rock is dead

[drkjedi458]

face it...theres nothing left...all the great ones are dead and buried and all the new ones are clones. everybody nowadays tries hard to look and sound like somebody else...britney spears and christina aguilera or whatever the hell her name is ring any bells? backstreet boys/nstynch? and when you move beyond the teeniebopper scene..all the rest of them wanna do is sound like creed or nirvana. the bands nowadays dont sing...they drone like a bunch of zombies. theres very little originality anymore. anything under 20 years old is a waste of time. musics like wine...the older the better. awhile back some chick named pink showed up and i thought she had a little potential cause she went to extremes to push herself away from britiny spears...but know what? its true shes not a britney clone...shes a liz phair clone. sigh...no justice. all you got now is rap...which id rather have root canal then be stuck in the same room with rap music blasting. their not singing...their talking real fast...an auctioneer can talk fast to but you dont see them getting rich. and you got hip hop which is equally annoying....you got teeniebopper music which is almost entirely aimed at parents wallets with merchandising and pepsi commercials...its not about music to them its about multimillion dollar contracts. i got no respect whatsoever for bands that have been made by people in suits. nor do i respect bands or singers that gotta have someone else write their songs and play the instruments for them. you got country which has evolved from willie nelson and waylon jennings to yuppies who put on a cowboy hat and declare themselves a country singer. and then you got rock...which is now under the attack of the clones. there are no more jim morrisons or jimi hendrix's. no jerry garcia's or freddy mercury's. or janis joplin...who couldnt sing worth a damn but was capable of putting so much emotion in her voice that it wasnt even an issue. all the masters are gone and left in their place is a bunch of wannabes with mediocre talent and a serious lack of inspiration. bah...rock is dead. the king is dead...the lizard king is dead....everybody who had imagination enough to make DIFFERENT music is dead. and if their not dead then their one step away from the old folks home. theres been no real replacements.

just for the hell of it..
the lizard prince's top 10 of all time

1. l.a. woman...the doors
2 comfortably numb...pink floyd
3. heroin....velvet underground
4. piece of my heart...janis joplin
5. 5 oclock world...the vogues
6. purple haze...jimi hendrix
7. sympathy for the devil...the rolling stones
8. white rabbit...jefferson airplane
9. the midnight hour...wilson pickett
10. road rats...alice cooper

 

[qjakal]

Janis...

..could indeed sing, because she was uniquely part of the music and had her own voice in a way that very few singers achieve. You're fairly accurate in your somewhat depressing/depressed assessment of rocks decline, but theres always hope...once in a while the RHCPeppers come through...early Pearl Jam has some flavor, and I can listen to MatchBox20 and NickelBack on their good days! The Stones are still limping along too..REM has it's moments...c'mon bud, don't give up! These things go in cycles, but it IS hard to believe that there will be another era such as passed lo those 25+ years ago.

Q

 

[Phineas]

at least "Weird Al" Yankovic started recording his next album last month. I can go on living now. 😀

 

[siamese dream]

all I can say is...

Listen to TOOL, and keep the dream alive. 🙂

(edit)
Okay, now I feel like adding a bit more to this. If you're in search of some fantastic rock albums that are modern, open your ears to these. If you don't like them, don't even talk to me 🙂

Tool - Opiate, Aenima, Lateralus (HIGHLY reccommended), and Undertow

Smashing Pumpkins - Gish, Siamese Dream, Pisces Iscariot, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness... Adore, only if you can deal with a little electronica in the rock.

Nirvana - Nevermind, In Utero, Unplugged in New York. I think Kurt Cobain had one of the most heart-wrenching voices in rock music, and the unplugged album is proof of it, though some people find Nirvana annoying.

Pearl Jam - Ten, Vs, Vitalogy

Weezer - The Blue Album, Pinkerton

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E., Make Yourself

Stone Temple Pilots - Core, Purple, Tiny Music

Soundgarden - Superunknown, Down on the Upside, A-Sides

Tracy Bonham - The Burdens of Being Upright

Poe

Can you handle a little thrash stuff too? Then also check out System of a Down - Self-titled, Toxicity; and Rage Against the Machine, Evil Empire is my favorite of theirs.

 

[Flatfoot]

drkjedi, to some degree I've gotta agree with you. The whole originality thing has been one of my gripes, as of late. A good portion of the bands today seem like cookie cutouts (or cardboard, or whatever.). There hasn't been too many bands that have impressed me in the past couple years. The singing (and musical talent, or lack thereof, in general.) is another issue. It seems the concept of a melody is an element no longer important to music. Some people may think I sound crazy when I say this, but I miss speed metal (some bands, anyway.), because I remember listening to some badass speed metal guitar solos that yielded good melody, and for me, the speed was important, because to be able to play something with a musical quality AND play it at a very fast pace required a lot of skill. A lot of the melodies today just seem bland, with boring drum beats that any high school musician with mild talent could probably play. Why does it seem like there are no drum solos? If I was a drummer in one of these bands today, I could not be proud of being the guy that helps keep rhythm for the whiny vocalist, who has all the attention focused on him, but hasn't got anything profound to sing about that hasn't already been said, and never being able to display my own musical skill. The older musicians were definitely better, and there were some cases where it seems like they had a touch of the Divine in them. Take the Beatles, for example. I'm not a big Beatles fan (My wife is probably the biggest Beatles fan in the world.), but I like some of their songs. Some stuff my wife told me about them amazed me, though. None of them ever knew how to read music, or knew anything about music theory, but they picked up the instruments quickly, and composed their music by ear. Having no background in music theory allowed them to experiment with mixing chords that aren't supposed to go together, and it actually worked, and sounded good! The arpeggios(sp?)in "Ticket to Ride" went against music theory. The last chord of "She Loves You" (a minor 6th, I think?), was a chord that was typically used in jazz, but had never really been used in rock before that, and it worked. Paul McCartney woke up one morning with the melody for the song "Yesterday" in his head, sat down at the piano and began playing it. The tune sounded so familiar to him, that he was afraid he ripped it off from somewhere. He went around to everyone he knew, playing that song to make sure no one has heard it before. Now, it is considered the most popular pop song of all time, and has been redone over 2000 times. What musician nowadays can claim something like that? Will we ever be reading history books that talk about the "great" contributions made to the music industry by today's musicians, or will this be the age of the "cardboard cutout bands"? I think I'm going to stop ranting now, because it's late and I need sleep.

 

[Neutron]

The Guy..

Must be a kid if he thinks Purple Haze is even Hendrix best song. My guess is it's the only Hendrix Song the guy even knows. Purple Haze isn't even in Hendrix top 10 but then again when I was 15 I thought Purple Haze ruled too.


Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

How about Soundgarden's "Louder Than Love"? This one disc is better than the whole pile of these so-called metal bands like Drowning Pool or Saliva.
And as far as great Hendrix songs, what, no mention of "You Got Me Floating", "Gypsy Eyes", or "51st Anniversary" ?


Drew

 

[Neutron]

Not Only Did He Not..

Mention those classic Hendrix tunes he also forgot War Heros, My Friend, She's A Fox, Castles Made Of Sand, Are You Experienced? If 6 was 9. Little Wing (My belief this is Hendrix sweetest tune, maybe the best, I love the way his guitar licks seem to capture a soul).
Like A Rolling Stone and his work with some Muddy Waters tunes, Machine Gun, Red House, Along The Watchtower..


Purple Haze ws musically simple and nowhere near Hendrix best guitar work. Hell if I remember right HE didn't even like it.

 

[Neutron]

Didn't SoundGarden..

Do Spoonman? If so that song disqualifies any of their work from consideration as great music. It's like REM. REM has some great songs BUT doing Stand devalued everything else.


Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

I get a kick out Hendrixs' version of "Like a Rolling Stone" where he refers to one of the fellas in his band as "Bob Dylans' Grandmother".
Also, "War Heroes" has 2 of the goofiest songs Jimi ever recorded,: "Peter Gunne Catastrophe" and "Three Little Bears"


Drew

 

[Neutron]

Ah,,

So the Duo has heard of War Heros. It's my belief that War Heros is Hendrix most under rated album. I have a copy and just to ensure I always have access to the songs I've downloaded them all. His version of Peter Gunn is great. In The West was also released with War Heros. Jimi also did one of the very best versions of Johnny B Goode I've ever heard. I have a film of his concert at Berkely and when he whips his guitar behind his head to do the solo in Johnny B Goode it's electrifying. I also have tapes of his concerts at Monterry and Woodstock. Just one hell of a great talent. Although I hate that he died, I'm very happy he didn't ever become a parody of himself like The Who and The Rolling Stones are. On War Heros his lyric in My Friend "I said some people look like a coin box, and he said you ain't got no coins to spare" is as good a piece of writing as I think I've ever seen by a rocker, particularly one known more for his musical theatrics than his lyrics (Although Hendrix, like Alice Cooper was a wonderful lyricist.

I also have a few albums of sets he just did playing around in the recording studio. Rmember when they'd release famous artists on 1.99 albums, the album covers were always cheesy? None of their big songs we be on the albums but there are a few gems. Jimi did a most excellent version of Go Go Shoes. The guy could flat out play.

Maybe I made a too big deal out of Purple Haze but it does irk me when someone ranks a song in a top 10 greatest when most likely it's the only song by that artist the guy has ever heard, and that artist has FAR better work.

I forgot a great Hendrix tune. Bold As Love. That song has it all.

In Like A Rolling Stone Jimi also forgot a verse. I think it adds a bit to the song, sort of his stamp. One of my favorite quotes is by Bob Dylan. When he first heard Hendrix cover of his All Along The Watchtower Monsieur Dylan smiled and said, "Well I certainly didn't know it could do that".

Be Safe

Tron

Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

Yeah, I wonder what would've happened if Jimi didn't pass away, would he be promoting SUV's or Starburst candies. I get nauseaous everytime that Nissan commercial with The Who's "Bargain" comes on. I hate that song now. The Stones should've retired (along with The Who) 20 years ago.
I agree about that awesome version of "Johnnie B. Goode" that Hendrix does. I think I still have that on the soundtrack album to the "Jimi Hendrix" film. I always see dozens of those bargain Hendrix albums in used record stores. Actually the things he did with Curtis Knight are pretty cool.
I can't stand seeing aging rock stars doing t.v. commercials, but I do enjoy the ones Alice Cooper does. At least they're funny and he's not afraid to make fun of himself.

Drew

 

[JPie1]

just an ole gal living back in the good days of 70's rock n roll

I am lost somewhere back in the good old days of 70's rock n roll. Eagles, boston, Old Chicago, Stones....they were all the best and paved the way.

Then again I was also a NYC city Disco Queen which somehow contradicts with the rock n roll people. Many sides to JPie! And the backside might be more ticklish then the frontside!! LOL

JPie

 

[qjakal]

Right and wrong..

Music is a very personal experience...trying to generalize it and state categorically that "these" songs are the best is silly...Purple Haze may have meaning to one person that eludes others. That was one of the primary attractions of rock..it could be internalized easily and was accessible at a level never before dreamed of by a listening public. That doesn't explain disco though...lol. Q

 

[Dave2112]

Q, having hibernated through most of the late '70's, I can safely say that nothing will ever explain disco.🙄

For those of you talking about "Johnny B. Goode" covers, check out Judas Priest's version. Not classicaly great, but they were the only ones to change the format up a bit and put those wicked guitar licks between the verses and break it into 8-measure segements. Pretty cool, if little else.

There is still good rock being made by those who care a whit about promotion or Pepsi endorsments. Probably the best and most dependable band still doing this is Rush. They have never followed the taste of the moment, and unlike most of the leftovers from the classic rock era, they're not re-uniting or making a comeback or travelling with five 20-year-old "new" members. Same three guys...never went away...stayed fresh.

And did it all without the benefit of ever having a Top 10 single.

They do things thier way or don't do it at all. That's the way I like my rock.😎

 

[qjakal]

Well....

hey, we all like what we like, but I've found Rush to be a bit incoherent most of the time...perhaps the lack is within my limited musical understanding, but i don't get any "rush" outta them...lol. Q

 

[Neutron]

I Will Say..

Hendrix was one of the few who acheived legendary status in their own time. Maybe it's because he died young. Same with the Beatles breaking up. If they had stayed together perhaps their legend would be diminished

As for the 70s LOL I hardly call formula rock a classic. Outside of maybe Queen I can't think of one 70s band that would have hit it big in the 60s or 80s. The 70s sucked 🙁.

In addition to Curt Knight Hendrix also did some excellent stuff with Muddy Waters.

I never liked Rush. I believe the only thing they did that was decent was Free Will. And the only reason I give that any credit is the line If you choose not to decide you've still not made a choice. ( I don't allow ANY fence sitters where I work, either you have an opinion or I fire you, I've fired 12 people in the last 2 years for being wishy washy).

Be Safe

Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

As far as cool "Johnnie B. Good" covers, Johnny Winter does a cajun version on a compilation of early singles(this isn't your standard J. Winter blues rock).
I was a big Rush fan in high school and college(A Farewell To Kings being my all-time favorite), they lost me in the 80s when they they started sounding like The Police. I was even more confused when there was a bit of rap on the 90s "Roll the Bones". But I still hear some originality in their music today.
Add ZZ-Top to that list of the same 3 original guys in the same band. Unlike someone like Deep Purple , who keep changing guitarists and singers every 5 years.
I used to follow a lot of the classic rock bands years ago(Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, etc.) then discovered bands like Love, Ten Years After, and Mott the Hoople.
I was curious, when did Curtis Knight record with Muddy Waters? I would like to hear some of that material.


Drew

 

[Neutron]

I LOVE..

Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter, The New York Dolls

Roll Away The Stone, England Rocks (later Cleveland Rocks), All The Young Dudes, All The Way To Memphis, Irene Wilde (A song I adore),

No Hendrix recorded with Muddy Waters. Curtis Knight did not.



Tron

 

[qjakal]

Ten Years After...

"Here They Come" and "Uncle Jam"...lol...they were underappreciated as a group! May the good times come again. We were in heaven and didn't even realize it...all those groups...so many you couldn't really asimilate them all at that time. Q

 

[siamese dream]

Hey Neutron, yes, Soundgarden did the song "Spoonman". What the hell is wrong with that song? I think it's a great tune.

I think rock fans all have similar feelings and experiences with "their" bands, but there's a gap in the generations of rock fans. If you grew up listening to Jimmy Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin and all of the other great rock acts of that very cool era (which I wish I had been around for)...then no new band will ever replace them in your heart. You will always think they are the best.

If, like me, you grew up listening to Nirvana and Pearl Jam and The Smashing Pumpkins and Tool... then you're my age 😉 and you will also never find a replacement for those bands. Even now, Nirvana seems a bit dated. I don't really find much pleasure in any of the newer rock bands either... at least not like I did (and still do) for those bands. Except for Tool, who have been around a while, but are still fantastic and doing very unique and beautiful things with their music. I think their latest album, Lateralus, is their best effort yet. They have said in interviews that they were very inspired by Pink Floyd, and I think they do for me what Pink Floyd did for so many others back in the day.

Rock will always be alive as long as there are talented acts who are interested in the genre. It will still inspire the same feelings in young people who discover it for the first time. It will just be the bands who are the inspiration that change over time.

 

[Neutron]

Now I Ask You..

What kind of lyric is All myfriends are indians, all my friends are brown and red. A BAD one.

I do agree with siamese dreams last statement. It is all about the music. If the muic makes one happy then really who cares.

Also, I neve once said anything bad about modern bands. The only bands I said outright that sucked are 70s bands outside of queen. I LOVE Kid Rock, I love Kenny Wayne Shephard , Lenny Kravitz is timeless and his musical legacy will stand up tp all the legends. I was merely pointing out when one wants to use an example of an artist work as an all time great, then please have at leastlistened to that artists work which is much better.


Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

So where can I find this material with Hendrix and Muddy Waters recorded together?

Drew

 

[Neutron]

I Found It..

On Napster.

Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

Ann and I just got back from seeing The Allman Brothers Band in Hartford. AWESOME SHOW!! The majority of the songs were from their first 3 records. While nobody will ever replace Duanne Allman, Warren Haynes has already proven himself years ago with his fantastic slide guitar, tonight, we got to hear a lot of his soulful vocal work, including great covers of Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and Freddie King's "Woman Across The River". Not a big Derek Trucks fan, but he did an able enough job taking over for the fired Dickie Betts. And Gregg Allman sounded excellent as always.
And even though we had to put up with drunks, druggies, guys pissing and vomiting around us, we had a great time. After seeing the Allmans in "81", "91", and "92", this was one of the best shows they ever did.

Drew

(rock is alive and well, you just have to dig around for it)