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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Popdude@aol.com |
| Subject | Re: reference points |
| Date | Tue, 8 Jun 2004 14:53:46 EDT |
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d. bash wrote:
<<I guess what I try when I write reviews is to use reference points as a
platform from which to draw upon, but expand upon these with some nuggets that
help paint a clearer picture of the actual essence of this disc, and
what might define it as being different from the band(s) which have been
referenced.>>
In my opinion, some discs lend themselves to direct artist comparisons more
than others (ie, just try to write a review of the Spongetones' BEAT MUSIC
without mentioning the Beatles, or Jeff Foskett without referencing the Beach
Boys).
Honestly, I don't hear a lot of current bands that sound EXACTLY like
Raspberries or Badfinger or Big Star (except for maybe a song here or there), so I
try to avoid those tried-and-true power pop comparisons as much as possible.
But I think that *some* reference points are good, and can be helpful for the
reader. Otherwise, it's back to the oh-so-tired "chiming guitars, sweet
harmonies and more hooks than a tackle box" descriptions. Yuck.
I guess what I'm saying (I think) is that it's good for writers to try to
find some sort of balance between reference points and sound. To wit: I just
reviewed the upcoming Ed James CD for my column in AMPLIFIER. (I think the disc
is absolutely dreadful, by the way, a major disappointment after James' first
two fine efforts.)
There is one song that is very obviously a Cars ripoff, so not to mention
Ocasek and company in my review seemed disingenuous. There's another where poor
Ed (who sings like Dennis DeYoung's wimpy 'lil bro anyway) steals MAJOR bits
from Styx's "The Best of Times." Again, how can you NOT mention it? But when
Ed broke out the big riffing guitars on a Southern-type boogie number called
"Swimsuit Body and a Catfish Head" (it's as bad as it sounds, yes), I didn't
necessarily feel the need to run to my extensive Southern rock LP
collection---OK, I don't *have* a Southern rock LP collection, but you know what I'm
saying---to find a song or an act that Ed's song sounded like. I think I just called
it "dreadfully hamfisted boogie rock" and left it at that.
JB
np: Eugene Edwards - "My Favorite Revolution"....Album of the Year, thus
far...
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