The Album Review Club - *** Christmas Break Playlist (next album 7/1/26) ***

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I struggle to have any respect for punk - I’d rather reserve my praise and credit for proper musicians.

Hmmm. I don't think I can let this one slide, mate. :)

There are a goodly number of punk musicians who are proper but choose to play stylistically how they do. They also learn and get "better" (or more technically facile) over time too. Not only that, but it's hard to play super fast and accurately -- any traditional rock instrument, I'd bet. Hell, no one would call Pat Smear of Foo Fighters a shitty guitarist. He started off with The Germs, who were as punk and slovenly soncially as it got in the 80s. How about Ian McKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi? Greg Ginn of Black Flag? Tremendous guitarists. And you are periously close to insulting my musical heroes Bob Mould and Grant Hart, which are fighting words!

Now, granted, studio production is hard to do a shoestring, and volume sometimes overcomes tunefulness live in tiny clubs, so more money and better acoustics beget better sonics, which is why punk often sounds better when it shifts to major labels. But hooks are hooks, and whether its The Circle Jerks or Vanessa Carlton, both have 'em regardless of genre IMO, and my choice of playing either artist is entirely dependent on mood.

 

[RobMCFC]

Hmmm. I don't think I can let this one slide, mate. :)

There are a goodly number of punk musicians who are proper but choose to play stylistically how they do. They also learn and get "better" (or more technically facile) over time too. Not only that, but it's hard to play super fast and accurately -- any traditional rock instrument, I'd bet. Hell, no one would call Pat Smear of Foo Fighters a shitty guitarist. He started off with The Germs, who were as punk and slovenly soncially as it got in the 80s. How about Ian McKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi? Greg Ginn of Black Flag? Tremendous guitarists. And you are periously close to insulting my musical heroes Bob Mould and Grant Hart, which are fighting words!

Now, granted, studio production is hard to do a shoestring, and volume sometimes overcomes tunefulness live in tiny clubs, so more money and better acoustics beget better sonics, which is why punk often sounds better when it shifts to major labels. But hooks are hooks, and whether its The Circle Jerks or Vanessa Carlton, both have 'em regardless of genre IMO, and my choice of playing either artist is entirely dependent on mood.

My knowledge of punk is obviously far less than your but that’s because all that late 70s/early 80s stuff didn’t appeal to me so I didn’t listen much more.

Being able to play an instrument well but choosing to sound like you can’t play it is almost worse (than not being able to play). Unless it’s for comic effect, and then we’re back to our beloved Les Dawson on piano.

I can honestly say that I’ve never listened to a piece of music for its attitude, and maybe it’s the arrogance that Eamo mentioned that gets me with punk as well.

Anyway, we can agree to disagree. I don’t want to offend anybody.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

My knowledge of punk is obviously far less than your but that’s because all that late 70s/early 80s stuff didn’t appeal to me so I didn’t listen much more.

Being able to play an instrument well but choosing to sound like you can’t play it is almost worse (than not being able to play). Unless it’s for comic effect, and then we’re back to our beloved Les Dawson on piano.

I can honestly say that I’ve never listened to a piece of music for its attitude, and maybe it’s the arrogance that Eamo mentioned that gets me with punk as well.

Anyway, we can agree to disagree. I don’t want to offend anybody.

No worries. I don't think there is such a thing as "offend" when it comes to visceral sense -- it's just a matter of brain chemistry, exposure and experience. SOME punks took "burn it all down" as a mantra, but I dare say most of them didn't (also: important -- U.S. punks and U.K. punks were different), and a high portion of those who did outgrew it.

But I agree that the untrammeled arrogance of "all that came before us must suffer" is the same kind of extremism as "disco sucks" and "punks can't play" and "all rap is awful" -- my view is always non-genre-specifc: appreciating the hooks first, and thereafter the ideas and attitude that I want to be heartfelt and if not then at least funny, and then looking for novelty or attempts to either turn a twist or do something new. It's a rare popular artist wo is truly bad at all of that I dare say. Some genres make it hard for me to find music I like on one or more of those three scores -- like reggae, e.g. But I know that's just ME, not reggae per se.

So why do I hate Radiohead (you knew it was coming, right)?

FIRST because they don't have many fucking hooks, and THEN because they adopt a grim vision since they know it sells rather than because their hearts are dark -- their murk and depression is all received, cynically re-packaged in pursuit of fleecing young people -- and THEN because their music is recycled new age techno-patina'ed Pink Floyd (without hooks!) rather than original. They fail all three tests (most of the time). Which is why they're the most overrated band in the history of popular music. Quod erat demonstrandum.

 

[BlueHammer85]

I will say I am exceedingly heartened by the love for "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables" that I've seen on the @BlueHammer85 top 1,100 thread. I had no idea how many bluemooners loved the Dead Kennedys.

Would be a lot more had that Album been put on this thread

 

[svennis pennis]

I’m lucky enough to work with 4AD who were the label for the ‘classic’ Pixies albums. In my non bluemoon life I manage bands.

My Pixies story is a silly one but it makes me smile. The label has a studio below it, in the studio, used as a door stop is a rock. That rock is the one on the album cover for ‘death to the pixies’.

I love Debaser but have to say that The Breeders ‘Last Splash’ is my favourite work by any member of the Pixies.

 

[Saddleworth2]

So why do I hate Radiohead (you knew it was coming, right)?

The time will come for a proper discussion on at least one of their albums.

 

[RobMCFC]

The time will come for a proper discussion on at least one of their albums.

Shall I pencil you in for a Radiohead nomination? (and I can add Foggy’s 3/10 in straight away).

 

[denislawsbackheel]

I’ve just had to look up the meaning of gaslighting and was surprised by what I saw.

Anybody who knows me in real life would tell you that I’m a heart-on-my-sleeve Guy. I like to consider myself fair, which is why I can review albums like this week’s and debate what I do and don’t like about it.

However, I will admit that I feel my lip involuntary curling and a sneer coming on whenever people try to tell my how good punk was (or The Stone Roses were for that matter).

Like I said, I was a bit young at the time, but looking back, I find it extraordinary that people would choose to listen to punk versus other music that was available at the time.

I do accept that we are all different, and what’s music to some is noise to others, and that’s one of the things that makes the various music threads tick. Given that there’s no shortage of people telling us how great punk was, I feel that it’s my duty to represent the other team :)

Sex Pistols - gods
Stone Roses - shite

 

[RobMCFC]

Sex Pistols - gods
Stone Roses - shite

Really?

Despite my gentle lambasting of The Stone Roses, I do like a few of their songs. My main beef is the ridiculous adulation they get - they are certainly one the most overrated bands of our time.

But The Sex Pistols - I'd rather take a cold shower.

 

[threespires]

I will say I am exceedingly heartened by the love for "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables" that I've seen on the @BlueHammer85 top 1,100 thread. I had no idea how many bluemooners loved the Dead Kennedys.

Would be a lot more had that Album been put on this thread

The Dead Kennedys were actually a pretty big deal in the UK. When I was growing up we used to wind our teachers up talking about them. When I saw that was the album on BHs thread I was going to pitch in but got distracted/saw my arse when I noticed what a poor score Central Reservation had got!

 

[BlueHammer85]

The Dead Kennedys were actually a pretty big deal in the UK. When I was growing up we used to wind our teachers up talking about them. When I saw that was the album on BHs thread I was going to pitch in but got distracted/saw my arse when I noticed what a poor score Central Reservation had got!

Harsh score for Beth - I liked that Album.

 

[RobMCFC]

Hmmm. I don't think I can let this one slide, mate. :)

There are a goodly number of punk musicians who are proper but choose to play stylistically how they do. They also learn and get "better" (or more technically facile) over time too. Not only that, but it's hard to play super fast and accurately -- any traditional rock instrument, I'd bet. Hell, no one would call Pat Smear of Foo Fighters a shitty guitarist. He started off with The Germs, who were as punk and slovenly soncially as it got in the 80s. How about Ian McKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi? Greg Ginn of Black Flag? Tremendous guitarists. And you are periously close to insulting my musical heroes Bob Mould and Grant Hart, which are fighting words!

Now, granted, studio production is hard to do a shoestring, and volume sometimes overcomes tunefulness live in tiny clubs, so more money and better acoustics beget better sonics, which is why punk often sounds better when it shifts to major labels. But hooks are hooks, and whether its The Circle Jerks or Vanessa Carlton, both have 'em regardless of genre IMO, and my choice of playing either artist is entirely dependent on mood.

As part of my penance, I've spent an hour or so on Spotify tonight sampling a few Husker Du songs.

I really enjoyed "Never Talking To You Again" and "Don't Want To Know If You're Lonely". I'll probably listen to the full albums in the next week or so.

But I also listened to a full album tonight ...... back in the late 80s/early 90s, I used to obsessively read Q Magazine. One album that was reviewed and talked about (and it's distinctive blue cover appeared in every issue for a few months) was Sugar's Copper Blue. This is a great album - melodic with some tough guitars and decent singing. It's funny that an album that I read about 30 years ago but never got around to buying or listening to is available to me now, but that's the power of modern streaming.

 

[threespires]

Not sure knocking about on this thread is doing me any good.

Friday afternoon in the car should be all about a bit of Eddie Floyd or Sam and Dave etc. Got into the car today and thought 'I might stick on a bit of The Enid'.

FFS.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Sex Pistols - gods
Stone Roses - shite

Neither are gods and neither are shite. Both are actually quite listenable and enjoyable in different ways. I might argue Pistols are underrated a little and Stone Roses overrated a little. Both their debuts are in my top 100 records :).

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

As part of my penance, I've spent an hour or so on Spotify tonight sampling a few Husker Du songs.

I really enjoyed "Never Talking To You Again" and "Don't Want To Know If You're Lonely". I'll probably listen to the full albums in the next week or so.

But I also listened to a full album tonight ...... back in the late 80s/early 90s, I used to obsessively read Q Magazine. One album that was reviewed and talked about (and its distinctive blue cover appeared in every issue for a few months) was Sugar's Copper Blue. This is a great album - melodic with some tough guitars and decent singing. It's funny that an album that I read about 30 years ago but never got around to buying or listening to is available to me now, but that's the power of modern streaming.

No need for penance but I am glad you enjoyed those tunes. Copper Blue is fantastic as is the follow-up File Under Easy Listening. I think if you took the 5-6 tunes I liked best off each album and put them on one, it would be a contender for my hallowed Desert Island 6 (and would replace Husker Du’s New Day Rising). I have thought about nominating one or the other for this thread in future. I know on the “Perfect Song” thread we had some while ago I nominated “If I Can’t Change Your Mind”. Listen to the lyrics, and then decide whether this is a loser painfully so in love . . . or a psychopath (“If you can’t trust me now/You’ll never trust in anyone . . . But if I can’t change your mind/Then no one will.”) I LOVE that song. And of all the songs ever written in history, there isn’t a stereo volume control knob that can ever do justice to how loud “The Gift” MUST be played. Viva Sugar and long live Bob Mould!

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Shall I pencil you in for a Radiohead nomination? (and I can add Foggy’s 3/10 in straight away).

If you meant 3/10ths of one point, that's probably accurate :).

I'm just kidding. I stand by my "most overrated band in the history of music" statement, which I challenge anyone to contravene, but overrated and unlistenable aren't the same. I will give them a fair shot :). I've admitted parts of "In Rainbows" are nice.

 

[Coatigan]

The time will come for a proper discussion on at least one of their albums.

I have to admit, I have never listened to a full album of theirs.

Maybe we Should have a Radiohead week. We have after all had the smiths, pixies etc.

Maybe we should have a 'face your fears' round. Radiohead for Fog, Jazz for a few, Reggae for Bimbo, Punk for Rob. Or Rap for Rob, UK bands for Rob, heck I'll even listen to a Foos album from the last decade.

Edit, I see we can possibly already scratch punk off that list ;)

 

[Saddleworth2]

I have to admit, I have never listened to a full album of theirs.

Maybe we Should have a Radiohead week. We have after all had the smiths, pixies etc.

Maybe we should have a 'face your fears' round. Radiohead for Fog, Jazz for a few, Reggae for Bimbo, Punk for Rob. Or Rap for Rob, Grunge for Rob, UK bands for Rob, heck I'll even listen to a Foos album from the last decade.

I have to admit to joining in the Radiohead bashing at times on here. I listened to The Bends a few days ago and enjoyed it. Maybe I should put it forward as my next pick and lets have it :-)

 

[Coatigan]

I have to admit to joining in the Radiohead bashing at times on here. I listened to The Bends a few days ago and enjoyed it. Maybe I should put it forward as my next pick and lets have it :-)

Do you have a pick in mind? Because I don't, so I could actually put forward a Radiohead album.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Do you have a pick in mind? Because I don't, so I could actually put forward a Radiohead album.

I have a choice of 1,000s at my fingertips mate given my encyclopedic mastery of multiple genres. In fact, my favourite genre is female by a country mile :-). Very happy for you to put forward a Radiohead album. Just don't make it one of their later ones cause I defo don't like them and you need at least one batting for poor Thom.