Modern Rock In Just Nine Songs

Lisnaholic · 06-06-2019, 06:55 PM

This thread is the result of a rather off-chance process. In his intro thread, new member Mo Bounce recently listed some of his favourite bands and when I mentioned that they were almost all new names to me, Occult Hawk rattled off one song per band by way of recommendation. I saw this as my chance to muscle in on some hip area of music that I don’t know about, so I’m now presenting the Mo/OH/Lisna resource: How to become a modern rock expert in just nine songs.

You too can be as hip as we are if you listen to or comment on the nine songs that I'll be rolling out in this thread over the coming days:

Song #1: Folk Implosion - Natural One (1995)

This one starts with an exquisite seven seconds of electronica before the drums kick in. It's got the smooth-but-sinister feel of a Doors song, so unless contradicted, I'm going to label this as retro-rock. It's pretty easy on the ear, but I didn't feel engaged enough to actually work out what the guy was singing about.

Can anyone say how typical this song is of Folk Implosion's style? Was this ever a big hit, or is it a little-known connoisseur's gem?

OccultHawk · 06-06-2019, 07:46 PM

I think we should back up and take a close look at Lou Barlow‘s entire career.

Bedlam Ballroom · 06-06-2019, 07:52 PM

That's probably their biggest hit and so, the closest it can gets to a Folk Implosion song.

I think Lou Barlow put The Folk Implosion so he could play different stuff from the usual he did with Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh and so, it sounds very different from record to record.

This one's from the soundtrack and score for Kids by Larry Clark which I think they composed the major part. And in the same album they sound like that, but also like these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswcDUhOkNE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvoaBT1d0IQ
(Never mind the background image, it's a different music)

Bedlam Ballroom · 06-06-2019, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I think we should back up and take a close look at Lou Barlow‘s entire career.

Point. I think, thinking about that text you wrote, to a certain extant and in a veeeeery shorter range, I could compare Barlow to Pollard. I mean, both seem to be very fond of alternative music and do it and experiment it for pleasure.

OccultHawk · 06-06-2019, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo Bounce

Point. I think, thinking about that text you wrote, to a certain extant and in a veeeeery shorter range, I could compare Barlow to Pollard. I mean, both seem to be very fond of alternative music and do it and experiment it for pleasure.

Yeah. Those two must ride around in twin neurons and dendrites in my brain because I also see a lot of commonality.

OccultHawk · 06-06-2019, 08:40 PM

I bought this album right when it came out. It’s one of the greatest rock’n’roll records of all-time obviously in large part because of J Mascis but this track, written by Barlow, is definitely one of my favorites. I’ve listened to this countless times and still it amazes me. So ****ing brilliant

Lisnaholic · 06-07-2019, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I bought this album right when it came out. It’s one of the greatest rock’n’roll records of all-time obviously in large part because of J Mascis but this track, written by Barlow, is definitely one of my favorites. I’ve listened to this countless times and still it amazes me. So ****ing brilliant

^ This is turning into a steep learning curve for me - all new material despite how highly OH is placing this album. I like the cover, album title and the Poledo song. It's usually a good sign imo when an artist discards conventional sound engineering wisdom and goes for some rough edges to the music. Nice.
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Despite the line, I'm not necessarily drawing a line under Lou Barlow, but to maintain momentum in this thread, here is:-

Song #2: Fugazi - Waiting Room (1988)

I love the bass guitar lead in and how you can hear that same riff throughout. The anguish/anger from the vocalist caught my attention immediately, as did the opening lines:-

Quote:

I am a patient boy: I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait
My time is like water down a drain
Everybody's moving, Everybody's moving,
Everybody's moving, moving, moving, moving
Please don't leave me to remain In the waiting room ...

"My time is like water down a drain" Brilliant! What a pity though, that the song comes to such an early and abrupt end.

OccultHawk · 06-07-2019, 07:51 AM

III is my overall favorite Sebadoh record.

Harmacy never got a lot of love but this is still one of my favorite songs

OccultHawk · 06-07-2019, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ This is turning into a steep learning curve for me - all new material despite how highly OH is placing this album. I like the cover, album title and the Poledo song. It's usually a good sign imo when an artist discards conventional sound engineering wisdom and goes for some rough edges to the music. Nice.
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Despite the line, I'm not necessarily drawing a line under Lou Barlow, but to maintain momentum in this thread, here is:-

Song #2: Fugazi - Waiting Room (1988)

I love the bass guitar lead in and how you can hear that same riff throughout. The anguish/anger from the vocalist caught my attention immediately, as did the opening lines:-

"My time is like water down a drain" Brilliant! What a pity though, that the song comes to such an early and abrupt end.

Under three minutes. If that’s not enough listen to it again. The abrupt end was an extremely smart move.

You gotta respect Ian MacKaye and his stick to your guns DIY $5 tickets no giving in to ticket master punk ethics. I totally respect the whole straight edge thing too. By that time drugs had already caused us all so much pain. It’s still rampaging full speed ahead but even back then young creative talented energetic people were dropping like flies.

BUT going from Minor Threat to Fugazi is one of the greatest musical falls from grace ever. When I first heard Minor Threat it was so revolutionary. I was in high school and it was like so rock’n’roll can go there? Holy f uck!!!

This music was incredibly empowering, I mean it still is, it literally brings tears to my eyes. I know it gets old people bemoaning the past but my life was so hard back then. That sound said to me, told me there’s a ****ing place for you in this world. It was like being given a ****ing home.

By comparison Fugazi was mostly a bunch of frat rock bull****. It’s not like I felt betrayed or anything. It’s just Fugazi was bland.

**Marie Monday** · 06-07-2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

My favourite Minor Threat song, it's perfect

06-06-2019, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Modern Rock In Just Nine Songs This thread is the result of a rather off-chance process. In his intro thread, new member Mo Bounce recently listed some of his favourite bands and when I mentioned that they were almost all new names to me, Occult Hawk rattled off one song per band by way of recommendation. I saw this as my chance to muscle in on some hip area of music that I don’t know about, so I’m now presenting the Mo/OH/Lisna resource: How to become a modern rock expert in just nine songs. You too can be as hip as we are if you listen to or comment on the nine songs that I'll be rolling out in this thread over the coming days: Song #1: Folk Implosion - Natural One (1995) This one starts with an exquisite seven seconds of electronica before the drums kick in. It's got the smooth-but-sinister feel of a Doors song, so unless contradicted, I'm going to label this as retro-rock. It's pretty easy on the ear, but I didn't feel engaged enough to actually work out what the guy was singing about. Can anyone say how typical this song is of Folk Implosion's style? Was this ever a big hit, or is it a little-known connoisseur's gem? __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

06-06-2019, 07:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	I think we should back up and take a close look at Lou Barlow‘s entire career. __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

06-06-2019, 08:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	I bought this album right when it came out. It’s one of the greatest rock’n’roll records of all-time obviously in large part because of J Mascis but this track, written by Barlow, is definitely one of my favorites. I’ve listened to this countless times and still it amazes me. So ****ing brilliant __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

06-07-2019, 07:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	III is my overall favorite Sebadoh record. Harmacy never got a lot of love but this is still one of my favorite songs __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

06-06-2019, 07:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bedlam Ballroom Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Planet of Sound Posts: 118	That's probably their biggest hit and so, the closest it can gets to a Folk Implosion song. I think Lou Barlow put The Folk Implosion so he could play different stuff from the usual he did with Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh and so, it sounds very different from record to record. This one's from the soundtrack and score for Kids by Larry Clark which I think they composed the major part. And in the same album they sound like that, but also like these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswcDUhOkNE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvoaBT1d0IQ (Never mind the background image, it's a different music)