New book: http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780525951568,00.html
― markers, Monday, 16 August 2010 19:05 (thirteen years ago) link
Perpetua interview w/ Sheffield part one: http://www.fluxblog.org/2010/08/interview-with-rob-sheffield-part-one
Matos interview w/ Sheffield, two weeks ago:
http://17dots.com/2010/08/05/emusic-qa-rob-sheffield/
― xhuxk, Monday, 16 August 2010 19:39 (thirteen years ago) link
I loved that Matos interview -- really one of the best things I've read this year.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 16 August 2010 19:45 (thirteen years ago) link
Yes, that interview is great.
― รด_o (Nicole), Monday, 16 August 2010 20:04 (thirteen years ago) link
Part two: http://www.fluxblog.org/2010/08/interview-with-rob-sheffield-part-two
― markers, Tuesday, 17 August 2010 15:12 (thirteen years ago) link
I finished the book last weekend and enjoyed it. Most people I know would be bored reading about half-forgotten pop songs with episodic autobiographical bits. I wonder how big the readership is of special people like us who care about that sort of thing? Not exactly a review, he got me thinking about my own perspective on 1986 in particular. Click on dorky photo at the end for the soundtrack. http://www.fastnbulbous.com/1986.htm
― Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 19 August 2010 14:10 (thirteen years ago) link
Bon Jovi particularly irked me at the time, because I thought at first he sounded alright, a kind of metallized Bruce Springsteen. But then I saw the videos with his ridiculousy poofed hair and cheesy preening that was blatantly aimed toward an audience of screaming tweener girls, and I somehow felt betrayed. Similarly, the tunes from Madonna's first album made me think she was like a former tough New York punk chick who discovered dance music, like Blondie. But her later hits like "Like A Virgin," "Papa Don't Preach" and "True Blue" drove me insane with their obviously, cynically calculated, cold feel. Feh, sellout.
You've changed your mind about Madonna, I hope.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 14:18 (thirteen years ago) link
i cannot wait to read this
― i think i can beat my dyson (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 19 August 2010 14:19 (thirteen years ago) link
i read his last one a couple years ago. thinkin of picking this one up too
― markers, Thursday, 19 August 2010 14:47 (thirteen years ago) link
Hope he includes mixtape ideas.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:02 (thirteen years ago) link
before i read his previous book i had no idea he was a music critic. i had just seen him as, like, a talking head on vh1 or whatever. probably for one of those i love the whatever shows? u_u
― markers, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:03 (thirteen years ago) link
tbf his music criticism is the occasional "four stars, really?" RS main review at this point, try to score a copy of the SPIN Alternative Guide if you wanna see him in A+ reviewin' mode.
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:12 (thirteen years ago) link
One of the pleasures of reading old SPINs on Google Books is finding his reviews of Faster Pussycat and shit.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:14 (thirteen years ago) link
thanks, da croupier -- i should look into that guide
― markers, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:18 (thirteen years ago) link
try to score a copy of the SPIN Alternative Guide if you wanna see him in A+ reviewin' mode.
I'm kind of biased here, but if you want to see him in A+ reviewin' mode, hunt down some old Radio Ons--he's A+++ in there.
― clemenza, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:22 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah I didn't know how readily available those were
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:23 (thirteen years ago) link
Not readily, to put it mildly.
― clemenza, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:24 (thirteen years ago) link
Only in so far as now that I'm no longer smothered by her overplayed songs, I can tolerate listening to her again. Occasionally. I re-listened to her 2nd and 3rd albums recently and they sound just as cold and calculated. But she did elevate selling out as an art form, heh.
Regarding Sheffield's book, there's less music covered because each chapter is mainly based on a single song, though he does talk about other music. There will certainly be some you've forgotten about worth YouTubin'.
― Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:31 (thirteen years ago) link
crap looks like the spin alt guide's going for like $8 to a penny on amazon - might as well replace the spineless pile of pages I still flip through on occasion
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:42 (thirteen years ago) link
Dug the Matos intvw. (haven't read the Perpetua one). Is Christgau really such an annoying old fart that he'll go up to a dj and request what HE wants to hear?
― Zooster vs. The Slapp (Capitaine Jay Vee), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:27 (thirteen years ago) link
I thought everyone did that at a friend's party.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:32 (thirteen years ago) link
I don't think I've ever DJed and not had someone make a request. If it was Christgau I'd be over the moon.
― Haunted Clocks For Sale (Dorianlynskey), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:42 (thirteen years ago) link
haha hell any 68-year-old asking for aztec camera at a party would be awesome
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:44 (thirteen years ago) link
also trying to figure out why "HE" is in all caps, do people normally ask DJs to play what SOMEONE ELSE wants to hear?
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:45 (thirteen years ago) link
It would be a refreshing change from pissed and/or coked-up girls angrily requesting a record that I'VE ALREADY PLAYED
― Haunted Clocks For Sale (Dorianlynskey), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:46 (thirteen years ago) link
At a party last Sunday all the guests asked my friend for was Arcade Fire, so an Aztec Camera request would have been....appreciated.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:52 (thirteen years ago) link
HE s/b Christgau. I dunno - in my experience the dj ( at a party, etc) selects because their taste in music is trusted to move the crowd. I know very few who are down to play Human Jukebox. You'd think CGau would've just been able to grin and bear the Duran Duran tune is all.
― Zooster vs. The Slapp (Capitaine Jay Vee), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:52 (thirteen years ago) link
Dude, you don't know if Christgau groaned in mock irritation ("Aw, fuck, DURAN DURAN, Rob?"). He wasn't slamming his cane down on the stereo.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Who suggest banned Christgau?
― Kevin John Bozelka, Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:59 (thirteen years ago) link
Informed requests can be awesome! DJed a show one time, I'm playing the Feelies and the singer asked if I had any dBs. Last thing on my mind is "don't you trust my taste to move the crowd?" She was playing new wave, he asked for some. It's not like xgau asked for fats waller.
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:00 (thirteen years ago) link
At a party last Sunday all the guests asked my friend for was Arcade Fire
This is not my idea of a party.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:00 (thirteen years ago) link
I went home early and read Dickens.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:01 (thirteen years ago) link
Such an archetype that there's even a great song about HER (and him too, really) (fast-forward to 2:40):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_epvdQbl4hA
― Kevin John Bozelka, Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:02 (thirteen years ago) link
god how awesome would it be if Xgau really was slamming his cane down on stereos and asking for Duran Duran to be REMOVED FROM THE PLAYER IMMEDIATELY in favor of Aztec Camera
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:03 (thirteen years ago) link
"I DEMAND YOU KEEP THIS PARTY AT A B PLUS OR HIGHER, WITH THE OCCASIONAL CHOICE CUT"
― da croupier, Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:05 (thirteen years ago) link
THIS IS A GODDAMN TURKEY SHOOT!"
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:08 (thirteen years ago) link
He could turn up with a sheet of bomb stickers and slap one on the decks every time a tune he hates comes on.
― Haunted Clocks For Sale (Dorianlynskey), Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:09 (thirteen years ago) link
That's a good poll idea: stuff not to play when Christgau's over for dinner. You can list all his E's (GNR Lies, Bernie Taupin, etc).
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:14 (thirteen years ago) link
please sir, can I have some more (Arcade Fire)?
― markers, Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:16 (thirteen years ago) link
I'll gladly trade Aztec Camera for Ray Parker Jr though.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 19 August 2010 17:18 (thirteen years ago) link
Interesting thoughts on the "First-Week One-Listen Piffle" ethos.
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 13:01 (thirteen years ago) link
just got this in. will have to read...soon?
― natas, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 13:02 (thirteen years ago) link
I interviewed Rob about his new book last night, and plan to air it this Sunday morning on Toronto's CKLN. I may split the interview into two parts, this Sunday and two Sundays from now--not sure yet. Anyway, if you're interested, it's Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m.; the online stream is here. Usually the stream is up and running; sometimes it isn't.
― clemenza, Thursday, 7 October 2010 14:07 (thirteen years ago) link
Urtkay Obainkay
― m0stlyClean, Friday, 8 October 2010 18:54 (thirteen years ago) link
The stream was down when I aired this two Sundays ago, but I managed to get it onto mp3 and upload it to my site:
pt. 1pt. 2
Rob's really funny; if you think there's too much clemenza, I would agree.
― clemenza, Sunday, 24 October 2010 02:52 (thirteen years ago) link
I'm glad you mentioned Robert Palmer's "Hyperactive," which I've always liked.
― raging hetero lifechill (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 24 October 2010 03:06 (thirteen years ago) link
"I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" IS on Riptide, btw.
― raging hetero lifechill (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 24 October 2010 03:07 (thirteen years ago) link
Oops--that used to get played in our record store constanstly, so I should know that. Isn't "Hyperactive" great?
― clemenza, Sunday, 24 October 2010 03:09 (thirteen years ago) link
And gross too -- it's Chic without Nile Rodgers, in the hamfisted way they squeezed a song without Madonna telling them what to do. Also: "She's hyperactive when she starts to dance" -- like, what?
― raging hetero lifechill (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 24 October 2010 03:11 (thirteen years ago) link
Palmer sings it well. Not a big hit here: a top thirty peak or something, b/w "Addicted to Love" and "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On."
― raging hetero lifechill (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 24 October 2010 03:13 (thirteen years ago) link
DJed a show one time, I'm playing the Feelies and the singer asked if I had any dBs. Last thing on my mind is "don't you trust my taste to move the crowd?"
i really doubt Feelies were moving any crowds to begin with, homie
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Sunday, 24 October 2010 05:22 (thirteen years ago) link
homie?
― da croupier, Sunday, 24 October 2010 05:29 (thirteen years ago) link
homeslice
― kkvgz, Sunday, 24 October 2010 12:08 (thirteen years ago) link
This is the first time I've thought about Robert Palmer's "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" since it was on the radio. I suppose it's something that all these years later the hook immediately jumped into my head.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 24 October 2010 13:20 (thirteen years ago) link
Didn't know anything about this until today:
http://www.amazon.com/Turn-Around-Bright-Eyes-Rituals/dp/0062207628
Hoping my ignorance of Karaoke won't be much of an impediment.
― clemenza, Friday, 31 May 2013 23:48 (ten years ago) link
Duran Duran singer with beard, moustache and big gut at stadium in London benefit concert yesterday
― curmudgeon, Monday, 3 June 2013 14:38 (ten years ago) link
Got Turn Around Bright Eyes in the mail yesterday, finished it very quickly. Excellent, although sobering--it's largely about moving past stuff that I'm still stuck on at 51. What the three books need now is a nickname. The Ditch Trilogy is taken, and wouldn't work anyway.
― clemenza, Thursday, 8 August 2013 20:30 (ten years ago) link
Wandered over to the Amazon listing and was bemused when I noted who one of the chief reviewers was.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 8 August 2013 21:06 (ten years ago) link
oh is that the guy from Postal Service
― first I think it's time I kick a little verse! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 8 August 2013 21:07 (ten years ago) link
What does it mean when a book makes you feel like you can sing?
http://www.cartoondollemporium.com/disney/ariel3.jpg
― first I think it's time I kick a little verse! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 8 August 2013 21:08 (ten years ago) link
I would be all about Ariel reviewing this book. Hell, Ursula.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 8 August 2013 21:12 (ten years ago) link
Met this guy at the recent Chickfactor shows in Brooklyn. Boy, he was extremely nice. I very much enjoyed watching the bands and talking to him there.
― Evan, Thursday, 8 August 2013 23:25 (ten years ago) link
Rob, that is.
Rob really is a truly nice human-being, and really really funny. Was very lucky to get to hear him do a radio show for a couple of years as well. It was always great.
― grandavis, Friday, 9 August 2013 15:01 (ten years ago) link
I picked this up yesterday and read 3/4 of it by nighttime. Really enjoy it. A lot of it is trifle but it's engaging trifle. I loved the chapter on Hazey Fantezey
― akm, Monday, 16 October 2017 17:14 (six years ago) link