On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 16:00:06 -0400 audities-owner@smoe.org writes:
> Most of the 10K Maniacs music was bland as well. Understated, extremely

> consistent and dull. Nothing like a dull, colorless band with an
annoying 
> (vocally) singer. Her solo stuff was even worse.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but while I do agree that
Natalie's solo material is disappointingly bland, I thought the band as a
whole had a lot to offer, particularly at live shows.  Natalie was great
out front (despite her standoffish attitude offstage) and Rob Buck (RIP)
was one of my favorite alternative rock guitarists.  I think In My Tribe
and Our Time In Eden are two of the best alternative rock records ever
released.  The Wishing Chair is also strong, though Blind Man's Zoo has a
bunch of songs that do grate on me, balancing out their best track
(IMHO):  Trouble Me.

Also, Natalie aside, they're all really nice down-to-earth folks, so
extra points for that.  I remember seeing them at an in-store in Philly
in '87, and Rob and Steve were trying to persuade the Tower employees to
put on some Django.

If they're not your cup of tea, fine.  Don't listen.  This issue of the
list has degenerated into a slamfest, largely owing to the Blender
article.  I think we concluded a while ago that there's no one band that
everybody here loves.  I believe there's also no one band that everybody
hates.

We're surrounded by pisspoor music on a daily basis.  Why do we have to
go on about it?  I don't need to hear people ranting about Rush (whom I
happen to quite like) or any other well-known band.  If I don't like
them, I already know it, so all you're doing is annoying me if I happen
to like them.

What is helpful here are comments on lesser known groups and new releases
from better known groups, good or bad.  Things like "A lot of people here
are talking up X, but I have heard them and didn't think they were all
that" or "Marshall Crenshaw's latest is his best since X" are really
useful.  Statements like "I hate Courtney Love", on the other hand . . .
well, who really cares?

Could we maybe get back to our usual sort of useful dialog and leave the
trashing to the Entertainment Weekly crowd?  Pretty please?

g



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