july contest - GOSSIP

[xander]

About the compliment thing...

Wasn't sure if you were a Toto fan. I've seen Toto absolutely slammed on this forum before.

It seemed from your other comment you might have been somewhat against the perfectionist aspect of their music. My bad!!

I've spent some time at the Toto site as well! Which album did you review? Man, it's hard to pick a fav record by them. I might have to go with 7th one. 'Pamela" if probably my favorite song. Really love the debut, Hydra, and Farrenheit also. Can't forget the Fergie record too. What pipes!!

Awesome band. Studio and live, you are correct. I had the honor of witnessing their first live show ever (or so they said) in 1977 opening for Peter Frampton in Honolulu when I was just a wee axe slinger of 12 or so. It was totally awesome. It made me want to go home and learn every song on the record!! I've also got an awesome bootleg DVD from the Hydra tour. (saw 'em on that one too!)

I consider Jeff Porcaro to be the ultimate drummer. I would love to have played with the man! What a huge loss for music his death and Phillip Lynott's both hit me really hard as a music fan.

Enjoy them in Sept.! I'm seeing Chicago and Earth Wind And Fire in August for my big concert of the Summer. Should be very cool. 2 very musical bands as well.

When I was a kid, I used to wonder if "99" was written about Barbara Feldon (agent 99 from the "Get Smart" TV show!)

Nice to meet another Toto fan!!

Cheers!

Well, you got yer slammers and yer kissy-facers in every forum. I've heard lots of people put Toto down but their stated reasons are nonsense and most couldn't qualify to even tune their guitars.

That said, I specifically mentioned Toto to you because they are known for being incredibly tight by most people I know, and this has been a typical comment about them over the years by many - they are almost 'unmercifully tight'! However, this really is an attribute because it simply isn't that easy to be that way in both studio and live as well. See them live and when they play Africa you can set your watch by the bar.

For instance, I don't particularly care for Metallica, but they are also one of the tightest live bands in the world - almost machine-like flawless timing and syncopation. f**king stunning. Whereas a band like Floyd, for instance, has more of an ebb & flow groove going (imho).

So, I was being quite literal in my appraisal to you, with no innuendo (I don't do innuendo well) but sorry if it appeared that way.

I heard that about 99 also - I think everyone at that time wanted a girl like 99 - sexy, pretty, great legs and perfectly forgiving, unconditional love and devotion no matter how f**king stupid and lame you get



I'm still reviewing Mindfields. You notice they say it has to be a comprehensive and 'intelligent' review, so I need time I'd like to have that album.

Jeff was completely original and awesome and largely unknown to most - except to other pro drummers. Simon Phillips is great too, but to me, it's like with Ronnie Wood - I still only ever think of him as the Brian Jones replacement - I honestly can't help it. To this day I see the Stones and look at Wood and think: "What a lucky prick getting a permanent gig with the Stones like that! Where's Brian?" Am I being a jealous lil' tosser or what?

[You™]

I'll give you two good reasons why I hate Toto: "Africa" and "Rosanna." There was a time when you could not turn on the f**king radio or TV without hearing either of those two pandering sappy sentimental everything-that-is-wrong-with-pop songs. I wouldn't care if it was Ludwig Van, I would still resent hearing it over and over every damn day. I don't think I can forgive them.

PS: Jeff, isn't there a bit of double standard when you tell Sciche you want to hold it against him that he named his song "Fahrenheit" when Toto has a whole album named the same?

[bobaudio]

Is this the place to recommend contest theme ideas? If so, I'd like to suggest: Kid's Music. I've always wanted to write a kid's song and the contest might give me the inspiration to do so.

[plunge]

I'll give you two good reasons why I hate Toto: "Africa" and "Rosanna."

And those are two reasons why I love them. I cut my piano teeth on Toto IV. There was a time when I could play almost every song on there. I had two copies of that album on cassette because I left for a trip and forgot it at home. Had to pick up another copy. BTW, the chicks really dig when you can play the lick to "Lovers in the Night." Well, they did in the 80's, anyway. I worked in a music store and some stoner taught me the changes to "Waiting for Your Love." Man, now I gotta get the CD out again.

I was very into them up until college. I think when Jeff died, I sort of lost interest. Still have most of the CD's in my collection, though.

Is this the place to recommend contest theme ideas? If so, I'd like to suggest: Kid's Music. I've always wanted to write a kid's song and the contest might give me the inspiration to do so.

Scary thought. Don't think I would let my kids near many of the songs that would come out of that contest.

[AndreasE]

Just want to say that this month I don´t have the time to listen and to vote for the songs. I´m really sorry, guys.

[You™]

...BTW, the chicks really dig when you can play the lick to "Lovers in the Night." Well, they did in the 80's, anyway. I worked in a music store and some stoner taught me the changes to "Waiting for Your Love."

Maybe so. but the chicks I hung out with were more impressed by guys who knew The Colourfield, Hüsker Dü or PigBag ...even though I was secretly attracted to the girls who could play Bauhaus or the Cramps. I always had good luck by just being "a good listener™."

Sorry, Toto is one of the bands that makes me cringe when hear about the resurgent popularity of 80s music. Like Huey Lewis and the Outfield, I have no interest in that brand of 80s music because I unwillingly OD'd on it back then. I'd rather more Blue Nile or Korgis or Hoodoo Gurus. I would be happy to name several hundred records I'd spend my money on before I get to Toto IV. And when I want tight, I go to Zapp, Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers or George Clinton - that is "flawless timing and syncopation" even when it is flawed!

But hey, I've got a soft spot for 10cc, Edison Lighthouse and Lefte Bank for probably the same reason I dislike Toto so it cuts both ways.

[Markleford]

Wasn't sure if you were a Toto fan. I've seen Toto absolutely slammed on this forum before.

You're probably too new to have heard the unofficial Sonic Reality KvR Koto Toto contest! A bit of a dig in that, but all in good fun.

[You™]

Wasn't sure if you were a Toto fan. I've seen Toto absolutely slammed on this forum before.

You're probably too new to have heard the unofficial Sonic Reality KvR Koto Toto contest! A bit of a dig in that, but all in good fun.

...No wait...

[xander]

...BTW, the chicks really dig when you can play the lick to "Lovers in the Night." Well, they did in the 80's, anyway. I worked in a music store and some stoner taught me the changes to "Waiting for Your Love."

Maybe so. but the chicks I hung out with were more impressed by guys who knew The Colourfield, Hüsker Dü or PigBag ...even though I was secretly attracted to the girls who could play Bauhaus or the Cramps. I always had good luck by just being "a good listener™."

Sorry, Toto is one of the bands that makes me cringe when hear about the resurgent popularity of 80s music. Like Huey Lewis and the Outfield, I have no interest in that brand of 80s music because I unwillingly OD'd on it back then. I'd rather more Blue Nile or Korgis or Hoodoo Gurus. I would be happy to name several hundred records I'd spend my money on before I get to Toto IV. And when I want tight, I go to Zapp, Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers or George Clinton - that is "flawless timing and syncopation" even when it is flawed!

But hey, I've got a soft spot for 10cc, Edison Lighthouse and Lefte Bank for probably the same reason I dislike Toto so it cuts both ways.

Well of course it's a matter of perspective, yeah? I agree those songs were/are way over-played, but it's the same with a lot of good music.

I got so sick of Pink Floyd's "Money", which was a fabulous song for it's time, that I wanted to hurl whenever I heard the first few bars.. same with "Honky Tonk Woman", "Born To Run", "Sweet Home Alabama", anything by Elton John, Van Halen, Hoodoo Ghurus, Ramones, Chili Peppers, and even good old "Hocus Pocus" by Focus and on and on and on..

So, to me, it was a discussion of the musicianship, production, theme, etc. - kinda like what we talk about in here all the time - rather than how many times it's been broadcast/over-played/how old it is, etc. I still think that all of the above are incredible pieces of work

I mean, can you imagine jumping in your car every morning and hearing the same t-willy song twelve times a day for six years? Same thing right?

I'd probably enjoy it - gotta love the t-willy..

[mystahr]

Mystahr tis the devil’s music

Thanks windchill and barnardine

[Wopelka]

All right, these are my comments for my top ten. Sorry, i don’t have time to review the whole lot. i wish i could.

i’d like to say thank you to the numerous reviewers. special hey to YouTM for the medley (so cooool) and the tolikienesque map. cheers everybody.

a) AIC
very ‘done in my garage with some friends and lots of packs of beer’ kind of feel.
wild, powerful. love the riff that starts around 0:50. the voice is perfect. insane and dirty. metal as i picture it.

b) YouTM
great song, with a complete structure. not really metal but who cares when it’s so good. the percs and the ending are great.

c) Mystahahar
very personal, dark and noisey. the overall distortion is maybe a bit too prominent, killing the definition and frequencies layers. anyway, i love it.

d) Barnadine
(thanks for the HM, BTW) this one is still growing in me. perhaps if i voted tomorrow, i’d put it even higher in my chart. the sound is beautiful, with such a nice li’lle-too-much-but-lovely reverb. great guitar and drums. the voice is great, although i’m usually not too found of songs sung in german.

e) bluedad
excellent riffs. the i-shot-the-sheriff part is so cool. too much bass in the mix, unfortunately. your voice shines. the ending is a bit harsh (1:47 am i missing a bit?)

f) Ixox
i like the way you tried to make calmer parts contrasting with wilder ones. however the guitars don’t provide the needed power, and the bass kick is quite crazy sometimes... but i love the music. that’s your style, but in a so different arrangement. oh, and the donkey insert was a real trouvaille.

g) donkeyT
these guitars rock, man! your voice is so... and the lyrics. the cough provides this little supplement. i love it. however, i’m one of these spacecrap wankers who dare to criticize your basskick so unreal... the guitar solo is a beauty.

h) thomas_dk
your tracks are always very interesting and provides this experimental feel i like so much. the guitars are very good and the track interesting.

i) Sleek Month
great seventies sound, with a very Nirvana chorus. a tighter mix would suit the song better IMHO but who am i to say such things to the mighty Sleek ? the guitar solo is amazing, although too short. would love to hear a longer version.

j) Glooper
great guitars. great song. you’ve a great voice but you keep hiding it under the mix.


Honorable Mentions (no particular order): Softegg, windchillfactor, Sason, nikP2000 and Jeff Prentice, SIGHUP, Dr.Acula and ScarKord

[mystahr]

c) Mystahahar

[Sleek Month]

great seventies sound, with a very Nirvana chorus. a tighter mix would suit the song better IMHO but who am i to say such things to the mighty Sleek ?

Yes, yes, I am mighty indeed , but what do you mean by "tighter" in this context?

There will be a longer version...but not for awhile...I'm doing a rainforest-enigma-reggae-seal project right now that takes precedence. (There's money involved...)

-S.

[You™]

So, to me, it was a discussion of the musicianship, production, theme, etc. - kinda like what we talk about in here all the time - rather than how many times it's been broadcast/over-played/how old it is, etc.

I hear you and I appreciate what you are saying. But for my taste - as open and diverse as I'd like to think it is - the important thing is a certain sense of originality and flair. But I know I'm biased. You fans may hear something in Toto's music that I do not.

I'd take raw ideas tempered with sense of self and undogmatic ingenuity over impeccable skill and artistry almost every time. For any performer in whatever genre, there's a universe of possibilities that must be ignored in order to achieve that person's goals. If musicianship, production or commercial success are your goals, great! Have fun selling product. I doubt it would appeal much to me. But if your goals are broader, if you have something important or new to add to the dialog, even if you just want to remind us how fun it is to simply create, then I will listen. Because that's what I want to do too.

When I talk about "over-played" music on the radio, it's a kind of shorthand for pre-packaged, homogenized, mild ..."product." It's easily digestible, has little or no nutritional value and available everywhere. Product is managed and manufactured by professionals and engineers. I won't get into an argument about value judgments and who's a bigger sell-out than whom because that's not productive. Suffice it to say that once an idea is adjusted (or compromised) in order to appeal to a broader audience, then there's some sell-out going on. I'm sure we all do a little of that. But when you start with mass-appeal and industry recognition in mind - you're manufacturing product.That is not what I want to make with my talent. I'm more keen on finding creative ways to express myself. Beyond presenting my work with the best rendering and craftsmanship I can muster, I don't care about the rest. I've had some measure of success as a visual artist so I'm not completely naive to how things work.

Just like the wider marketplace, there are plenty of great products and I've been a good consumer. I helped buy Jimmy Cauty's noise tank, Michael Stipe's eyeshadow and Bootsy Collin's star-spangled glasses. Do I think they are sellouts? Not exactly. Do I think Toto is? I don't really know. But I never liked those songs I heard on the radio.

I hope my digression helps bring the discussion back to how it relates to us in the forum.

Flame away!

[t-willy]

thx for the vote mark. i'll let the t-william thing slide this time...............

lates

t-willy