http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Thu, 22 Jul 2004 18:04:18 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/20/104617.php#comment-75523 CC, thanks, totally with you on the Hives, but I think you are missing the songwriting dimension of White, and his relationship with American roots music in general seems very deep and genuine. But anyway, the Hives rule! So what do you think of the Strokes? 75523@blogcritics.org Thu, 22 Jul 2004 18:04:18 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/20/104617.php#comment-75479 The Hives are ridiculous and seriously great. Pelle has one of the craziest voices in rock and must be heard to be believed. If you've heard the records, know that he actually reproduces most of those strangled, throat-shredding sounds live, and it's amazing. And between songs, he says things like "OK, shut up everyone, your favorite rock singer is going to sing a song now 1-2-3-4..." or "I know you can't help but love the Hives. You loooove the Hives." And you do. The new one does sound more European-influenced somehow, and a little less guitar-heavy, which I think is a misstep, but what the hell do I know? I like it anyway. The Hives rock. I find that the White Stripes, on the other hand, are just awful. Neither can play, and his yelpy vocals are ear-shredding. And why is Jack's silly, shallow veneration of old black blues singers given a pass by reviewers and such? They're a one-joke novelty thing. Also, he has made a tacit public admission that he finds Renee Zellweger attractive and/or interesting. Yuk. 75479@blogcritics.org Thu, 22 Jul 2004 13:00:38 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/20/104617.php#comment-75461 Thanks Mark, I appreciate it, and agree on all counts: I like the hard retro-rockin' bands too - great energy; and it's a great idea to put together bands that may be literally dissimilar but that complement each other, like a multi-course meal, instead of OD'ing on a given sound. How many bands can really keep your full attention for 2 hours? 75461@blogcritics.org Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:39:17 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/20/104617.php#comment-75458 great article E. i've been pretty happy about this new-new-wave of music. loads of fun. i'm also hoping for another trend: the return of "mixed-genre" concerts. there was an announcement for an upcoming show in boston: 311 with The Roots and Medeski, Martin & Wood. though there are some similarties between these groups, the lineup reminds me of shows back in the 1960's and early 70's where the warmup acts had almost nothing to do with the headliner. 75458@blogcritics.org Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:33:40 EDT