While Uncle Joe is best known as one of America's top Classic Rock historians, throughout his 34-year career he's always been acutely aware of current trends in the music industry. Indeed, Classic Rock itself was the finest new music of its day, composed and performed by artists at their creative peak. For a scholarly insight into today's trends, J.B. presents Rave's Raves.
Rave's Raves are composed by Bruce Ravid, a veteran of Capitol Record's A&R Department and in no way reflect the official viewpoint of Uncle Joe, his staff or management. They are written from Rave's industry viewpoint, originally for friends within the music business, but now shared with the world. New editions appear in April, August/September, and December with occasional updates in between. Enjoy!
November 2002
***RAVE'S RAVES #15.1***
RAVE'S FAVES #15.1
(on the air since September)
The Transplants, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers ("Zephyr"), Coldplay ("Clocks"), Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Supergrass, Tracy Chapman, Avril Lavigne ("Boi"), OK Go.
The Transplants are a Rancid/Blink 182 side project, and "Diamonds and Guns" combines British punk with rap and piano. It is currently top-requested at KROQ. The Nirvana song is a pleasant surprise, and Cobain's vocals were in top form. The new Sum 41 song is solid and their new video is funny. Supergrass have another great song that has little chance for mainstream exposure. Tracy Chapman has her best airplay song in a long time. Avril's song sounds like an alternative tune out of the 80's. OK Go are interesting pop-flavored rockers. My favorite current song is by Queens of the Stone Age, which I listed last time. It's a masterpiece!
Dave Grohl is everywhere. I understand that the Foo Fighters dressed up as The Hives on Halloween, then opened their set with "Hate to Say..." Word is that he's a great guy to work with -- and very funny on a consistent basis.
Speaking of The Hives, by playing only a handful of dates in the US, they've blown a huge chance to break their CD wide open. This is a great live band that would have gotten huge mileage out of an extensive tour. European bands must commit to being on the road in America if they want to have success in this market.
BUBBLING UNDER
The current darlings of the underground are The Donnas, although I question their choice of a single. Another interesting underground band is the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, who are very raw and extremely unique. I understand they were hot at the recent CMJ extravaganza in New York. The Used are an emerging, melodic band that has also caught my ears, and I like Spoon as well. I don't often check out unsigned bands, but Fred Wilson are a highly promising outfit in LA. I happened to sit next to noted producer Toby Wright on a flight to Orlando. He was going to check out a band called Downstem, and he played me their self-produced demo. The song "Unopened Door" already sounds just like the radio, and my guess is that you'll be hearing the tune in 2003. For the record, the band was just signed by Epic Records.
INTERNET RADIO
As you may have heard, a compromise was reached which would have reduced airplay royalties by one-half. Unfortunately, the bill was held up in the U.S. Senate. It will be voted on next year, so there is still time to contact your Senators and Representative. Many stations have already ceased webcasting, including WSUM at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, my alma mater. Even at this reduced rate, many budgets simply can't handle the added expense; which means that emerging artists will get less exposure.
Okay folks, let me wish you a happy T-Giv. Look for Rave's Raves #16 in late December, which will include my Top 5 airplay songs of 2002. Until then,
RAVE ON!!!
September 2002
***RAVE'S RAVES #15***
RAVE'S FAVES #15 (on the air since June)
Elvis Presley vs. JXL, Puddle of Mudd ("Hates"), The Hives ("Told," "Offender"), The Strokes ("Someday"), The Vines ("Free," "Way"), Interpol, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Coldplay, Dirty Vegas, Underworld, Electrotrash/Nu-electro.
I loved the remake of Elvis Presley's "...Conversation." It was a huge hit around the world but predictably only reached #50 on the US charts. Not only is the new Foo Fighters tune hot, but Dave Grohl adds welcome punch to the new Queens of the Stone Age song. I keep wondering whether the Foos can remain fresh, and they never disappoint. The Coldplay CD immediately became one of the top-sellers in the world. New York's Interpol is a new "garage rock" entry, although they haven't received as much out of the box hype as the four leading bands. With as much press and publicity as garage rock has garnered, CD sales are not developing like one might expect. Only The Strokes have surpassed gold, and they aren't yet close to platinum. Still, this music continues to be the rock highlight of the last few years, and some of these bands are poised to have long-term careers if their song-writing comes through. Uncle Joe Benson told me of being with Robert Plant at the Greek Theatre when someone asked Robert what CD was in his player. Without hesitation, Plant named The Hives, saying "They are so wild, and we really need more of that."
I'm also enjoying Electroclash/Nu-electro, which also goes by several other names. You may well have read about it, as there has been lots of press. This dance music is retro with an early 80's feel and no sampling. Leading acts include Fischerspooner, Felix da Housecat, and Miss Kittin. As much as I like this music, it strikes me as potentially being faddish. So far, the artists have been non-descript.
Honorable mention songs have been by Jimmy Eat World, Hoobestank, Audiovent, and Weezer. LA's KROQ premiered the new Audioslave (Rage/Cornell) song with great fanfare. I continue to stick by my earlier review in Raves 14.1, where I find their slow, heavy, blusey style highly disappointing. I also continue to predict that the CD will be huge. Lots of rock fans love that style and there hasn't been much of it lately.
INTERNET RADIO
The federal government came up with a compromise solution that failed to please either side in this continuing dispute over royalties to be paid by Internet broadcasters. Both sides have sued, and the battle continues. It's not too late to contact your federal government reps if you feel strongly about this issue. See Raves 14.1 for more info.
80'S COLLEAGUES
If you're a Weird Al fan, I hope you caught his "Driven" episode on VH-1 with some commentary by yours truly. It has been rerun several times, so keep an eye on your local listings. Al has taken a long-year long sabbatical, which was only interrupted by a series of successful performances at this summer's Orange County Fair. Uncle Joe was doing some emcee work at the fair, and he reported that the Weird Al Exhibition had about 300,000 people pass through. Meanwhile, The Knack's national tour has progressed very well. On Sunday evening , October 6, TNN will feature them on their "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" series. I was also interviewed for this show. Check your local listings!
PORN-ADELPHIA
As an Adelphia Cable customer, I've noted their ethical problems with interest. The whole nation got to see Chairman John Rigas on the news in handcuffs after being accused to bilking billions. This is the one major cable provider that hasn't allowed adult entertainment as an option, because Rigas didn't feel it was consistent with his "moral" principles. How ironic that this alleged criminal would impose these "family" values, rather than allow his customers the option of making their own choices, which also would have provided company stockholders with the handsome profits that derive from this type of programming.
That's it for now. I hope you had a great summer and that the rest of year will treat you well. Until my next update,