Artist Spotlight: Weezer...And I Ain't Fakin'

The following is a chronological time line of my personal relationship with Weezer.

Summer-1994: Driving in the Cleveland area (maybe from Cedar Point or Geagau Lake...not sure) I've got the radio tuned to The End, 107.9. I would always tune to that station on the turnpike because I liked the mix of modern rock they had (Unfortunately, the station is long gone now). A song comes on, it sounds like Pavement but it's much too smooth. The guy's singing about pulling the thread on his sweater as he walks away. It's got a much more fun feel than the current state of "grunge" at the time. The DJ does his break after saying it's the latest from a new band called Weezer. Their album is produced by Ric Ocasek which explains the roughness being smoothed out. I like it. I'm introduced to Weezer.

Fall-1994: It's fall semester and everyone can't get enough of that new video from Weezer. It's got the band transposed with the cast of "Happy Days" and director Spike Jonze is hailed as the next big thing. Everyone reminisces how much they love the Fonz, and "Buddy Holly" is a great burst of pop energy. I get the album and find even more to like. Songs about solitude with Kiss posters "In The Garage", lead singer Rivers Cuomo is taking his surfboard to work while we're taking our cars "Surf-Wax America", and he shows a reflective side without being too soft "The World Has Turned And Left Me Here". Life is good.

1996: Well, the follow up to their debut album is out and I'm currently listening to their latest single "El Scorcho". It's a gas, especially when Cuomo says "he'll bring home the turkey if you bring home the bacon." I rush to pick up "Pinkerton". Even though it's more emotionally raw, musically and lyrically, I still love it. Cuomo's talking about how he's "Tired of Sex", how he's dumb for falling for a lesbian ("Pink Triangle"), how he's in love with an 18 year old Japanese girl overseas ("Across The Sea"), and how he misses "The Good Life". I'm digging it. But I feel isolated with my new "Pinkerton" album. No friends are talking about it, it's getting no radio play and worse yet, Rolling Stone readers have dubbed it "The Second worst album of the year". I take my "Pinkerton" and stow it away and bring it out on special occasions...Rivers goes to Harvard.

2001: 5 years have passed. It seems the new young emo crowd can't get enough of "Pinkerton" and have resurrected interest in the band. Word is the band will release a new album soon. I can't believe it's been a whole 5 years. It seems like twenty. Weezer releases their "Green" album. It's got that sunny feel their debut had (hell, the first time I hear the opening lines to "Photograph", I think the song is titled "Buddy Holly 2"!) It's got some great stuff. "Don't Let Go" breezes out of the gate and good feelings are abound. There's a sure to be single in "Island In the Sun", the latest single is menacing, but in a Weezer way, "Hash Pipe", and Cuomo is singing about crabbing at the booty ("Crab"). He sounds happy to be back. The album is a delight. They're supposedly going to release a new album every year. That is fantastic!

2002: As promised, Weezer drops "Maladroit". The lead single "Dope Nose" makes me wonder if Cuomo has been hanging with ZZ Top. It sounds terrific in a "Tush" way. And it's like Rivers knew that a young age, I always wanted to start a band and do a video with Muppets, and he gets to live that childhood dream of mine with "Keep Fishin'". The rest of "Maladroit" has nothing I can hang my hat on as it's a bit unmemorable, but I'm OK with that. They're gonna release another album soon. I've got the ferocious guitars of "Dope Nose" to keep me in tact till then.

2005: Well, it's been three years since their last release. I understand, it's tough to release an album every year, it's cool. Hey, Rolling Stone is calling Weezer's new single, "Beverly Hills", the song of the summer. I ignore the fact that the guitar line is almost identical to "I Love Rock 'n Roll". It's still fun. I finally hear "Make Believe", their new album. It leads with "Beverly Hills" and "Perfect Situation", both are OK if not remarkable songs. Then I get to "This Is Such A Pity". I'm floored. It's the most awful thing I've heard Weezer do. The keyboards and guitar solo are nauseating. I feel betrayed, Weezer has never let me down this much. I try to listen to the rest of the album but besides Cuomo singing about how we're all on drugs, I can't shake the feeling this relationship is about to end. I boycott "Beverly Hills". I vow I'm through with Weezer. It really is such a pity.

2008: Rivers is at it again. It seems in his spare time, he's asking fans, via youtube, to help him write a new song. Sometimes he's gotta football helmet on, other times his voice is disguised. It's entertaining watching how he's developing something with his fans from scratch. It's probably where he gets the idea for the Weezer Hootenanny, asking fans to bring their own instrument so they can "jam" with Weezer in concert. I'm thoroughly amused. (Here's Part 8: "Development". It starts with the song and some great 80's dance footage, followed by hysterical Rivers Cuomo commentary. There are 16 parts on youtube if you've got a lot of time on your hands).

2008: My brother hands me the new "Red" album. I've heard the "Pork and Beans" and am not ready to start my relationship with Weezer again. I feel like an alcoholic getting a drink offered to me..."No, really, I shouldn't.......well, alright, one can't hurt." I laugh at the cover with Rivers sporting a cowboy hat and porn stache. "Troublemaker" is funny as well. Maybe this won't be that bad. "Heartsongs" comes on. I feel embarrassed I got back into this relationship, maybe it was too soon. I have yet to listen to this album since.

2009-today: I know Weezer is still out there and all I know is this is their new album cover and it's called "Raditude". And as I've just discovered putting this article together, you can get "Raditude" and Weezer snuggie for $29.95. I probably won't turn you down if you ask me to listen, but I'm not going into this venture without reservations. I've been burned before. Instead I'll go to my I-pod, search for "El Scorcho" and hit play. "God damn you half Japanese girls...you do it to me every time."

Essential:
Pinkerton 1996
Recommended:
Weezer "The Blue Album" 1994
Weezer "The Green Album" 2001

Best of Compilation:
1. Undone-The Sweater Song
2. Buddy Holly
3. Surf Wax America
4. The World Has Turned And Left Me Here
5. Tired Of Sex
6. El Scorcho
7. Pink Triangle
8. The Good Life
9. Don't Let Go
10. Hash Pipe
11. Island In The Sun
12. Glorious Day
13. Dope Nose
14. Keep Fishin'
15. Beverly Hills
16. Troublemaker

New and Noteworthy: Caribou, Vampire Weekend w/Jake Gyllenhaal

The latest from Caribou. While not as instantly striking as "Melody Day, it's still difficult to get the disco beat + some weird sample that sounds like a wilderbeast in pain out of your head. I don't know where the video was shot, but it reminds me of somewhere in West Virginia...maybe Odessa? Outside Elkins?



Joe Jonas, Lil Jon and RZA guest star in Vampire Weekend's latest tennis themed video. But the show stopping guest spot belongs to Jake Gyllenhaal...hijacking the video as a sauve drunk tennis machine. Well played Jake, well played.

Tuesday's Top Ten: Z's favorite Superman Songs

Station to Station corespondent, Z, grabs control of this Tuesday's top ten with his personal favorite songs about Superman.

10. The Kinks-(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman
I found this one while searching for Superman songs. Song is definitely about the times it was written in. Disco Kinks, enough said!
9. Good Charlotte-Superman Can't Walk
The bad boys from Good Charlotte are perhaps singing about Christopher Reeve?
8. Five For Fighting-Superman (It's Not Easy)
One thing this song fails to mention, with the amazing popularity of cell phones, the are no more phone booths to change in.    Where does he change now???? Now that's not easy.
7. Our Lady Peace-Superman's Dead
If Superman died, I would also be asking "why"?  A great gem from 1997.
6. 3 Doors Down-Kryptonite
Solid rock song from beginning to end!
5. Jimi Hendrix-Astro Man
Could this song be about illegal substances?  Nancy Ragan would not approve!
4. Train-Saves The Day
PAT Monahan is a lyrical superhero.  LLPM (Ladies Love Pat Monahan), a power everyone wishes they had.
3- Crash Test Dummies-Superman's Song
When God shuffles his feat, these lads from the great white north make greatness.  BTW, unfair representation of Tarzan.  He is who he is. He can't help it.
2. Spin Doctors-Jimmy Olsen's Blues
That naughty little Jimmy Olson.  I bet you he really doesn't have Kryptonite in his pocket.....  :)  What a great song!  Takes me back to being 18.  Fun Fun!
1- Donovan-Sunshine Superman
Can't deny it.  This is the best song about Superman.  Musically, Sunshine Superman has has the feel of the '60s; however, it is timeless.  Donovan, you are superb.  On a side note, this song will  also be in my top 10 Green Lantern songs.

This wraps up my Superman top 10. 

Enjoy,
Z

The Year Was...1969

Another installment of the year was....1969

12 random songs from 1969, seriously I just shuffled them:

1. Elvis Presley-In The Ghetto
Elvis at his darkest...in the inner city Grade: A-
2. Led Zeppelin-The Lemon Song
Not a favorite. Grade: B-
3. The Band-Up On Cripple Creek
"A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one" Grade: A+
4. B.J. Thomas-Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Ha! Love this popping up on random songs from 1969. Grade: B+
5. The Beatles-You Never Give Me Your Money
"All the money's gone, nowhere to go..." Grade: A+
6. Crosby, Stills and Nash-Marakesh Express
All aboard that train. Grade: B
7. Nick Drake-Cello Song
Stunning and understated. Grade: A
8. The Velvet Underground-After Hours
Nice ditty at end of "The Velvet Underground" w/ Sterling Morrison vocals. Grade: B+
9. Credence Clearwater Revival-Lodi
Haven't we all been stuck in Lodi before? Grade: A-
10. Sly and The Family Stone-I Want To Take You Higher
Boom-laka-laka. Could be favorite here. Grade: A+
11. Jefferson Airplane-Volunteers
One generation got old.... Grade: A-
12. The Stooges-1969
Happy the Stooges are getting into hall of fame this year. Grade: A


7 Albums Worth Revisiting

1. The Beatles-Abbey Road
2. The Rolling Stones-Let It Bleed
3. The Band-The Band
4. Nick Drake-Five Leaves Left
5. Sly And The Family Stone-Stand!
6. The Flying Burrito Brothers-The Gilded Palace Of Sin
7. Grateful Dead-Aoxomoxoa

Random Quote From a 1969 Song:
A dreamer of pictures, I run in the night/You see us together, chasing the moonlight
The Song....

Random Thought On A Song From 1969:
When I was much younger, I would walk around saying, "I'm a monkey...Ma ma Monkey." What I didn't know at that age is the song's not about a cute primate in the jungle, but either about drugs or "A monkey Man"-phrase for having sex with a married woman. In 1990, I watched as this song became a soundtrack for Ray Liotta driving around hopped up on coke, worrying about the sauce for his pasta, and having a helicopter chase him around town. Today I'm reminding you "I'm a flea bit peanut monkey...and all my friends are junkies..."; Long live "Monkey Man".
A cold italian pizza

New & Noteworthy: Los Campesinos-There Are Listed Buildings

It may not be as sugary sweet as "Death To Los Campesinos", but the latest release from this Welsh group still retains some of that energy. Instead of a cup of sugar on your Honey Smacks, it's maybe cut down to two tablespoons.

Topic: The Hardest Working Man In Show Business

To The Board Of Music Industry Title Providers:

I'm applying for the position of "Hardest Working Man In Show Business." The spot has been vacant since the passing away of James Brown in 2003. I feel that a little under 7 years is a bit too long without someone filling this important position and would like to throw my hat in the ring for your consideration. I may not wear a cape but have been known to don a top hat and cane on occasion. I've been involved in several projects in the last decade and at my age of 34, there is only room to grow and develop.

Enclosed is my resume of past accomplishments. Feel free to contact me at any time or ring my doorbell.

Sincerely,
Jack White

Quick RESUME:
The White Stripes 1997-present
* guitarist, producer, and whatever instrument was necessary
* six albums of acclaimed original material
* worked as two piece band with my ex-wife

The Raconteurs 2005-present
* vocals, guitars, keyboards
* two top ten albums and number one single (Steady As She Goes)

"Van Lear Rose" album 2004
* worked with country legend Loretta Lynn
* Grammy award winner for "Best Country Album"

The Dead Weather 2009-present
* drums and background vocals
* formed with members of the Kills and Queens of the Stone Age

Filmography:
* Several film appearances including part in Oscar nominated "Cold Mountain"

Other accomplishments:
* Produced or lent my talents on over three dozen works of material
* Recently decided to battle the US Air Force for use of one of my songs...outcome pending

For full list and further information

Tuesday's Top Ten: The World According To Morrissey

After catching the fantastic 500 Days Of Summer, I decided to give a nod to the Moz. A look at ten slices of poetic justice.

If you want the answer, click on the lyric to get answer on youtube...and make sure you catch Morrissey riding a tractor in Indiana (song 2), I never put two and two together when this song was released twenty two years ago.

1. And if a double decker bus crashes into us/To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
2. Why do you come here when you know it makes things hard for me
3. Hope may rise on the Grasmeres/But honey pie you're not safe here
4. Beware!/I bear more grudges/Than lonely high court judges
5. Writing frightening verse/To a buck- toothed girl in Luxembourg
6. I never wanted to kill I am not naturally evil/Such things I do/Just to make myself more attractive to you/Have I failed?
7. There's a club if you'd like to go/You could meet somebody who really loves you
8. Sweetness I was only joking when I said I'd like to mash every tooth in your head
9. Hide on the promenade/Etch a postcard/"how I dearly wish I was not here"
10. Ooh, my shiftless body

New Music Monday: Spoon-Transference

There are no mariachi horns on Spoon's 7th proper release. If you like mariachi horns, and their irresistible gravitational pull on "The Underdog", you're out of luck.

For the past decade, Spoon has become the most economical band of the new millennium, the Chevy Cavalier of bands. The formula: Get a good Jim Eno back beat, work with it, add in some sound effects that might not finish when they should, throw in as little chord progressions as possible and let the thing roll. Spoon has never given you a chorus that you're going to scream at the top of your lungs at a huge sold out arena, they are way too cool for that, and if you buy into that cool, you get Spoon. They've always been that rare band where you DON'T want them to shake things up too much. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

The formula stays the same on "Transference". If anything's changed, it's the replacement of a more polished sound from their 2007 release "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" with a bit of a more enigmatic feel. Like in the "Mystery Zone" where you "Can make up a house some faraway town where nobody will know us....to the Mystery Zone." After the chorus, there's an alluring bit out of the twilight zone. At the song's abrupt stop, you're still stuck in some mystery zone with "Who Makes Your Money". A slurring keyboard, stutter drumming, and echo voices leaves you feeling like you've just had that 5th drink, not enough to be incoherent, but enough to be talking a little out of sync muttering "Who Makes Your Money?". That's the Spoon I love.

"Trouble Comes Running" sounds like the lost Guided By Voices track you've been yearning to hear with Brit Daniel reminding you "trouble's where the kicks are". It's fantastic as is, overproduction would have ruined it.

Their latest single "Written in Reverse" rolls on a great piano bit. I can't remember Daniel sounding this seething before "I'm not standing here" or animated "Somebody better call a hearse" then insert Nelly woo-hoo after. Another standout is "Got Nuffin": "I've got Nuffin to lose but bitterness and patterns", it's like Daniel is proclaiming he's gonna step out of the simple chord repetition, but you know he's not gonna do it, he'll just add a great Bernard Sumner like guitar bit instead.

"Transference" does have its faults and, unfortunately, there's a couple gripes more than on their past few albums. The second part of "I Saw The Light" comes off as background music to the closing credits of an 80's after school special, "Goodnight Lauara" may be the one spot on the album that would have benefited from a little more thought, and "Out Go The Lights" just simply falls flat.

But to the plus side, Daniel's vulnerability is valiant. Trying to hold on that last thread of something, that love that's no more. He wants to know "Is Love Forever?" and anytime anyone asks "Are you quite certain love?", you've pretty much got your answer. I've always been drawn in to these guys for their less is more grooves but this is the first time I appreciate the conviction of Daniel's lyrics. Well done.

There's a lot to love about "Transference", but when it comes down to it, I'll probaly recommend "Kill The Moonlight, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" or my personal favorite "Gimme Fiction" before it. Maybe that will change ten years from now, maybe in my middle age I'll say...you need to visit the Mystery Zone to get to the heart of Spoon. For now I'll say "I turn my camera on!"

Grade: A-
Recommended For: Anyone who still believes that "Less is more"

Spoon-Transference (On MySpace)

JHO Picks:
The Mystery Zone
Who Makes Your Money
Written In Reverse
Trouble Comes Running
Got Nuffin'

Topic: 1994...the forgotten songs.

A little tradition in the early to mid-nineties was me and my brother would have a standoff to what the most forgotten song of the past year was. The great debate usually took place on Christmas Eve. Since I was away at school most of the year, it also gave me and my younger brother some catching up time. I believe this started in 1992 and we split the first two years, but then came 1994. All year long I remember trying to keep a song in my pocket that I knew would delve into obscurity and throw down the gauntlet with it.

We'd usually start off light. Like with a follow up to a smash hit (i.e. "Beercan" from Beck) or the latest from a bigger act (i.e Heavy D's "Nuttin' But Love", perhaps). This would usually catch us up on all sides of music from the past year and would last, maybe a half or so.

Then came time to throw down your song the other forgot. The whole objective of this game was to have your opponent concede that they can't think of a more obscure song. Now, a key to this was usually getting an earlier release from the year, around spring or early summer was a good fit. I had Freedy Johnston's "Bad Reputation" ready to fire. It was on the radio a lot the past spring and now in December was nowhere to be found. So I fire out Freedy. At this point I think I've got the title...until my brother says, "4 P.M.-Sukiyaki". A grin then grows on his face he gets up laughing and goes straight to bed. I'm left speechless. He's obviously won.

In the years that followed, I was lucky enough to get a gig at a local top 40 radio station in Wheeling, so we tried again in 1995 & 1996, but I clearly had an unfair disadvantage. But I'll always look back at 1994 as the climax to these ridiculous standoffs. And my brother still to this day will just look at me and say "Sukiyaki" as if to tell me that's his phrase for "Checkmate", I'm about to whip your ass.

Here's a few of those songs that probably got thrown around that Christmas Eve...
1. 4 P.M.-Sukiyaki
2. Freedy Johnston-Bad Reputation
3. Spin Doctors-Cleopatra's Cat
4. Ace Of Base-Don't Turn Around
5. Erasure-Always

Hall of Fame Album: The Band-The Band

1969. Flower power and free love have become mainstream, so some bands are looking for different styles entering a new decade. The Beatles have long abandoned their psychedelic leanings, the Stones have now truly found themselves in the midst of great dirty rock 'n roll, and the guys from the Band have.....release perhaps the best Americana album ever? Remarkably, that doesn't fit the time stamp, at all, but the stories and music wrap themselves so comfortably, you almost feel like your grandfather could be sitting by the fireside telling them to you. Does this look like a bunch of guys that are going to put flowers in your hair or do they look like they just came into town on horseback looking for the nearest watering hole?

"The Band" was released just a couple years after touring with Dylan and releasing their debut "Music From The Big Pink", another solid album, I just prefer this sophomore effort a lot more. There are no hints of psychedelia on this album, for starters. Not that I hate psychedelic albums, just that it's rare to find something from this time period without them. They're a workingman's band and they are at the top of their craft here, carving out a warm, rustic piece of American pie ~ a pie made by a band that is 80% Canadian.

Robbie Robertson pretty much had his hand in writing or co-writing all the material. It starts with the swing of "Across The Great Divide", where Richard Manuel is asking you "to pack up your bags and take that ride". It's a perfect start to begin your American journey, an open invitation to, I don't know, join your friends as they travel on the Oregon Trail to the west coast. It's followed by the fantastic ragtime piano and Hee-Haw fiddle inspiring of "Rag Mama Rag".

And Robertson draws upon character upon character after that. You meet an old retired sailor taking comfort in his "Rockin' Chair", a thief (and he digs it) in "Jawbone", a beautiful Manuel sung piano ballad "Whispering Pines", a song that may have set the stage for the 70's trucker fad "Look Out Cleveland", you meet "The Unfaithful Servant", and most impressive is the final track with the cool feeling of autumn about when the crops are ready to be harvested and the union working farmer who is desperate for his "crops to grow tall" in "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)".

"Up On Cripple Creek" is their best known song and the one I remember most as a youngster. Working on a Stevie Wonderesque groove, I've always loved the exploits of this guy who's going to the horse track, heading to the Gulf Of Mexico, and hanging out with Betsy, who'll always take care of him, all wrapped up with yodeling near the end...At  7, I always pictured these guys performing this on a dairy farm somehwere. The other standout is "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" with images of a broken down south at or towards the end of the Civil War. Its character, Virgil Kane, dealing with the aftermath after fighting for the confederacy and the consequences of restructure. (It's such a fantastic piece, you could swear you've seen the movie before...even if it hasn't been made yet.)

In some liner notes, Robertson said "You can feel the wood in this record!" There's a wide array of instruments and none of them sound the same from song to song. Garth Hudson is a maestro in throwing in different instruments, from saxophones to clavinets and organs. Levon Helm's drum work, like taking care of the little drum roll into the "Dixie" chorus, is spot on. Rick Danko lays down some great grooves and vocals "Look Out Cleveland". Robertson's guitar fills are bluesy without being overpowering. Richard Manuel...well the man had a voice like an Appalachian angel. The Band were in total sync.

If you enjoy any sort of alternative country rock or roots rock, I highly recommend "The Band". And maybe rent out a remote log cabin somewhere in a desolate location in Montana to heighten your listening pleasure.

The Band - The Band

Personal Favorite: Len-Steal My Sunshine

Don't hate it, it's one gigantic ball of glee. Takes me back to that summer of a brief year in Michigan. We'd go for weekly beach trip to Grand Haven, hear this song on the way there...lay on the beach for four hours, get back in the car, hear this song on the way home and be sunburndt like lobsters....ah the summer of 99....great pop song.

Tuesday's Top Ten: Canada

 Tuesday's Top Ten: Canadian Artists

To get in the spirit of the winter Olympics starting Friday, I thought I'd give a nod to our neighbors up north. Had to put Rush at the top of this list because nothing goes as well with high stakes curling action then this triple threat of canuck power. So sit back, have a Moosehead or a LaBatt's, and enjoy, eh.
Artists: with complimentary song.
1. Rush-Time Stand Still
2. Neil Young-Powderfinger
3. Arcade Fire-No Cars Go
4. The Band-Across The Great Divide
5. Joni Mitchell-Raised On Robbery
6. Sarah McLachlan-Possesion
7. The Tragically Hip-Courage
8. Bryan Adams-Somebody
9. The New Pornographers-Myriad Harbour
10. Bachman Turner Overdrive-Let It Ride

Artist Spotlight: Big Star - September Gurls & #1 Records

Up to a couple years ago my knowledge of Big Star was limited. I knew their leader was Alex Chilton. I knew they hailed from Memphis on Stax. I knew the Replacements liked them because they named a song after Mr. Chilton. I knew they were a big influence on R.E.M. early 80's material. I knew the theme song to that 70's Show was a Big Star song (FEZ, what's up with Wilmer Valderrama nowadays anyways?)

Then I borrowed a copy of "Third/Sister Lovers" from a friend and loved it. He said it wasn't their best material, so I ended up getting the dual "#1 Record/Radio City" for my back catalog. And now I can say I'm on board with perhaps the greatest American power pop band from the 70's. While borrowing off American and Britain's pop music scene from the 60's, Big Star crafted their own sound in the 70's on three albums of original material, all with their highs.

Their debut "#1 Record" is the record George Harrison should have released after "All Things Must Pass". Songs like "In The Street" and "Don't Lie To Me" are great power pop rockers. The former giving that sense of teen boredom (That 70's Show theme) and the latter has a catchy shout along chorus. Also present is the excellent, why wasn't this song a hit, "When My Baby's Beside Me". Working on a light Stones riff, lead singer on the tune, Chris Bell, breezily states "When my baby's beside me/I don't worry" with some excellent wah wah guitar parts in the solo to boot. The perfect blend of the rockers mix evenly with a nice selection of lighter tunes, which have a great sense of depth to them. "The Ballad Of El Goodo" has Chilton saying "And there ain't no one that can turn me 'round" over great acoustic guitars and picture perfect harmony vocals. On "Thirteen", Chilton visits his 13 year old self asking his crush of the week if he can "walk you home from school/ and won't you tell your dad get off my back". It's that innocence on "#1 Record", along with those great jangly guitars and sweet power pop vocals, that makes the album such a treat.

They had no success from their debut. But they should have right? They were Big Star. Their band title showed their aspirations. So "Radio City" came along next and the band was shaved down to a trio because of inner turmoil. While not as strong as their debut, it still has a lot of great tracks. "O My Soul", "Back Of A Car" and "You Get What You Deserve" all follow in the same vein of the power pop from their debut. My favorite moment: "September Gurls", with jangly guitars and a feeling that the song could fall apart any moment. They shot for the moon on "Radio City" for that breakthrough to the top of the charts, as they did with their "#1 Record", and failed again.

Aware now that popularity had eluded them, and shaved down to a duo, Third/Sister Lovers is a much darker affair. It was shelved for four years because the record company felt their was no single. And their wasn't, really. The addition of strings and Chilton sounding as if he's about to crack on every song make the album a rewarding one, with additional listens. "O Dana" and "You Can't Have Me" continue in a vein of their earlier material in a much wearier tone, but songs like "Big Black Car" and "Holocaust" are absolutely devastating. On "Holocaust", Chilton's self confidence is torn as it sounds he's singing into the mirror "You're a wasted face/You're a sad-eyed lie/You're a holocaust". And one of the more upbeat songs "Thank You Friends" has an almost party like, blue eyed soul feel to it. But Chilton's vocal delivery comes off so snide "All the ladies and gentlemen, who made this all so probable"....it's almost a big finger in the air to his friends for screwing things up for him. It's absolutely fantastic, as is the whole album. But if your feeling down on yourself, THIS IS NOT THE ALBUM TO LISTEN TO!


Talk about wrong place, wrong time. Big Star was kinda behind the times (could have fit in with the Who or the Byrds). They didn't fit in with the big arena rock of their time. And they were also unique because they were ahead of the times, putting a blueprint on 80's modern rock and still bringing influence to many indie rock bands today. Don't wait thirty odd years to discover these guys. If you haven't already, pick an album or a couple of their standout tracks and you'll be glad you did.

Essential:
#1 Record (1972)
Recommended:
Third/Sister Lovers (1978)

Best Of Compilation:
1. In The Street
2. The Ballad Of El Goodo
3. When My Baby's Beside Me
4. Thirteen
5. Don't Lie To Me
6. Watch The Sunrise
7. O My Soul
8. Back Of A Car
9. September Gurls
10. Thanks You Friends
11. Jesus Christ
12. Holocaust
13. You Can't Have Me

Topic: New Orleans/Indianapolis: Super Bowl playlist

Got this idea from Z. He said the other day on the phone he was trying to compile nothing but New Orleans songs for a playlist (or at least songs mentioning). So it got me thinking driving to work that day what I could come up with off the top of my head, which a few songs popped into mind.

Then I started thinking about Indianapolis, you know for equal representation. A city not known for flowing off the tongue or no heritage in music like New Orleans, things got a little tough.

So while the playlist has some songs for both teams, unfortunately Indianapolis will have to be represented by Mellencamp, songs mentioning Indiana, and Henry Lee Summer, even though he mentions New Orleans...(is he still in jail?)

Your Super Bowl XLIV Playlist:
1. Louis Armstrong-When The Saints Go Marching In (New Orleans Saints)
2. Tom Petty-Mary Jane's Last Dance (Indianapolis Colts)
3. Better Than Ezra-King Of New Orleans (New Orleans Saints)
4. Tom Waits-Gun Street Girl (Indianapolis Colts)
5. Clarks-Apartment Song (New Orleans Saints)
6. Dixie Chicks-Long Time Gone (Indianapolis Colts)
7. Breeders-Saints (New Orleans Saints)
8. Henry Lee Summer-Wish I Had A Girl (Indianapolis Colts)
9. R.E.M.-New Orleans Instrumental # 1 (New Orleans Saints)
10. John Mellencamp-Check It Out (Indianapolis Colts)
11. Arlo Guthrie-City Of New Orleans (New Orleans Saints)
12. Jim Nabors-Back Home Again In Indiana (Indianapolis Colts)

(If there's more feel free to add...)

For the game itself, I like the Saints getting 5 1/2 points, but I can't be confident saying they'll win outright...but trust me, take the points.

Have a fun super Bowl weekend!

The year was....1972

Another installment of the year was....1972

12 random songs from 1972, seriously I just shuffled them (and the average grade is fantastic):

1. Eagles-Peaceful, Easy Feeling
And a little queasy feeling.... Grade B-
2. Roxy Music-Re-Make/Re-Model
Roxy Music is great when they're pushing the accelerator down Grade: B+
3. Neil Young-The Needle And The Damage Done
"I caught you knocking on my cellar door..." Grade: A
4. Curtis Mayfield-Freddie's Dead
Superfly goodness. Grade: B+
5. The Allman Brothers Band-Melissa
"Crossraods, seem to come and go..." Grade: A+
6. Big Star-In The Street
The original, better than the "That 70's show" mix...really Grade: A
7. Todd Rundgren-Hello, It's Me
"I've thought about us for a long, long time" Grade: A
8. Rolling Stones-Rocks Off
An all out sleazy start to being exiled Grade: A+
9. Rod Stewart-You Wear It Well
Don't give Rod a shake of the head no. He was quite good in his early days... Grade: A-
10. Deep Purple-Smoke On the Water
"They burned down the gambling house, it died with an awful sound..." Grade: A+
11. David Bowie-Moonage Daydream
Great album track from Ziggy Grade: A-
12. Humble Pie-30 Days In The Hole
Has their ever been a better song about being thrown in the slammer? Grade: A+

7 Albums Worth Revisiting

1. Rolling Stones-Exile On Main St.
2. Neil Young-Harvest
3. David Bowie-Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars
4. Original Soundtrack for "The Harder They Come"
5. Black Sabbath-Vol. 4
6. Deep Purple-Machine Head
7. Big Star-#1 Record

Random quote from 1972 Song:
Thirteen month old baby/Broke the lookin' glass/Seven years of bad luck/Good things in your past
The Song...

Random Thought On A Song From 1972:
Remembering this song on my dad's record player brings a smile to my face. It's got one of the best heavy metal riffs ever. No, I'm serious here. People remember Black Sabbath for Iron Man, Paranoid and Sweet Leaf...I remember the whole band playing out of their cocaine induced minds on Supernaut from Vol. 4. I was only, oh maybe 8 the first time I heard it, but Tony Iommi's got the guitar down perfect, the drum solo in the middle is perfect and Ozzy's singing about climbing up on the mountains of the moon. It's one of my favorite heavy metal songs of all time. I went back and listened to it again in high school, again in college and again four days ago..and in my mind it hasn't aged one of those times.
Cocaine induced heavy metal heaven:

Tuesday's Top Ten

The Top Ten: Ten great "Wait" songs.

I've got alot in this list I like, but bounced around which one should be number one. Better judgment told me to put the Stones at the top. Also the inclusion of the blonde maned, back arching , Mike Tramp, was necessary. "Now I only want to say I love you one more time!!!!!" (Great version of Memories Can't Wait at #2, David Byrne Solo, just click on it or any song to get to youtube)

1. Rolling Stones-Waiting On A Friend
2. Talking Heads-Memories Can't Wait
3. Kinks-Tired Of Waiting For You
4. Tom Petty-The Waiting
5. Bloc Party-Waiting For The 7:18
6. White Lion-Wait
7. Flaming Lips-Waitin' For A Superman
8. Stone Roses-What The World Is Waiting For
9. Velvet Underground-I'm Waiting For The Man
10. ZZ Top-Waiting For The Bus

New Music Monday: Vampire Weekend-Contra

Feeling a little down from the cold weather this winter? Is the "Winter cold too much too handle?" Have you been jonesing for something that sounds vaguely familiar to Paul Simon's Graceland, but with an updated 21st century feel?

Before I go any further, please forgive me for the Graceland references, but I'm shocked at how VW can draw so much from the album without a total aping. They've fully realized their inner Graceland on their second release more than on their debut when they just merely teased with the idea and, for the most part, it works.

Opener "Horchata" bursts with great energy, lead singer Ezra Koenig lyrics painting a picture of drinking Horchata (a type of milk?) on a beach somewhere or a sidewalk in Manhattan....it's where you want to place yourself. And what follows is an album with good feelings and ironic twists and turns. By the time you get to the third track, "Holiday" you're feeling ready to fly off to somewhere sunny, those wintertime blues have vanished. It's a song with a feeling of Accupolco but lyrics about fighting in the Iraq war. "Run" has a fantastic  brass keyboard bit after the verses, straight out of Key West, with drum punctures reminiscent of Graceland's "I Know What I Know". "Cousins" has a little more of the rawer sound from their debut, ala "A-Punk", with some fantastic percussion. "Giving Up The Gun" is the closest thing to ready for radio hit here with a nice house rhythm and an irresistible chorus.

Perhaps the only snub I've got are a couple slower songs (Taxi Cab, I Think Ur A Contra") need just a little more pizazz to get that emotional depth of a "Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes" feel.

My favorite, can't get it out of my head, song. "Diplomat's Son" is the closest Graceland, is that Paul Simon's son?, vocal outtake you can find. When Koenig hangs on to the wait in the line "and if I wait could I ever forgive myself", you can't help but smile thinking of Simon hitting and hanging on to the note the same way. With a breezy rhythm and M.I.A. and Toots and Maytals "Pressure Drop" samples and Koenig singing about hi-jinx back in 81, with a diplomat's son, it's a must hear song.

Detractors may find it too pretentious. I don't find "Contra" pretentious at all, I just see some confidence in what they're striving for, and some confidence building while they're going for it. Maybe a bit too precious, but that preciousness is camouflaged with a bright colored Hawaiian shirt that your uncle would wear to a Jimmy Buffet concert. It's a joy filled with oblique lyrics and a wonderful array of music. It's sunny disposition actually makes me like it more and daydream of that beach somewhere on the upper west side of Manhattan.

Grade: A-

Recommended for: Graceland lovers and gardeners in January.

  Vampire Weekend, "Contra" by pauloalves

JHO Picks:
Holiday
Cousins
Run
Giving Up The Gun
Diplomat's Son