A Great ROCK CD

[Jackonicko]

Rock. Not mediocre, over-advertised, over-hyped, adolescent metal masquerading as rock.

American rock, too. (Even if it does sound a bit 'Manchester').

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 'Take Them On, On Your Own'

Especially the single: 'Stop'.

[Jackonicko]

I'm astonished that no-one here has bought this, or even liked it enough to comment.

So for some more pearls to cast before you lot, try:

'Get Born' by Jet.

If you don't like these two albums I don't know why you bother owning an iPod. You clearly don't like music!

[Bob]

aha - I have caught some of the BRMC tracks and actually started to listen to it in Borders last Sunday but a frantic tugging at my sleeve just as I scanned the CD stopped me.
I aim to have another try this weekend - I will report back!!

[Jackonicko]

Hurrah! Hurrah for Madpict!

[Bob]

Hussar!! Hussar!! for Jackonicko!!!

BRMC - "Take Them On, On Your Own" - now gracing my music collection.

Cheers Jacko!

[Jackonicko]

Cool!

The Lounge's ageing rockers are first with the trendy CD again. First the Darkness, now 'Take Them On, On Your Own'......

Next is 'Get Born' by Jet.

[Jackonicko]

I just read a dreadful review of Jet's CD by some talentless hackette from the Guardian.

"Get Born is leering, unreconstructed ####-rock from start to finish, reaching its nadir on Cold Hard #####, which would be a deeply unpleasant title even if the woman in question were Cruella De Vil..." runs one oh-so-clever paragraph.

Well it's true that Jet's lyrics are not terribly PC, or even terribly intelligent (but then when Jagger and Richards wrote 'Some Girls' people took it for what it was - rock'n'roll music, not a political manifesto). So what? If you want intelligent commentary on sexual politics, then go read a book.

There has also been some criticism that Jet's sound is derivative, borrowing riffs and influences from the Stones, the Faces, AC/DC, et al. Well, maybe so, but isn't it more important that the music is great, than that it is particularly original? It reminds me of the Georgia Satellites at their best - and since Dan and the lads are no longer pushing out new material, I'm happy that someone else is.

This potentially award-winning journo concludes that: "Devoid of anything that makes music worthwhile, Jet would not be the Next Big Thing if they were the last band on earth."

Well maybe Jet won't be the next Radiohead, maybe they won't even be the next Darkness. But that will be because there are only three or four really great tracks on the album, and really great debuts are often more consistent. But unless you're such a pretentious poseur that political correctness and lyrical sophistication are more important to you than beat, rhythm, melody, great riffs, catchy hooks, etc. they do have most of what makes music worthwhile, and they have it in spades.

[NiTRO]

I have the 1st BRMC album and loved it but I just haven't gotten around to picking up the newest one. I have read a number of positive reviews and heard a couple of tracks off the album. Let's just say it's on my list.

[Jackonicko]

I might have guessed.

NiTRO has such great musical taste that we're thinking of letting him change his user name to MadNiTROnicko........

[NiTRO]

;)

[MikeM]

Just checked out their 2001 self-titled release on the iTunes Music Store. Not bad at all!

And I agree that its not:


Originally posted by Jackonicko
mediocre, over-advertised, over-hyped, adolescent metal masquerading as rock.


...which is refreshing to hear.

[Jackonicko]

Yes, the first BRMC album was great too. I especially enjoyed the track 'Rifles', I must say.

I just can't understand how bands like Limpdik Park and Sum 90210, Blink 181 1/2, System of a Frown and all the other talentless rockapes gain such massive support in the USA when a really good home-grown rock band like BRMC seem to be virtually ignored.

[NiTRO]

Well Jacko, here in the States it's unfortunately ALL about the mighty dollar and EmtyV is at the head of the pack. They play this garbage over and over until the little kiddies buy it hook, line and sinker. They almost give them no choice and the general public for the most part, just doesn't even realize that there's more out there. In the U.S. young kids DO actually believe that Avril Lavigne is punk. Did you know that approximately FIVE, count 'em 5 corporations own almost all of the large market radio stations in the entire country. That = hundereds of stations! This is not good news for the consumer. The playlists at the stations are all computerized now with little to no chance of any band breaking in a particular city the old fashoned way. Requests mean nothing. They act like it does but that's only if the caller is lucky and his song is coming up on the playlist. The DJ's or even the Program Directors have very little if any say as to what gets played. Every minute is money and must be accounted for in a profitable manner. All the formats and corporate owned stations are all cookie cutter models of each other. It's really pathetic.

The good stuff has to be sought out. Sure it's written about in CMJ or even in Rolling Stone on occaision and played on the college music stations but still they can't compete with the big $$$ radio corps and Mtv. I find out about a lot of new music on Amazon.com and through friends and on a really terrific public radio station here in Seattle called KEXP. They are defininitely the exeption to the rule in this country. Every city is not so lucky. Even so, the listenership is still a very specific sub-set of the population due to the fact that they don't have a large advertising/promo budget. They are "Listener Powered" so to say.

I'll quit rambling but this topic really winds me up!!! argh.

I turn my friends and family to so much great music that they would have never heard otherwise and they don't understand why nobody gets the opportunity to hear this stuff. It's very frustrating.

[Bob]

NiTRO,
I discovered the closed playlists when I was in the US earlier this year - 3 weeks and it was the same songs every hour all through the day.
It's almost a form of brainwashing....

With the internet though, your home listening has at least a chance of some variety.
I keep mentioning Bob Harris (http://www.bobharris.org) on BBC Radio 2 - he does play a lot of good music - he ties the day or week of the show in with release dates of old records and also introduces a lot of unknown stuff (to the UK at least).
He does a Country show on Thursday evening and a broader spectrum show on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon on digital radio.
He also broadcasts live over the 'net and his shows are available for a week after they go out on the Radio 2 replay service.
And if you send in a dedication it does get read!!

He has suffered at the hands of the management when his popular overnight shows were binned and he was sacked, for being too old!!
Read not compliant with the stations playlists!

There is still good radio out there - you just have to find it!

[NiTRO]

That's the problem though. There IS decent radio and valuable sources for good music elsewhere, such as on the internet but those who aren't passionate about music (which are by far the most of us) will go for the easy solution everytime...corporate radio and Mtv. You have to make an effort to find the good stuff and it takes a bit of a commitment which most people are unwilling to make.

[Jackonicko]

And if this was a thread about "Finch" or "System of a Down" it would be up to three pages by now.....

[NiTRO]

Finally did pick up that new BRMC! Of course, I very much like it but I've been on vacation and haven't dumped it to iPod yet. In fact, I've only had the chance to play it once as of yet (my rental car had a cd player!).

[Jackonicko]

Let us know what you think.....

[ToddW]

I just listened to the latest and greatest from BRMC this weekend. To quote a Issac Hayes, "That is one bad mo...(shut your mouth!)

I picked this up after reading your post Jacko. You old farts shur do know your pickin and a singin! :)

Thanks!

[Jackonicko]

Ironic that an LA band should do a Madchester Indie sound quite so well. I'm just astonished that they aren't huge over there, cos they seem very accessible as well as ####ed good.

[ToddW]

That is the whole problem with music in the states. The seen is dominated by MTV and crappy radio. The music companies throw money at radio to play the songs, and MTV pushes the artsists. How else would a band like Limpdik and Sum90210 get so popular. I am the first to say that yeah some of these bands have a catchy tune here or there and I like to listen to them on occasion, what I really don't like is getting it shoved down my throat everytime I turn around. Let's face it, the targeting audience is the ages of 11-19, this age group spends the most money. Billions are spent to push artists that appeal to this age group, using radio and MTV, as well as VH1, Fuse, anything in the states. It is a big problem.

[MikeM]

Originally posted by ToddW
Let's face it, the targeting audience is the ages of 11-19, this age group spends the most money. Billions are spent to push artists that appeal to this age group, using radio and MTV, as well as VH1, Fuse, anything in the states. It is a big problem.

Unless capitalism is abandoned, the problem isn't getting solved anytime soon. Of course, some ultra-rich person could start their own radio/tv music station that isn't run based on making money alone. That would be nice.

Any billionaries on iPodLounge?

[ToddW]

Originally posted by MikeM
Unless capitalism is abandoned, the problem isn't getting solved anytime soon. Of course, some ultra-rich person could start their own radio/tv music station that isn't run based on making money alone. That would be nice.

Any billionaries on iPodLounge?

Well if I win the PowerBall anytime soon I'll do it. :D

[Jackonicko]

But I'd have thought that quality isn't necessarily incompatible with popularity. The Beatles, the Stones, Led Zep, Floyd, the Eagles, etc. have all gained a mass following, while REM, Coldplay, Radiohead, etc. are all massive without being the kind of infantile crap represented by the bands you name. If bands like that received no MTV attention either, I'd understand better.

BRMC have catchy, accessible tunes and aren't 'image challenged' in the way that (say) the Doves are. I'm surprised that they don't appeal more to the VH-1 and MTV programmers and their audiences, really.

[ToddW]

Originally posted by Jackonicko
But I'd have thought that quality isn't necessarily incompatible with popularity. The Beatles, the Stones, Led Zep, Floyd, the Eagles, etc. have all gained a mass following, while REM, Coldplay, Radiohead, etc. are all massive without being the kind of infantile crap represented by the bands you name. If bands like that received no MTV attention either, I'd understand better.

BRMC have catchy, accessible tunes and aren't 'image challenged' in the way that (say) the Doves are. I'm surprised that they don't appeal more to the VH-1 and MTV programmers and their audiences, really.

I agree I would have thought that I would have introduced to this CD earlier, a month after the CD is released I hear about it. I would not consider them 'image challenged' either. I just think that the record company that backed them did not get their name out there. Who knows!

[Jackonicko]

And my guess is that their first CD passed you by altogether?

[studogvetmed]

Funny how the day I pick up both BRMC CDs this thread jumps back up to the top of the "new post" search!

All I can say is I'm glad I checked out this group after I read Jackonicko's recommendation. I was waiting for a sale and today Take them on, on your own was on sale at Best Buy for $6.99

This is rock that I have been missing.

Thanks for the recommendation Jackonicko, my ipod appreciates it.

Stu

[ToddW]

Originally posted by Jackonicko
And my guess is that their first CD passed you by altogether?

You got it, after listening to the this one, I am on the hunt for it!

[Jackonicko]

It's just as good. Maybe better.....

[NiTRO]

Now that I've gotten a chance to let it soak in a bit, I really dig it. I still can't say as to whether I like it better than the first album though. The boys seem a bit sleeker and more wide open on this one. Definitely a bit more rocking on this record while still not tinkering too much with the personality of the original BRMC album.

As far as their U.S. popularity, the new BRMC isn't getting a ton of airplay however, I have noticed an extremely competitive pricepoint ($8.99-$9.99) along with visible placement in Cd stores. I've also seen the video on MTV2 a few times. The videos for "Love Burns" and "Whatever Happened to My Rock & Roll" used to get played fairly frequently but BRMC was unfortunately a bit jet-washed by the Strokes, the Vines, the White Stripes, and the Hives. None of whom really sound anything like BRMC. Save maybe the White Stripes, I absolutely appreciate BRMC more than the aforementioned bands.

[Jackonicko]

So glad you guys like it!

I'm now hoping to go and see them at Brixton on 14 November.....

[Bob]

BRMC - "Black Rebel Motorcycle Club" - now gracing my turntable, and at a cheap price of ?7 from FOPP Records...

[selcouth]

i picked up the JET album after hearing/seeing the new iPod commercial and i must say i really do love the entire album.. it wasn't just thrown together.. the music flows from fast paced to slower songs.. it's really great :D 9.99 on the iTMS.. ah heck! here's a link! http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=2859605

[loGan]

Catch them live, they do a good show. I was lucky enough to see them supporting Neal Young at Brixton a while back before I had heard of them. They impressed me enough to pick up their CD. Good honest rock and roll.

[stasyna]

Best ROCK CD is ANYTHING from AC/DC.

Pickup "Let There Be Rock".

Back to topic:

I leeched a few songs off iTMS, not bad, they're listenable. Jet is good.

[Bob]

Originally posted by Jackonicko
Cool!

The Lounge's ageing rockers are first with the trendy CD again. First the Darkness, now 'Take Them On, On Your Own'......

Next is 'Get Born' by Jet.

Got Jet.
Another good recommendation.
And only ?10 from FOPP!
What else does Jackonicko suggest?

[Jackonicko]

I'm teetering on the brink of recommending Skull Ring by Iggy Pop, and the new Powderfinger CD (the one with Stumbling on it)......

[Nuke666]

The reveiwer of the Jet CD said they wouldn't be the Next Big Thing if they were the last band on earth...funny that, as they are fast becoming the next big thing, at least here in Aus....:)
Who else feels most mainstream music and movie reviewers are idiots with no concept of the real world?

[Jackonicko]

OK:

Another official Jackonicko recommendation.

The limited two CD edition of Primal Scream's best of compilation, 'Dirty Hits'.

'Give out but don't give up' is a better 'Rock' CD overall, since 'Dirty Hits' includes some of the early 'funky stuff' and some of the later 'industrial stuff'. But I'd recommend this CD for one track alone.

On the bonus CD is a Jimmy Miller remix of 'Rocks' which is perhaps the best rock track I've ever heard. I liked the original, but this new version sounds like the Stones at their very best, with guitars higher in the mix and brilliant harmonica playing!

[ToddW]

Jet has an awesome album really liked it a lot. Jacko, you got great taste!

[Jackonicko]

Get Born by Jet.

First recommended by the Lounge's older groovesters on 26 September.....

Before the iPod ads, before the main press on the album.

And today (3 December) new threads saying: "Whoa great new album" are still being posted.....

[drewmcd24]

Another great new rock CD:

Paul Westerberg - Come Feel Me Tremble