Rock Star: Day 11

Strange night I thought. No one completely bombed but there were only a couple strong performances. Maybe it was just the song selection I didn’t much care for, who knows.

Bottom of the Barrel

No one completed sucked but a couple had pretty tired performances.

Fine, If You Like That Sort of Thing

Compared to Suffragette City I thought Tara butchered Message in a Bottle with almost zero energy. Plus, correct me if I’m wrong but wearing an automobile tire as a tube top is not in… is it?

I really expected Brandon to die a slow painful death with this song, but he surprised me with a very adequate performance. If You Could Only See is a whining song to begin with so I expected Brandon to juice it up in order to hide his voice, but he didn’t and actually made it through with minimal blood loss. Maybe when he fell at the beginning it knocked his vocal chords back into place?

Tonight’s performance was definitely Ty’s weakest, borderline lame. I thought his pitch was off throughout and he seemed a bit hesitant and Everlong by the Foo Fighter’s is a song I love.

I don’t know if they messed with the arrangement of this song but whatever the case, We Will Rock You has to be one of the most overrated songs in history. Mig didn’t exactly do it any favors either. For one, he’s wasn’t nearly gay enough to be Freddie Mercury; not even close.

Good, But Not Great

First, I need to say that unlike the other 90% of the people on the planet I don’t worship the Beatles, in fact, I find their music boring. So when Suzie sang Get Back, a repetitive little number with little vocal ability required I said, “Ok, next.” To her credit, she sang that crappy song it well.

I’m the Only One was a song right up Deanna’s ally and she played it to the hilt. Even parted the audience to shake her money maker in front of the all male band. Deanna is no dummy.

Marty showed a little range performing Creed’s Arms Wide Open. He even channeled the spirit of Boogaloo Shrimp for the break-dance segment. Nice touch. But what’s up with Navarro? He’s definitely an equal-opportunity suck up because he was fawning all over Marty after this one.

Jessica sang Blister in the Song, a song written by someone so obviously high, that they actually said “I’m high as a kite” in the lyrics of the song. Classic. Jessica sang it well, if you like that sort of thing. Other than Jordis, Jessica is the only female in this group who could front INXS.

J.D. sang The Letter by Joe Cocker complete with all the ticks, jerks and gyrations. He’s good that way. I wonder if INXS worries that if they chose J.D. that he’ll want to rewrite all their songs? Who thinks J.D. has a prayer of winning this thing?

Knocked ‘Em Dead

Jordis sang The Man Who Sold the World with true heart. Clearly the best performance of the night. I still have my doubts but I’m liking Jordis more and more as this competition moves on. Of course, Navarro proposed marriage on the spot.

Bottom Three? How about our favorite cellar dweller Jessica along with a repeat performance by Tara and first-timers Brandon. What say you?

Rock Star: Day 10

During this week’s clinic, the show brought in a voice instructor. You’d think that Brandon would have major problems (and he does) but the instructor was pleased with his “big” voice. The contestant who was actually singled out was Deanna. So of course, she starts to think, “Why would INXS hire a singer with too many miles on her voice?”

All I know is that Kirk looks like Marcel Marceau on happy pills.

Here’s what the band is working up for tonight:

• J.D. was scamming Suzie and she bought it. He ended up with the song he really wanted.
• Ty is scared because he’d never heard of Everlong much less wanted to sing it. What a push over. But I’m not worried about Ty.
• Brandon got If You Could Only See. I predict a meltdown.
• Jordis got The Man Who Sold the World by Bowie and should do a good job with it. I still like her chances to be the last woman standing.
• Jessica got the rompy Blister in the Sun. She’s basically just going with the flow because she’s convinced America hates her. Don’t worry honey, you won’t be going home tonight because that seat is reserved for Brandown after he butchers his song.

Rock Star: Day 9

America voted and here were the bottom three.

I guessed two out of the three yesterday and wasn’t too surprised to see Heather added since she didn’t have her best stuff. After hearing each of them do their INXS song, it was pretty clear that Jessica’s Elegantly Wasted was the strongest. What wasn’t expected was that the band sent both the others home. Killer.

So, now we’re down to 10. Will J.D. keep up his massive subterfuge? Will Brandon learn how to sing in less than a week? Will Navarro continue to hit on everything that moves? Stay tuned my friends, things are starting to get interesting.

Still in the Hunt

Rock Star: Day 8

Since Day 1, I’ve thought that Ty and Mig were the strongest competitors for actually getting the gig. Some of the others are talented people, but aren’t a good fit for the band, in my opinion. As of last night, I feel pretty good about my early predictions.

So let’s rundown this week’s full bill:

Bottom of the Barrel

J.D. went from being on the top of the world to looking very fragile. His version of We Are the Champions wasn’t a good idea and he didn’t perform it well. The worst part was the band noticed. He’ll bounce back, but I wonder if for the rest of the contest the band will remembert this dreadful song.

Daphna came out on the stage is a long, poofy evening dress with combat boots and long gloves to play The Clash’s Rock the Casbah. I was like, “What in the world is she thinking?!?” Then she mutilates the song. And when I say “mutilate” it isn’t a positive comment.

Tempted wasn’t a good song for Brandon, because, well, Brandon can’t sing. Ouch.

Fine, If You Like That Sort of Thing

Just shy of bombing, Jessica sang Because the Night by Pat Benatar. Now, I’m not even sure this song was popular back when it was popular. Jessica didn’t do herself any favors either and is likely to get into the Bottom Three with this performance. Then again, Navarro had some nice things to say about her. Uh huh.

Heather’s version of If It Makes You Happy didn’t. She said she was sick and it showed. I felt like I needed one of the surgeon’s masks to avoid whatever vile germ has infected this poor woman.

Jordis sang Gimme Some Lovin’ and really included the crowd but I just didn’t feel like she was a rock star as much as a band leader. Meanwhile, Navarro was working up his marriage proposal.

Good, But Not Great

Give a Little Bit is a great Supertramp song that the Goo Goo Dolls recently remade so it’s on a bit of an upswing and Deanna did a good job with it. By that I mean she didn’t have any major screwups but wasn’t exactly lighting up the stage either. I just don’t get “excitement” when I see Deanna perform

Ty did Everybody Hurts acoustic style and showcased his strong voice. This guy has to be considered one of the leaders for the prize.

Boy was I shocked when Suzie totally rocked Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. The band didn’t seem to love it but thought it was her strongest performance yet. Suzie is now safely off the chopping block.

Mig had a slightly different take on The Kink’s Lola and it was pretty cool. Good but not great. It’s kinda tough when the strongest piece of your performance is your Sergeant Pepper’s coat. Stylin’!

Knocked ‘Em Dead

Imagine my surprise when I found myself jumping around my living room to Tara’s version of Suffragette City. I didn’t think she had it in her. Maybe she found some inspiration from her wanna-be Ziggy Stardust getup but it didn’t matter because she totally killed.

They saved the best for last when Marty cranked out Nirvana’s Lithium. The band wasn’t so enthused but I thought it was clearly the best performance of the night.

My predictions for Bottom Three are: Jessica, Brandon and Daphna. What do you think?

Rock Star: Day 7

This episode could have been called, The Bold and the People Who Want to Kill J.D. It began with a big cryfest for voted out Neal. Seems the Black Crows routine got old but tears? Real tears?!?

Next we got to peek in on J.D.’s move-making. He got Jordis alone and started in with the sweet talk. We Are the Champions had J.D. all a’flustered and he was looking to work a song-for-whoopie trade. Don’t think Jordis was buying it.

Then we got to watch the following contestants struggle through their rehearsals.

• Brandon was struggling with his “melodic” song Tempted. Poor kid. It won’t go well for him tonight.
• Ty was singing Everybody Hurts. He’s got nothing to worry about just yet, but the band thinks he needs to loosen up and not be so pre-planned.
• Mig sang Lola. I like Mig and still think he’s in the driver seat for this contest. How can the Aussie’s turn on one of their own?
• Suzie was singing Superstition. Might get her another week.
• Jordis was singing Gimme Some Lovin’ and it didn’t fit her style. She might be wishing she made the song-swap with J.D.
• Jessica is leading the list of people who might get the boot tonight. Because the Night isn’t a good song and she won’t be able to give it any life. Her days are numbered.
• J.D. was trying to make a trip-hop version of We Are the Champions, while the house band leader repeated said, “This is horrible. This is horrible.”

I still say, come Wednesday night, America will still throw Tara into the bottom three. Anyone take my 5:1 odds?

Rock Star: Day 6

America voted and here were the bottom three.

Tara had been in trouble from the start but both Neal and Jessica likely burned themselves with poor performances last time out.

Tara sang Mystify and did it adequately. I thought Neal did Suicide Blonde well, despite an overall lack of intrigue while Jessica stumbled through Don’t Change. After the three songs were completed, I still felt certain that Tara was history, but the feline burned another life and plays on. For some reason, INXS is keeping her around, if only for another week, because I’ve got a couple benjamins that say Tara makes the bottom three again next week.

In the end, INXS gave Neal the boot and gave Jessica another opportunity wriggle and shake on the stage. Not that she was bad really, just that Neal will never be the kind of the singer INXS was looking for. But then, we kinda knew that already, didn’t we?

Still in the Hunt

Rock Star: Day 5

Before we begin, it must be stated that Navarro isn’t helping the show. He reminds me of that kid in high school who wanted everyone to like him so he was constantly complimenting them and trying to be their pal, kinda like Eddie Haskel. Ok, on to the recap.

Bottom of the Barrel

Played guitar while singing Summer of ’69 in the wrong key. Painful.

We thought The One I Love was going to be a problem and sure enough. I imagine it’s tough to perform a song you don’t even like.

Fine, If You Like That Sort of Thing

The ghost of Ozzie past came and inhabited Tara’s body to sing Paranoid. To some that might be a good thing. But he must have brought with him a case of the runs beause it looked like Tara was cramping up.

She sang her life message—I Hate Myself For Loving You. At least she didn’t have her hair covering her face like Cousin It.

He probably doesn’t belong here but he’s become a bit one dimensional with his song selection. Heck, he played Sweet Home Alabama just yesterday when he got that new Gibson.

Good, But Not Great

What I Like About You is fairly straight-forward. Keep up, jump around and there you have it.

Somebody Told Me by The Killers is the most recent big hit yet to be performed. Ty did it well, but still wasn’t edgy enough, IMO. Needed a different setting.

Roxanne is right up Suzie’s ally. Would have been even better had she actually worn the red dress.

I was hoping Mig would do Run-DMC’s version of Walk This Way, but that might have pissed off the band.

It’s Only Rock-N-Roll is one of those songs that people profess to love while inwardly they think it boring and played out. Heather performed well and Navarro requested to sleep with her later that night.

Jordis is the strongest of the women competitors and has a decent shot at this gig. The Reason by Hoobastank, however, is not her best work.

Before she went on I told my wife, “This is gonna suck.” But Jessica actually did a decent job with Purple Haze, one of Rock’s classics. Not that it’ll help Jessica because the band paid her no compliments. Of course, Navarro praised her performance.

Knocked ‘Em Dead

JD took Hand in My Pocket and made it his own. That led the band to say, he was “the most focused on the prize.” Which led to this revelation that the difference between himself and the other (wonderful, talented, blah, blah, blah) contestants was that they were just learning INXS’s music, and he already loves it. Highlight of the night.

Rock Star: Day 2

I didn’t take notes last night, but I should have. It’s tough to remember what everyone sang, who did well and whatnot. Next time, I promise. I’m a sucker for these kind of shows.

But I did manage to rifle through the official site and grab all these cool little icons. What do you think?

Still in the Hunt

Also, found these bios if anyone is interested. Various thoughts from last night’s show. Wil did very well with his tune. Song selection played a big role I thought. Brandon was strong but not engaging, at least to me. Daphna has a great voice but like the other girls, I can’t see her as part of INXS; especially Suzie, I think she’s in trouble. Neal has no right getting naked. Bleech. Hard to believe, but my brother thinks it’s either Neal or Brandon.

So here I’ll start my regular topics.

Best Performance: Marty
Leading the Race: Ty
Getting Dropped: Wil

See you next time!

Rock Star: INXS

I’ve always loved INXS. Michael Hutchins had that perfect rock star voice. Then was, before he killed himself and INXS disappeared. Enter Mark Burnett. To Burnett, the only good TV is reality TV.

After watching tonight’s opening show, it’s certainly going to be an interesting ride, but only if our contestants stay sober long enough to perform. The hippie-chick Dana got the boot tonight while Suzie only squeeked by after forgetting the lyrics to her only song.

My early money is on Ty or Mig, just can’t see a chick belting out Suicide Blonde.

From the ‘What Was I Thinking?’ File

Admitting when you are wrong is tough. Sometimes it’s brutal. But we’ll never be able to move ahead until we confess the sins of our past. With that in mind…

Worst/Most Embarrassing CD You Ever Bought?
10. The Cars – Heartbeat City
I still like The Cars. Ok, no I don’t. I used to like The Cars, but after they played every song on Heartbeat City 500,000 times, at the first note I break out in hives.

9. Wham! – Make It Big
I’m not sure I ever bought this tape, but if I did, I should be shot. It’s an abomination to everything else that’s legitimately called music because this crap certainly is not.

8. Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Caberet
Here’s one of those this-song-is-cool-so-why-don’t-I-buy-the-whole-freakin’-thing mistakes. Face it, we’ve all been sucked in by these traps. Hopefully it’s a lesson I’ve learned.

7. Vanity 6 – Vanity 6
I’m a big fan of Prince (the musician, not the sex-fiend) so when he started writing tunes for other artists I was interested. Looking back, I shouldn’t have been. This was just His Purpleness getting richer… faster. Not his best stuff.

6. Erasure – Innocents
Someone must have drugged me because I swear, one minute I was calmly minding my own business and the next I was shakin’ my groove on a table top at some neon night club. Naturally, I blame Erasure. I was only able to turn away from their pure evil through consistent doses of authentic rock and R&B.

5. Lynyrd Skynyrd – All Time Greatest Hits
The very first album I ever bought. This only was possible because I was able to talk my folks into allowing me. Maybe it was because these guys sounded like “good ole country boys” which aren’t nearly as scary as what I truly wanted to buy—Rush and Van Halen.

4. New Edition – New Edition
Here’s an album was actually pretty good for what it was, Dance Pop. Now I’m embarrassed by the enormity of the joke that is Bobby Brown.

3. Air Supply – Greatest Hits
There was a time when I believed that by playing a certain kind of music in my tape player it would actually force a girl to want me. Some call it “mood music” but let’s be honest, the only reason any male bought Air Supply was because he thought it was help him with the ladies.

2. Dead Or Alive – Youthquake
If you never see the music videos then you’ll never know just how much of freak some people are. I don’t even have that excuse as this freak is front and center on the cover. Maybe I was just rebelling against society’s norms. Either way I’m ashamed and sincerely repentant.

1. Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo
When I was younger, I did many foolish things. Entering a break dancing competition may have been chief among them. Buying this tape was a close second.

I ache all over, but you know what Santayana said:

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Now that you’ve heard mine, it’s only fair that you share yours. Come on, you’ll feel better once you let it all out. (Traceback to this post so we can all share!) [via Stereogum]

Bono Walks the Talk

I may not agree with everything that Bono says, but you have to admire his integrity. What he believes in, he speaks out. What he speaks about, he acts on. There’s been no more active artist in the last couple decades on behalf of those with AIDS and the poverty stricken.

I can only wish that more of our cultural stars had half the giving heart of Bono.

Music to Get Down To

The Guardian has their Top 25 Miserable Songs. Now, The Guardian is a British site. You would think they’d already know who has written more miserable songs than the rest of the music world combined. But alas, Morrissey didn’t crack their Top 25, nor any Smiths music. Makes you kinda doubt their expertise, eh?

Speaking of miserable, Morrissey doesn’t disappoint with lines like this:

Bush should have died, not Reagan.

Ok, enough of these posts, I’m getting depressed.

iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle… have you seen one of these things? I mean, it’s small, really small. When they decided to shrink this puppy down they meant everything. The Serial Number is so small that I almost couldn’t read it. And I’m not joking, it’s like Helvetica 0.5 point size.

So far so good with the whole iTunes thing. I do wish they could have included a feature to merely point at a directory instead of needing to add each individual song or groups of songs from a single directory. But I’ll have a better evaluation after I play with it some more.

Big thanks go out to Dad who knows what his boys like—gadgets. He raised us right.

My Life in Music

“Since I’ve only ever been me, I can’t speak for you.” -Anon

There are times when being alive, being conscious is just so strange. A particular event, comment, even a look can and will solicit vastly different emotions from one person to the next. The same is true with music.

I don’t know why certain songs impact me so greatly, I just know they do. Lyric fragments will resurface months, even years later. Sometimes I’ll wake up humming a song I haven’t heard in years. There’s power there.

Here are three lyric samples that won’t leave me only lately. I’m sure you have yours too.

But now i see that
You are nearer than heaven
I get the feeling I get nearer by the day
I’ve seen the people go forever descending
It’s when we’re all inside
That summer’s on the way
Nearer Than Heaven by The Delays

I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out bright

I’m looking for complications.
Looking cos I’m tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly
Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters

When we don’t get what we deserve
that’s a real good thing.
When we get what we don’t deserve
that’s a real good thing.
Real Good Thing by The Newsboys

Can you tell that I’m at cliffs edge looking out over the sea longing for what comes next?

To add a bit of levity, here’s one more.

Observe from a distance, come inside if you’re enclined
Feel the surge of the elements combined
Jump start the system with unearthly wisdom
Or advanced the liberal peaking, they are older than tradition
Sound nice?
If not, check your sound device,
I think turning it up is sound advice
Move by John Rueben

Heh.

U2 and The End of the World

I must admit. I’ve fallen in and out of love with U2 over the years. We were first introduced on MTV. Back when they played music videos. New Year’s Day and Sunday, Bloody Sunday were so new and different. I was smitten. Even today, New Year’s Day takes me back to those first days, when my love for music was just beginning.

Boy (1980)

October (1981)

War (1983)

The first three albums came together in my mind. I didn’t love any of them all the way through, but certain songs just rang out. They’d enter my mind and refuse to leave. At this point, I had no idea that U2 would make such a huge mark on the music world.

The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

When The Unforgettable Fire was released in 1984 there weren’t the kind of expectations that exist today. There wasn’t the track record. You could tell they were growing because there wasn’t a hit, followed by a miss. Each piece was more complex and advanced. The whole album could stand on its own and they were becoming a better band. You could just see it.

[The melancholy in me still loves the track Unforgettable Fire and I think the video for it was almost perfectly conceived.]

The Joshua Tree (1987)

With The Joshua Tree U2 reached the big time. The secret was out and the airwaves overflowed with I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and With or Without You.

It was also at this point that I began to lose interest. Sharing them with so many made it all somehow less meaningful. Sure, I followed from afar. But too much air-time turned me off. I had other, less promiscuous bands to follow.

Rattle and Hum (1988)

I didn’t even buy this CD. (When did they cease to be “albums” and start becoming “CDs”?) Other bands held my focus and besides, U2 had all the fans they wanted. Also, I didn’t see the same kind of inventiveness that had been their trademark early on. Too much of the same thing. Besides, live albums never were my thing.

Achtung Baby (1991)

Achtung Baby turned it around for me. I couldn’t help myself. Song after song, I was drawn in. Sure, I could pass on the slow, “love” songs but even those had such strong, thought-provoking lyrics that I believe that Bono might be the greatest song writer of our generation.

If you’ve never known where Until The End Of The World was coming from, let Mark Stetz fill you in. It’s a fascinating perspective.

Zoo Station lifts off like a rocket. Then throughout I’m captivated.

Zooropa (1993)

Pop (1997)

All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)

Something happend in the late 90s that soured me on U2. If my memory is correct, during an interview I heard Bono say something to the effect of, “We’re the greatest rock band in the world.”

I cringed and inwardly vowed to never buy another CD. Besides, I told myself, they’re sold out, mainstream swimmers now. Under my breath I comforted myself with thoughts like, “Nothing will top Achtung Baby. Nothing.” Beautiful Day and Elevation did rock, but I wouldn’t let myself listen and certainly wouldn’t buy a CD.

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)

So here I am. Pondering a purchase decision. Should I buy How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb? Should I give them a second chance?

Has there been a change of heart? Is it all pride and egotism? Or could the humility and grace that comes with maturity have finally found a home in U2′s music?