Tag: rock

525. Cactus

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(September 2023) Episode 525 is CACTUS, a blues-and boogie-rock band from the early 70s that began as a deferred collaboration with Jeff Beck and comprised members of Vanilla Fudge and the Amboy Dukes. While boogie-rock bores me quickly, I took an interest in Cactus because their sound is heavy, accentuated by the singer’s gravelly vocals. But this is not ground-breaking material. They regrouped in later decades for three albums of forgettable bar band music.

Favorite album: Cactus

Favorite song: Let Me Swim

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: For those exploring deep cuts only.

522. Greta Van Fleet

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(September 2023) Episode 522 is GRETA VAN FLEET. This was a disappointment. I tuned in because they have been compared to Led Zeppelin, which was both very apt and promising based their initial, enjoyable EPs. But the three LPs that followed mostly bored or annoyed me. I’m not sure whether they were trying to move beyond the comparison* or embrace the epic aspects of LZ by ditching the gritty bluesy sound, but it didn’t work for me. It comes off as prog rock which, combined with the singer’s (unfortunate) choice to stay in the high register, makes them sound more like Triumph than Zep.

Favorite album: From the Fires (double EP)

Favorite song: Safari Song

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: I’d stick to the EPs, but you should try the LPs in case something grabs you that didn’t for me.

* a blatant case of homage can be found in the drum intro on “Sacred the Thread” from the third album, ripped directly from “When the Levee Breaks.”

520. The Silver Apples

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(September 2023) Episode 520 of the “opus project” is THE SILVER APPLES. This duo is known for being one of the first groups to use electronically-generated sound (via a home-made proto-synthesizer) as the basis for pop/rock songs, through a couple of obscure late 1960s albums that were later seen as influential in the development of electronic and synth music.  “Pop/rock,” however, is misleading as the songs are unconventional, even avant-garde, with surreal lyrics. They reunited in the 1990s for a reissue and some new, similarly eclectic, recordings.  This music is unique.

Favorite album: The Silver Apples

Favorite song: Oscillations

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Mostly of historical interest I think, although those who appreciate enigmatic music may want to check it out.

519. The Muffs

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(September 2023) Episode 519 is THE MUFFS, the perfect combination of pop-punk and power-pop,* melding the tone of the former and the melodicism of the latter.  Kim Shattuck’s snotty snarl hits just the right attitude which, along with the unadorned delivery, makes it endearing. Their kicker tempo is what brings you in, but it’s Shattuck’s gift for melodic lines (and lyrics) that will keep you and make you want to revisit.

Favorite album: Blonder and Blonder

Favorite song: Agony

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: I do. I wish I had known them (and seen them) in the 1990s rather than finding them decades later.

* I know some people might say one is a subset of the other, but it’s my blog = my definitions.

516. Steppenwolf

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(August 2023) Episode 516 is STEPPENWOLF. Their fame is well-earned from two big hits, the anthemic “Born to be Wild” with its proto-metal riff and the psychedelic funk of “Magic Carpet Ride.” Steppenwolf’s late 60s albums of slightly acidic rock epitomize the sound of the Woodstock era, including some political messaging. Other than those hits, though, there is little to distinguish the music, other than John Kay’s gravelly baritone. They continued through some forgettable albums into the mid-70s.

Favorite album: The Second

Favorite song: Magic Carpet Ride

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: I own their greatest hits record but realize I haven’t put it on in decades, so I guess that tells me that the two hits are enough.

513. Ween

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(August 2023) Episode 513 is WEEN. This is Weird Rock, one of those acts that makes you wonder: how does someone think up this stuff?  This duo out of Pennsylvania attacked the peak alt/indie years with satire, irreverence and deconstruction, evoking what Zappa’s Mothers did to the counterculture era.  They did so from every angle: rock, prog, punk, soul, funk, island music, country (a whole album!), etc. Like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you have no idea what the next song will bring. On first approach I can’t decide whether they are subtly subversive geniuses or try-hards that don’t quite hit the mark. It will take more listens. Although I suspect that will lead me to the former.

Favorite album: The Mollusk

Favorite song: Dr. Rock

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: It is worth a try, and I may offer a firmer recommendation after subsequent listens.

510. Deep Purple

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(July 2023) Episode 510 is DEEP PURPLE. I had never intended to review this band, figuring the over-saturated classic rock radio hits were enough. But since several rock/metal bands I like cite them as an influence, I thought I’d give it a go. This review give me an added layer of appreciation of their classic sound (the “Smoke on the Water” era) but I do not put them on par with the others (Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath) included in the ‘unholy trinity.’ I did find some interest in their first three albums, late-60s psychedelic and proto-prog affairs, including the syncopated groove they developed on “Hush” and other songs.  One thing that distinguished Deep Purple is the prominent use of the organ, deployed by Jon Lord as a second heavy guitar.  After Ian Gillan left in the mid-1970s (he would return, leave and return again) the band fell into pedestrian boogie rock and hard rock, recording 15 albums (up to the present decade) about which I found nothing remarkable.

Favourite album: Machine Head

Favourite song: Hush

Favourite song sung by Ian Gillan: Highway Star

Favourite instrumental: Playground

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: I can’t quite recommend a greatest hits album, so just turn on classic rock radio and wait for the hits to come on.  I do point out the three 60s albums to connoisseurs of that era’s psychedelia and proto-prog.

509. The Sorrows

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(July 2023) Episode 509 is THE SORROWS, a British beat band of the mid-60s. They were mod and had an edge, a style known as “freakbeat,” with some dabbling in psychedelia which was customary at the time.  I love all things from that era. They had only one hit in the U.S. (“Take a Heart”) and fell apart after a few years.

Favourite album: Take a Heart

Favourite song: You’ve Got What I Want

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: Probably too niche unless you’re obsessed with that era (like me), so I’ll make another pitch here for the Nuggets 2 box set which includes “Take a Heart”

508. Shonen Knife

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(July 2023) Episode 508 is SHONEN KNIFE, a reminder of the simple joy of uncomplicated rock-n-roll.  That they are a trio of women singing in Japanese or accented English adds to the charm and shows the universality of the rock idiom. Their style is labelled pop-punk, but I’d also say garage rock.  It’s apt to call them the Ramones of Japan, and they own it, putting out an excellent cover/tribute album. They broadened their sound over four decades (including a good album released this year), but they always keep the core approach, including silly lyrics as odes to ordinary things (“Banana Chips,” “Rubber Band,” “I Am A Cat,” “Spicy Veggie Curry”).  It’s spunky fun.    

Favorite album: Pretty Little Baka Guy

Favorite song: Twist Barbie

Favorite fast tempo song: Economic Crisis

Favorite ballad: Sunshine

Favorite covers album: Osaka Ramones

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: Highly recommend. It puts you in a good mood.

503. Bongwater

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(6/14/23) Episode 503 is BONGWATER. Some bands are so off-the-wall that part of the appeal is listening and wondering “how could anyone think of such a thing?”  Such is Bongwater: part band, part performance art project of the duo of Mark Kramer and Ann Magnuson (who you will recognize as an actor from various TV shows and movies).  There are sound collages, bizarre stories spoken over trippy psychedelics, shock lyrics, and lots of far-out cover songs. They had a brief and unique run in the late 80s/early 90s.  I am drawn by the audacity.

Favorite album: The Power of Pussy

Favorite song: Folk Song

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: Try it if you like bizarre stuff