{"id":1096,"date":"2007-12-26T00:53:24","date_gmt":"2007-12-26T05:53:24","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2007-12-26T00:53:24","modified_gmt":"2007-12-26T00:53:24","slug":"rock-town-hall-reflections-up-from-the-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/rock-town-hall-reflections-up-from-the-b\/","title":{"rendered":"Rock Town Hall Reflections: Up From the Basement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe class='youtube-player youtuber' type='text\/html' width='425' height='355' src='http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B4Jp33ulMtQ?rel=0&amp;fs=1&amp;ap=%252526fmt%253D18' webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen frameborder='0'><\/iframe><br \/>\nIn the coming days we will take some time to reflect on the past year in Rock Town Hall. Expect nothing too <strong>self-congratulatory<\/strong>, but we&#8217;ll hit on a couple of highs, some surprises, and some fun flops. It shouldn&#8217;t surprise you if I try, once more, to get the last word in on a long-gone topic or revive a dead horse just long enough to give it its final beating. Or so I&#8217;d like to think. <strong>Chime in<\/strong> with your own unresolved issues. Chime in with your thoughts on where we&#8217;ve been and where we&#8217;re headed. Aside from the opportunity to pat us all on the back for a <strong>fun and insightful<\/strong> 2007, I&#8217;m hoping this also gives newer visitors to the Halls of Rock a chance to catch up on some things they may have missed. <\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re not familiar with our history, our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=welcome_to_rock_town_hall&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=welcome_to_rock_town_hall&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">introductory post<\/a> from January 12, 2007 is as good a place as any to get up to speed. As we moved from the &#8220;basement&#8221; of our original, private list to the harsh light of an open blog, a few new &#8220;handles&#8221; were assumed, a few treasured, regular participants dropped out, and a few feathers were ruffled. <em>Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!<\/em> Within a short time, however, most of the wrinkles smoothed out as rock nerds let their freak flags fly with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=trippin_experience_music_project_jimi_se&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=trippin_experience_music_project_jimi_se&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">thoughtful reports from rock road trips<\/a>, careful examinations of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=headbands_rock_s_most_doomed_fashion_tre&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=headbands_rock_s_most_doomed_fashion_tre&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">rock fashion trends<\/a>, and cutting-edge work in extending our rock vocabulary (eg, The Power and Glory of Rock, Psychic Oblivion, Rock Crimes, and clarity about the already-established term Rockism). <!--more--> We even conducted an ongoing discussion of a <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=working_definition_proctomusicology&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=working_definition_proctomusicology&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Working Definition<\/a><\/strong> of a term being considered for inclusion in the Rock Town Hall Glossary. To those of you who participated in the establishment of these new rock terms, <em>Mad Props<\/em>! Rock critics have been running on empty in terms of rock-crit jargon in these balkanized, post-indie-rock times. Take pride as you see our work disseminate into the literature.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class='youtube-player youtuber' type='text\/html' width='425' height='355' src='http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bPsaGPzCHkQ?rel=0&amp;fs=1&amp;ap=%252526fmt%253D18' webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen frameborder='0'><\/iframe><br \/>\n<strong>Townsman Hrrundivbakshi<\/strong>, a founding Rock Town Hall member from way back when, quickly adapted his distinctive voice to the blog, with everything from <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=rth_mad_lib_contest&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=rth_mad_lib_contest&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">fun<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=last_man_standing_fake_tv_bands&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=last_man_standing_fake_tv_bands&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">games<\/a> to searing, questioning pieces surrounding his personal <strong>Holy Trinity of Rock<\/strong> (eg, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=jeff_lynne_master_craftsman_or_just_a_to&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=jeff_lynne_master_craftsman_or_just_a_to&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Jeff Lynne<\/a>, Prince, and ZZ Top) as well as his <strong>demons<\/strong> (eg, hippies, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=hrrundi_v_bakshi_fals_in_love_with_bob_d&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=hrrundi_v_bakshi_fals_in_love_with_bob_d&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Bob Dylan<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=michael_stipe_is_he_an_irritating_dickhe&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=michael_stipe_is_he_an_irritating_dickhe&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Michael Stipe<\/a>). HVB&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=thrifty_music_vol_4_nashville&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=thrifty_music_vol_4_nashville&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Thrifty Music<\/a><\/strong> series is another feature worth seeking out and exploring. Here&#8217;s to more god-forsaken, scratchy used records in 2008!<\/p>\n<p>Every now and then we pooled forces and dedicated entire days in the Hall to a special theme. The <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=letters_from_the_kiss_army&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=letters_from_the_kiss_army&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">KISS Army Reunion<\/a><\/strong> was one of the first such focused moments. The <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=hear_factor_commences&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=hear_factor_commences&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Hear Factor<\/a><\/strong> initiative was a series that stretched out over the course of a week, in which Townspeople blindly traded unmarked, anonymous mix CDs and then, along with those of us who downloaded the mixes, share their thoughts. It&#8217;s important to get out of our comfort zones now and then! Our 2007 <strong>GRAMMYS Bash<\/strong> was another early moment in which the blog came together. That night, it wasn&#8217;t so much the Main Stage pieces themselves that made the event special but the live <strong>Comments<\/strong> from Townspeople. I&#8217;ll reflect further on the Power and Glory of RTH Comments later this week!<\/p>\n<p>Before I sign off on this first year-end reflection, may I direct your attention to Rock Town Hall&#8217;s cofounding father, <strong>E. Pluribus Gergely<\/strong>, and the designer of this site, <strong>The Back Office<\/strong>. The former, the curmudgeonly, truth-telling EPG, will always be my most-anticipated sparring partner. Although we agree on much when it comes to what really matters about rock &#8216;n roll and life, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=the_grateful_band_music_with_a_big_stink&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=the_grateful_band_music_with_a_big_stink&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">the stuff we disagree on<\/a> provides ample opportunities for sharing, learning, healing, and general outbreaks of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=mandom&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=mandom&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">Mandom<\/a><\/strong>. The latter, including all those toiling away in The Back Office, has given Rock Town Hall its distinctive Look and helped culture its sense of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=gut_feeling_my_evolution_as_a_devo_tee_o&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=gut_feeling_my_evolution_as_a_devo_tee_o&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">adventure<\/a> and, I hope, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=bowie_aamp_balls_if_he_can_t_them_no_one&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\" title=\"http:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/index.php?title=bowie_aamp_balls_if_he_can_t_them_no_one&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1\">openness<\/a>. If you&#8217;re gonna come up from the basement, it really helps to have someone to open the shades and freshen up the living room now and then.<\/p>\n<p>If anyone&#8217;s watching what goes on around here, so be it. We&#8217;ve all seen enough of some overexposed rock commentators over the years. Move over Thurston Moore!<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Coming soon:<\/strong> Townspeople Speak, Special Guests, New Voices!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the coming days we will take some time to reflect on the past year in Rock Town Hall. Expect nothing too self-congratulatory, but we&#8217;ll hit on a couple of highs, some surprises, and some fun flops. It shouldn&#8217;t surprise you if I try, once more, to get the last word in on a long-gone <a href='https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/rock-town-hall-reflections-up-from-the-b\/' class='excerpt-more'>[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[342],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1096"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1096\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rocktownhall.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}