So much of early-mid 90's Rock is almost as bad as mumble rap. I can't understand a d@mn thing they're saying. Take the marbles out of your mouth! Nirvana, Spin Doctors, Smashing Pumpkins, Hootie and the Blowfish, the list goes on forever.

So much of early-mid 90's Rock is almost as bad as mumble rap. I can't understand a d@mn thing they're saying. Take the marbles out of your mouth! Nirvana, Spin Doctors, Smashing Pumpkins, Hootie and the Blowfish, the list goes on forever.

 

Spin Doctars were pretty clear singers, likewise the Smithereens.  But during that era I was listening to a lot of British music.  IMNSHO Britpop is highly underrated.

Cleveland doesn't have a rock station that plays new rock music?! That's crazy. I never noticed; I don't listen to the radio anymore. It's the 'birth place of Rock and Roll.'

 

WMMS plays a lot but mixes it with the older.  When they aren't gabbing or covering sports.

I feel like that Rusted Root song found its way into a bunch of movies in the late 90s, I remember hearing it everywhere for a short period.

 

Dear Lord.  What a horrifically overplayed song. 

 

I didn't like the "suburbs" concept.  Seemed trite.  I think they could have changed the album title and the lyrics of that song slightly and it could have been more mysterious like their earlier records.  I think they won a lot of new fans on their 2010(?) SNL performance that year which unfortunately has been taken off Youtube.  But then the appearance they had two or three years later for "Reflektor" was totally Spinal Tap with the girl getting in some sort of alien pod.  I mean, it was laughable.  I thought that song was decent but there was like no self-awareness.  I get the sense with that band that Butler doesn't let his wife in the spotlight more than she is because she's prone to totally bad ideas like that and who wants to have that argument?

 

The thing that's funny is that any band with a female member gets way more female fans.  Think the White Stripes, Smashing Pumpkins, or The Pixies.  I saw a really great interview of Kim Deal from around 2004 where she rolled her eyes at all of the girls that come up after the shows wanting her autograph and saying how "inspired" they are by her. 

 

Now with cheap music videos, I think a lot more bands with one woman in them are getting lots more clicks and notoriety.  They guys want to check out the girls and the girls want to be "inspired", or whatever.  Look at festival lineups now and a heckuvalotof groups have at least one female in them. 

 

 

 

These days, unlike say the '80s, music isn't nearly as much about teaming up with your buddies to get hammered and slay poon. Of course we all know that but that really was the prime directive with so many of the '80s bands that didn't mostly write songs about the apocalypse and Satan.

 

With female instrumentalists the '90s and 2000s might have been about the Girl Power thing for many, but by this point I think for most of them are at it it's just because they like to play and write songs. Kim Deal had already been there for a long time and was probably thinking, "OK, let's get past this 'inspiration' thing already so we can just play." Recently a girl and I finally ended a "thing". She's a musician, wrote some songs about our situation a year or so ago and plays them out live. In front of me. I never got the sense that she had to "get it out" or "wanted to show people who's boss" and definitely not "be an inspiration" since it was mostly just our friends that came to the shows. Instead it was more "write about what you know." I don't write love songs so I can't relate. My songs are still about kicking ass and goofy stuff.

So much of early-mid 90's Rock is almost as bad as mumble rap. I can't understand a d@mn thing they're saying. Take the marbles out of your mouth! Nirvana, Spin Doctors, Smashing Pumpkins, Hootie and the Blowfish, the list goes on forever.

 

Some of it has to do with the effects they put on vocals and then how that meshed with whatever else was going on in the song. 

 

What we're hearing now in 100% digital pop is a complete separation and distinction of the vocal track from everything else and total silence in the silent areas of a song.  It's what recording engineers had dreamed of for 50 years and now that it's here it sucks.  Tape hiss is long gone, of course.  But perhaps for young ears it's what they're being inculcated with and so older music that actually sounds good sounds "bad" to them.  Tape hiss was a small price to pay for spending a lot of time -- often days -- on mic placements, baffles, and mapping out how the hell you were going to record a song.   

 

The attention currently paid to the 4-track recording of Sgt. Pepper has illuminated just how much listening quality has actually declined over the past 50 years as engineers gained more and more ways to cover up mistakes and make bad takes and bad mic placements "work".  What engineers are bringing into hard drive today is sloppy and their ability to "fix" everything encourages sloppiness in a way that was impossible in the past.  You might not like Frank Sinatra, but by god he and those studio orchestras flipping nailed those takes back int he 50s.  I have a 2-disc "best of" Frank Sinatra set recorded when the machines were all 2-track 1/2" tape and it blows away the stuff being recorded 60 years later. 

 

In the 60s they could record 4 tracks to 1" tape.  In the 70s the 24-track 2" tape machines appeared.  I recorded twice on 2" tape through a 24-track board.  I don't think we ever used all of the tracks.  If we had only had 4-tracks, we would have spent A LOT more time on mic placements and the end product probably would have sounded a lot better.  I can't imagine recording now with all of the stupid flat screens in the control room.  Such a distraction!  Back when you were burning through $100/hr., you showed up with the songs rehearsed and you concentrated so as to nail takes by the third or fourth run-through. 

 

The music being recorded today is being recorded in a way that it is assumed that it will be brickwalled. So mic placement, effects choices, mixing, type of gear used etc. are all done to get ready for the inevitable brickwalling. Rick Rubin demanded no brickwalling on Metallica's Death Magnetic so it was recorded the old way. At the very last minute someone sneaked in and brickwalled it anyway before it went to be pressed. Rubin and the head engineer were furious. The album is even became available unbrickwalled as Guitar Hero DLC -- the brickwalling was done that late.

I heard on NPR or somewhere similar that a major motivation for the Sgt Pepper remix and remaster was to allow The Beatles to posthumously compete with new music.  So I have no doubt that the version that just came out is LOUD AS HELL. 

 

I remember noticing increased loudness as a kid in the early 80s.  New stuff like Huey Lewis & the News was much louder and "punchier" than were the 70s rock giants on WEBN.  Incidentally, when I was in college in the late 90s, vinyl was so OUT that I recall a record store throwing all of its unsold vinyl records out on the green in front of our dorm.  Like literally thousands of records.  I went down there and grabbed about 20 for decorative purposes.  I remember someone dropping the needle on Huey Lewis's Sports.  Man, that album was a true masterpiece of pop/rock recording.   

I heard on NPR or somewhere similar that a major motivation for the Sgt Pepper remix and remaster was to allow The Beatles to posthumously compete with new music.  So I have no doubt that the version that just came out is LOUD AS HELL. 

 

I remember noticing increased loudness as a kid in the early 80s.  New stuff like Huey Lewis & the News was much louder and "punchier" than were the 70s rock giants on WEBN.  Incidentally, when I was in college in the late 90s, vinyl was so OUT that I recall a record store throwing all of its unsold vinyl records out on the green in front of our dorm.  Like literally thousands of records.  I went down there and grabbed about 20 for decorative purposes.  I remember someone dropping the needle on Huey Lewis's Sports.  Man, that album was a true masterpiece of pop/rock recording.   

 

And these days, there's stores that do only vinyl.

Music from any era is mixed and mastered for listening in the type of environments that are most common for that era. So much listening now happens in cars or via earbuds that music has to be mastered to sound good on bad speakers. That's why everything keeps getting mastered "louder" over time. If you're in your car and try to listen to some old album from the 60s that hasn't been remastered to be louder, you would barely be able to hear it over the road noise, no matter how much you turned up the volume.

Louis Armstrong always claimed July 4th was his birthday, but it was really August 4th. But every day is a good day to hear his music

 

These days, unlike say the '80s, music isn't nearly as much about teaming up with your buddies to get hammered and slay poon. Of course we all know that but that really was the prime directive with so many of the '80s bands that didn't mostly write songs about the apocalypse and Satan.

 

Which is why Steel Panther has been successful.  You can get away with doing hilariously dirty and un-PC songs as half parody/half tribute as long as the original material had a lot of that going on. 

Yeah, nobody else could get away with that now. If a young popular band did that stuff the internet would go nuts.

The price was right and last weekend I went to see a free concert by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in of all places Ft. Thomas, KY.  i had not seen this band live since 1996.  That was the year before they broke on the radio and MTV. 

 

What's funny is that back then the entire audience was between about 17 and 24 years old.  Now everyone is either way older or younger than that. 

 

This guy is still going:

 

Oh how the mighty have fallen:

 

This band put out a ton of material before it became famous in 1997.  Like 5 full albums, numerous EP's, and one-off singles.  You can put together a mix of 7-8 songs from that era that still hold up and wouldn't empty out a party today, but unfortunately none of those really became well-known then and the band isn't playing them now. 

 

Not my video...but here they are playing one of the ones from 1992~ they could be playing in a Chipotle or Whole Foods near you:

 

And here is that song everyone hates, but the only video I saw from the hilltop which shows how great this venue could be if Ft. Thomas could ever be convinced to permit larger shows on the regular, but dream on.  It's sort of like the Seasongood Pavillion in Eden Park:

 

 

Yeah, nobody else could get away with that now. If a young popular band did that stuff the internet would go nuts.

 

Unless they were a hip hop group of course.

I've had this funk song from 1975 stuck in my head for a few days. Keep listening, and towards the middle of the song, you will hear a hook that got sampled in a popular late 90's rap song...

 

I've had this funk song from 1975 stuck in my head for a few days. Keep listening, and towards the middle of the song, you will hear a hook that got sampled in a popular late 90's rap song...

 

 

Kind of a slim connection.  Shady, really.....

 

When I get a mid 70s soul song stuck between my ears, it's usually this one.  IMNSHO it's the "shark song" for smooth soul, the peak of evolution.

 

 

Here's what I was listening to twenty years ago, and still some today:

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/15396081.__39_Oasis_were_about_as_dangerous_as_Herman___s_Hermits__39___Luke_Haines_and_Louise_Wener_on_Britpop_revisited/

Ten years ago this month, I saw They Might Be Giants at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. After the first song, the band took a bow and rushed off stage and I thought it was a gag, but it turns out that the venue blew a fuse. We stood around for awhile confused, but then the guys came out and explained what happened, and said that they'd play a few songs acoustically. Some one was able to rig up a small light pointed at the band, but there were no mics or amps being used. It was super cool to watch them play while the audience was completely silent so we could hear them.

 

 

I found this article timely, for me at least, as I've avoided subwoofers since their existence but lately I've been considering adding one to my system. This article convinced me not to bother.

 

Drop the Bass: A Case Against Subwoofers

 

Though bass-boosting subwoofers are everywhere nowadays, Damon Krukowski argues that, for certain styles of music, these low-end behemoths are actually ruining our listening experiences

 

http://pitchfork.com/features/oped/9667-drop-the-bass-a-case-against-subwoofers/

 

They even quote one of the guys from Sunn O))). Pat yourself on the back if you can listen to an hour this:

with the recent death of Jerry Lewis, I thought of his son's band in the 60's, Gary Lewis & the Playboys. I loved this group

 

 

 

 

In high school I bought a cassette that had Gary Lewis & the Playboys on one side, and Jay and the Americans on the other. That's the reason that to this day I can't tell which band is which lol.

 

The early-mid sixties were such a great time for music. The Wrecking Crew played on Gary's biggest hit, This Diamond Ring. I just happened to read all about it in a terrific book by Kent Hartman.

 

 

ian svenonius, who dates back to the dischord glory days, is the last guy standing still plying the dead genre that was called rock music.

 

demo & pop versions  :mrgreen:

 

 

 

 

In high school I bought a cassette that had Gary Lewis & the Playboys on one side, and Jay and the Americans on the other. That's the reason that to this day I can't tell which band is which lol.

 

The early-mid sixties were such a great time for music. The Wrecking Crew played on Gary's biggest hit, This Diamond Ring. I just happened to read all about it in a terrific book by Kent Hartman.

 

 

 

 

I don't think you remember this since I think you're a lot younger than me, but not to be outdone by Gary Lewis, the son of Dean Martin (who of course was Jerry Lewis's famous comedy partner from earlier years), Dean Paul Martin (or Dino), formed a band himself with Desi Arnaz Jr. (obviously the son of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball), and someone named Billy Hinsche (of non-showbiz royalty) called Dino, Desi and Billy. They never achieved the level of success Gary Lewis did. I don't know why. A group of wealthy, privileged Beverly Hills kids singing a song call "The Rebel Kind" :roll:

 

Lol. Well, I am a bit of a music nerd, so I'm totally down with "The Rebel Kind."

 

I've actually seen Billy Hinsche many times as he's long been a sideman for the Beach Boys. Lead guitarist Carl Wilson was married to Billy's sister. When they divorced (it was amicable because everyone on earth loved Carl) Carl married.....Dino Martin's sister.

 

Everyone loved Carl!

 

^You're a real historian of this music. I loved that whole period since I was in elementary school and jr. high then, but what's your excuse? lol In response the the huge success of the Beatles and the British Invasion, American groups formed in an attempt to emulate that sound, none of them of course as successful as the Beatles, but still some made it pretty big. I loved the Buckinghams from Chicago, named after the famous fountain in Grant Park (at least I think that's the story. I think they still play the nostalgia circuit to geriatric baby boomers :|). Plus other groups with a lighter pop/rock sound ("sunshine pop")--there were so many of them--Spanky and Our Gang, etc...I'm a little miffed that even on what was considered NY's big oldies station, WCBS FM, they no longer play anything from the 60's (I guess they figure everyone from that era  must be dead by now). Now it's mostly 80's and even 90's  :-P

 

 

 

^ All good stuff! I too lament the loss of 50's and 60's oldies radio. The Cars, Asia and Toto and other 80's groups are NOT oldies lol.

with the recent death of Jerry Lewis, I thought of his son's band in the 60's, Gary Lewis & the Playboys. I loved this group

 

 

 

 

 

Gary lived in Maple Heights for a very long time, he still may.

^You're a real historian of this music. I loved that whole period since I was in elementary school and jr. high then, but what's your excuse? lol In response the the huge success of the Beatles and the British Invasion, American groups formed in an attempt to emulate that sound, none of them of course as successful as the Beatles, but still some made it pretty big. I loved the Buckinghams from Chicago, named after the famous fountain in Grant Park (at least I think that's the story. I think they still play the nostalgia circuit to geriatric baby boomers :|). Plus other groups with a lighter pop/rock sound ("sunshine pop")--there were so many of them--Spanky and Our Gang, etc...I'm a little miffed that even on what was considered NY's big oldies station, WCBS FM, they no longer play anything from the 60's (I guess they figure everyone from that era  must be dead by now). Now it's mostly 80's and even 90's  :-P

 

Yeah, the Association leaps to mind when you talk about that sound.

more of the modern good 'ol real rawk:

 

 

 

 

 

 

with the recent death of Jerry Lewis, I thought of his son's band in the 60's, Gary Lewis & the Playboys. I loved this group

 

 

 

Gary lived in Maple Heights for a very long time, he still may.

 

what? are you serious? how did that happen? not that there's anything wrong with living in Maple Heights. lol

I saw The Afghan Whigs at Bogart's on Sept 28.  Unfortunately the death of Dave Rosser has left a considerable void in the sound.  They had the keyboard player play his guitar parts on a few songs but it definitely was not the same.  Also, the drummer was rushing in many of the songs.  It's like, come on dude.  Eventually he relaxed but the first 4-5 songs were ruined by his amateurish rushing. 

 

When the band reformed in 2012, they had the original bass player and original guitarist + Rosser.  It was unbelievable...probably the most dominating guitar sound I've ever heard.  And a drummer who held back.  The 2017 version of the band has a different drummer, different lead player, and no full-time rhythm player. They also have a different sound system and I would guess a different sound guy.  With all of those changes they're still good but only ate 96-97% totality, not in in the 100% Path of Totality.  The whole dilemma with rock & roll is that IT ALL NEEDS TO BE HAPPENING.  YOU NEED TO BE FIRING COMPLETELY ON ALL CYLINDERS, all the time, in all respects. Close isn't just not good enough, it probably sucks. 

 

The set list was dominated by the two new albums.  Not a bad thing because there are a solid 5 good songs between the two records, which is 5 more than most new records by older bands. But they only played 2-3 of the monster jams from the 90s.  We got Debonair, Something Hot, and a slow version of Going to Town.  No Milez is Dead, no Honkey's Ladder, etc. 

 

The one interesting detail is that they had the singer from Har Mar Superstar (the opening act) come out and sing the actual song while Greg Dulli screwed around on the piano.  He's the actor singing the song in the video:

 

Tom Petty dead.  Dammit! 

There's still no actual confirmation that he has died yet. The report from earlier was that: "We're told after Petty got to the hospital he had no brain activity and a decision was made to pull life support." Certainly doesn't look good though...

Ugh, this week already blows. I'm so happy I got to see Tom Petty live a few years back. Honestly was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. RIP to a true legend.

Getting in the mood

 

 

The Raveonettes-Christmas in Cleveland

 

It's Christmas in Cleveland

Buddy died not so far from here

It's Christmas in Cleveland

Buddy died years ago

All the trees in the hallway

They're all so tall, so beautiful

 

It's Christmas in Cleveland

We're honoring Buddy Holly

Wanda Jackson in Cleveland

She's honoring Buddy Holly

 

The Drifters in Cleveland

They're honoring Buddy Holly

And so are we, and so are we

We're all in Cleveland

Except Buddy Holly

^touché (I think I neglected my annual posting of this song last year :()

Daniel Kim makes some pretty damn good mashups. The kid has a talent.

^touché (I think I neglected my annual posting of this song last year :()

 

Slack Jaw aka Rust for a little while!

The newest Mac Demarco album is pretty good.

^touché (I think I neglected my annual posting of this song last year :()

 

Slack Jaw aka Rust for a little while!

aka Deadbeat Poets?? I don't get it. Are all these bands affiliated?

 

yesterday was the 100th anniversary of Finnish Independence Day and I neglected to pay tribute to my ancestral heritage :-[ Here's Joan Baez to do it. (What, Joan Baez, she's not Finnish! lol)

 

 

here's the original "tongue." Finns are so weird :( I'm having terrible flashbacks

 

 

 

Thanks EVD. I always forget about Slackjaw.

 

with the recent death of Jerry Lewis, I thought of his son's band in the 60's, Gary Lewis & the Playboys. I loved this group

 

 

 

Gary lived in Maple Heights for a very long time, he still may.

 

what? are you serious? how did that happen? not that there's anything wrong with living in Maple Heights. lol

 

He moved since, but he lived there awhile.  Back then it was like Brunswick now, mostly blue collar but a significant white collar presence.

I only caught Shok Paris and Breaker in this show, but the latter was seriously on point, despite the fact that Ian Shipley hadn't played with them for 30 years and Mike Klein's been retired for awhile.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2017/12/08/cleveland-metal-holiday-food-drive-sets-new-record-for-donations

 

I managed to stay off camera, barely.  One of my high school teachers is visible in the white cap to the left, I was just to his left .

we're getting our first snow here :(

Damn.

 

^ yeah that is very sad news. they were somebody back in the 80s.

^ yeah that is very sad news. they were somebody back in the 80s.

 

Interesting fact.... "Girl Like You" was written to appear in the movie "Say Anything." Except Cameron Crowe decided that the song was too revealing of the storyline, so it's not in the movie or even on the soundtrack.

WKCR 89.9FM, the radio station of Columbia University, is in the midst of its annual Bach Festival, streaming 24/7 through Jan 1

 

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/node/20498