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Upcoming CD release commentary
I know this isn’t something I typically blog about, but I was just scanning Metacritic’s list of upcoming CD releases, and I found several noteworthy items. Among them:
ITEM: Britney Spears’ latest album is called “Blackout.” To my dismay, its cover does not feature her passed out on the couch holding a half-eaten bucket of KFC wings.
Britney does, however, look much more gothy than she has on previous albums. Perhaps we can expect a sprawling, introspective dark-night-of-the-soul musical suite a la Neil Young’s “Tonight’s the Night” or, uh, every Leonard Cohen album?
ITEM: Zeppelin rulz, but their compilations are too long. Their latest one, like all the ones before it, seems to think that “All My Love” is actually a good song, that “No Quarter” has held up well over time, and that “Hey Hey, What Can I Do?” does not belong in the band’s official canon, despite being one of their best-evar songs. I made a little mix of favorite Zep songs last summer that goes a little somethin’ like this: “Whole Lotta Love,” “Black Dog,” “Kashmir,” “Immigrant Song,” “D’yer Maker,” “Heartbreaker,” “Hey Hey, What Can I Do,” “Good Times, Bad Times,” “The Ocean,” “Over the Hills and Far Away,” “When the Levee Breaks,” “How Many More Times,” “Going to California,” “Stairway to Heaven.” None of the synthy shit from their later albums, no overlong epics about the winds of Thor and Lord of the Rings, just 75 minutes of bad-azz bloooozy RAWK’N'ROLL (and some pretty ballads to keep things interesting).
ITEM: Trent Reznor is releasing a Nine Inch Nails album called “Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D” (“Year Zero Remixed”). Th4t’$ pr3tty t3h l4m3, Tr3nt.
ITEM: Not related to music, but Boston has a new folk hero, a man who shall forevermore be known as “J.D. OCTOBAH!!!!1″ It’s become clear that Mr. Drew was merely toying with the opposition all season, lulling them into a false sense of security that he would do nothing but pull harmless double-play balls to second base, strike out looking on fastballs right down the pike, or punch weak foul-outs near the first-base dugout. No, that EQA of .270 and WARP of 2.8 were just an elaborate ruse to leave his opponents unprepared for the unmitigated fury that J.D. OCTOBAH!!!!1 was preparing to unleash on the unsuspecting Indians pitching staff. Mark my words, peeps: he is a ONE-MAN WRECKING BALL who is LOCKED IN and getting ready to CARRY THE SAWX ON HIS BACK to GLORY!!!!!
(Though as much as I’ve trashed Drew this year, he’s actually been much better than Julio Lugo, who’s EQA-ing .225 and WARP-ing an astonishing 0.1.)
And with that, I bid you a good Sunday.
J— said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:17
Britney Spears’ latest album is called “Blackout.” To my dismay, its cover does not feature her passed out on the couch holding a half-eaten bucket of KFC wings.
And to my dismay, Spears’ Blackout album doesn’t include a Scorpions cover.
and that “Hey Hey, What Can I Do?” does not belong in the band’s official cannon, despite being one of their best-evar songs.
OG Zeppelin fans have the “Immigrant Song” 45 anyways. Dorky pedants, mount up!
I made a little mix of favorite Zep songs last summer that goes a little somethin’ like this
I like your mix. Mine would include a couple more songs from Physical Graffiti. Plus “D’yer Mak’er” because Zeppelin trying reggae is funny and “The Lemon Song” because it’s nasty.
gttim said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:21
I have been listening to LZ’s “How the West Was Won” for the past couple of days. I like the live stuff so much more than the studio work. “Bring It On Home” is just amazing at times. The denseness of sound put out by the four of them is amazing.
The Hon. Dr. St. Rev. Bradley S. Rocket, Esq, PhD, MD said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:23
“D’yer Mak’er” is in thrrrr already. Though I left out one of the proper apostrophes.
I really wanted to include some more “Physical Graffiti” stuff like “Houses of the Holy” and “Trampled Under Foot,” but they got left on the cutting-room floor. Many of Zep’s best songs are very long.
The Hon. Dr. St. Rev. Bradley S. Rocket, Esq, PhD, MD said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:25
The denseness of sound put out by the four of them is amazing.
Yep, and I think pound-for-pound Bonzo is the best rock’n'roll drummer ever. I love Keith Moon, but he uses too many gimicky fills.
J— said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:27
“D’yer Mak’er” is in thrrrr already.
Oops, my mistake.
Philboid Studge said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:28
“I’m gonna give you every inch of my … official cannon.” ~ Robert Plant
M. Bouffant said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:44
Zep, Schmep. Saw’em on their first US Tour (1969) @ the Aqua Theater in Green Lake, in Seattle, & was impressed because Page: a) played his gitfiddle w/ a bow; b) Page had a theremin; c) best friend & I & our gfs were hanging around outside & the band sent a roadie to let us in & had us sit stage right. No idea why, they made no moves on the 13 or 14 yr. old gfs or anything. After that it was all downhill for them, though I do like D’YerMak’er, it is funny. Only Zep disc I own, & only for that song.
Rockies will beat Beantown or Clevetown, because their colors are black & purple, & I have a Rockies hat, which I will wear throughout the Series, that has the initials of my legal (not real) name.
Mike N. said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:45
Good Zep list. One more, though:
“Communication Breakdown.”
You should be able to squeeze it in there.
Fishbone McGonigle said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:56
Robert Plant was right the first time. “Stairway” is a crap song.
Fishbone McGonigle said,
October 21, 2007 at 15:57
And oh yeah, fuck the Sox.
J— said,
October 21, 2007 at 16:15
What’s the deal with Lugo? I watched him on the TV quite a bit when he was with Tampa Bay, and he was much more productive than what he has been this year with Boston. He was a pretty reliable batter with Houston, too.
Incontinentia Buttocks said,
October 21, 2007 at 16:21
Somehow Metacritic missed my most anticipated release of this upcoming week: Tullycraft’s Every Scene Needs Its Center.
Although I assume that everyone who gives a damn has already heard it, here’s the one song that’s been officially prereleased: The Punks Are Writing Love Songs.
steve EVfuture said,
October 21, 2007 at 16:28
I still like Zep II best of their albums. It’s best to listen to it as one piece because the transitions between the songs adds something (like Heartbreaker to Livin’ Lovin’ Maid). And you can always sneak in Moby Dick on any compilation.
gbear said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:12
This is really old, but if you haven’t seen this version of The Immigrant Song, well then, you need to see it…
http://www.dennyweb.com/viking_kittens.htm
gbear said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:23
I think that Gallows Pole should be in there somewhere too. That second side of Zep III is still one of my favorites.
NobodySpecial said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:29
Dread Zeppelin? Love ‘em.
NobodySpecial said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:31
Did someone say Dread Zeppelin?
Linnaeus said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:36
I realize it’s one of those Lord of the Rings songs, but I rather like “Misty Mountain Hop”.
Others have already mentioned songs that would be my candidates for a compliation. Definitely “Houses Of The Holy” would be on mine.
JK47 said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:39
J.D. Drew is a wingnut. So is Curt Schilling.
Of course, the Sox will probably win tonight and get to face the Wingnut All-Stars, otherwise known as the Colorado Rockies.
Go Tribe!
Nimrod Gently said,
October 21, 2007 at 17:47
How about “I’m Your Man”?
Tracy said,
October 21, 2007 at 18:06
A Led Zep comp with no “Achilles’ Last Stand?” Forgive me if I sneer derisively.
J-Love said,
October 21, 2007 at 18:08
I just appreciate that there’s a new Coheed and Cambria album coming out on Tuesday, which, for the uninitiated, is sort of like Rush if they had watched the director’s cut version of Blade Runner 30 times (you know, the version with the unicorn sequence and the lack of a voiceover).
Tommykey said,
October 21, 2007 at 18:25
No Zeppelin collection is complete without “The Wanton Song”!
Righteous Bubba said,
October 21, 2007 at 18:28
Britney Spears’ latest album is called “Blackout.” To my dismay, its cover does not feature her passed out on the couch holding a half-eaten bucket of KFC wings.
And to my dismay, Spears’ Blackout album doesn’t include a Scorpions cover.
Give her drumsticks and feed her well.
mikey said,
October 21, 2007 at 19:09
I have always fairly passionately disliked Led Zepplin. It’s too bluesy, too difficult to sing along with, and the lyrics just never grabbed me. Nah, there was always better shit out their, from creedence to the allman bros to bad company to tommy james to bto to megadeth to boston. There was just no place for Zep in my ecosphere.
I’m still rooting for the indians, but it wouldn’t break my heart to see the sox come back and take the series. I always expected to be rooting for the AL team in the series (unless it was the yankees, of course) what with the NL representatives coming out of the West, but I can’t help it. The Rockies story is just damn compelling, and it will be hard to root against them after what they’ve accomplished. I don’t think they’re a budding dynasty, so this is their best shot at it, and watching them go thru the last couple weeks the way they have has been pretty amazing…
mikey
J— said,
October 21, 2007 at 19:14
Re: Colorado’s success
It’s all part of God’s design.
fardels bear said,
October 21, 2007 at 19:23
Dudes! You’re s’posed to listen to the ALBUMS! Not the SONGS! LZep made these albums that aren’t supposed to be cut up like that. That is so wrong to do that!
The only breaks are those required by the 8-track player!
HTML Mencken said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:01
The wall of sound is a testament to Bonzo, true, but more so to Page’s (and, later, Jones’s) genius for orchestration/arrangement.
I myself have always somewhat preferred the three “worst” LZ albums: In Through The Out Door, Presence, LZ III. And particularly the first. By that time, Page was so strung out on heroin that he was basically a creative cypher. So Jones took over and Jones is… weird. “Carouselambra” is probably my favorite LZ song of all time, and that synth riff is like a TRON version of a circus calliope. Freaky. And along with Jones’s spacey taste in timbres is the fact that the whole album was recorded in Stockholm in ABBA’s Polar Studios, which lent its creepy and sterile echo to great effect.
The best thing that can be said about LZ is that, in the tradition of the British Invasion bands before them, they were genuinely curious about music. They didn’t just travel to Morocco to buy fantastic hippie jewelry and sample the best kif; that millions of pop music fans were exposed to some beautifully mutated form of what came to be called “world music” is a good thing. It’s true that Page was something of a musical kleptomaniac (poor Willie Dixon), but in that he wasn’t *much* worse than Clapton, et al.; then again it’s not much of a stretch from fanatic curiosity to outright thievery, and look who benefitted (besides, of course, LZ financially). LZ was a vector of niche, forgotten, dying, and overlooked music (in the case of the blues, rather too much) and thus kept that music alive by exposing it to a greater audience.
atheist said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:03
It’s too bluesy, too difficult to sing along with, and the lyrics just never grabbed me.
Well, you can kinda do it- just pretend that you’re having an blues orgasm while singing in a register that’s a bit too high for you. It pretty much works.
But to each their own.
Actually, I used to love them. I especially loved their first album, until I realized that most of my fave songs were covers.
J— said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:11
It’s true that Page was something of a musical kleptomaniac (poor Willie Dixon)
This kind of comes with the territory with Zeppelin. Jimmy Page has yet to meet a Delta or Chicago blues he didn’t write.
but in that he wasn’t *much* worse than Clapton, et al.
Preach, brother.
until I realized that most of my fave songs were covers
Covers are when you give the original artist authorial credit.
Righteous Bubba said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:12
It’s too bluesy, too difficult to sing along with, and the lyrics just never grabbed me. Nah, there was always better shit out their, from creedence to the allman bros to bad company to tommy james to bto to megadeth to boston
I can believe the singalongability those others, but you’d best up an audio file of you doing More Than a Feeling.
atheist said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:13
until I realized that most of my fave songs were covers
Covers are when you give the original artist authorial credit.
Point
g said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:14
I think Britney’s been evacuated from her home in Malibu. the whole fucking’ city of Malibu is about to go up in flames.
Funny, spouse and I spent a lovely day yesterday driving up PCH to Neptune’s Net, then grocery shopping at Cross Creek Ralph’s (it’s the one where the Federlines, in happier days, were frequently photographed buying cases of Coronas). This morning I turn on KTLA and see that the CVS where I bought some Claritin last night is burning.
Right now the fire’s in Malibu Canyon and moving down to the sea. That path takes it through Malibu City Hall and the County Courthouse, as well as Malibu Colony and the shopping center where all the celebs are snapped by the paparazzis. “Ohmigod! Lisa Kline boutique is burning!”
We’re way east of the fire, but we’re staying here and home and making our preparations in case another fire starts up. The winds are blowing at up to 80 mph today.
I have friends who live on a hilltop west of the fire, near Pt. Dume. I hope they’re OK.
atheist said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:20
Covers are when you give the original artist authorial credit.
They did not give proper credit for songs. Still they seemed aware of who they were getting material from, and didn’t really hide it.
J— said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:28
Still they seemed aware of who they were getting material from, and didn’t really hide it.
Absolutely. Page was a serious bluesophile. My comment was not a dig at you but rather at Page for insisting that slightly altered lyrics and arrangements gave him the right to claim these songs as his own.
Matt T. said,
October 21, 2007 at 20:34
“Too bluesy”? Christ, I simply cannot wrap my mind around that concept, especially those four pasty plagarists. Good lord, don’t ever listen to the original artists Zep ripped slap off, you might blow up. There’s no such thing as “too much blues”.
Why is there another Zeppelin collection anyway? Aren’t the friggin’ albums all in print? Aren’t there like a half-dozen collections already, plus a couple boxsets? Reckon who needs money.
I spent my high school years a big fan of classic rock in general and Zeppelin in particular. The summer of my senior year, I went to see Page & Plant in Memphis on that tour they did with all them Egyptian musicians. That and the greater avalibility of collections and albums by those aforermentioned original actual blues by the early ’90s pretty much broke me of the Zeppelin. Still got all the records, though, and a few years back I saw John Paul Jones solo. He played Zeppelin songs on a double-neck pedal steel guitar, and it was cool as hell.
And, yes, “Hey Hey What Can I Do” is one of the best songs ever.
owlbear1 said,
October 21, 2007 at 21:07
ITEM: Trent Reznor is releasing a Nine Inch Nails album called “Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D” (”Year Zero Remixed”). Th4t’$ pr3tty t3h l4m3, Tr3nt.
Hopefully Trent has learned that being “angst-ridden and sex-starved” isn’t really that convincing from a multi-millionaire.
ThresherK said,
October 21, 2007 at 21:25
Britney Spears’ latest album is called “Blackout.” To my dismay, its cover does not feature her passed out on the couch holding a half-eaten bucket of KFC wings.
Why do I keep picturing Britney as the almost-live-action alter-ego of Toot Braunstein?
hylen said,
October 21, 2007 at 21:29
Zep rules.
Humor Me said,
October 21, 2007 at 22:52
Matt T.
Indeed.
Notorious P.A.T. said,
October 22, 2007 at 1:02
seems to think that “Hey Hey, What Can I Do?” does not belong in the band’s official canon, despite being one of their best-evar songs
Thank you.
Gus said,
October 22, 2007 at 2:06
A coworker just brought in the complete studio recordings of Zep box set. I hadn’t listed to them much in 20 years. They do, indeed rock, and Bonzo is the man. Oh, and fuck the overpaid Sox. Go Tribe!
Ignobility said,
October 22, 2007 at 2:28
Back when LZII came out, a friend of mine had just seen them live and had just bought the album. We went from party to party all weekend, with D. carrying the album under his arm and playing it whenever he could. On Monday, he took it back to the store because it was warped so badly (from him carrying it under his arm). That’s still my favorite Zeppelin, but, on Monday, new Ween!
atheist said,
October 22, 2007 at 2:34
What’s wrong with Lord of the Rings songs? I always thought “The Battle of Evermore” was a good one.
ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said,
October 22, 2007 at 3:00
Wow, a Led Zeppelin thread, and I missed it. They were my favorite band in high school, but then I got to college (1977) and slowly sold my soul to the Ramones. And the Grateful Dead. Go figure.
Downriver Gal said,
October 22, 2007 at 4:37
You need the Immigrant Song with the Dean scream on that comp.
Dhalgren said,
October 22, 2007 at 13:49
I just want to remind Cleveland fans that they were given thousands of free towels to wipe-away their tears.
Seriously…..fuck you, Cleveland.
What did you give us other than Jim Jarmusch?
You awakened the slumbering giant. The Red Sox fucked you with no vasoline. And it was good. Harder and bloodier than Republican gay sex. You Ohioans know a thing or two about that, right.
“Oh, but we’re a blue city! We’re not like the rednecks in Canton and Cincinatti,” you exclaim.
Whatever.
Fuck you.
kenga said,
October 22, 2007 at 14:48
Um – “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” belongs on there.
I’m with HTML Mencken – Presence and In Through the Out Door are what I go for when I wanna listen to some Zep.
New England Sports Fan said,
October 22, 2007 at 16:01
You awakened the slumbering giant. The Red Sox fucked you with no vasoline. And it was good. Harder and bloodier than Republican gay sex. You Ohioans know a thing or two about that, right.
Violent rape analogies are awesome.
Moophisto said,
October 22, 2007 at 18:28
Right, you wouldn’t want any overlong epics on a Zeplin Collection. That’s why you included Stairway.
Give me Queen any day.
Gus said,
October 22, 2007 at 18:59
Dhalgren, it’s a game played by mercenaries who care little to nothing about their city or region. Or you. You seem to be taking it a bit seriously.
Mr. Unhinged said,
October 22, 2007 at 19:00
Seriously…..fuck you, Cleveland.
What did you give us other than Jim Jarmusch?
Harvey Pekar.
Downriver Gal said,
October 22, 2007 at 19:38
What did you give us other than Jim Jarmusch?
LaWanda Page. Pere Ubu. Rocket from the Tombs. Electric Eels. Paul Newman. George Szell.
(I’m from Michigan and don’t care a whit about baseball.)
Righteous Bubba said,
October 22, 2007 at 19:40
What did you give us other than Jim Jarmusch?
The inspiration for “Burn On” by Randy Newman.
There’s a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s a red moon rising
ON the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
Cleveland city of light city of magic***
Cleveland city of light you’re calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
‘Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin’ through my dreams
Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
Now the Lord can make you tumble
And the Lord can make you turn
And the Lord can make you overflow
But the Lord can’t make you burn
Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
***Still cracks me up and the music swells perfectly.
sohei said,
October 22, 2007 at 20:39
“Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D” (”Year Zero Remixed”). Th4t’$ pr3tty t3h l4m3, Tr3nt.
Maybe, but “Year Zero” was — I am unashamed to admit — amazing, even to an underground electro-industrial snob like me. A lot of Trent’s remixes are hit and miss, but if he continues in the same direction (more power electronics, less rock guitars, etc.) as the original mix, it’s gonna be good stuff. But the album title… blech.
tps12 said,
October 22, 2007 at 23:35
At least two of the songs in your mix are indeed about Lord of the Rings.