October 2009 - The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit

Oct302009 by Chris Holmes1 Comment

Listening Booth – The Who, “Imagine a Man”

As much as the Who staked their claim as rock legends on high-octane numbers like "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "My Generation", I find that often it's the more contemplative songs where they really shine. Take, for instance, this cut from 1975's The Who By Numbers. The lyrics are bleak but the music...the music is startlingly simple and beautiful. Did Pete Townshend ever write a better ballad? I'm not sure, but this is certainly a worthy contender. Here's "Imagine a Man": Imagine a man Not a child of any revolt But a plain man tied up in life Imagine the sand Running out as he struts Parading and fading, ignoring his wife Imagine a road So long looking backwards You can't see where it really began Imagine a load So large and so smooth That against it a man is a...

Oct232009 by Chris Holmes2 Comments

Venture Bros. wrapup: “Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel”

TV & Radio

So hey, I'm a little late on this review. I know that seems inexcusable since it is the season premiere, but my damn DVR didn't record this when it was supposed to. And if it's not on my DVR, it doesn't exist. But enough of that...VENTURE BROS. IS BACK!!%$#! I think the question I asked as season 3 ended - in what direction do Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer want to take this show? - has been answered, at least on the basis of "Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel". They're going to get even deeper into the show's characters, while at the same time strengthening their geek cred. And we're also going to get plenty of laughs. So we got that going for us, which is nice. (more…)

Oct232009 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Sweet new Field Music song (“Measure”)

Music

Following up on their earlier report regarding the forthcoming Field Music album, Stereogum provides us with the title track from that album, "Measure". It sounds to be a close relation to the music on their excellent Tones of Town album, and of course I've already downloaded it. February 16 can't get here soon enough...

Oct132009 by Chris Holmes4 Comments

Listening Booth – King Crimson, “One More Red Nightmare”

Listening Booth, Music

More prog goodness, you say? Sure! Here's my favorite KC tune ever, from their 1974 masterpiece Red. Witness the majestic and face-melting drumming of one Bill Bruford, who absolutely owns on this number. My favorite moment comes just after the 4:20 mark, when he kicks out this sinister groove that I could listen to on repeat all day. That weird-sounding cymbal he uses, in a stroke of great luck, was the result of some impromptu dumpster-diving. Forget just prog rock, kids, music doesn't get much better than this.

Oct32009 by Chris Holmes9 Comments

Retrotisement: Craig Powerplay (featuring Emerson, Lake & Palmer)

Retrotisements

Before today I had never even heard of Craig Powerplay, but would've guessed he was a legendary hockey player. In fact, it's the name for a line of automotive stereo equipment produced by (you guessed it) Craig. Back around 1977/78 Craig ran an ad campaign for its Powerplay products featuring a rather diverse group of musicians - Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, and Billy Preston to name a few. This one calls upon the star power of prog rock giants Emerson, Lake & Palmer. You probably don't recognize the group without capes or satin kimonos, but that's them alright.

Oct12009 by Chris Holmes1 Comment

Listening Booth – Alice in Chains, “A Looking in View”

Listening Booth, Music

Because EMI is a bunch of tight-asses and won't allow embedding of the official video for "A Looking in View", I'm presenting a live version from an August Alice in Chains show in Berlin. Damn that's tight. A full review of Black Gives Way to Blue is forthcoming, but I need more time to absorb the return of one of the greatest bands from the '90s. I can say with full confidence, however, that this song absolutely owns and is among the best in the band's catalog. Layne is of course sorely missed, but William DuVall ain't no slouch. Love those harmonies with Jerry Cantrell.