CD4Greg
Podcast: CD4Greg
Format: MP3
Size: 69.4 MB
To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."
As a brief introduction for those of you who aren't immediate family members and don't know what I'm talking about, we are four brothers. From oldest to youngest, we have Tom in New York, and representing the West coast, we have Greg, Geoff and Gorden in the SF bay area. We have this little thing Tom invented called the Shaddup and Listen Club. We put together mixed CDs and share them with each other, and then proceed to write e-mails back and forth criticizing each other's obvious poor taste in music.
Tom, who has been writing about music for some time (see www.americanhitnetwork.com) thought it would be great if we could move the club online, to a blog. This way, when it comes time for a family reunion we will have a record of all the insults published publicly for all to see. Isn't that nice?
So, here it is. My first S&L online. I call this one CD4Greg. I do this because it is a fun way to mediate the gaping hole between Greg and Tom's tastes, while simultaneously insulting both of them for being so dense. Y'see, Tom doesn't understand Greg's taste. Every time Tom puts out a S&L CD, Greg is non-plussed (so am I, but I am not here to insult myself.) And, similarly, the one S&L that Greg put together Tom found unlistenable, and proceeded to say so in an unforgettable e-mail salvo.
My goal for this S&L is to create a CD that Greg will like. Some songs on here I already know he loves; others I'm just guessing. This way I can introduce Greg to some new music (because he's stuck in the 70's) and explain to Tom why I think Greg will like each of these songs. If I'm lucky, by the end of this S&L, Greg will be buying new CDs and Tom will finally understand Greg. If I get it wrong... what the heck. I've enjoyed poking fun at the two of them.
First let me say this. Greg is deaf in one ear. He spent most of his youth trying to make everybody else deaf. A visit to his dorm room was a life threatening experience. He had a pair of speakers hanging from his dorm room walls, each the size of a volkswagen. If you went into that room, you could expect heart arrhythmia and bleeding ear drums all courtesy of Pat Travers, UFO, Montrose or some other god awful rock band. Oh, and then there were the cars. He usually spent more on the stereo than on the car itself. To this day I carry with me a permanent wince from those car rides.
I mention Greg's deafness because I think it has had an influence on his taste in music. He genuinely prefers music that is meant to be played loud. With few exceptions, if Greg is going to like it, it absolutely must have a driving fat bass line and loud drums. Tom, the drummer in our family, is strangely the opposite. Tom doesn't seem to care about fidelity or how "rockin'" it is. What's that about anyway? I digress. My point can be explained by the first track on this S&L.
Track 1 - El Distorto De Melodica, Everclear
Now that I think about, I could have probably stopped here. This is a perfect example of the type of song Greg will LOVE and Tom won't. Loud Bass, Loud guitars and banging drums, and nothing but grunts for words. Perfect. By the way, if you don't play this song extremely loud, you won't get it either. Turn it up. To 11.
Track 2 - Aids and Armegeddon, David Baerwald
I'm betting Greg will dig this song. It has a super fat bassline. It sounds to me like David Baerwald hired Stevie Wonder's backing band, ala Higher Ground and Superstition. And, if you are reading ahead, you'll see I put Stevie on here at Track 10. Greg loves Stevie Wonder. If you don't know anything about David Baerwald join the club. Here's what I know. David and David. Tuesday Night Music Club. Solo. Sorry, but I'm not paid to do any research. If you want to know who he is get off your fat ass and freaking Google him.
Track 3 - Hash Pipe, Weezer
Again, if you aren't turning this up to 11 you are missing the whole point. This is some of the hardest grooviest rock I've ever heard and man, those guitars crunch! Ugghhh! I'm sure Greg will get into the crunchy guitars, but Weezer is a little nerdy for him, so I'm not sure how this track will work out. What d'ya say Greg? I got my Hash Pipe, Ugghhh!
Track 4 - Stay Don't Go, Spoon
Who needs a drummer? mmhh, ahh. mmhh mmhh ahh. mmhh, ahh. mmhh mmh ahh. My wife absolutely hates this song. Every time she hears it she imagines somebody grunting while doing pushups. I just hear a really sparse cool aesthetic. These guys got it going on. But will Greg like it? Absolutely. Anything that sounds this cool will be right up his alley.
Track 5 - Live, Lenny Kravitz
OK, so don't listen to the lyrics. Like virtually all Lenny Kravitz songs the lyrics are worse than bad. They suck in a way that can't be described with mere words. I get that. But you have to love the way the bass, kick drum and horns all line up on this song. The bass on this whole album kicks ass and this track is a great example. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened, but Lenny must have recorded the entire album in a trailer or something. There is a lot of distortion on all tracks. But, for the bassline alone, and that cool 70's vibe, this song will rate high with Greg. Tom on the other hand will say this SUCKS! Ahhh... there's the difference.
Track 6 - Tangerine Speedo, Caviar
I put this song on here because I like it. Tom will probably hate it and Greg will put up with it because the guitars have a nice crunch. Neither will like it because funny songs generally don't have any depth or staying power. Sorry guys, this one's here for me.
Track 7 - E-Pro, Beck
This track is off Beck's new album Guero. I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole thing yet, but from what I've heard, it is pretty good; not as good as midnight vultures -- nothing will ever beat midnight vultures, but it's pretty good. I pretty much put this song on here because felt obligated to put something new on this S&L. So here it is. There is nothing else even remotely fresh on this list. Enjoy it because it is all you're gonna get.
Track 8 - Rockin' the Suburbs, Ben Folds
See notes for Track 6. And, while you are at it, be sure to listen to the lyrics. I can't stop laughing. BF is a F'ing genius.
Track 9 - Deeper Well, Emmylou Harris
OK, Greg and Tom, you don't know it yet, but this is where your tastes intersect, at Emmylou Harris. Tom will dig this track because it Emmylou Harris, a critical darling, distinguished singer, impressive career... and plus this is just a great mood track. Greg will dig it because it has a serious deep vibe, like Brian Eno. You can catch echoes of U2's Joshua Tree on this track. Greg and Tom, welcome to your common ground.
Track 10 - Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder
What? Do I need to say anything? You can see a pattern here, no? Bass, vibe, cool. That's Greg's deal.
Track 11 - Denise, Fountains of Wayne
See notes for track 8.
Track 12 - Shot Shot, Gomez
I was surprised to learn the Tom liked this band. I almost put it on my last S&L and was surprised that Tom put it on his. It doesn't have any of the things that I expect Tom to like. On the other hand, it has every thing I expect Greg to like. Just listen to that baritone sax. Damn that's hot. And I can't stop studying the syncopation between all the instruments. It is endlessly fascinating. Here is your homework assignment: Try to hum the wandering guitar line in the verse. Where the hell is that guitar player going? It sounds like they pulled a random track off another song and plunked it down here. Perfect!
Track 13 - Molly's Chambers, Kings of Leon
I only just picked up this CD last week. I was out in New York about a month ago and Tom let me sit in with the band (I play guitar) and this song was on the set list. I fell in love with it. I just get lost in that groove. Outstanding. Greg, I'm sure you will dig the groove, but what about the fidelity? This track is definitely lo-fi. Can you deal?
Track 14 - Bleed American, Jimmy Eat World
I usually avoid big hit records. I like to be contrary -- the flip side of the coin. This explains some of the gaping holes in my record collection. If it is popular I won't buy it. But sometimes I buy it before it gets popular. That's the case here. I swear it. Anyway, I picked this track because it has that angry crunching driving sound which I'm pretty sure Greg will dig. I really love the guitar tone on this whole album. But, now that it is a hit record, I would never buy it. ;-)
Track 15 - Feel Good Time, Pink
I don't know why, but my wife picked up the soundtrack to Charlie's Angels 2. I don't think she ever even saw the movie. Anyway, don't waste your money. The whole album is just a bunch of songs from the early 80's, except for this one track, which I love. And, I hate to admit it (promise not to tell anybody?) but I really like Pink. This track is a perfect example of why. She really rocks and gets into the groove. She has an excellent sense for where rock meets soul. She's in the pocket. My prediction: Tom will say it's trash, Greg will dig it.
Track 16 - Heart of the Hustler, Thunderball
Why will Greg like this? Two reasons. 1) It has a supremely cool vibe. Imagine a movie set in 70's Detroit, the lead character walking down a decrepit street after dark looking to score a deal. Watch out for the Hustler! Reason 2) You have to love that bassline. I love it when a bassline make you wait -- when it leaves silences where your mind can fill in the blanks. Turn it up!
Track 17 - Tell Me Mama, Tony Toni Tone
Anybody who likes Stevie Wonder and likes music to have a vibe has to like this track. This band is the tightest band I have ever heard. Ever. They are freakin' unbelievable. I am not usually a fan of modern soul. In fact I think all of it sucks without exception. But TTT is different. They are the real deal. Do you notice how much the singer sounds like a young Stevie Wonder?
Track 18 - Ball and Biscuit, The White Stripes
This is the part of the S&L where I reward Greg for listening to the whole thing. I happen to know that Greg loves the next two songs. Tom, if you wonder why Greg likes this song, just listen to the bass response on that kick drum and that Gibson SG/Marshall combo. Fat. Not PHAT. Fat.
Track 19 - That Train Don't Stop Here No More, Los Lobos
OK, this is cheating. I happen to know that both Tom and Greg like this song. But WTF do Los Lobos and Emmylou Harris have in common? I don't know.
So what did we learn? Maybe I'll have to draw a map.
How did I do? Tom, does Greg's eccentric taste in music make any more sense to you now? Greg, did I peg you, or am I clueless?
Let the insults begin!
Podcast: CD4Greg
Format: MP3
Size: 69.4 MB
To listen to the show, right-click on the link and select "save as..."
2 Comments:
Tom’s Response to “Songs for Greg”;
Well, there’s quite a bit to absorb here, isn’t there? It’s taken me some time to develop a response, because I wanted to really LISTEN to this collection (as opposed to letting it play in the background while I get on with my life).
My first question, though, is fairly obvious; If this collection is meant to walk a presumed fine line between my and Greg’s tastes, then why call it “Songs for Greg”? What am I, chopped liver (apply heavy Brooklyn accent here)? That being said, I see this as a collection of songs that go “CRUNCH” (with a few exceptions here and there), and I like almost every tune here. So, regarding the presumption that Greg and I are musically ‘opposed’, only three possibilities exist; 1) Greg is bound to hate all of it, 2) Greg and I have tastes that aren’t so radically different after all, or 3) Geoff did a phenomenal job of achieving his stated goal of finding common ground. My guess is that the answer lies between #’s 2 and 3.
1) Everclear is a cool band and this is a cool song, provided the timing is right when played. I think this would sound best while driving, but not necessarily while lounging in the backyard.
2) I’m a David Baerwald fan, but prefer his “Bedtime Stories” album. This track works, despite the smarmy (and borderline P.I.) lyrics. There’s a Stevie Wonder vibe here, too, that adds to the appeal.
3) The critical consensus says that the “Blue” (1st) album is Weezer’s best, but I prefer the “Green” (3rd) album, mostly because I consider “Hash Pipe” to be one of their best tunes. More smart-ass lyrics here, but self-deprecating, which gives an added edge to the song.
4) Marisa’s comment (see Geoff’s original post)) is hysterical! I only wish I could do push-ups that fast and steady. Unfortunately, I’ll never be able to listen to this song again without thinking about exercise…
5) Funky crunch! This is the closest you come to missing the target of my taste. Lenny K. is not my cuppa tea, but this is a good riff tune, that borrows heavily from Sly Stone (LK always sounds like somebody else…who is better than he is).
6) This song belongs on our list of summer tunes (see MY post from mid-June)! “No woman can resist a man who looks good in a Speedo”?? Christ, this is weird. It’s borderline novelty, but I like it...despite the faulty advice, because NO guy ever really looks good in a Speedo…
7) Beck is probably the least consistent artist of his generation…and that is saying a LOT. For my taste, too many of his albums have too much filler, or too many songs that sound alike, and yet I always buy his stuff, because the good stuff is irresistible. This is definitely one of his better tracks.
8) Sometimes, I think that Ben Folds is almost TOO good. This song perfectly expresses my attitude about most ‘white-middle-class’ whiners, especially the ‘alternative’ variety (are you listening Trent Reznor??) Why is it that nobody complains about their lives more than poor, pitiful, and deeply pained middle-class white boys? Why does this genre of music even exist?
9) Emmylou fits easily into my taste category. Does Greg really like this too? A few years back, an older guy I know was complaining bitterly about Emmylou’s recent album. He bought it, expecting to hear her ‘sweet’ voice, and was appalled by the ‘earthiness’ she was employing. I solved his problem by buying the CD from him, and I’m convinced that it contains some of her best stuff ever. Producer Dan Lanois has a LOT to do with why this sounds so compelling (and he wrote this song, too, didn’t he?)
10) Stevie Wonder? What’s he doing here? Don’t get me wrong, a good Stevie Wonder tune is always welcome, but it seems a bit out of context with the other choices here, since it’s a ‘classic’ tune.
11) This is almost cheating! Geoff and I have discussed our love for this band often, and “Denise” is surely one of their catchiest tunes. Interestingly, this album is chock full of Long Island references (“She works at Liberty Travel…”), and I’m the only family member who lives here…. Is Greg down with this?
12) I wonder why you’re so surprised that I love this band. I love virtually everything that Gomez has done. Saw them live twice, and I’d go back a 3rd time in an instant, if only they didn’t cancel their Summer trek through the States. in fact, I’m about to sign off so I can buy their new 2 CD live disk instead.
13) As you pointed out, my band plays this song at my suggestion, so you KNOW I have this song covered. Don’t you think it’s strange that Kings of Leon are absolutely huge in Europe, while remaining fairly obscure here in America? I love the rawness on this track, and the whole CD rocks just as much.
14) I guess I agree with Geoff’s assessment (or is it an excuse?) for NOT buying this CD. I like the bits I’ve heard by Jimmy Eats World, and I like this, too…..but I wouldn’t buy it.
15) No, I don’t think it’s trash per se… As far as pop starlets go, I guess she’s pretty damn good. She has substance where most of her competition is full of hot air…but I wouldn’t buy it.
16) I never heard of these guys at all… This sounds like what might happen if Seal recorded a new soundtrack for “Superfly”. I dig it.
17) I almost missed this band, until I heard a snippet of their Al Green-style tune, “Thinking of You”, and fell in love with it. I HATE contemporary R&B crooners who overuse melisma, and sing love songs without engaging the listener. TTT avoids that trap entirely by emulating old school R&B. Great percolating horn chart, too.
18) For a while, I thought that White Stripes would fade away as flava-of-the-week retro-blues trendies, but I never got tired of their CD’s, so I must have been wrong. To prove my allegiance, I just bought their new disk “Get Behind Me Satan”.
19) This is another cheat! My band plays this too. It’s a really cool blues tune that swings when played right (which we manage to get right some of the time).
So there it is. Now, I guess I’ll just have to wait for Greg’s eventual response???
Well now. This looks like fun. Guys, I'm Tom's friend Greg. Tom and I have intersecting musical tasts, but the range of material outside of the intersection is huge on both sides.
Let's say my tastes are less "purist" than Tom's, and maybe less eclectic. I will actually listen to and enjoy music that has some polish. (That's polish with a small "p" and a short "o", not to be confused with ethnic music in the form of Polka and the like.) It doesn't have to be raw. In fact whenever I hear a critic describe a band as sounding "raw" , I cringe. More often than not the word turns out to be a euphemism for "incapable of staying in tune or recording with any level of fidelity."
Sonic Youth, for example, gives me hives. I kind of agree with Prince when he says to the musicians he meets - "learn your craft". I have no stomach for bands like Joy Division, whose members each learn 4 notes on their respective instruments then spend then next 5 years writing music using only those 4 notes (usually to the same inane beat). I think Neil Young is a profoundly talented songwriter who needs to lock his guitars in a closet. But that's just me. Tom and I have had this conversation many times and we agree to disagree.
So it will be interesting to listen to these podcasts and, if I can master the technology, post one of my own and let you guys rip it.
More will be revealed.
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