IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO TODAY…

1995 was a tough year. In July, my grandmother, who was the most important person in my life at the time, died. She was 72. I can’t begin to describe the influence that women had on me. I am, in essence, a cynical person. I tend to be argumentative, unyielding at times, sullen and moody. My love of music comes from her. A large part of my sense of humor also is due to her.  Every bit of me that runs counter to that inclination to negativity comes from my grandmother. While she had her own struggles (we all do), she was someone who sought to enjoy life. She made friends easily and people liked being in her company.When she was joyful, she could fill up a room with her exuberance. It’s been 20 years and I still miss her terribly and think of her often.   

In September of that same year Son Volt released Trace.  I mention this because, for good or bad, that album will forever be tied with my grandmother’s death. This is not a bad thing. I won’t go into all the reasons why this album is considered a modern classic. You can read those reviews elsewhere. I will point out that it set a standard for the fledgling “Alt Country” genre by which all others would be compared. It was an album built on contrasts. It was thunderous and tranquil, aggressive and subtle, tense and soothing.  But above all it felt personal and was sincere in a way that most other albums by bands making similar music at that time were not. All of these reasons made it something that was extremely comforting to me while I dealt with the loss of my grandmother. I listened to it nonstop throughout that fall and winter and while I never necessarily felt “happy” after listening to it, I always felt better.  

Tonight, Jay Farrar is in Austin to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Trace and he will be performing songs from that album. And I will be in the audience, singing along, thinking of gandma.  

Time to get back to reviewin' me some albums

Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy - The Refreshments

There was a time when I would frequent record stores and pull CDs to listen to based on the covers. Occasionally a record store would have a listening station set up, and I would peruse it until something caught me eye. Well, that is exactly how I came to own Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy by The Refreshments.

I couldn't help but be drawn to that wonderfully vintage, bomber art cover (take a gander at that cover and you'll fall instantly in love!) It took me a couple of listens to know I couldn't live without it. I returned to the store at least twice, (I couldn't get "Mexico" and "Sucker Punch" out of my head) and I finally bought it. The best way to describe this album is infectious. Once it burrows into subconscious, there's no turning back.

One of my fondest memories of this CD is listening to it on a road trip to the heart of Virginia wine country (yes they make wine in Virginia - pretty good wine, as a matter of fact) with my buddy Rich. I had turned him on to the CD and we were listening to it on the way down from DC. We had the windows down and were both singing at the top of our lungs (or screeching - depending on your point of view). This CD just cries to be listened to a maximum volume, while you're barreling down the open road. On that trip, the two of us confirmed what we already suspected: this album is built for a road trip.

Standouts for me are the aforementioned "Mexico" and "Sucker Punch" as well as "Down Together," "Mekong" and "Banditos" (which happens to be the BIG single of the record), but all of it is immensely entertaining.

One finally word, I was listening to this with my oldest daughter in the car. When it was finished, she asked to hear it again. It is now one of the CDs she request when I ask her what she wants to listed to in the car. I can't tell you how happy it makes me feel watching her sing along with the CD. There is nothing better than being able to share music I love with her. It makes listening to it that much better.

All the world's indeed a stage...

Well, I saw the Rush documentary this week Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage. It is fantastic. It was only out theatrically for a limited time and will be released on DVD and on VH-1 at some point later this month. It won the audience award at the Tribecca Film Festival, and its well deserved.

Seeing this film made me proud to have had the good sense to be a Rush fan, something I haven't felt for sometime. Its full of old footage and funny as hell, to boot. I had a smile on my face almost the entire time. I highly recommended it and its not just for Rush fans either. It is simply a great documentary and tells a great story.

I do have to say after having some time away from the screening, I realize watching it was like running into an old friend that you haven't seen in years. You know what I'm talking about: being reminded why you were such good friends and being reminded how sad it was that you've grown apart over the years. Not to sound hokey (I realize I'm failing miserably at it) but Rush and I have grown apart, and that makes me feel a little melancholy. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm not interested in the "new" Rush. It bores me to tears. I'm past the point of being angry about it, and except that the band's sound has move away from me.

However, like all great friendships, I'll always have my memories. I have tickets to see them this fall and they will be playing Moving Pictures in its entirety. So, while we don't see or speak to each other everyday anymore, we can still get together and relive old times. At least I have that going for me, which is nice.

Rush to Judgement

My name is X-Ray, and I am a Rush fan. It's often not an easy thing to admit, but it has been down right difficult over the last 5 years or so because I've had to come to grips with the fact that the Rush I knew and loved (often to the detriment of picking up really hot chicks), no longer exists.

You see, somewhere along the way, Rush decided to give up on any semblance of melody and dive head first into sludge rock. Even in the past, when their songs were loud and crunchy ("Anthem", "Temples of Syrinx", "Something for Nothing"), or monster slices of tightly-wound progressive, power trio goodliness ("Cygnus X-1" or "Hemispheres"), the songs were still tuneful. You could sing along. You could hum the guitar solos. Hell, more often the not, the base lines were catchy little ditties!!

Now unfortunately, all Rush songs sound the same, and that same ain't good. Their songs are more often than not muddy, tuneless, and plodding messes. The playing on their last couple of albums has been uninspired. Their lyrics are just plain horrible, but to be fair, they have been since Presto. And I can't for the life of me understand why Geddy is so obsessed with double tracking his vocals. I had to come to the painful realization years ago that I wasn't doing myself any favors continuing to listen to their new music.

However, that being said, old geek habits die hard. I have continued to see them live (seen every tour since Power Windows more than 25 years ago) and have bought tickets to the upcoming tour. Last night I showed my true geek colors by staying up until midnight because the new Rush single was being release online, and I wanted to hear it.

I know you are waiting with baited breath to see if this story has a happy ending and whether the lack of sleep was worth it. You may even be hoping that Rush redeemed themselves, that the songs (for there was a b-side as well) were a breath of fresh air. A return to the understanding of what made their music so great to begin with. Well, dear readers, I am afraid that I cannot report as such. They suck, plain and simple. Loud and pointless seems to be the standard by which all future Rush music will be made, and that my friends, is a damn shame.

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio

Yesterday, one of my teen heroes passed away, Ronnie James Dio. Yes, I was a headbanger in my youth. Dio, along with Iron Maiden, somehow help me understand my teenage alienation from the rest of society. Of course now I realize that was such so much horseshit, but that doesn't change the fact that I have a HUGE place in my heart for Mr. Dio, and for the first two Dio albums (Holy Diver and Last in Line) in particular. He was a metal legend. From everything I've read about him over the last day, he was real gentleman to boot. RJD you will be missed...

It Ain't all bad...

As much as I believe the greatness of Austin is slipping away before my very eyes, there are times when I still feel like it's the greatest place on the planet. Last week was one of those moments. Wednesday, I went to see a great power pop master, Brendan Benson, at a very small local club on the East side of town called the Independent. The show was fantastic, and the place was perfect.

On Friday, I went bowling with some friends at a great bowling alley/lounge called the Highball. The place is a small, vintage 8 lane alley with a 60's supper club motif. The lanes were actually from a mid century alley in New Orleans called the Rock n' Bowl, and they've been lovingly restored to their former glory.

Saturday, I got my first taste of the Ugly Beats live. These guys are my new favorite band. I've acquired both of their albums and have put my New Years resolution on hold because I've been listening to them non stop. They opened for the Explosives, a local skinny tie power pop legend from the early 80's who lived up to the hype. Both bands played at a local coffee shop for $7! It was a steal to say the least!!

Finally, I went to the opening night of the flat track roller derby league on Sunday and got to drink $3 "tall girls" of Lone Star and watch girls skate around and beat the hell out of each other. The mayor even rang in the opening match. Only in Austin, my friends. Too bad these times are becoming few and far between, but I do thank the Maker that I'm still able to enjoy them.

The Ugly Beats. A little slice of garage rock heaven!

Sometimes you go through your daily routine, completely oblivious to the amazing things right under your nose. I live in the Austin, Texas, the self-proclaimed the music capital of the world, and it always amazes me when I find a band that has been around for a while that I knew nothing about. I know I can't know everything, but when a band this damned cool is out there, and I don't know... well I almost feel that I should give up my anorak badge.

Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you as much in the dark as I was, I give you the Ugly Beats!!



If you, like me, can't get enough, here's a link to their myspace page. Do yourself a huge favor and check it out: The Ugly Beats