TS: Will Oldham Vs. Bill Callahan

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First off, can somebody explain how this brand of vague-worded "roots punk" even exists? Weed?

Ok, they've both gone through, ahem, name changes/alterations (songs, brothers, (smog)) (!) and certainly both wear their share of denim (overalls, Marty McFly jacket). The point I'm trying to make is, at least, WHO'S BETTER? You know, WITH THE MUSIC!

Because the person I'm sitting across from at the table keeps saying, "You see, he's got a girl singing Will Oldham for him, you won't see Smog Show (that's what she calls Smog, because I once went to a, uh, Smog show)doing that" (regarding Lost Blues)and "Will Oldham was able to, for a time, channel what Smog Show stays up late at night trying to cultivate". Which I could possibly believe if I cared more for Smog than Knock (x2) and RAF. I like the CD single by Palace Oldham called "Western Songs".

Ok, so please tell me.

― Louise Ville, Monday, 30 January 2006 07:01 (twenty years ago)

callahan EASY

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 30 January 2006 07:09 (twenty years ago)

I like Smog enough I guess. However when Palace hits me right, the songs are lifelong loves. Some of my favorites:

more brother rides
new partner
gulf shores
(end of) traveling
west palm beach
no more workhorse blues
I am a cinematographer
the cellar song
o lord are you in need
ohio river boat song
untitled (song #2 from "Hope" EP)

― Brian Jones (Brian Jones), Monday, 30 January 2006 08:38 (twenty years ago)

what blount typed.

― Jack Cole (jackcole), Monday, 30 January 2006 08:41 (twenty years ago)

will oldham hands down.

― simon 803 (simon 803), Monday, 30 January 2006 10:04 (twenty years ago)

Probably Smog. Some of Palace's albums just freak me out. (Especially Arise Therefore.)
Mostly though because of Knock Knock which is one of my fave records ever. Also, Ex-Con is just hilarious beyond words.

― Nathalie (stevie nixed), Monday, 30 January 2006 10:14 (twenty years ago)

"New Partner" vs "Your Anniversary" = tough one

― sean gramophone (Sean M), Monday, 30 January 2006 10:17 (twenty years ago)

callahan

― noizem duke (noize duke), Monday, 30 January 2006 10:26 (twenty years ago)

I like both. Callahan seems smart, but, to me, Will Oldham is other. Otherness is more immediate and romantic and whatever. For example, coming from Sheffield, 'Gulf Shores' seems like the most exotic song ever.

'Ease Down The Road' is the best album recorded by either of them.

Also, it shouldn't matter, but Bill Callahan seems like a tosser, which bothers me. Not that I'd want to be friends with Will Oldham.

― Mike W (caek), Monday, 30 January 2006 10:52 (twenty years ago)

oldham EASY

― The Man in the Iron-On Mask (noodle vague), Monday, 30 January 2006 12:13 (twenty years ago)

Callahan... by inches...
No, both

― kurosawa, Monday, 30 January 2006 12:24 (twenty years ago)

Arise Therefore towers over both of their catalogs.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Monday, 30 January 2006 13:37 (twenty years ago)

Callahan without breaking a sweat

― Thomas Tallis (Tommy), Monday, 30 January 2006 13:47 (twenty years ago)

Oldham by a mile. Callahan just seems weird for weird's sake.

― Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Monday, 30 January 2006 14:05 (twenty years ago)

Objectively I'd say Oldham is better overall, but lately Callahan has appealed much more to my sensibilities.

― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Monday, 30 January 2006 15:11 (twenty years ago)

I really don't think Oldham's made a truly great record since Ease Down the Road, so nuh.

― Wax Cat (Wax Cat), Monday, 30 January 2006 23:29 (twenty years ago)

I'd duck after saying that Oldham is probably more *influential* and *important*

― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Monday, 30 January 2006 23:37 (twenty years ago)

Will Oldham v Bill Callahan

― Palpatean Mists, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 00:01 (twenty years ago)

I like them both.

Callahan is funnier, though.

― dar1a g (daria g), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 00:03 (twenty years ago)

Callahan hands down

― cdwill, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 01:31 (twenty years ago)

I'm going to change my response and say, Callahan has never done anything that touches I See a Darkness or Lost Blues and Other Songs; but Callahan is funnier and probably more consistent.

― Wax Cat (Wax Cat), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 08:01 (twenty years ago)

"A River Ain't Too Much To Love" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "Superwolf"

so for today we will say Smog.

― sean gramophone (Sean M), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 14:09 (twenty years ago)

I read this as "Wil Calhoun vs Billy Cobham". I don't honestly know who I'd choose.

― Dominique (dleone), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 14:11 (twenty years ago)

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