For some reason, the cover of this book has been making me giggle all day long.
Looks to me like a Bold Fresh Piece of... nevermind. Too easy.
Thanks HuffPo!
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I also found this news story amusing:
Neon Neon is playing a show in London where they are letting anyone in free if they drive a DeLorean to the show. Says P4k:
On July 6, at London's Hearn Street Car Park, anyone who rolls up in an original DMC-12 will receive free admission to the night's Neon Neon gig. Of course, if your personal whip isn't fit for a McFly, you can still get in, but mind that lot over in the corner with the Member's Only jackets: for the first time in a couple decades, they're the guests of honor.
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I was going to make an entry that was witty and clever or thought-provoking, but Idolator pointed me to a review of a Pearl Jam show in Miami and I think my brain melted. I'm not sure if I should thank or curse you, Maura:
"Instead, over their two-hour set Wednesday night at a sold-out Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Pearl Jam chose to offer a semi-obscure selection of songs that excluded many massive hits. Fans cheered predictably throughout the night, but many ended up grumbling afterward, frustrated that favorites such as Jeremy, Black, Daughter, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter In a Small Town, I Got Id and Release were passed over for songs some struggled to identify."
You'd think this was an offering from Yelp, wouldn't you? No, it's by a "professional" music critic employed by the Miami Herald, Michael Hamersly, and there's so much more where that came from. Like the way he calls Eddie Vedder's outfit "appropriately grungy" and the way that "Yellow Ledbetter" has a guiding riff that's "Red Hot Chili Peppers-like."
I mean, I know that every writer has a day when they have to hack out a piece on deadline—and the headline "Pearl Jam picks puzzling song selection" doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the editorial team over there—but at least be creative, y'know?
You can read the whole, unadulterated review here. If you feel masochistic today.
1 Cory Banks said on June 12, 2008
My usual response to any news story pointing out stupidity in Florida is to casually, completely dismiss Florida with a terse comment. Which isn't to say that I didn't do that just now, but the Internet deserves more effort than that.
So here's the thing: Reviewing concerts isn't always easy. There's a vocabulary used when describing music that's radically different then when you're writing about city council meetings, accident reports, or other legitimate journalistic endeavors. Besides, cut the mainstream media some slack. They're uncool, right? That's why we're *indie*.
Nope, sorry, I can't hold back anymore. F@%$ Florida. Really.
2 ChrisB said on June 13, 2008
Oh I didn't mean it as a mainstream/indie press thing (after reading the music editor of the Seattle Weekly's "my wife brought home a Justin Timberlake CD and I liked it, does that mean I'm gay?" article I will never, ever make the mistake that "alt" media is by default better than the mainstream press) or a Florida thing at all - I was making a point about one of the largest newspapers in the country sending someone to a show who is neither a good writer or someone who is very familiar with the Pearl Jam catalogue.
Writing show reviews is tough - I've written my fair share - I just don't think "appropriately grungy" should have made it past any editor's desk.
3 Levi said on June 13, 2008
Oh my god, it just keeps getting better!
"Lead singer Eddie Vedder, looking appropriately grungy with long, unkempt hair, white jeans and flannel shirt, took the stage with the rest of the band just before 9 p.m. to perform Oceans, from 1991's Ten, Pearl Jam's first album -- and clear crowning achievement. That primal-scream song was followed by Severed Hand, a track from the group's 2006 self-titled album that's reminiscent of Guns 'N Roses' Welcome to the Jungle. But other than the fifth song, Given To Fly, which sounds like a more rocking version of Led Zeppelin's Going to California, and the ninth, Dissident, no one but the most ardent fans had much to truly howl about.
"Until Even Flow, from Ten, which drew absolutely deafening cheers that should have steered Pearl Jam toward their biggest hits."
And speaking of Ten . . .
4 imaginary dana said on June 13, 2008
I've gotta agree with Cory on this one, and I can say this as a former resident of that effed up state: Florida can suck it. Hard.
Incidently, I am going back to Florida in a month to attend my high school reunion. Oh my GOD why have I agreed to do that???
@Levi -- that marked up Pearl Jam CD you linked to on the KEXP blog is amazing.
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