Last week I posted a link to an article written by Paul Shirley and tonight's author is almost as good. I fear that if I continue to allow actual writers with in depth reviews on the Skog Blog my own reviews will continue to look more and more like The Chris Farley Show.
Without futher ado, someone who needs no introduction, here is Skog Blog reader, Corbie.
Borrowing the title from a Douglas Coupland book, the media has labeled our generation, my generation, Generation X. This label is widely understood to mean that we are cynical, introspective, and emotionally confused (the result of growing up as tech-savvy latchkey kids, the children of baby boomer parents who chased the almighty dollar and raised us to assume that the perfect six figure job would fall into our laps while we played Atari in their over-mortgaged, asbestos infested basements). For the most part, Gen X music reflects this disillusionment, confusion, and isolation – Pearl Jam, Nirvana, REM - they told our story and gave us something to cling to as we raged against the corporate, political, and social machine.
Now, I love angst as much as the next person (okay, more) but I also love the concept, the imagery, the sound of hope. Yes, folks, hope has a sound, and I present you with it here…the 1993 album So Tonight That I Might See, by Mazzy Star. Often viewed as a one-hit wonder (for the song ‘Fade Into You’), the entire album (as well as their subsequent 1996 album Among My Swan) is powerful and haunting and full of underappreciated gems. The lead singer, Hope Sandoval, can (and regularly does) sing about heartbreak, misery, loneliness…and yet still leaves you feeling like something better awaits. It is the ability to capture the 90’s angst while still managing to sound hopeful that makes this album, in my opinion, a good representation of this generation, my generation. I mean, while the generations that came before us got out there and put their noses to the grindstone chasing the almighty dollar, we remain living in our parents’ basements (now accompanied by spouses and children, of course), playing Xbox and waiting for the perfect six figure jobs to fall into our laps – that kind of behavior can only be described as hopeful.
I present you with Mazzy Star’s, So Tonight That I Might See - an oldie but a goodie - and my favorite three tracks from the album.
10 comments:
OK you took me back with that one. You actually went back and found something I actualy listen too, who knew?
Hey KG... Mishka my %$#, thanks for the inside tip Madoff.
I too was shocked, Brohammas. Very nice selection by Corbie that didn't involve the phrases 'country' and/or 'western.' Nice review.
Listen, you two - I'm not a one trick pony when it comes to music (though I was just quite pleased with myself that I was able to incorporate 'pony' into my defense so perhaps I lean to the twang more than I realize).
As for inside tips, why am I not getting any of those? I just get music by scared bunnies.
Scared Bunnies? You leave Mug out of this.
I have tried and tried to get Corbie to like the music I send her way - usually she ends up telling me how much she hates it.
Flash back to last month, I was driving home one night, listening to DCFC and realized she might actually like "Brothers On A Hotel Bed" {the song not the image}. See, it is my mission to find songs we both like - not because I care that she likes the same music, but because I love a challenge and she is a tough crowd. To my dismay she claimed to really enjoy it...
Now today, I skip over to your blog and find her reviewing Mazzy Star - an artist I've loved for years. I would imagine Corbie enjoying the smell of coconut more than the sound of Mazzy Star.
All in all, a great review. I feel when it comes to music, Corbie has been holding out on us this whole time.
Lindsey - you seem to have a good taste in tunes. I think you need to do next week's review...
The day Crobie (yes, I call you Crobie) said that Barry Manilow was better than Bob Marley was the day I stopped listening to Crobie's advice on music. Take it back now, and I'll give you a second chance.
Until then, you are dead to me.
I really need to start checking the box (in my defense, the box doesn't come up on the skog blog unless I preview my comment and I'm not much of a previewer - I'm more of the point and fire type). So, KG, nice bring back joke about Mug and the bunnies (and tell Wheels I am getting a lot of mileage out of that phrase these days). Linds, I am a tough crowd but I really did like that song. A lot. And I think you need to do the next review (after Robyn's, of course, which is already on the schedule). Spammon, I will not bash Barry Manilow at the skog blog - have some respect, my (former?) friend.
Spammon: I have been informed that you told a group of rugby players (presumably several from reggae music descent) that I like Barry Manilow better than Bob Marley. I had no idea the lengths you would go to in your attempt to steal my friends. Watch your back.
Crobie - Look, you said it. Not me. And after such blasphemy, it should be you that should be watching your back. <3
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