For Your Listening Pleasure
Soundtrack – Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
Said But True
“Yes, ma’am.” — Courtney Love, when asked by Superior Court Judge Elden Fox if she would agree to an upcoming court date.
“Wow.” — Alex Rodriguez, after being officially introduced to media as a New York Yankee. Yes, not a “music” quote, but still you have to admit, “wow” is a huge understatement, and if I’m a Red Sox fan, I’m PISSED at the MLBPA for vetoing the first trade, and Commissioner Selig for not vetoing this one. Damn Yankees….
Renew, Reuse, Recycle
Sometimes it’s hard to keep up a weekly column, especially when the subject matter is limited to, say, music. That’s not to say that I’ve already covered everything on this topic – far from it. In fact, often I feel as if I’m not even qualified to maintain this column, since each day I hear about a band I’ve never heard about before, a singer I’ve never been aware of. But that shouldn’t be surprising, right?
Frank Zappa once wrote that “American radio listeners, raised on a diet of _____ (fill in the blank), have experienced a musical universe so small they cannot begin to know what they like.” Well, shit. Could it be possible that I’m an “American radio listener” even though I’ve been avoiding radio like the plague for the last 5-10 years?
I must be. I mean, if I wasn’t an “American radio listener” would I even know who Kellis or Limp Biskit is? Would I have heard “Hey Ya!” enough times to know the lyrics? Would I have enjoyed a weekend full of Beatles nostalgia on practically every New York City radio station last weekend?
So, okay. I listen to enough radio to keep up with the mainstream music scene. On the flip side of that, I think I do a pretty decent job of familiarizing myself with “on the verge” artists, while also making sure not to forget about the history of rock music that influences so many of today’s new musicians.
That’s it in a nutshell: I’m ready to move on, while keeping my finger on the pulse of “today” and looking back respectfully on yesterday… But what kills me is I’m not so sure anyone else is ready to look forward. Sure, there are your typical indie kids, there’s the whole new generation of Internet music fans doing their best to uncover the latest and greatest, and of course the music critiratti ready, willing and able to tell us what to listen to. And I appreciate all of the above, if for no other reason than they all play an interesting part in this music thing.
But how do you explain that when I logged onto Billboard.com today, I see the following headlines:
* Rapper Loon Arrested In L.A. Stabbing
* Marilyn Manson Settles Assault Suit
* Weezer Unveils Reissue, DVD Details
* The Darkness Dominates Brit Awards
* Courtney Love’s Arrest Warrant Dismissed
* RIAA To File New Round Of Lawsuits
* GNR’s ‘Hits’ Coming Before New Album
* EMI Moves to Halt ‘White Album’ Remixes
* Hamilton, Adams Head Pantene Tour
* Posies Re-Teaming With Big Star
Now, I don’t know who this Loon guy is (maybe there’s hope for me yet!), but Marilyn Manson? Weezer? Courtney? The Posies? GNR?! To quote Matthew Kennedy Gould: “What is going ON?!”
I don’t want this to turn into an “it’s 1991 all over again!” column. I’ve written that one before, as have many others. What I do want is for the mainstream music industry to start moving forward, because there are only so many things I can say about the bands I loved growing up in high school (or about the fact that they’re even remaking Dirty Dancing of all films!). My ten year reunion is coming up, and never in a million years did I think that Courtney F’n Love would still be making headlines a decade after her husband died. Talk about riding fifteen minutes of fame into the ground. And will GNR just name their Greatest Hits album “The Chinese Democracy” and get it over with?
I’m not saying nostalgia is bad. And I’m not saying that new music isn’t out there and ready to be embraced. If you can’t find it on the ‘Net, go to your closest city’s local clubs. If you can’t find it there, make some yourself.
What I’m saying is that this music columnist business isn’t getting any easier, and I’m calling out to anyone reading this – publicists, musicians, casual readers – to email me about some new music. I’m open to anything, as long as you tell me why I should give it a listen, what you like about it, and why it’s not like everything else out there.
There’s no reason why Ryan Adams’ remake of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” or a the new remix of “Let It Be” should be the best “new” song I’ve heard recently; and the upcoming Pixies reunion shouldn’t be the only 2004 live show getting me excited.
Let’s see what ya got out there. Until then, don’t be surprised if you start reading more non-music content in this column.
Fun With Spellchecker – My Bad
Okay, okay… YES, I used “Nemoy” last time in the “Fun With Spellchecker” segment. Thanks to all of you who wrote in and noticed that Spock’s last name is actually spelled “Nimoy.” Ironic, don’t ya think?
Until next time…
peace. love. moe.
– Matt
Matt’s Black Log
Matthew Michaels’s columns can also be found on moodspins and 1-42.
