The Return of The Intermittent Rock Report – October 2003
The Intermittent Rock Report
October 2003
By Adam Lawrence
I’ve had a hell of a couple months. I started school again, I had to put my cat, Janis, to sleep, Johnny Cash died, and Gary Coleman lost the California recall. Time to put the past behind me and get back to work.
I missed out on telling you about several exciting new releases since late August. Outkast put out Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, an uneven although entertaining double album. Emmylou Harris followed up Grammy nominated Red Dirt Girl with Stumble Into Grace. Indie favorites Raveonettes and Kings Of Leon unleashed their highly anticipated full length debuts. New Mexico’s Handsome Family continued their string of excellent albums with Singing Bones. Sadly, Rod Stewart released another album of “standards.†Hey, Rod, leave those to Tony Bennett and go listen to Every Picture Tells A Story.
Anyway, what’s done is done, and now it’s time to look…TO THE FUTURE!
The Intermittent Rock Report
October 2003
By Adam Lawrence
I’ve had a hell of a couple months. I started school again, I had to put my cat, Janis, to sleep, Johnny Cash died, and Gary Coleman lost the California recall. Time to put the past behind me and get back to work.
I missed out on telling you about several exciting new releases since late August. Outkast put out Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, an uneven although entertaining double album. Emmylou Harris followed up Grammy nominated Red Dirt Girl with Stumble Into Grace. Indie favorites Raveonettes and Kings Of Leon unleashed their highly anticipated full length debuts. New Mexico’s Handsome Family continued their string of excellent albums with Singing Bones. Sadly, Rod Stewart released another album of “standards.†Hey, Rod, leave those to Tony Bennett and go listen to Every Picture Tells A Story.
Anyway, what’s done is done, and now it’s time to look…TO THE FUTURE!
New Releases 10/14
Travis returns with 12 Memories following the breakout successes of The Man Who and The Invisible Band. Hardcore Britpop fans around the world are pooping themselves.
The Gourds, who may have wrested the title of “Best Cover Ever†away from Jimi Hendrix for their countrified “Gin And Juice,†unleash Growin’ A Beard, a soundtrack to a half-hour documentary about an annual beard-growing contest in rural Texas.
Three years after Greg Dulli’s first solo effort as the Twilight Singers, the follow-up, Blackberry Belle, hits record store shelves. After mixed reviews of his only non-Afghan Whigs work, Blackberry Belle should cement Dulli’s new musical direction as worthy of our attention or not.
Brody Armstrong is the latest in an ever-growing list of Wendy O. Williams sound-a-likes. Her band, The Distillers, issued their much hyped debut Coral Fang.
New Releases 10/21
Ever since his untimely death late last year, Joe Strummer fans were curious about his final creative output. This week, all questions are answered as Streetcore is finally released. Longtime Clash fans never really got behind Strummer’s solo work, but the gravity of the last songs ever written by one of the greatest frontmen ever could make this one a hit.
One of the projects I’m really excited about is Wig in a Box – Songs from Hedwig & the Angry Inch. Fans of John Cameron Mitchell’s brilliant gender bending rock opera should be intrigued by a re-creation of the soundtrack by luminaries such as Frank Black, They Might Be Giants, The Breeders, and Jonathan Richman. There’s only one person involved who could ruin the whole thing – Yoko Ono.
The Strokes, winners of Nada Mucho’s Best Album of 2001, attempt to re-create that success by changing absolutely nothing on Room on Fire, which oddly doesn’t contain a cover of the Stevie Nicks solo hit. They should do just fine by sticking with what brung ‘em. (Editor’s Note: Room On Fire was pushed back to a 10/28 release date)
Nada Mucho’s new celebrity best friend, Bobby Bare, Jr., has put together OK, I’m Sorry, a nifty little EP complete with enhanced video of recent live performances. Don’t forget about his show November 16th at the Tractor, brought to you by the spunky little webzine you’re currently reading.
The Shins’ Oh, Inverted World topped many “best of†lists in 2001, usually just beaten out by the aforementioned Strokes. Advance reviews of the new album Chutes Too Narrow report a leveling off of their genius, but there are still standout tracks, such as “So Says I.â€
Triple live albums are overindulgent, unnecessary and a downright chore. Even Led Zeppelin furthered this theory earlier this year. This week it’s Rush’s turn. In Rio takes up valuable shelf space starting this week.
Upcoming Live Performances
10/18 – Once upon a time, Nada Mucho had a good relationship with goth string quartet Rasputina. Then Russ left town. Those who still wear pancake makeup and way too much black eyeliner may want to check out their show at Graceland.
10/19 – Don’t you think it’s been too long since you’ve been to church? You’ve made your point. Besides, you’ll be back in plenty of time to catch the Seahawks game at 1:00.
10/20 – Local favorite Howie Day plays in support of his new album Stop All The World Now at Graceland tonight. Clem Snide plays the same night at the Crocodile.
10/21 – It’s Indie Stalwart Night in the Emerald City. You are forced to decide between Mike Watt and Flaming Lips opening for Red Hot Chili Peppers in cavernous Key Arena or Guided By Voices in a packed Graceland. Choose wisely.
10/22 – A NadaMucho.com Birthday Bash celebrates October birthdays for contributors Corie Shye, Joe Vallejos, Sybil Rohlf, Mark Watters and Matt Ashworth. Check out the awesome lineup with The Glasses, The Lights and The Turn-Ons. Show starts at 9 p.m. at Seattle’s Chop Suey.
Also that night, Pearl Jam plays Benaroya Hall for some charity. You can’t go because you don’t have $700.
What A-Law Is Listening To
As I write this, When I Pretend To Fall by The Long Winters spins blissfully in my hi-fi. After an absolutely transcendent Bumbershoot show in September, valuable space in my brain has been occupied by John Roderick’s lyrics and picture perfect hooks. When I Pretend To Fall is a 2003 top-five album. 