Wednesday, June 30, 2004
June 30: Apollo Four Forty - Gettin' High on Your Own Supply
Why do I own this? I went through a brief electronica phase around the turn of the century, OK?
If you know Apollo 440 at all, it's from their theme song to the "Lost in Space" movie (remixed on this album complete with Matt LeBlanc lines from the movie!) or maybe the song "Stop the Rock." Most of it comes off as a second-rate Fatboy Slim or Moby. Isn't it weird how something you were into four years ago just disappoints you now? It's the feeling that Creed and Korn fans are dealing with right now.
Keep or Sell? Sell. If anyone will take it.
(0) comments
If you know Apollo 440 at all, it's from their theme song to the "Lost in Space" movie (remixed on this album complete with Matt LeBlanc lines from the movie!) or maybe the song "Stop the Rock." Most of it comes off as a second-rate Fatboy Slim or Moby. Isn't it weird how something you were into four years ago just disappoints you now? It's the feeling that Creed and Korn fans are dealing with right now.
Keep or Sell? Sell. If anyone will take it.
June 29: Emmet Swimming - Arlington to Boston
Why do I own this? About three years ago, a guy in Tulsa told me that he thought 12 Pearls sounded a lot like Emmet Swimming and the Connells. So I bought this at Rainbow Records in the used bin for $4.
It's an interesting fact that in the early- to mid-'90s, pretty much every large university in the Southeast had a big band that ended up signed to a major label. You remember Dave Matthews Band (U. of Virginia), Hootie and the Blowfish (U. of South Carolina), Better than Ezra (Louisiana State), etc. etc. Well, Emmet Swimming were the band from George Mason U., in Virginia. And for the record, I really don't think they sound like 12 Pearls. I do think they sound a bit like a second-rate Toad the Wet Sprocket. There's one very good song, "Arlington," about hipsters in the suburbs (download it and listen for the perfect slacker-tone in the singer's voice when he says the word 'Arlington.') The rest of the album is a good riff here, a decent vocal line there, an interesting hook over here. But nothing ever comes together into a great song.
Keep or Sell? Sell. Although it did get me nostalgic for afternoons listening to KSPI in the mid-90s.
(0) comments
It's an interesting fact that in the early- to mid-'90s, pretty much every large university in the Southeast had a big band that ended up signed to a major label. You remember Dave Matthews Band (U. of Virginia), Hootie and the Blowfish (U. of South Carolina), Better than Ezra (Louisiana State), etc. etc. Well, Emmet Swimming were the band from George Mason U., in Virginia. And for the record, I really don't think they sound like 12 Pearls. I do think they sound a bit like a second-rate Toad the Wet Sprocket. There's one very good song, "Arlington," about hipsters in the suburbs (download it and listen for the perfect slacker-tone in the singer's voice when he says the word 'Arlington.') The rest of the album is a good riff here, a decent vocal line there, an interesting hook over here. But nothing ever comes together into a great song.
Keep or Sell? Sell. Although it did get me nostalgic for afternoons listening to KSPI in the mid-90s.
Monday, June 28, 2004
June 28: Sugar - File Under Easy Listening
Why do I own this? Not sure... the back of the CD shows it's from BMG, so I probably ordered it from there?
Sugar was Bob Mould's band in the early '90s. Bob Mould, of course, used to be lead singer of Husker Du, who, along with the Minutemen, the Replacements and R.E.M., basically created alternative rock. No Husker Du, no Pixies. No Pixies, no Nirvana, etc. etc. This CD (from 1994) has got two really great songs, "Your Favorite Thing" and "Believe What You're Saying," both of which used to get played all the time on the old SPI, and one decent song, "What You Want It To Be." The rest of it is pretty generic grunge-lite, and the vocals are way too buried in the mix. Actually, Mould's voice has a weird drone-like quality to it, so perhaps he wants his voice lower than the guitars.
Keep or Sell? Hm... this is a pretty gray CD. I don't really think I would ever listen to it much if I kept it, so I'm going to burn the two hits and sell.
(0) comments
Sugar was Bob Mould's band in the early '90s. Bob Mould, of course, used to be lead singer of Husker Du, who, along with the Minutemen, the Replacements and R.E.M., basically created alternative rock. No Husker Du, no Pixies. No Pixies, no Nirvana, etc. etc. This CD (from 1994) has got two really great songs, "Your Favorite Thing" and "Believe What You're Saying," both of which used to get played all the time on the old SPI, and one decent song, "What You Want It To Be." The rest of it is pretty generic grunge-lite, and the vocals are way too buried in the mix. Actually, Mould's voice has a weird drone-like quality to it, so perhaps he wants his voice lower than the guitars.
Keep or Sell? Hm... this is a pretty gray CD. I don't really think I would ever listen to it much if I kept it, so I'm going to burn the two hits and sell.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
June 27: The All-American Rejects (self-titled)
Why do I own this? Come on... got to support local talent...
Twelve Pearls has a bizarre love-hate relationship with the All-American Rejects (for instance, I can't play this album around the band). As most of you probably know, the two groups started out in Stillwater at about the same time, and regularly played next door to each other. I can remember sneaking out of a 12p gig at Chub's and catching a couple of minutes of the Rejects' set through the window in Mike's College Bar on my way to get a coney. The two bands played together once: at Bennett Jam in the fall of '01. As I remember, Tyson was a cocky jerk, Nick was a pretty nice guy. A couple of months later, Tyson got in a fight with Jordan at a house party in Stillwater, and we pretty much lost any chance of opening for the Rejects on their nationwide tour... oh, well. So as a result, I have no real emotional attachment to this CD except jealousy. Plus, I have the original Doghouse Records packaging (it was re-released by Dreamworks about six months later), so why not sell it back for some bucks?
Dammit, it's just too good. The lyrics are abysmally bad (thanks, Tyson), but the music is sheer poptastic wonder, crammed with chimes, orchestral flourishes, drumbeats, and other cool stuff. (thanks, Nick!) Much as I don't want to, I love it.
Keep or Sell? Keep. Dammit.
(0) comments
Twelve Pearls has a bizarre love-hate relationship with the All-American Rejects (for instance, I can't play this album around the band). As most of you probably know, the two groups started out in Stillwater at about the same time, and regularly played next door to each other. I can remember sneaking out of a 12p gig at Chub's and catching a couple of minutes of the Rejects' set through the window in Mike's College Bar on my way to get a coney. The two bands played together once: at Bennett Jam in the fall of '01. As I remember, Tyson was a cocky jerk, Nick was a pretty nice guy. A couple of months later, Tyson got in a fight with Jordan at a house party in Stillwater, and we pretty much lost any chance of opening for the Rejects on their nationwide tour... oh, well. So as a result, I have no real emotional attachment to this CD except jealousy. Plus, I have the original Doghouse Records packaging (it was re-released by Dreamworks about six months later), so why not sell it back for some bucks?
Dammit, it's just too good. The lyrics are abysmally bad (thanks, Tyson), but the music is sheer poptastic wonder, crammed with chimes, orchestral flourishes, drumbeats, and other cool stuff. (thanks, Nick!) Much as I don't want to, I love it.
Keep or Sell? Keep. Dammit.
June 26: Jeff Buckley - Grace
Why do I own this? I bought this sometime in college, when the cult of Buckley was at its height.
Everybody knows Jeff Buckley's story, right? His dad was a tortured folk singer who died young, he couldn't escape the gift of music, decided to perform, put out one album (this one), then drowned in the Mississippi River while working on the follow-up. Apparently, he just walked straight into the river and disappeared under the water before anybody knew what was going on.
Now everybody from Guster to emo bands cite Buckley as a huge influence. That's what makes listening to this album frustrating: you hear a lot of things that later performers stole from Buckley, but because you heard the thieves first, this sounds ripped-off. In fact, my brother wandered in as I was listening to it and remarked that it sounded like "weird Ryan Adams." The album is extremely uneven, to say the least; I was ready to sell by track 5, but then he gives you the one-two punch of "Hallelujah" (a truly gorgeous song) and "Lover, You Should've Come Over," then follows that up with a falsetto rendition of a hymn and a full-on rocker. The man's voice is great — he has a really delicate falsetto most of the time — but it's not always used right. The result is that half of this album is brilliant, and half is crap. Buckley could have been a great talent; alas, now we'll never know. But like Nick Drake or Jim Morrison, I'm sure we'll see CDs of odds, ends, leftovers, and live tracks well into the next century.
Keep or Sell? Keep. But like the Wallflowers' CD, this one barely escapes the "rip two tracks and sell" route.
(0) comments
Everybody knows Jeff Buckley's story, right? His dad was a tortured folk singer who died young, he couldn't escape the gift of music, decided to perform, put out one album (this one), then drowned in the Mississippi River while working on the follow-up. Apparently, he just walked straight into the river and disappeared under the water before anybody knew what was going on.
Now everybody from Guster to emo bands cite Buckley as a huge influence. That's what makes listening to this album frustrating: you hear a lot of things that later performers stole from Buckley, but because you heard the thieves first, this sounds ripped-off. In fact, my brother wandered in as I was listening to it and remarked that it sounded like "weird Ryan Adams." The album is extremely uneven, to say the least; I was ready to sell by track 5, but then he gives you the one-two punch of "Hallelujah" (a truly gorgeous song) and "Lover, You Should've Come Over," then follows that up with a falsetto rendition of a hymn and a full-on rocker. The man's voice is great — he has a really delicate falsetto most of the time — but it's not always used right. The result is that half of this album is brilliant, and half is crap. Buckley could have been a great talent; alas, now we'll never know. But like Nick Drake or Jim Morrison, I'm sure we'll see CDs of odds, ends, leftovers, and live tracks well into the next century.
Keep or Sell? Keep. But like the Wallflowers' CD, this one barely escapes the "rip two tracks and sell" route.
Friday, June 25, 2004
June 25: Lisa Loeb - Firecracker
Why do I own this? Got me. Maybe I ended up with it, and it used to be an ex-girlfriend's? I'm honestly not sure.
I think the real lesson of the Keep or Sell month for me so far is this: if you're going to fail, fail. Just don't bore me. The Wallflowers bored me. John Mayer bored me. Treble Charger bored me. And after you get past "I Do," which is a great song, this CD is boring. Tracks 2-12 might as well be one long, 40-minute track for all I noticed. The only time I actually perked up was when Lisa sang "don't stand in front of the oven when it's warm because the gases can hurt you" and I did a quick double-take. Other than that...yawn.
Keep or Sell? Hm... huh... what? Oh, sorry. Nodded off for a second. Sell.
(0) comments
I think the real lesson of the Keep or Sell month for me so far is this: if you're going to fail, fail. Just don't bore me. The Wallflowers bored me. John Mayer bored me. Treble Charger bored me. And after you get past "I Do," which is a great song, this CD is boring. Tracks 2-12 might as well be one long, 40-minute track for all I noticed. The only time I actually perked up was when Lisa sang "don't stand in front of the oven when it's warm because the gases can hurt you" and I did a quick double-take. Other than that...yawn.
Keep or Sell? Hm... huh... what? Oh, sorry. Nodded off for a second. Sell.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
June 24: Treble Charger - Wide Awake Bored
Why do I own this? As hardcore readers of this site might remember, I really enjoyed Treble Charger's first album, Maybe It's Me.
Unfortunately, in between Maybe It's Me and this 2001 release, TC lead singer Greig Nori discovered Sum 41 (he manages and produces them now). And way too much punk brattiness wore off on this band. How embarrassing does it have to be to be nearly 30 years old and pose for the picture for your album sleeve looking like you pissed your pants? (Yes, that's exactly what Treble Charger did here.) And honestly, I wouldn't have minded that much if the songs on this album had been any good. They're not. Wide Awake Bored is just... boring.
Keep or Sell? Sell. And try to learn some life lessons in case I ever get really desperate to stay famous.
(0) comments
Unfortunately, in between Maybe It's Me and this 2001 release, TC lead singer Greig Nori discovered Sum 41 (he manages and produces them now). And way too much punk brattiness wore off on this band. How embarrassing does it have to be to be nearly 30 years old and pose for the picture for your album sleeve looking like you pissed your pants? (Yes, that's exactly what Treble Charger did here.) And honestly, I wouldn't have minded that much if the songs on this album had been any good. They're not. Wide Awake Bored is just... boring.
Keep or Sell? Sell. And try to learn some life lessons in case I ever get really desperate to stay famous.
June 23: The Ataris - So Long, Astoria
Why do I own this? For the record, I bought this way before the whole "Boys of Summer" phenomenon last year.
Ataris singer Kris Roe has two strong handicaps: he's a strikingly unattractive man, perhaps one of the ugliest frontmen in rock, and his singing range is about six notes. Yet he manages to overcome all that with regular albums of pop-punk. I bought this because I liked the first single, "In This Diary," despite the super-emo lyrics. Then I listened to it off and on for a couple of months, set it down when "Boys of Summer" hit the radio and haven't picked it back up since, hence its place in the "Keep or Sell" pile.
Really, though, this isn't bad. The worst you can say about it is it comes off as a second-rate Jimmy Eat World, and in my book, second-rate Jimmy is still pretty decent. There are about three too many songs on here (as well as TWO hidden tracks... come on, guys!), but it still gets an overall thumbs up.
Keep or Sell? Keep.
(0) comments
Ataris singer Kris Roe has two strong handicaps: he's a strikingly unattractive man, perhaps one of the ugliest frontmen in rock, and his singing range is about six notes. Yet he manages to overcome all that with regular albums of pop-punk. I bought this because I liked the first single, "In This Diary," despite the super-emo lyrics. Then I listened to it off and on for a couple of months, set it down when "Boys of Summer" hit the radio and haven't picked it back up since, hence its place in the "Keep or Sell" pile.
Really, though, this isn't bad. The worst you can say about it is it comes off as a second-rate Jimmy Eat World, and in my book, second-rate Jimmy is still pretty decent. There are about three too many songs on here (as well as TWO hidden tracks... come on, guys!), but it still gets an overall thumbs up.
Keep or Sell? Keep.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
June 22: John Mayer - Room for Squares
Why do I own this? Come on... everyone you know between the ages of 18 and 25 owns this.
A few months ago on this site, I called John Mayer a "no-talent ass clown." Listening to his debut CD again, I realize that's a little harsh. Is he boring? Yes. Does he aspire to nothing more than to be a James Taylor for the 21st century? Yes. Is this album going to help you get laid? Well, it'll probably help John Mayer, but not me as much. Is he inexplicably popular in the hip-hop community? Yes. Does he have talent? Some. But I'm lucky I wasn't driving when I listened to this, or I might have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Keep or Sell? Sell. Yawn...
(0) comments
A few months ago on this site, I called John Mayer a "no-talent ass clown." Listening to his debut CD again, I realize that's a little harsh. Is he boring? Yes. Does he aspire to nothing more than to be a James Taylor for the 21st century? Yes. Is this album going to help you get laid? Well, it'll probably help John Mayer, but not me as much. Is he inexplicably popular in the hip-hop community? Yes. Does he have talent? Some. But I'm lucky I wasn't driving when I listened to this, or I might have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Keep or Sell? Sell. Yawn...
Monday, June 21, 2004
June 21: Avril Lavigne - Let Go
Why do I own this? The question you should really be asking is: why am I admitting to owning this?
Wow... quite possibly the most misguided CD purchase of my life. I don't even own anything from the early '90s as embarrassing as my copy of Let Go. The lyrics are horrifically bad, the songs all sound like they could have come from made-for-Disney Channel TV movies, and Avril's über-Canadian pronunciation is enough to make you scream. And even the hits - "Complicated," "Sk8erBoi," etc. — have dated poorly, after only two years. I'm so ashamed right now.
Keep or Sell? I can't sell fast enough. But I'm ripping "I'm with you." Shhh... don't tell anybody.
(0) comments
Wow... quite possibly the most misguided CD purchase of my life. I don't even own anything from the early '90s as embarrassing as my copy of Let Go. The lyrics are horrifically bad, the songs all sound like they could have come from made-for-Disney Channel TV movies, and Avril's über-Canadian pronunciation is enough to make you scream. And even the hits - "Complicated," "Sk8erBoi," etc. — have dated poorly, after only two years. I'm so ashamed right now.
Keep or Sell? I can't sell fast enough. But I'm ripping "I'm with you." Shhh... don't tell anybody.
June 20: Good Charlotte - The Young and the Hopeless
Why do I own this? Another "buy this CD and get 3 free" offer from BMG.
I'm really not sure why Good Charlotte suddenly became everybody's favorite band to hate. Even I quit listening to it after the backlash hit full-force. But listening to it again, I think it's as strong an album as Blink-182's Enema of the State. Nearly every song's a keeper. Now granted, these guys are thieves — "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" rips off Chris Rock's act, "The Anthem" steals a line from Jay-Z, etc. — but they're exceptionally good thieves. "A New Beginning," for instance, sounds like the opening music to a Tim Burton film, and my favorite song, "Say Anything," manages to sound like the Primitive Radio Gods, then James, then the Primitive Radio Gods again, all done by a punk band. And they know the backlash is coming: one song rails against "trust fund kids" who get to say what's punk and what's not, and there's a letter to their fans in the liner notes talking about how they decided to stop fistfighting people who said they weren't punk. Are they punk? Maybe not, but they're not as pop as Simple Plan or dreck like New Found Glory. Plus, a buddy of mine went to high school with the Madden twins, and he said their story's for real, they were poor kids who got in a lot of fights and dressed funny. So this isn't some sort of suburban major-label marketing ploy.
Keep or Sell? Keep. I'm a Good Charlotte fan again, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Wanna fight?
(0) comments
I'm really not sure why Good Charlotte suddenly became everybody's favorite band to hate. Even I quit listening to it after the backlash hit full-force. But listening to it again, I think it's as strong an album as Blink-182's Enema of the State. Nearly every song's a keeper. Now granted, these guys are thieves — "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" rips off Chris Rock's act, "The Anthem" steals a line from Jay-Z, etc. — but they're exceptionally good thieves. "A New Beginning," for instance, sounds like the opening music to a Tim Burton film, and my favorite song, "Say Anything," manages to sound like the Primitive Radio Gods, then James, then the Primitive Radio Gods again, all done by a punk band. And they know the backlash is coming: one song rails against "trust fund kids" who get to say what's punk and what's not, and there's a letter to their fans in the liner notes talking about how they decided to stop fistfighting people who said they weren't punk. Are they punk? Maybe not, but they're not as pop as Simple Plan or dreck like New Found Glory. Plus, a buddy of mine went to high school with the Madden twins, and he said their story's for real, they were poor kids who got in a lot of fights and dressed funny. So this isn't some sort of suburban major-label marketing ploy.
Keep or Sell? Keep. I'm a Good Charlotte fan again, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Wanna fight?
June 19: Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
Why do I own this? Actually, I liked this CD a lot. Then I really soured on QOTSA after Matt and I went to see them at the Bricktown Events Center in OKC, and my ears got blasted so bad that they were still ringing four days later (no joke). I haven't listened to it since then. Plus, there was the whole drama with Nick, the bass player, leaving in a huff.
Well, first off, upon re-listen, Nick's songs suck. He just screams a lot. The band is going to suffer a lot more with the loss of Mark Lanegan, the ex-Screaming Trees guy who did vocals on four or five songs. Actually, when Matt and I went to see QOTSA, Lanegan came out in the middle of the set, stood ramrod straight with his hands stuck on the mike stand for his songs, then left without saying a word. There are probably three or four too many songs on this thing, but you can't beat Dave Grohl's drums, and the best songs (especially "No One Knows") border on orchestral in their complexity.
Keep or Sell? Why did I ever doubt you, Queens? Keep.
(0) comments
Well, first off, upon re-listen, Nick's songs suck. He just screams a lot. The band is going to suffer a lot more with the loss of Mark Lanegan, the ex-Screaming Trees guy who did vocals on four or five songs. Actually, when Matt and I went to see QOTSA, Lanegan came out in the middle of the set, stood ramrod straight with his hands stuck on the mike stand for his songs, then left without saying a word. There are probably three or four too many songs on this thing, but you can't beat Dave Grohl's drums, and the best songs (especially "No One Knows") border on orchestral in their complexity.
Keep or Sell? Why did I ever doubt you, Queens? Keep.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
June 18: Taking Back Sunday - Tell all your friends
Why do I own this? I have this friend, and we sometimes trade musical suggestions back and forth via e-mail. I sent her Electric Six, she recommended this. I feel like I got the short end of the stick.
Too... Emo! Can't... hold on... much longer! Don't...Care...about how much of a loser you are! It... Sucks... that you can't get a date, but stop whining about it on an album...
Keep or Sell? Must... sell...
(0) comments
Too... Emo! Can't... hold on... much longer! Don't...Care...about how much of a loser you are! It... Sucks... that you can't get a date, but stop whining about it on an album...
Keep or Sell? Must... sell...
June 17: TRUSTcompany - The Lonely Position of Neutral
Why do I own this? I really liked that "Downfall" song.
Yes, this is another nü-metal album, and yes, the reviews are right in that some of it sounds like Linkin Park without the annoying rapper. But other parts of it are downright good. Honestly. I like the singer's slightly breathy style, and I like that they openly admit they're heavily influenced by the Cure. However, points must be taken off because they're using the EXACT same guitar tone as Hoobastank, Fuel, and Audiovent. Must have been a big sale on that amp in '02.
Keep or Sell? Keep. But listen to samples on iTunes before picking up their second album this summer.
(0) comments
Yes, this is another nü-metal album, and yes, the reviews are right in that some of it sounds like Linkin Park without the annoying rapper. But other parts of it are downright good. Honestly. I like the singer's slightly breathy style, and I like that they openly admit they're heavily influenced by the Cure. However, points must be taken off because they're using the EXACT same guitar tone as Hoobastank, Fuel, and Audiovent. Must have been a big sale on that amp in '02.
Keep or Sell? Keep. But listen to samples on iTunes before picking up their second album this summer.
Friday, June 18, 2004
June 16: Audiovent - Dirty Sexy Knights in Paris
Why do I own this? Another dirt-cheap Best Buy impulse purchase.
My problems with Audiovent are both musical and non-musical. Non-musically, these guys are poster boys for nepotism. Here's a band formed by the lead singer from Incubus' little brother and the guitarist from Incubus' little brother. Hm... wonder if that helped them get signed? Second, they apparently had to undergo group therapy before this album even came out! It took Metallica 20 years, lots of drugs and alcohol, and the death of a key member before they did group therapy. Audiovent couldn't even survive through the debut album before they hit the couch.
Musically, the songs on this album can be divided into two categories: Incubus-lite, and Incubus-supercharged. The Incubus-supercharged songs are pretty good, especially "The Energy." But whatever English teacher taught the Boyd brothers needs to be shot, because little bro's lyrics are just as stupid, if not dumber, than Brandon's from Incubus.
Keep or Sell? Rip "The Energy", then sell.
(0) comments
My problems with Audiovent are both musical and non-musical. Non-musically, these guys are poster boys for nepotism. Here's a band formed by the lead singer from Incubus' little brother and the guitarist from Incubus' little brother. Hm... wonder if that helped them get signed? Second, they apparently had to undergo group therapy before this album even came out! It took Metallica 20 years, lots of drugs and alcohol, and the death of a key member before they did group therapy. Audiovent couldn't even survive through the debut album before they hit the couch.
Musically, the songs on this album can be divided into two categories: Incubus-lite, and Incubus-supercharged. The Incubus-supercharged songs are pretty good, especially "The Energy." But whatever English teacher taught the Boyd brothers needs to be shot, because little bro's lyrics are just as stupid, if not dumber, than Brandon's from Incubus.
Keep or Sell? Rip "The Energy", then sell.
June 15: Fuel - Something Like Human
Why do I own this? I can't pretend to be embarrassed about this one; I bought it fair and square and liked it when it came out nearly four years ago.
In fact, I even went to see Fuel with Weezer and the Cult at Edgefest in Tulsa in '01. I think my personal backlash came when I heard them do an acoustic version of "Daniel" by Elton John on a radio show, and just butcher it.
Listening to this again, the singles are still good: "Hemorrhage (in my hands)", "Bad Day," "Last Time." The rest of the songs are pretty generic; in fact, some of them could have been on the Hoobastank album and I wouldn't have noticed. Brett Scallions, the lead singer, appears to be on a personal mission to develop open sores on his vocal cords, even on the ballads. So, about half of this album is decent, but I hadn't listened to it in about three years... will I ever pick it up again?
Keep or Sell? I'm on the fence. I think I'm going to wait until the end of the month to decide.
(0) comments
In fact, I even went to see Fuel with Weezer and the Cult at Edgefest in Tulsa in '01. I think my personal backlash came when I heard them do an acoustic version of "Daniel" by Elton John on a radio show, and just butcher it.
Listening to this again, the singles are still good: "Hemorrhage (in my hands)", "Bad Day," "Last Time." The rest of the songs are pretty generic; in fact, some of them could have been on the Hoobastank album and I wouldn't have noticed. Brett Scallions, the lead singer, appears to be on a personal mission to develop open sores on his vocal cords, even on the ballads. So, about half of this album is decent, but I hadn't listened to it in about three years... will I ever pick it up again?
Keep or Sell? I'm on the fence. I think I'm going to wait until the end of the month to decide.
June 14: Hoobastank - (self-titled)
Why do I own this? I liked "Crawling in the Dark," I saw it for $7 at Best Buy, I bought it.
This CD is so terrible, it makes Incubus look like Led Zeppelin. Seriously. I'd soured on "Crawling in the Dark" about two weeks after I bought this (thanks to those stupid Fast and the Furious-inspired Mountain Dew commercials) and the rest of this CD is horrible nü-metal cliches crossed with horrible punk cliches. Seriously, I nearly threw this CD out of the car while listening to it, and I wasn't even to track 8 yet.
Keep or Sell? Oh, sell, definitely. Actually selling this might be too good for it. Maybe I should run it over with my truck.
(0) comments
This CD is so terrible, it makes Incubus look like Led Zeppelin. Seriously. I'd soured on "Crawling in the Dark" about two weeks after I bought this (thanks to those stupid Fast and the Furious-inspired Mountain Dew commercials) and the rest of this CD is horrible nü-metal cliches crossed with horrible punk cliches. Seriously, I nearly threw this CD out of the car while listening to it, and I wasn't even to track 8 yet.
Keep or Sell? Oh, sell, definitely. Actually selling this might be too good for it. Maybe I should run it over with my truck.
June 13: Various Artists - O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack
Why do I own this? Caught up in the hype after the movie came out. Plus, I dig "Man of Constant Sorrow."
The reason I'm ambivalent on this CD is that I just feel like I'm not old enough to appreciate it. It's a great collection of old-time country songs, but it doesn't fit into the rest of my collection. It just seems like the soundtrack works best as background music at a dinner party, and I'm not at that phase in my life. Still, it is pretty good.
Keep or Sell? Keep, but take back out in 15 years and judge again.
(0) comments
The reason I'm ambivalent on this CD is that I just feel like I'm not old enough to appreciate it. It's a great collection of old-time country songs, but it doesn't fit into the rest of my collection. It just seems like the soundtrack works best as background music at a dinner party, and I'm not at that phase in my life. Still, it is pretty good.
Keep or Sell? Keep, but take back out in 15 years and judge again.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
June 12: Pete Yorn - Day I Forgot
Why do I own this? Yorn's first album still lives in my CD player, and I bought this one, the follow-up, the day it came out.
Unfortunately, there's not a single song on this album that's as good as the songs on Musicforthemorningafter. "Come Back Home" and "Crystal Village" could have fit on there, but I don't think they would have been singles. Instead, they were the two singles on this album. And they're pretty good songs. And the closer, "So Much Work," is decent, though it sounds like a B-side from the first album. The rest is unfocused, self-indulgent crap. Like "Burrito," where he uses a 7-11 burrito as some sort of metaphor. For what, I don't know.
Keep or Sell? Rip "Come Back Home" and "Crystal Village," and sell, with two fingers crossed that Yorn's next album will be better than this mess.
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Unfortunately, there's not a single song on this album that's as good as the songs on Musicforthemorningafter. "Come Back Home" and "Crystal Village" could have fit on there, but I don't think they would have been singles. Instead, they were the two singles on this album. And they're pretty good songs. And the closer, "So Much Work," is decent, though it sounds like a B-side from the first album. The rest is unfocused, self-indulgent crap. Like "Burrito," where he uses a 7-11 burrito as some sort of metaphor. For what, I don't know.
Keep or Sell? Rip "Come Back Home" and "Crystal Village," and sell, with two fingers crossed that Yorn's next album will be better than this mess.
Friday, June 11, 2004
June 11: Harvey Danger - King James Version
Why do I own this? Honestly, no idea. I think I got it from BMG in one of those "buy this album and get three more for 1¢" things.
Harvey Danger had two real hits ("Flagpole Sitta" and a remake of "Save It For Later") and neither of them are on here. I would have to say problem No. 1 for these guys is that their singer doesn't sing so much as he sneers the lyrics. And the lyrics are very stream-of-consciousness, which works for Eddie Vedder and Michael Stipe, though it should be noted that they actually sing. There are a couple of flashes of adequacy, but for the most part this thing sucks with a capital S.
Keep or Sell? Sell, with a capital S. Though I bet all the stores are going to reject this one.
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Harvey Danger had two real hits ("Flagpole Sitta" and a remake of "Save It For Later") and neither of them are on here. I would have to say problem No. 1 for these guys is that their singer doesn't sing so much as he sneers the lyrics. And the lyrics are very stream-of-consciousness, which works for Eddie Vedder and Michael Stipe, though it should be noted that they actually sing. There are a couple of flashes of adequacy, but for the most part this thing sucks with a capital S.
Keep or Sell? Sell, with a capital S. Though I bet all the stores are going to reject this one.
June 10: Jimmy Fallon - The Bathroom Wall
Why do I own this? I'm a big SNL fan, and I like Jimmy Fallon on the show. Plus, I really liked the "Idiot Boyfriend" single, and I was hoping it would be as good as Adam Sandler's first album.
Instead, it's as terrible as Adam Sandler's fourth album. After "Idiot Boyfriend," you get four more songs, none of them that great. Then the rest of the album is made up of a college show Fallon did (in about '98, from the age of the jokes). Parts are funny, but not as funny as Sandler or Eddie Murphy or Chris Rock. The whole project comes off really half-assed, which makes me wonder how well Fallon's movie career is going to go now that he's quit SNL.
Keep or Sell? Rip "Idiot Boyfriend" to my computer, then sell. Bye Jimmy.
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Instead, it's as terrible as Adam Sandler's fourth album. After "Idiot Boyfriend," you get four more songs, none of them that great. Then the rest of the album is made up of a college show Fallon did (in about '98, from the age of the jokes). Parts are funny, but not as funny as Sandler or Eddie Murphy or Chris Rock. The whole project comes off really half-assed, which makes me wonder how well Fallon's movie career is going to go now that he's quit SNL.
Keep or Sell? Rip "Idiot Boyfriend" to my computer, then sell. Bye Jimmy.
June 9: Starsailor - Love is Here
Why do I own this album? Honestly, I bought into the hype from the NME that this was the next great British band. Then I bought this CD. And I didn't like it. At all.
For one thing, this Liverpool quartet make Coldplay look like Iron Maiden. For another, lead singer James Walsh has an annoying, unnecessarily dramatic, high-pitched voice. And the songs aren't that great. I think Matt did this CD early on and liked it, but I do not agree.
Keep or Sell? Neither, actually. I listened to this one while driving my mom back from Houston, and she liked it a lot. So I gave it to her. Wow... my mom's into Starsailor.
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For one thing, this Liverpool quartet make Coldplay look like Iron Maiden. For another, lead singer James Walsh has an annoying, unnecessarily dramatic, high-pitched voice. And the songs aren't that great. I think Matt did this CD early on and liked it, but I do not agree.
Keep or Sell? Neither, actually. I listened to this one while driving my mom back from Houston, and she liked it a lot. So I gave it to her. Wow... my mom's into Starsailor.
June 8: The Wallflowers - (Breach)
Why do I own this album? Honestly, I'm not sure. I don't have any real memory of buying it. I don't own any other Wallflowers albums. It's as if it just popped up in my CD collection one day, uninvited.
That's not to say I don't like the Wallflowers. They're very pleasant. I liked "One Headlight" the first 5,000 or so times I heard it. And this album has some pretty good songs on it, like "Letters from the Wasteland," "Sleepwalker," and the closer, "Birdcage." But the middle of the album is boring, mid-tempo mush and it sounds like one long, 30-minute song.
So... Keep or Sell? keep, for now. It does have three good songs, and I doubt I could get much for it at Waterloo. So this one stays.
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That's not to say I don't like the Wallflowers. They're very pleasant. I liked "One Headlight" the first 5,000 or so times I heard it. And this album has some pretty good songs on it, like "Letters from the Wasteland," "Sleepwalker," and the closer, "Birdcage." But the middle of the album is boring, mid-tempo mush and it sounds like one long, 30-minute song.
So... Keep or Sell? keep, for now. It does have three good songs, and I doubt I could get much for it at Waterloo. So this one stays.
June 7: Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible
When I lived in England, there was this guy in my dorm named Dave who was this red-haired alcoholic Welshman. And he was a huge Manic Street Preachers fan. This was in '98, when they had the No. 1 album in the UK for like two months. But Dave insisted that the great Manics album was The Holy Bible, from '94.
Lo and behold, I'm in the Virgin megastore in NOLA last week, and they have the Holy Bible in the imports section (it never came out in the U.S. after guitarist Richey James disappeared a few weeks before the release date) for only $12. So I bought it. And... wow.
This is quite possibly the most dark album of all time. The lyrics all deal with racism, evil, genocide, abortion, anorexia and other peppy topics. Song titles include "If White America Told the Truth for One Day, its World Would Fall Apart," "Archives of Pain," and "Die in the Summertime." And the album art flirts with fascist imagery. This one's pretty depressing. I kind of wonder about Dave now...
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Lo and behold, I'm in the Virgin megastore in NOLA last week, and they have the Holy Bible in the imports section (it never came out in the U.S. after guitarist Richey James disappeared a few weeks before the release date) for only $12. So I bought it. And... wow.
This is quite possibly the most dark album of all time. The lyrics all deal with racism, evil, genocide, abortion, anorexia and other peppy topics. Song titles include "If White America Told the Truth for One Day, its World Would Fall Apart," "Archives of Pain," and "Die in the Summertime." And the album art flirts with fascist imagery. This one's pretty depressing. I kind of wonder about Dave now...
Monday, June 07, 2004
June 6: Weezer - (self-titled)
I had intended to start my keep-or-sell batch of CDs today, but then I ended spending an extra day helping Kit move, so I had to go with whatever was in the car. And it was the Weez.
And really, what can you say about Weezer that hasn't already been said? That every song on this album is awesome? That the "blue album" is a classic? That hearing these songs watered-down on the "green album" and Maladroit in a desperate attempt to regain their fanbase just makes this first album better?
Will this be up there with Led Zeppelin IV or Van Halen's 1984 in 20 years? Who knows? But on a warm Sunday in June in Texas, it was a mighty fine listen.
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And really, what can you say about Weezer that hasn't already been said? That every song on this album is awesome? That the "blue album" is a classic? That hearing these songs watered-down on the "green album" and Maladroit in a desperate attempt to regain their fanbase just makes this first album better?
Will this be up there with Led Zeppelin IV or Van Halen's 1984 in 20 years? Who knows? But on a warm Sunday in June in Texas, it was a mighty fine listen.
June 5: The Cardigans - Long Gone Before Daylight
You remember the Cardigans, right? "Lovefool"? 1998, anybody? Personally, I liked their follow-up, where they tried to rock a little bit (remember "My Favorite Game" or "Erase/Rewind"?). Then they took five years off, and I was browsing the Virgin Megastore in the French Quarter and stumbled upon a listening post for this album, put on the headphones, and lo and behold, it grabbed me. Everything is slow and understated, but "Communication" has to be one of the most gorgeous songs (and there's really no other word to describe it but gorgeous) I've heard in the last few years. This is a great post-party, chill-out sort of record, the kind you listen to at 3 a.m. when you can't sleep.
There are a couple of problems with English-as-a-second-language lyrics (they are Swedish, you know), but still, highly recommended.
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There are a couple of problems with English-as-a-second-language lyrics (they are Swedish, you know), but still, highly recommended.
June 4: Keane - Hopes and Fears
This is the other U.K. band that is supposed to be the next Coldplay. And it's just piano, drums, and vocals. Like a weird power trio led by Billy Joel or something. Just a little bit of guitar, and this is one of the albums of the year. As is, it's waaaaay too girly and "sensitive." It's too bad Dawson's Creek got cancelled, because Keane's music would have fit great over the closing montage every week.
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Friday, June 04, 2004
June 3: Feeder - Echo Park
I was in New Orleans this week for a wedding, which meant I had to get down to the Virgin Megastore in the French Quarter to browse the import bins.
This is Feeder's 2001 album, which wasn't released in the U.S. Sounds a lot like Feeder's more recent one, but heavier and faster (their drummer is still alive on this recording). I especially like "Buck Rogers" and "Seven Days in the Sun." My only complaint would probably be the nonsensical lyrics, but that's a small complaint.
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This is Feeder's 2001 album, which wasn't released in the U.S. Sounds a lot like Feeder's more recent one, but heavier and faster (their drummer is still alive on this recording). I especially like "Buck Rogers" and "Seven Days in the Sun." My only complaint would probably be the nonsensical lyrics, but that's a small complaint.
June 2: Snow Patrol - Final Straw
Snow Patrol has been around for awhile in Britain; I heard a weird little song of theirs about an igloo collapsing (no joke) when I was over there in '99. But this is their huge breakthrough album, with comparisons to "the next Coldplay."
Is it that good? No. The middle three songs, "Spitting Games," "Chocolate," and "Run," are gorgeous pop tunes. But the rest is kinda blah.
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Is it that good? No. The middle three songs, "Spitting Games," "Chocolate," and "Run," are gorgeous pop tunes. But the rest is kinda blah.
June 1: Graham Colton Band - drive
Graham Colton is this guy who grew up in Oklahoma City, went to either Heritage Hall or Casady (I've heard both), then moved to Dallas to go to SMU, started singing songs in coffeehouses, dropped out of SMU, started a band, and got signed by Universal. His debut CD came out last week.
And man, somebody threw some money at this band. The thing is produced by Brendan O'Brien, who did Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, STP, Rage against the Machine, Aerosmith, and about 20 other kick-ass bands. O'Brien also did the Black Crowes and Train, which is more the genre Colton is in. The lead singer of Semisonic co-wrote the lead single, "Don't Give Up On Me," and Kevin Griffin from Better than Ezra co-wrote six other songs. (in fact, Matt and I encountered Graham at Orange Peel last year when he came out to sing harmonies on BTE's "At the Stars.")
And what do you get for all that cash? A pretty good CD, but a pretty good CD that would have been popular about six years ago when the Wallflowers were still big. I don't know where on radio this thing could get airplay in 2004. And that's sad. But if you like the Counting Crows or the Wallflowers, by all means check this out. If you started reading this thing because of punk month, I would advise staying away.
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And man, somebody threw some money at this band. The thing is produced by Brendan O'Brien, who did Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, STP, Rage against the Machine, Aerosmith, and about 20 other kick-ass bands. O'Brien also did the Black Crowes and Train, which is more the genre Colton is in. The lead singer of Semisonic co-wrote the lead single, "Don't Give Up On Me," and Kevin Griffin from Better than Ezra co-wrote six other songs. (in fact, Matt and I encountered Graham at Orange Peel last year when he came out to sing harmonies on BTE's "At the Stars.")
And what do you get for all that cash? A pretty good CD, but a pretty good CD that would have been popular about six years ago when the Wallflowers were still big. I don't know where on radio this thing could get airplay in 2004. And that's sad. But if you like the Counting Crows or the Wallflowers, by all means check this out. If you started reading this thing because of punk month, I would advise staying away.
Andrew's May Summary, or Hot Topic's Greatest Hits
May 1: Green Day - Dookie
May 2: Green Day - Insomniac
May 3: Blink-182 - Enema of the State
May 4: Blink-182 - Take off your pants and jacket
May 5: Various Artists - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
May 6: Social Distortion - White Light, White Heat, White Trash
May 7: Sugarcult - Start Static
May 8: Bowling for Soup - Let's Do It for Johnny!!
May 9: Bowling for Soup - Drunk Enough to Dance
May 10: Midtown - living well is the best revenge
May 11: NOFX - Punk in Drublic
May 12: Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Ska-Core, the Devil and More
May 13: Falcon Five-O - The Manual for Hard Living
May 14: Dum Dums - it goes without saying
May 15: A - Monkey Kong
May 16: A - Hi-Fi Serious
May 17: The Presidents of the United States of America - (self-titled)
May 18: Bad Religion - Recipe for Hate
May 19: Bad Religion - Stranger than Fiction
May 20: Offspring - Smash
May 21: The Offspring - Ixnay on the Hombre
May 22: The Offspring - Americana
May 23: No Use for a Name - More Betterness
May 24: Bad Religion - The Grey Race
May 25: Bad Religion - The New America
May 26: Collider - WCYF
May 27: Anchondo - Rookies of the Year
May 28: Various Artists - Suckapunch Records: Hit 'Em Where it Counts
May 29: Various Artists - Atticus … dragging the lake. II
May 30: The Replacements - Let it Be
May 31: Electric Six - Fire
Best album: (tie) Electric Six and Sugarcult
Worst album: Bad Religion - The Gray Race
Things to ponder about my May selection:
1) Why did they call themselves "Offspring" on the first album, then switch to "The Offspring" after that?
2) Are the Presidents, the Replacements and Falcon Five-O really punk?
3) Who the hell has my copy of Green Day's Nimrod? Seriously, if you have it, would you return it to me?
4) How could I do a punk month without the Sex Pistols, Black Flag, the Clash, or the Buzzcocks?
I've got to get through some recent purchases, then I'm doing something a little different for the rest of June. I've pulled out a selection of "what-the-hell?" discs. These are albums that I can't believe I actually own. After I listen to 'em, they're going to either get a "keep" or a "sell." Then at the end of June, I'm making a pilgrimage to Waterloo to trade in some CDs. If you'd like to join me, drop me an e-mail. We'll carpool.
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May 2: Green Day - Insomniac
May 3: Blink-182 - Enema of the State
May 4: Blink-182 - Take off your pants and jacket
May 5: Various Artists - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
May 6: Social Distortion - White Light, White Heat, White Trash
May 7: Sugarcult - Start Static
May 8: Bowling for Soup - Let's Do It for Johnny!!
May 9: Bowling for Soup - Drunk Enough to Dance
May 10: Midtown - living well is the best revenge
May 11: NOFX - Punk in Drublic
May 12: Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Ska-Core, the Devil and More
May 13: Falcon Five-O - The Manual for Hard Living
May 14: Dum Dums - it goes without saying
May 15: A - Monkey Kong
May 16: A - Hi-Fi Serious
May 17: The Presidents of the United States of America - (self-titled)
May 18: Bad Religion - Recipe for Hate
May 19: Bad Religion - Stranger than Fiction
May 20: Offspring - Smash
May 21: The Offspring - Ixnay on the Hombre
May 22: The Offspring - Americana
May 23: No Use for a Name - More Betterness
May 24: Bad Religion - The Grey Race
May 25: Bad Religion - The New America
May 26: Collider - WCYF
May 27: Anchondo - Rookies of the Year
May 28: Various Artists - Suckapunch Records: Hit 'Em Where it Counts
May 29: Various Artists - Atticus … dragging the lake. II
May 30: The Replacements - Let it Be
May 31: Electric Six - Fire
Best album: (tie) Electric Six and Sugarcult
Worst album: Bad Religion - The Gray Race
Things to ponder about my May selection:
1) Why did they call themselves "Offspring" on the first album, then switch to "The Offspring" after that?
2) Are the Presidents, the Replacements and Falcon Five-O really punk?
3) Who the hell has my copy of Green Day's Nimrod? Seriously, if you have it, would you return it to me?
4) How could I do a punk month without the Sex Pistols, Black Flag, the Clash, or the Buzzcocks?
I've got to get through some recent purchases, then I'm doing something a little different for the rest of June. I've pulled out a selection of "what-the-hell?" discs. These are albums that I can't believe I actually own. After I listen to 'em, they're going to either get a "keep" or a "sell." Then at the end of June, I'm making a pilgrimage to Waterloo to trade in some CDs. If you'd like to join me, drop me an e-mail. We'll carpool.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
May 31: Electric Six - Fire
This is easily my favorite album of the last 18 months. Why, you ask? Because they've invented a whole new genre: disco-punk. Didn't think it could be done? OH YES IT CAN, and it rocks with a lower-case r. Nothing you can do while listening to the Six but get yo' ass a-shakin'. I'm sitting here right now shaking my ass, in a chair, to the sweet sounds of "Danger! High Voltage!" And then at the end, they pull out every New Wave trick in the book for the fantastic "Synthesizer". Brandon went to see E6 with me in OKC last year, and I don't think he was as impressed.
STOP!
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STOP!
continue...
May 30: The Replacements - Let it Be
My brother informed me this was the "most punk" of the Replacements' CDs, then he let me borrow it on my NOLA trip. I've never been a huge fan of Paul Westerberg or the Replacements. I mean, I recognize their influence on '90s rock (especially Soul Asylum and the Goo Goo Dolls), and I like some of their songs, but I don't own any of the albums. This album's pretty good, but it didn't grab me and kick me in the keister or anything. Although Pete Buck from REM does play a solo on the first track, "I Will Dare." That's pretty kick-keister.
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May 29: Various Artists - Atticus … dragging the lake. II
The second comp put out by Blink-182's clothing company, Atticus, it's got an unreleased Blink song, plus two Blink side project bands, Box Car Racer and the Transplants, and a whole bunch of punk, ska-punk, and emo. The Rocket from the Crypt song that kicked things off was pretty good, but the rest sorta bored me. I think I may sell this next time I go to Waterloo.
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May 28: Various Artists - Suckapunch Records: Hit 'Em Where it Counts
You can't do a punk month without listening to one of those punk compilations that litter entire shelves at your average Virgin Megastore or Best Buy. I got this one from the Anchondo fellas, it was put out by a Lincoln, Neb. label and advertises "Lincoln Punk Rock" (even though Minutes Too Far, from the OKC, are on there, too). It's a pretty good cross-section; you've got the band that sounds like early Get Up Kids, the Goldfinger wannabes, the bands that sound like NOFX and No Use for a Name, etc. etc. Is there an original, stand-out song on it? Nope. But that's OK.
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