I think it’s obvious that the title of this Mix Six is pretty gross. I mean, if I were in the restaurant business, having a title like “Body Parts and Food” would certainly be the death knell for my venture. But, since this is music we’re talking about, I think you can figure out where this is going by simply using your noodle (Ha! I food reference — and a stupid second grade one at that) and thinking about bands who have branded themselves with a moniker that certainly gets attention. So, here we go with a little musical tour of the morgue and the produce aisle — um, I mean, bands with evocative novel names.
Posts Tagged ‘Smashing Pumpkins’
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
CD Review: Vic Chesnutt, “Skitter on Take-Off”
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How much do you know about Vic Chesnutt? You might know that he currently resides in Athens, GA, and that his first two albums were produced by that city’s most famous citizen, Michael Stipe of R.E.M. You might also know that Chesnutt was left partially paralyzed following a car accident in 1983, and that 1996 saw the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute to Chesnutt. The album featured covers of Chesnutt’s songs by the likes of Madonna, Garbage, REM, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Live. Chesnutt has collaborated with Widespread Panic, Lambchop, Bill Frisell, among others, and he’s released over a dozen albums on various labels over the years.
Skitter On Take-Off is Chesnutt’s first album for Vapor Records. It was produced by indie legend Jonathan Richman and his drummer Tommy Larkin, and they had a very definite idea of how they wanted the album to sound. According to Richman, “We were both thinking that the way to get the feeling for Vic as a listener was to hear just Vic — no arrangements, no guest guitar solos, no “ironic” touches or anything else to cloud his voice or his poetry.” The end result is an album that features Chesnutt on guitar and vocals, Richman on guitar and harmonium, and Larkin on drums. It was recorded completely live, and there were no overdubs. (more…)
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
CD Review: Tinted Windows, “Tinted Windows”
The mark of any great power pop album is its ability to not only stick in your head after the music has stopped, but its ability to make you want to listen to it over and over again. By pop, I mean: Catchy, rocking harmonies, hooky guitars, and driving, powerful drums, a la Cheap Trick, the Raspberries, Sweet and the Knack. Those groups are obvious influences on the self-titled debut album of Tinted Windows, a supergroup of sorts that consists of Taylor Hanson, James Iha (formerly of Smashing Pumpkins), Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, and Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick. Clocking in at just under than 40 minutes, this 11-song collection sounds in no way dated or retro. The band goes after every track with such enthusiasm and energy that the fun they’re having gushes out of the speakers. Tinted Windows just may be this summer’s soundtrack record.
The band came together out of a mutual passion for straight-ahead rock and roll. Schlesinger, Hanson and Iha wrote the songs with one specific rule: no keyboards. This kept the sound a little raw. When it came time for a drummer, all three knew they wanted someone who played like Carlos. Instead of looking for someone like Carlos, they decided to ask the legendary drummer if he’d be interested in participating. Despite his busy schedule, Carlos felt he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play on material he thought was so good.
The leadoff track (and first single), “Kind of a Girl,” has already received some attention from radio and the Internet. However, the rest of the record holds up to the hype that has slowly been building since the song was first released to the public. “Kind of a Girl” is quickly followed by the equally radio-friendly “Messing with My Head,” which features crunchy guitars by Iha and a great sing-along chorus. Meanwhile, “Can’t Get a Read” is a straight-ahead rocker that recalls the best of Cheap Trick, and “Without Love” brings to mind all that was great about the Knack. One of my favorites is “Cha Cha,” a nice little slice of glam rock that ensures Tinted Windows never get mistaken for any of the pop acts Disney’s forever churning out. Even when the band slows things down, on songs like “Dead Serious” and “Back with You,” the aching and earnestness comes off as sincere and not posturing. Although only 26, Hanson has the life experiences (married, four kids) that make what he’s singing so much more believable than the Jonas Brothers or Taylor Swift. (more…)
Monday, March 9th, 2009
The Three Strike Rule: “The Chris Isaak Hour”
Usually, anytime a musical artist performs on a talk show, that marks the end of the program: Letterman, Leno or Conan stroll out to shake hands with the band, and the credits roll. Gone are the days of Johnny inviting band members over to the couch for some chit-chat about their new record. This was just one reason Chris Isaak agreed to star in his new talk show, The Chris Isaak Hour — it gives musicians an opportunity to play two or three songs and then the chance to talk about the work they do.
Each week a guest artist sits down with Isaak on a retro set that looks like something out of a ’50s sitcom. Isaak then interviews them, delving into questions about influences, their careers, and even what gets cooked in the kitchen. The conversations are broken up with performance footage shot on a soundstage. Isaak and his crack band, Silvertone, are on hand to act as the house band, with Isaak generally joining the guests for one or two numbers. On top of hearing musicians comfortably opening up about their lives, you also get to see unique, one-of-a-kind performances, such as Glen Campbell and Isaak singing “Rhinestone Cowboy” or Isaak and Trisha Yearwood performing their new song, “Breaking Apart.”
Just as he does on stage, where he allows his singing companion the room to perform and breathe, Isaak is never quick to interrupt his guests with his own thoughts. Instead, he adheres to the motto that the show is about them and what they have to say. While each episode opens with a short skit that usually includes Isaak’s funnyman drummer, Kenny Dale Johnson, the rest of the show is pretty straightforward. Although filmed entirely on a soundstage with no studio audience, the show has the deliberate feel of a live music variety program, with old black and white footage of people applauding between songs. It’s that tongue-in-cheek, wink-wink type of charm that makes Isaak so appealing. (more…)
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Live Music: Smashing Pumpkins @ United Place, 11/6/08
Anyone who was unsure as to what to expect from the Smashing Pumpkins’ performance at United Palace last Thursday surely had that question answered within the first few minutes. They started on time, and opened “Roctopus” with a Jimmy Chamberlin drum solo, after which erratic frontman Billy Corgan took the stage – in a dress. A big, layered, tulle dress, with a gold overcoat and a gold headdress resembling the sun.
Although the show was billed as the Smashing Pumpkins, “Billy Corgan and band” would have been more appropriate. Even discounting the fact that other than Corgan, Chamberlin is the only original member that remains, the backing ensemble was just kind of there. They were dressed in black and white gothic formal wear of suits, dresses and corsets, while Corgan stuck out even in terms of clothing, wearing an all-white layered skirt and matching white “Zero” shirt. There’s been plenty of talk that the original line-up was more or less manufactured as part of an image while Corgan ran the show, and noticing that the band members physically resembled those they were replacing seemed to be testament to such gossip.
If the show is going to be put in one person’s hands, however, at the very least Corgan is an entertaining choice. One cannot deny that he has impressive technical skill on guitar, and he made sure to introduce challenging riff after riff after riff, just in case anyone should try. Even the mediocre, more current material like “Tarantula” and “United States” was energized and exciting. When he wasn’t showing off by playing his guitar, he was showing off in the most literal meaning of the phrase, holding his guitar up above his head and staying that way for awhile, as if expecting to be hit by lightening. He’d play a note or two, then strike another pose of reverence. (more…)
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
Mix Six: “Graduation Day”
This is the time of the year when graduates go through the ritual where they transition from one stage of life to another. It’s certainly an emotional time for all involved, and it does mark endings and beginnings. I don’t know about you, but when I graduated from high school, it was really strange to think that I was finished; that I wasn’t coming back in the fall. But I got over it, and quickly moved on. When I finished college, I was just excited to finally complete a degree that took far-too-long to get. I was ready to start my “adult life” and enter the world of careers, maybe marriage, kids, mortgages, and all that grown-up stuff. But what did I do? Um, I dove right back into school after a year of working at some crappy jobs. Ah, I guess I wasn’t quite ready to leave the womb. But enough about me. Here’s to you! The class of 2008. Go forth and kick some ass.
“I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross
It seems this song has become a huge graduation song among “the kids.” I’m surprised it’s survived this long, but I suppose it’s a classic — even if it’s a classic performed by a really, really, really, really, bad person. (more…)
