Intermittent Rock Report – July 23, 2003
Let’s begin this week by explaining the title of this column. “Intermittent Rock Report†means, while I’ll make the effort to produce this column weekly, let’s be honest, it’s not something you want to set your watch by. Hence the “intermittent†clause right there in the title. If I’m having one of those weeks where I don’t get out of bed for four days straight, delivering the goods where the column is concerned may take a lower spot on the ol’ priority list. I’m glad we cleared that up. We’ve done some good work here.
New Releases 7/22
Pick of The Week! I have an unhealthy obsession with
Let’s begin this week by explaining the title of this column. “Intermittent Rock Report†means, while I’ll make the effort to produce this column weekly, let’s be honest, it’s not something you want to set your watch by. Hence the “intermittent†clause right there in the title. If I’m having one of those weeks where I don’t get out of bed for four days straight, delivering the goods where the column is concerned may take a lower spot on the ol’ priority list. I’m glad we cleared that up. We’ve done some good work here.
New Releases 7/22
Pick of The Week! I have an unhealthy obsession with Bob Dylan. True to form, I’ll begin the week by extolling the virtues of the Masked and Anonymous soundtrack. The film, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to confused, hesitant, and sometimes angry reviews, is Dylan’s first stab at feature film acting in over 15 years. I’ll admit, Dylan’s not a legend for his stint as a thespian, but even if the movie is complete shit, it still means new Dylan tunes. Sort of. See, the album is composed of mostly Dylan covers, including a couple in foreign languages, but there are some re-recordings done by the man himself. The limited edition will come with a separate CD of tracks from the upcoming re-release of a huge chunk of The Man’s back catalog in SACD format. If you’re like me, and own all 45+ Dylan’s albums, this is a must buy.
Tuesday also marks the first time in 13 years that Jane’s Addiction releases an album of all-new material, Strays. It’s great to see the seminal group back together, but based on Lead Singer/Weirdo Perry Farrell’s solo efforts, there’s not much hope that there will be anything even slightly resembling the greatness of “Three Daysâ€. Limited edition discs will include a DVD, presumably of behind-the-scenes footage.
I’m going to try to make it a regular feature to pick out a new album strictly for ridicule value. This week, Vanilla Ice drew the short straw. Hot Sex boasts guest appearances from Insane Clown Posse and Chuck D, thereby eliminating 43% of Mista Chuck’s dignity. If you know anyone who may buy this record, terminate your friendship with them immediately. If they’re your lover/life partner/spouse, seek counseling.
I’ve got a problem with the trend I’ve seen take shape and occupy its own space in the music industry. The culprit? Symphonic “tributes” to bands who have no need to have their hits turned into chamber music. This week’s victim is AC/DC, and the album is titled Back In Baroque. Isn’t that clever? Finally we have that symphonic version of “Give The Dog A Bone,” without which the world has somehow managed to keep turning all these years. In researching this title, I found there are scores of similar albums built around the music of such bands as Foo Fighters, Nine Inch Nails, No Doubt, and Black Sabbath. I think this all started with C/Z’s Grunge Lite, which was completely ironic and couldn’t possibly have been taken seriously. Oh, how I long for the days of record burning rallies.
Rough Trade graces us with Fried My Little Brains, a 3-song EP by the buzz-ified band, The Kills. Besides having a super name, this blues-rock duo has already released a critically acclaimed Keep On Your Mean Side early this year.
Finally, SPV Records has compiled a double live album by the influential Fu Manchu. Go For It…Live! not only continues the great tradition of live album titles with exclamation points, but also serves as a good primer of the band that spawned Nebula and helped keep stoner metal alive.
Live Performances
Thursday the 24th is a tough night to make a decision. First off, the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players return to their homeland after a recent move to the Big Apple. You may know them as the band with the 9 year-old drummer and songs based on slides (the picture kind) purchased at estate sales and projected onstage while Dad and Daughter play. They left town last year after sparring with local venues and radio stations based on alleged collusion against them. Anyway, they play two shows on Thursday at Chop Suey. The 5 o’clock show is all ages. Come on down, there’s free balloons for the kids. (Editor’s Note: Not Really.) Later that night, Soledad Brothers play to what will certainly be an appreciative crowd at the Crocodile Cafe. We love the Brothers and mark our calendars whenever they come to town. Doors open at 9. Across town at the Showbox, recent Nada Mucho Best Friend Jay Farrar and Tim Easton share a bill. Wherever you stand on “Which Uncle Tupelo Spin-off Band Is Better?â€, Farrar is sure to be worth your time. After all, this guy wrote the lion’s share of the seminal, genre-spurring Illinois band’s songs. Besides, what else do you have to do that night? Oh, right…
Don’t get too exhausted by all the live music yet. Friday 7/25 Built To Spill plays the Tractor in a benefit for Fantagraphics Books. Not two days later, the greatest band ever to hail from Boise, ID does the same thing at the Crocodile Cafe. I have no idea who Fantagraphics Books is, or why they need two benefit concerts in their name, but I’ve never complained about two Built To Spill shows in two days.
On Sunday 7/27, Snoop Dogg brings down the hizzouse at the Paramount. Fo’ shizzle. On a Sizzunday no less. Shouldn’t he be in chizzurch? Alright, I’m sorry for that. But consider giving the English language’s best contributor since Webster himself a little of your time.
Come Monday 7/28, The Mars Volta fill the Showbox with their White Guy ‘fros. Those who were disappointed when At The Drive-In broke up right after their exciting album Relationship Of Command may want to check them out. Plus, their bandmate died recently and we all know how healing it is to play rock music really loud.
Tuesday 7/29, a week after former band mate Gary Louris and the Jayhawks blew through town, Mark Olson does the same with his band The Creekdippers and his wife Victoria Williams at the Tractor. Apparently it’s Seminal Alt-Country Spin-off Band Week here in the Emerald City. Geeks like me are in pedal steel heaven.
Upcoming
Rumor has it the White Stripes will be coming to the Seahawks Exhibition Center September 16. The aforementioned Soledad Brothers and Yeah Yeah Yeah’s will open. Tickets go on sale August 2nd…Don’t forget about the Drive By Truckers playing the Tractor 8/13…Asylum Street Spankers will put on a bawdy show for Ballard when they visit the Tractor on 8/16.
What A-Law Is Listening To
I have an affinity for music magazines, especially ones that come with full-length CD’s in the wrapper. For about a year and a half, Paste Magazine has included a sampler with every issue. This week the new issue came out and Paste Sampler Vol. 5 has not disappointed. This time around, we’ve got great new tracks from Gillian Welch, Black Keys, Bruce Cockburn and lesser known acts such as eastmountainsouth and The Incredible Moses Leroy. I usually buy at least three albums based on previous Paste Sampler tracks. This one should be no different.
