Bodysnatchers

As was the case with Nirvana's grunge rock, I have never really been a big fan of this type of "alt rock".  While the listening guide description gives some insight into what they are trying to say (the feeling of being oppressed and "owned" by big record companies), it is not anything that I would listen to more than once - and only then because it was required!  In that regard it is similar to a lot of mid-late 20th century "serious" orchestral music - not in the atonality which those present, but in the sense of overwhelming nihilism and despair.  Life is too short to waste it on such stuff!  As an undergrad in the '70s I went to those concerts because I was required to, but have never deliberately sought out 12 tone since.  In fact, I have studiously avoided it ever since!

I say these things not as some sort of snob who doesn't like rock - I still listen to Steppenwolf and Jimi Hendrix now and then.  I am just not impressed with this style of whiney navel gazing - particularly at such high decibel levels.

Doo Wop (That Thing)

Lauryn Hill has always been an interesting performer to me.  I had not really been aware of her prior to her star appearance in the movie Sister Act II.  Although Whoopi Goldberg was officially the star, in my opinion Lauryn Hill stole the show with her incredible singing. 

The same talent which she displayed in the 1996 movie is evident here as well. The ease with which she shifts back and forth between soul singing and hip hop rap is perfectly complemented in the video by the use a split screen technique where, on the left side she appears dressed as if she could be one of the original Supremes singing soulful lines, while at the same time on the right side she is dressed in jeans and sports dreads doing rapid fire rap.  It is a captivating side by side.  The message to the listeners is clearly to be careful of those (men or women) what are only interested in that "one thing."  Be careful to not allow yourself to be manipulated by those who don't have your best interests at heart.  Good thoughts from a great singer!

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana has never been on my list of favorites.  For that matter, grunge music in general has never really appealed to me.  I realize that this song is important because of the developing trend it represents, but I still find it hard to generate much excitement about it. One of my major problems with it is the mumbling delivery of the vocal lines by Kurt Cobain.  This is probably one of the reasons I prefer Weird Al Yankovic's parody to the original song: Smells Like Nirvana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY 

 In particular I appreciate Weird Al's opening lines:

What is this song all about?
Can't figure any lyrics out
How do the words to it go?
I wish you'd tell me, I don't know.

Now I'm mumbling, then I'm screaming
And I don't know what I'm singing
Crank the volume, ears are bleeding
I still don't know what I'm singing

I know this is a bit unusual that I am spending more time on the parody than the actual song itself.  I guess it is because it so perfectly captures my feelings about the original.  I know that this is considered a classic, but I for one have never cared for it.  Time has not changed that opinion.

Night of the Living Baseheads

Although as a rule I don't listen to a lot of rap music, I can see how this particular one is important.  It addresses the crack cocaine epidemic which devastated many urban neighborhoods in the 1980s. The lyrics make it clear that the rappers are disgusted with those who are profiting off the backs of those whose lives are being destroyed.

Sell to their own, rob a home
While some shrivel to bone
Like comatose walkin' around

I spent several years in the early '80s in Chicago as that crack epidemic was just gathering steam and I can attest that what is being described here is an accurate portrayal of many.  While Public Enemy gained a (somewhat) deserved reputation as angry young men, in this case they have something to be angry about.

Walk This Way

I will never forget the first time I saw this video on MTV.  I was simply blown away.  I had not really paid much attention to rap prior to this, but this made me sit up and take notice.  As noted in the text, this crossover hit was really the first time that many white audiences (and folks like me) had heard much of anything by rap musicians and began to realize that they were really musicians as well as just "fancy talkers".  Seeing them hold their own in this "battle of the bands" concept really helped to cement that understanding.

I think one of the first things that grabs your attention is that it is funny.  The back and forth at the beginning really sets the stage for what is to come.  Then Joe Perry's opening guitar licks are a great hook that embeds in your mind and won't let go.  Then when Steven Tyler is ready to start singing and gets interrupted through the walls and they are off...  Great song (and video)!

When Doves Cry

I have heard this song quite a few times before but have never really listened to it in depth.  I must admit that I was surprised to learn that it did not have a bass part - something I had never noticed before.  I was aware of Prince's incredible versatility in terms of playing all the instruments and doing all the vocals on this song and much of this album (my 28 year old daughter is a HUGE Prince fan and keeps me informed of those type of things.)


I tried to find the accompanying video on Youtube but the only ones I could find were either "bait and switch" ones that actually had nothing to do with Prince or heavily remixed ones that had added the bass track that was not in the original.

Holiday in Cambodia

This was definitely a new experience. I had heard of the Dead Kennedys but had never really listened to any of their songs.  Heavy duty punk was more the music of my kids than me!  With a title like that, I was not quite sure what to expect.  However, after listening to it, it seems to me that it is really a call to realize and be grateful for what you've got because, by comparison, things could be a lot worse.  You could be in Cambodia under Pol Pot.

(I must add that I wrote the above paragraph prior to reading the listening guide.)  After reading the guide it confirmed my assessment that this was intended to be sarcastic and to challenge upscale suburban youth to consider if the things they complain about are worthy of comparing to the real suffering being experienced in other parts of the world.  I believe the current term is "first world problems."