What's Everyone Listening to?

[joelle]

[Iowan]

Morning commute


NP

[Iowan]

Anus Ankle Soup - Iowan's Best of Pearl Jam B-Sides
1.The Long Road
2. Wash
3. Drifting
4. I Got Shit
5. Last Kiss
6. Soldier of Love
7. Leatherman
8. Footsteps
9. Breath (and a scream)
10. Man of the Hour
11. Down
12. State of Love and Trust
13. Dirty Frank
14. Yellow Ledbetter

[Jonicont]

William Elliot Whitmore "Radium Death"

Want to thank Allison for the rec. This guy is striking a chord with me. Seems to have a decent following. Just played Saturday and Monday here in NYC. I went Monday night--packed house (capacity 250). Enthusiastic crowd. Just him on banjo or guitar and a bass drum. Very engaging. Not afraid to put it all out there. Best quote of the night "We trade weed for CD's". Got a recording. Enthusiastic crowd at beginning and end of songs, otherwise a very nice listen

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pohtypblatuf ... 1hEOa?dl=0

[grapico]

[Clams]

again

[dogstar]

Earlier

Gene Clark - No Other
Jackson Sisters - S/T

NP:

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

[tinnitus photography]

[allisonsdc]

[cortez the killer]

[Smitty]

This is probably the most un-hip opinion known to man, but John Mellencamp's post 1990 work blows Bruce's work from the same period away, no contest.



Although it doesn't possess the pathos of Zevon's version, this includes my favorite cover of "Knockin on Heaven's Door" by a long shot.

[cortez the killer]

This is probably the most un-hip opinion known to man, but John Mellencamp's post 1990 work blows Bruce's work from the same period away, no contest.

I haven't listened to them in years, but I did like Human Wheels and Dance Naked when they came out in the mid-90's. However, I couldn't disagree with your statement more. Based solely on The Ghost of Tom Joad, The Rising & Magic (I might even throw in Devils & Dust), the "no contest" on the "blow away" favors The Boss.

NP:

[Smitty]

This is probably the most un-hip opinion known to man, but John Mellencamp's post 1990 work blows Bruce's work from the same period away, no contest.

I haven't listened to them in years, but I did like Human Wheels and Dance Naked when they came out in the mid-90's. However, I couldn't disagree with your statement more. Based solely on The Ghost of Tom Joad, The Rising & Magic (I might even throw in Devils & Dust), the "no contest" on the "blow away" favors The Boss.

I give Bruce TGOTJ, D&D and Magic, but I think The Rising is one of the most overrated records I've ever heard (musically, I realize contextually and materially it's an important record). But that's 3 records out of 9 (not counting the Seeger sessions), and the shittiness of the rest really bogs down his track record. The Coug has 12 records since 1990; I'd say 7 are decent, 1's a classic (Life Death Love & Freedom) and 2 come mighty close(Trouble No More & Freedom's Road)( (I haven't heard the 2 most recent ones).
Human Touch/Lucky Town, Working on a Dream, High Hopes and Wrecking Ball are all close to horrible IMO. They each have a worthwhile song or two, but they're mostly dreck. Even Tom Joad, which I love, is bogged down with terrible vocals and murky production, but the songs are so good they save it.

I guess part of my original statement was meant to stir the pot and get a discussion going. While Mellencamp's best work doesn't come close to Bruce's, I think he's still underrated and unfairly maligned as a Boss wannabe. It doesn't help that he's aware of it and openly resentful about it. I also think a lot of folks have written him off without listening to anything beyond "Jack & Diane" or "Hurts so Good". He's no Boss, he's not quite a Steve Earle, but he's damn good in his own right. And remember, there may not have been James McMurtry without the Lil Bastard.

[linkous]

The new Wire album has just overtaken Sufjan Stevens as my album of the year so far. Their best since the album "154" that was released in 1979.

[Clams]

Used to play in a rock and roll band
But they broke up

[dogstar]

[Tequila Cowboy]

[beantownbubba]

I guess part of my original statement was meant to stir the pot and get a discussion going.

It should but speaking for myself, in order to contribute I'd have to re-listen to a whole bunch of stuff I have little or no desire to hear again (Bruce) and listen for the first time to a whole bunch of stuff that I've never heard nor felt the need to hear (John). Given your comments I'll probably try to listen to 1 or 2 of those Mellencamp records but the whole exercise seems way too masochistic to me.

[Clams]

This is probably the most un-hip opinion known to man, but John Mellencamp's post 1990 work blows Bruce's work from the same period away, no contest.

I haven't listened to them in years, but I did like Human Wheels and Dance Naked when they came out in the mid-90's. However, I couldn't disagree with your statement more. Based solely on The Ghost of Tom Joad, The Rising & Magic (I might even throw in Devils & Dust), the "no contest" on the "blow away" favors The Boss.

I give Bruce TGOTJ, D&D and Magic, but I think The Rising is one of the most overrated records I've ever heard (musically, I realize contextually and materially it's an important record). But that's 3 records out of 9 (not counting the Seeger sessions), and the shittiness of the rest really bogs down his track record. The Coug has 12 records since 1990; I'd say 7 are decent, 1's a classic (Life Death Love & Freedom) and 2 come mighty close(Trouble No More & Freedom's Road)( (I haven't heard the 2 most recent ones).
Human Touch/Lucky Town, Working on a Dream, High Hopes and Wrecking Ball are all close to horrible IMO. They each have a worthwhile song or two, but they're mostly dreck. Even Tom Joad, which I love, is bogged down with terrible vocals and murky production, but the songs are so good they save it.

I guess part of my original statement was meant to stir the pot and get a discussion going. While Mellencamp's best work doesn't come close to Bruce's, I think he's still underrated and unfairly maligned as a Boss wannabe. It doesn't help that he's aware of it and openly resentful about it. I also think a lot of folks have written him off without listening to anything beyond "Jack & Diane" or "Hurts so Good". He's no Boss, he's not quite a Steve Earle, but he's damn good in his own right. And remember, there may not have been James McMurtry without the Lil Bastard.

The 90's were easily Bruce's worst decade* until he pulled out of his slump with the Reunion Tour in 99. I'll give you that Mellencamp has the edge in that decade, but saying he "blows him away, no contest" might be overstating it. Plus, I think Springsteen rebounded in the aughts. The Bottle Rockets aside, I have nothing against Mellencamp at all, I think he's pretty authentic. I love his 80's stuff and Scarecrow has always been one of my all-time favorite records. And yes, I get the McMurtry connection.

*While there's still time left, the current decade has been pretty awful and could eclipse the 90's.

NP:

[Tequila Cowboy]

Until a couple of years ago I had no idea Mellencamp was still making records. Scarecrow was the last record I was aware of and that was 30 years ago. I never felt he was bad necessarily, I just didn't ever think his music held much weight. Then again I haven't listened to a Springsteen record released after 1984 either so what do I know?

NP:



Neck and neck with the James McMurtry record as the best of the year so far.

[TW_2.0]

[Beebs]

he Bottle Rockets aside, I have nothing against Mellencamp at all

Did i miss something ? Apologies if so. I'm short on reading comprehension and attention span these days.

[Clams]

The Bottle Rockets aside, I have nothing against Mellencamp at all

Did i miss something ? Apologies if so. I'm short on reading comprehension and attention span these days.

Got a tow
From a guy named Joe
Cost sixty dollars
Hope I don't run out of dough

Told me 'bout a sex offense
Put him three days in jail
Stuck in Indianapolis
Hope I live to tell the tale

Can't go west, can't go east
I'm stuck in Indianapolis
With a fuel pump that's deceased
Ten days on the road now
I'm four hours from my home town
Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Called my girl to tell her
Of the trouble that I'd had
First time I called her in ten days
Guess that made her mad

Far as she's concerned
I belong in this Hoosier state
Stuck in Indianapolis
With no way to set things straight

Can't go west, can't go east
I'm stuck in Indianapolis
With a fuel pump that's deceased
Ten days on the road now
I'm four hours from my home town
Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Sittin' in this bar
Is gettin' more than I could stand
If I could catch a ride
Really think, I'd ditch this van

Who knows what this repair will cost
Scared to spend a dime
I'll puke if that jukebox plays
John Cougar one more time

But If I ever leave here
I hope never to return
If I get that van back
Man, the road, I'm gonna burn

Right now, my future's in the hands
Of the boys, down at Firestone
Stuck in Indianapolis
Feelin' all alone

Can't go west, can't go east
I'm stuck in Indianapolis
With a fuel pump that's deceased
Ten days on the road now
I'm four hours from my home town
Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

[Beebs]

The Bottle Rockets aside, I have nothing against Mellencamp at all

Did i miss something ? Apologies if so. I'm short on reading comprehension and attention span these days.

Got a tow
From a guy named Joe
Cost sixty dollars
Hope I don't run out of dough

Told me 'bout a sex offense
Put him three days in jail
Stuck in Indianapolis
Hope I live to tell the tale

Can't go west, can't go east
I'm stuck in Indianapolis
With a fuel pump that's deceased
Ten days on the road now
I'm four hours from my home town
Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Called my girl to tell her
Of the trouble that I'd had
First time I called her in ten days
Guess that made her mad

Far as she's concerned
I belong in this Hoosier state
Stuck in Indianapolis
With no way to set things straight

Can't go west, can't go east
I'm stuck in Indianapolis
With a fuel pump that's deceased
Ten days on the road now
I'm four hours from my home town
Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Sittin' in this bar
Is gettin' more than I could stand
If I could catch a ride
Really think, I'd ditch this van

Who knows what this repair will cost
Scared to spend a dime
I'll puke if that jukebox plays
John Cougar one more time

But If I ever leave here
I hope never to return
If I get that van back
Man, the road, I'm gonna burn

Right now, my future's in the hands
Of the boys, down at Firestone
Stuck in Indianapolis
Feelin' all alone

Can't go west, can't go east
I'm stuck in Indianapolis
With a fuel pump that's deceased
Ten days on the road now
I'm four hours from my home town
Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Is this Hell or Indianapolis
With no way to get around

Much obliged

[cortez the killer]

Might have to turn in your BRox card for a few months, Beebs.

NP:

"Ramble Tamble" is a beast of a song.

[bovine knievel]

Might have to turn in your BRox card for a few months, Beebs.

NP:

"Ramble Tamble" is a beast of a song.

Air guitar worthy!?

[cortez the killer]

Might have to turn in your BRox card for a few months, Beebs.

NP:

"Ramble Tamble" is a beast of a song.

Air guitar worthy!?

No doubt.

Excellent spreadsheet work, young jedi.

[Clams]

Might have to turn in your BRox card for a few months, Beebs.

NP:

"Ramble Tamble" is a beast of a song.

Air guitar worthy!?

No doubt.

Excellent spreadsheet work, young jedi.

[Tequila Cowboy]

Might have to turn in your BRox card for a few months, Beebs.

Is there a BRox card? Can I have one too? I promise not to lapse like Beebs.

No matter. This has inspired me to put on this:

NP:

[Beebs]

I think I should be commended for not being afraid to ask a question that I knew was going to draw fire from you nerds.

I'll be considering myself pretty much a hero.