just curious...

since we talk about movies, i guess we should talk a little about music... seeing Almost Famous on video has made me nostalgic.

I was really into ELO in high school (yah i was weird). then i got into metal and guitar stuff (just like everybody else!). then the so called alternative...ah whatever.

aye, I'm speechless now, too much groups and arists to mention...though I have to mention The Pixies since they were played at the end of Fight Club! plus the producer of that "Where is my Mind" song, Steve Albibi, is probably the best "punk" rock producer! plus he did Nirvana's In Utero! awesome album....oh well, I'll just mention The Beatles as best band ever....

and the last album i bought was Badly Drawn Boy...some English dude with nice sugary ballads...

etc

The last few CDs I've bought. Figure out if I have any "street cred" for my music tastes on your own, or not.

-Death To The Pixies (Pixies)
-Exile In Guyville (Liz Phair)
-Loveless (My Bloody Valentine)
-Levez Vos Skinny Fists Comme Antennae To Heaven! (Godspeed You Black Emperor!)
-American III: Solitary Man (Johnny Cash)
-Kid A (Radiohead)
-Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (PJ Harvey)
-Fear Of Fours (Lamb)
-Young Team (Mogwai)
-Murder Ballads (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)
-Agaetis Byrjun (Sigur Ros)

I also got a bootleg of Radiohead's upcoming "Amnesiac", and I've been thinking about buying Nick Cave's "No More Shall We Part", and Massive Attack's "Mezzanine." Napster-wise, I've been downloading a lotta covers lately. My favorite covers are a threeway split between Travis doing "Hit Me Baby One More Time", Radiohead doing "Rhinestone Cowboy", and Siouxsie And The Banshees doing "Trust In Me".

-Thierry

I'll be the first to admit I have no street cred in music. I had no idea who the Pixies were until Fight Club. I got the soundtrack and thought, "Hey, the really cool song from the end isn't on here!"

And I didn't even know who Radiohead was until about a year and a half ago. To think that I'd lived a life without OK Computer for so long. I've been missing the good stuff all these years.

A bootleg of Amnesiac? Damn you, Nguyen! Damn you to HELL!!!!

Hey, if you guys want to drive Bruce Geryk batty, tell him how good Dave Matthews is.

-Tom

My latest CD is Isle of Q's self-titled debut. I went to see Tesla at The Electric Factory in Philly and this opening band comes on and blows me away. Turns out they're from Philadelphia. Grew up there and went to college there (Penn maybe?). I was knocked out and bought the CD. It's great stuff. You might have heard "Bag of Tricks" or "Little Scene" if you listen to rock radio. "Here and Gone" is the new single.

Favorite bands of mine...
Judas Priest (for years)
Queensryche
Tesla
Thin Lizzy
Foo Fighters
The Almighty
Metallica
Goldfinger
The Dictators (Pure NYC, Pure fun!)
...and many more that don't exist anymore too. =)

I still enjoy a lot of what is "real" rock or metal on the radio. Godsmack, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Crowes, etc. It's nice to see metal coming back in any form to the airwaves. Rap drives me nuts and I can't take any of the pop/dance scene. I enjoy a lot of classical and game music too. Looking forward to Tropico for the music as much as the game.

--Dave

For shame, Tom Chick. You live in SoCal and you never bothered to spend any quality time with KROQ 106.7 FM. Before it became a haven for the Korn's and Kid Rock's of the world, you would have been intimately familiar with cool bands like the Pixies.

If you'd only stop reading literature from dead 19th century Russians, quit peforming Shakespeare, and put an end to your listening of that fake DJ on the AM dial, you might actually expose yourself to some culture for a change.

-- Gordon Berg, living in the epicenter of Western Civilization: rural Kentucky.

Dear God help me...

I'm just thrilled that my wife got me tickets to see PJ Harvey next month. She's opening for some band called U2 or something, were they ever on KROQ Gordon?

Lately, I've been on a Radiohead/Tom Waits/Morphene kick. Which is fun but doesn't *feel* healthy.

In High School I was a King Crimson/Yes/Zeppelin fan.

I like Dave Matthews, but the new album stinks in my opinion.

I love my MP3 player more than I probably should.

-This Bubbys gone to heaven.

Wait! Wait! Tom mentioned the song at the end of Fight Club, which I bought the album specifically for, but which was not on it.

I love the Pixies, but didn't know it was theirs. What's the name of that song!?!?!

KP

That Pixies song in question is "Where is My Mind?" I saw the Pixies open for Echo & the Bunnymen and New Order at the Universal Amphitheater in the late 80s... ah, those were the days... if you want to make a thread about "best concerts you've ever been too", well... that show wouldn't be on it, but some of the others I've seen, yow.

I really like all of the "developer desktops" at Voodoo Extreme, and how all the developers put WinAmp to the foreground so we can see how cool their taste in music is.

So let's see how cool I am!

Recent CD purchases, or in regular rotation at Chez Steve:

The New Pornographers "Mass Romantic" (the title song is currently the "best song in the world")

Guided By Voices "Isolation Drills"

Swag "Catch-All"

Sleater-Kinney "All Hands on the Bad One" (this one rules on so many levels)

PJ Harvey "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea"

The Dandy Warhols "13 Tales From Urban Bohemia"

Radiohead "Kid A" (though I think "OK Computer" is better)

Sloan "Between the Bridges"

Elliot Smith "Figure 8"

There's probably more.

Song: Where is my mind?
Album: Surfer Rosa

Enjoy.

"PJ Harvey 'Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea'"

I see this is a CGO/CGM staple at the moment.
What do you guys think of it?

I think it's substandard personally (not bad, just not her usual interesting-ness), it just isn't growing on me at all. But then again, I sorely miss her 'Rid of Me' and 'Dry' days.

Lady - anger - blisering guitar - freaky lyrics. Bully!

-Andrew "50' Queenie"

"Radiohead "Kid A" (though I think "OK Computer" is better)"

And The Bends is even better than OK Computer. IMO. That's a disturbing trend, isn't it? But The Bends, like Jack Black said, is The Best Fucking Album In The History of Rock and Roll. Personally, I wouldn't go quite that far, but I definitely feel it's the best of the last three.

My wife likes PJ Harvey, Sleater-Kinney, Juliana Hatfield, Le Tigre, etc. I don't care for that stuff myself. We definitely didn't plan it this way, but here's the odd thing: if you look at our musical tastes superficially, she prefers "girl bands", and I prefer "guy bands". Scary. But again, totally accidental.

I saw the Pixies in college, too. They're still one of my favorite bands, along with the Clash. My musical taste has evolved to the point that.. well, I'm kinda rebelling against the whole concept of musical taste right now.

It started as a lark. Back in 1998 I bought a CD called "70's party killers" from Rhino. A very funny CD.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000063EG/o/qid=988067250/sr=8-1/ref=aps_sr_pm_1_1/104-4507718-4029543

Subsequently, I put on this CD at high volume to torture my then-coworkers. Then it became a running joke. We'd take any opportunity, any pretext at all, to put it on. It had to be played at least once every day for "good luck." We'd force each other to listen to it. We'd have little contests to see who was man enough to listen to it over and over and still silently sit there programming away, not complaining. Sometimes we'd sing along to enhance the effect. In short: we broke people. It was like a Vietnamese prison camp in stereo.

It was a joke. But then a very strange thing happened-- as I listened to the CD over and over, I BEGAN TO LIKE IT. I mean really like it! I began to listen to it at home on my own time. "There's something about this music", I thought, as I listened to it for the 543rd time. "Maybe it's so bad, it has actually wrapped all the way around and it's.. good again?", I thought. I played the album for my wife. At that point I was hooked. I then began to seek out older 70's collections.

With that in mind, here is what I've purchased over the last 6 months or so:

Sounds of the Seventies, Take II, 1970-1979
AM Gold 1970-1979
ZZ Top, pre-Eliminator
Micheal Jackson - Thriller
The Funk Box (3cd box set)
Styx - Greatest Hits
Enter the Dragon - Soundtrack

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

p.s. Until you've heard Tony Orlando and Dawn sing "Candida" at near-deafening levels, you haven't lived. The song's complete and utter lack of pretension gives it a unique charm that "All Hands on the Bad One" will never have. And yes, I did just listen to the two MP3s back to back!

"And The Bends is even better than OK Computer."

I thought this was bad, but the rest of the post just plummeted downhill from there.

-Tom

"I thought this was bad, but the rest of the post just plummeted downhill from there."

Aw, you're just jealous because I know all the words to "Having My Baby".

Besides, The Bends is better than OK Computer. That doesn't make OK Computer chopped liver, either.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

"I like Dave Matthews, but the new album stinks in my opinion. "

Here's an anecdote for you: Dave Matthews was a student at the University of Virginia at the same time I was. I remember seeing the "Dave Matthews Band" flyers plastered all over campus (er, sorry, THE GROUNDS) for local bars and fraternities they'd be playing at. Some of the other guys in the current lineup were struggling solo artists in Charlottesville, VA at the time.. and also had self-titled bands-- notably "Boyd Tinsley Band". Most of the guys in the band are from that area.

To me, they've always kinda sucked. But it is nice to see a college boy enjoy some success.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

>>I think it's substandard personally (not bad, just not her usual interesting-ness), it just isn't growing on me at all. But then again, I sorely miss her 'Rid of Me' and 'Dry' days.

Well, I personally think it's considerably better then both of her early CDs. I found those a bit more, I dunno, atonal, less melodic. I'm a total pop-head. But I actually prefer "Is This Desire?" to the current one. I know these choices make me somewhat counter to the whole PJ Harvey vibe, but I think she's gotten better...

>>Lady - anger - blisering guitar - freaky lyrics. Bully!

Check out Sleater-Kinney. They ROCK. They even say that on their current CD. Well, not specifically that they rock, but "I gotta ROCK."

And remember folks, "Mass Romantic" by The New Pornographers, with the amazing Neko Case, is the "best song in the world" at the moment (this usually changes every few weeks or so... the previous "best song in the world" was "Bohemian Like You" by the Dandy Warhols).

>>And The Bends is even better than OK Computer.

I waffle on this one, depending on my mood. "The Bends" is considerably more "rock" sounding, and more normal, but there's nothing like "Paranoid Android"... "Fake Plastic Trees" isn't quite there.

And I should point out that Corrin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney is the best singer on the planet at the moment. Man, she WAILS, baby! Any Napster fans, just download the song "Pompeii"... yow.

"Check out Sleater-Kinney. They ROCK. They even say that on their current CD. Well, not specifically that they rock, but "I gotta ROCK.""

Clearly this is entirely subjective, but I hear that S-K stuff when my wife plays it, and it leaves me completely cold. It just comes off as pretentious, soulless arthouse pseudorock to me. I mean, c'mon, does it rock like Mountain's "Mississippi Queen"? Does it rock like Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein"? Does it rock like Ram Jam's "Black Betty"?

S-K sounds like every other college band I've ever heard. It is utterly unremarkable. That's not to say college bands can't be good: compare S-K with the Pixies, the prototypical college band. But they were actually unique: a brash surf guitar sound with disturbing, hyperbolic vocals. Eg, reinventing punk in the early 90's.

I just see spending time with S-K as time that could be better spent with the classics. And again, the "IMO" should go without saying.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

Steve,
"Is this Desire?" is a fine, fine album, far better than this new one, IMO.

Still,
I think I may prefer Rid of Me & Dry (particularly Dry) because I heard those first.
Atonal and a little bizarre (with an almost Rockabilly edge) is the sound I associate with her.

btw, Have you heard her collaboration with John Parish? I can't remember the name of the album, it's in the truck. Not a good disc really, just "interesting".

So far as which is better: OK Computer or The Bends, that's like comparing Revolver and Sgt. Pepper... respectively. Both are brilliant, but only one is important. Kid A is Abby Road.
Is what I just did blasphemy?

-Andrew

>>Clearly this is entirely subjective, but I hear that S-K stuff when my wife plays it, and it leaves me completely cold. It just comes off as pretentious, soulless arthouse pseudorock to me.

Huh? They're a totally unpretentious, basically garage band. "You're No Rock N' Roll Fun" is pretentious? How about a line like, "Can't get to heaven with a three-chord song..." that kind of thang. You sure you got the right band?

And to answer your "rock" question, check out a song like "Ironclad" or "Pompeii" or "Youth Decay." I think they totally rock.

And the lead singer is a babe, even if she is a lesbian.

>>But they were actually unique: a brash surf guitar sound with disturbing, hyperbolic vocals. Eg, reinventing punk in the early 90's.

Well, that would have been unique had it not been for bands like The Cramps doing it a few years earlier. Or if you want a trippy adaptation of surf guitar with weird vocals, how about the B-52s?

I like the Pixies, but I think the "they reinvented punk" talk is overstated (not singling you out, a lot of people say this). Punk never went away in the 80s, so there was nothing TO reinvent... yes, Kurt Cobain liked the Pixies, yes Steve Albini's production on Surfer Rosa was influential, but there was scads of stuff in the same time period that was just as compelling and as influential.

>>Is what I just did blasphemy?

Probably. I try not to make too many Beatles comparisons... hey, but if you're a fan of 'em, check out Swag's "Catch-All." Pure derivative guitar-pop bliss from a semi-supergroup, a bunch of dudes most people haven't heard of but come from bands like Wilco, the Mavericks and some guy named Tom Peterson from some band called Cheap Trick. Amazon.com has a free MP3 you can download.

It's a great, great CD if you're into that whole guitar-pop thing. Oh, and anyone into that guitar-pop thing should also own the New Pornographers CD, which is equally hummable, hooky, catchy, blah blah blah.

I live for three-chords and a killer hook.

I'm from Chicago so I have predisposition to Chicago "alternative" bands...ie Smashing Pumpkins, old Urge Overkill, old Jesus Lizard, Eleventh Dream Day, Liz Phiar, Ministry, Big Black etc etc....maybe only because i was able to see them live a few yeears back...also I liked the boston "alternative" scene...Julianna Hatfield was awesome with Blake Babies...good songs, and of course the pixies, the breeders, Dino Jr etc etc. I only liked Nirvana and maybe young fresh fellows from Seattle...aye too many to mention. i didn't even get into the englsih bands i liked. or even new york Sonic Youth. or even rap music...

BTW, I don't think the Pixies reinvented punk, and I don't even consider Nirvana completely punk, in spirit and songwriting they're more punk, but in sound they are kindof half heavy rock/metal-punk...without the cheesy guitar solos. plz dont mention pearl jam...hehe. Pixies kind of ripped off Jesus and Mary Chain...they even did the cover of that song by them ... sheesh i forget.

Also Steve Albini produced Dry hehe. or was it the other PJ album? i forget again...

I love three-chords and a hook, thats all i care about in rock music...that;s why i still love the beatles. of "recent" bands... i guess i like R.E.M. and the Replacements and U2 alot (though the replacements died when Paul Westerberg left...) theres too many mention...im lookin at my vast collection of cd's collecting dust right now...i dont even listen to em anymore...on my desk i have the Brain Candy soundtrack and the CTHD soundtrack, weird.

etc

btw, im so out of it i dont even know who Sleater Kenney is... i thought thats the guy who was late nite after David LEtterman... i should have used napster more...

etc

"Huh? They're a totally unpretentious, basically garage band. "You're No Rock N' Roll Fun" is pretentious? How about a line like, "Can't get to heaven with a three-chord song..." that kind of thang. You sure you got the right band?"

Yep, checked my wife's Napster folder, and listened to four S-K MP3 tracks as I wrote the above message, including "All Hands On The Bad One". I stand by my original comments. Their music has absolutely no soul. It sounds like every other college band I've ever heard.

Okay, I don't like S-K. And most of the other stuff my wife does.. I left out Ani DiFranco, Liz Phair, etc etc, it's all in the same vein. No need to list it all, just go to http://www.cdnow.com , look up Liz Phair and click on "related artists". You two would get along swimmingly, Steve. ;)

"Well, that would have been unique had it not been for bands like The Cramps doing it a few years earlier. Or if you want a trippy adaptation of surf guitar with weird vocals, how about the B-52s? I like the Pixies, but I think the "they reinvented punk" talk is overstated (not singling you out, a lot of people say this)."

The B-52s and the Cramps were campy and funny. How again are we comparing these bands to the Pixies? I mean, I like 'em both, but I don't see the relevance. Pixies were more like.. Luis Bunuel meets Dick Dale meets Sonic Youth. It's a lot of things, but never is it CAMPY or FUNNY.

I dunno, I listened to college radio a _lot_ at that time (hey! I was in college! Go figure), and I had never heard anything quite like the Pixies. Into The White? Caribou? Manta Ray? Heck, the whole Dolittle album?

Anyway, musical taste is overrated. It's more fun to revel in a lack of taste. Bring on the Gordon Lightfoot! ROCK!

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

I hate to agree with the Wumpster here...
but the Pixies were pretty damn out there at the time. Doolittle especially.

Except for "Here comes my man"
but then again, if Floyd can sully Dark Side of the Moon with "Money", the Pixies are allowed that radio ga-ga.

-Andrew

>>Yep, checked my wife's Napster folder, and listened to four S-K MP3 tracks as I wrote the above message, including "All Hands On The Bad One". I stand by my original comments. Their music has absolutely no soul. It sounds like every other college band I've ever heard.

Yeah, four songs by any band would allow me to judge their entire six record career.

Hey, I'd never try to convert someone who asserts a band "has no soul," since

>>The B-52s and the Cramps were campy and funny. How again are we comparing these bands to the Pixies?

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you said the Pixies combined surf guitar and strange vocals, and I produced bands that combined surf guitar and strange vocals. There are probably more. And as mtkafka pointed out, the whole "wall of distortion" surf-guitar combo sound sorta started with The Jesus and Mary Chain, which I'm sure you remember due to the fact you listened to a lot of college radio. Psychocandy and Darklands both predated Surfer Rosa. (I think the song the Pixies covered was "Head On," wasn't it?

Lyrically the Pixies were only out there if you didn't listen to a lot of art-damaged bands like Pere Ubu. Now there's a weird band. Unlistenable to my tastes, but whatever floats folks boats.

>>old Urge Overkill,

I totally prefer newer Urge Overkill, when they "sold out" and decided to be Cheap Trick. "Saturation" is one of the best air-guitar records of the 90s, baby! I saw them live a bunch of times, and talked to Nash Kato in the Seattle airport after we deplaned from Chicago.

>>I only liked Nirvana and maybe young fresh fellows from Seattle...

I loved Nirvana (saw them a few times too, opening for L7 and in a triple bill with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam), but they were really a pop band (like most are). As for Young Fresh Fellows, you get the official "hey, you're the first guy I've seen mention that band" message... I love 'em. Have their whole collection. As to why you'd even heard of them, well...

And Screaming Trees are the best and from Seattle that never made big. Now THEY rock... as they said in the documentary Hype, "they say there are a tons of bands in Seattle... the Trees are a ton of band." (The two Conner brothers in the band are rather... large.)

>>Also Steve Albini produced Dry hehe. or was it the other PJ album? i forget again...

He produced "Rid of Me," which people say he ruined, but then PJ herself put out "4-Track Demos" which showed she was really into being totally fucked up even without Albini's help. That's a hard one to listen to...

>>i guess i like R.E.M. and the Replacements and U2 alot (though the replacements died when Paul Westerberg left...)

The Replacements would be the YFF connection, I bet, since Paul Westerberg name dropped them (that's how I heard of them, at least). I saw the 'Mats probably 20-25 times in the 80s, I hung out with them before a show in San Diego... they could be the best band in the world one night, then the worst the next. Soul Asylum, at that time, was an amazing live band until they went in a major world of suck. Minneapolis had quite the scene in the 80s, with the Replacements, Soul Asylum, Husker Du, that Prince guy

I just have to re-emphasize how good Isle of Q are. This might be one of the best new albums I've heard in five years.

--Dave

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you said the Pixies combined surf guitar and strange vocals, and I produced bands that combined surf guitar and strange vocals."

The point is that the Pixies aren't campy/funny. And both the B52's and the Cramps are. Worlds of difference. Besides, this is a specious argument in general. What's next, comparing Spinal Tap to Led Zeppelin?

"Yeah, four songs by any band would allow me to judge their entire six record career."

Still, any four random Pixies songs would kick my ass right into the record store. Sure, it's a matter of taste. But I maintain that four tracks is enough to reasonably conclude that S-K is standard issue generic "chicks rock" college radio sound, right down the line. I dunno, Steve, did S-K have a phase where they actually made interesting music? Sort of like Spinal Tap's psychedelic "Flower People" phase?

"There are probably more. And as mtkafka pointed out, the whole "wall of distortion" surf-guitar combo sound sorta started with The Jesus and Mary Chain, which I'm sure you remember due to the fact you listened to a lot of college radio. Psychocandy and Darklands both predated Surfer Rosa. (I think the song the Pixies covered was "Head On," wasn't it?"

I really disliked Jesus and Mary chain, even before I heard the Pixies. I must admit I'm hard pressed to hear any similarity between the two bands. To me, JAMC is more about synthesizer noise and drum machines, whereas The Pixies are about raw, neo-punk sensibilities.

Hey, they covered a Neil Young song too-- Winterlong. Does that make him an influence?

It's hardly authoritative, but JAMC is not listed on the cdnow related artists page for the Pixies, either. I concur, for what it's worth. Pere Ubu is listed though. I would say 75% of the artists under "roots" are ones I'm hugely fond of: Pretenders, Cars, Iggy Pop, Ramones, Dick Dale, VU, etc.

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=1851679634/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/discography.html/frompage=music/ArtistID=PIXIES/select=related

Incidentally I wonder how many bands have "The Beatles" listed under roots? All of 'em? ;)

"Lyrically the Pixies were only out there if you didn't listen to a lot of art-damaged bands like Pere Ubu. Now there's a weird band. Unlistenable to my tastes, but whatever floats folks boats."

Which is precisely the point at which all musical discussions degenerate into a "cooler than thou" name-dropping competition. Eh. I opt out -- bring on the Hall and Oates!

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

>>But I maintain that four tracks is enough to reasonably conclude that S-K is standard issue generic "chicks rock" college radio sound, right down the line.

Um, whatever dude. You're the expert.

>>I dunno, Steve, did S-K have a phase where they actually made interesting music?

Well, I happen to think they make really interesting music today, but apparently I'm wrong. Thanks for showing me the error of my ways. I'll be sure to pass all of my future CD purchases by you to see if they meet your tastes. I have being musically incorrect.

>>To me, JAMC is more about synthesizer noise and drum machines, whereas The Pixies are about raw, neo-punk sensibilities.

Woah, wrong band, dude, unless you're thinking of later records. Jesus and Mary Chain were ear-blistering distortion and reverb-y surf-guitar lines. Try Psychocandy or Darklands (neither of which seems to be available anymore, though I think I have both on cassette somewhere).

For such an expert on college radio, I'm surprised you'd forget such an important band. In addition to the Pixies, they influenced all the shoegazer bands of the late 80s and early 90s, like My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Catherine Wheel, Spaceman 3, Spiritualized (who I find oddly appealing)... even Blur sorta came out of that, and thankfully got a lot better (despite the "whoo hoo" song).

Oh, and it would be remiss to point out that the main influence for JAMC was The Velvet Underground...

>>Hey, they covered a Neil Young song too-- Winterlong. Does that make him an influence?

Ah, we've entered into, "Let's prove to everyone how much of a tool I really am" mode by making all sorts of loopy comments that say nothing other then the "I'm a tool" part.

It wasn't just a cover. It was a tip of the hat to a noted influence, like the Stones covering a blues classic. And JAMC said they were going to cover "Debaser" in response.

>>It's hardly authoritative, but JAMC is not listed on the cdnow related artists page for the Pixies, either.

Well, clearly there's no connection then.

Hey, for something funny, go to google and type in "the pixies" "jesus and mary chain" and voila, tons of pages that make the connection. Wow! You can do that for a lot of bands! It's fun!

(For the record, I never really liked JAMC that much. And I've officially hit my "annoyed by wumpus' arrogance" limit and will disappear again for a few months.)

Steve,
Don't go quite yet.
I agree with everything you've said except for the part about PJ Harvey's 4 Track Demos being "Unlistenable". I would use a different adjective. Something like "listenable" probably, but that's only because I'm feeling lazy. I love the album and listen to it quite a bit.

But Dry in particular is a fantastic album, every song a winner. Particularly "Dress", "Victory" and "Plants and Rags".

If she does two of those three at this U2 dominated afair I'll be attending I'll be a happy guy.

-Andrew "Spinning over like a heavy loaded fruit tree"

Jesus and Mary Chain up to the cover with that yellow star (forgot name scatterbrained again), never had ANY synth ... as far as i remember.

IMO, what makes the Pixies more "listenable" than JAMC today is that the Pixies just have more listenable tunes to hum to. Anyway, the Pixies weren't all that famous and deserved to be... moreso than bands like Weezer and Green Day (bands i both really like). But by the time Weezer and Green Day were out the "grunge" scene was already dying, and all things guitar passed on to hip hop and rap, at least in the popularity of it all...

I mean the only recognizable "rock band" to be popular and still alive imo is Radiohead. I mean a newer band that is, and being somewhat popular...i digress.

etc

"And I've officially hit my "annoyed by wumpus' arrogance" limit and will disappear again for a few months."

I hit this point quite some time ago, but rather than disappearing just learned to ignore him. It's pretty easy, actually. When a post opens with "By wumpus on blah blah blah", just skim it for entertainment value, then move on to the next post for actual discourse.

Try it, it works!

-Tom

I suppose I can bring a "fresh" vibe into this conversation, seeing as how I'm probably the youngest of the bunch. Here are the albums I've got playing in winamp right now:

Pearl Jam - Ten
Pearl Jam - Vs.

Staind - Dysfunction (really good CD... not fluffy crap-metal like most of the stuff today is)

Incubus - Fungus Amongus
Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Incubus - Make Yourself (best of the three)

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (if you like any type of hardish rock, give them a listen)

Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses (one of my favorite CDs of all time)
Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion
Depeche Mode - Violator

At the Drive-in - Acrobatic Tenement
At the Drive-in - Relationship of Command (awesome cd)

Cherry Poppin' Daddies - Soul Caddy (they're not all swing, y'know... go get "God is a Spider")

Fuel - Something Like Human

Fishbone - Pyschotic Friends Nuttwerx

Finger Eleven - The Greyest of Blue Skies
Finger Eleven - Tip

Deftones - Adrenaline
Deftones - Around the Fur
Deftones - White Pony (best of the three)

Goldfinger - Stomping Ground
Goldfinger - Goldfinger
Goldfinger - Hang-ups
Goldfinger - Darrin's Coconut Ass

Lit - Trippin' The Light Fantastic
Lit - A Place in the Sun

NOFX - Punk in Drublic
NOFX - Pump up the Valuum
NOFX - So long, and thanks for all

Sevendust - Home
Sevendust - Sevendust

Slightly Stoopid - Acoustic Roots

Sublime - 40oz to Freedom
Sublime - Robbin' the Hood
Sublime - Sublime
Sublime - Second-hand Smoke
Sublime - Greatest Hits
Sublime - Live in Sacramento
(can you tell they're my favorite band?)

System of a Down - System of a Down

Sugar Ray - Lemonade & Brownies
Sugar Ray - Floored
(only 5% of their songs are like the radio ones... the rest is hardish punk-like rock)

Sneaker Pimps - Becoming X

Tool - Aenima
Tool - Opiate
Tool - Undertow
Tool - Salival

Ugh... I have more... but I don't feel like typing anymore ;P
I just have these albums in winamp set on random.

Well, after thinking about the issue of my terrible music tastes, I officially take back all of the nice things I've ever said about Sleater-Kinney.

I've prepared a page on my website that goes into more detail here.

wumpus showed me the way. He was right on every count. Pretentious, art house, generic chick music. I'm so ashamed.

It's so refreshing that people like wumpus will tell us how wrong we all really are. We should all stop and thank him every day for providing this valuable service, even when it's not asked for.

Young Fresh Fellows I like because there sorta like Pere Ubu from Ohio...they are like Barenaked Ladies...kind of like this Canadian suburban sound or somethhing like that....

I just made that up.

etc

Steve... that kind of sarcasm will get you nowhere. Heh... I'm ashamed to have you as an editor. Unbelievable ;p

Dave Long wrote:

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Favorite bands of mine...
Judas Priest (for years)

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Tom Ohle wrote:

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Finger Eleven - The Greyest of Blue Skies

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Finger Eleven doesn't get much american airtime, since they're a Canadian band. Most of the stuff you guys get from up here is the stuff we don't want to hear anymore (like barenaked ladies)

The albums I'm looking forward to in the next while:
Tool's new one, Stabbing Westward's new one, and Staind's new album. All should be good.

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Both of these are really top notch, check them out, I think you'll like them.

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and that definitely makes me the least-cool person to share their tastes so far.

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Steve Said:

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Um, whatever dude. You're the expert.

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The Replacements would be the YFF connection, I bet, since Paul Westerberg name dropped them (that's how I heard of them, at least). I saw the 'Mats probably 20-25 times in the 80s, I hung out with them before a show in San Diego... they could be the best band in the world one night, then the worst the next. Soul Asylum, at that time, was an amazing live band until they went in a major world of suck. Minneapolis had quite the scene in the 80s, with the Replacements, Soul Asylum, Husker Du, that Prince guy

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I totally prefer newer Urge Overkill, when they "sold out" and decided to be Cheap Trick. "Saturation" is one of the best air-guitar records of the 90s, baby! I saw them live a bunch of times, and talked to Nash Kato in the Seattle airport after we deplaned from Chicago.

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I listened and I didn't really dig it. It actually does sound like typical college radio music which I was never a big fan of anyway. I didn't think there was anything really special going on there, but whatever floats your boat!

At least I now know what Sleater-Kinney sounds like. :)

--Dave

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Check out Sleater-Kinney. They ROCK. They even say that on their current CD. Well, not specifically that they rock, but "I gotta ROCK.

Clearly this is entirely subjective, but I hear that S-K stuff when my wife plays it, and it leaves me completely cold. It just comes off as pretentious, soulless arthouse pseudorock to me. I mean, c'mon, does it rock like Mountain's "Mississippi Queen"? Does it rock like Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein"? Does it rock like Ram Jam's "Black Betty"?

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And has thou slain the jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

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>>It's more logical to revel into a complete lack of defensible taste than launch into embarassing art-house tirades like that.

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought we were talking about music we liked, hence the discussion of bands and concerts. And all I was talking about were bands that served as inspiration for the Pixies, a band I actually do like. Few bands exist in a vacuum, where they have no easily identifiable influences. Even the mighty Pixies.

But embarassing? Please. All you could have said is, "I don't really like that band." Instead, you had to say, "It just comes off as pretentious, soulless arthouse pseudorock to me. S-K sounds like every other college band I've ever heard. It is utterly unremarkable."

I'm sure everyone thanks you. I mentioned there were a couple of bands I don't care for, but unlike yourself I didn't feel compelled to go into deep why, since I'm sure they don't care why I don't like their band. You seem to think people do care why you don't like something, and maybe they do.

And as I've said, you've convinced me my tastes are wrong. Thanks.

"And as I've said, you've convinced me my tastes are wrong. Thanks."

Psst, Steve. There's more where that came from. Tell wumpus that Counter-Strike wasn't your choice for Game of the Year...

-Tom

>>Do I make myself clear?

Yup. You're clearly a tool.

Wumpus, thank you! I've been dying to find out what song was being used in the Blow commericials and had no idea how to find out. Now its dropped into my lap.

Hehe. When people tell you what to think and you pay them, they're called "consultants"; but when people go out there way to do you a favor and tell you what to think, free of charge, they're called "tools."

Where's the gratitude?

"Where's the gratitude?"

Beastie Boys
'Check Your Head'
Track 4

Incidentally Track 5 off that record is also appropos in this circumstance.

-Andrew

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But embarassing? Please. All you could have said is, "I don't really like that band." Instead, you had to say, "It just comes off as pretentious, soulless arthouse pseudorock to me. S-K sounds like every other college band I've ever heard. It is utterly unremarkable."

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I'm sure everyone thanks you. I mentioned there were a couple of bands I don't care for, but unlike yourself I didn't feel compelled to go into deep why, since I'm sure they don't care why I don't like their band. You seem to think people do care why you don't like something, and maybe they do.

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And as I've said, you've convinced me my tastes are wrong. Thanks.

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Also, did you guys notice that Tribes 2 is putting up awful numbers on the gamespy stats page? Depressing that a retail game with god knows how much sellthrough and tons of hype can only deliver 5,000 players at peak times!

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5000 players at peak times is still pretty good. It's hard to say what the Tribes 2 sell-through is. Hitting the charts for a week or two doesn't indicate huge sales.

I wrote a few days ago:

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On a different note, Megadeth have a new album coming out in May that's supposedly a U-turn from the pop-metal "Risk" and returns to heavier "Rust In Peace"/"Countdown To Extinction" material. Dave Mustaine's got a new label, new management, even a new guitarist and drummer. I heard one of the songs is called "Return to Hanger 18", and if you're a Megadeth fan, you know that means that it should be pretty bad-ass indeed.

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Pixies fans might want to check out the recent release, "The Complete B-Sides"

Track listing includes:

Riber Euphrates
Vamos
In Heaven (Lady In Radiator Song)
Manta Ray
Weird At My School
Dancing The Manta Ray
Wave Of Mutilation (UK Surf)
Into The White
Bailey's Walk
Make Believe
I've Been Waiting For You
The Thing
Velvety Instrumental Version
Winterlong
Santo
Theme From Narc
Build High
Evil Hearted You
Letter To Memphis (Instrumental).

Also includes music vids for Allison and Here Comes Your Man. Some liner notes from Frank Black too.

It's marked as an import, but I only paid 13 bucks for this CD.

-Thierry

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Pixies fans might want to check out the recent release, "The Complete B-Sides"

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Good tip, CScooty. I love the B-sides of the Pixies in general; I couldn't believe how good "Into the White" was. Plus, Kim Deal rarely sang lead, so it was nice to hear her step up there.

I also downloaded your recommended Fountains of Wayne cover of the Britney Spears tune. Funny. Not as funny as an MPEG file of a guy getting hit in the head with a shovel

http://12.1.228.185/video/shovel.mpg

.. but funny nonetheless.

Frank always puts on a good show. He's the teenager of the year, after all.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

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Frank always puts on a good show. He's the teenager of the year, after all.

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Hmmm. I guess my taste in music skews more towards indie and local stuff from around here (Portland/Salem, OR).
My current favorites are:

Elliott Smith
Quasi
Modest Mouse
the Widgets
Cherry Poppin Daddies (including their swing stuff)
Cake Like (OK, not local, but indie)

I actually was pretty bummed when the swing revival died out so quickly. I think there's something reassuring about getting your music from people who've recieved some formal, classical instruction. The Daddies, BBVD, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Royal Crowne Review, they were all really cool.

The better known, national acts I'm into are basically all well established groups. I can't stand new "popular" music played on commercial radio stations. KNRK out of Portland was pretty cool at one point, the on air personallities were better then most and their alternative playlist was solid. But these days all they play is the crap they're spoon fed by big record companies. Hell, they sound more like a butt rocker station these days then anything else. They rarely even play older, better stuff. Anyway, I still listen to:

Weezer (been wating, what, 5 years for a new albumn? But it's out on the 15th.)
Cake
Radiohead (duh, OK Computer is their best to date. lookin forward to the new CD too)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Californication is really good!)
The Presidents of the United States of America (I was big into these guys for a while. I've an ass load of import singles, import albumns, 45s and LPs)

And the occasional musical. No Andrew Lloyyd Weber or Rogers and Hammerstein though. Their stuff sucks.

House, trance, and dark jungle. I sneak in a little Nat King Cole too.

some of the Pixies b-sides are even BETTER than there album songs... as good as some of Smahing Pumpkins b-sides...

ill have to pick up that album, is it import only?

though these days im old fogey... loud music grates on me sometimes, even listening to some old Bob Mould and Husker Du i said to myself "too loud..." god im getting old. though i went to see Badly Drawn Boy recently (great concert) and surprisingly it was loud... i didn't mind... im nuts.

etc

Dang. I wish I saw this thread earlier. I am The Original Punk. Okay, well, maybe not. But still.

If you don't own the Minutemen's Double Nickels On The Dime, then you are missing out on one of THE all-time rock classics. They would have ruled the world if D. Boon (lead guitarist, singer) hadn't died in a car crash. And the bassist, Mike Watt (later of firehose), is one of the greatest rock bass players ever.

Other things I'm listening to these days (old and new):

Air (actual cool French music)
Ramones (for obvious reasons--R.I.P.)
Hooverphonic
Meat Puppets (the earlier stuff)
Radiohead (agree that OK COmputer is the best)
Kraftwerk (shut up--they were cool)
Saint Etienne
Beastie Boys' Pauls Boutique

also: Moby's Play got WAY overplayed, but before that happened I thought it was one of the best CDs I'd heard in years....

Hey Green,
ALL the Beastie Boys' albums belong... but Paul's was the transition from crap crass rap to cutting edge rap.

I also really like the Dead. Saw 'em twice pre jerry's demise. And, if I can tie this in with another thread my best "work" story was when I was working minimal security for the Jerry Garcia Band's "Jerry's Birthday" show at Irvine Meadows.

Half way through I thought,"screw it". Walked back to the office. Turned in my yellow jacket, punched out (my time card), and muttered: "I quit"

Walked back to the show, met some pretty young ladies who had some... 'cigarettes' to share... and enjoyed the best concert I'll ever see in my life.

-Andrew

Despite my punk credentials, I also learned to love the Dead. (living in Berkeley helps)

Many many years ago, a Deadhead friend of mine dragged me to an outdoor show at the Greek theater. At that point I didn't know anything about 'em other than they were the stoner hippy band. I went, but had a bad attitude about it. It was a gorgeous summer day but I was wearing all black. About halfway during the show, under the influence of "cigarettes", I looked around, at the crowd and the band, and realized that every single person there was happy and having a great time...except me. I was so busy feeling superior that I had shut myself off to the music itself. Once I realized that, got over myself, and started listening---in particular to Jerry's guitar--I was a convert. Went on to see 'em I think 8 times before he died.

Best concert of my life though: Also at the Greek Theater, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense tour. Saw it 2 nites in a row!

"I was working minimal security for the Jerry Garcia Band's "Jerry's Birthday" show at Irvine Meadows"

Andrew,

I never witnessed it, but I heard one of the most amazing sights at Irvine Meadows was the Halloween Oingo Boingo concert. Masked hordes supposedly filled the stadium and got real excited when 'dead man's' played...did you ever see that?

"ALL the Beastie Boys' albums belong... but Paul's was the transition from crap crass rap to cutting edge rap."

Eh, I don't care for the "middle years" period circa Check your Head. Paul's Boutique and Licensed to Ill are all-time classics in my book; can't get enough of those two. I really enjoyed 1999's Hello Nasty, but the few albums immediately prior to that were.. eh. I just wasn't buying into the whole "let's use real instruments and pretend to be a garage band" methodology.

"Best concert of my life though: Also at the Greek Theater, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense tour. Saw it 2 nites in a row!"

Hey, the Stop Making Sense DVD-- which is essentially a live recording of the concert-- is great too. I bought it on a lark, and I was shocked how good it was, actually. There are several excellent audio mixes, including Dolby Digital. I'm a big Talking Heads fan, but I generally prefer recorded music to concerts. I would tentatively say that if you're a fan of music, and if you don't _hate_ the Talking Heads, you will thoroughly enjoy the Stop Making Sense DVD. It really is that good.

So.. I can only imagine how cool it was in person!

"Many many years ago, a Deadhead friend of mine dragged me to an outdoor show at the Greek theater."

I had a remarkably similar experience at a Phish concert. I'd almost argue these guys are the "new Dead".

"also: Moby's Play got WAY overplayed, but before that happened I thought it was one of the best CDs I'd heard in years...."

Yeah, it's great until you hear the tracks in EVERY SINGLE COMMERCIAL EVER MADE. Good lord! What happened there? Moby is a little christian vegan SELL OUT BITCH!

"Air (actual cool French music)"

Ooh. I love 'em too! Good call! There's a really neat remix of the song "Sexy Boy" by Beck on one of the MTV AMP albums you really ought to hear, too.

In fact, here it is for you guys:

http://12.1.228.185/audio/Air_-_Sexy_Boy_Sex_Kino_Mix_by_Beck.mp3

WARNING! 6MB FILE!! ;)

Anyway, back to my current playlist of Boston, Journey, and Rick Springfield. I think Rick Springfield may be the best recording artist of all time.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

Jeff, did you see the movie "The Virgin Suicides"? Air did the music. Haven't heard any of their other stuff but I really enjoyed the stuff from the movie.

"I never witnessed it, but I heard one of the most amazing sights at Irvine Meadows was the Halloween Oingo Boingo concert. Masked hordes supposedly filled the stadium and got real excited when 'dead man's' played...did you ever see that?"

Absolutely. The "Dia de Los Muertos" concert. It was awesome. But Boingo was always awesome. My favorite concert of theirs was when I saw them at House of Blues, only because I got to be about five feet from the stage and Danny Elfman.

Gordon "Oingo Boingo is my favorite band" Berg

Bernie,
I got married on Halloween night (it landed on a Saturday, so it was convenient) and we did a "harvest theme" (gourd centerpeices, jack-lanterns on the dance floor) so it wasn't as weird as it sounds. We let the under 12 crowd dress up, had a cool live band dressed in various clever costumes and...

I made them play Dead Man's Party.

Add to that I was a young adult who listened to KROQ. Now...

Did I ever see the Boingo show at Irvine Meadows on a Halloween night?

-Andrew "Only a Lad" Bub

Okay, more Talking Heads bragging. I was also at the premiere of the "Stop Making Sense" movie, at the S.F. Film Festival, and the band and Jonathan Demme were all there and spoke. The greatest thing was, the entire MOVIE audience was on their feet dancing by the end.

"Yeah, it's great until you hear the tracks in EVERY SINGLE COMMERCIAL EVER MADE. Good lord! What happened there? Moby is a little christian vegan SELL OUT BITCH! "

Yeah--I know, I know. He ruined it. But until he did that, that CD was just amazing.

"Jeff, did you see the movie "The Virgin Suicides"? Air did the music. Haven't heard any of their other stuff but I really enjoyed the stuff from the movie."

I never did see the movie--but I have the soundtrack. I just love those guys. And the great thing is that the new CD is due out any minute. I was able to grab like 4 of the songs off Napster right before that went near-kaput--and they sound as good as anything they've done. I'll be buying it the first day. They're also touring the U.S. for the first time in forever.

If you're a fan, you should go buy their one major release "Moon Safari". You gotta be prepared for some 70's-style cheese, but if you can handle it, it just a great, great piece of ear candy.

I love ALL the Beastie Boys records, but Pauls Boutique is some kinda freaky masterpiece. That record is like 10 years ahead of its time, at least.

Jeff,
my introduction to the Dead came at Las Vegas in the Silverdome.

I danced in 100 degree weather as people shot firehoses in the air, making it rain and making rainbows...
I felt the temperature plunge to about 60 in less than 15 minutes. I watched them conjure a storm behind the stage in the desert. I saw lightning strike the hills a couple miles away during the "drums" section. I experienced the massive dust storm that made it impossible to find your car afterward.

I came away a devoted fan of their music. Maybe it's the drugs, the women, the vibe (Dead shows ALWAYS felt like a party where the Dead just happened to be playing at) and the music. I'll never regret it because to this day that music still makes me groove.

-Andrew "And light and glory gonna be my name!"

Does anyone here listen almost exclusively to classical music?

You mean like the Beatles?

"Does anyone here listen almost exclusively to classical music?"

For whatever reason, classical music just doesn't do it for me. I do have the Wendy Carlos "Switched on Bach" box set, which I recommend, but that's more about freaky moogs and freaky guys who get sex change operations.. like many prominent game designers. *cough*. Jeff, YOU MAKE ME FEEL.. YOU MAKE ME FEEL.. YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL BORN WOMAN.

"Jeff, did you see the movie "The Virgin Suicides"? Air did the music. Haven't heard any of their other stuff but I really enjoyed the stuff from the movie."

Yeah, if you liked that, definitely pick up the album. I also strongly recommend this album to fans of Air:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IFUJ/qid=989548711/sr=1-1/ref=sc_m_2/107-5957454-6352521

My user review is in there, so I won't repeat it here. I think I'll put the MP3s on now actually.

"Okay, more Talking Heads bragging. I was also at the premiere of the "Stop Making Sense" movie, at the S.F. Film Festival, and the band and Jonathan Demme were all there and spoke. The greatest thing was, the entire MOVIE audience was on their feet dancing by the end."

Wow. Like John Romero, you just made me your bitch. Other than being there, the next best thing is to buy or rent the amazing DVD; I can't recommend it strongly enough (with the minor caveats I posted earlier).

"I danced in 100 degree weather as people shot firehoses in the air, making it rain and making rainbows... I felt the temperature plunge to about 60 in less than 15 minutes. I watched them conjure a storm behind the stage in the desert. I saw lightning strike the hills a couple miles away during the "drums" section. I experienced the massive dust storm that made it impossible to find your car afterward."

Sounds like you've seen fire, and you've seen rain. You've seen lonely times when you could not find a friend.

"I'll never regret it because to this day that music still makes me groove."

Damn dirty hippies. YOU TOO GREEN! ;)

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

I'm a grizzled dinosaur rock fan (I bought the new Foreigner anthology, how sick is that?). I'm so old, I think of The Who when someone rambles on about Lifehouse... I'm going to Clapton on May 27 and U2 on June 11.

After which I will no longer be able to hear all you Internet maniacs
... clawing at my brain
*ba dump, ba dump*
... trying to make me more insane
*wiggles like a catfish on a deck*
... I wish upon you all... tomaine

Those last 3 lines qualify me for a record contract, a grammy and an appearance on Saturday Night Live, by today's musical standards. :=0

Top 10 signs Geo is a hopeless old musical fart (though not a fart that sounds musical):

10) Thinks Britney Spears is a type of double-headed spear in the Diablo II expansion
9) Thinks Creed is a boy scout's motto
8) Thinks Rap Artist means you know how to wrap fish with the newspaper he works for
7) Thinks Green Day is another way of saying Saint Patrick's Day. Aye, laddies!
6) Thinks Metallica is a color paint he used to put on his WWII fighter models
5) Hears some youngsters say how great "Lifehouse" is, says "Yeah, I love Pete Townshend!" and the youngsters slowly back away...
4) Thinks Eminem is something you use when you're constipated
3) Also thinks Eminem is made by Mars and is popular junk food at movie theaters
2) Thinks Smashing Pumpkins was what Linus did in the pumpkin patch when the Great Pumpkin never showed up
1) Looks at the Billboard Top 10 and says "Who the ****ing HELL ARE these weirdos? And why do their names sound like things in the exotic vegetable section in a Fresh Fields grocery store?

Geo,

The Great Pumpkin showed up! Sadly for Linus, though, it was carnivorous...

Jeff-I saw the dead a bunch of times in the early 80's. I had a hippy-chick girlfriend (god, I love those hippie chicks) who dragged me to the first one. After that, it was all good. Plus, they played Baltimore/UM a LOT.

I also like the early Meat Puppets stuff. Did you ever listen to Madder Rose? Same time period, pretty cool.

Recently I'm listening to Everclear's SO Much For The Afterglow. I love "Amphetemine."

"Recently I'm listening to Everclear's SO Much For The Afterglow. I love "Amphetemine.""

I loved circa-"Heroin Girl" and "You Make me Feel Like a Whore" Everclear, but they've become a horrid travesty of a band with their latest releases. I wish Art would pick up his drug habit again so he can write some interesting music for a change.

After all, without great pain, one cannot have great art.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

"I also downloaded your recommended Fountains of Wayne cover of the Britney Spears tune. Funny."

Fountains Of Wayne did a pretty good cover, but I think the Travis cover is much funnier. Mostly because of the heavy Scottish accent. Some people on Napster just have the song, others have it where the lead, avec heavy Scottish brogue accent, talks about how it was one of the best songs of "lost yearr, and i say dat withoot a shrrred of irrony."

Other funny covers include Devo doing Satisfaction, Green Day doing Eye Of The Tiger, Nick Cave and Shane McGowan doing What A Wonderful World, Ozzy Osbourne doing Stayin' Alive, Pet Shop Boys doing Where The Streets Have No Name, and nothing beats Radiohead doing Rhinestone Cowboy.


"also: Moby's Play got WAY overplayed, but before that happened I thought it was one of the best CDs I'd heard in years...."

I still think Play is an amazing CD. Even though I keep on hearing Southside done as a duet with Gwen Stefani when I buy smoothies, or Porcelain on all the commercials ever aired.

I heard that "Everything Is Wrong" is also pretty good, even though it's no Play. Any truth to that?

-Thierry, who wish he knew about Air when he recently bought some Massive Attack, Pixies, Pulp, and Dandy Warhols

I'm not much for new fangled... um... whatever Moby and Fatboy Slim are genre-wise, but I jsut caught the new video from Fatboy starring a dancing Christopher Walken.

I'm still laughing.

-Andrew

Spike Jonze must really like Fatboy Slim, because he directed both the Weapon Of Choice video (Walken dancing) and the Praise You video (guy and friends dancing in front of a movie theatre).

-Thierry

Ok, that explains it. I am a big Spike Jonze fan.
Walken was truly awesome in that... major cajones.

-Andrew

Get your dancing Walken right here folks!

http://realmedia.ipc.co.uk:7070/ramgen/nme/video/march01/fatboyslim_vid.smi

Now, the only thing this video really needs is Dennis Hopper in drag as Ginger Rogers. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Hey, Aszurom, thanks for the link to the Fatboy Slim thing!

"I jsut caught the new video from Fatboy starring a dancing Christopher Walken. I'm still laughing."

Walken's a trained dancer, Bub. It's actually pretty evident in the way he moves, even in that video. He had one hell of a show stopper in Steve Martin's Pennies from Heaven.

-Tom

"Walken's a trained dancer, Bub. It's actually pretty evident in the way he moves, even in that video. He had one hell of a show stopper in Steve Martin's Pennies from Heaven."

IIRC, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly complimented him on his technique after Pennies From Heaven.

He also danced in the David Fincher directed video "Bad Girl" for Madonna.

Someone I know, after seeing this video, recalled the following conversation:

Mike Figgis to Mel Gibson: "Christopher Walken flew in the other day --"

Gibson to Figgis: "-- and he didn't use a plane, right?"

-Thierry

I know that Tom,
I'm a huge Pennies from Heaven fan actually. Walken has also done some dancing on Saturday Night Live.

What I find so amusing about this is the choreography and the fact that it's, you know, Christopher Walken doing it. He's a riveting presence.

Anyway, his performance was aces.

-Andrew
"Still laughing in AMUSEMENT and pleasure, not MOCKERY"