The brother of the New Music Thread.

 

Discuss music that isn't that new.

I recently rediscovered Radiohead's The Bends.

 

It was one of those albums I never really got. I enjoyed it, but I didn't understand the "Best Album of the 90's" or "Best Album Ever" titles people like to bestow upon it, and I still don't. But I do understand where it's coming from. Thats a great album.

Radiohead is great. I do think people go a little overboard with them though and they are one of those 'can do no wrong' bands where their fan base is so intense that absolutely everything they do is brilliant and if you don't care for it, your music tastes suck, etc. Kind of like how Nine Inch Nails has become. I can't stand rabid music fan bases.

 

That said, I like them a lot.

 

OK Computer is definitely my favorite of their discog.

Radiohead is great. I do think people go a little overboard with them though and they are one of those 'can do no wrong' bands where their fan base is so intense that absolutely everything they do is brilliant and if you don't care for it, your music tastes suck, etc. Kind of like how Nine Inch Nails has become. I can't stand rabid music fan bases.

 

That said, I like them a lot.

 

OK Computer is definitely my favorite of their discog.

 

I'm stuck between Kid A and Ok Computer, but regardless both are in my top 20 of all time.

 

I kind of think they can do no wrong mostly because in my opinion they've done very little wrong so far. And the new songs I've heard give no indication that they are slipping at all.

 

That said, I have no qualms with those who don't like them. There's a lot to not get.

I can't stop listening to Def Leppard. :|

Well its things like, in Airbag there are those sleigh bells playing. I like them and think they are cool but if someone said around some Radiohead fans that they thought the bells were dumb, they'd be bludgeoned. "The sleigh bells were absolute genius! If you don't like them, you don't know what you are talking about!"

 

Then when you find out that Thom Yorke wanted the bells in randomly and the band thought it was a retarded idea and he eventually got his way and latter he even admitted he thought it was dumb. :lol

 

Its more of me just ranting on fan bases, especially ones like Radiohead's then a knock on anything the band has done.

 

Radiohead grew on me slowly in high school. I used to not like them but they are one of those bands that you almost have to give multiple listens to and the album got better and better with each listen.

 

Just like Bjork for me. I never 'got' Bjork for a long time and within probably the last 15-18 months I made an 'effort' to start listening to her and I now think she is one of the best musicians of all-time. Post and Homogenic are probably somewhere in my top 15-20 albums I've ever listened too. Just phenomenal. I'm always glad I gave her the chance.

 

I can't stop listening to Def Leppard. :|

Yeah, I've actually played Hysteria a bunch on my surround sound for some reason in the last few weeks. I don't even think they are that talented and I don't like that era of music that much but that is an addicting and well put together album. Ton of hits on it.

Well its things like, in Airbag there are those sleigh bells playing. I like them and think they are cool but if someone said around some Radiohead fans that they thought the bells were dumb, they'd be bludgeoned. "The sleigh bells were absolute genius! If you don't like them, you don't know what you are talking about!"

 

Then when you find out that Thom Yorke wanted the bells in randomly and the band thought it was a retarded idea and he eventually got his way and latter he even admitted he thought it was dumb. :lol

 

Its more of me just ranting on fan bases, especially ones like Radiohead's then a knock on anything the band has done.

 

Radiohead grew on me slowly in high school. I used to not like them but they are one of those bands that you almost have to give multiple listens to and the album got better and better with each listen.

 

You just described Wilco and their fan base.

 

I spend a lot of time on a Wilco message board and it's exactly like that...

Well its things like, in Airbag there are those sleigh bells playing. I like them and think they are cool but if someone said around some Radiohead fans that they thought the bells were dumb, they'd be bludgeoned. "The sleigh bells were absolute genius! If you don't like them, you don't know what you are talking about!"

 

Then when you find out that Thom Yorke wanted the bells in randomly and the band thought it was a retarded idea and he eventually got his way and latter he even admitted he thought it was dumb. :lol

 

Its more of me just ranting on fan bases, especially ones like Radiohead's then a knock on anything the band has done.

 

Radiohead grew on me slowly in high school. I used to not like them but they are one of those bands that you almost have to give multiple listens to and the album got better and better with each listen.

 

Just like Bjork for me. I never 'got' Bjork for a long time and within probably the last 15-18 months I made an 'effort' to start listening to her and I now think she is one of the best musicians of all-time. Post and Homogenic are probably somewhere in my top 15-20 albums I've ever listened too. Just phenomenal. I'm always glad I gave her the chance.

 

I can't stop listening to Def Leppard. :|

Yeah, I've actually played Hysteria a bunch on my surround sound for some reason in the last few weeks. I don't even think they are that talented and I don't like that era of music that much but that is an addicting and well put together album. Ton of hits on it.

 

Hysteria itself is actually a great song and it's one of the first tabs I've been working on. Photograph is by far my favorite Def Leppard song. If not my favorite song. Ever.

I recently rediscovered Radiohead's The Bends.

 

It was one of those albums I never really got. I enjoyed it, but I didn't understand the "Best Album of the 90's" or "Best Album Ever" titles people like to bestow upon it, and I still don't. But I do understand where it's coming from. Thats a great album.

 

 

 

 

Extremely overrated band.

 

With all that said, "Fake Plastic Trees" from The Bends and "Karma Police" from OK are just sick, sick tracks that will never get old.

 

 

My problem with Radiohead is that they have such a boner for the obscure. With the exception of "Everything In Its Right Place", Kid A is relatively awful and Amnesiac is rubbish. A waste of my money.

I download the album "Absolution" by Muse yesterday, and I cannot stop listening to it. No idea while I didn't get into Muse earlier.

Radiohead lost me around the time of Kid A. I thought it was okay, but didn't really understand why it was being proclaimed as a landmark album. I still don't. Their early stuff--especially OK Computer--is great. OK Computer is possibly in my 10 favorite albums ever.

 

I still like most of what they do, but I like what many other bands are doing quite a bit more.

Radiohead lost me around the time of Kid A. I thought it was okay, but didn't really understand why it was being proclaimed as a landmark album. I still don't. Their early stuff--especially OK Computer--is great. OK Computer is possibly in my 10 favorite albums ever.

 

I still like most of what they do, but I like what many other bands are doing quite a bit more.

 

Yeah, you can't really be in the middle about Kid A. If you're in you've gotta be in "whole hog", as my friend says.

 

I personally think it's one of the most terrifyingly gorgeous albums ever made.

Go download a mix called 'Buzz Ballads'. '90s and early '00s alternative/rock songs that I cannot get enough of.

Sirius has that new 90s Alternative station "Lithium 24" which is basically the soundtrack for my college years (1990-1994) and law school (1994-1997). I've listened to stuff there that I haven't heard in a while. While listening to it, I've grown a new appreciation for Everclear. Don't ask me why!

 

As for old songs, I have what I consider my own personal Top 5 songs of all time:

 

Anything, Anything by Dramarama

How Soon Is Now by The Smiths

Save It For Later by The English Beat

Divorce Song by Liz Phair

Veloria by The Pixies

 

Two "asides" from that list of songs. I'm stoked about getting good seats to see Morrissey at Mizner Park Amphitheatre in July. That last time I saw him live was in 1992 at the University of Central Florida Arena. I and the girl I was with at the time (who weighed all of 95 lbs) were almost trampled by morose gay men that were rushing the stage! The Morrissey show is going to be four days (July 14) after The Police show (July 10) of which I also have tickets -- looks like 2007 is going to be a pretty good concert year for me. Second, I saw Liz Phair two years ago and she is SO MUCH BETTER LOOKING in person than on video! I literally was right up against the stage at Revolution in Ft. Lauderdale and was stunned by her looks, and she's about my age so that didn't make me feel icky!

 

Also speaking of old music and also because there has been an inordinate about of Def Leppard being discussed here, one of my high school buddies wrote this book:

 

 

Pick it up if you have the chance, it's available at amazon.com. Brian May of Queen wrote the forward of the book, and thanks to that we got to see Queen + Paul Rodgers for free last year at the American Airlines Arena. My buddy has become friends with alot of the guitarists who contributed to the book and he keeps sending me pictures of his escapades with these guys (the Zakk Wylde stories are hilarious!). So, if you want to, please patronize my good buddy!

Early Liz Phair is awesome. Exile in Guyville, for all its women empowerment is awesome and a phenomenal debut album.

I've somehow never listened to that Liz Phair album, though I've always wanted to. A lot of people think it's the best album of the 90's. I have seen Liz Phair live, though. I'm putting Guyville on my To Do List for May.

 

I've never been able to make a Top 5 for songs. There's not even one song I could name that would definitely make it. In fact, I would probably need to go to at least a Top 20 before I could guarantee any song would make such a list.

 

As for your Top 5, SoFla...Save It For Later is one of those songs I never get sick of. My favorite Smiths song is probably Bigmouth Strikes Again. I have no idea what my favorite Pixies song is, but it's not Velouria, no offense to Velouria. I am unfamiliar with Dramarama.

FWIW ...

 

the bends is an EXELLENT album.

 

I was really behind the whole electronica-alternative vibe that Radiohead embarked upon releasing OK computer, that album was groundbreaking and uber awesome but their old stuff rocks as much as anyone

 

anything after OK computer was bleh though

I've somehow never listened to that Liz Phair album, though I've always wanted to. A lot of people think it's the best album of the 90's. I have seen Liz Phair live, though. I'm putting Guyville on my To Do List for May.

 

I've never been able to make a Top 5 for songs. There's not even one song I could name that would definitely make it. In fact, I would probably need to go to at least a Top 20 before I could guarantee any song would make such a list.

 

As for your Top 5, SoFla...Save It For Later is one of those songs I never get sick of. My favorite Smiths song is probably Bigmouth Strikes Again. I have no idea what my favorite Pixies song is, but it's not Velouria, no offense to Velouria. I am unfamiliar with Dramarama.

 

MY favorite Pixies song would be "Where Is My Mind". GReat tune.

 

My top 5 right now would be:

 

"Jesus Etc."- Wilco

"Rosalita"- Bruce Springsteen

"Astral Weeks"- Van Morrison

"No Surprises"- Radiohead

"Something"- The Beatles

 

 

That was tough, and it'll change in the next 5 minutes.

 

 

Speaking of old music...

 

For the first time I am going out of my way to listen to a Grateful Dead album. American Beauty. Only because I saw an episode of Freaks and Geeks last night which featured some songs from it that actually sounded good.

 

My biggest beef with the Dead is that you can't just think they are ok. YOu have to love them, or you can't like them at all. And for the most part, I've not liked what I like. But I'm enjoying this album. Not at all jammy. I could see my self liking this album a lot.

 

 

Let's see all of your top 10 albums of all time. MIne would resemble this:

 

Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

The Beatles- Abbey Road

The Clash- London Calling

Bob Dylan- Highway 61 Revisited

Weezer- Pinkerton

Radiohead- OK Computer

Van Morrison- Astral Weeks

The Arcade Fire- Funeral

The Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Bright Eyes- I'm Wide Awake It's Morning

 

 

So as you can tell, I'm not of the opinion that no good new music ever comes out, seeing as 4 of my top 10 were released in the past 5 years, and 2 in the last 2 years.

Listening to "Let's Not sh*t Ourselves" by Bright Eyes from Lifted, or the Story Is In The Soil and I've realized this may be my favorite song of all time, actually. Each one of the verses stands on it's own as an incredibly piece of imagery and each one is among my favorite lyrics ever.

 

Well the animals laugh from the dark of the wilderness

A baby cries hard in an apartment complex

As I pass in a car buried under the influence

The city's driving me out of my mind

I've seen a child, he's caught in the sad trap of gravity

He falls from the lowest branch of the apple tree

And lands in the grass, and weeps for his dignity

Next time he will not aim so high

Yeah, next time, neither will I

 

Now a mother takes loans out, sends her kids off to colleges

Her family's reduced to names on a shopping list

While a coroner kneels beneath a great wooden crucifix

He knows there's worse things than being alone

And so I've learned to retreat at the first sign of danger

I mean, why wait around, if it's just to surrender?

And ambition, I've found, can lead only to failure

I do not read the reviews

No, I am not singing for you

 

Well, I stood dropping a coin into the pit of a well

And I would throw my whole billfold if I thought it would help

With all these wishes I make, I should buy something real

At least a telephone to call home

Well, my teachers, they built this retaining wall of memory

All those multiple choices I answered so quickly

And got my grades back, and forgot just as easily

But at least I got an A

And so I don't have them to blame

 

Well I should stop pointing fingers, reserve my judgement

Of all those public action figures, the cowboy presidents

So loud behind the bullhorn, so proud they can't admit

When they've made a mistake

Well, poison ink spews from a speechwriter's pen

He knows he don't have to say it so it, it don't bother him

Honesty, accuracy, just popular opinion

And the approval rating's high

And so someone's gonna die

 

Well, ABC, NBC, CBS bulls***

They give us fact or fiction, I guess an even split

And each new act of war is tonight's entertainment

We're still the pawns in their game

As they take eye for an eye, until no one can see

We must stumble blindly forward, repeating history

Well I guess we all fit into your slogan in that fast food marquee

Red-blooded, white skinned, oh and the blues

Oh, and the blues, I got the blues, that's me!

(That's me!)

That's me!

 

Well I awoke in relief, my sheets and tubes were all tangled

Weak from whiskey and pills in a Chicago hospital

And my father was there, in a chair by the window

Staring so far away

I tried talking, just whispered, "So sorry, so selfish"

He stopped me and said, "Child, I love you regardless

There's nothing you could do that would ever change this

I'm not angry, it happens

But you just can't do it again"

 

So now I try to keep up, I've been exchanging my currency

While a million objects pass through my periphery

Now I'm rubbing my eyes, cause they're starting to bother me

I've been staring too long at the screen

But where was it when I first heard that sweet sound of humility?

It came to my ears in the goddamn loveliest melody

How grateful I was then to be part of the mystery

To love and to be loved

Let's just hope that is enough

Alright, I came up with a list of 16 albums, but I avoided putting more than one from a single artist because I could conceivably put 3 or 4 Bjork albums up there, and 3 Built To Spill albums, and what would be the fun in that...

 

From that 16, I suppose these would make my Top 10 (in order):

 

1. Bjork - Homogenic

2. Built To Spill - Perfect From Now On

3. David Bowie - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust

4. Radiohead - OK Computer

5. Pixies - Doolittle

6. Nirvana - Nevermind

7. The Wrens - Meadowlands

8. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People

9. Idlewild - 100 Broken Windows

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

 

And these are the other 6 that just missed, in no particular order:

 

Pulp - Different Class

New Pornographers - Electric Version

The Clash - London Calling

Massive Attack - Blue Lines

Portishead - Dummy

Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

 

The only question now is whether there is anything I completely forgot about.

Been listening to Cat Stevens' greatest hits for the past few days and I must ask: Is he the most underappreciated pop singer/songwriter of all time? If not him then who?

So my brother has been telling me for months to listen to Elliott Smith and I'm finally giving him a try tonight and listening to Either/Or.

 

Anyone else a fan?

So my brother has been telling me for months to listen to Elliott Smith and I'm finally giving him a try tonight and listening to Either/Or.

 

Anyone else a fan?

 

Either/or and XO are the ones I have. I enjoy them, but I'm not sure he's "the finest songwriter of our generation". But then, I've not given him really extensive listens. I'm sure I'd probably enjoy it more if I gave it some serious listens. There's definetly something there that not a lot of guys have.

Is there anyone else out there who loves 'Pet Sounds' but thinks most anything else by The Beach Boys sucks?

Manchester. Possibly the best musical talent. Check out:

 

The Stone Roses - "The Stone Roses"

New Order - "Substance"

Happy Mondays - "Pills n' Thrills n' Bellyaches"

Oasis - "Definitely Maybe"

The Chemical Brothers - "Dig Your Own Hole"

The Verve - "The Verve"

The Smiths - "The Queen Is Dead"

Joy Division - "Closer"

any of the solo works of Ian Brown or Morrissey.

 

At one point, this was the cradle for pop/rock. Unreal talents.