While Uncle Joe is best known as one of America's top Classic Rock historians, throughout his 33-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/May, August/September, and December with occasional updates in between. Enjoy!
November 2003
***RAVE'S RAVES #18.1***
RAVE'S FAVES (on the air ) since late August
The Distillers, B.R.M.C. (various), Foo Fighters ("Nikki"), Kings of Leon, The Strokes, Offspring, OutKast.
The Distillers look like they'll do very well. The Kings' tune has some nice 70's riffs. Some people are tired of Offspring, but I still like them and it's the instrumental arrangement in their new song that works for me. While I'm obviously not a fan of hip-hop, I do like OutKast. Their video is stellar, and they were hot on Letterman. The new Crystal Method song sounds great on a first listen.
CDs
I've lamented the Dandy Warhols' change of direction, but I really like this new album, which means that they've made two faves in a row with lots of great tracks. The same can be said for B.R.M.C., who also have two consecutive winners. Jet have backed-up their hit with some major depth. It seems they love those Stones LPs from the 70's. After a couple of listens, The Strokes' new one strikes me as a letdown. I can only hope it grows on me the way their new single has. There are a few CDs that I've heard bits of, and I want to hear more from the following: The Darkness bring hooky, AC/DC-type riffs from the U.K. and they are the current buzz band over there. The Rapture blend rock and dance. The new Rufus Wainwright album seems superior to his disappointing second effort. The Shins have some promising melodic rock.
LIVE
I've caught some good live music over the last couple of months. Fischerspooner put on a thoroughly entertaining, tight extravaganza at a sold out House of Blues in LA. There wasn't a dull moment, and it was one of my top shows of the last few years. The Dandy Warhols aimed to please with a three hour show a few nights later. They're a tight band who come off very loose and rarely engage the crowd. Most of the guitars were stripped from their most recent album, but their new stuff sounds much harder live than it does on disc. I had Hot Hot Heat tickets but arrived at the venue just as they were getting off, due to a miscommunication on the time of their set. Word is that their SoCal shows were hot hot hot. This may surprise you, but I also saw Steely Dan and it was a fine show. Of course, the older material stood out the most.
RADIO
If you ever are in Vegas on a Sunday night, try to catch KROQ legend Dusty Street from 7 to midnight on Star 102.7. She has a free-form 80's show that goes far deeper into artists careers than what you'll hear nowadays. Many of the tunes will probably put a smile on you face because you probably haven't heard them in at least ten years. I'm hoping that the show will be nationally syndicated. Speaking of "legends," I got to do a two hour return show in Madison, Wisconsin on WSUM, thanks to GM Dave Black and PD Aaron Honore. I had a blast, mostly playing current faves, blending them in with some of my old bands and related stories. There's talk about making this an annual or semiannual event. Hell, I'd almost fly to Madison just to do the show! It was my college radio work at the University of Wisconsin that led to my music business career.
80'S COLLEAGUES
Iron Maiden's rousing new CD got off to a rousing start, becoming #1 throughout Europe and debuting at #18 in the U.S. We can now add Dandy Warhols drummer Brent DeBoer to the list of accomplished players wearing a Maiden t-shirt in band video. The VH-1 series that I wrote about in August has been renamed "True Spin" and has been airing for several weeks. I mentioned that I was interviewed for segments on Duran Duran's "Rio" and The Knack's "My Sharona." The "Rio" segment will premier Sunday, November 9 at 1:00 in the afternoon (noon central time) and it will be rerun fairly often, so keep an eye on your local listings. I have yet to be informed of airdates for "Sharona." The "True Spin" section on the VH-1 site will give scheduling info.
Finally, if you write to me, please make sure you mention "Rave's Raves" in the subject line so that the notes aren't deleted as spam. Speaking of that, I've started receiving spam in Spanish! Upon investigation, I've discovered it has all come through my Raves link, which is only publicized on this site. Well, that's it until the end of the year, when I'll provide my annual Top 5 list along with any other updates. Have a great November and December, and until the next time...
RAVE ON!!!
August 2003
***RAVE'S RAVES #18***
RAVE'S FAVES (on the air )
Jet, Hot Hot Heat ("Bandages," "Talk"), Queens of the Stone Age ("Flow"), A Perfect Circle, White Stripes ("Button"), Fountains Of Wayne, Rancid, Junior Senior, Turin Brakes, New Pornographers.
Jet are from Melbourne and have a great song somewhat reminiscent of Iggy's "Lust for Life." Stations nationally are beginning to pick up on this one, and boy does it sound hot on the radio! I predict big things for their "Are You Gonna Be My Girl." Hot Hot Heat's second L.A. hit is actually outperforming the first in terms of local requests and airplay. The new song by A Perfect Circle doesn't have the usual "Rave's Faves hooks," but the tune is pure quality. FOW's "Stacy's Mom" is hooky and funny. In an attempt to become more radio-friendly, Rancid have lost some of their bite, but they still sound good. Junior Senior continue the Scandinavian invasion with their dancy, retro ditty, while Turin Brakes are gracing the more progressive airwaves with their pretty ballad. The catchy New Pornographers song has been around the underground for awhile, and it has grown on me. Honorable mentions go to Vendetta Red, B.R.M.C. and Bleu. Grandaddy have some interesting tunes as well.
NO POST 9/11 AFTERMATH IN ROCK
It's surprising that 9/11 has had little impact on alternative rock up to this point, aside from the welcome reduction in angry rap rock. Perhaps the popularity of the newest wave in rock music will partially come from a growing anti-corporate backlash. From Enron to the increasing disdain for major record labels, active rockers may start looking even harder for new bands and sounds. There are more and more cool, melodic, edgy, indy-like bands lurking just under the surface. I've been writing about these bands, and the hope is that they'll show the depth to become major forces in the years to come. The anti-corporate climate may well help them. As usual, it will mostly come down to song strength and uniqueness of sound. Also, many of these bands are still being called "garage." I think it's time to drop that term. They're all rock bands, and may the best ones win...
Meanwhile, will computers replace humans in music evaluation? Scientists in Barcelona have developed software that supposedly can pick pop hits 93% of the time, using such factors as beat, melody, and harmonies. They laud their success in predicting the Norah Jones smash. That's fine, but let's see some more evidence.
HAS THE RECORD INDUSTRY OVERDONE IT?
While I see both sides of the downloading controversy, I'm a bit surprised at the militancy shown by the RIAA toward offenders. Surely there must be an effective deterrent besides litigating in a manner that will alienate millions of fans. As one high profile industry writer said the other night, "They couldn't he handling it any worse."
80'S COLLEAGUES
The Rubber City Rebels made it back to L.A. last month for some great shows. L.A. Weekly called their Knitting Factory gig the top show in town that night and said that with people like The Ramones gone, the Rebels are "the best of the old buzz." Amidst lots of publicity, Duran Duran returned to The Roxy prior to playing a larger show in Orange County the following night. Their first American gig was at that club, and I had to miss it due to illness. This time I was on vacation. Guess I'm not meant to see them there. Iron Maiden came through SoCal and were so good that they even exceeded my lofty expectations. Their fine new CD comes out in September. I'm lucky to have worked with a group of bands who have turned out to be truly ageless. In late October, VH-1 will debut a new series called "Behind the Song." I've been interviewed for segments on The Knack's "My Sharona" and Duran Duran's "Rio." Watch this space for airdate information.
OK fellow fans, I hope you've had a great summer. I'll be back in a couple of months. I always enjoy hearing from you, so please make sure you mention "Raves" in the subject line to ensure that your message won't be accused of being spam, and thusly deleted. Until early November,