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"Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak
I get the impression that on the whole, the "indie rock" scene hates Chris Isaak. I suppose I could understand that, most of the cool kids just know him as "old folk" music that doesn't appeal to their refined, intelligent sensibilities, which is, of course, their loss. I'm not saying that Chris Isaak is a lost gem in the wilderness of music, but in the grand scheme on early 1990's rock music, he was an oddball in the scene.
Although I don't listen to it as much as I used to, I still think that Forever Blue deserved a lot more respect than it gets. The whole album is filled wall-to-wall with the sort of self-loathing, broken-heart sentiment that Elliott Smith fans eat with a spoon while the music itself has that undeniably retro feel that mixes so well with a voice like Isaak's. "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" is a perfect example of this. It starts off with a dark and dusty guitar that get joined by barely-there brushed drums and a rumbling bassline, sort of like the son of Johnny Cash. Chris comes in with a gruff, sinister snarl that suddenly transforms into his signature Roy Orbison-like voice. The whole story is somewhat obscured except that Chris' baby did something terrible and it keeps him up at night, working himself up into such a fiery passion that he sounds like he's ready to take on the rest of his band in a fistfight.
It might not be for everyone, with its perfectly polished Phil Spector production, but I still find the song captivating.
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imaginary embracey said on November 6, 2007:
Oh Betsy, how you make me giggle...
and he starred in Twin Peaks (okay, Fire Walk with Me)
I just saw it again recently. On the big screen. More punishing than ever.
However! If anyone's wondering what to get ol' embracey for xmas (or for his birthday shortly thereafter), well, look no further.
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randy said on November 6, 2007:
"well, look no further."
Yeah, I need to get that too.
I've never even seen the alternate-ending pilot.
BTW, If you're a fan (of the first season) and have never been to Snoqualmie Falls, it's worth the drive. It's hard not to hear the eerie series theme song in your head while watching the water cascade down on the rocks below.
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imaginary ash said on November 6, 2007:
OMG, me too embracey, I want that too.
I have the whole series in various media: The complete VHS set, the recent 2nd season DVD set (which is super hokey), both versions of the pilot (one pirated, the other on VHS)...
And Fire Walk With Me.
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imaginary embracey said on November 6, 2007:
Randy @ 3: I LOVE Snoqualmie Falls. I even took my parents there last time they visited and stopped off at Twede's Cafe (aka The Double R Diner) for cherry pie and coffee beforehand! No sign of the Log Lady though.
The extended pilot is great as a stand-alone experience. You actually see much of the alterna-footage later in season 1 (mostly in Cooper's freakout dream sequence). I still prefer TP in serialized form.
Betsy @ 4: I still have those old-ass VHSs of season 1 (sans pilot) too! I vowed not to buy any TP DVDs until the original pilot was available. I couldn't be more excited about this set.
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greggoir said on November 7, 2007:
Consider yourselves lucky. We only have season 1 in the UK. I had to watch all of season 2 on my Auntie's vintage VHSs, taped off BBC 2 at the time. Sad face. Oh how I love that show.
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ALLALOMusic said on November 18, 2007:
...back on topic.
I really enjoy Chris Isaak, such a wonderful update on Roy Orbison's signature sound. I know he gets a lot of flack from the indie kids, but I am not ashamed to say I am a fan.
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Reviews
imaginary ash said on November 5, 2007:
I disagree with your teaser about credibility, and the notion that the indie rock scene should hate Chris Isaak. He's got some serious chops, both as singer and as actor, and though I'm not likely to go pick up one of his albums I do recognize his talent. Plus I really dig this song. ANNND, he opened for TIG darling Nicole Atkins on a string of shows this summer (okay, so it was the other way around), and he starred in Twin Peaks (okay, Fire Walk with Me).