OT: New Music?

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:02 pm

There is absolutely nothing wrong - let alone criminal! - about liking popular or radio-friendly music, just as there is nothing wrong with liking the opposite. I happen to enjoy and listen to an extremely broad range of things, from million sellers to those that may sell hundreds, and have gladly paid to see such unheralded "coffee house" artists like the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Metallica (among many others). I've also seen shows where the crowd was barely past the single digits, and taken pleasure from both extremes.

I'm glad people enjoy music in all its many forms, and only question or cry foul when I see something lauded when there are more deserving people who have done or are currently doing the same thing. For every Kanye selling millions there is Subtle moving thousands; for every Hold Steady getting critical acclaim and airplay there is a Sloan deserving more of both.

I'm not trying to piss on anyone's parade, and apologize if I came across too harshly.

Enjoy the Corrs (and The Hold Steady). Just accept I'll be cringing in the corner, the same way you would be if you heard me talking about oval track racing.

We're all good, right?

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:52 pm

Since EZSnappin just mentioned Sloan, now's as good a time as any to pimp their latest album "Never Hear the End of It".

It's a delicious piece of pure pop with 30 short songs (many under two minutes) that flow together like "Get Happy!" or the second side of "Abbey Road". OK, it's not _that_ good but what is?

I still like to listen to the music the cool kids listen to. P2P makes it easier than ever to have expansive ears. I'd rather see an up and coming band in a club than any arena or stadium act. And it's still fun to play something in the car that is totally offensive to my kids. But the older I get, the more I appreciate the craftsmanship of great power pop. Yeah, it's derivative but if you're going to rip someone off, the Beatles and Beach Boys are a good place to start.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:38 pm

Speaking of Power Pop, I recommend people check out the blog http://powerpoplovers.blogspot.com/. They post out-of-print and obscure power pop I (mostly) never heard. They've got a few Del-Lords albums up, which were one of those bands that should have been big but never made it.

That Sloan album is great, like so many other Sloan albums. British critic Marcello Carin recently described it thusly:

"Imagine if the Beatles had recorded the 'White Album' directly after 'Rubber Soul', before the laughter stopped and the cynicism commenced, with all four having their say but patently playing together as a band, and you'll get a pretty good notion of what 'Never Hear The End Of It' sounds like; a non-stop procession of tremendous tunes which punch and bop and experiment with ideas and emotions."

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:09 pm

EZSnappin wrote:Like I've said before (and I'll be dropping it after this - I just wanted to tweak people which is my own holiday tradition), there is nothing inherently wrong with Finn & co, or with Yo La Tengo's plundering of their own past; I just don't see any use or need for it when it has been done better before. There is such a vast ocean of music to explore that seeing the same sheltered coves and crowded beaches seems sadly unnecessary.

And therein lies my rub. The "it's been done better before" attitude about music pisses me off.

If we're taking that attitude to the extreme, why bother trying to listen to melodic pop since no one has done it as well as The Beatles did 40 years ago? Why bother listen to heavy, groove riff rock since Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin patented it in the late 60s and early 70s? Why bother listening to any modern alternative band that attempts to interject African rhythms into their music since Talking Heads did it so well with "Remain in Light?"

And why bother listening to any band that interjects keyboard-based psychedelia into power pop rock since Ray Manzarek and The Doors wrote the book on that 35 to 40 years ago? Geez, The Decemberists are nothing but a modern-day prog rock band, right? Colin Meloy is the new folkie Peter Gabriel?

Difford and Tilbrook and Squeeze? Very good British songwriters and a fine band. But hell, they were Beatles' imitators.

Then again, I could be cool and subject my eardrums to the wails and screeches of a Scott Walker's "The Drift." Walker certainly is unique, yet I think he makes meaningless noise. I'll pass.

Almost everything in music today derives from something already done. I often find the newer takes somewhat interesting. It's always nice to hear a fresh twist on a modern theme unless it's a blatant ripoff. I don't put The Hold Steady in the thieves category; you clearly do.

Different strokes.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:38 pm

Thanks for the tip on the new Sloan record, fellas.

The comparisons to "Rubber Soul," "The White Album" or "Abbey Road" are daft, as stringing songs together and adding circular saw sounds into a track shouldn't invite instant Beatles' comparisons. But the Sloan record is a solid slab of smart power pop that I'm really enjoying.

Take care,
PK

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:39 pm

Wow. Pigs are flying and hell is freezing over. James_E bought some country music. WHOA.

My music tastes are all over the place, hardcore metal, thrash, classical, acoustic guitar, bluegrass, good old rock etc... even some RAP. Never had the urge to get any "new country".

(Yes I like alot of radio friendly stuff too.)

I bought Keith Urbans' new CD and a live DVD. The guy has good guitar chops (which is what caught my eye on CMT.) The lyrics are somewhat sappy but in general I like the stuff.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:41 pm

I thought pigs were flying and hell was freezing over because James referred to himself in the third person.

Just teasing, James.

Take care,
PK

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:17 am

pk500 wrote:I thought pigs were flying and hell was freezing over because James referred to himself in the third person.

Just teasing, James.

Take care,
PK

You beat me to it, PK.

Pete laughed at that.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:46 pm

EZSnappin wrote:Speaking of Power Pop, I recommend people check out the blog http://powerpoplovers.blogspot.com/. They post out-of-print and obscure power pop I (mostly) never heard. They've got a few Del-Lords albums up, which were one of those bands that should have been big but never made it.

That's one of my favorite music blogs. I never thought I'd hear Yipes! or The Cretones again and The Summer Suns would be on my top ten list if it was a new release.

I'm still hoping for them to post Bruce Wooley's album.

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:25 pm

Pete wrote:
pk500 wrote:I thought pigs were flying and hell was freezing over because James referred to himself in the third person.

Just teasing, James.

Take care,
PK
You beat me to it, PK.

Pete laughed at that.

LOL. NO idea why I wrote it that way. Oh well. KEITH URBAN ROCKS!

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:59 pm

pk500 wrote:
Badger_Fan wrote:Were you able to do that? Somebody on the message board that I got the link from said that they had some sort of protection on that, but that could have just been protection from downloading.
I didn't try. I read the forum post in which site proprietor Wolfgang doesn't want people to leech the shows.

This may strike some as shocking from me, but if a guy working this hard to preserve these great live shows online doesn't want people to leech the files, I'll probably refrain from recording the sound.

I have a lot more good faith toward a guy like Wolfgang who really loves music than the RIAA.

Take care,
PK

Get 'em while you can.

SAN FRANCISCO
Rockers sue over Web site's bootlegs, posters

Steve Rubenstein, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Legendary rock stars sued a San Francisco memorabilia vendor on Monday for selling unauthorized posters and trinkets and for offering free concert recordings over the Internet.

The rock stars, including members of the Santana, Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead bands, said the owner of the Wolfgang's Vault Web site was violating their copyrights.

The 28-page complaint, filed in San Francisco federal court, demanded that Web site owner William Sagan stop selling the merchandise and reimburse the rockers for past sales.

Sagan bought the archives of the late rock concert promoter Bill Graham and established Wolfgang's Vault in honor of Graham's given first name. On Monday, the site was still offering such items as Led Zeppelin posters for $3,300, Grateful Dead posters for $4,000 and free "bootleg" recordings from hundreds of concerts.

"He has no right to sell any of these things,'' said Ashlie Beringer, the lawyer representing the rock stars. "He's trading off the intellectual properties of others, without their permission.''

Beringer said the vintage posters, long prized by collectors, were promotional materials never intended for sale and the recordings were never intended for commercial release.

Attempts to reach Sagan for comment were unsuccessful.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:50 pm

I love when the Dead nation gets lawyered up. Something about seeing the unfettered capitalist fervor of the band makes me all warm inside

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:22 pm

Interesting case..I wonder how it will turn out. It would seem on first blush that the bands could shut him down, but does that mean if I buy a U2 shirt at the Gap (sellouts) I can't turn around and sell it at a garage sale? Would I owe those guys some kind've royalties? If I read that blurb right and he actually bought the archives, why can't he do what he wants with 'em? I'm sure I must be missing something with that analysis (most likely, my complete ignorance of intellectual property law).

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:05 am

RobVarak wrote:I love when the Dead nation gets lawyered up. Something about seeing the unfettered capitalist fervor of the band makes me all warm inside

In all fairness, they print their summons on paper made from hemp

GTH, if the materials he's selling were promo materials, they are not supposed to be resold. While no one would ever take the time to go after someone selling promo CDs or schwag in a garage sale, selling such items in large quantities for high prices over the Web is not too bright.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:59 pm

the kingdom

check them OUT

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:14 pm

Does that mean I can't sell my Pearl Jam Log Truck Tee?

http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Jam-Log-Tru ... 17-5920022

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:10 am

Van Halen will introduced into the Rock HOF and a special ceremony is reserved for them in March. Will S. Hagar and D. Lee Roth be on stage togeher that evening? Jump...

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:45 am

10spro wrote:Van Halen will introduced into the Rock HOF and a special ceremony is reserved for them in March. Will S. Hagar and D. Lee Roth be on stage togeher that evening? Jump...

Will Gary Cherone join them, or is he working the valet parking that night?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:58 am

Lately, I love listening to "The Warning," the newest album by the English electronic pop band Hot Chip. A reader at EZSnappin's music blog turned me on to it.

Imagine bits of New Order, Beck and Sigur Ros, mixed with some pop and a touch of disco, and that's what I get when I listen to Hot Chip. Very interesting album with a pretty unique sound. Very cool stuff, and recommended for people who like electronic music.

Take care,
PK

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:49 am

make sure u check out the versions of "boy from school" by portastatic

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:18 am

Got my mitts on the new Norah Jones record, "Not Too Late," and I'm disappointed upon the first listen.

Maybe I expected too much, but this record is a very safe, very easy-going record full of "Norah ditties." More folky than the first two records. Jones isn't evolving the way I hoped. She's becoming a very slick, very commercial bluesy-folkie, as the "Little Willies" project had a major impact on the sound of this record.

I wished Jones would explore her jazz and torch singing sensibility more on this record, but she has veered further away from that than ever. Hell, there's not even that much piano on this record, which is a shame.

"Not Too Late" is a pleasant little album that will sell zillions, get tons of airplay in the AAA format and be fused to the CD players of Yuppie BMWs and Benz drivers across North America, but it's very vanilla, very safe, bordering on dull.

Bummer. I really like Norah Jones, but she needs to dig deeper if she's going to be considered an artist and not just a commercial tool of the record label.

Take care,
PK

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:38 pm

I'm excited about the album, especially since I loved the Little Willies disc. Sounds like you need to check out Regina Spektor, though, as she mirrors what you're hoping for out of Jones.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:40 am

Looks like we disagree again PK - I have had zero use for Norah Jones, but I heard the single "Thinking Of You" today and I actually thought it pretty good. As inessential as everything else she's done, but nice in a Dusty In Memphis kind of way. Has that warm, Muscle Shoals groove, not really country but distinctly Southern. I'd much rather hear that than the sub-Diana Krall jazz cabaret of her first album. If I want jazz cabaret with some soul & blues I'll listen to Cassandra Wilson, thank you very much.

I understand she wrote all the songs on this, which she has not done in the past (I think she collaborated on a few tracks on the first album). I haven't heard the rest of the album, but if that single is at all indicative than she may be just starting to find her voice, and acoustic light soul may be what she really wants. Whether any of us want that from her is another question (I'm still not spending my time or money on it, pleasant as it sounded on first listen).

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:27 am

I just hope her "progression" stops here, because at this rate, she's going to try to be Lucinda Williams on her next album or the one following that. I'm just waiting for the false twang on the next record ...

This album just sounds so damn lightweight. Jones' first two records never would be called heavyweights, but they had something that stuck with me. Maybe it was the melody or some of the spare arrangements; maybe it was the fact she put some jazz sensibility -- as paper-light as it was -- back on the Billboard chart, which refreshes me.

This album just sounds like a bunch of Little Willies' leftovers with a bit of piano or Hammond B-3 thrown in. Her whistling solo on "Little Room" is so painful that I can only laugh.

And when Jones does try to make a political statement, on "My Dear Country," it just sounds ham-fisted as hell.

Granted, and this sounds hypocritical, I don't hate the album. It's a light, breezy listen that I'll keep on my MP3 player. A very good summer album. And maybe it will grow on me with more listens, as many records do. But this isn't Hot Chip's "The Warning," which I have LOVED since I first heard over Christmas break and have listened to nearly daily since then.

I just expected something different with this album. It was a crossroads record for Jones, as her first record was jazz torch light, the second record got a bit bluesier and more "Southern," as you said, and the Little Willies moved even further in that direction.

Maybe Jones will surprise me with a jazz record next time. Diana Krall goes on maternity leave very soon, after all.

Take care,
PK

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:20 pm

I know some people are put off by his politics (like they are with the Dixie Chicks and Pearl Jam), but after 5 or 6 listens I'm glad to say that the new Mellencamp cd is excellent for anyone that cares about good americana music. (The most obvious political track...Rodeo Clown...is a hidden song that is catchy as hell after a few listens and my personal favorite.) If you liked Mellencamp's Human Wheels or self-titled albums, you'll also like this.