The Sentence 10.07.06
Posted by Frank Estrada on 10.07.2006
Let continue last week's meditation about getting burned by a band. This week, we are not going to be so forgiving.
Side A
First off I want to say I appreciate all who have been reading the Sentence and dropping a line. But I did get someone, by the name of Fixer315, who also wanted to forgive a great band for their past Mistakes:
THE SENTENCE: I am going to give Metallica one more chance, because I will forgive you for St. Anger.
This is what he had to say: If you want to talk about bands to forgive, I'd have to go with Metallica, who because of the awesome work they've done in the past (Kill Em All through Black Album) can be forgiven for St. Anger, although that just might be the last time.
Many people slagged Load & Reload, but I thought those albums had some really awesome tunes. Outlaw Torn, Bleeding Me, Fixxxer and Fuel rank among the best of the Metallica tunes.
The same cannot be said for the mess that was St. Anger. I'll give them credit for trying something different while returning to their more aggressive roots. However, the album is damn near unlistenable, thanks to the deliberately sh##ty production. The tunes were mediocre at best, with Frantic being the only one that stands out as even passable. St. Anger was decent as well, but about two minutes too long.
Still, because their 80's stuff was so good and because they're still a good live band, and mostly because they've ditched Bob Rock, I'm willing to give them one more chance. However, if Rick Rubin can't pull a great album out of them, it's time for Metallica to just admit that their best days are behind them and go the Kiss route of periodic tours without album releases.
Wow, but I understand what he is saying. We all forgave a band for crap. Any maybe sometimes a change of producers is the answer. I never thought of the "go the Kiss" route; and for that I say genius. That said, this weeks Sentence is going to piggy back on last weeks column. But I am not feeing too generous.
Side AA
THE SENTENCE: I'm through with _________; I have been burned too many times.
No long drawn out intro here. I'm through with….
THE ANSWER: I'm through with WEEZER; I have been burned too many times.
Yea I know I may be getting hate mail from you youngsters, but I am through with Weezer. You know I was a fan of Weezer; I was there when the Blue Album was brand spanking new. I loved it; I still know every song back and forth. And their live shows and videos; brilliant. Yet their latest releases, their leader Rivers's problems in the media, their now boring live shows. If you still champion the "W", you can have them.
Now I am not going to say Weezer was the best band in the world. They weren't. But they were really good. The Buddy Holly video was awesome; the Blue album was a perfect album. Even their live shows were something every up and coming band should study. What went wrong? Well their 2nd album, Pinkerton, while did not do well the first time out, over time, sold and sold and found it's fan base. A lot have said this led to the birth of Emo (Emotional) Rock landscape. I wouldn't want to let anyone know that I was the inspiration of Emo, but that is what Weezer/Rivers had to live with.
Years after their break, I mean really we all thought they were over; Weezer came back and sprung up with live shows and a new album. I have to admit I was there, I saw these new shows and I picked up the Green Album. I loved the tracks Hash Pipe and Island in the Sun. (Later covered by teens Emma Roberts and the Olsten Twins) There was some good songs on the album, but it wasn't as good as the Blue Album and it wasn't as interesting or challenging as Pinkerton. The live shows were real good and inspired. Drawing heavily from the first album, there was energy with them. The crowd wanted the band back, and the band seemed confident enough to rock out.
I don't know what happened later. They get a new bass player, and they put out two albums, Maladroit and Make Believe. Rivers is quoted wanted to make a Rock album. With anthems and sounding like Kiss. I don't think it worked. Their live shows suffered. Rivers presents wasn't there, it seemed like they were going through the numbers. Maybe 3 albums back to back to back took a lot out of them. Maybe I out grew them. Who knows? After their 2nd performance at Coachella, it was the biggest disappointment to me. The songs weren't there, the performance wasn't there. That was my last straw. In the future, they may come out with some good single, hell, they me even make an album that tops the first. I will say this, I don't think I will be there anymore.
Side B
Don't forget you myspacers, http://www.myspace.com/411music. And if you want to play the home game, of the Sentence, e-mail me and tell me which bands you are through with. Think you can top Weezer? I will be waiting to hear from you. Who knows, you might get printed like Fixer315. Have a good week and don't forget to read the music zone from top to bottom, there are great things being written here.
