| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 451 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thought I'd turn this one on its head, and have a bit of fun. Albums I hope to avoid like the plague are: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (the title gives the game away. Q magazine gave it a 5 star review so that alone tells you its pants. Uncut, worryingly also gave it a 5.) Keane - Under The Iron Sea (I dont really have to say anything do I?) Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome ( I suspect I may be flying solo here. Never rated The Boss, straight from the time a fellow punk rock loving workmate lent me Born To Run in 1979. The term "worthy" alway comes to mind when I hear his music. Thankfully I have the feeling this opus wont be too hard to avoid, unlike the 2 albums above) Scott Walker - The Drift (being "difficult" just for the hell of it doesnt make great art) | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 138 Registered: 07-2005 |
No Keane, never really got into the RHCP's, quite like the Bruce,( actually going to see him on sunday) but can't help feeling it's a bit like a cleaned up earnest Pogues.Never been a Seeger fan too "folk " for me. No Flaming Lips ( this may be a mistake-liked Yoshimi, but don't play it much) really waiting for Ian and Sylvia to arrive and the new Neil Young | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 412 Registered: 03-2005 |
Kevin, we are on the same page on Springsteen. When my brother visited me recently I had occasion to hear "Devils and Dust" as he bought it during our visit. It was my first listen to "The Boss" (god, spare me from these gimmicky pop nicknames) in many years. In his defense I will acknowledge that he was no longer in perpetual coda mode. I thought the lyrics were better than average if not soul-stirring. But his pretentious phony accent and mumbling delivery made it absolutely necessary to read them. He sounded like a Hollywood actor. I say sing with your own accent. I found it disturbing that I could easily and quickly pick out the chords to every song while hearing them for the first time. What he attempts Mark Lanegan accomplishes. We shall see if you are right about the new Scott Walker. He CAN be difficult, can't he? I tend to view his music as music for the decades. It takes a long time to arrive. And at least he's the polar opposite of Springsteen. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 100 Registered: 01-2005 |
I saw Bruce once in early 1979 when we was touring behind "Darkness On The Edge of Town". He was great in concert, but I never saw him again. Come to find out, a lot of Bruceophiles consider the Darkness tour to be his best, so I don't feel I am missing anything by not seeing him again. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 449 Registered: 03-2006 |
Ah, youse guys...I'm probably wasting my breath, or keystrokes, but I mus' stand up for de Boss... I had my doubts about the new Springsteen, cuz I really never rated Pete Seeger, thought him too wimpy, sappy, earnest and self-important - his kindly mien suggesting nothing so much as an aging pedophile...but, the proof was really in the pudding, because "We Shall Overcome" is an outstanding record. The ridiculously rich songs (most of them not written, but rather, popularized by Seeger) have so much relevance to the world today, and Springsteen's takes on them are superb. I have no idea if horn sections were included in the original versions, but I love the Dixieland vibe they lend to the proceedings... Btw, the disc gets very high marks in your beloved Metacritic, Kevin...it's waaay up there. Have you heard "Nebraska", by the way? If ever an album seemed right up the Kevinator's alley... Jerry, you are in for a real treat. Color me envious - the Springsteen show in L.A. is already sold out. So, unless I'm able to sneak into the venue, I'm going to be reduced to just hearing about it from you! Apparently, Bruce really "tore the roof off the dump" at the Jazz Fest - reports from the media and friends that were there indicate that it was incredible. I guess the denizens of that poor wrecked city were in the mood to get the message of that batch of songs... One highlight apparently was a retrofitted version of "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" (there was a great rocked-up version of it by the Del-Lords a few years ago), with added, N.O.-centric lyrics about "bodies floating on Canal"...here's a great article about it: http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/01/jazz.fest.ap/index.html And Randy, perhaps not so shockingly, I thought "Devils and Dust" was brilliant. I forgive the Boss his drawling ways, he truly has some stories to tell, stories that contain very useful and vital information about "the world we live in today"...I think it's a legitimate dramatic device and, also, he's merely emulating idols like Woody Guthrie...to me, it has nothing to do with how felt or (forgive me) real his material is...It reminds me of a letter to No Depression magazine a coupla years ago: somebody was complaining that Gillian Welch had no right to sing Appalachian sounding music since she was from the (So. Cal.) Valley...it, somehow, made her less than authentic...Authenticity has nothing to do with geography. And, it's not fair to subject the Boss to the "how easy he is to play on guitar" test...many great artists wouldn't pass such a test...Frinstance, the GBs... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 452 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hardin, I think your post has made me realise the reason we sometimes disagree about certain types of music, although overall we are normally walking down the same road. Correct me if I am wrong, but do you place as much, if not more emphasis on the lyrics(and therefore the storytelling you often talk about) than you do the tune? I find I always place the tune above all, the lyrics if they are good are more of a bonus for me. I am maybe wildly off the mark, but I though I would pitch it anyway. I actually forgot about Nebraska - you know me too well  | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 456 Registered: 05-2005 |
Accoding to the NME website the Killers are recording the self proclaimed "greatest album of the last 20 years" I wouldnt bet on it mate !! Another one to avoid if its anything like the indie by numbers of the last pile of poo | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 453 Registered: 03-2006 |
Kev, you're not off the mark...I place as much value on lyrics as music, honestly. Though ideally, it's a perfect marriage between the two. When it's done really well, the whole truly is more than the sum of the parts...But no, I wouldn't waste time on an artist whose songs had substandard, or dopey lyrics. What would be the point? It would be a bit of a misnomer, though, to cast Bruce as being weak musically, even if you don't care for his music. He does all kinds of stuff, some of it complex, some of it ultra-simple folk-based, strummy stuff. Supposedly he even has tons of different genre stuff like rap and reggae music (?) in the can. Speaking to the complex stuff, I read in an article that REM were sweating bullets trying to keep up with all the chord changes in Born to Run when they played it at a benefit. I think you might care more about lyrics than you think though, Kevin. Most, if not all, of the bands you claim as faves have extraordinary lyric-writing at work in their tunes: the Fall, Joy Division and Wire, etc. Not to mention the boys from Bribane. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 415 Registered: 03-2005 |
Hardin, at least with the Go Bees I have to figure out where to put the capo. Actually Robert is clearly a great fan of oddball chords. He frequently takes work to figure out. Of course you don't have write difficult or complex music to be good. But if the music is going to be super obvious and easy and the focus is going to be on the lyrics instead, pronounce them so I can understand them, okay? You and I have had a discussion about the lyrics vs. music thing. I tilt toward the music end of the issue because there are just too many really great records that have lyrics that aren't very important to the success of the record. I should also disclose that I have a weird thing about printing lyrics. In my opinion, printing lyrics kills them dead. So many times a truly great-sounding lyric is stripped of all of its power and magic by being put down on paper. The art of lyrics involves the sound and rhythm of the lyric inside the music every bit as much as what it says and if you take away the sound and rhythm you strip away half the formula. So, if you are an artist for whom the lyrics are a great focus of attention, make it possible to understand them without killing them by reading them. And, yes, I acknowledge this is a strange little idea of my own. I don't happen to believe that you have to be born some particular place to do some particular type of music. You and I both agree about the greatness of Paul Kelly's Appalachian-styled music. BUT, and this is a big but, be honest about it. If you come from Asbury Park, New Jersey, sing like you come from Asbury Park, New Jersey. If I'm not mistaken I think you yourself expressed an appreciation for Paul Kelly's Aussie accent on his country music. I apologize if that was someone else. But see how it works? Nothing beats honesty. Maybe I'm particularly touchy about this because I live in (West) Hollywood. Fakery really grates. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 140 Registered: 07-2005 |
This is Naive to say this but I'll say it any way.I alway felt, like Nick Hornby, about Springsteen.That is people either loved him or people didn't.But the people who didn't like him failed to see the world as you did (or liked naff music). I know it may be different in the states but in the UK the people I met who loved springsteen weren't the usual stadium rockers,but were people who loved the alternative road. Having been on this message board my view has changed, but still if I meet someone who loves springsteen I still feel ther on the same wave length. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 456 Registered: 03-2006 |
Randy, touche' about the fakery (I think it applies to Orange County as well - I've never seen so many boob jobs and face lifts in my life), but I'm not sure it's really the word that applies, not to split hairs, not to "train-spot"...Fakery implies some willful intent to deceive and, it would seem, some higher status that's being sought. I think the Boss' origins are pretty humble and are out there for all to see...btw, I don't think his classic stuff (Born to Run, et al) is sung in a Jersey accent (at least my idea of one), either, and I, for one, am glad of that. Also, at least for me, "accent integrity" doesn't really have any bearing on how honest or cool or real something is, and I bet I can think of examples of music you love or admire that don't have "ai" - one that comes readily to mind is (even Andrew Loog era) Stones...Jagger weren't no black bluesman, much as he might've liked to pretend to himself he was. Now, clearly enunciating lyrics, if the thrust of said music depends on lyrics, so you don't have to read the lyric sheet? You have a point there. And, strangely, I do know exactly what you mean about them losing their..."mojo", if you will, once you actually read them on the page...It just didn't hinder me personally in any way with D&D. Ahh, but let me desist...if the Boss isn't for you, and he isn't for everybody, no amount of my kvetching will change your opinion. You can't browbeat people into liking music that they're convinced holds no appeal - it's like, I dunno, arguing somebody into liking vanilla ice cream...and, I'm okay wit dat. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 346 Registered: 10-2004 |
hmm, i've never really been able to get into springsteen. except for a few songs, most of his stuff just doesn't do anything for me. like tan linoleum. either his stuff sounds a bit overblown to me, or just kind of boring. maybe the stadium rock aspect is part of it, i don't know. maybe not. his music always seemed to me something to admire, due to his integrity and sincere approach to making music, but not something i could really sit down and enjoy. he really does have a few songs that i like, though. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 457 Registered: 03-2006 |
chacun a son gout | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 459 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jeff, "like tan linoleum". Thats one of the funniest things I've heard in ages, and I will always remember that when I hear Springsteen from now on. I will then no doubt burst out laughing and people will think I am crazy! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 361 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kevin, Hardin, I love good lyrics but I generally like the music first and then notice the lyrics. I don't think a song with dull music is saved by good lyrics, but I do think that songs with great rhythm/melody are not ruined by rubbish lyrics. In fact some songs are positively enhanced by meaningless twaddle lyrics. Eg The Cult's awesome Li'l Devil begins with this beauty: “Living in a shack in a one horse town, Trying to get to Heaven before the sun goes down, Lizard in a bottle, yeah." Now could that song have been better with some clever, anti-war (or whatever) lyrics? I don't think so. BTW, I know I'm in for a critical savaging from some quarters for even mentioning The Cult in a positive light. Fire at will boys. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 347 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hey Padraig, I actually quite like the Cult's album 'Love.' And I love their single-only song 'Resurrection Joe,' a great, anthemic goth song that predates 'Love.' Sure, they were silly as hell, and not in an intentional way, but I remember them getting loads of college radio play back in the mid 80s, and a lot of people I knew were into them. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 458 Registered: 03-2006 |
Padraig, there are so many jokes about the Cult that suggest themselves, my brain short circuits, so I'll abstain. I've honestly never listened to them long enough to make an assessment about their boringness or worthiness...That's an actual lyric? You might have a case there, dude. There's something almost pure about that level of idiocy and silliness..."Lizard in a bottle, yeah"? that does make me laugh out loud...I think it's the "yeah" that cinches it, that makes it. There is a noble tradition of great rock songs with dumb, or meaningless lyrics, reaching at least back to "Be Bop A Lula"...though you could probaby argue that, in the context, they are great lyrics. Ideally, as I said, it is a marriage: words and music work in tandem. I wouldn't adopt such an extreme position - that great lyrics can rescue dull music (and I certainly don't agree that Springsteen's music is dull, for the most part. It isn't, to me...he has his clunkers, but no more, proportionally, than say, the Go Bees), but they can go a long way: to wit, "I Trawl the Megahertz"...I know we both would agree that ole Paddy is a genius lyrics writer and that "Megahertz" is a bonafide masta-piece. Is the music boring per se? Not to me, but I think many would say so, and it certainly is repetitive - I think what makes that record, particularly the title centerpiece, take off is the words... I do, despite the primacy of lyrics for me, listen to music the same way you do - more or less holistically - but, I guess, for music to mean something long term for me, the lyrics have to eventually assert themselves... | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 28 Registered: 08-2005 |
I saw the Cult live in the mid/late-80s at the Bristol Studio (at the time of She Sells Sanctuary), and though not a huge fan they were absolutely awesome - the best sounding three piece (guitar, bass, drums) I've ever heard backing a singer at the top of his game. The lyrics may have been total tosh, but as a band they certainly rocked. | ||
| Andy Robinson Member Username: Andyblue Post Number: 39 Registered: 03-2005 |
Not yet listening to The Winnebago Orchestra 'cos it ain't out yet - May 29 according to AmazonUK. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 445 Registered: 03-2005 |
Filing away discs that I've purchased over the past few months I find Calexico's "Garden Ruin." "Letter to a Bowie Knife" is nice but the rest is strictly vin ordinaire. It is unlikely to get much of a listen again. Considering what a sterling job Joey Burns has done with Neko Case and Nancy Sinatra I really did not expect this. Maybe he should just be a producer and arranger for female artists. And, yes, I'm afraid that "Drift" will probably seldom get a listen. It would be nice if Scott Walker would just do some songs again. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 66 Registered: 04-2006 |
randy, i didn't felt in love with the new calexico too. i like them live, but on vinyl/disc there is always something boring in it. drift still waits for a second listening, but i think this will last. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 882 Registered: 05-2005 |
Elton John - The Captain and The Kid. (He was crap in his 70s heyday, he's even worse now) Scissor Sisters - Ta Dah (can there be anything worse than a Bee Gees tribute band) The Killers - Sams Town (the emperors new clothes) | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 663 Registered: 04-2005 |
Trying to build up a big lead over Hardin in the post count competition, Kev? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 884 Registered: 05-2005 |
Its called beingextremelyboredatworkonnightshifitis Kurt | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 665 Registered: 04-2005 |
I know what you mean--if I worked at night, I'd have at least 1,000 posts by now! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 245 Registered: 01-2005 |
I agree with Kevin on Elton, but I would say everything after 1971's Tumbleweed Connection. My younger sister used to play the crap out of Elton circa 1974-75. When she used to play it too loud on her little stereo, I would promptly put on Trower's Bridge of Sighs on my 100 watts a channel Pioneer SX-1010 and crank it up to about 7 at which point objects began to fall off her dresser. My bedroom was in the basement directly below hers at my parents house. I still have the same BIC Formula 6 speakers, and they will be 32 years old this December! | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 672 Registered: 04-2005 |
I'll be honest--I think Elton is too easy of a target. He's so ridiculous and phony that he almost comes back around to being good. I wouldn't buy it, but I'm curious to hear his new "throwback to his '70s heyday" album. I mean, that stuff was all ersatz in the first place, so going back to that sound now isn't a great crime. Or is it compounding the crime? (In other words, yes, I was an Elton fan in the early '70s and will always have a soft spot in my heart for that stuff. I find listening to him now far less embarrassing than, say, Peter Frampton, who in the States at least, took over from Elton as the big pop-rock crossover superstar.) To get back to topic at hand, I'm currently enjoying NOT listening to the new Justin Timberlake album. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 255 Registered: 07-2005 |
Razorlight or any of those new bands | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 259 Registered: 07-2005 |
Anything decent as on the overnight shift at our out of hours doctors service.6 patients so far 1 admission to hospital. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 611 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ah, Michael! The sounds leaking in from the wall between my bedroom and my younger sister's bedroom . . . . She listened to "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," Supertramp's "Crime of the Century" or whatever it was if I've got that wrong, and Black Sabbath "III." I, of course, hated all three. I drowned it out with the first Velvet Underground album or David Bowie's "London Years 1966-67" or whatever its title was. Sorry for the imprecision but it was a damn long time ago. I agree nothing of Elton John's is worth hearing after "Tumbleweed Connection" and I'll bet "Tumbleweed Connection" isn't worth hearing either. The chief good thing about "Tumbleweed" is that it almost certainly inspired the Hollies' "Distant Light" and "Distant Light" is 3/4 of a very good album. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 891 Registered: 05-2005 |
I definately do not fancy listening to this. Looks like the boy wonder has lost it big style http://www.nme.com/news/ryan-adams/24508 | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 613 Registered: 03-2005 |
I guess I should be grateful that all I got were endless boring guitar workouts at his show with Willie Nelson. His attempts at rap would have had me looking for the restroom. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 410 Registered: 10-2004 |
I am not listening to Ryan Adams. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 13 Registered: 08-2006 |
I am not listening to the new Beck. Am I wrong here? I haven't heard it, so it's not a judgement on the CD, but after Mutations (I like parts of "Midnight Vultures") he sort of faded off into the either for me. I can't explain it. I hear songs I like, but I feel no pull to go out and buy a whole Beck record. Why is that? His sound hasn't changed that much. The guy who made "Guero" is recognizable as the same guy who made "Mellow Gold." So what's up? Thoughts? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1005 Registered: 05-2005 |
I am not listening to the three Chills albums I ordered a week ago from SmokeCDs in New Zealand. I got an email from them yesterday saying they had just despatched them. Oh well, guess that'll be another week or so before I get them! Rob, if you like Beck at all I would go for the new record. Its much more funky and is more beats dominated than Mutations or Sea Changes | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 16 Registered: 08-2006 |
Thanks, Kevin. Maybe I'll check it out. It's been a while since I bought a Beck CD. Maybe it's time. Congrats on the Chills purchases, by the way. You can't go wrong there. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 748 Registered: 04-2005 |
Kevin has me almost sold on picking up the new Beck album. I thought "Guero" was pretty good, but generally I've been a little disappointed by him since "Odelay." The new one sounds a bit more adventurous. I read a recent piece on Beck in Wired magazine and I like his ideas about making his music more accessible and interactive to fans. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 77 Registered: 05-2005 |
Will make a point of NOT listening to the new album of 'Elizabethan pop' by Sting. "For me, they're pop songs, written in 1603 or whatever and I relate to them in that way", quoth the bard in an article in today's Sydney Morning Herald. Features him playing a custom made lute, apparently. This man is beyond parody. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 720 Registered: 05-2005 |
I had the gross misfortune to hear some of that awfulness on ABC's NewsRadio this morning Mark. Not even my beloved NewsRadio is a safe haven from this crap anymore. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 78 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for the warning Pádraig. Newsradio tend to reply items throughout the day. So will have to make sure I go nowhere near 630 on the AM band on the way home today. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 187 Registered: 11-2004 |
I haven't heard Ryan Adams, so I am not listening to him. ...is he worth listening to - like, seriously? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 722 Registered: 05-2005 |
His first solo album, Heartbreaker, is great Donat. Cold Roses, a double CD from last year, is also great. There has been a lot of not so good stuff from him; and some downright awful stuff. He can be a mixed bag live too. He wasn't great when I saw him in Dublin, but bordering brilliant in Austin. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 189 Registered: 11-2004 |
I'm going to take your advice and snap it up, Pádraig - the first album, that is. I've heard to much about him, yet never really bothered to take a closer look. I think I'm ready! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 729 Registered: 05-2005 |
Does Brisbane have those $10 CD shops we have in Sydney and Melbourne? If so, they regularly have Cold Roses and other recent Ryan Adams albums for $10. Not Heartbreaker though. You will probably have to pay top dollar for that. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 730 Registered: 05-2005 |
You might find a second hand copy of Heartbreaker in Rockinghorse maybe. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1023 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yawn!! Dont these people have enough money? http://www.nme.com/news/beatles/24757 | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 190 Registered: 11-2004 |
Nope, but each time I'm in Sydney I tend to empty my wallet and buy up big in those $10 stores. They have such a strange assortment of CDs that you rarely see normally. I'll have to have a look next time I am in Rocking Horse, though. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 191 Registered: 11-2004 |
The "new" Beatles album sounds like a joke. Why don't Paul and Ringo make a drum 'n' bass album as the Beatles? Might be a little more amusing. Love the Beatles, but... ...prefer The Kinks. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 732 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw that story earlier Kevin. I can't figure out from it though what exactly the music is. Is is unreleased outtakes or is it some kind of Stars on 45/Jive Bunny mix tape type thing? Could be interesting it it's the former; WTF if the latter. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 192 Registered: 11-2004 |
The NME story didn't give much away, now did it? |