a coherent collection of random statements regarding God, words and tunes

A Blast (or several dozen... or so....) From the Past

Nothing new to report on the new-music front (a lot on the homefront, but I think I'm gonna wait till the dust settles further to even try....)

But on the old-music front, MAN... Let's just say a lot of old friends have joined the digital era in my house in the past month, courtesy of the following: http://thep5.blogspot.com/

As brief an overview as I can offer follows -- and these are just the highlights -- but suffice to say I'm in post-punk hog heaven....

The Cure -- Faith/Seventeen Seconds -- Still their best period, IMHO. Wonderful minimalist atmosphere. And let us not forget that Robert Smith saved South Park from Mecha-Streisand. For that alone, he deserves our eternal gratitude.

RobertSmithoftheCure, you ROCK!

ALL Things XTC (except for Go 2, as of this writing, only because it's not available in blogworld) -- The humanist Daniel Amos (and/or Swirling Eddies, as they too had an alter ego in the form of The Dukes of Stratosphear). Andy Partridge is a pop genius, that's that, and this is all the evidence you need (and all you're going to get, although there ARE rumors of a solo album FINALLY being created). To quote from one of their titles, this was music burning with optimism's flames, even while evolving from spastic new-wave to the band you wished Brian Wilson and The Beatles had joined forces to form.

And Nonsuch is a dark album in many places nonetheless. Ironic that arguably the darkest moment (or decidedly not, and you'll need to do the deciding) basically takes the penultimate line from Skylarking's harrowingly brilliant accidental hit "Dear God" ("and if You're up there, You perceive / that my heart's here upon my sleeve") and stretching it into what can only be considered an atheist's prayer ("Where's the message that's written under the base of clouds?/ Plans eternal, I know you know, so don't blurt out loud / Rook, Rook, by hook or by crook / I'll make you tell me what this whole thing's all about... / If I die and I find that I had a soul inside / Promise me that you'll take it up on its final ride / Rook, Rook, gaze in the brook / If there's a secret, can I be a part of it?") Story has it that this broke a two-year writer's block and Andy cried like a baby when it first poured out. And so should you. And although he denies it, Hooray for Peter Pumpkinhead too, for that matter.

Dexy's Midnight Runners -- Searching for the Young Soul Rebels / Too-Rye-Ay -- Yes, yes, Kevin Rowland is best known as the one-hit-wonder grungebag singing "Come on, Eileen" (which, nonetheless, remains a perfect pop song for the intellectual hornbag in all of us), but the man could channel Van Morrison with the best of them, for two albums anyway. Too-Rye-Ay holds up a LOT better than you thought it would, but their debut Searching for the Young Soul Rebels is the real deal -- angry, soulful, bitingly witty.

ALL things The Jam -- Say what you like. Paul Weller knew how to write idealist anthems, even while blindly ripping off (the best features of) every British Invasion or Motown group he could find. And to convey said idealist anthems with EVERY ounce of conviction at his disposal. And All Mod Cons, Sound Affects and especially Setting Sons are just great stuff.

Tom Robinson Band -- Power in the Darkness/TRB Two -- Don't know why he/they never became more popular. (OK, so I do -- probably something to do with being "glad to be gay"....) But when PitD came out in 1979 -- and I was still heralding the values all things Who (especially Quadrophenia)... well, music didn't come much better than this. And it's still a thump or several in the chest. Great lyrics that usually protested without preaching (the aforementioned "Glad to Be Gay" being the exception that proved the rule), and fueled by the absolutely smokin' guitar of Danny Kustow. And yet, TR could still come up with the pure power pop of "2-4-6-8 Motorway," or the "Moondance"-ish soul of "Too Good to Be True." And his version of Peter Gabriel's "Bully for You" still remains the definitive one. Glad to've re-found this.

The Modern Lovers -- 1st album -- Before Jonathan Richman went into a second childhood and never came out again (and, for that matter, before the rest of the band threw up their hands and became the Cars and Talking Heads years later) -- and a full decade before the Violent Femmes made this kind of music vaguely popular (and another decade before Smashing Pumpkins' metal version of it DID become popular, for that matter-er), there was this. Everyone and their mother has covered "Roadrunner," and there's been more than their share of covers of "Pablo Picasso," for that matter, but the blend of angry pathos (or pathetic anger, take yr choice) is all over this. "She Cracked" is The All-Time Great Vegetarian Anti-Drug Song (yes, I know, such an extensive genre -- still, it MUST be heard to be appreciated); "Hospital" is eery, pathetic and heartbreaking all at once. And, well, so on.

The Waterboys -- The Waterboys/This Is the Sea (and somebody find me A Pagan Place!) -- I think my feelings re: Mike Scott and whoever else is in the band that day have already been adequately conveyed, but still, to quote the man hisself, HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The Psychedelic Furs -- 1st album -- Nasty, brilliant stuff. Even here, though, Richard Butler's spirituality had a way of belying his anti-religious rants. (Trust me though, Jim, stay AWAY from this one! )

All things Magazine -- I present to you Howard Devoto, the half of the Buzzcocks that wasn't Pete Shelley and got out before they singlehandedly invented punk-pop, opting instead to create an icy-warm keyboard-laden darkness that made you wonder what Roxy Music might've accomplished if Bryan Ferry had been less debonair and more crazy-literate and angry. And while Real Life is the album that captures that best, the most sublime case in point is The Correct Use of Soap's "Song From Under the Floorboards," a literal rewrite of Dostoevsky's Notes From the Underground (right from the opening line, "I am angry, I am ill, and I am ugly as sin.") Song STILL floors me (pun unintentional) every time.

Gang of Four -- Entertainment! -- They kinda petered out after this one, but boy, was/is this an interesting album. Incisive lyrics, catchy hooks, and some great angular feedback-laden guitar work. "Anthrax" is STILL edgy for an anti-love song, even 25 years later.

Jim Carroll -- Catholic Boy -- I wish this one held up a little better, but it's still poetry with some great greasy guitar behind it. And I can't hear "People Who Died" without remembering the first time hearing it and having to pull off the road, it was so remarkable. Plus, it was an Envelopes staple; people who'd never heard the original thought tim wrote it, it fit in so well...

The Only Ones -- Special View / Only Serpents Shine -- Peter Perrett was clearly a total moron with his personal life (go look it up), but in his day the boy could write the best poppy rockin' sardonic love songs this side of Matthew Sweet.

The Boomtown Rats -- A Tonic for the Troops / The Fine Art of Surfacing -- And speaking of people who are their own worst enemy (but at least somehow held their own lives together)... Bob Geldof has gone in any number of curious and seemingly contradictory directions, but when he was still just a songwriter with a big mouth and a good band, he/they did some great stuff. Cool personal memory: Seeing them on the Tonic tour at the Palladium in NYC (for $5 -- ALSO way cool), and having them come out for the encore and perform a song they'd just written -- a cappella. The song? "I Don't Like Mondays."

The Pretenders --  Pretenders II -- The first album and Learning to Crawl are the preemptive greatest-hits albums, but this one -- written in between the two while Chrissie Hynde almost became the fifth Mrs. Ray Davies and bore his child regardless -- is the true gem. To open said album with two songs called "The Adultress" and "Bad Boys Get Spanked" is nothing if not ballsy. But the real album starts after that -- "Message of Love" is a GREAT wall-of-sound single; "Birds of Paradise" is a tough but wistful tearjerker directed at a former lover; "Talk of the Town" is another near-perfect single; and so on and on.

The Clash -- 1st album/London Calling/Combat Rock --  They weren't the ONLY band that mattered, but get past the singles and they mattered a whooooole lot more than you might think. And they don't get near enough credit for the amount of musical styles they experimented with even as they were thumping you in the chest with three chords and the truth. You really don't need more than Side 1 of Combat Rock, but the other two are critical. (And Sandinista even moreso, evinced by the fact that I'd already replaced that one.)

So there you are. Now go FETCH.

Posted by: burninglight at 20:04 | link | comments (44)

Comments:

#1  25 April 2008 - 01:39

 

Hmmm, well if this dog is going to do any fetching, Pretenders II looks like the most intriguing of the tossed sticks. I just put in a bid on ebay for a cheap copy that has no booklet, but a bonus CD with most of the tracks live included. Win it or not, I'll be sure to check it out sometime, and let you know what I think.

Regarding the other bands reviewed, well...

similar to how I feel about hockey. :-b

Jim

LDVoyager

#2  25 April 2008 - 13:08

 

Yr loss. This are BASEBALL bands, buddy. :P

burninglight

#3  25 April 2008 - 14:42

 

Maybe they are, but you know so many bands, I don't have the time to find an interest in them all. I'm 40 years old and i didn't grow up with them; how can I have the time to hear them out now? The Pretenders, I loved "Learning to Crawl" and the song "Brass in Pocket" has its merits, great lead singer and guitar player, awesome Rush Limbaugh intro song, so there is an interest.

The Clash, OK, I loved the song "Train in Vain" when I was in the 7th grade or so. But that's hardly enough to generate an interest. "London calling from the underworld" is about as fun as a traffic jam or a rained-out baseball game.

Other than that, the only thing I have familiarity with is BR's "I Don't like Mondays" which always seemed a little melodramatic-cheesy to me. But I guess that's no excuse, since l love MB's "Tuesday Afternoon" which can also be described as melodramatic-cheesy. :-D

Jim

LDVoyager

#4  25 April 2008 - 14:57

 

I forgot about the Rush connection. That explains everything. :P

I suppose growing up with all these guys helps, but don't cheat yrself. As a Brian Wilson admirer (musically, at least), you owe it to yrself to track down some XTC, at least. Oranges & Lemons or Black Sea (or one of the many singles collections, esp. Upsy Daisy Assortment) might be the easiest access points.

burninglight

#5  25 April 2008 - 16:26

 

"I forgot about the Rush connection. That explains everything."

Nah, if anything that would be a deterrent since I heard that back in the 90s they tried to disallow him from using that song. :-D

Jim

LDVoyager

#6  25 April 2008 - 16:59

 

Well, once you start checking out the Moodies that you owe yourself, then I'll start checking out the XTC that I owe myself. Heh heh heh.
;-b

Jim

LDVoyager

#7  25 April 2008 - 17:17

 

So, formerly owning one album and listening through at least three others -- including one AFTER your recommendation, just to make sure I didn't miss something -- doesn't qualify? :P

burninglight

#8  25 April 2008 - 17:40

 

Which one was that they you played after my recommendation? I didn't hear any feedback on that?

Jim

LDVoyager

#9  25 April 2008 - 17:41

 

Besides, the Moodies take more than one listen to judge. Too much greatness to grasp or comprehend on just one spin.

Jim

LDVoyager

#10  25 April 2008 - 18:16

 

In Search of the Lost Chord. I decided to let the silence speak for itself. :) It was fine, just not special. Didn't change the impression that multiple plays of A Question of Balance and Days of Future Passed (or later stuff outside of yr Big 7) had already provided.

burninglight

#11  25 April 2008 - 19:51

 

If you give "To Our Children's Children's Children" a fair shake, I will stay off of your back about the Moodies forever.

That CD, IMHO, is the best kept secret in great album rock history.

Jim

LDVoyager

#12  25 April 2008 - 20:06

 

"In Search of the Lost Chord. I decided to let the silence speak for itself. :) It was fine, just not special."

Well, it is the most dated sounding of their projects, for sure. I always gravitate towards the 3 Hayward tunes on that one which in my mind stand the test of time the best. "Legend of a Mind" is a pretty spirited tune, and its cool how the opening of the fourth door in the preceeding song "House of Four Doors" segues into it.

Jim

LDVoyager

#13  26 April 2008 - 02:17

 

Thanks for linking to The P5
-----
Mookie

Anonymous

#14  26 April 2008 - 16:57

 

Y'r welcome. BTW, are you guys from the NYC area? 'Specially given the Mookie reference. :)

I'm originally from Jersey, came to CO almost three years ago, and since Omar finally turned the Mets into a professional organization the Rockies are now my new favorite miracle losers. :)

burninglight

#15  26 April 2008 - 22:15

 

Good call on 'Searching for the Young Soul Rebels'. I'd forgotten that one and remember reaaaaaalllly liking it. Pretenders are a no brainer (no wonder Jim likes them), but you and I still converge on XTC, although the Only Ones ARE a great blast from the past. Do you remember Roderick Falconer 'victory in rock city'? I remember loving that one, too, but I'll bet at this late date it's swill.. Gotta go corrupt a 7 year old w/a Nirvana record!. bye!
tb

timbyrnes

#16  27 April 2008 - 01:47

 

"Gotta go corrupt a 7 year old w/a Nirvana record!."

That is so so so so so sad. I mean, that is SO sad.

Jim

LDVoyager

#17  27 April 2008 - 21:34

 

Didn't reralize I was here to make you happy. 'twas a joke, Einstein.

timbyrnes

#18  27 April 2008 - 21:49

 

Actually, it's a reference to a joke I made years ago @ the dorfboard, but beyond that, what's wrong w/exposing a 7 yr old to the emotions of, say, 'Nevermind'? Seriously. I mean is it ever too early to let a person know that life sometimes sucks?

Key word being 'sometimes?"

And speaking of life sucking, Simmons, any thoughts yet on 'Gentlemen'?
tb

timbyrnes

#19  28 April 2008 - 00:45

 

It's a big pile, tim. :D Although I have to say Gentlemen hasn't jumped out of it yet. But I haven't given up on it either.

burninglight

#20  28 April 2008 - 01:09

 

Cool.

timbyrnes

#21  28 April 2008 - 02:28

 

"Actually, it's a reference to a joke I made years ago @ the dorfboard, but beyond that, what's wrong w/exposing a 7 yr old to the emotions of, say, 'Nevermind'? Seriously. I mean is it ever too early to let a person know that life sometimes sucks?"

Oh yeah, on the dorfboard. Now I remember. Sorry for not getting the joke.

Well, but anyways, to answer your question about what's wrong with showing a 7 year old that life sometimes isn't the greatest is. The answer is there is nothing wrong with teaching that "life is hard; but God is good". But there is something wrong with being too drab when we're in the valley and not trying to see God's hand at work. I think Cobain's suicide speaks that he was not trying to see God's hand in the events of his life.

Jim

LDVoyager

#22  28 April 2008 - 03:58

 

he's 9 now and still listens to nirvana and much more..........
anyways, most of that stuff on that blog i would have been much more into 20 years ago....
i've kinda reverted back to my childhood (the 70's) lately.......
i guess the first ramones is 70's.... of course i heard that a long, long time ago......... :P

beatmenace

#23  28 April 2008 - 13:06

 

"anyways, most of that stuff on that blog i would have been much more into 20 years ago.... "

Well gee, you THINK, joey? :P

But a lot of it's still holding up pretty danged good. There was a bunch of other stuff I didn't even mention.

As far as reverting to my childhood -- well yeah, I had a brief Queen revival some months back, too.... :D

burninglight

#24  29 April 2008 - 13:14

 

"As far as reverting to my childhood -- well yeah, I had a brief Queen revival some months back, too.... "

Yeah, me too. My son Paul is 6 and loves superheroes, so I knew he would get a big kick out of the "Flash" song; you should see the look on his face when I play it. Of course, with the kids I am very selective in taht there are only a few Queen songs that they are aware of.

Was pleasantly surprised at some of their quality output in the 80s, as showcased on the CD "Queen Classics". I had not been aware of some of the good stuff they were putting out since "The Works".

Jim

LDVoyager

#25  29 April 2008 - 13:29

 

"he's 9 now and still listens to nirvana and much more.."

With all respect, shouldn't a 9-year old be exposed to much happier music than Nirvana?

I'm not knocking you, just asking.

Jim

LDVoyager

#26  30 April 2008 - 02:18

 

i've tried to get him to listen to Da and the 77s...
not all that interested.......
we actually still listen to veggie tales way more than nirvana or anything like that...... :D

beatmenace

#27  30 April 2008 - 14:13

 

heck... even i like the veggie tales more than nirvana.

larryl

Anonymous

#28  30 April 2008 - 14:15

 

Yeah, but have you Junior Asparagus' take on "Lithium"? Yikes!

burninglight

#29  30 April 2008 - 14:35

 

it would have to be better than kurt singing it.

larryl

Anonymous

#30  30 April 2008 - 14:35

 

You kids.... :rolleyes:

:P

burninglight

#31  30 April 2008 - 14:49

 

you forget... i'm part of the generation that is supposed to love nirvana. i turned 16 in 1990.... grunge was supposedly my music.

i was too busy listening to led zep, jimi, the black crowes, and the beatles, to notice.

i heard it, and thought it sucked. i still do.

larryl

Anonymous

#32  30 April 2008 - 16:09

 

Well, there you go. Led Zep was my generation, and I thought/think THEY suck/ed. :P

Jimi I can do a few songs at a time. Black Crowes, feh.

Beatles, yeahyeahyeah, especially the Rubber Soul/Revolver period.

And Nirvana, despite their excesses, were great. In Utero is an ugly, ugly album, and thus sometimes exactly what I need to pull me out of my own ugly-ugliness. But the Unplugged CD highlights the fact that the guy COULD plain write some great songs. "All Apologies" is just danged perfect.

burninglight

#33  30 April 2008 - 16:37

 

I should hasten to add, in reference to the original discussion, that I didn't play In Utero for my 7-year-olds at the time. I probably did play Unplugged, though.

burninglight

#34  01 May 2008 - 03:20

 

there is hope for you yet, grasshopper.... :P

beatmenace

#35  12 May 2008 - 12:04

 

FWIW.....

i don't own anything from the post this all sprand from.

larryl

#36  12 May 2008 - 13:34

 

Well that's yr loss, isn't it? :P

Not even The Waterboys? For shame.

burninglight

#37  14 May 2008 - 02:28

 

i'm not even mildly knowledgeable about most of them.

of course, i do know of the pretenders, and am a fan of some of their stuff, but don't own any.

and no, no waterboys.

larryl

#38  14 May 2008 - 13:13

 

For shame. :P

burninglight

#39  14 May 2008 - 14:57

 

"Jim Carroll -- Catholic Boy -- I wish this one held up a little better, but it's still poetry with some great greasy guitar behind it. And I can't hear "People Who Died" without remembering the first time hearing it and having to pull off the road, it was so remarkable. Plus, it was an Envelopes staple; people who'd never heard the original thought tim wrote it, it fit in so well..."

So Tim was obsessed with Catholics named Jim back then too, eh? :-D

Jim

LDVoyager

#40  14 May 2008 - 14:59

 

Actually, it looks like I finally got him out of the blog business, at least his PRB one. My last reply about the hat and cane was probably the last straw.

Jim

LDVoyager

#41  14 May 2008 - 15:18

 

1) Yes. Yes, he was. It didn't hurt that he'd written The Basketball Diaries before briefing turning "rock star."

2) Don't give yrself too much credit. I'm betting tim's back his in all-too-common two-month hibernation period.

burninglight

#42  14 May 2008 - 22:39

 

"Don't give yrself too much credit. I'm betting tim's back his in all-too-common two-month hibernation period."

Well, I seem to remember him giving me some of the credit for having driven him into his cave, one time in the past. :-b

Jim

LDVoyager

#43  16 May 2008 - 16:26

 

Jim,


Fuck you,


tb

Anonymous

#44  18 May 2008 - 01:43

 

Tim,

OK, I interpret that as an invitation to post on your blog more.

Thanks!

Jim

LDVoyager

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