The Mighty Musical Observations Thread

[WestwayKid]

In regards to Losing My Religion, I gained a new appreciation for it after viewing the episode of Song Exploder that looked at the song in detail. Stipe's lyrics in particular are really, really good. I didn't always know what he was getting at, but once I heard him explain it - everything fell into place.

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock. I also despise that art school video.

The video has dated very, very badly.

[Low Down Low]

Concur with the comment about Out of Time being uneven. But i would say when it's great, that album is really great so still gets the greatness tag from me, despite the couple of obvious clangers. I also think objectively SHP is not a bad pop-rock song, it's just quite annoying after a few too many listens.

I also heartily endorse the general tribute album thumbs down. Off hand, can't think of a single one i've ever wanted to repeat listen. I know some liked it ok, but apart from the brilliant mikey dread take on SoS, i thought the S! project thing was pretty awful overall.

There are indeed some real gems: Near Wild Heaven is one of my fave REM tracks. Half a World Away is another really good one. The more I think about it, yeah...it really is actually a near great release.

Yeah...near great is probably a fair assessment. Near Wild Heaven is transcendent and it and Belong would be well inside my rem top 5. Just one more belter, i think, and that album would have been made. It's not that far off imo.

[Heston]

Near Wild Heaven is one of my fave REM tracks

My favourite.

Which backs up my mate's theory that all the best bands have a secondary singer who is better than the main guy.

Well the bass player in the Panic Report sings a much better version of "My Way" than the front man.

[Low Down Low]

I also heartily endorse the general tribute album thumbs down. Off hand, can't think of a single one i've ever wanted to repeat listen. I know some liked it ok, but apart from the brilliant mikey dread take on SoS, i thought the S! project thing was pretty awful overall.

The few I can remember liking from various tributes...

Rock the Casbah - Pato Banton and Rocking Roger
Complete Control - The New Picadillys
We Are the Clash - Sparks
Charlie Don't Surf - Pollo Del Mar
Police On My Back - Asian Dub Foundation

Oh yeah definitely some good individual takes there, just i dont ever recall engaging with a single tribute album that didn't underwhelm me. And on the subject, I'm still regularly spinning the Lucinda Williams StH from the recent joe charity gig. Gets better with every listen, i absolutely adore it.

[revbob]

In regards to Losing My Religion, I gained a new appreciation for it after viewing the episode of Song Exploder that looked at the song in detail. Stipe's lyrics in particular are really, really good. I didn't always know what he was getting at, but once I heard him explain it - everything fell into place.

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock. I also despise that art school video.

Well the Pogues managed it just fine.

And was REM really a "rock" band at that point?

[Heston]

In regards to Losing My Religion, I gained a new appreciation for it after viewing the episode of Song Exploder that looked at the song in detail. Stipe's lyrics in particular are really, really good. I didn't always know what he was getting at, but once I heard him explain it - everything fell into place.

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock. I also despise that art school video.

Well the Pogues managed it just fine.

Word.

[Dr. Medulla]

In regards to Losing My Religion, I gained a new appreciation for it after viewing the episode of Song Exploder that looked at the song in detail. Stipe's lyrics in particular are really, really good. I didn't always know what he was getting at, but once I heard him explain it - everything fell into place.

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock. I also despise that art school video.

Well the Pogues managed it just fine.

And was REM really a "rock" band at that point?

I'm willing to sacrifice the Pogues to satisfy my anger.

[revbob]

In regards to Losing My Religion, I gained a new appreciation for it after viewing the episode of Song Exploder that looked at the song in detail. Stipe's lyrics in particular are really, really good. I didn't always know what he was getting at, but once I heard him explain it - everything fell into place.

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock. I also despise that art school video.

Well the Pogues managed it just fine.

And was REM really a "rock" band at that point?

I'm willing to sacrifice the Pogues to satisfy my anger.

[Dr. Medulla]

In regards to Losing My Religion, I gained a new appreciation for it after viewing the episode of Song Exploder that looked at the song in detail. Stipe's lyrics in particular are really, really good. I didn't always know what he was getting at, but once I heard him explain it - everything fell into place.

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock. I also despise that art school video.

Well the Pogues managed it just fine.

And was REM really a "rock" band at that point?

I'm willing to sacrifice the Pogues to satisfy my anger.

If you want to classify the Pogues as not-rock, I'll accept it.

[matedog]

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock.

And here's how I thoroughly destroy your argument:

[Dr. Medulla]

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock.

And here's how I thoroughly destroy your argument:

I think you mean revbob just got destroyed.

[WestwayKid]

Concur with the comment about Out of Time being uneven. But i would say when it's great, that album is really great so still gets the greatness tag from me, despite the couple of obvious clangers. I also think objectively SHP is not a bad pop-rock song, it's just quite annoying after a few too many listens.

I also heartily endorse the general tribute album thumbs down. Off hand, can't think of a single one i've ever wanted to repeat listen. I know some liked it ok, but apart from the brilliant mikey dread take on SoS, i thought the S! project thing was pretty awful overall.

There are indeed some real gems: Near Wild Heaven is one of my fave REM tracks. Half a World Away is another really good one. The more I think about it, yeah...it really is actually a near great release.

Yeah...near great is probably a fair assessment. Near Wild Heaven is transcendent and it and Belong would be well inside my rem top 5. Just one more belter, i think, and that album would have been made. It's not that far off imo.

I've heard Peter Buck express that he wishes they would have included both Fretless and It's A Free World Baby. Not sure what he would cut, but also not sure those 2 tracks would make it a better album, either.

[revbob]

That song inspired me to construct a personal rule: No fucking mandolins in rock.

And here's how I thoroughly destroy your argument:

I think you mean revbob just got destroyed.

So that somehow reinforces Doc's argument and bolsters mine at the same time. I think I prefer the crotchcam version.

Also am I the only one who sees a resemblance between Steven Van Zandt and Paul Stanley?

[Dr. Medulla]

Also am I the only one who sees a resemblance between Steven Van Zandt and Paul Stanley?

Now that you mention it, an unrealized Hoyston link has been found.

[revbob]

Also am I the only one who sees a resemblance between Steven Van Zandt and Paul Stanley?

Now that you mention it, an unrealized Hoyston link has been found.