something disappointing

I tend to go out of my way to try and find new music, and while I spend a lot of my time listening to older music, I get really excited about new artists. There are several outlets I go to find out about new bands, and one of them is from a company called Manic Productions, based in New Haven, CT. They put on some pretty good shows here in Connecticut and while I'm here I was glad to see that there was good music here and good places to see it. About six months ago, the manic productions web site had a listing for a show that was all young, unsigned acts, and all from right here in CT, so I took a look at the lineup. I'm not going to lie, like wine, I can be a label buyer from time to time, and if I don't like the name of a band, I won't even give them a chance. I think a lot of this is a direct result of the fact that there isn't enough time to listen to, and investigate every band that is brought to my attention. There was one band in this showcase that got me so incredibly psyched. I thought to myself "wow, these guys have got to be great!" and I got it into my head that I had to check them out. I thought that there were very few bands out there today that would have that respect for the pioneers. The band was called "Split for the City". Arguably, one of the most influential records in rock history is Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, and my favorite track on said record is That's Not Me, and one of the lines in this song is "I once had a dream, so I packed up and split for the city." I got so excited that there was a young band out there doing something that was important. Something that I could get behind, and that they were here in Connecticut. When I finally got around to listening to them, I was utterly disappointed. Maybe this is where they derived their name, but they don't pay any homage to the band at all. Perhaps they will grow into the name. Or, maybe I should stop being a snob and give them another listen and try and find something redeeming about them. But really, how can you name your band something so profound and then fall so short?

Ryan Adams

In a previous segment I wrote about Death Cab for Cutie, and how not only did I love their music, but I greatly admired Ben Gibbard, the primary songwriter guitarist and singer. Now I will track to the opposite end of the spectrum, and talk a little bit about Ryan Adams. I have difficulty here, because I so desperately want to love his music. He successfully revives the alt-country genre with a very distinct Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers vibe. Most of the time I can allow myself to disconnect my personal feelings about him and enjoy the music for what it is, but then there are other times when I can't look past the fact that he's a pretentious wind-bag. I watched several interviews of him, and always came away feeling like he was an idiot, and unfortunately that has skewed how I listen to him. His first band Whiskeytown is right on, and really hits the right groove, and because it's not a solo effort I don't feel as strongly, but with his solo records like Gold, Heartbreaker and Easy Tiger leave me feeling disappointed and a little hollow inside. Easy Tiger is a very solid work, but I still can't get past my personal feelings. It bums me out to think that I'm the kind of person who lets these things get in the way, but he's just so lame that it hurts. And if he was just a pompous jerk that would be one thing, but he just sounds like a dope when he's talking about his music. He's an extremely talented guy, that's for sure and don't let any of this deter you from buying his records because they are quite satisfying musically, just don't let the personality get in your way.

The Black Keys

I don't think that I'm saying anything in this one that people don't already know, I mean, who doesn't love the Black Keys? They blew up right around the same time that The White Stripes hit the scene. And while there are many similarities that can be made between the two outfits like the heavy blues based rock and roll, stripped down with just drums and guitar yet those surface similarities can be pulled back to see two very different bands, one steeped in tradition, and the other well versed in experimentation. But the Black Keys with traditional blues riffs have remained somewhat true to the genre since they began. I remember when I first started listening to The Black Keys I had a very distinct image of what I thought they looked like, but then when I saw a dvd of a live show was totally shocked that it was two young white kids. I'm not sure what I expected, but that wasn't it. The sonic force of the fuzzed out guitar and the soulful yearning of Dan Auerbach combined with the frenzied drumming of Patrick Carney make them one of the best two piece acts around. It's not unusual for a band to be long time friends, and The Black Keys are no different, but what is unique is the This is the only band that either of the members have been in. In an interview, Dan was asked what the challenges were in a two piece band as opposed to being in a band with more people, and his response was that he would know, the Black Keys is the only band he's ever been in. I think that's pretty cool. Not to mention that it doesn't seem that success and fame has tarnished their friendship either.

I'd like to think...

I have said this all before. Probably more than once. But I really want to think a little bit about those artists that we've lost while in their prime. It's an easy thing to go out on top. You're legend will live on forever. In the past I have talked about the likes of Marc Bolan, but today I want to talk specifically about John Lennon. Unlike Bolan, Lennon had a full career and navigated his way through several styles and cultural changes. What makes John Lennon so important isn't that he was a Beatle, or The Beatle if you like, you don't even have to like him, his music or his politics. What made John Lennon special was his ability to adapt. The Beatles didn't do one thing for thier whole career, they evolved to remain relevant, and when the Beatles couldn't keep up with Lennon's need to be creative, he went out and found his own voice, independent of what made him a star, even though it effected his relationship with his dear friends. There are few other artists that have had the courage to drastically reinvent themselves for the greater good, more than once. I don't trust anyone who says they are a lover of music, but never really got the whole Beatle mania thing, or that John Lennon was overratted. It's counterintuitive for one to be a lover of art and disregard one of the most stalwart purveyors of a particular genre.

YUCK

Straight from sunny old england is a band called YUCK! While they are a young bunch of kids that were probably not even born i the time that they are emulating, but they have a shoe gazer/slacker rock vibe of late 80's early 90's indie rock. Think Smashing Pumpkins Dinosaur Jr and Nirvana. I think that Yuck has quite a bit of potential when they find their own sound. That's not to say that I don't like them now, I do. I just think that what they are up to now is only the beginning. I am confident that their sophomore attempt will be their breakout. they have all of the elements of a great rock and roll outfit and when they tighten up, grow up and pull it all together in a professional manner there is nothing they will not accomplish. unfortunately perhaps this means that one or more of the members must move on, but I won't pretend to know where that is going to go, but as all superstar rock bands, there must be a change in line up to make the jump from a band with a lot of potential to a band that sells out major festivals alone. bands that tour at places like Giants Stadium. They may even change their name. But mark my words; keep an eye on these guys.

the good life

just pre-ordered my copy of The Good Life EP by Howlin Rain on vinyl. can't even begin to talk about how excited I am about this. Howlin Rain kicks so much ass, I don't even know where to begin. I have talked about them here before, so I won't go into much detail, but I can't wait to get this limited edition release and add it to my collection. yahoo!

radio sucks

Radio sucks. Not that there is anything wrong with the concept, and if you're into that, that's cool, but really. Radio sucks. Unless you want to change the station every thirty minutes, you're doomed to listen to the same 15 or 20 songs over and over again, even the stations that claim to be progressive and to play only the best rock/pop/metal/whateverthefuckuyoulike it's still the same shit over and over again. I guess it's the politics involved in programming, and the fact that for a station to survive it needs good ratings, and they are scared that lesser known bands and b-sides aren't going to provide enough interest to sustain ratings. I don't fault stations for this, but don't call yourself an independent, progressive station and then fall into the same old trap. give me something new. give me something exciting. give me something i haven't heard. i love my music on my ipod, and i can listen to that all day long, and usually do, but when i need it, radio fails me.