I’m not a huge fan of U2, but “One” from 1992′s “Achtung Baby” is one for the ages. An almost perfect song / performance and easily one of my top 20 favorite songs of all-time. The song was ostensibly written about the band’s struggles during a particularly down period, but it’s far more universal than that. It’s so expertly written, it speaks for any number of troubled relationships where all sides have reached a point where breaking up is the only option given all the past hurt that has been aired … yet … there’s also a chance of redemption … though it’s difficult to see through all the past drama. An incredibly complex song that still continues to blow me away.
As great as U2′s version is, Johnny Cash’s cover tops it. It may even be better than his legendary cover of Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt.” Breathtaking, emotional, brilliant stuff.
Ah … in much the same way many men remember their first “adult beverage” or the first time they lost their virginity … I remember when I saw my first James Bond film. I was 7-years old and my older brother was doing something far cooler than what I was doing on a particular fall night in 1977. My mom offered to take me to the movies and when she asked me what I wanted to see, I said “The Spy Who Loved Me.” I’m not quite sure what my mom knew what she was getting into. But … it was PG-rated … so I guess she shrugged her shoulders and said “OK!”
For those born after the advent of the PG-13 rating, let me explain that a 1970s PG could sometimes be the equivalent of what would constitute a mild R-rating these days. And hoo boy, did “The Spy Who Loved Me” deliver! Granted, there was no overt nudity or graphic violence … but holy mackeral, it blew my pervy 7-year old mind! You can talk all you want to about “Skyfall.” Yes, “Skyfall” was the best Bond film in years … but that honor is like being the best Tears for Fears song in years. At best, it’s going to be merely OK.
With that being said, I have a very soft spot in my heart for “The Spy Who Loved Me.” This is … by far … my favorite Bond film. It promised a world of illicit pleasures that I didn’t quite understand, but seemed pretty f–king cool nonetheless. Never mind the fact that life is NEVER as cool as a James Bond film. But this one always brings a smile to my face.
The opening credits sequence alone is beyond awesome. Yes, it’s cheesy as all James Bond credit sequences often are. But if you’re not able to watch this without a smile on your face, you’re not human.
P.S.: I also watched “Snoopy Come Home” that same night on television when I got home and thought it was equally awesome. When you add in the pizza my Mom bought that night for dinner, I distinctly remember that particular day as one of the best of my young life.
Ministry’s leader Al Jourgensen has officially disowned this song and the 1983 album it came from (“With Sympathy”) for years. According to Jourgensen, he was “forced” by then-label Arista Records to push his music in a synth-pop direction. I’m still not quite sure why the American Jourgensen adopted what sounds like an Australian accent here. It sounds like Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett fronting Depeche Mode. But I’m embarrassed to say, it works. OK, I like it a lot in fact, even though I really dig the extremely hard-edged direction Ministry is best known for. Yes, it’s cheesy, but this is very very good cheese.
RIP, Al Goldstein, the clown prince of pornography.
Yes, the man was an unrepentant sleaze bag … but also a really, really funny and intelligent one. His long-running late night NYC cable public access show “Midnight Blue” always had me convulsing in hysterics, especially his legendary “F–k You!” segments where he went off on some hapless retailer, restaurant, or airline that offended him. Despite his intelligence, he sometimes had more balls than brains … and his own penchant for Nixon-esque self-destruction caused him to go down in flames back in the early 2000s. If I had a cigar tonight, I’d smoke it in his honor. Al, I hope you’re enjoying a pastrami on rye wherever you are.
The opening 8 seconds of this clip contain some nudity, but the remaining 9+ minutes is a compilation of terrific “F–k you!” rants from “Midnight Blue.” Due to language and other otherwise “adult” material, not safe for work or little ones.
Just heard this cover today. As much as I love Joan Jett’s version from 1982, this Dandy Warhols cover from 1994 is pretty stunning, with a wall of guitar noise you can drown in. There was a video created for this, but because it prominently features a man in tighty-whiteys dancing around, I’m posting this “video” that only features the single cover sleeve. You’re welcome.
Here is what could only be described as an extremely rare live performance by Richard and Linda Thompson performing the shattering “Walking on a Wire” during a live tour in 1982. From the classic album “Shoot out the Lights,” this is a very heavy song about a relationship on the ropes. Perversely, this was likely written during a time of trouble between the Thompsons, as they divorced soon after this album was released. Of course, the Thompsons have consistently denied any connection between “Shoot out the Lights” and the end of their marriage. Just like Woody Allen’s acidic 1992 film “Husbands and Wives” in NO way reflected Allen’s and Mia Farrow’s relationship issues.
In any case, a truly marvelous performance and watching Richard work that guitar during the stunning solo near the end of the song is always a jaw-dropping experience.
OK, this song is from 2010, but I just heard this tonight and it’s my favorite new song. Reminds me a lot of early Cheap Trick, with equal measures of “power” and “pop.” Without further ado, this is Atlanta, Georgia’s the Biters with “Hang Around.”
Most people know this by the terrific pop cover the Animals did in 1965. However, this was originally composed for jazz vocalist Nina Simone by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell and Sol Marcus and Simone’s version … which is slower, bluesier, and more tortured-sounding … is a marvel to behold if you’ve never heard it before. The accompanying video that someone made on YouTube showing pivotal scenes of the American Civil Rights struggle during the 1950s and 1960s is particularly powerful in the context of the lyrics.
Early December always brings cult filmmaker and raconteur John Waters’ immensely useful Top 10 film list for the year (published in Artforum). As always, he makes some very interesting choices and has some choice comments. Dave says check it out.
An incredibly moving and emotional scene from the Pixar animated film “Toy Story 2,” featuring one of Randy Newman’s best songs, sung by Sarah McLachlan. Yes, the characters are toys. Yes, I realize it’s some dire triumph of the Capitalist system to ascribe human feelings to otherwise inanimate objects. But I dare anyone not to watch this scene and not be moved. As I’ve said before, between 1995 and 2010 (15 years if you do the math), there has been no other creative entity that sustained a consistently high quality of films than Pixar did. Yes, they really showed their a– with “Cars 2.” But … here’s hoping they bounce back and start scoring classics again.
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