http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Fri, 1 Apr 2005 08:47:56 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/04/01/084756.php Mark BoudreauWith the Internet, my consumption of music magazines has most definitely declined. Between the various music e-lists that I subscribe to (Audities, Bomp and Shindig to name just three) and the excellent free e-zines that are available (Fufkin, Perfect Sound Forever and Glorious Noise to name just another three) it just doesn't seem like I have as much time to read the printed word, but I do try to make the time as there is something special about crashing out somewhere with a bunch of rock mags and the radio on in the background that is somehow reassuring. That being said, here is what currently fills my magazine rack at home: Harp, Magnet and Amplifier- These are the "big 3" for me. Bi-monthly publications heavy on the indie scene but featuring a really diverse blend of bands and musical styles, these mags feature music, music and more music with nary a fashion ad in sight. A refreshing read even if Magnet and Harp feature the same cover subject occasionally. Mojo- A nice, big, glossy (and expensive!) rock and roll mag featuring all kinds of cool current stuff and amazing features on rock and roll's past (although a bit Beatles heavy at times). A joy to read but a bit of drain on the pocketbook. I don't pick up every monthly issue but I usually regret it when it's no longer available. And the compilation CDs are often excellent. Uncut- Though not music exclusive, music dominates Uncut with excellent coverage of both the mainstream and offbeat and another great source of fine CD compilations. Another expensive monthly but usually a good bang for the buck.Exclaim- A free Canadian monthly music newspaper filled to the brim with all kinds of cool bands from rap to hard core. I tend to stick to the more rock and roll/pop stuff but it is certainly interesting to read about all the other wild stuff out there and it is nice to read about Canadian indie bands for a change. The only complaint that I have is that the freakin' ink comes off easily on the fingers so it's a must that you wash your hands after reading. A great monthly that is also the sponsor of an annual hockey tournament (the Exclaim Hockey Summit) featuring rock and rollers competing against each other in the name of charity. Pretty cool eh?Ugly Things- Published every year or so, Ugly Things calls itself "wild sounds from past dimensions" and it's a good thing it is published infrequently as it takes me about a year to entirely consume the thing. If you are a fan of Pebbles and Nuggets (no not the fast food chicken thingys) then order a copy of this magazine. They are so full of obscure rock and roll knowledge that you will be so busy reading articles and highlighting records to buy that you will barely notice that the year has passed! Absolutely encyclopedic in its knowledge of arcane rock and roll, Ugly Things is a rock and roll fan's delight.Shindig!- Another rock and roll archaeologists delight, Shindig! covers "'60s Psych, Pop, Garage and beyond" with absolute authority. Published once or twice a year, Jon "Mojo" Mills has just recently released his first CD compilation and it looks to be great. Another essential rock and roll read.Scram- Scram is a new one for me. Sub-titled "a journal of unpopular culture" I became familiar with it through the excellent "Lost In The Grooves: Scram's Capricious Guide To The Music You Missed" book. Scram features enough cool, bizarre and eclectic rock and roll to keep you hunting record fairs and swap meets for years. A great, fun read for the adventureous rock and roll fan.Bucketfull of Brains- This is actually a rediscovery as I have read Bucketfull of Brains in the past but it kind of slipped out of view for awhile but I have rediscovered this classic and intend to subscribe post haste. Fabulously diverse with a nice combination of the popular (a relative term for mags like these) and obscure, this UK mag comes out four times a year and is a fantastic read. Since it is impossible to find on the racks I advise you to subscribe.The Big Takeover- I feel like an idiot in that I have not even heard of this mag before but holy cow is it incredible. Published twice a year and edited by Jack Rabid, to give you an idea of the scope of this thing check out the contents of the current issue as listed on their website: Here's the lineup on that new issue: It has Wilco on the cover, from a long interview we did with Jeff Tweedy in his rehearsal/recording loft in Chicago. And it also includes long, thoughtful interviews with Scottish sensations Franz Ferdinand, Aussie legend Nick Cave of his Bad Seeds and Birthday Party fame, Bad Religion's Brett Gurewitz and Greg Graffin, all three surviving members of the reunited MC5, and all five of the similarly reformed American Music Club, Canadian power-pop faves Sloan, that genre's ageless Chris Stamey of the dBs, London punk/trash rock heroes The Libertines, England's moody/broody Hope of the States, The Diodes and the history of 1977 Ontario punk, the perennial Stiff Little Fingers, Jeremy Enigk of Fire Theft and Sunny Day Real Estate, Dr. Robert Moog inventor of the Moog synthesizer, older Scottish punk stars The Rezillos, part two of The Weirdos' John Denney and Cliff Roman, and part two of Rocket From the Tombs' stars David Thomas and Cheetah Chrome; as well as Matthew Sweet, The Black Keys, Ron Sexsmith, Waxwings, Dora Flood, Inouk, The Places, Oneida, producer Warne Livesey, and more.There are other mags that I will pick up occasionally like Q, Blender, Tracks and even the odd Spin or Rolling Stone if there is something that looks interesting but the above mags, especially because most are not published monthly are my current reading faves. And I haven't even touched upon the numerous fanzines out there. I mean, with what else can I get away with telling my wife "Honey, I'm going to soak in the tub with my "Ugly Things." There will always be a place in my house for quality rock mags no matter what the Internet has in store for rock and roll fandom. Incredible stuff for true rock and roll fanatics.Later. Books27591@blogcritics.org Fri, 1 Apr 2005 08:47:56 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/03/24/105620.php Mark BoudreauFew bands have as much flair for the dramatic, both on stage and off as do Pink Floyd. From their days as psychedelic wunderkinds to their eventual place as rock royalty, the Pink Floyd story is as close to a rock and roll soap opera as you can get. In "Pink Floyd: A Saucerful of Secrets" noted rock writer the late Nicholas Schaffner has manage to lay out all the intertwined stories of how "The Pink Floyd" started, how psychedelic boy wonder Syd Barrett lead the band to an early critical success behind "See Emily Play" and "Arnold Layne" followed up by the seminal "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" an album which even had the Beatles intrigued.Unfortunately for both the band and rock and roll in general, Barrett tragically descended into an acid fueled psychosis which not only caused him to drop out of music entirely but also severely damaged his psyche to the point where he could barely function as an adult. From there the story shifts to the era of "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here" behind the twin talents of David Gilmour and Roger Waters until that relationship soured to the point of Waters leaving the band in which he was so instrumental in creating.Toss in some incredible financial mis-management reminiscent of the failed Apple Corps by the Beatles and an ever growing (and very often times petty) rivalry on the one hand between Waters and on the other the remaining three members of Floyd and you have a very entertaining, though somewhat sad read.Pink Floyd to me always seemed to be a group just on the verge of chaos, never quite enjoying their time in the rock and roll spotlight. "Saucerful of Secrets" certainly answers a lot of the questions I had about Pink Floyd, mostly revolving around, perhaps morbidly Syd Barrett and it fills in a lot of information about the infamous "Wall" album and tour but quite frankly you begin to shake your head after a while at how such a talented bunch of individuals could fracture to the point of endlessly lobbing lawsuits at each other.All in all a good read and certainly worthy of more than the bargain bin price that I paid for it. If in fact the rumours are true and Waters and Gilmour have buried the hatchet, perhaps there is one more chapter that somebody will be able to add to Schaffner's book, one that may in fact have a happy ending. Only time will tell but I wouldn't place any bets on it. Highly recommended. Later. Books27205@blogcritics.org Thu, 24 Mar 2005 10:56:20 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/02/12/205147.php Mark BoudreauThe response I have had to my post on KCDX as my Rock and Roll Station of the Week back in November has been phenomenal (at least in Rock and Roll Report terms). So far people have posted 9 comments to the Blog Critics post and 3 comments to The Rock and Roll Report post and all have been in praise of KCDX as rock and roll radio done right. To me this only goes to prove 2 things: 1. Radio is still the most personal of mediums as listeners assume an emotional attachment to a good radio station that is just not possible in television, and 2. Rock and roll radio done right is such a joy and a shock to the system at the same time that it makes it extremely difficult to listen to the pap broadcast on other corporate controlled radio stations.A loyal listener of KCDX has e-mailed me to let me know that there is in fact a KCDX website which posts a continuously updated playlist of what has played and is currently playing on the station. The website does state that there will be more features soon but judging from the e-mail I have received and the comments about KCDX, everybody is clamoring for the same thing: When will KCDX start streaming over the 'Net? I in fact do not have the answer but I have e-mailed the "KCDX Guru" to find out if it is even in the cards. It is a shame that something this good can only be heard by so few.A lot of us non-Arizonians (does that sound right?) would love nothing better than to be able to share in this incredible rock and roll radio station. As I have showcased throughout the short history of The Rock and Roll Report, rock and roll radio is still alive out there on the odd terrestrial radio station willing to buck the corporate trend (Little Steven's show being one of the notable exceptions) as well as on the hundreds of Internet only stations that keep the rock and roll fires burning but I think that a lot of rock and roll fans desperately hope that KCDX will join the party and start webcasting to the world so we can all point to it as one more example of how the tide in the battle for radio diversity is being slowly but inevitably won. As the Beach Boys so aptly put it "Wouldn't it be nice..." Later. Culture12692@blogcritics.org Thu, 12 Feb 2004 20:51:47 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/26/082238.php Mark BoudreauSometimes it seems that Gram Parsons is remembered for everything other than what he was really all about. Whether it's as the guy who introduced country music and Nudie suits to The Byrds, or being Keith Richards coke-addled buddy hanging out in the South of France or his infamous death and fiery funeral pyre at Joshua Tree National Monument, it seems to me that Gram Parsons the musician has gotten the short end of the stick in the memories department.Gram Parsons was passionate about country music but lived in a rock 'n' roll world. "Hickory Wind : The Life and Times of Graham Parsons" by Ben Fong-Torres is an attempt to portray Gram as something other than a rock and roll trivia question and for the most part it succeeds. Perhaps dwelling a bit too much on the dramatic parts of Parsons life, "Hickory Wind" is written by a man who obviously admires Parsons work and the best thing to do in my opinion would be to read a couple of chapters then pop Gp/Grievous Angel on the CD player to get a better understanding of where Parsons was coming from musically.While greatly admired by critics, I would often ask people who Gram Parsons was and the answer would inevitably have something to do with his death, covered in detail in The Strange Death of Gram Parsons: 1973 from the excellent Byrds fan site Byrd Watcher. When I would ask them if they knew of any of Parsons' solo work and I would often be met by blank stares. This book is for them. I don't think there is another musician in rock and roll that has had such an influence on the genre referred to as "Country Rock" or "Alt-Country" and yet is as widely unknown as Gram Parsons.Pick up this book either in the bargain bin like I did or at a place like Amazon in the new expanded edition (which has new details on his death of course) and prepare to read the tale of a country boy gone rock and roll who could never seem to rise above those around him to take his rightful place in rock and roll history. A true rock and roll tragedy.Thank God we still have his music since after all, that is the most important and lasting legacy that Gram Parsons could have possibly bequeathed to this world. A true pioneer of Cosmic American Music, he is sadly missed. Later. Books12030@blogcritics.org Mon, 26 Jan 2004 08:22:38 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/08/072316.php Mark BoudreauGood old Keith Moon is in the news as he tops Q Magazine's list of "100 most insane moments in rock" in their upcoming issue. Of course this should come as no surprise to those of you who have any knowledge of rock 'n' roll history. I have been a Keith Moon fan ever since, as an impressionistic young drummer I saw "The Kids are Alright" for the first time double billed with "Echoes: Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii" at the local repertory theatre.My first ever journalistic achievement was writing a review of Full Moon: The Amazing Rock and Roll Life of the Late Keith Moon for my junior college newspaper. I remember it distinctly not because of my flowing, intelligent prose or my thoughtful, witty review but because I left the book in the office of the paper and when I realized what had happened and went to retrieve it I found that it had disappeared, but I digress.Keith Moon, above all else was an amazing, one of a kind drummer. Watching that guy behind the kit made you understand why Pete Townsend often commented that he played rhythm guitar to Moon's lead drums! Simply phenomenal. He was also absolutely insane. Not in a "lock him up in a mental ward" kind of way but in a "nobody with good sense can get through to this guy before he kills himself" way. Between driving Rolls Royces into pools and hovercrafts into moats to dressing as Hitler or setting off the equivalent of a bomb on stage (at the wrong time during a show) Keith Moon was probably a hell of a lot of fun to hang out with but you wouldn't want to live there.His name might even become more popular if rumors of a Roger Daltrey produced biopic starring Mike Myers as Moon ever get of the ground but for me, I just like to remember him as an ever-laughing drummer extraordinaire bouncing his drumsticks off his cymbals while making the most amazing sounds behind the drum kit as he powered the Who from one glorious moment of "Maximum R 'n' B" to another.He is even the subject of a more current biography that I hear is quite good called Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend. A real character in the best sense of the word, Keith Moon is sadly missed. When one says somebody is "one of a kind" they could easily be talking about "Moon the Loon." Later. Music11534@blogcritics.org Thu, 8 Jan 2004 07:23:16 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/05/092619.php Mark BoudreauMSN has listed their 10 most influential albums since Elvis and I gotta admit Eric Alterman made some pretty good choices but what is it about "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" that always gets critics in a tizzy? Was it really that influential?Critics keep saying it was rock's first concept album but John Lennon himself has stated that the concept of re-visiting the places of their youth, which originally was the inspiration to do the album, ended after their release of the "Strawberry fields/Penny Lane" double "A" side in early '67. And the concept of being an album by the Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ends after the first song (although it is revisited in the "reprise"). Does anybody listen to this album anymore? It certainly hasn't aged as well as most of the other Beatles albums and apart from "A Day in the Life" the rest of it is so/so by Beatles standards.I personally think that "Revolver [UK]" was more influential than "Peppers." That album, and "Tomorrow Never Knows" specifically were arguably responsible for kick starting the whole psychedelic movement as Roger McGuinn of The Byrds has stated that that was the song that influenced his band to take a left turn towards "Eight Miles High."I mean if you're looking at influential British pop/rock/psychedelia, Pink Floyd, the Who, the Yardbirds and the Kinks all came up with some pretty incredible albums at that time with my vote going for Pink Floyd's first album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" as the psychedelic masterpiece of the time. If you add in the two singles Pink Floyd released that weren't on the album ("Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play") I think those stand up better and better represent the times than "Sergeant Pepper's" does today.In some ways I think that the main reason "Peppers" is still idolized by the critics today is simply because it was made by the Beatles and to some that is all that needs to be said. While I cannot deny the influence of "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" I still have a hard time agreeing that it is tied with "Rubber Soul [UK]" as the most influential album of all time. To each his own I suppose.Later. Music11440@blogcritics.org Mon, 5 Jan 2004 09:26:19 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/15/111648.php Mark BoudreauWhat do you think of these: "Fighter Fighter, Josephine, Ballroom, Forget, Beat, Makeshift, Paint, What's Up With Gus?, You, Cook, Dancer." Random words just tossed together for the sake of making up space in this post? Not this time! Actually these are the names of a bunch of new songs that The Tragically Hip performed at the end of October in a tiny, tiny bar in Whistler B.C according to the fantastic fan site Hipbase.And what you are hearing above the din of The Hip's original style of rock and roll is the collective exhalation of a rock and roll nation who had been holding their breath wondering what the boys from Kingston, Ontario have been up to these past months. After touring behind In Violet Light for the better part of last year and a smattering of shows this summer, some fans of Canada's The Tragically Hip were wondering whether The Hip would be back for another kick at the rock 'n' roll can. In light of the band releasing long time manager Jake Gold (now of Canadian Idol fame. Aacck!) and some off hand comments from drummer Johnny Fay wondering if they were still even a band, coupled with Gord Downie's string of amazing shows behind his solo CD Battle of the Nudes, fans were getting a little nervous about whether they would hear from The Hip again.Well fear not. After contributing to the excellent Gordon Lightfoot tribute CD Beautiful: Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, the boys are in the process of writing for their next album in beautiful British Columbia and they should be ready to hit the stage sometime next year. If you are not too familiar with The Hip (yes I'm talking to you our American neighbors to the South), you must check out these guys at the next available opportunity. I'm not going to saddle them with a "they sound like..." tag but if bizarre lyrics about Canada, hockey and being locked in the trunk of a car coupled to primal, snarling rock and roll with the odd psychedelic interlude appeal to you then you will most probably like The Tragically Hip.I guarantee that when you leave a show by The Hip, the smile on your face will be more impressive than the pounding in your ears and the beer stains on your pants. And I definitely guarantee you will become consumed with trying to figure out what the hell Gord Downie is rambling on about. And you will like it.For those of you who already know what I'm talking about, here is the set list from one of the shows:1. NOIS 2. *Fighter Fighter 3. Puttin Down 4. *Josephine 5. ABAC 6. *Ballroom 7. *Forget 8. Nautical Disaster 9. *Beat 10.*Makeshift 11. Poets 12. *Paint 13. 100th Meridian 14 *Whats up With Gus 15. Music At Work 16. Wheat Kings 17. *You 18. Fire In The Hole Encore 19. Blow At High Dough 20. *Cook 21. *Dancer 22. Little BonesLater. Music10150@blogcritics.org Sat, 15 Nov 2003 11:16:48 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/03/223411.php Mark BoudreauThis week's Radio Station Spotlight is a bit different in that it doesn't stream on the Internet. To listen to KCDX you actually have to be in Arizona using an actual radio. On top of it all, I have never actually listened to KCDX so I am not talking about this station from personal experience. Why am I listing a station that I have never listened to and that only broadcasts in some state where I will most probably not be able to visit to check it out for myself? Very simple. Barbara Flaska at Flaskaland sent me a link to the Phoenix New Times article "Ghost Radio: Who's behind Arizona's nonstop oddball rock time capsule?" and I immediately ordained it with the coveted Radio Station Spotlight of the Week but you will have to read the article to see why. Somebody actually programming music, on the radio because they love music. Wow, what a concept!Now I understand that due to economics and market realities, outside of the webcasters and listener sponsored radio stations that I crow about that this is probably just a one off radio station run by a guy who can afford to do it. But doesn't reading this article infuse in you just a little tinge of excitement and longing for radio like this? Doesn't it actually make you wish that you had a station like KCDX?It's like discovering some long lost dusty book in the attic that you had forgotten all about because now all you do is watch TV and the next thing you know you just spent the last two days reading it non-stop and you now find yourself pawing through your old books looking for more because all of a sudden, TV is not nearly as stimulating to you as it once was.Radio doesn't have to be bland and bloated, playing the same stuff over and over. People will listen to the weird, the eclectic, the forgotten, the "B" sides and the unknown if somebody would just give it a chance and do it right. No, it will not be a colossal money generating business per se but maybe that's the problem, maybe good radio is supposed to be about something more than money.Maybe it is supposed to be about the art of playing great music in an artistic and caring way by music fans for music fans that generates enough money to pay the bills and keep the records turning. Why can't this work other than in the deserts of Arizona? I want my own KCDX, what about you? I am now being forced to remove my rose coloured glasses. Sigh. Later. Culture9797@blogcritics.org Mon, 3 Nov 2003 22:34:11 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/24/211544.php Mark BoudreauIn the rush of excitement that followed the explosion of music downloading in the wake of the original Napster and Kazaa, and then the birth of legal services like iTunes and the rest, we sometimes fail to take into account the toll this has all had on record stores (yah I realize that they sell CDs but I call them record stores out of habit and choice).My geek instincts positively revel at the thought of being able to download all kinds of music, legally, from the comfort of my home computer, especially of those indie bands that are hard to find these days and even The Rock and Roll Report has become an Amazon affiliate. And I'm not denying the laziness factor inherent in all of this but will this be the final nail in the coffin of the struggling indie record store?According to the Philadelphia Inquirer article Downloading Music a Blow to Retailers this could very well be the result. Now I am not so concerned with the Wallmarts or other big box retailers so much as the cool independent record stores that are still vital to the kinds of bands that I, and a large number of people, like and want to support. Have you even been to a record store lately?I gotta admit that I don't go as often as I should and even then it's to a place like Future Shop for heaven's sake! Walking into a funky little record store is so much fun because of the sense of musical adventure that permeates the place. Posters featuring bands you've never heard of. Racks upon racks of cool looking CDs that you won't see anywhere else. And the people. The people that work there are a veritable encyclopedia of cool rock and roll (or hip hop, electronica, dance whatever turns your crank) that are absolutely fascinating to talk to. Even the other shoppers are fun to kibbutz with.But most of all, small indie record stores are run by people that live and breath music. How refreshing compared to dealing with Gladys at the local Wallmart who was transferred from housewares just last week. We can't turn back the clock and pretend that music downloading isn't here to stay because it is, but we do have the power to take a bus ride over to our local cool record store and pick up a couple of CDs maybe once or twice a month.You'd be amazed at the value human contact adds to the whole music buying experience, something you definitely can't get in front of any computer that I know of. Go to Record Store Finder and then go shopping this weekend. Your local record store could certainly use the business and you will have a heck of a lot of fun once you get there. Try and download that! Later. Music9491@blogcritics.org Fri, 24 Oct 2003 21:15:44 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/01/231627.php Mark BoudreauI have been watching the PBS series The Blues this week and I'm telling you this documentary on the blues exec produced by Martin Scorsese is fantastic and I urge everyone to tune in. Even if you are not a fan of the blues this could very well be your initiation. And if you think in some misguided way that the blues has nothing to do with rock and roll, especially the rock and roll of today then I beg you to watch this series. Rock and roll is based on the blues period. This fact cannot and should not be denied no matter if you listen to the Yardbirds or Limp Bizkit.This series will give you perspective and appreciation for an incredible form of music that has survived through a heck of a lot of heavy stuff (like oh let's see we'll start with poverty and racism and stop there for the sake of brevity) to triumph in a testament to the strength of the human spirit. And like good rock and roll, the blues will thrive and survive for a long time, it's just that you might have to search it out a little bit harder these days. Not only that, what I like most about The Blues is the smile that it puts on my face while listening to these men and women reaching deep down into their souls while spilling their musical guts all over the stage/porch/pulpit. An incredible journey that I highly recommend. Really great stuff. Watch now because it ends October 4th. Later. Video8829@blogcritics.org Wed, 1 Oct 2003 23:16:27 EDT