Yeah that's Right L.L. Cool J, don't call it a comeback!
One of the most influential bands of the last 20 years is back after a few years hiatus. And I have to ask, "Where's the press?" Hmmmmm. Haven't seen any.
If this was Springsteen or Bono, my god, they'd be on 60 minutes or sitting down with Bob Costas just blabbing about it! (For the record I think Springsteen's overrated and the Rolling Stone giving U2 5 stars for their new album? Really. Did I miss something? Smells of a rubber stamping to me.)
Yeah, you guessed it, I'm talking about Phish. Heard of them? The band that will headline, not only one, but 2 nights of Bonnaroo, currently the biggest summer music festival this side of the Atlantic.
The band that I have the 75/95 rule for? Phish at 75% is better than 95% of the bands out there! Still haven't heard of them?
The band that flooded the major highway in Vermont with over 30 miles of traffic just to get to their last weekend "together"? Still not ringing a bell? How about now?
The band that Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic need to thank for putting them on the map! still no?
The best jam band since the Grateful Dead? Am I getting warmer Rolling Stone?
Well, they kick off their world domination this weekend. You've officially been put on notice!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Those that should've quit while they were ahead
Recently I was listening to Boston's debut album and I starting thinking, "This is an amazing album" . No fluff. Every song has its' place. And every song rocks from start to finish.
Well, then I start thinking, what the heck happened to them after their impressive debut? Don't Look Back and Third Stage? Ouch. Well, as my mind sometimes wanders into places unknown, I start to think about other bands who may have had a similar fate: solid debut but then fall off the map after that.
I offer up my list my list of bands who have fallen prey to killer first album/lousy follow-up(s)
1. Guns N' Roses: They drop Appetite for Destruction, arguably one of the most influential rock albums of the last 20 years; full of angst; "dirty Sunset Strip rock'' as I like to call it. It's the type of rock where you lock up the women and children and hide the sheep!
This album could also be traced back to be the one album that may have put the first nail in the hair band coffin, and contributed to the grunge and rap/rock revolutions. Yeah, pretty heavy stuff.
I was a Sophomore in High School when it came out and it was like getting hit by a freight train......and then follow-up with Gn'R Lies; Use Your Illusion I & II, etc, etc. Nope. Not even close. I must admit that I'm a huge Gn'R fan. I own all of these albums. Heck, I even bought Chinese Democracy! That's for another time....
2. Boston: They bring us Boston. I was very close to switching #s 1 and 2. I actually gave Gn'R the edge based upon historic value. Let's just take a step back and take a look at this impressive debut.
3. Van Hagar: This one took a little research, but with a little help from my friend Al Gore and the internets I present.....5150. The debut from the new Van Hagar lineup. This album I think resembles the the attitude that Van Halen brought us in the 70's, and provides a bridge to the prevalent sounds of that time. After that, they brought us such memorable albums as OU812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Thud.
4. Buckcherry: Solid debut. Dirty L.A. rock is back! Oh wait..did I just hear them on Kiss 108 sandwiched between Beyonce and Taylor Swift? Dammit!
5. Wolfmother: They actually DID quit while they were ahead. Literally. Their drummer and bassist recently left the band! This choice is actually a speculative choice because I can't imagine them topping their debut.
It's actually nice nice formula for success- throw in some Deep Purple and Zeppelin stadium rock and add a dash of ELP and sorcery and wizard imagery. Fantastic debut album. We'll see what the revamped lineup brings us.
Well, then I start thinking, what the heck happened to them after their impressive debut? Don't Look Back and Third Stage? Ouch. Well, as my mind sometimes wanders into places unknown, I start to think about other bands who may have had a similar fate: solid debut but then fall off the map after that.
I offer up my list my list of bands who have fallen prey to killer first album/lousy follow-up(s)
1. Guns N' Roses: They drop Appetite for Destruction, arguably one of the most influential rock albums of the last 20 years; full of angst; "dirty Sunset Strip rock'' as I like to call it. It's the type of rock where you lock up the women and children and hide the sheep!
This album could also be traced back to be the one album that may have put the first nail in the hair band coffin, and contributed to the grunge and rap/rock revolutions. Yeah, pretty heavy stuff.
I was a Sophomore in High School when it came out and it was like getting hit by a freight train......and then follow-up with Gn'R Lies; Use Your Illusion I & II, etc, etc. Nope. Not even close. I must admit that I'm a huge Gn'R fan. I own all of these albums. Heck, I even bought Chinese Democracy! That's for another time....
2. Boston: They bring us Boston. I was very close to switching #s 1 and 2. I actually gave Gn'R the edge based upon historic value. Let's just take a step back and take a look at this impressive debut.
- More Than a Feeling
- Piece of Mind
- Foreplay/Long Time
- Rock & Roll Band
- Smokin'
- Hitch a Ride
- Something About You
- Let Me take You Home Tonight
3. Van Hagar: This one took a little research, but with a little help from my friend Al Gore and the internets I present.....5150. The debut from the new Van Hagar lineup. This album I think resembles the the attitude that Van Halen brought us in the 70's, and provides a bridge to the prevalent sounds of that time. After that, they brought us such memorable albums as OU812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Thud.
4. Buckcherry: Solid debut. Dirty L.A. rock is back! Oh wait..did I just hear them on Kiss 108 sandwiched between Beyonce and Taylor Swift? Dammit!
5. Wolfmother: They actually DID quit while they were ahead. Literally. Their drummer and bassist recently left the band! This choice is actually a speculative choice because I can't imagine them topping their debut.
It's actually nice nice formula for success- throw in some Deep Purple and Zeppelin stadium rock and add a dash of ELP and sorcery and wizard imagery. Fantastic debut album. We'll see what the revamped lineup brings us.
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