tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007520036213827967.post5062698908973040032..comments2023-07-25T00:34:23.503-07:00Comments on Neon Hustle: The Big LaydownStevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00022659488295703610noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007520036213827967.post-71246092025932336062008-06-10T06:44:00.000-07:002008-06-10T06:44:00.000-07:00No, no. It's perfectly alright. But I feel like I ...No, no. It's perfectly alright. But I feel like I should point out that oen of my overarching points is that the quality of output is put aside in factoring the relative coolness of these people. You can argue that Waits is not producing music as good/cool as he used to, but I think that over the last decade he's segued from his schticky beat poet thing and into an elder stateman of weirdness that most people respond to. The fact that I WOULD argue with you (my favorite TW record is "Small Change", but he hasn't made a bad record since the early 90s) is secondary to the fact that it's okay to defend him because he is cool. Scarlett doesn't get that consideration.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13605193879263202327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007520036213827967.post-66775677295934721202008-06-09T23:46:00.000-07:002008-06-09T23:46:00.000-07:00Erg.. And then I just reread that, and see it look...Erg.. And then I just reread that, and see it looks like I'm trying to pick a fight or something... No, I'm not...<BR/>A couple-a beers in my system and I'm type-ee...Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15882451596160097938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007520036213827967.post-63723861931227514042008-06-09T23:39:00.000-07:002008-06-09T23:39:00.000-07:00You mention Tom Waits as being cool (which he is) ...You mention Tom Waits as being cool (which he is) and getting cooler (which I' pick bones at)...<BR/>I don't think Tom Waits <EM>is</EM> getting cooler. I think he is coasting on whatever cache he built up late 80s/early90s...<BR/>I've been a faithful accolyte, devouring Tom's releases on release day, since about '87-'88 (when I first DOVE into love for he. I first heard him '83-'84, and have been a fan since then)...<BR/>So, even though he (I hope to witness, live, myself one day) brings a whomp of a live thing, I think it's just the "babtise me" fans that believe it's as good as it ever was.<BR/>What it looks like to me (alas, from afar) is the TW show "Step right up!", because he -Tom- realizes that now is his magic time... the moment when his particular brand of whatz-itz gets respect.<BR/>It's almost the inverse of how Zappa judged his timing, so 'bless TW for it!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15882451596160097938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007520036213827967.post-52858561502891121932008-06-09T20:53:00.000-07:002008-06-09T20:53:00.000-07:00Thanks Matt. I definately think that the Waits-as-...Thanks Matt. I definately think that the Waits-as-sacred-cow thing is a very pronounced aspect to the Scar-Jo backlash. Another draft of this had a part tying it into the cool/uncool binary, but it sort of didn't add much. Put shortly: Waits is very cool (and only getting cooler as he ages) while Johansson is on the opposite trajectory. The single-easiest stance that you can take is to insult Scarlett by complimenting Waits.<BR/><BR/>It's not as though the man is un-coverable. You mention the Ramones (and I argue that their greatest skill was making the same song over and over again yet making you still want to hear it again), but there are obviously others. I'm not a huge TVOTR fan, so I think the first half of the record is among the best things Sitek has done. But parts of the second half really are just abysmal. Scarlett's just not much of a singer. Does this make this a novelty? Dunno. But I still can't abide the backlash. I digress/repeat myself, so I'll just go back to the first line.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Matt.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13605193879263202327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007520036213827967.post-52557447345505781752008-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:002008-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:00Nice piece. Very well crafted.I've been half-atten...Nice piece. <EM>Very</EM> well crafted.<BR/>I've been half-attention following the hype on this record, but for the most part figure I'd let the music speak for itself.<BR/>What I noticed most was that the outrage (at least from the few pieces I read) were more that anyone, much less a famous anyone, was attempting to cover Waits, as if his catalog was some sort of holy relic, untouchable by all but the purest. Yet the Ramones get a pass for "I Don't Wanna Grow Up"? All they did was turn it into a generic Ramones song! (As for Scarlett's version, I keep hearing "White Lines (Don't Do It)," as the music begins.)<BR/>For the most part, I think it's a pretty decent collection of covers, but I think the Sitek production is a bit overwelming. It sounds like pretty much every TVotR song I've heard, with the vocals too deep in the mix and about three too many overdubs per number. And yeah, the music-box tinkles on "...New Orleans" is a bit trite, eh?<BR/>As for Scarlett's voice/ talent? I hear Sinead O'Connor. Seriously. I was listening to a batch of Sinead doing cover versions shortly before I first listened to "Anywhere I Lay My Head" and they melded together so well as to seem by the same artist. I've not seen one other person who's said this - in the few articles I've read about the cd- so it may just be my messed up way of hearing things that is responsible for this. It wouldn't be the first time!<BR/>Anyhum... I didn't think I'd write so much, when all I meant to say came out in the first sentence. Since those words are all the way up there, let me repeat:<BR/>Nice piece. <EM>Very</EM> well crafted.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15882451596160097938noreply@blogger.com