Odds & Ends
Jay Bennett, Rest in Peace
[May 26]In a bit of very sad news Jay Bennett died in his sleep Sunday morning, May 24. Most fans will remember Bennett as the dread-locked multi-instrumentalist central to Wilco's success from 1994 - 2001. He helped the band craft some of its most memorable music with "Being There," "Summerteeth" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," as well as the "Mermaid Avenue" sessions with Billy Bragg. Unfortunately his career with the band will forever be tagged by a few heavy footnotes including his acrimonious dismissal immediately following "YHF," his vilification in the Wilco documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" and the breach of contract lawsuit he filed against the band this month over royalties owed to him from the film.
Bennett continued recording after Wilco, releasing four solo albums including "The Palace at 4am" with fellow Chicagoan Edward Burch and "Bigger Than Blue," both excellent examples of the heartfelt and pop-soaked Americana Bennett did so well, and both fine additions to the genre on their own merits. Bennett was a true hidden talent, an often under appreciated performer, producer and artist whose greatest contributions lie just beneath the surface of things you know and love so well.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Farewell to No Depression
[May 6]Every time a friend leaves we mourn the loss a little, but when a good friend leaves the sadness is tempered by our faith that we will see one another again. So it is with my good friend No Depression magazine. Since 1995 Seattle based No Depression has celebrated American roots music and its many sub-strains, becoming alt-country's monthly Bible and elevating many artists, producers and their labels from niche players to important fixtures in the cultural landscape. The current May-June issue (#75) will be their last. The cover features Artist of the Decade Buddy Miller, presumably appointed a year early since the magazine won't quite see the end of this one. No Depression will remain an online entity with expanded internet content and plans to produce a ND book with the University of Texas Press. So we'll see the writers and artists in print again, but it's never quite the same.
I subscribed for a few years (issues #30-58), bought a few t-shirts and have always been happy to associate myself, even if just as a fan, with a group of people committed to the free spirit of American music. Like the music it examined, the magazine allowed me to sit and take my time, look for new things and reflect on the old ones - practices for which computer monitors and streaming mp3 files seem poorly suited. It also kept me informed with what was coming down the pike with greater credibility than other magazines or music sites compromised by too many vendors with interests outside the music. I always found something new to like in No Depression, and learned something about the artists I already love. Thank you No Depression, my best to you and yours. See you 'round.
Introducing the New Review Format
[Mar 13]Beginning with this week's Spoon "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" review I am trying out a new abbreviated format. Consider it an experiment in the economic use of language; the hypothesis being that a greater number of reviews should result from a decrease in length of each review. So its a steady diet of 100 words or fewer until I feel like I'm back on track.
Farewell to Sylus
[Oct 31]Stylus Magazine is ending its five year run of media critique, interviews, pop culture reflections and clever list-making. I'll miss the site for its candor and the sympathetically British perspective on independent music. Best of luck to the writers and editors, I'm sure I'll be reading you somewhere else soon.
A Mild And Wholly Unnecessary Defense Of Zach Braff As Semi-Profesional Curator Of Popular Music
[Feb 26]Like you I check my favorite web sites daily to see what I missed while I was eating, sleeping, watching Heroes, etc. This includes pitchforkmedia.com and stylusmagazine.com (the best British equivalent I've found). Both reviewed The Shins highly anticipated Wincing the Night Away the day before it dropped, as is the custom, giving decent reviews (pitchfork = 7.0, stylus = A-). Both also pointed out how The Shins have been laboring in a shadow of "Braff-lash," a phenomenon resulting from Zach Braff's rapid ascendancy to mainstream pop status on the merits of his seeming likeable, earnest, emotive, and clever - and for his active promotion of indie-pop acts possessing similar qualities. That's my own definition but it's the best I was able to piece together.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
[Oct 2]Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
October 1st & 2nd
This weekend marked the 5th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festisval, arguably the greatest music festival going and easiliy the best free one. I attended last year and was treated to great seats for even better music with plenty of elbow room at Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadows. Apparently word has spread because the crowds showed up by the tens of thousands for another stellar line up of artists representing the full spectrum of americana, rock-a-billy, country, old timey, traditional and roots music. Oh yeah, and bluegrass.
Hardly Strictly is one of those events that forces fans to make difficult choices or figure out a way around the laws of physics. Last year you could see John Prine or Steve Earle - but not both. This year I passed on Jimmie Dale Gilmore to see The Knitters, missed Steve Earle to see Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Granted it is somewhat easier to skip a set by Dolly Parton or Peter Rowan & Tony Rice when the alternative is an hour and a half with Emmylou Harris, but I'm sure you can see the problem. After several failed attempts to be in more than one place at the same time here's what I saw...
I Need Sleep
[Jun 15]The Eighth Nerve is going on a brief summer hiatus / paternity leave. Check in later for more reviews and lists.
STAR WARS!
[May 19]Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith opens today! I know what you cynics are thinking, great another Star Wars movie overloaded with CGI and bad acting, but this is the big one that bridges the plot gap between the original series and the prequels we have been forced to endure. And from what I hear it delivers.
Grammy Shake-Out
[Feb 14]Last night was the televised portion of the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. I did not watch the awards, though not out of any sort of indie coolness - they were on at the same time as Desperate Housewives. Thanks to the internet I was able to hit the highlights this morning and discover that, predictably, the major awards were dominated by Ray Charles and the long list of people tripping over themselves to honor his memory. There were a few other winners worthy of mention here in this space, mostly so I can say "I told you so" or because they were reviewed favorably by me on this site.
Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package
Wilco "A Ghost Is Born"
"Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" got totally screwed and everyone knows it - this is an award in 20/20 hindsight for a less deserving album. Better late than never. The band missed the show to perform a previously scheduled event elsewhere. This also bares out pitchforkmedia's comedic naming of Jeff "Gonna Get Me a Grammy" Tweedy and Jay "Gonna Get Me a Sandwich" Farrar. I hope Jay got his sandwich.
Best Country Album and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
Loretta Lynn "Van Leer Rose" and "Portland Oregon" by Loretta Lynn and Jack White
A no-brainer for best country album against nominees like red-neck Gretchen Wilson and new-comer Tift Merritt, and it's probably the best collaboration of the year regardless of genre (take that Madvillain). It wasn't a stretch to call this one when I did but it still feels nice to be right every now and then.
Best Traditional Folk Album
Various Artists "Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster
Coming in at a very respectable #13 on my Best of 2004 List, this tribute to Stephen Foster did pretty much everything right - although I could skip the Michelle Shocked version of "Oh! Susanna" for one that sounds anything like the traditional arrangement.
Best Contemporary Folk Album
Steve Earle "The Revolution Starts... Now"
Given that there are nearly a million catagories in which one might win a Grammy (Best Polka Album, seriously...) it seems like there should be one for Best Protest Album or Most Socially Conscious Artist of the Year, or maybe a Poignancy in Music Award - any of which would better suit "Revolution" than the Contemporary Folk label. Did they even listen to it? This is rock-n-roll with a Texas drawl and two middle fingers in the air. I am picturing Steve Earle smacking his forehead and giving his best Homer Simpson "D'oh!"
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television, etc...
Various Artists "Garden State"
Not only did the precocious and handsome Zach Braff write, direct and star in the movie, he produced the soundtrack so he's now a fucking Grammy winner! The days of the triple threat are gone, you have to have six arms to keep up with guys like that. The soundtrack features top notch material from Eighth Nerve favorites The Shins, Nick Drake and Iron & Wine among others.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
[Jan 1]Time again for making fresh starts and repeating old mistakes. I for one will be misdating checks well into April.
It's usually around this time that I scramble to finish job applications and promise myself I will curb selfish spending of time and money on things like a web site no one reads and music I don't have time to listen to. So far both are going poorly. I'm not one for making resolutions, I'm more for concerted efforts.
The big thing this year is that my wife and I will have another daughter. I can't begin to express my excitement to meet her and watch our family grow. My sister is getting married this year and I'm excited about that too. I'll be changing jobs this summer, though what's next is still up in the air. And I'm supposed to have my wisdom teeth removed so I have that to look forward to.
There are always the unexpected things - the new people, trips and accidental little things that happen and somehow make a difference. I look forward to those things and hope they're mostly good.
Musically I'm looking forward to new material from Iron & Wine due in late winter, and to anything Cosmo, Terry or Marc send my way.
For now best wishes and Happy New Year!
Rabbit Rabbit!
[Dec 1]It's December, the default start of winter before the official start of winter in twenty short days. That plump, furry feeling you have from Thanksgiving is finally starting to fade and the sprint to Christmas (shuffle to Hanukkah, cartwheel to Kwanzaa, hippie-dance to Solstice) has begun. Blink and it's New Years, just like that.
All of this puts me in a reflective mood, looking back on the year to revisit happy moments (my daughter's first steps), heal bitter wounds (did we really elect him again?), and restock for the year to come. This certainly explains the tone of this month's Featured Review which, to my surprise and appreciation, reaffirms my faith in music's ability to live both in the moment and in our memories; to be current, present, and even hip while rooted in some deeper part of our shared experience.
I hope as we hurry through this festive whirlwind month you take a moment - on a plane, in a car, in your bed, in the shower, at a friend's house, outside - to listen. To look around. To reflect and enjoy. That is my sage advice. I should work for Hallmark.
Also, in a pinch, a cassette case makes a good window scraper on those unexpected frosty mornings. Finally some advice you can use. See you next year!
Guilty as Charged
[Nov 1]Do you sing along to it in the car, but only if the windows are up (and you turn it down at stoplights, pretending to stare straight ahead)? Do you put it on and dance around the house, but only when nobody's home? If it came up in conversation with, say, a friend who thinks he knows everything about music would you conveniently omit your love for it at the risk of having to endure his scorn?
We all indulge a few guilty pleasures; things we know are wrong but can't quite bring ourselves to give up, like Little Debbie snack cakes or reality tv. Lest you think I go about these things all willy-nilly here are a few things that qualify an album for Guilty Pleasure status in my book:
Buying Music: The Rules
[Oct 1]The holiday shopping season is here and, if you’re like me, you end up spending a little on family and friends, and a little on yourself too. Charity starts at home after all. Before you hit the record shops and box stores check out the guidelines below. Most of these should go without saying, and if you take any of them seriously (except #11) you need more help than I can offer. Still...
A Word On Ratings
[May 1]
Music that requires the invention of new, more expressive superlatives to describe it in adequately positive terms. Outfuckingpossible! Stupendiflerous! Magnanibus! ( ...for example. You will do better.)
Tell everyone you know about it without hesitation. In fact give them a copy and ask them if they like it every day for two weeks. They will still be your friend. It's that good.
Quoting Tony: "Grrr-reat!" The good stuff is so good you forget about whatever might be bad - and even the bad isn't bad, it just isn't as good as the rest.
Very good, an underdog winner. I like your spunk and I'm totally rooting for you but there's a lot of bigger, badder dogs in the yard ready to shuffle you out of the mix. The bottom of the top of my cut.
I'm willing to call this a solid "good." Enough redeaming qualities to balance (though not always make up for) any short comings, and there are one or two.
Not bad, maybe even good at times, if it weren't for the blank on tracks blank and blank and the general lack of blank...
Now we're talkin'. Shows real potential but still nothing I'd want to play while other people were listening. Not totally dismissible.
Eh? Oh... Eh.
It's music and you could listen to it but I wouldn't spend more time thinking about it than what it takes to figure out that it's music and you could listen to it but I wouldn't spend more time...
Listening to this won't do you any good so you might as well do something more productive like read a pamphlet or count to five.
Please go out of your way to stop other people from listening to this terrible terrible music lest we all end up floating in it down the river Styx.
site credits
[Apr 1]All content original to The Eighth Nerve is written and produced by Kyle Monhollen, and is the sole property of this site. Site design and hosting provided by Marc Chipouras and http://buffs.tv. For inquiries, suggestions or comments contact kyle@monhollen.com