Bruce Springsteen - The Wild The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle - 1973

This is a terrible record. The best part about it is the E Street Band. It's too bad that that talentless blow-hard on what I guess some would call vocals keeps fucking each song up with his idiotic caterwauling.

The E Street Shuffle - This song has some nice if not self indulgent moments on it. But this of course only happens when Springsteen shuts his word hole.

4th of July, Asbury Park - Hey Bruce, I didn't know that you were from New Jersey. This being your second album I had no way of knowing that based on your first one. This song appears to be a ballad about the salad days of the guy who changes your oil. Who cares? Lyrically it's boring and musically it's monotonous.

Kitty's Back - This might be the worst song on the album. Some of the work by the E Street Band is good, but way over the top. The lack of economy dramatically impacts its effectiveness. Does this song really need to be over 7 minutes? Absolutely not. Also the mix kinda sucks. If they had mixed Springsteen's vocals right out of the song and cut it to about 4 and a half minutes this could have been an OK song.

Wild Billy's Circus Story - I've always said that John Cougar Mellencamp is the poor man's Bob Dylan and that Bruce Springsteen is the retarded man's John Cougar Mellencamp. This song is a perfect example of what I mean by that.

Incident on 57th Street - It just keeps going and going and going and the longer it goes the more I get this sinking feeling that there is absolutely no point to what is happening.

Rosalita - I like the horns on this one. The keyboards are pretty cheesy. The lyrics are moronic.

New York City Serenade - Terrible. Just the worst.

Note to Bruce Springsteen: You aren't, never was, and never will be even half the song writer that Tom Waits is and was, no matter how hard you try.

RNR Hall of Incest - 2011 Nominees

The RNR Hall of Incest 2011 nominees list is out and is even more pathetic than expected. Let's start with the good. Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, and Tom Waits are all understandable as far as I'm concerned. In fact I would have but all of those people in over ZZ Top or Bob Seger. I can even kinda buy Bon Jovi, (whose music i really hate). I think the Beastie Boys, Dr. John, (both of whom I like), Chuck Willis and Donovan are reaching a bit as nominees. The rest are perplexing given that bands such as The Smiths, Rush, Kiss and Kraftwerk haven't been inducted yet.

Chic? Seriously? They want to put Chic in the Hall of Fame? Why would anyone give a shit about Chic? We're talking about a band that was popular for about 3 years in the late 70s. Has anyone even thought about them since 1981? There are thousands of bands that would qualify if issuing a few popular records over the course of a few years were the only criteria for entrance. Why not put Men At Work In? Or how about Sugar Ray?

It's a laugh to think that Chic might make it in, but what's even funnier is that they aren't the worst choice out of this year's nominees. LL Cool J is on the list too. That's right LL Cool J. It is difficult to come up with words to express what I think about this. The only thing I can imagine as leading to this choice has something to do with white guilt on the part of whoever chooses the nominees and its relationship to Rap music. LL Cool J. Unbelievable.

The rest of the group is split between "has beens" who were popular and sold a shit load of records for a few years, (J. Giles Band, Donna Summer) and people who are just too obscure of irrelevant to bother with, (Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Joe Tex). I have nothing against any of these people or groups, I even have some records by a few of them, but I don't think that any of them should be inducted into an organization that calls itself a "Hall of Fame".

The sub-mental thinking of Jann Wenner, Dave Marsh and whoever the hell else sits on the nomination board is in fine form with this year's nominees. Donna Summer over Kiss? My God. If the Hall wasn't a joke before it certainly is now. Shit, I'd put Deep Purple in over Donna Summer. Or how about Peter Gabriel. Or how about Lou Reed? Sure he's in as a member of the Velvet Underground, but not as a solo performer. Between 1970 and 1990 he was one of the most important musicians in Rock and Roll. Can you even imagine what Rock and Roll would be without him?

In closing I'd just like to remind everyone that ZZ Top is in the Hall of Fame. ZZ TOP!
Fuck, I just can't get over it.

Belle & Sebastian

Belle & Sebastian have made two of the best albums of the last 15 years.

Dear Catastrophe Waitress was the first B&S album that I heard. It's absolutely brilliant and I suggest that you all buy it immediately. The album begins a divergence (continued on their next album The Life Pursuit) away from the classic B&S sound, (a very melancholy twee), into a more upbeat sound. This can be heard especially on the song Lord Anthony. Stuart Murdoch's voice sounds as good as it ever has on this record. The song quality is pretty consistent throughout and even Sarah Martin's contribution of Asleep on a Sunbeam is great. Martin is the band's violin player and I use the word "even" because B&S has run into some trouble with songs written by members other than Murdoch, (see the album Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant, probably their weakest). The lyrics are extremely strong on this record. Songs like Piazza New York Catcher and If She Wants Me are great examples of Murdoch's lyrical craftsmanship, offering perfect examples of his unique often fragmentary storytelling.

If You're Feeling Sinister is the other B&S album that one should own. It took me a little longer to appreciate this record, Dear Catastrophe Waitress I loved upon first hearing, but this one took months of occasional listening for me to become obsessed with it. Every song is great, with a few approaching perfection, with the exception of one. I really could have done without The Boy Done Wrong Again. Seeing Other People, Like Dylan In The Movies, If Your Feeling Sinister, and Judy And The Dream Of Horses are all grand slam home runs as songs. I love the ambiguity of Seeing Other People. I've had a few theories as to what the details of this song are about and I still remain undecided as to the genders and ages of the people involved. If Your Feeling Sinister might be the best song on the record. The minute long background track of what sounds like a schoolyard sets a perfect mood for the rest of the song. The song' structure is also interesting in that the chorus doesn't show up until about 3:40 in a song that 5:21 long. Murdoch manages to tell a religious story from a believer's point of view without sounding dogmatic or overbearing. Judy And The Dream Of Horses is my favourite B&S song. It's got a great melody, great lyrics, it's execution is perfect. It's also strong emotionally, Murdoch sings it like he means it.

Two other B&S records worth listening to are The Life Pursuit and The Boy With The Arab Strap. Neither are as good as the ones mentioned above, but they are solid efforts, each with some outstanding songs.

B&S have a new album coming out in October.

The Obligatories

Here is the list of the initial inductees into the DrReverend Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Without these people there would be no rock and roll. I don't even like all of these people or groups, but their impact on rock and roll is undeniable. If you think I've forgotten a group or person who you believe should have been included in the lists below, let me know and I'll consider them for January's inductions.

Performers:
The Beach Boys
The Beatles
Chuck Berry
David Bowie
Eric Clapton
Sam Cooke
Fats Domino
Bob Dylan
The Everly Brothers
Grateful Dead
Bill Haley
Buddy Holly
Michael Jackson
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
Jerry Lee Lewis
Little Richard
Roy Orbison
Carl Perkins
Pink Floyd
Elvis Presley
Ramones
The Rolling Stones
Sex Pistols
Simon and Garfunkel
The Supremes
The Velvet Underground
The Who
Frank Zappa
Les Paul
James Brown
Aretha Franklin

Non-Performers:
Dick Clark
Leo Fender
Alan Freed
Berry Gordy
Sam Phillips
Phil Spector
John H. Hammond

*Addendum - I spoke with our good friend Skippy Stalin this evening and he convinced me that I am being perhaps a little too stringent when it comes to determining what is and what isn't Rock and Roll. As a result I James Brown and Aretha Franklin have been added to the list above.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sucks. In fact it's hard to think of something that sucks worse. I mean tearing your scrotum while trying to inject cocaine into your penis, or living in Pakistan are worse, but you know what I mean.

I love all types of music but I especially love rock and roll, and the fact that the thing that calls itself the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fames" is as horrible as it is, is just depressing as hell. Take a look at the list of inductees. This is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, not the this band had 6 hits between 1965 and 1968 hall of fame. These are suppose to the "Immortals" of Rock and Roll. So someone please explain to me how the The Animals got in. I don't think that The Animals are necessarily a bad band, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Really? And how about Bob Seger? I can think of 10 bands/people off the top of my head who deserve to be in anything that calls itself the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" more than Bob Seger. How about Kiss? I don't even like Kiss but fuck it, they sold over 100 million records and I'll bet that quite a few more kids picked up a guitar and formed a band after hearing "Rock and Roll All Nite", than "Like A Rock". Or how about Rush? I like Rush more than Kiss, but not by much. They have a career that spans almost 40 years, they've sold over 40 million records and have 14 platinum ones. What exactly do they have to do to get in? Or how about Tom Waits, The Smiths, Iron Maiden, Lightin' Hopkins, Nick Drake, Daniel Lanois, Joy Division, or Kaftwerk. I could go on.

You might notice one name on my list that kinda sticks out a bit. As I'm sure you know Lightin' Hopkins did not play rock and roll. He was a blues musician. So what's he doing in my list? Well, for some fucked up reason one doesn't need to actually play rock and roll to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Why the fuck are Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, Charlie Christian and John Lee Hooker all in the Hall as performers? I can understand wanting to honour those who influenced Rock and Roll, but none of those people really played much rock and roll. I mean Miles Davis? Wow the selection committee really must have had their heads inserted firmly into their assholes on that one. Another thing that really pisses me off is that they put all these blues and jazz musicians as performers and "early influences", but where are the country guys? If you're going to put Johnny Cash in, why not Willie Nelson? Or Townes Van Zandt. Or Kris Kristofferson? And you're going to put Jimmie Rodgers in but not The Carter Family? I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Anyways, I'm so disgusted with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, (ZZ Top in there you know...fucking ZZ Top), that I'm forming my own. I will have an initial induction that will include what I refer to as the  "Obligatories". These are groups and people that no respectable Hall of Fame dedicated to rock and roll could be without. After that I will induct 4 performers and two non-performers a year. I invite all 3 of my readers to send me those they think are worthy of induction. The criteria for election to the hall is a little ambiguous. What makes a performer important? It is record sales? Perceived influence on others? I guess  those both play role. I guess it really comes down to legacy. I really believe that people will be listening to Bob Dylan 50 years from now. I'm not sure they'll be listening to ZZ Top. One thing though. Those eligible for entry must be rock and roll performers. No jazz, no blues, no Gypsy soul music. I love jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, country, and several other types of music, but this is the "Rock and Roll" hall of fame so it's rock and roll only. Also when a band is elected, ALL THE PEOPLE IN THAT BAND ARE ELECTED. I fucking hate the fact that that piece of shit in Cleveland excludes certain members of bands. Why isn't Doug Yule included with the Velvet Underground. Sure he wasn't the heart and soul of the band, but he was there and he played a big role on what was arguably their best record. Who the fuck are the assholes at the Hall of Fame, (which will henceforth be called the Hall of Incest, to differentiate it from the real Hall of Fame, my Hall of Fame), to decide who is and isn't a member of the Velvet Underground, (or any band for that matter). Fucking disgusting.

I will be announcing the "Obligatories" very soon. After that the induction ceremonies will take place annually on January 8th. That is Elvis Presley's birthday, and after all he did invent rock in roll on that day in 1972.

Bill Holt - Dreamies

Dreamies - 1974

Despite the fact that he had a family to support and minimal experience playing music Bill Holt quit his day job in 1972, locked himself in his basement for year and made a record. The album has two tracks, side A is Program 10 (in 6 parts) and side B is Program 11 (in 7 parts).

This album is pretty much in a class of its own. It's composed mostly of samples, bits from Beatle songs and found sounds via the media. JFL, MLK and Walter Cronkite all make repeated appearances. Beneath the samples are some nice acoustic melodies and pleasant enough lyrics. Program 11 is the darker of the two, although the American Airlines sign off right near the end is hilarious. One of the things that makes this album so great is that it is so unique, especially when view in its historical context. No one in rock and roll was doing what Holt was doing in the early 70s (Dreamies is one of the first and best examples of sampling in modern music). Beyond that, the songs are actually good and like a lot of good music require close listening. A casual listen will not be nearly as rewarding as putting on some headphones, (real headphones not those ridiculous things that came with your iPod), in a dark room and listening without distraction. The "Sunday Morning Song" is really catchy and I found myself humming it after a few listens, (always a good sign for me).

One of the really fascinating characteristics of this record is how it manages to capture the spirit of the time period from which it comes. Essentially it's just one big sound collage, but one that works. Holt uses both sounds and voices to create a sort of progressive confusion of sound that sincerely expresses the zeitgeist of the late 60's early 70's. It's quite an achievement.

Don't go down to your local record store to get a copy of Dreamies, (do people still go to record stores...are there still record stores). You won't find it there. I couldn't even find it while searching several popular torrent sites. The best place to find it is iTunes.

Dory Previn

On the record "Let's Get Out Of This Country" Camera Obscura have a song called Dory Previn. I didn't think much about it until I read an interview recently with Tracyanne Campbell in which she talks about listening to Dory Previn's music. So I found a few of her records and gave them a listen.

Previn was a movie song writer back in the 50's and 60's. I think she was most famous for the soundtrack to "Vally Of The Dolls". Also she was married to Andre Previn the famous conductor. They broke up after he impregnated a young Mia Farrow. What a class guy. Anyways, in the first half of the 70's Ms. Previn released half a dozen singer-songwriter type albums. It's these records that she is most remembered for.

I found six of her records, (if any knows where I can get her live record please let me know). There's not a bad one in the lot. Her self titled album and Mary C. Brown and The Hollywood sign are the best ones. Her music is very reminiscent of Randy Newman, (or vice versa). Midget's Lament from Mary C. Brown could easily pass as a Newman song. Her subject matter, phrasing, the influence of "American" music from earlier in the 20th century, are all remarkably similar to Newman's. They also share a real craftsmanship when it comes to song writing. One may not like Previn's music, but unless you're completely retarded it's hard not to admire how good the songwriting is.

Her records might not be that easy to find, but I suggest that you do so. The two I mentioned above are must haves, as is On My Way To Where, (if for no other reason than to hear With My Daddy In The Attic). Guess what that song's about...(yeah, it really is).

Mini Reviews

Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement - 2009 
Just go get this record. If you listen to it and don't love at least one song off this album then I don't want you reading my blog.

Jonathan Coulton - Thing A Week One - 2006
A very uneven record. Shop Vac and The Town Crotch are top notch. Sibling Rivalry and Pod Safe Christmas Song are garbage. Coulton's got a pretty good voice and seems to have a knack for pleasant melodies so I'll probably spend some time with some of his other records. Also his cover of Baby's Got Back is better than the original.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion - 2009
My God this album is boring.  I actually listened to it a couple of times and it was really painful.  The thought of listening to it again makes me feel air sick.  From everything I've read about Animal Collective I really thought I'd love this band, but this album just sucks.  Maybe it gets better with repeated listenings, but I just don't care that much.

Crass - Penis Envy - 1980
Great album from start to finish.  I like to listen to in the morning when I walk to the subway on my way to work.

Abba - Gold

Gold - 1993

I never really understood why Abba sold 10 billion records and after sitting down for the first time in my life and actually listening to one of their albums (and a greatest hits to boot) I'm even more confused at their phenomenal popularity. Maybe it was a side effect of all that great blow that everyone was doing back in the 70s.

This record for the most part fluctuates between the mediocre (Waterloo) and the truly awful (Fernando). In fact Fernando is so gay that it makes the Village People sound like Bob Seger. Two songs stand out as better than the rest, Super Trooper and Take A Chance On Me. Both are decent pop songs that are well crafted and produced. Actually the best thing about this record is the production. Abba knew how to write songs it's just that most of them are so cheesy and lacking in depth that it's hard to like them. Thank You For The Music, Fernando and I Have A Dream are truly horrible songs. Mostly we find on this record mediocre dance/pop music that's been very well put together.