listen to German music hall stuff enough…

Old 97’s – Victoria – I’ve tried to get into Old 97’s but haven’t made it. They are a good, solid second-level band and I don’t have time for that. And no one should write a song titled “Victoria” anymore.

Sally Timms – Drunk By Noon – If I didn’t know who provided this disc, I’d now know who provided this disc. Bobby Bare Jr., Mekons – Geo’s touchstones are all over it. I feel like I should like Sally Timms’ voice more than I do. It’s just not distinctive enough. She ought to listen to more Lotte Lenya.
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