411 Music Rountable: February

Posted by Scott Rutherford on 02.03.2006

The real word on the world of music!

Thanks for joining the Music Zone in this months Roundtable. So let's cut to the chase…



Morgan Marx
Biggest Winner of the Month: Editors. Each year around this time, the UK buzz bands vie for the right to be this years Franz Ferdinand or Bloc Party. Editors, with their Interpol-esque sound, got a head start with a series of sold out shows and turned away crowds.
Biggest Loser of the Month: The Strokes. Sadly, the once and future "Saviors" of rock have never quite lived up to their potential. Another year, another so-so release that failed to capture any sort of mainstream attention. Certainly not a terrible album, but by no means the stuff of genius.
Biggest Music News of the Month: Not too much, but possibly my delayed realization that Clear Channel had sold off its concert promotion department. While the name change might not signify a change in policy, might the commercial giant be crumbling?
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: Mastodon - Call of the Mastodon. Having only gotten into the band with their seminal release, Leviathan, I'm interested to hear some of the earlier work of this ridiculously heavy band. Hopefully, a nice hold over until their new 2006 album.
Recommended Music DVD: The Pixies - Sell Out. A great collection of performances from their reunion tour, including their Coachella performance I was at. With a cheeky title addressing the "they're in it for the money" complaints, a great package overall.
Classic Album of the Month: The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead. We're coming up on the 20th anniversary of one of the single best albums of all time. The Smiths really prompted my interest in music beyond Nirvana and Metallica. Even today, Morrissey remains a hugely important musical figure.
Lyric of the Month: The Smiths – "The Queen Is Dead"
We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
And talk about precious things
But the rain that flattens my hair ...
Oh, these are the things that kill me

Morgan Has His Say On This Months Releases

Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit: New B&S is always notable.

The Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am That's What I Am Not: Possibly the next Bloc Party? They are that good.

Subways – Young For Eternity: Possibly the next Kasabian? They're not that good…



Tim O'Sullivan
Biggest Winner of the Months: Arctic Monkeys. Look set to break UK records for fastest selling debut album, and I just love their inaugural set. How long it will last I'm not sure, but at the moment they are the hottest property in British music.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Eminem. What has happened to him? Getting re-married to that idiot, selling his wedding snaps to a celebrity magazine, and wearing a ton of make-up in the process. I thought releasing "Ass like that" was a low point!
Biggest Music News of the Month: Ms. Dynamite getting arrested. It wasn't long ago that she was the darling of the British urban scene. Now, she is releasing tripe and getting arrested for attacking folk. That a girl.
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: For me, Jaheim's third outing. His debut album is one of my all-time top ten discs, and I can't wait for his new set.
Recommended Music DVD: Craig David – Off the Hook. The most talented male vocalist in the UK, at his very best. I could do without the "this one's for the ladies" type stuff, but when it's just him singing and Mc'ing acoustically, it is a joy.
Classic Album of the Month:The Stone Roses debut outing still stands up today, as one of the best……..ever.
Lyric of the Month: "You've got the face on." Arctic Monkeys – Mardy Bum.

Tim has His Say On Some Of This Months Releases

Dilated Peoples - 20 /20: Criminally underrated hip hop unit that will still not break into the mainstream with this set I'm sure. But hey, that's certainly not a bad thing. No real commercial, radio friendly hooks but intelligent lyrics and I'm looking forward to hearing it.

Jaheim - Ghetto Classics: I've already mentioned this one. Aside from the out-and-out pop bullshit that he got involved with, alongside Nelly for My Place, Jaheim has stayed true to his game for the most part. As a soul fan, Ghetto Love is astonishing music, and his sophomore effort, Still Ghetto is a noteworthy effort also, so I will be purchasing this with enthusiasm.



The T-Bomber – Tollah
Biggest Winner of the Months: The Strokes. Just to argue with Groucho Marx, really. I think the Strokes' new album is their best yet, taking the trademark Strokes style but changing things around enough to keep things fresh, with looser playing, less microphone distortion and bluesier guitars. In my opinion, a great improvement over "Room On Fire".
Biggest Loser of the Month: Dunno. I'm sure Ashlee Simpson's done something lame this month.
Biggest Music News of the Month: I'll go with both Slash and Axl saying "Chinese Democracy" will be released this year, simply because barely anything interesting has happened.
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: The Subways - Young For Eternity. I'm checking these guys out at Big Day Out. From the mp3s I've got they sound alright, not great but not bad either.
Recommended Music DVD: Blind Guardian - Imaginations Through The Looking Glass. I watched this DVD for the first time in ages this week and was blown away by what a great bands the Guardian are. Power metal at it's finest. It also has amazing extras and the best cover art of any DVD ever.
Classic Album of the Month: I picked up Faster Pussycat's eponymous debut album earlier this week to boost my growing hair metal collection. It's some great sleazy rock and I have a feeling I'll be listening to this CD a lot in the near future.
Lyric of the Month:

'I hate them all
I hate them all
I hate myself
For hating them

So I'll drink some more
I'll love them all
I'll drink even more
I'll hate them even more than I did before'

- The Strokes, "On The Other Side"

T-Bomber Has His Say On Some Of This Months Releases

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not: This year's big NME band. This album's already a smash hit in the UK and will probably do very here in Australia too. I plan to never listen to this record or the band in general.

Outkast - Idlewild: I didn't even know they were bringing out a new album until I saw it just then. Maybe it's a B-Sides or live album or Best Of or something. I don't know. Either way, it'll probably sell very well, although Andre 3000 is a lame rip-off of Prince.


Luke Beach
Biggest Winner of the Months: It has to be the cast of the Artic Monkeys. Barely fully mature, and through simple word of mouth they've become the hottest new band in Britain, maybe the world. Personally I don't love their music; it's decent enough, but I don't fully understand their exploding popularity beyond the fact that the UK music media are using them to hawk their own products. Still, you can't help but feel pleased for them.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Eminem. Marshall Mathers might be pretty happy right now, but his alter-ego has plenty of egg on his face. After using his apparent hatred of his ex-wife in order to write songs, gain publicity, and enhance his anti-hero gimmick, Eminem then remarries her. The wedding photographs of the happy couple almost made me physically sick- she looks like a prop, he looks like a waxwork dummy with a total shit-eating expression.
Biggest Music News of the Month: There's nothing that interested me too much here, so my pick's the Daron Malakian (System of a Down) side project. It'll probably be crap, but never mind.
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: I've always been a bit of a mark for Kid Rock, and the upcoming release of Live Mother Trucker (February 14th) should tide me over until the Type O Negative DVD is out. In March.
Recommended Music DVD: Tenacious D, the complete Masterworks. I'm about two years late with my love for the D, but it's a worthy love all the same. Anyone who enjoys immature humour and fan-interactive concerts should enjoy this DVD collection.
Classic Album of the Month: I've recently been listening to David Bowie's Diamond Dogs a fair bit. Like most things, it's not as good as The Rise and Fall…, but it's a bloody catchy record. Sweet Thing is a genuinely moving song, and the Orwell-influenced second half of the album is Bowie at his most incisive.
Lyric of the Month:
Now I don't know whose ass you've licked
No shit-tongued boy will ever taste my dick
He says:
"How 'bout no sex - we'll just be friends"
Hey no thanks Pal, I'll stick to lesbians

Type O Negative proving that the art of being politically incorrect is still alive and well. Can't wait for the DVD.



Brandon Ratliff
Biggest Winner of the Months: P.O.D., for release such a great new album.
Biggest Loser of the Month: That Cam'ron dude. Sure...why not?
Biggest Music News of the Month: Finding out that the new Tool album will be out in April or so. I'm not one of those fucks that sees them as complete and utter musical geniuses, but I do enjoy them.
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: Seeing as how it's the only release that's not a reissue that I REALLY care about, the new In Flames album Come Clarity. Granted, I've already reviewed the damn thing (It's not up yet as of me writing this though), I know it's really good.
Recommended Music DVD: Machine Head - Elegies.
Classic Album of the Month:Drowning Pool - Sinner. Good shit...old school, even though it was only five years ago.
Lyric of the Month: "I feel it on the inside, twisting and contorting, memory has changed me, once again..." Mudvayne - Forget To Remember.

Brandon Has His Say On Some Of This Months Releases

In Flames – Come Clarity: As I said before, this album fucking rules, especially the title track and Take This Life.

Machine Head – Burn My Eyes: Special Edition: Fucking classic.

My Chemical Romance - Life on the Murder Scene: GAY...GAY...GAY!!! Yeah, I don't like them too much. Overrated pieces of shit.

Kittie - Never Again: Looking forward to this. The stuff they've released from it thus far has been really good...really heavy shit.

Kid Rock – Live Mother Trucker: So how long do you think it'll take him to figure out nobody cares anymore?

Loser – Nobody Knows: A band with a lot of potential.



Ian Wright
Biggest Winner of the Months: Arctic Monkeys no question about it. Whatever you think about their music (and a good proportion of the sites American audience probably hasn't heard any yet) selling 120,000 copies of their debut in one weekend is scary.
Biggest Loser of the Month: The old staple, Pete Doherty. Usually he's my default answer here but he got busted twice in a one day recently.
Biggest Music News of the Month:Probably the news that Chinese Democracy will be out this year, if only so that people will finally shut the fuck up about it.
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: The Wrens The Meadowlands - Yeah I know I've been raving about this album for nigh on 2 years but rumour has it that it's getting a UK re-issue in February complete with a second disc.
Recommended Music DVD: Caribou Marino
Classic Album of the Month:One of the most important and influential albums of the 90's. Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Lyric of the Month:
So who's that girl there?
I wonder what went wrong
So that she had to roam the streets
She don't do major credit cards
I doubt she does receipts
It's all not quite legitimate

And what a scummy man
Just give him half a chance
I bet he'll rob you if he can
Can see it in his eyes, yeah
That he's got a driving ban
Amongst some other offences

And I've seen him with girls of the night
And he told Roxanne to put on her red light
They're all infected but he'll be alright
Cause he's a scumbag, don't you know
I said he's a scumbag, don't you know!

When The Sun Goes Down by the Arctic Monkeys. No matter what I think about their music (I'm sorry, not feeling it) the Turner kid has a way with words.



Mitch Michaels
Biggest Winner of the Months: Walk The Line. Can a movie be given the "Biggest Winner" trophy or does that award go to the producer? Anyway, this Johnny Cash biopic from '05 had a big month. It netted the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy Film, and Best Actor and Actress (Musical/Comedy) for stars Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Then it was announced that the movie had gained 5 Oscar nominations to add to its tally. I've seen this one and I thought it was good, but not REALLY good. I think a sequel would be awesome, as Cash's later career ("The Johnny Cash Show", the fall from fame, the second drug addiction stint, his resurgence on American) was just as interesting as his early years. I did, however, absolutely love the musical performances in WTL, which I thought were the best in ANY move, ever. I think the movie's best selling point were Cash's songs, and they were handled expertly.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Bruce Sinofsky. He's a not a well known name in the music biz, but Sinofsky helped direct the eye-opening and at times uncomfortable documentary Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster. This month, the director has announced that his next project will be a rockumentary starring none other than former Crue-member turned annoying celebrity Tommy Lee. The fact that any person or studio believes people would pay to watch 90-minutes plus of Tommy Lee fucking around is just insane to me, and shows how far out of touch the movie business is. I mean, sure, some people got some laughs out of "Tommy Lee Goes To College", but that was FREE, people! How many people bought his last album?
Biggest Music News of the Month: Korn's New Deal. I think the new Deal that Korn has signed with their label (Virgin/EMI) and promoter (Live Nation) is huge and great news for the music biz and its bigger acts. Basically, EMI will now be getting a sizable share in the band's total earnings (including albums, merch, shows, etc.), while Live Nation will also be seeing a share of the band's revenue from albums as well. In return, Korn will be getting money from other concert-related areas such as concessions and, more importantly, a more reliable assurance that their albums and shows will be better promoted. Basically, bands are seeing live shows as their only way of promoting an album that their label has little interest in these days. Witht his new structure, EVERYONE gets a piece of the pie, so everyone is rooting for a successful release. Should be interesting to see what other bands follow suit.
Your Most Anticipated Release of the Month: Hank III - Straight To Hell. It's been a long time since we heard something new from Tricephus, but his new double disc album will finally see the light of day on 2/28. Hank III was given a lot more control on his third release, and Curb has been balking at Straight To Hell for a while. I'm a little leary of the country-punk opus "Louisiana Stripes", which spans the entire second disc, but with track titles like "Not Everbody Likes Us" and "Dick In Dixie", how can you go wrong?
Recommended Music DVD: "Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ultimate Videos Collection. This DVD isn't new, but it's new to me. It was a Christmas present from my wife and I had to watch it immediately. While some of the older videos look a little dated, there's so much classic and funny material on this DVD that you can't help but watch it straight through. Admit it, you know you want to be able to watch "Amish Paradise" or "It's All About The Pentiums" anytime you want.
Classic Album of the Month: B.B. King - Live At The Regal. This album is an absolute barn burner and it's only flaw is it's tragic running time of barely over half an hour. Recorded in the 60's, B.B. shows why he's the king with an awesome band and a hot crowd that the bluesman holds in the palm of his hands. This one begs for an expanded reissue!

Lyric of the Month:
"I don't know why I put up with this shit when you don't put out and Zip City's so far away" - Drive-By Truckers, from "Zip City"


Mitch Has His Say On Some Of This Months New Releases

Collective Soul - Home: This is a live DVD coming out and, what can I say, I'm a mark for Collective Soul. Saw them live on TV on NYE and they really rocked.

Ron White - You Can't Fix Stupid: I love me the Tater Salad. The most "sophisticated" of the Blue Collar comedy tour, it's like being the smartest girl at beauty college.

Beth Orton - Comfort Of Strangers: She's still around?

Shawn Mullins - 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor: I love this guy's music, but I just can never bring myself to buy one of his CDs. Will 9th Ward change the streak?

Kid Rock - Live Mother Trucker: Who's in the house? I'm all over this one. Kid puts on a great live show.

Plumb - Chaotic Resolve: The defacto best Christian girl band since The Benjamin Gate split up, it'll be interesting to see what they have up their sleeves.