411 Music Fact or Fiction 09.02.10: Trash Talk & Legends

Posted by Mitch Michaels on 09.02.2010

Who’s side are we taking in the Rihanna / Taylor Momsen feud? Is Johnny Cash music’s greatest legend? Will Drake release a new album this year? Are we excited for a new blink-182 album? 411's Alistair McGeorge and Todd Vote debate these questions and more in the latest 411 Music Fact or Fiction!


What's up? Welcome to another week of the hottest Thursday column on the ‘net - 411 Music Fact or Fiction. I'm Mitch Michaels and I keep up with the news.

This week, it‘s the overlord of 411 Games Top 5 Todd Vote taking on the keeper of Album A Day, Alistair McGeorge.

Alright, let's do this!

READY?! FIGHT!!

Round 1
1) Johnny Cash is the music's biggest legend of all time.
Todd Vote: FICTION. I love Johnny Cash, but to call him the biggest legend in music is selling the history of music short. I get it that Johnny is at the top of Saving Abel's list, but as we all know here at 411, lists are subjective. I think that the boys in Saving Abel might have mislabeled the list. It seems more like a top 10 list of their influences more than legends of music. Is Johnny Cash a Legend? Absolutely! Is the THE legend when it comes to music? I am inclined to say no, but he's right up there.
Alistair McGeorge: FICTION. I'd say he's definitely ONE of music's biggest legends of all time, but not THE biggest. Saving Abel's list including bands as well as individuals, so there's no way The Beatles and Queen should be excluded from this. If I had to pick a legend to name number one, it'd be Freddie Mercury all the way. A virtuosic pianist, a vocalist with an awe-inspiring range, and one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Freddie's amongst the best. I know Cash is hugely significant and influential, but I feel he doesn't match a few of music's legends.
Score Card: 1 for 1

Round 2
2) You're on Taylor Momsen's side in the feud with Rihanna.
Todd Vote: FICTION. I'm of the mind that any person who has to talk about how "rock" they are, isn't really that rock at all. Plus her argument that Rihanna is trying to pass as a rock star simply because she wears a leather coat is completely preposterous. How exactly does a leather coat mean you are a rock star? I'm no fan of Rihanna, aside from the new Eminem video, but Momsen is way off base here, and I can't offer my support to someone who is out there trying to be the Lady GaGa of rock by saying as much shocking shit as she can.
Alistair McGeorge: FICTION. I've actually heard of Rihanna for a start. Plus, from reading the report, it sounds like Taylor Momsen started this whole "feud" by mouthing off on the internet. So, fair play to Rihanna for putting her in line.
Score Card: 2 for 2

Round 3
3) The Guns N' Roses drama at Reading and Leeds was all staged by Axl.
Todd Vote: FICTION. Maybe not staged by Axl, but it is most definitely Vintage Axl - copyright Michael Cole. Axl has always been a diva, and anyone who tries to sign up GN'R to play a show while not expecting Axl to be Axl is living with rose tinted glasses.
Alistair McGeorge: FACT. In that, I believe that Axl Rose deliberately turned up late, because it's what he does. And that he then deliberately caused a scene, then bitched and moaned about it...because it's what he does. The man is a media whore who's pissed away his legacy, and this past weekend cemented it. I saw a bit of his set live at Leeds, and from what I saw it was actually a great show. However, all this backstage drama is just ruining his career, continuing his decline. Soon, what little he had left of his legacy will be totally gone, and good riddance.
Score Card: 2 for 3

SWITCH

Round 4
4) You're interested in a new blink-182 album.
Alistair McGeorge: FACT. Fact, fact, 100 times FACT. I was kind of a moderate fan of blink-182 back in the day, although I was only thirteen when they split up seven years ago. My first introduction into rock music was from bands like blink-182, Green Day and Sum 41, so they'll always hold a place in my musical heart. Tracks like "What's My Age Again", "Dammit" and "Reckless Abandon" still hold up well. Their set at Leeds Festival was fantastic, too, although Tom DeLonge seemed a bit under the influence, making his vocals shoddy (even by his standards). That said, the band seem tight again, their heart seems to be in it (they appeared to genuinely love the Leeds show), so why not? It can't be any worse than Angels & Airwaves.
Todd Vote: FICTION. I wouldn't say interested. I mean I'd give it a listen, while I am not a big fan of the group, I have no problem listening when a blink-182 song comes on the radio or whatever. It's not something I'm going to be running out to buy. Let's just put it that way.
Score Card: 2 for 4

Round 5
5) Drake will release another new album before the end of the year.
Alistair McGeorge: FICTION. I don't know a great deal about Drake, but I'll go out on a limb and guess "fiction" for this one. Whilst a quick turnover into a new album is doable (Plan B is planning the same thing this year), news of a mixtape may cause the album to be pushed back a bit to next year. So, it's possible, I'll just go with fiction as a guess more than anything.
Todd Vote: FACT. He probably will. Though releasing two albums in a year is no easy task, and one would be justified in questioning the quality of an effort like this. I was worried when Eminem released Recovery so soon on the heels of Relapse, and he ended up delaying Recovery. So while I think we may see something from him, the quality is going to have to be the big question mark.
Score Card: 2 for 5

Round 6
6) "A Day In The Life" is The Beatles' greatest song.
Alistair McGeorge: FACT. Without a doubt. I named it #1 back when 411mania ran a "Top 5 Beatles' Songs" list. Here's what I wrote: I remember hearing that this song was never performed live by The Beatles, both as a group or solo. Imagine the music fan in me when, at a stadium gig on June 1, 2008, Paul McCartney launches into it. It was a beautiful live experience, and it is arguably one of the most influential songs of all time. The lyrics, the melody, the instrumental parts...everything fits. The middle section, sung by McCartney, shows one perfect example of the pair's collaboration; what was originally a short piano piece Sir Paul couldn't find any use for became a great bridge to one of the greatest songs of all time. When I heard about this list, there was no doubt this would be my number one.
Todd Vote: FICTION. My favorite Beatles songs are "Yesterday" and "Live and Let Die", and it may have something to do with liking both the original versions, and the GN'R remakes. Having said that I am fully prepared for the wrath of the readers for my choices.
Score Card: 2 for 6

Anything you agree with? Disagree with? Sound off in the comment section.

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next week!