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08-07-09 Footnotes
Show 193: Rock Doctors, Reviews of Regina Spektor & Japandroids
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1 Last week a federal jury concluded that 25-year-old college student Joel Tennenbaum must pay $675,000 — or $22,500 for each of the 30 songs he was found liable of infringing. He was the country’s second RIAA file sharing defendant to go before a jury; the other was Minnesota woman Jammie Thomas-Rasset. She was ordered to pay even more—$1.92 million for the 24 songs she shared on Kazaa. Both of these cases have been high-profile, leading Jim, Greg and guest Nate Anderson of Ars Technica to wonder if the defendents are being made examples of, especially since the damages were so high. Adding to the media attention was Tennenbaum’s lawyer, Charles Nesson of Harvard, who took this case as a celebre. Nesson tried to use a fair-use defense, but the judge in the case was having none of it. Tenenbaum plans to appeal, but otherwise has plans to file for bankruptcy.
2 Trumping Chris Brown’s attempt at advertising synergy, Mariah Carey announced this week that she’ll include an ad-packed mini magazine with her next release Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. The 34-page spread will include ads for Mariah’s perfume, as well as other luxury brands and Mariah-centric content. And a version will be included in Elle Magazine. Jim and Greg wonder if commercials between songs are next?
3 The Black Eyed Peas have been consistent hit-makers since bringing Fergie on in 2003. Now they are record breakers. With “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling,” they have the longest successive chart run in the history of Billboard. The last group to do this was Boyz II Men. The Black Eyed Peas are solidifying their status as the dominant force in commercial music today.
4 Sun Records recording artist Billy Lee Riley died last week at the age of 75. Riley never achieved great mainstream success and didn’t get to record a full album for Sun, but his string of singles were hugely influential according to Jim and Greg. The best way to remember him is by listening to his biggest hit “Flyin’ Saucers Rock and Roll.”
5a Health care reform is a huge issue for every American—even rock fans. This week Jim and Greg again become Rock Doctors to help a listener with a musical-medical problem. Their patient, the newly 40-year-old Dan from Oakland, CA. Dan contacted Sound Opinions complaining of a musical midlife crisis. He spends most of his time listening to FM radio, which these days is dominated by commercial country and hip hop. What he likes about country music and hip hop is the storytelling, so that is where Jim and Greg start with their prescriptions.
5b Dr. DeRogatis recommends former Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle’s debut solo record Yours Truly, the Commuter. Lytle isn’t a country singer, but he weaves complicated tales in his music. And as Dan explains, just add a pickup truck and a bottle of beer to some of his stories, and you’re all set.
Dr. Kot prescribes Real Animal by Alejandro Escovedo. The rock veteran takes a musical tour of his life, referencing a number of artists that influenced him along the way. Dan was complately sucked in by this rock life story and will definitely take this medicine again.
Check out Jim and Greg’s conversations with Jason Lytle and Alejandro Escovedo.
To apply for an appointment with the Rock Doctors or nominate someone in need of urgent assistance fill out our Patient Form and send to interact@soundopinions.org.
6 Vancouver duo Brian King and David Prowse of Japandroids have released their third album called Post-Nothing. Jim notes that everyone seems to be a duo these days, but Japandroids rises above the pack. Amid the sea of noise are tuneful alientation anthems. He gives it an enthusiastic Buy It. Greg was impressed and energized by the two musicians at the Pitchfork Music Festival. And while he doesn’t agree with Jim about the strong songwriting, he loves the textured guitar playing and gospel-like crescendos. Post-Nothing gets two Buy It ratings.
7 Regina Spektor had some very prestigious help on her new album Far. Her big name producers include David Kahn, Jacknife Lee, Jeff Lynne and Mike Elizondo. Were they worth it? Greg wanted to like this album. Normally he appreciates strong, idiosyncratic personalities. But with Spektor, cute has become cutesy. He finds her weird for weird’s sake and was driven crazy by the record. Greg gives Far a Trash It rating. Jim thinks Greg is just being mean and explains that he learned to stop worrying and love the Regina with this album. While he admits some lyrics are precious, most were poignant. Jim gives Regina Spektor a Buy It.
Songs Featured in Show #193
Green Day, "21st Century Breakdown," 21st Century Breakdown, 2009
Mariah Carey, "Obsessed," Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, 2009
The Black Eyed Peas, "I Gotta Feeling," The E.N.D., 2009
Billy Lee Riley, "Red Hot," The Sun Story, 1987
Billy Lee Riley, "Flyin' Saucers Rock and Roll," The Sun Story, 1987
Kid Sister, "Get Fresh," Get Fresh EP, 2009
Kiss, “Calling Dr. Love,” Rock and Roll Over, 1976
K’Naan, “T.I.A.,” Troubadour, 2009
Mastodon, “Crack the Skye,” Crack the Skye, 2009
Sha Na Na, “Witch Doctor,” The Best of Sha Na Na, 1994
Jason Lytle, “I Am Lost (And the Moment Cannot Last),” Yours Truly, The Commuter, 2009
Alejandro Escovedo, "Chelsea Hotel," Real Animal, 2008
Jason Lytle, “Brand New Sun,” Yours Truly, The Commuter, 2009
Jason Lytle, “Ghost of My Old Dog,” Yours Truly, The Commuter, 2009
Jason Lytle, “It’s the Weekend,” Yours Truly, The Commuter, 2009
Alejandro Escovedo, “Golden Bear,” Real Animal, 2008
Alejandro Escovedo, “Slow Down,” Real Animal, 2008
The Jackson 5, “Doctor My Eyes,” Lookin' Through the Windows, 1972
Japandroids, “The Boys Are Leaving Town,” Post-Nothing, 2009
Japandroids “Young Hearts Spark Fire,” Post-Nothing, 2009
Japandroids “Crazy Forever,” Post-Nothing, 2009
Regina Spektor, “Eet,” Far, 2009
Regina Spektor, “The Calculation,” Far, 2009
Regina Spektor, “Folding Chair,” Far, 2009
John Talobot, “Sunshine,” 2009
De La Soul, “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey),” De La Soul is Dead, 1991
Allen Toussaint, "Bright Mississippi," The Bright Mississippi, 2009
Thee Oh Sees, “Enemy Destruct,” Help, 2009
Ida Maria, “I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked,” Fortress Round My Heart, 2008
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