Wow...here I was flabbergasted by the fact that somebody else out there loved MLB right from the get go. I got their album the day it came out and was dazzled by it - and selfishly disappointed that the damn singer OD'd. None of my other friends (even the ones with similar tastes) like them much. In fact, they forbid me from playing it when we were out joy riding in my Toyota Tercel. Hmmm. This CJ might be a kindred music spirit!
Not so fast. Blind Melon is perhaps my favorite band that ended too soon. CJ's back of the hand dismissal of Shannon Hoon popped the kindred spirit balloon right quick.
Don't give up on me, John! I meant no disrespect to Blind Melon and certainly none to the late Mr. Hoon. If nothing else, Blind Melon owns one of the most iconic songs of the 90s and arguably THE most iconic video. That said, they still fall several rungs below Mother Love Bone on my ladder of musical influence. I think you'd agree that it's not an unreasonable opinion to hold. But, if we still can't see eye-to-eye on Blind Melon, we'll always have the gentle groove of Mother Love Bone.
Hey Guys...love reading these. I think it may be worthwhile for each of you to give your background, music leanings, etc. so we the reader can get an idea of where your position comes from. For example, if I know that CJ is a metal head (I don't know if CJ is or not) it might explain why he eviscerated Ken for his Elton John pick, or I might want to give it a listen if a metal head actual liked an Elton John record. Just my thoughts. I enjoy the weekly posts and the thought that goes into writing them.
. . .well the Singles Soundtrack was pretty good. Introduced me to Mr. Billy Corgan's band and the buzzy feedback-drenched song Drown (on of their best) MLB's entry was just a step above my second most hated song on the soundtrack, State of Love and Trust. To me, MLB's Andy Wood and Shannon Hoon are interchangeable heroin casualties not nearly as talented as Layne Staley.
I think the Shannon Hoon comp is a little unfair. Certainly, the tragedies are equal from a human perspective. But, viewed through a musical lens it's not even close. I mean, there are at least half a dozen tribute songs to Wood (including "Would?" from the aforementioned Layne Staley and AIC) and a whole band (Temple of the Dog) formed to make a tribute album to him. Not so much for Shannon. Also, and this cannot be overlooked, none of the other members of Blind Melon went on to become successful millionaires in other bands.
Just saying my distaste for both bands are equal. I think AIC had a lot more potential and I like the post Staley version that came out in the late '90s'.
If you're not a fan of grunge, I'll admit that this album probably won't mean much to you. But, if you spent the 90s spinning the black circle, it's impossible to overlook the impact of Mother Love Bone on the success of the Seattle sound. And even if my compatriots don't agree, I think Apple is a great album to play from time to time for a different perspective on a watershed moment in music history. You should also know that Ken, Mitch and Don are terrified of loud music (and spiders), so take what they say with a grain of salt.
I literally had to put on Bread's Greatest Hits after MLB to cleanse my palate. That said, I actually think side B is stronger than side A and I have some appreciation for what they're trying to do, but, as you noted, it's too hard for me. Plus, the children's (?) choir signing the nah-nah-nahs was unforgivable.
Spiders are cool - they eat the creepy bugs. I never kill spiders.
Wow...here I was flabbergasted by the fact that somebody else out there loved MLB right from the get go. I got their album the day it came out and was dazzled by it - and selfishly disappointed that the damn singer OD'd. None of my other friends (even the ones with similar tastes) like them much. In fact, they forbid me from playing it when we were out joy riding in my Toyota Tercel. Hmmm. This CJ might be a kindred music spirit!
Not so fast. Blind Melon is perhaps my favorite band that ended too soon. CJ's back of the hand dismissal of Shannon Hoon popped the kindred spirit balloon right quick.
Don't give up on me, John! I meant no disrespect to Blind Melon and certainly none to the late Mr. Hoon. If nothing else, Blind Melon owns one of the most iconic songs of the 90s and arguably THE most iconic video. That said, they still fall several rungs below Mother Love Bone on my ladder of musical influence. I think you'd agree that it's not an unreasonable opinion to hold. But, if we still can't see eye-to-eye on Blind Melon, we'll always have the gentle groove of Mother Love Bone.
Hey Guys...love reading these. I think it may be worthwhile for each of you to give your background, music leanings, etc. so we the reader can get an idea of where your position comes from. For example, if I know that CJ is a metal head (I don't know if CJ is or not) it might explain why he eviscerated Ken for his Elton John pick, or I might want to give it a listen if a metal head actual liked an Elton John record. Just my thoughts. I enjoy the weekly posts and the thought that goes into writing them.
Thanks Neil. Here's how I'd describe our core tastes, but you can guess the associated person: Hard rock, space rock, folk rock, classic rock.
Who is associated with each of these categories?
You can't pin me down. I like it all, as long as it's good.
. . .well the Singles Soundtrack was pretty good. Introduced me to Mr. Billy Corgan's band and the buzzy feedback-drenched song Drown (on of their best) MLB's entry was just a step above my second most hated song on the soundtrack, State of Love and Trust. To me, MLB's Andy Wood and Shannon Hoon are interchangeable heroin casualties not nearly as talented as Layne Staley.
I think the Shannon Hoon comp is a little unfair. Certainly, the tragedies are equal from a human perspective. But, viewed through a musical lens it's not even close. I mean, there are at least half a dozen tribute songs to Wood (including "Would?" from the aforementioned Layne Staley and AIC) and a whole band (Temple of the Dog) formed to make a tribute album to him. Not so much for Shannon. Also, and this cannot be overlooked, none of the other members of Blind Melon went on to become successful millionaires in other bands.
Just saying my distaste for both bands are equal. I think AIC had a lot more potential and I like the post Staley version that came out in the late '90s'.
If you're not a fan of grunge, I'll admit that this album probably won't mean much to you. But, if you spent the 90s spinning the black circle, it's impossible to overlook the impact of Mother Love Bone on the success of the Seattle sound. And even if my compatriots don't agree, I think Apple is a great album to play from time to time for a different perspective on a watershed moment in music history. You should also know that Ken, Mitch and Don are terrified of loud music (and spiders), so take what they say with a grain of salt.
I'll have you know that I'm a huge fan of "one of England's loudest bands"
Deep Purple?
I literally had to put on Bread's Greatest Hits after MLB to cleanse my palate. That said, I actually think side B is stronger than side A and I have some appreciation for what they're trying to do, but, as you noted, it's too hard for me. Plus, the children's (?) choir signing the nah-nah-nahs was unforgivable.
Spiders are cool - they eat the creepy bugs. I never kill spiders.
And not for nothing, but David Gates is still alive. Why no metal/hard rock band hasn’t covered “Freedom” is beyond me.
Evercelar, Matthew Sweet, Luna, Liz Phair better defined my tastes over the 'Seattle-Sound"