From: owner-loud-fans-digest@smoe.org (loud-fans-digest) To: loud-fans-digest@smoe.org Subject: loud-fans-digest V6 #9 Reply-To: loud-fans@smoe.org Sender: owner-loud-fans-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-loud-fans-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk loud-fans-digest Tuesday, January 10 2006 Volume 06 : Number 009 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [loud-fans] Big Star ["Aaron Milenski" ] [loud-fans] Fwd: Could you do me a favor... [2fs ] [loud-fans] Honorary Mentions and Arab Straps ["Bye Bye Blackbirds" ] Re: [loud-fans] annoying someone via the internet now a federal crime [2f] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star [Aaron Mandel ] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star [2fs ] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star [John Swartzentruber ] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star ["Bye Bye Blackbirds" ] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star [2fs ] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star and other reunion albums [Michael Zwirn ] Re: [loud-fans] Big Star [2fs ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 08:58:50 -0500 From: "Aaron Milenski" Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star >i'm wondering if people would be judging this album differently -- maybe >even on its own merits -- if it had been released as an Alex Chilton >record, or under a moniker like, say, "Chilton/Stephens/Stringfellow/Auer" >instead of "Big Star." Absolutely. Anybody who's paid attention to any of Chilton's solo career would know that his musical inclinations strayed from "pop" at least twenty-five years ago. Even LIKE FLIES ON SHERBET is mostly in the more good-time rock and roll direction he shows so much here on IN SPACE. Even if what someone did early in their career was "better," nobody regresses in terms of their musical development. I'm reminded of Joe Strummer's continual lament about people who wished the Clash would do something like their first album again. I find it amazing that people ever expect reunion albums to sound like what a band did thirty years ago, frankly. The songs that sound most like RADIO CITY-era Big Star aren't the Chilton songs, unsurprisingly. I think what might also throw people off is how much of the album is kind of frivolous, especially lyrically. I think they were really hoping for some sort of serious statement here, and it's hard for them to accept this as a very fun record that's more enjoyable than most of what they'll hear this year, despite the fact that not only isn't it a masterpiece, it has absolutely no aspirations in that direction. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 09:09:59 -0600 From: 2fs Subject: [loud-fans] Fwd: Could you do me a favor... Andy asked me to send this to the list as his mailer's been acting weird - I got a copy but I'm not sure everyone else did. Apologies for duplication if that's the case... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: zoom@muppetlabs.com > I think Hunter's not gotten his due - I think people at the time read him as one of Bowie's creatures, and/or derivative of a lot of > American garage as well as some glam...but that mix is, in fact, pretty much his own. Throw in a bit of Dylan ("I Wish I Was Your Mother" from _Mott_ (I think) is one of the best imBobinations > ever...), and there you go. I was a big Mott the Hoople fan in high school, and when Hunter left that band, I remember that first solo album got a fair amount of airplay on what turned out to be the last gasps of our area "freeform" FM rock station. Oddly, I never bought that album - no idea why. I did buy _All-American Alien Boy_ - and, despite a couple of good tracks, that's kind of an odd record...with, of all people, Jaco Pastorius playing bass on a few tracks! Oh, you couldn't do without "Irene Wilde." Talk about killing me softly with his song... I'm more familiar with the live version from WELCOME TO THE CLUB, though. With, of all people, Martin Briley playing bass on the whole thing! But is it a true story? Andy Q: Have you ever heard from "Irene Wilde"? A: No. She knows, though, she knows about [the song], somebody told me. She married a bloke who used to[sigma] I used to go with these girls in Shrewsbury, and I always went with the best-looking girls in the town. I don't know why, it wasn't like I was anything to look at or anything, but somehow I went with Miss Shrewsbury, and she was gorgeous. But there was always this guy, Brian Poole, hanging about, and every time I went with these girls -- if I left town or something like that -- he would immediately step in. I remember he had this crimson velvet jacket and I always envied that jacket. And he wound up with Irene Wilde, he married her, and they had twins. But that last time I saw her, she didn't look at all like the girl I remembered. - --Ian Hunter, from an interview with Gail Worley, at http://www.worleygig.com/pages/archives.html (the Brian Poole of the Tremeloes or the Brian Poole of Renaldo and the Loaf, unspecified) - -- ...Jeff Norman The Architectural Dance Society http://spanghew.blogspot.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 10:01:25 -0800 From: "Bye Bye Blackbirds" Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that, after 30+ years, using the Big Star moniker for the first time suggests that the album would have some kind of connection to classic Big Star albums. I had hoped that the Posies guys would write the bulk of it, or perhaps write lyrics or something. As it turns out, they made it all up in the studio and I think it's really terrible, even on its own merits! I don't get bent out of shape about damaging the legacy of the band or anything like that, I just think it's a shame that it's such an awful record when those four guys could obviously make something really good. At least they could have written material ahead of time! I still think the Soft Boys' Nextdoorland is kind of a standard for reunion albums. You could stick the best of those songs on a compilation with the classic material and it would make sense, while still maintaining its own personality. B ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 10:18:08 -0800 From: "Bye Bye Blackbirds" Subject: [loud-fans] Honorary Mentions and Arab Straps Anyone here a fan of the band The Arab Strap? I've been listening to an album by one of the members, Malcolm Middleton, lately and it's a really fascinating album. It's a very lush, singer-songwriter kind of thing--outrageously depressing, self pitying lyrics but there's a kind of dark humor about it, too. It's very intriguing, and i'm curious now about The Arab Strap--where to start, etc. Also, it didn't make my 2005 list because I was peripherally involved in its creation and the guy plays bass in my band, but William Duke's _The Ghost That Would Not Be_ is a really fun, DIY psychedelic pop album that I think people might enjoy. There are a couple mp3s up www.byebyeblackbirds.com/ghost.html The other honorary mention for 2005 is Ryan Adams. I thought all three albums were really worth hearing. It's become kind of a joke to talk about how much stuff he's been putting out and how highly he seems to think of all of it, but if you set that all aside and listen to what he's been doing there's a lot of really beautiful, solid country rock on the albums. First of all, they're some of the best sounding albums i've ever heard--just gorgeously recorded. And performed live, too--vocals, strings, effects, the works. They remind me of classic 60's country albums--the sponteneity, the sound of a room, the endearing flubs, the musicianship, etc. Cold Roses is the most rocking, Jacksonville City Nights is the most country and 29 is the moody, stripped down one. All three have enough to recommend listening to them. If you've been resisting Adams because of his personality, reputation or the sheer volume of his catalog i'd suggest downloading a handful of songs from each of his 2005 records--especially if you like classic, ensemble oriented performances. Nothing groundbreaking, but really good. B ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 13:41:19 -0500 From: Jenny Grover Subject: [loud-fans] annoying someone via the internet now a federal crime http://news.com.com/Create+an+e-annoyance%2C+go+to+jail/2010-1028_3-6022491.html?part=rss&tag=6022491&subj=news// ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 12:50:07 -0600 From: 2fs Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star On 1/9/06, Bye Bye Blackbirds wrote: > I still think the Soft Boys' Nextdoorland is kind of a standard for reunion > albums. You could stick the best of those songs on a compilation with the > classic material and it would make sense, while still maintaining its own > personality. I'd say Wire vers. 2 is right up there...and even vers. 3, while not quite as...scintillating (little joke there) it's still setting a pretty high standard. I'd add Pere Ubu to the list. Any others? - -- ...Jeff Norman The Architectural Dance Society http://spanghew.blogspot.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 12:58:53 -0600 From: 2fs Subject: Re: [loud-fans] annoying someone via the internet now a federal crime On 1/9/06, Jenny Grover wrote: > http://news.com.com/Create+an+e-annoyance%2C+go+to+jail/2010-1028_3-6022491.html?part=rss&tag=6022491&subj=news// > But only if you don't reveal your real name. So, apparently, you can annoy as much as you want as long as people know who you are. I breathe a sigh of relief. - -- ...Jeff Norman The Architectural Dance Society http://spanghew.blogspot.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 15:21:59 -0500 (EST) From: Aaron Mandel Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star On Mon, 9 Jan 2006, 2fs wrote: > I'd say Wire vers. 2 is right up there...and even vers. 3, while not > quite as...scintillating (little joke there) it's still setting a > pretty high standard. > > I'd add Pere Ubu to the list. > > Any others? I think American Music Club made a great reunion record, with points for sounding more like "the real AMC" than San Francisco did. But I know many people who were nonplussed. Maybe six years isn't long enough to count, but hopefully the next entry on this list is The Loud Family. aaron ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 14:44:35 -0600 From: 2fs Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star On 1/9/06, Aaron Mandel wrote: > On Mon, 9 Jan 2006, 2fs wrote: > > > Any others? > > I think American Music Club made a great reunion record, with points for > sounding more like "the real AMC" than San Francisco did. But I know > many people who were nonplussed. That's surprising to me (that people were nonplussed) - I think that's an excellent album, right up there with the band's best stuff. Then again, I also like _San Francisco_, so apparently I don't know much... > Maybe six years isn't long enough to count, but hopefully the next entry > on this list is The Loud Family. People do know there's an mp3 of the new cover of "Rocks Off" up at the 125 Records site (www.125records.com), right? While as a cover it says nothing about the songwriting, it's in its own way an audacious move to cover that song, and I like a lot of things about it, particularly the way they've replaced the horn parts with vocals. - -- ...Jeff Norman The Architectural Dance Society http://spanghew.blogspot.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 15:57:17 -0500 From: John Swartzentruber Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star On 1/9/2006 3:44 PM 2fs wrote: >On 1/9/06, Aaron Mandel wrote: > > >>I think American Music Club made a great reunion record, with points for >>sounding more like "the real AMC" than San Francisco did. But I know >>many people who were nonplussed. >> >> > >That's surprising to me (that people were nonplussed) > Surprising enough that you were nonplussed? I'm not familiar with AMC, old or new, but I am curious what is bewildering about it. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 13:45:19 -0800 From: "Bye Bye Blackbirds" Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star > I think American Music Club made a great reunion > record Yeah, that's a great one--easily one of their best, and, like Aaron said, maybe the most AMC-sounding! Although, I liked San Francisco quite a bit, too. I know it's still a pricey import, but the House of Love reunion is surprising. It's a much brighter, almost power pop style that's not really in keeping with their atmospheric sound of old. But it works, and it does end up sounding like them. The only real flaw is that the lyrics are painfully vague--instead of creating a kind of impressionistic sense of mystery, you're just waiting for something to happen! Still, i'd say it's a successful reunion album. The self-titled Television album (from '89?) is still a favorite--maybe they can pull it off again? The Go-Betweens have made a brilliant comeback, with the latest one being the best. I wonder if The La's reunion will result in new recordings? > Maybe six years isn't long enough to count, but > hopefully the next entry > on this list is The Loud Family. I'm really glad it's going to be called a Loud Family record (plus Anton, of course). I know Scott probably would have preferred it otherwise, but the bits i've heard sound like a continuation of the LF catalog and considering that there are people who _still_ haven't heard what Scott Miller's done since Game Theory, another name change couldn't help its chances of being heard. B ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 16:34:59 -0600 From: 2fs Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star On 1/9/06, Bye Bye Blackbirds wrote: > The self-titled Television album (from '89?) is still a favorite--maybe they > can pull it off again? > > The Go-Betweens have made a brilliant comeback, with the latest one being > the best. Yes and yes. And I shouldn't have forgotten Mission of Burma (despite that album title...). - -- ...Jeff Norman The Architectural Dance Society http://spanghew.blogspot.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 18:59:19 -0500 From: Michael Zwirn Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star and other reunion albums On Jan 9, 2006, at 5:34 PM, 2fs wrote: > On 1/9/06, Bye Bye Blackbirds wrote: > >> The self-titled Television album (from '89?) is still a >> favorite--maybe they >> can pull it off again? >> >> The Go-Betweens have made a brilliant comeback, with the latest one >> being >> the best. > > Yes and yes. > > And I shouldn't have forgotten Mission of Burma (despite that album > title...). Blake Babies did a great reunion record. - --------------------- Michael W. Zwirn, michael@zwirn.com (h) 202-250-5281 (c) 503-887-9800 http://zwirn.com Skype: zwirnm ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 18:46:53 -0800 (PST) From: Gil Ray Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star - Bye Bye Blackbirds wrote: > I'm really glad it's going to be called a Loud > Family record (plus Anton, of > course). I know Scott probably would have preferred > it otherwise, but the > bits i've heard sound like a continuation of the LF > catalog and considering > that there are people who _still_ haven't heard what > Scott Miller's done > since Game Theory, another name change couldn't help > its chances of being > heard. You know, it sounds like a LF record to me. From what I've heard, it has a real IBC feel, mainly due to Kenny and Joe being teamed up again. IMHO, they are the quintesential LF rhythm section. I hope people buy the hell out of this record. Gil PS-on a very sad sidenote, Donnette sent me an e-mail telling me of Sunny Wantz's death. Sunny actually got a liner note credit on Real Nighttime for doing Scott's hair for the cover. She certainly was more than just a hairstylist, she also was a promoter in the Davis/Sacramento area back in the day. I actually met her before my involvement in GT, when I was in a gothic rock band (Fade To Black). The last time I saw her was at a show while I was in GT, up in Sacramento, probably around 1988 or so.... Sunny....R.I.P (damn. too many R.I.P.'s...) Gil ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 21:41:20 -0600 From: 2fs Subject: Re: [loud-fans] Big Star On 1/9/06, Gil Ray wrote: > You know, it sounds like a LF record to me. From what > I've heard, it has a real IBC feel, mainly due to > Kenny and Joe being teamed up again. IMHO, they are > the quintesential LF rhythm section. That other drummer they had was pretty damned good, too. What was his name...some old bald guy I think... - -- ...Jeff Norman The Architectural Dance Society http://spanghew.blogspot.com ------------------------------ End of loud-fans-digest V6 #9 *****************************