While Uncle Joe is best known as one of America's top Classic Rock historians, throughout his 32-year career he's always been acutely aware of current trends in the music industry. Indeed, Classic Rock itself was the finest new music of its day, composed and performed by artists at their creative peak. For a scholarly insight into today's trends, J.B. presents Rave's Raves.
Rave's Raves are composed by Bruce Ravid, a veteran of Capitol Record's A&R Department and in no way reflect the official viewpoint of Uncle Joe, his staff or management. They are written from Rave's industry viewpoint, originally for friends within the music business, but now shared with the world. New editions appear in April, August, and December with occasional updates in between. Enjoy!
***RAVE'S RAVES #11.1***
June, 2001
NEW RAVE'S FAVES
(on the air since April)
Coldplay ("Shiver"), Pete Yorn, Air, Manic Street Preachers ("Sad"), Rufus Wainwright ("Cigarettes"), Weezer ("Island"), Gorillaz ("Clint").
The quality of current music on radio, video, and the internet is better than it has been for several years. I really like "Radio #1" by France's Air, which has an outside chance at becoming a hit. Two of their three LA concerts are sold out, and I'm looking forward to seeing them. "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" from Rufus is great, but his new CD doesn't match up to his spectacular first effort. He has dropped much of his appealing cabaret style in favor of a more straight-forward approach. Weezer's "Island" joins "Hash Pipe" as two of the best songs on current radio. "Island" and Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood" are both Top Five requested at KROQ. "Clint" features Blur's Damon Albarn, who sounds great. The song is a smash throughout Europe and is obviously getting a domestic buzz, yet Virgin is going with a different single in this country. Go figure. If you're into new-millennium punk, check out Sum 41. Their "Fat Lip" hit is cool, and the entire CD is consistent with that song.
I've got some bad news for any of you who've been listening to The Chris Carter Mess on www.worldclassrock.com. Clear Channel, the corporation that owns more stations than anyone, blew out the entire staff. As I've often said, Chris is one of my top sources for new music. I'll miss the show, but I'm sure he'll be back.
80's COLLEAGUES
Two of the bands I worked with are reforming. Duran Duran are going into the studio with their original lineup. I don't know whether it will work at this point, but it will be interesting. I feel they should return to the positive, melodic style that graced their first few albums; with unlta-modern, electronic-based backing tracks. People don't want to hear a dark-sounding Duran Duran. Warren Cuccurullo leaves the band, but don't feel too badly for him, as he's always wanted to reform his Missing Persons. Amazingly, he's been able to get the divorced Terry and Dale Bozzio to work together. Persons will tour this summer, as are The Motels and The Knack. The Knack continue to amaze people with their youthfulness and energy. Among their recent shows was a headlining stint in front of 7,000+ in Detroit. In August, they will shoot a concert for a DVD release, and a new studio album is also in the works. Keep an eye on this space for further details.
Speaking of Missing Persons, their manager and producer was Ken Scott, who also worked on most of the Beatles albums, as well as with David Bowie, Lou Reed, Supertramp, and many others. Ken doesn't give many interviews, but he and Uncle Joe Benson sat down for a discussion that will be featured on Joe's nationally syndicated Off the Record during the weekend of July 7-8. Try to catch this show--tape it if you must!
Okay folks, that's all for now. See you in August for Rave's Raves #12. Until then,
Rave On!
April, 2001
***RAVE'S RAVES #11***
Rave's Top Current Airplay Faves
The Living End, Guttermouth, Weezer, Daft Punk, Ours, Gentle Waves, Moby featuring Gwen, Depeche Mode, AC/DC ("NY City"), Aerosmith ("Play"), Black Crowes.
"Roll On" by The Living End brings back the Australian band who brought us the "Prisoner Of Society" hit a couple of years ago. They merge current and original punk influences so well, and I'm disappointed the song hasn't done better at radio. Maybe their sound is too retro. Guttermouth and Weezer bring some needed humor to the airwaves. The Ours song is another great entry in the Radiohead vein. Gentle Waves are a melodic, breezy Belle & Sebastian spin-off. Moby's "South Side" refuses to die and still sounds great. The new, unplugged Depeche tune is very cool and has been embraced by various radio/video formats. How nice to hear new stuff by AC/DC, Aerosmith, and the Black Crowes that manages to sound so fresh. I'm pleased to hear more melody returning to the alternative airwaves. The Lighthouse and American Hi-Fi songs don't quite attain "Fave" status, but they definitely warrant an honorable mention. And the Coldplay CD is supurb.
Europe: My annual late-winter business trips to Europe uncovered a few interesting tidbits. Daft Punk have developed a nice buzz and moderate success in the US, but the French act are huge on their native continent. I was in a German club one night, and when "One More Time" came on, the place exploded. Manic Street Preachers had a hit that was more melodic than anything I've heard from them, with strong Beach Boys influences. Let me not forget to mention good old "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus. Remember their cute ode to the young boy and girl who were going to see Iron Maiden? Well, the song went Top 5 in Germany, the UK, and other places this year.
Meanwhile, people have their varied opinions about whether violent lyrics in songs are creating a major problem in society. At the same time, rappers(not to mention athletes and politicians) are regularly getting off from felony charges. I'm opposed to violent lyrics. Whatever the threat of these lyrics, the worst message of all to kids, is that high-profile people continue to be above the law... Bob Seger and manager Punch Andrews have been beloved members of the Capitol Records family for decades. Detroit's Kid Rock has never been a favorite of mine musically, but he did something that tells me what kind of guy he is. Seeing how long Bob and Punch have worked together, Kid signed Punch for the same reason -- he wanted a manger he could work with indefinitely. How refreshing, in this era of short-attention spans and society's collective need for instant gratification. For those who you who don't read the LA Times, they occasionally poll label leaders and ask them which artists they'd most like to have on their rosters. The new top ten, in order, are Eminem, Dr. Dre, The Beatles, Dave Matthews Band, Madonna, Destiny's Child, Shania Twain, Limp Bizkit, Faith Hill, and Celine Dion. To me, that's a depressing list, but the good news is that these guys always turn out to be wrong with many of their choices.
Liner Notes: I'd like to thank Uncle Joe Benson for his suggestion that Rave's Raves join the unclejoe.com website. As you probably already know, he is quite the rock authority, and I've enjoyed following his career from the time he was a rock radio music director in Milwaukee. Joe's voice is the first live sound I normally hear when my clock radio goes off every morning at 7:29. I look forward to this new association, and to hearing from his fans.
Rave On!
***RAVE'S RAVES #10.1***
February, 2001 Update
As the Eminem Grammy controversy rages on, I'll add my three cents worth. I'm not into rap, but I feel the guy does have some good musical ideas. However, I could never vote for anyone who preaches hate in his lyrics. Having said that, I think Eminem's main goal is to fuel the controversy at this point. In the 80's, Iron Maiden were accused of being satanic. I can promise you that these guys are anything but satanic. When we all started hearing about his new controversy, we just laughed. There was no need to halt the speculation either, because this stuff does stimulate sales.
So the Beatles are back in mid-season form, having dominated the charts for three months. Lots of kids are buying the CD. All of the appropriate stations are playing them like crazy, so my question is this: Why did they ever stop? Also, I went to see "A Hard Day's Night." What fun, and I'd forgotten how innocent that film was. The Beatles are now over 6 million, and here are some other sales figures (as of 1/28) that may surprise you. Creed, 9,054,000; Red Hot Chili Peppers, 4,537,000; 3 Doors Down have ridden "Kryptonite" to 3,972,000. I'm pleased to see the Moby CD at 1,646,000.
It has taken years, but Rage Against the Machine have finally grown on me, as they can really play. The new CD, which consists completely of covers is quite good, and some amazing versions of classic songs are included.
Rave's Top Five Airplay Faves of 2000
1- SUPERGRASS--PUMPIN' ON YOUR STEREO
2- Dandy Warhols--Bohemian Like You
3- Apollo 440--Stop The Rock
4- No Doubt--Bathwater
5- Muse--Muscle Museum