Wednesday, March 29, 2000

Somehow, I've always associated Third Eye Foundation with abrasive guitar terrorism over nosebleed breakbeats. In fact, the number of such TEF songs can be counted on one hand. Of course, the first 20 minutes of "Semtex" and the mind-blowing "Corpses As Bedmates" (from "Ghost") make a long lasting impression. However, "Corpses As Bedmates" can now be viewed as a sign-off, Matt Elliott waving goodbye to his lo-fi roots with his finest statement of anarchic noise. Finally, on this this year's "Little Lost Soul" he's composed an full flow of an album, rather than a seemingly unrelated consortium of tracks. The album is like a dream, scenes slowly fade to grey and then a new one appears, each lonelier than the one before it. Whereas the "Sound of Violence" EP evoked physical pain, "LLS" evokes emotional pain. Like the final scene of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", in which Brad and Janet aimlessly crawl in circles around a fallen Dr. Scott, it's the sound of sweet confusion and aching memories which won't get out of your head. And yes, like that scene in "Rocky Horror", there's a tongue-in-cheek element as well (just look at some of the song titles).

Friday, March 24, 2000

Kevin Shields is playing UK gigs with Primal Scream. This must be a wet dream.

Monday, March 20, 2000

I can scarcely believe that I am about to write this, but "That's the Way It Is" is surely the best Celine Dion song ever. Nobody can dispute the fact that she has a wonderful voice, but when she uses it to peddle the inane sappiness of "My Heart Will Go On" it makes me cringe the way Whitney Houston once did with "I Will Always Love You". Celine has rediscovered her dance pop side which she abandoned sometime in 1995, just in time to compete with the Jessicas and Christinas of the world.

Sunday, March 19, 2000

Nobody associates a bands' "greatness" with their lyric writing ability. The Beatles are an excellent test case. There is no dispute that they were an excellent band, but their lyrics are often atrocious. They began with simple teenybopper "I love you, I don't love you" sentiments, but that's what everybody was doing then so this can't be held against them. During the Rubber Soul/Revolver period their lyrics were at their peak, from the biting social commentary of Taxman to the thinly veiled confessions of "Norwegian Wood" to the serene simplicity of "Here, There and Everywhere". Then it all went horribly wrong. Take the White Album as an example. Clearly there are exceptions (Julia, Blackbird, etc.) but for the most part the lyrics are incessant streams of directionless, and frequently ridiculous storytelling. Is John making any sense at all during "Glass Onion" or "Happiness is a Warm Gun"? Paul is bitten by the bug as well -- what on earth are we to make of "Rocky Raccoon"? Has anyone, save Charles Manson, been enlightened by the lyrics to "Piggies"? The White Album is an album of musical genius -- likely the best thing the Beatles ever did -- but is also an album of frequent lyrical tomfoolery. Must have been the drugs.

Saturday, March 11, 2000

What exactly is the difference between Much Music and Much More Music? Not much, as far as I can tell. MM plays Korn, and M3 doesn't. Oh yeah, M3 plays the Backstreet Boys, but they never visit. Interestingly, MM's upcoming Sandjob exclusively features the bands that M3 doesn't play.