Been Dizzy
Feb 042011
Jan 292011
This morning, a friend of mine posted this video:
Honestly, I really didn’t know what to say. Or to think. I did some research and found this:
I had originally thought of posting this as one of those “if you can’t say something nice” posts that periodically appear on RTH. But then in my research, I came across some surprising information. Take note: Continue reading »
Jan 222011
At first I thought the two guys who are quickly cut to a few times in this old Liz Phair video were supposed to be her backing musicians. Maybe that’s the case, but the more I watched this I couldn’t tell if they were pretending to play instruments or not. One guy looks like he’s beating on something, but I don’t see any sticks in his hand. And why are the dudes in a dark room while Liz prances about some safari adventure at Disneyworld?
Jan 082011
Mom!
In tonight’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In, Mr. Moderator will try to make sense of the two Peter Gabriel—era Genesis albums that he owns, Foxtrot and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, telling the tale of his first experience with “Supper’s Ready” and long nights spent flying on the wings of Pegasus. Won’t you join him on this journey? Sadly, our phone system is still down following last week’s chat with former Apple Electronics head and Magic Alex, so Mr. Moderator will not be able to take your calls. Your comments through this journey of discovery and understanding are welcome.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-10.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 10][Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download each week’s podcast.]
Jan 072011
See if you can’t invest 9 minutes and 39 seconds in this clip of “classic”-era Genesis and explain to me what motivated Peter Gabriel? I mean, what is at the heart of the music he made with Genesis? What was he trying to communicate? He put a lot of energy into whatever it was he wanted to get across, but his message or general worldview fails to reach me. Did he do a better job of communicating whatever he wanted to communicate on his solo records? He’s sold millions of records worldwide as both a band leader and solo artist, so surely one of you has gotten what he’s going on about. Please explain. Thank you.
Dec 122010
So, I’ve never been the hugest Ramones fan. I found their brand of 3-chord rock to be kind of timid. Well, I picked up their greatest hits CD at a flea market Saturday, thinking “OK, now I’ll have a chance to hear their best, hand-picked by folks who know much better than me.”
Well, I’m hear to report that after the first 3 songs that covered most of their biggies, ie, “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Judy’s a Punk,” “Beat on the Brat,” the CD–with another 20 songs and bonus–simply sounded like it was on skip. EVERY song was EXACTLY the same–wow, they go G to A to E. Then G to E to A. Or, wow, the more adventurous E to A to F. All played with the SAME lackluster drum sound, the same doo-woopy vocal hooks, and the same guitar wash. It really started to give me a headache. I was almost embarrassed for them.
I know people say that the Ramones are the god fathers of punk–and that the Pistols would be nothing without them–but damnit, the Pistols, the Undertones and every Minor Threat wannabe band has done more with the formula than these so-called pioneers.
So, are they the most overrated band in the history of music? Can’t believe they played at the same time as Television, Richard Hell, etc… and never picked up on the spikey, loudness of it all.
Anyone want a free Best of Ramones CD?
Dec 092010
Please explain Weezer‘s Pinkerton album, which seemed, magically, to have been released with misunderstood, unappreciated masterpiece status on arrival. Continue reading »
