Year in Music

I should commend you on your fantastic imagination for being able to perceive "themes" and "meaning" in Mirrored. And mood shifts? The only mood I'm able to discern is "Come and play/ Everything's A-OK." I admit that some of the sounds are pretty trippy, though.

I would be very interested if you were to expound on this "meaning" you speak of, should you care to. I think the Alibi record reviews should be longer anyway.

My name's up there on top of the article.

Sorry we disagree.

"Loops" is the right word--short clips of sound that repeat. Some guitar pedals even have samplers built in. I'm not saying this is how Battles does it, but I doubt the guitarist is playing the snippets with three fingers while simultaneously riffing on top of them with the other available one.

There is absolutely meaning in what Battles does. Though it's not quite as concrete as, say, "Fuck you, music critic," there are substantial moods and meaning available for a discerning listener: The windup and release, the gloom, the shimmer--all of which come into play. And themes, melodic themes, repeat.

Josh Homme can't make "Songs for the Deaf" over and over again. Era was stripped down, but it was hardly "monotone." It was less easy to digest.

Even if you meant offense, none was taken.

that should read "guitarists" as there are two, though one occasionally mans the keybaord.

is much worse. Just kidding.

We disagree, and that's fine. But all this stuff is so very subjective.

And now that I'm thinking about it, maybe your definition of "loops" is right. I'm not sure what word I should've used instead. "Samples" isn't right, either, as that usually implies clips of someone else's work.

So angry with critics who get paid to express an opinion! So angry if that opinion matches not your own! Perhaps there is music you enjoy, and perhaps there is music the critic opines about, and never the twain shall meet, but there is still too much analysis,I feel. Do you like it? Good,buy and enjoy. If not,buy something else, or play and record your own.

so I'm glad none was taken. We're dealing with opinions, and opinions are bound to vary widely. But I certainly did criticize your opinion and I'm glad you're able to take the same treatment you dish out. If my criticism seemed especially barbed, it was probably sparked off by your reference to those who dislike Era Vulgaris as "short-sighted fools." Again, dish that shit out all you want as long as you can take it in return.

Your above comment under "Who are you, TroubleDog?" seems to overlook the very common practice of overdubbing multiple guitar parts (and anything else) in the studio (by the same musician), which I have no doubt Battles does. Thanks for elucidating on what you meant by "themes" and "meaning."

I stand by my comment on Era Vulgaris. The "guitar riffs" could definitely use a lot more notes in them. And Happs, I'm not angry, I just like to express my opinion here like everyone else does. But I will admit I only sat through Era Vulgaris once and don't care to again. I didn't hear anithing too great and I'm convinced I'm not missing anything, but if you like it, great, more power to ya. What do I like from 2007? For one, I really dig the White Stripes' Icky Thump. Also the Triple Yeahs EP. I get the impression that the White Stripes are not popular at all in the Alibi offices, which seems ironic to me in light of the fact that Led Zeppelin apparently is. I think a lot of people are resentful of and jealous of the widespread popularity and success of both of those bands. Any way you slice them, their guitarists are killer and they fucking rock. I'll take "Rag and Bone" all by itself, over and over over Era Vulgaris every time.

Who am I? since you asked, my name is Rich Latta. I used to be debaser, but I killed off that asshole for good. That was an interesting experiment that went horribly ary. As TroubleDog, I pledge to only to post that which is interesting and relevant and refrain from personal insults and posting about my sex life (or lack therof). It's a new year and everyone deserves a second chance, right? I promise to be a good dog.

I just had to let my inner Latta out. Holding it back just got too irritating. Mirrored - I own the album, and I still pop it in occasionally. I have tons of CDs because I like a lot of variety and Mirrored certainly isn't boring. In fact, it's good music, but I still find it sing-songy and irritating in places. It makes me want to listen to something like Tago Mago instead.

Since we're discussing music here, I hope you won't mind me relating an awful experience I recently had. As you might imagine, I'm going through a tough time at the moment and have had to resort to selling off some CDs in order to keep eating. Obviously, this is a horrible, excruciating proposition for a music junkie like myself, but I'm even more of a food junkie. One of those funny things about being human. Anyway, I went to Natural Sound and, boy, their CD buying process has really gone down the tubes since the last time I had to do this. They wouldn't tell me how much they were offering me for each CD, just offering a lump sum price for the whole shebang. And I was clearly getting ripped off, so I passed on making the sale. The Asian guy (who I see working there quite often) let out a snooty little exclamation. Well, it's his fault he chose to put stickers on all those CDs before he knew whether or not I was going to agree to his price. I went down the street to F.Y.E. and literally got twice as much for my CDs. I might've just sold 'em to Natural Sound because I was already there and I like that they have a good listening station where I can hear anything I want, plus it's always good to support local mom n' pop style business. But they are just so fucking stuck-up and snooty there. So unfriendly. I think this attitude comes straight from the top - that snooty old man who owns the place. A girl who used to work there told me he's a sexist pig who refused to pay her as much as the guys. It's not just the owner, you see this snooty attitude in most everyone who works there. What is it about music stores and snobs? On different occasions I've seen them suddenly put on smiles when someone makes a purchase, only to make fun of the customer after they walk out the door. And I've heard enough of their snooty, egotistical conversations and opinions about music while simultaneously listening to tuneless trash like Iggy Pop or Neutral Milk Hotel that I think I just won't be giving them any more money ast all, certainly not for their overpriced new CDs which I can get much cheaper elsewhere (obviously an important consideration when you're poor like me). I'll probably still pop in for free listens though.

I didn't type that they were ALL like that. And maybe some of them know who I am and just don't like me personally (although I'm quite certain I've never given them a reason to feel that way in person). Also, I always have to be mindful of that old adage, "The things you hate most in other people are often the things you hate most about yourself." I detest music snobbery, but sometimes I still have to fight that old tendency in my own self.

Hopefully I'll never have to sell CDs again. I think the days of using them as a financial safety net will soon be over, anyway.

I've notice that cd's and games don't sell at all, just the big things like furniture and small appliances. I sell a lot of books at Page One Two, but they never take as many as I think they're going to and (like Natural Sound) they just give you a lump sum offer in either trade or cash for the books they took. I've never tried to sell cd's or dvd's there, but I know they sell them so they also must buy them. I've never even heard of F.Y.E. - I'll have to look it up.

to whoever gave that last post I wrote 5 stars even though the writing is fuzzy and loaded with typos. I attribute this to yet another attempt at sobriety. Don't worry, I won't let myself flip out like I did last time I went sober as the debaser. I'm really, really trying to stay positive . . . I think I need to check out that "of god and science" release, especially if it's truly ambient. anyone know of a good way to get it on CD (so I don't have to search for it myself?)? I could use some music like that right about now. And it might work well with the "Finding Darwin's God" book I'm reading right now.

for actually responding to my post, Jessica. Perhaps we can leave the nastiness that was between us in the past (although I never thought it should've been taken seriously anyway). I've never even heard of Owl Greens, and I thought I was hip to all the local music spots.

More spewing:

How could I forget one of my fav musical obsessions, Siouxsie? MANTA RAY is loaded with killer alterna-pop, jazz touches, vibes, upright bass (courtesy of the ultra-talented Charlie Jones, former Robert Plant sideman), Creatures-style sounds and rhythms and abrasive electronic flourishes. The album can largely be heard in terms of her recent divorce from long time musical partner Budgie; it's both scathingly sad and optimistic about the future. No doubt too pop for many old school Banshees fans, and of course those who have a distaste for her peculiar vocal stylings won't like it. But "Here Comes That Day" has the potential for mass appeal with its cabaret/"James Bond" quality (one of the few things I've read by Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield [sp?] that I can agree with). As I stated before, I don't really care too much about how old music is, so for any newbie who wants to check out Siouxsie, I'd recommend hearing ERASER CUT by the Creatures, especially "Slipping Away," if you dig electronic music. Or if you're more into old school goth-rock, I'd say check out JUJU, especially "Night Shift" or "Skin" and "Red Light" from KALEIDOSCOPE by Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Other surprising omissions from 2007 top ten lists I've read:

Nine Inch Nails. Genius marketing campaign, but I guess most people agreed with my opinion that none of these songs really stick. I like the much-maligned previous album WITH TEETH a lot more. I thought it was amusing that so many fans couldn't take Reznor's different direction on that one, a more straight-up rock approach (although the only truly straight-up rock song on that album did indeed suck). On YEAR ZERO, Reznor tried to please the masses but failed to come up with worthwhile tunes (not that "tunes" was every his strongest suit anyway).

Also, SKY BLUE SKY (what a dumb-ass album title) by the perplexingly popular Wilco. Never heard it, but I was surprised that it was largely ignored on year-end lists considering their enduring popularity. I gave up on them after hearing YANKEE HOTEL FOX TROT. I think I'll post my old review of that one so anyone on this forum can shit on it if they so choose.

I found to be terribly boring. I believe the "hip" term most reviewers are using is "Dad Rock"

I'll check it out when I get the chance. You made some good points. BTW- My YHF review was rated 3 out of 5 stars. If you actually like my writing style or opinions, I posted plenty more at Amazon under "Ira Moon" and some even older ones under "Rich Latta," although I became mentally unstable and fucked some of those reviews up because I couldn't work a computer the way I wanted to. You'll quickly find out I'm a die-hard Cure fan.

Back on Siouxsie, for doubters about my contention that "Here Comes That Day" would make a great "James Bond" track, it's worth noting that S&B actually have added to a few mainstream movie soundtracks: The excellent "New Skin" from "Showgirls" and "Face To Face" (made with Danny Elfman) from the horrible "Batman Returns." Tangent time: "Batman Returns" is a classic example of Hollywood's tendency to let a great or pretty good movie turn to shit during its final quarter. It's almost as if everyone involved couldn't wait to get to the post-production party and let it all fall to pieces. I don't know if this is due to budget problems or time constraints, but I've seen way too many movies turn out like this.

Just a suggestion, Alibi: why not consider re-instituting ratings for album reviews? I think a 1 to 10 rating system is good and leaves plenty of room for nuance. Some of your reviews are too ambiguous and I can't figure out if your giving the record a "thumbs up or thumbs down." Do you recommend getting it or not?

This is coming from a guy who thinks the Beach Boys' music is wussy doo-doo and doesn't care much for the Ramones, so take my opinion with a grain of salt the size of a $50 crack rock.

IN RAINBOWS has gotta be better than half the stuff on this list. It's certainly more adventurous and interesting, if not their greatest album. I cetainly wouldn't argue that it is, but unlike HAIL TO THE THIEF, it continues to get better with each listen. For me at least.