The Savage Animal 02.13.08: The Beatles vs. Mikey MiGo

Posted by Mikey MiGo on 02.13.2008

Mikey MiGo didn’t have The Beatles shoved down his throat growing up so he never jumped on board. His friend, Matt Troutman thinks this is a crime. In today’s edition of The Savage Animal MiGo listens to and gives his opinions to what Matt thinks is one definitive Beatles playlist.



It appears that no one who read the column last week had any feedback on a definitive answer to what prog rock is. Either I'm not alone in my struggles to understand the genre or no one reads the column. I'm just going to assume the former and hold my head up high.

As last week's column went up, I was in a car on my way home from a great concert in Chicago. If you read last week, you'd know that this concert was Marilyn Manson. I was concerned that I'd not enjoy myself all that much and leave disappointed. It's not that I don't like Manson; I love the guy's work and his personality. It's just this past summer I saw him for the first time on tour with Slayer and felt the show came off a bit dull. Maybe it was an off night, the weird combination, or just the fact that it was in a arena but last Tuesday's show was leaps and bounds better. With Jeordie White/Twiggy Ramirez being back in the fold they played a lot of old songs and it was pretty damn good. If you've ever been a fan of Manson's work, NOW is the time to get out to this current tour and relive the good old days and regain some faith for the future.

I hate to say this, but I actually enjoyed The Grammy's this year. I enjoyed seeing Amy Winehouse get the big awards and perform to show us why certain media covers her every move. I was happy to see Kanye win the award and laughed at them trying to rush him off stage with music. Big ups on the Chicago love. I can always go for a Prince appearance and seeing The Time perform made me moist (hypothetically speaking). I realize that for every key Alicia Key's plays on the piano a baby smiles. Another thing I noticed while watching was Feist and a few others were that they were overly exaggerating their vocals. They try to squeeze out a tiny bit more "emotion" out or a tiny little extra inflection. If you're at the Grammy's people think you're good so why try so hard to have that "magical moment". People don't remember this shit. It's as disposable as the poppy bullshit music you're making. Still, it was a good entertaining show. I don't hold any of the results or acclaims as fact or even remotely credible, but yeah… entertaining…. ish.

MIKEY MIGO vs. BEATLEMANIA
"Commercial Success or Commercial Product?"

I've always been open to how I thought The Beatles were overrated. I heard their music enough to know that it was pop-drivel. My favorite thing to say was "If The Beatles were around today (circa 2001), they'd be a boy band". And really all my hostility was just really a annoyance rabid Beatle fans caused and because the majority of the music I've heard growing up exposed to the band was attached to a commercial or involved something commercial. The whole lovably mystique that went with the Beatles didn't seem to raise them to credible for a music option for myself. All of the press stuff I've seen on them made them come off pretentious and self righteous. My perception of them was they weren't over the top, angry, or flashy enough, but also not goofy, laid back, or fun enough. Maybe it's not even "not enough", but just not on my preferred levels. I'm not really sure; it's just that they've always been in that "they just don't sit right with me" category. I know they're legendary, iconic, and all the hype about them, but just didn't do it for me.

Enter my long time friend, he's a baller, shot caller, and one of the stars of "The Moving Men" Matt Troutman. He is a huge Beatles fan and for the most part we have similar tastes in music. They're plenty more bands we both like than don't, but The Beatles always feel into the "no way!" category. Recently it was brought up in conversation that I need to give The Beatles another chance. That's where we are today. Matt is going to provide me with what he thinks I should be hearing of The Beatles to not so much make me a fan over night, but to expose me to why he's such a flag waving Beatles fan. He wanted to make this a multiple disc worth of music, but I know what it's like to be a fan of a band with multiple classic albums. There was no way I wanted to listen to three CDs worth of a band I wasn't too sure of. So instead of giving me a discography of The Beatles, he broke it down to an 80 minute play list. These are the notes he provided explaining the song selection process:

A few notes:
* All Beatles songs either written by John Lennon or Paul McCartney are credited

* "Lennon/McCartney" regardless of who wrote most of the song. The vast majority of their songs involved some degree of collaboration or another. Some, though, belong more to either John or Paul.

* This is by all means NOT a complete representation of the Beatles catalogue or career. All these date from after Rubber Soul, the album considered their emergence out of Beatlemania.

* Some of these songs are transitional points in their career.

* Some of these songs you may have heard. Listen again.

* Some of these songs are experimental.

* Others are alternate versions. A couple years ago the album ‘Let It Be…Naked' was released, featuring stripped-down, perhaps more authentic (depending on which Beatle you ask) versions of songs off the original Let It Be. This I Me Mine is off of that.

Enjoy!

So with Matt's notes, labels, and song selections we go beginning to end of this playlist entitled….

THE BEATLES vs. MIKEY MIGO
"I was raised a poor white Monkee's fan…"

1. Revolution.
Album: B-side.
Writer(s): John Lennon
Thoughts: This is one of those songs that most people know. I've actually been a fan of Aerosmith's version for years. Actually paying attention, the guitar playing in this one stands out to me more than anything else. It's a good song, but I don't find myself wanting to go out and buy a John Lennon bobble head or anything. The ending is a little too much with Lennon getting all loud about things, but maybe it's just because it's the first track.


2. Helter Skelter
Album: White Album
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts: It's weird and might be insulting to some to say that I know this song more because of the "99 Problems" mesh up that Danger Mouse did a few years ago. I listen and I enjoy the harder sound, but I am half though it's just clicking. Is this the first metal song? I enjoy it much more than the normal Beatle stuff that's been commercialized.


3. Yer Blues.
Album: White Album
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: It just sounds like they got their hands on a few blues albums and did exactly what they heard. It's well done, but it really comes off as an electric Elvis song. It's not bad at all, but I am questioning the reason this was included. If it was to show the more bluesy side of the band then that's probably not a side I want to hear more of.


4. While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Album: White Album
Writer(s): George
Thoughts: I've heard this sampled on the recent Wu Tang album, on The Grey Album, and other places. This song has a really cool epic feeling to it. I really didn't know this was George's work, but I'm not really surprised. He's always been the Beatle that I was most comfortable with for some reason. Out of the four songs on this playlist I've listened to so far, this is the best one. Dare I say, as of right now, my favorite Beatles song. There's nineteen to go…


5. She Said She Said
Album: Revolver.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: The thing I know about this album is that I guess is when they started to get more experimental. I could be completely off on that, but that's the mentality I am bringing into this one. I'm listening to this one and trying to give it an open chance, but it's falling very flat with me. This feels really poppy and not what I'd expect from the big and iconic Beatles.


6. You Never Give Me Your Money
Album: Abbey Road.
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts: Are you serious? This starts off as easy listening at the start and goes into a very cool sounding sound. I really can't describe it, but it sounds a bit soul-rock like. This song is all over the place and the structure is really weird. Would this be considered "prog rock"? Also, should I be taking acid at this point? It just sounds like one of those pushy drug songs.


7. I Me Mine.
Album: Let It Be.
Writer(s): George
Thoughts: I didn't start the song knowing it was a George song, but I guessed it right. I like how it breaks down and the structure of the song. It's hard to critique this song, it just sorta took me on a journey.


8. Don't Let Me Down.
Album: Let It Be/B-side.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: This sounds familiar, but I never really put two and two together with it. It's a solid track, but I don't feel all that inspired or excited about it. I continue to listen and it just seems like a run of the mill track. There's probably a reason this was a B-side.


9. Polythene Pam.
Album: Abbey Road.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: It's got a very cool flow for being such a short song.


10. She Came In Through the Bathroom Window.
Album: Abbey Road.
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts: I can't find much about this song that makes me excited, but it's a nice transition to what I see will be coming with the next album.


11. Tomorrow Never Knows.
Album: Revolver.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: So this is where that whole experimental thing about this album comes from. This one starts off with a really cool and trippy electronica sound. On loud headphones this one is hard to take in. It's abrasive and nothing that I've heard from The Beatles before. This sounds innovative and fresh now, so I'm sure this was insane back when it was released.


12. I Want You (She's So Heavy).
Album: Abbey Road.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: This one just sorta creeps up on you. There's not much to it. I'm not really that impressed with it. This is not nearly as good as John's other's stuff especially from the last the one. I'm sorta bored with it.


13. Rocky Racoon.
Album: White Album.
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts: This is a weird track, but very likeable. The vocals and lyrics are awesome. It would be silly sounding if it were changed in any way. The piano bridge made me laugh out loud. Just a weird.


14. Across the Universe.
Album: Let It Be.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: I've heard this, but to be completely honest I've heard this covered way more than the original. If I said anything negative about this song it would be a lie. It's not a song that I'd listen to everyday, but I'd not turn it off the radio when it came on randomly. I has at least that much respect for the band.


15. Something.
Album: Abbey Road.
Writer(s): George
Thoughts: This song has that familiar guitar riff/sound in it and turns out to be a great song. Not to automatically jump on a bandwagon, but George seems to be more of my favorite. It's all subjective, but to me he seems to compose a song more than write or perform it. It's songs have a "grander" feel to them. This one is no different. This is the first song on this compilation that I had to cheat and play twice in a row because I didn't want to miss anything.


16. With A Little Help From My Friends.
Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Writer(s): Lennon/McCartney.
Thoughts: I grew up watching "Wonder Years", but it was always the Joe Cocker version. I recently even went on record to say that Joe Cocker's version is better. I stand by that, but they're like apples and oranges. Good song, but it falls into that poppy area that has turned me off from them in the past.


17. Back In The U.S.S.R.
Album: White Album.
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts: Of course I've heard this before, and it's enjoyable. It doesn't have that "oomph" like it should for the guitar riffs and tempo. I get a "Surfing in the USA" by the Beach Boys vibe from this song. I can't really take it seriously because of that. It comes off as sock-hoppy/bearch party sounding.


18. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey.
Album: White Album.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: It's a good bouncy track. I can't help but nod my head to the beat of the song. I enjoy the lyrics and progression of this song, but it's far from my favorite on this CD list.


19. Birthday.
Album: White Album.
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts: I didn't know what exactly this song was, but I assumed it was one that that I've heard before. Yes, it is. It's a goofy track, but has some subtle aspects to it that I pick up and take in over the annoying parts.


20. Happiness Is A Warm Gun.
Album: White Album.
Writer(s): John
Thoughts: I've heard this one covered before to, but I've not heard a cover that sounds like this at all. The some of the vocal and lyric structure really reminds me of some of Marilyn Manson's work. I never thought I'd be saying that. The background vocals on the chorus are really annoying to me and sorta ruin my impression of it.


21. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise).
Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Writer(s): Lennon/McCartney
Thoughts: Of course I've heard this song of course I enjoy it. This song has a lot of energy and force behind it. It has the epic feel that an epic band should have.


22. A Day In The Life.
Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Writer(s): Lennon/McCartney
Thoughts: It's a familiar song, but I can't say I've actually "listened" to it with my attention undivided. I really enjoy the transition in the middle. It's got a falling/pulling like of feel to it and then it builds into the pulsating bass and drugs pulling you into a new world. The vocals and music work perfectly together. This is one of the handful I instantly enjoy.


23. Let It Be.
Album: Let It Be.
Writer(s): Paul
Thoughts:This is a good song to end this compilation and of course I've heard it before. This one has a similar, yet not as powerful emotion behind it as "Hey Jude", which I actually like. It's also one of the better Paul songs I've heard on this listing, which gives me some hope for him having other odds and ends that I might get behind.


Favorite Tracks:
"Tomorrow Never Knows", "A Day In The Life", "Something", "Across the Universe", "I Me Mine", and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".


Overall Thoughts:
The Beatles are a great band. I won't deny that and have more respect from them after listening to this from beginning to end in one sitting. It's just I can't force myself to say they're "THE Greatest" or even Top Three. Obviously Led Zeppelin will speak more to a twenty four year old than The Beatles in our current world. I think I might even hold The Doors at a higher plateau than The Beatles. Still, I can now put The Beatles "up there" with some respect, but one can still argue they were in the right places at the right times and mimicked the best influences to get that status. There's a possibility that die hard Beatles fans have isolated themselves. The mass commercialization of most of the Beatle's hits really gives me an oversaturated feeling when it comes to the Beatles. People romanticize the band to the point where if they aren't perfect and exactly to one's liking it's hard to give me much more of a chance. A lot of this stuff that's considered "great" just falls flat with me. Some stuff hits me harder. It's all preference and while my preference hasn't changed on all but a small portion of what's on this listing, I can see the appeal, I applaud their influence, but I still comfortably say "not my cup of tea". Yet.

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MY "KING OF CALIFORNIA" REVIEW IN 319 WORDS OR LESS
I've been watching at least four new movies a week, but that number is about six or so lately. There's nothing better than watching a movie before hitting the hay. No matter what you did or didn't do before putting that DVD on, you get to sit back relax and escape for at least as hour and a half if not longer. Out of the handful that I watched this past week, the one I enjoyed the most and want to talk about is "King of California". Evan Rachel Wood plays the daughter to an unstable father played by Michael Douglas. The father has an epiphany that they must go on a treasure hunt around suburbia to find buried Spanish gold. I've seen Wood here and there in movies and music videos, but honestly never paid attention to her. How she's not places on a higher tier in regards to today's young actresses baffles me. Yet of course the star of this movie is Mr. Michael Douglas doing a role that I can really only imagine him doing. He gave an entertaining yet troubled and charming yet stand-offish performance. Their trials and tribulations across suburbia take them from corporately owned fast food and mega stores searching for gold from the 1600's. It was an awesome story, well acted, and well directed. Pick up the DVD and enjoy it on my recommendation. My favorite part is that this ironic and symbolic story leads to their local Costco. Then again, doesn't every ironic and symbolic story end up at the local Costco? They DO have everything.

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RANDOM THOUGHT
I hope the writers don't return to The Tonight Show. Jay Leno is so much better on his own with his adlibs. He's much edgier, funnier, and seemingly more himself. I like it and find it refreshing. I'm all for him continuing like this until Conan takes over next year.

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"Hey! Check This Out!" (a.k.a. cheap plug)


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That was a fun column. I've always wanted to give the Beatles more of a chance and never really knew where to start. As normal these days I have no idea what next week's topic will be. I have a lot of madness going on around me that is pulling me every which direction. Until next time… Have a Great Week!