Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Work

David Polochanin in the Boston Globe mentioned Todd in realtion to great work / anti-work songs. " Many of us listen to music on the job, but it's surprising that relatively few songs have been written about the subject of work. However, over the years, a few classic antiwork anthems have become part of our culture songs like Todd Rundgren's "Bang the Drum All Day" or Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend." You're bound to hear one of these songs or perhaps both if you tune into your local pop music station on Friday at 5 p.m. But these become quite outdated. We need new work songs celebrating the places we spend more than half of our waking hours. I'd like to hear musicians get creative with some of these titles: "Who stole my 401(k)?"; "My two-hour lunch break"; "I'm happy over Happy Hour"; "Just expense it!"; and "My boss makes six times my salary." We're talking instant hits, here. Don't get any ideas, though, country artists ...

Happy Birthday Todd

Yes, the man is 56 today. have a good one Todd!

Sunday, June 20, 2004

Spin the black circle

I actually haven't managed to listen to much this past week, until the last 3 days, when my listening has been dominated by Velvet Revolver.

Velvet Revolver - 'Contraband'


I must confess the thought of Stone Temple Pilot front man Scott Weiland joining up with various ex Guns n Roses was something that sounded like a good idea (but ONLY on paper!) So , I have to confess to being pleasantly surprised by Contraband. It is, quite frankly, much better than it deserves to be. From the opening chords of 'Sucker Train Blues' right through until album closer 'Loving the alien', this album does exactly what it says on the tin. The sound is exactly as you think it'll be, and it's great. Play 'Spectacle', 'Slither', 'Headspace', 'Do it for the Kids' and just turn that volume up LOUD! Bizarrely on 'Superhuman' they actually remind me of the Dan Reed Network (!) Certainly the best Hard Rock album of the year.