TrekBBS vs. the Music

[J.T.B.]

1. Dionne Warwick - Anyone Who Had A Heart

I sort of have a soft spot for Motown - especially since, in my view, the 1970's Motown catalog in particular has held up a LOT better than the 'mainstream' (read 'disco') catalog of the same era.
[...]
some Motown stuff (in particular, The Commodores and Al Green)[...]

A minor point but one I feel obliged to make: Dionne Warwick was on the small New York label of Scepter Records in the '60s. Nothing to do with Motown. Al Green was on Hi Records of Memphis.

--Justin

 

[Thestral]

I didn't say it at the time, because I didn't want to influence the review one way or the other, but my cousin is in this band. Fortunately for you...or me....or him, however, he is not the lead singer. He actually plays lead guitar.

As for The Mayfield Four, you might recognize the lead singer from Alter Bridge.

Cool! That's good for your cousin.

Alter Bridge is a name I sorta recognize, but a five minute research doesn't tell me any more than that, sorry.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Alter Bridge is nice because they illustrate how much Scott Stapp sucks

Anyway:
Flogging Molly - What's Left of the Flag
Great song. Fits the somberness of traditional Irish music with Flogging Molly's punk energy. Granted, it might be the bit of Irish blood in me that helps me love this song so much, but it's great. 5/5

Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables
OK, that's a definite change of pace. I've never seen Les Miserables (well, I've heard it a really long time ago, but don't really remember it). I really like what they did here. Very multicultural. Also, a very cool bombastic song. Quite fun to listen to. 4/5

The Cranberries - Just My Imagination
Does each song have to have something Irish in it (well, just that one guy in the second video, but still). I really like the singer for the Cranberries, she makes everything sound so beautiful. Anyway, haven't heard this song before, but I like it. It's a very poppy, happy song. 5/5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WrIN7xhEks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhvbRZWEtd4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qvz9JlPRzU

 

[Thestral]

^ "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough."

Don't worry, the next set will be less Irish-heavy.

Letting somebody else take yours since I just went.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Hey, I have nothing against Irish music. I'm actually surprised the middle song wasn't the Pogues or Dropkick Murphy.

 

[Count Zero]

However, the songs I most associate with Wings and, unfortunately, my dislike of Wings are songs like "Silly Love Songs", "Listen to What The Man Said", "Again and Again and Again", and my personal (non) favorite "Let 'Em In" - a song which basically makes me want to shoot myself in the head out of depression over the fact that an actual Beatle wrote it.

I figured as much, though I'm a bit surprised "Again and Again and Again" has gained any prominence. That was a single? I don't like it, either, though underneath the overbearing rock there's actually a decent song buried. Denny Laine performed a nice acoustic version of it live a few years ago. But yeah, Denny Laine isn't really a good song writer, unfortunately. I've had my problems with the whole album the song is from, Wings' last one, Back To The Egg until I realised that some of my favourite Wings songs are on that album (like Getting Closer, So Glad To See You Here and To You) and another, Daytime Nightime Suffering is also from that era. But there are also a few awkward songs on it ("Spin It On" would be another example) which is why I never consider it among my favourite albums, I guess.

I do like "Listen To What The Man Said", think "Silly Love Songs" is an ok song (I like the beginning and the middle part) and dislike "Let 'Em In" (though obviously not to the same degree you do). I've been a bit desensitised because Paul played the song the last three times I saw him live.

However, when I followed your link, I went and looked through some of their songs. Here are a few that I can tolerate:
Coming Up
Live and Let Die
Hi, Hi, Hi
With a Little Luck

I absolutely hate "Coming Up". Of course, that's also a song Paul likes to play live, so in 2003, when Paul temporarily lost his voice and had to leave this song out of the setlist for the following concerts, I was the only one who cheered. The video to the song is great, though, and the album version is halfway bearable for me.


As for George Harrison, I love nearly all of his Beatles songs (never much cared for "Here Comes The Sun" and "Something" and would have preferred "Not Guilty" to "Piggies" on the White Album). And "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is one of the best Beatles songs. I do prefer the originals, but I found your videos interesting.
For some reason, I've never been able to really get into his solo work, although there are some songs I like enough for them to be on my mp3 player. I think my problem is the way the finished songs sound because I often love the demo version but not the released song.
"All Things Must Pass" was recently rereleased in a remastered version which sounds a lot less murky than the previous release and I enjoyed it a lot more. Maybe I should try getting into George's music again sometime.

The weird thing is, judging from my favourite Beatles songs, I should have been an avid fan of George and John more than Paul. Instead, it's the other way around. I do appreciate John's solo work but I much prefer Paul's.

 

[Itisnotlogical]

Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales of San Francisco

It's pretty cool, not really my style, but not so unpleasant that I can't listen to the entire thing. A song dissing what I assume are the crappy teeny-bopper musicians that the world has been turning out, essentially turning music from an art form into an industry as different musicians with the same face and the same lyrics pop out of the ground like poisonous mushrooms.

6/10

INXS - Need You Tonight

Blurgh... a song about casual sex. The verses blend in together against some sort of beat that I assume to be some sort of pop. Kind of boring.

2/10

The Hooters - All Your Zombies

Is that... an electric banjo I see on the album art!?
As much as I dislike religiously-themed music of any kind, it's pretty awesome. Definitely my favorite out of your three picks. The guitar adds a rock feel to it that keeps that cheap 80's synthetic sound from coming in, and the singing is just awe-inspiring. You can feel the emotion.

8/10

And now, my bunch (I haven't played for a while because I didn't want to post the same artists too often):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcON9ZmGDBc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9pFPOI8ecw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP54H9UCHk8

(look up the English on that last one, it's worth it if you dislike small annoying children)

 

[Count Zero]

Voltaire - Zombie Prostitute

Mmh, what's that? Balkans folk-pop? Quite a catchy tune. I imagine that if all their songs sounded like that, it would get a bit boring but it's a good song.


Key of Awesome - Eminem Not Afraid Parody

That's great and sooo true! I admit to liking Eminem but this song is spot on about the content of his lyrics and his persecution complex. This guy is actually pretty good at rapping, too. To me, that's the best song of the bunch.


Zielone Żabki-Dzieci są złe

I didn't look up the lyrics. It sounds a bit monotonous but it's short. More suitable for dancing than listening.


Here's my selection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D7At4d_lDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5P63qGTm_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUV3KvnvT-w

 

[Itisnotlogical]

^^

The song is pretty much "Children are evil" with occasional breaks to say something like "Children are fighting in the sandbox", "Children have no respect for their toys", etc.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Alter Bridge is nice because they illustrate how much Scott Stapp sucks

Well, that is certainly one way of putting it. I like Alter Bridge, actually, but haven't posted any of their tunes because I figured everyone would have heard them. But now, maybe not so I might post one later - we'll see.

Now, I don't know about you...but to me, Creed always sounded like a band trying REALLY hard to be Pearl Jam, and failing miserably at everything but embarrassing themselves. Granted, as a hardcore Pearl Jam groupie, I am more than a bit biased...but I remember rolling my eyes every time I heard them on the radio, thinking to myself "Jesus, that guy needs to stop trying to be Eddie Vedder! He's only embarrassing himself!" And watching those videos! GAH! He was always trying WAY too hard to be this grunge god getting the girls with this fake disgruntled thing going on. The difference being, of course, that guys like Kurt and Eddie really WERE disgruntled - it wasn't an act for them. To me, Creed was always a 'style band' - a band for the people who paid $200 for a flannel shirt because it was the Madison Avenue marketed 'grunge fashion'....when the guys from Seattle were going "Shit, we only wear flannel because it's so fucking cold and rainy here and you can get a flannel shirt for, like, $10 at Army-Navy!"

Posers. That's what Creed were to me. But I don't feel nearly that way about Alter Bridge. Myles Kennedy took some good musicians and finally made them into something legit. Which is why I can't imagine why any of those guys would want to hook back up with Stapp for a Creed reunion.

Because I do understand that Creed was gonna have some sort of reunion (although, again, I can't imagine why!), but I don't know if it ever happened. Since Creed tends to be as far off my radar as I can keep them, I have no idea if it happened on some sort of an Alter Bridge break or not...but if it did, I sure hope it doesn't threaten Alter Bridge, who I think are much better...plus have the added benefit of not having a douchebag as their lead singer.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Everyone tries to make the Pearl Jam comparison, but the thing is Scott Stapp doesn't really base his vocals on Eddie Vedder, I think it's much closer to James Hetfield. He also happens to be a raging asshole. But I've always though they were very good instrumentally. That's why I like Alter Bridge. You get the good parts of Creed without the bullshit.

But, while on the subject of Creed, David Grohl cover of Arms Wide Open.

 

[Eyes]

Here's my selection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D7At4d_lDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5P63qGTm_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUV3KvnvT-w

Ok.

1. Hard-Fi - Sick of It All
Fairly good. A bit of an electronic sound in places. It does sound like it needs to come together more, but a good electronic-rocky sound. 6/10

2. David Bowie - Queen Bitch
While I am familiar with David Bowie, I never knew he had written a song called Queen Bitch. Well, it's better than Heroes. It sounds a lot more modern than what I would expect of Bowie, and that's actually quite good. At times, it almost sounds like... rapping . 8/10

3. Die Fantastischen Vier - MFG
I think that means 'The Fantastic Four'. Well, it should. Anyawy, despite me not really understanding the lyrics, due to only having done GCSE German, I really, really like this. It started off well. I appreciate the chorus more than I would on English songs, as it gives me something to hold onto, but this has just proved to me that German hip-hop is just as good. 9.5/10

My songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNYdXs85438
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKYWvrgADu4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9yGcKlYAiw

 

[Count Zero]

2. David Bowie - Queen Bitch
While I am familiar with David Bowie, I never knew he had written a song called Queen Bitch. Well, it's better than Heroes. It sounds a lot more modern than what I would expect of Bowie, and that's actually quite good. At times, it almost sounds like... rapping . 8/10

Now that you mention it, I think the rhythmic flow of the vocals is one thing about the song that really appeals to me. The song is from his 1971 album 'Hunky Dory', which was heavily influenced by the New York Scene of that time and the preceding years, which explains the modern sound, I guess.

3. Die Fantastischen Vier - MFG
I think that means 'The Fantastic Four'. Well, it should. Anyawy, despite me not really understanding the lyrics, due to only having done GCSE German, I really, really like this. It started off well. I appreciate the chorus more than I would on English songs, as it gives me something to hold onto, but this has just proved to me that German hip-hop is just as good. 9.5/10

I'm glad you liked it. You're right about the band name and don't feel bad about not understanding the lyrics, they're rather dadaistic on this one, anyway. It's basically an abbreviations orgy. I think it's supposed to tell us something about shallowness but I'm not quite sure what.

 

[Jetfire]

My songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNYdXs85438
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKYWvrgADu4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9yGcKlYAiw

1. The Vaccines "If You Wanna"

Never heard before. I have no idea what you would call this...but the music was upbeat and the vocals weren't spectacular but not bad...not something I would listen to on a regular basis. 7/10.

2. Clare Maguire "The Last Dance"

Never heard before. It sounds like early 90's pop/adult contemporary. Not bad...couldn't get into it though. 7/10.

3. Example "Kickstarts"

Never heard before. Um...I don't know what to call it...pop/electronic/hip hop? Not something I would really listen to. 7/10.

Here are mine...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Hp-8WWrO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eXw47qb4U0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1XWJN3nJo

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Everyone tries to make the Pearl Jam comparison, but the thing is Scott Stapp doesn't really base his vocals on Eddie Vedder, I think it's much closer to James Hetfield. He also happens to be a raging asshole. But I've always though they were very good instrumentally. That's why I like Alter Bridge. You get the good parts of Creed without the bullshit.

But, while on the subject of Creed, David Grohl cover of Arms Wide Open.

Well, I never made the connection with Hetfield - I don't think he sounds like him, nor Creed like Metallica. But I am willing to concede that your mileage may vary.

In fact, Eddie Vedder made a comment once about all of these 'bandwagon' bands - he said that some played songs that sounded like Nirvana's with a singer that sounded like him (Eddie), some played songs that sounded like PJ's, with a singer that sounded like Kurt. I think that he brought Alice In Chains/Layne Staley or Soundgarden/Chris Cornell into that comparison also, but I can't remember for sure. One of the chief bands I thought he was referring to with that comment, in fact, was Creed...although he didn't name anyone by name (and wouldn't). As soon as I read that comment, though, I thought "Creed" in the very next thought.

I will say this for a comparison between Hetfield and Stapp though - they are both asshats. I agree that they have that much in common, anyway.

 

[Jetfire]

Since Alidar Jarok has done the 2 songs I posted with Gavin Rossdale & Bush...I was wondering what your thoughts were on Bush & Gavin Rossdale PKTrekGirl?

I saw Bush live in 97 and they were great! One of my favorite groups.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Since Alidar Jack has done the 2 songs I posted with Gavin Rossdale & Bush...I was wondering what your thoughts were on Bush & Gavin Rossdale PKTrekGirl?

I saw Bush live in 97 and they were great! One of my favorite groups.

Well, it depends upon how you try to categorize them along the 90's music spectrum. Some people try to claim they were a Grunge band, but I don't buy that. Partly because of the timing (they came way late, if their objective was to get to that particular party), but partly because...well, Grunge was one of those things that did not translate very well overseas - I see it as mainly as an American thing...and with only a couple of exceptions (Stone Temple Pilots being the chief one), in fact, a Seattle thing.

I consider Bush to be post-Grunge.

However, setting that issue aside and judging based on their music alone, I thought they had some good tunes. I do not care for them as much as I do my fave 90's bands - Pearl Jam & Alice In Chains being the two I am most into, by far (along with their side projects & feeder bands)...but Nirvana, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, and the aforementioned Stone Temple Pilots are also in the mix, along with Mudhoney and a few others. But Bush had some good songs.

I guess that I do not dislike Bush...but for me, they kind of blend in with that whole gang of 90's post-grunge alternative rock bands that had some good tunes, but didn't really bring anything 'new' to the table. Which is fine. Not everyone needs to bring in something new. But what can I say? Nothing will match the first time I heard Nirvana or Pearl Jam and thought "Holy shit! These guys are gonna change the universe as we know it!"

I don't know how old you are, or if you remember when those bands came out...but in Anchorage Alaska (which in many ways is a distant suburb of Seattle), we were wowed in a way I've not been wowed since. It was like one day we were listening to the 80's arena rock bands we'd been listening to (in some cases) for a decade...and the next, the world was turned upside down and it was, like "Axel WHO?"...because the word about what was happening down in Seattle had reached Anchorage and suddenly, it was about Kurt Cobain and a bit later, Eddie Vedder. I've never seen something like that happen before - something that just changed the whole direction of things. It was a total rush...and I'll never forget it.

Bush didn't change the direction of anything. But they had some good tunes to contribute to what was already going on when they got there. And they sounded pretty good on their studio albums, on the radio, etc. (although a couple of their songs got overplayed there for a while).

I've never heard Bush live, so I can't speak about that bit. And I never bought their studio albums on CD or anything - Just picked up some singles on iTunes later. I think I have maybe 3 or 4 of their songs on my iPod. But I don't have ANYTHING on my iPod I dislike (except for a couple of rap songs I downloaded for my nephew )...so that right there will tell you that I don't dislike them, anyway.

 

[Jetfire]

That time period was strange for me in the early 90's when Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice And Chains & Soundgarden were becoming popular I was still listening to Guns N Roses & Metallica...also listen to alot of pop from that time...but by the mid 90's when Bush became popular I had begun to listen to them and alot of alternative rock. I do remember being into Nu Metal...like KoRn in the mid 90's before it really got big later on.

 

[Itisnotlogical]

Lauren Christy - Breed
To her credit, she's actually very technically competent. But the lyrics are kind of repetitive and standard upbeat pop-rock fare. I guess it's aimed mostly at tweenaged girls, but it's okay-ish given my usual tastes.
7/10

Shakespeare's Sister - Stay
In another time and place I might have liked this a lot more given my evolving musical tastes. During the beginning piano bit her voice was kinda squeaky and had a tendency to go "eeeEEEeEeeeEEEE" during the chorus but got better during the latter half. Again, though, I'm not really into... whatever genre this is (soul? pop? the world may never know) but it's okay.
5/10

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn
A lot better than the other two. The vocals are much better than the other two songs; she doesn't try to go EEEEeEEEEEEeeeeEEeEeee. It's a pretty awesome song about the destruction of innocence and realizing a dream doesn't last for eternity.
(also, Natalie is freaking adorable. I just want to hug her and tell her that jerk is gone and itisnotlogical will help her through this tough time )
9/10

And now, my three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6L7JHA998g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK8xB1opuQ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvyp9Wln7OQ

 

[Cicero]

Eiffel 65 - Today

My favorite part of this song was the semi-nonsense section that started at about 3:20. It reminded me somewhat of Blue (Da Ba Dee), an Eiffel 65 song I really like. I'm afraid I didn't care for the song overall, though. It seemed to partially develop certain musical ideas, but changed directio before fully embracing them. 3/10

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Casting Crowns

I really like the piano in the background during the song's quieter parts - which is saying something; I usually find piano music grating. It's very calming and quite nice. Unfortunately, the song seemed to lose its way at about 1:40. Until that point, it was relatively low-energy, but after that point, it was consistently high-energy, and I think the song suffered for it. With little variation in energy, it seemed to lack a musical identity - everything blended together. 3/10

Devotion - Awol One & Daddy Kev

This song was too crude for me. It actually made my skin crawl. I have a low tolerance for that sort of thing, though. The closest I would normally come to a song like this is Everlast's What It's Like. Aside from the words, the song was essentially okay (aside from the imitation touch-tone sound, which I really didn't like); it would probably disappear to me as background music. It's not really my kind of song, though.
0.5/10

Here are my three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koJlIGDImiU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0hlXUSWlXc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyUBdLm3s9U&feature=related