post-1975 rock music

Jon Abbey · July-17th-2004, 07:01 PM

a continuation from the tangent that Brian and I went on in the "The one with Frank Zappa in it" thread...

in an attempt to prove to Brian that rock music has gone in quite a few interesting directions since he mostly stopped paying attention in the early to mid seventies, I listed some work since then that I could get behind:

Keiji Haino/Fushitsusha
Skullflower
the Dead C. (live more than the records)
the Dirty Three (mostly their earlier records, they've gradually gotten blander)
Thela-Argentina (a NZ band with Dean Roberts, Dion Workman, and Rosy Parlane)
Dean Roberts-the two records he sings on, one on Ritornell and the recent Kranky one
Tom Waits-Swordfishtrombones/Rain Dogs/Bone Machine
Sonic Youth (live, particularly since O'Rourke joined the band)
Matthew Sweet-Girlfriend
Suicide's first record
Stooges-all three records, particularly Fun House
Gang of Four-Entertainment
Soft Boys-Underwater Moonlight
Olivia Tremor Control-both full-lengths
Slint-Spiderland
the Boredoms (more the Pop Tatari/Chocolate Synthesizer phase than the more recent krautrock-inspired one)
Shadow Ring and Harry Pussy (never got into their records as much as the show I saw, but a lot of people swear by one or both of these bands)
the Minutemen, so great
Haunted House (Dean Roberts told me after a show of theirs at Tonic that he thought they were the greatest rock band in the world at that moment)
Pere Ubu's first record (Heart of Darkness and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo are both candidates for the best rock singles of all time)
Replacements-Let It Be
Ramones-Ramones
Clash-Clash
Pop Group-Y
Pelt-Empty Bell Ringing In The Sky
Oasis-about half of Definitely Maybe (now clearly these guys are derivative, but it's tough to argue too much with Live Forever and a few others, if you manage to separate the actual songs from what asses those guys have been ever since)
No Neck Blues Band (not the records, but live, at times, they could be transcendent. they could also be awful. for records, the K-Salvatore side projects ones are better than the full NNCK)
19 (Juke) (a Japanese post-punk band that I'm guessing not one person reading this has ever heard of. the leader was Shinro Ohtake, who later collaborated with Yamatsuka Eye in the Puzzle Punks. Timebomb reissued all four of their records a while back on CD, but most of them seem to be OOP, although Forced Exposure still lists two of them)
the first wave of Too Pure bands: Pram, Laika, Long Fin Killie were my faves, there was a couple of years where they were really onto something collectively and individually. PJ Harvey and Stereolab also both started on this incredibly influential indie UK label, named after a lyric from Can's Mother Sky.
Ween-Pure Guava and The Pod. so, so, so, entertaining.
Modern Lovers-Modern Lovers
Lambchop-What Another Man Spills
PJ Harvey-To Bring You My Love
Patti Smith-Horses
Happy Mondays-Pills N'thrills N'Bellyaches (not all of it, but some awesome songs)
Ghost-their first record and their live shows, not a fan of any more recent records
Fugazi
Flipper-Generic (SEX BOMB BABY! YEAH!)
Destroy All Monsters (the 3 CD set on Ecstatic Peace, now long OOP, but rumored to be reprinted)
Cornershop (a couple of songs on records are good, but I saw them play an unbelievably great live show, it was a shame how quickly they disintegrated)
Chrome-Half Machine Lip Moves/Alien Soundtracks
Buzzcocks-Singles Going Steady
Casper Brotzmann Massaker-Koksofen
Brast Burn/Karuna Khyal

Jon Abbey · July-17th-2004, 07:11 PM

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions on anything I listed, or any other additions to the list.

Brian, I watched the new e-rax DVD this afternoon, and as I told you, there are interviews with each of the musicians. Gert-Jan Prins said something applicable here: "I used to think I was more jazz-influenced, but now I would say that I am more rock-influenced." and Kevin Drumm's most recent, Impish Tyrant, which I'm listening to now, is definitely heavily rock-inspired, sounds like a feedback solo. I'd say that the main root influence of the noise scene, Merzbow, Masonna, etc. is the feedback guitar tradition from rock (although Takayanagi and Rowe both come from jazz backgrounds and I think they had a lot to do with it also), so you could argue that a lot of noise falls under the rock umbrella.

personally, I never think about whether a specific record or artist is "rock" or not these days, it's kind of an antiquated term and its influence has been pretty ubiquitous.

saltwatersnow · July-17th-2004, 07:38 PM

wow dude, dont think i remember your anti david bowie comment from lou reed thred, i dont think your qualified to be talking bout no roack music. actually my faith in wether or not eai is music at all was shaken by that statement.. just kidding, have some crazy bowie going on right now though. my favorite rock band until their last al;bum is belle and sebastian. not very rocking at all but the best.. some others , gastr del sols last two, stereolab, sigor ros latest one,

Jon Abbey · July-17th-2004, 08:05 PM

I like Upgrade and Afterlife, I saw them play Victoriaville around then. and I love Metronomic Underground by Stereolab, if I was producing them, I would have got them to make a whole record in that style.

I don't remember my exact Bowie comment, but I was never a huge fan except for one Ziggy Stardust phase. which ones hold up the best?

I've slightly embarrassingly never heard Belle and Sebastian or Sigur Ros. do you think I might like either?

stonemonkts · July-17th-2004, 08:16 PM

I love those Waits albums.

Personally I don't think you'd like Belle and Sebastian at all (think of very pleasant folk/rock duo). I know you didn't ask me, but I figured I'd chime in since I'm familiar with them.

I'd add Radiohead to the list.

Captain Hate · July-17th-2004, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Abbey

Buzzcocks-Singles Going Steady

A summer employee at the third rate dump where I used to work made me a tape of this. Even thought the term "instrumental prowess" shouldn't be applied to these guys, they're about as primal as it gets and this was incredibly compelling listening, at least to me. I ended up finding a box set with all their stuff but Singles Going Steady is the cream of the crop; not a loser in the bunch.

I liked the Jazz Butcher a lot, especially a collection of his singles, because some of his later stuff was pretty unlistenable and boring. I liked the Del Fuegos too but I might get flamed for that

. Scruffy the Cat was a one lp wonder for me.

BFrank · July-17th-2004, 08:43 PM

Anybody like the Australian band, Radio Birdman? I just discovered them.....and they were a 70's band. Great stuff, though.

Jon Abbey · July-17th-2004, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFrank

Anybody like the Australian band, Radio Birdman? I just discovered them.....and they were a 70's band. Great stuff, though.

they're a little bit too generically post-Stooges for me, although I know a lot of people really love them.

I've also never really heard Radiohead. I've read a lot about them, of course, along with bands like Belle and Sebastian and Sigur Ros, just never anything that made me want to actually hear them. they were awesome in their guest appearance in maybe the best South Park episode ever, "Scott Tenorman Must Die".

GoodSpeak · July-17th-2004, 08:56 PM

Could you list some generally known stuff while you're at it?

Sigur Ros?

Slint?

Stereolab?

Gimme a break.

chuckyd4 · July-17th-2004, 09:01 PM

I would definitely add both Radiohead and Yo La Tengo to it. As for the latter, check out "And then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out...", one of the best rock records of the last decade.

I was also really surprised by how much I liked Modest Mouse's last album "Good News for People Who Love Bad News." Very exciting stuff.

Stuckinagroove · July-17th-2004, 09:03 PM

I kinda like Modest Mouse and Interpol. I wouldn't call sigur ros rock by any strecth of the imagination, I like their album "( )" though.

GoodSpeak · July-17th-2004, 09:03 PM

What about Talking Heads, Police, AC/DC?

Dr Dave · July-17th-2004, 09:08 PM

All this esoterica, it makes me want to puke. Between 1972 and 1978, the best live act was the J. Geils Band. Followed closely by Mitch Ryder.

The best non-arena act was, and possibly still is, NRBQ.

saltwatersnow · July-17th-2004, 09:18 PM

bpwie is the ultimate mix cd artist, since all his albums have great tracks and fillert to spare. as for belle and sebastian you might like them but probally hate them, if you like say the smiths, felt, other twee sad literary sugary pop... sigor ros () is the one i like, the first one is much weaker. stereolab i actually like the 3 in a row from dots and loops to sounddust. the early stuff i like as well but thoseare my favorites. i like camafleur better than upgrade from gastr but theyare both great, latter getting theedge because of beautiful second track. one thing proven since then is jim orourke should stay far far away from lyrics and singing. i like a few solo david grubbs songs but the tortoise drummer shows up and ruins most of them. he is good ion tortoise but the ruin of many many other albums in my opinion.

Il Anto · July-17th-2004, 09:22 PM

I'd like to throw out some possible additions:

King Crimson 1981-1984
Bowie/Eno Berlin trilogy 1977
Pixies/early Frank Black solo 1987-1994
Pere Ubu's second coming 1987-1991
Jane's Addiction 1987-1991
R.E.M. first 12 years 1981-1992
Bauhaus early '80s
Nick Cave

Off the top of my head, maybe more later.

saltwatersnow · July-17th-2004, 09:29 PM

a second the first 2 of eno/bowie trilogy, lodger is a bit dodgy.. some other ones

will oldham as palace,, his post palace albums i dont like as much

high llammas- beats maize and corn

bjork-vespertine

GoodSpeak · July-17th-2004, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

All this esoterica, it makes me want to puke. Between 1972 and 1978, the best live act was the J. Geils Band. Followed closely by Mitch Ryder.

The best non-arena act was, and possibly still is, NRBQ.

I saw J. Geils in concert...he was the best back in the dem daze.

But the Led Zepplin, Average White Band, Earth, Wind and Fire and the best for all-time:[drum roll please] the Tower of Power were far and away better, IMO.

Saw them in concert, too.

Bump, de, bump, de, bump...bay-bee.

BFrank · July-17th-2004, 10:18 PM

Other interesting Aussie groups:
- Lime Spiders
- Hoodoo Gurus

Even Midnight Oil had some good tunes.

Tanager · July-17th-2004, 10:25 PM

Singles Going Steady pretty much kicked ass.

I always think Fishbone deserves a spot in discussions like this. Lotta chops, lotta creativity, lotta different influences, lotta interesting and enjoyable music.

I'm sorta in the middle on Radiohead - I've really only heard one album, OK Computer, and there are tracks on it I really dig, there are tracks on it that don't do much for me.

Since I agree with Jon that "rock" is currently a pretty meaningless term, I'll throw Aimee Mann into the fray as well, not to mention the Dixie Dregs' Free Fall, although that's the polar opposite of a lot of stuff Jon and others have mentioned.

john williams · July-17th-2004, 10:51 PM

The Fall, would be on top of the list of course! Almost any album from any era, but particularly the 1979 to early nineties. Their latest album 'The Real New Fall Album' is also highly recommended. Avoid cheap Receiver Records releases at all costs.

I'll second Radiohead

Elliot Smith

Wilco

Low

Throwing Muses

The Pixies

Talk Talk's later albums

Television, particularly 'Marquee Moon'

Joy Diviision, particularly 'Closer'

Eleventh Dream Day

Some New Order.

Husker Du

Patti Smith

Godspeed You Black Emperor

Ed Kuepper, particularly 'Honey Steel's Gold' and 'Serene Machine'

Tricky

My Bloody Valentine's, 'Loveless' is a classic.

Sparklehorse, particularly 'It's a wonderful Life'

I'll also second '...and nothing turned itself inside out' by Yo La tengo.

Pavement's "Slanted and Enchanted'

Did I mention The Fall?

Killing Joke

Guided By Voices

The New Christs, particularly 'Distemper'

Louis Tillet

Stuckinagroove · July-17th-2004, 10:53 PM

Radiohead
Tortoise
Isotope 217 (sort of)
Interpol
Modest Mouse
Godspeed you black emperor
Mogwai
modest mouse
many more

Jon Abbey · July-17th-2004, 11:02 PM

yeah, I meant to add My Bloody Valentine-Loveless earlier up. that one has been massively influential all over the place, most recently on Marcus Schmickler's last Pluramon record and the last couple of solo Fennesz discs.

Vince Kargatis · July-17th-2004, 11:47 PM

I'm kinda surprised Jon started this thread, since i'd not seen indications that he enjoyed a broad spectrum of rock from this period. In any case, although I've little complaints about what he has included, there's plenty I like he hasn't listed. His lack of mention of Pixies, at least, bufuddles me completely. I second many of JBW's and others' items, and will add or second lots (including pop) i really enjoy or even love:

At the Drive-In
Bis
Bjork Bjork Bjork
Burning Airlines
Dismemberment Plan
Eurythmics
Flaming Lips
Garbage
Grandaddy
Interpol
Jaybox
Mekons
Modest Mouse(!)
New Pornographers
New Radicals
Prince
Les Savy Fav
Sixteen Horsepower
Sleater-Kinney
Stars
Stereolab
TALKING FUCKING HEADS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE HOLY SHIT
Richard Thompson
TV On the Radio
Warren Zevon

Heck, in a sense I feel guilty even posting to such a thread - if people aren't regularly sampling lots of rock music every year, I'm not going to pay much attention to their thoughts on the genre, and I don't think my advocacy is even worthy, given the depth of ignorance (and hence quite random sampling) I know I have in the genre in the last 30 years(!).

Sergio Zamora · July-17th-2004, 11:53 PM

Mission of fucking Burma
Bad fucking Brains

bobetterblues · July-17th-2004, 11:59 PM

I will definitely second Radiohead. They are very important in my world. Pyramid Song (Amnesiac) is very, very special. I love all their songs though. I've bought ever album they've recorded since The Bends.

I will also heavily second:

Elliott Smith
Interpol
Guided By Voices!
The Pixies!!!
Wilco
The Minutemen

Ween, are you fucking kidding me with that band? I saw them play for four hours a month or so ago, and I still think about it.....amazing.

Others that do it for me:

From a songwriter/singer perspective:
M. Ward, "Transfiguration of Vincent" is such a pleasing album, I can't tell you.
Andrew Bird, buy "Weather Systems" now, its sublime. He a virtouso violinist.
Gillian Welsch!!
Ron Sexsmith
Neil Finn, of Crowded House. "One All" is a great record, front to back.
Fiona Apple, wait till her next album drops.

Other bands I find significant:

The Flaming Lips
My Morning Jacket

Queens of The Stone Age (For some nice metal/groove stuff)
Pj Harvey
Morphine
The Beta Band

Dr Dave · July-18th-2004, 12:04 AM

All right. After 1975.

The Sex Pistols.
Talking Heads.
The Pretenders.
Tom Verlaine "Dreamtime"
The Ohio Players ("Fire" was Billboard #1 in '75)
Ian Dury and the Blockheads ("Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll")
The Isley Brothers "Fight The Power"
Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting"
Rose Royce "Car Wash"

This is foolish...

al j · July-18th-2004, 12:10 AM

Interesting to see Dave's "esoterica" comment above. I honestly wonder the same thing about people in this crowd, you know, the crowd that has interests in music outside of the mainstream. But when the day is done, it's just not fair to assume anything about others' tastes, whether they're genuine, whether they're just trying to impress, etc. etc. In my world, there's room for both J. Geils and Chrome.

Speaking of Chrome, this band was in the trifecta that changed my attitude completely toward music, and for the better. My stepbrother and stepsister visited one summer from Nebraska and bought a slew of Chrome records (including Damon Edge's first solo record), Psychic TV and Throbbing Gristle.

Fugazi - Repeater and Steady Diet of Nothing are heavy, but I haven't found much else of Ian McKay's post-Minor Threat music that have done anything for me. Fugazi's shows were simply madness in the late 80's.

Gang of Four - Entertainment. Whenever I listened to that record as a teenager I felt like the music was playing for me and nobody else.

Joy Division - yessir.

On the Krautrock tip, X Mal Deutschland was unbeatable in terms of edginess.

Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady and The Dickies' Dawn of the Dickies... two records worn smooth every summer.

The Church, earlier stuff like Heydey, The Blurred Crusade, and Of Skins and Hearts are chock full of catchy licks bizarro interludes. Some of the bands members did some side solo projects that were wild, particularly Steve Kilbey's music.

Tool - mathrock and metal in the early 90's.

Bauhaus - all of it

Love and Rockets - they turned cheesy way too fast, but Express and Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven were completely cool and completely independent of one another. Some of the other Bauhaus spinoff groups were dead before they hit the studio but the first Tones on Tail is essential if you need a Daniel Ash fuzz fix.

Bowie - One of my true music heroes. I'd say every one of his records up to Scary Monsters has merit, but Aladdin Sane, Heroes, Station to Station and Low are the bestest. Oh my TVC15!!!!! Anyone who can sing in four octaves and still sound cool gets props from me.

Swervedriver - Raise. just another band in the second British/Manchester invasion, but they really rawked.

The Housemartins - their first two records were superfuckingcatchy. The Smiths without Prozac.

The Smiths - Morrissey always got on my last nerve with a lot of his lyrics but the sound of his voice was pretty original for that time, and its fusion with Johnny Marr's guitar were a damn fine formula, if you ask me. Whatever happened to Johnny Marr, chordmeister from hell? His stuff with the Pretenders was lame. Ditto with Talking Heads. But Matt Johnson's smartest move ever was hiring him to record and tour with The The.

Mott the Hoople - Hello?????

Early Cult/Southern Death Cult. Everything went to shit when they decided to emulate AC/DC, even though Electric is a great rock record.

The Lucy Show

Uncle Tupelo - one of the greatest thing to happen to music in the last 20 years. The alternative country sweep that followed produced some snoozers
but check out third generation groups like 16 Horsepower, Calexico and Neko Case.

Califone!!!

The Sea and Cake/Death Can for Cutie/Dismemberment Plan/Pretty Girls Make Graves

Looking at this list, every band/artist has this in common: wonderful hooks in their tunes.

stonemonkts · July-18th-2004, 12:10 AM

I pretty much moved away from the genre as a serious listener around 1977.

I've never heard 80% of these bands, not even by name!

stonemonkts · July-18th-2004, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Christmas

Mott the Hoople - Hello?????

They were a great band to see perform. I especially enjoyed the small-ish venues they'd play (large movie theaters). But I have to say their best work was certainly pre-1975.

Jon Abbey · July-18th-2004, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

I'm kinda surprised Jon started this thread, since i'd not seen indications that he enjoyed a broad spectrum of rock from this period. In any case, although I've little complaints about what he has included, there's plenty I like he hasn't listed. His lack of mention of Pixies, at least, bufuddles me completely.

Vince, you should know me well enough by now to know that I don't really like a broad spectrum of any genre, I'm extremely picky no matter what it is. I started this thread to counter Brian's statement about rock essentially not being interesting since the sixties (for him), not to say that there are fifty brilliant rock records coming out every year.

as for the Pixies, I never liked them at all. I don't know why that should surprise you, I also never connected at all with Tim Berne and Nels Cline, two of your other faves. I just listed a bunch of rock records that I can personally get behind, that I think are both groundbreaking and really good.

and, yes, it is a bit silly to start this thread on this site given the generally older demographic, but I've seen enough threads started about (what I consider to be) mediocre early seventies bands that I thought I'd give it a try, curious how it turns out.

bo, Ween! have you heard Pure Guava or The Pod? so highly recommended...