|
|
Post by skvorisdeadsorta on Feb 13, 2007 12:23:59 GMT -5
Wow, I can see how the Mars Volta might not really be your thing, Ken (although I love them), but Sparta? Feh. I know Jim Ward's mom. He's a pretty cool guy. I remember when he and his wife were buying a house here in town (this would've been c. 2003) and the mortgage company was hassling him about his "occupation" and proof of income. They'd made like no money at all for a bunch of years, and then all of a sudden after Relationship of Command came out they actually had meaningful income, and he had to explain to the band what he did, where the money was coming from, why he'd be able to make the payments on the house, etc. So for months we were all joking about him having to write "rock star" in for "occupation" on his tax and mortgage forms. Even his mom says that Jim isn't a real musician, he's just a big ham who loves the attention. All that said, at least he isn't (too) pretentious. So that puts me on the Sparta side of this particular fence. I briefly lived with Jim in Lubbock when he was on hiatus from ATDI (before his rejoining the band on In/Casino Out) going to Texas Tech. He's is the nicest guy, the coolest guy. I don't like Sparta either, BUT he's is one the most sincere dudes to walk the planet and super talented. |
|
|
|
Post by Mary on Feb 13, 2007 12:28:29 GMT -5
8) Safe European Home - The Clash (Give 'em Enough Rope) Wow -- didn't expect this one to come in here. Figured you'd have opted for London Calling, but you'll get no argument at all here.Yeah, the thing is, I definitely think London Calling is far and away a superior album to Give 'em Enough Rope], but I still think Safe European Home is a better opening track. I actually don't think London Calling (the song, not the album) is THAT great. It's very good, like everything else on the album, but there are a number of standout tracks on that album which are superior - Rudie Can't Fail, Spanish Bombs, Clampdown, Death or Glory, The Card Cheat. Safe European home just makes an awesome opener, from the very first gunshot-like drum to the anthemic chorus. Plus it's the best thing on the album. (except maaaaaaaaaybe Stay Free) I'm not much of a NIN fan anymore - that's really an adolescent thing - but I still think this song fucking rules. It ruled back in the day, it didn't sound like ANYTHING else, it was insanely catchy and menacing at the same time, and it had an unforgettable video with Trent getting all crazy wrapped up in that weird wire shit hanging down from the ceiling. A true anthem. This song gave birth to a movement. I realize there were many industrial precursors to Head Like a Hole, that Ministry and Skinny Puppy and Einsturzende Neubauten laid all the groundwork (and were ultimately superior bands to NIN) but this song was like dropping a fucking bomb in terms of public consciousness. A seminal song in every possible way. It's true, I just cannot get enough of this song. (speaking of, wtf happened to kool?? why is he a "guest" now??) I love the way she intones "and i think...i...need a little...poison" - all the breaks between the words, the way her voice has the slightest slightest hint of a sneer in it, it's just very ominous and insinuating. And awesome. Once a punk, always a punk  Oh crap. I completely forgot Ether because the CD was in my car. Oh well. Still, yeah, I was actually struck by the absence of post-punk on my own list! I looked over plenty of post-punk albums - stuff by Wire, the Au Pairs, the Fall, Liquid Liquid, Echo and the Bunnymen, A Certain Ratio, Joy Division, Bauhaus, the Sound, Crime and the City Solution, etc etc - and I just wasn't blown away by any of the openers per se, even on really great albums. Like Joy Division would easily rate here if She's Lost Control opened Unknown Pleasures. But, well.... Disorder is great and all, but it just doesn't stand out in my mind a a classic opener. And Atrocity Exhibition - I did consider that. It's definitely distinctive. And it will definitely clear a party out in 5 seconds flat . But I'm not sure if it really does justice to Closer as a record - I think it has a somewhat different feel from the rest of the album. As for Bowie, I really did look at all his openers - and they're not that good!!!! Are we gonna do closers next? Cheers, M |
|
|
|
Post by Weeping_Guitar on Feb 13, 2007 12:43:05 GMT -5
Is there a deadline for this? I hope to get started for good tonight.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockysigman on Feb 13, 2007 12:55:29 GMT -5
I was gonna call foul on "Waiting Room", since 13 Songs is really a compilation of EPs more than it is a proper album, but that song opens the EP its on too, so nevermind.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 13, 2007 13:48:59 GMT -5
"Five Years" isn't a killer opener, Mary? Or "Watch That Man" (Aladin Sane), or Station to Station? Oh Mary, Bowiglou and I need to start raving about the Thin White Ziggy more often again.  I agree about a lot of post-punk openers not being "that" great, with the exception of "Ether" which is one of my favorite songs in the genre, and perfectly announces that record. BTW, I understand your point about "Safe European Home" over "London Calling" -- don't quite agree with it, but I understand it. I also love the way that Topper's drums just roll right through the last bit of that song and it stops right as he wraps up one of those fills. |
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 13, 2007 13:51:12 GMT -5
Is there a deadline for this? I hope to get started for good tonight. Deadline will either be this Friday or next. Haven't decided yet. And yes, we will be doing closers next. You guys want me to wait till this one is done first or to just go ahead and start it up now? |
|
|
|
Post by rockysigman on Feb 13, 2007 13:57:11 GMT -5
I'm bored. Start it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by upinkzeppelin2 on Feb 13, 2007 19:19:49 GMT -5
I actually don't think London Calling (the song, not the album) is THAT great. It's very good, like everything else on the album, but there are a number of standout tracks on that album which are superior - Rudie Can't Fail, Spanish Bombs, Clampdown, Death or Glory, The Card Cheat.
I really don't get why "I'm Not Down" is never mentioned as one of the great Clash songs around here. Their finest moment, if you ask me.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockysigman on Feb 13, 2007 19:22:51 GMT -5
It's a good song, but nowhere near their best, IMO.
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeping_Guitar on Feb 13, 2007 22:17:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by wayved on Feb 14, 2007 0:51:51 GMT -5
Weeping Guitars list (and alot of other folks here) just reminded me that I need to rethink my list. Now I know that my list will never be complete. Too much good stuff......
|
|
|
|
Post by upinkzeppelin2 on Feb 14, 2007 16:24:55 GMT -5
Gonna havta go back and add "Blue" by the Jayhawks. And "Girl, You'll Be Woman Soon" by UO, aaand "Box Of Rain" by the Grateful Dead, aaaaaaaand "Two Hands Of A Prayer" by Ben Harper. So "A Sort Of Homecoming" won't make my list after all, Ken.
|
|
|
|
Post by upinkzeppelin2 on Feb 14, 2007 16:52:22 GMT -5
From Mary's List:
1) The Mercy Seat - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Tender Prey)
I never knew that Johnny Cash was covering this Mercy Seat. I thought either he or someone other than Nick Cave wrote it. I've seen Mary list that song before but I didn't think it was the same song. I'll purchase it and give it a listen. I doubt I'll like it as much as Cash's version though. I like his version of Hurt MUCH better than NIN's.
|
|
|
|
Post by skvorisdeadsorta on Feb 14, 2007 16:55:14 GMT -5
I actually don't really like the Cash version of "The Mercy Seat" and while I love his version of "Hurt", it just doesn't do it for me like good old Trent.
I do however, prefer his version of "Rusty Cage" over Soundgarden's.
|
|
|
|
Post by upinkzeppelin2 on Feb 14, 2007 17:06:34 GMT -5
I've never heard Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man" but I seriously doubt I would dig it as much as Johnny's version.
|
|
