Category: Everything Else

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Spectrum Check

Dan Seeger

As I noted last week, I had several more pieces go up at Spectrum Culture in my second full week back, in part because of some backlogged music releases. That effectively describes the first thing I had go up this week, a review of the sophomore effort from the U.K. band the Vaccines. My unimpressed assessment proved to be the appropriate kick-off to a week of bad reviews. On the film side, I offered an evaluation of the new documentary about the late Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame. Especially given the life being drawn upon, the film is shockingly … Continue reading Spectrum Check

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College Countdown: KROQ-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 1987, 30 and 29

Dan Seeger

30. “Alex Chilton” by the Replacements I rarely pass up an opportunity to expound on my immense appreciation for Pleased to Meet Me, the fifth full-length album from the Replacements and their second for major label Sire Records. The first, Tim from two years earlier, had a false start that must have especially pained the band’s frontman, Paul Westerberg. The glum genius songwriter felt a clear, special kinship with Alex Chilton, whose own self-defeating legend was assured by his time as one of the key creative forces behind the early nineteen-seventies rock ‘n’ roll cult heroes Big Star. Chilton was … Continue reading College Countdown: KROQ-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 1987, 30 and 29

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A Week of Fridays: Midi, Maxi & Efti, “Bad Bad Boys”

Dan Seeger

The simplest way for me to express how important my friend Rhienna is to my life is to include a link to a picture of the little dog we wouldn’t have if not for her. I’m endlessly impressed by the exuberant passion she brings to the things she enjoys. She doesn’t just love, she adores, and it’s wonderful to watch in action. I truly wish I could borrow some of her ambition, energy and fearlessness, especially around Sundance Film Festival time. She’s also the only one of this week’s contributors who can claim to have seen me struggle to recapture … Continue reading A Week of Fridays: Midi, Maxi & Efti, “Bad Bad Boys”

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College Countdown: KROQ-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 1987, 34 and 33

Dan Seeger

34. “Love Removal Machine” by the Cult There were few bands that were as big, bombastic and frankly ludicrous as the Cult, bringing to college radio a jolting dose of the long-haired quasi-metal that dominated the commercial charts at the time. Leaning heavily on influences such as the Doors and Led Zeppelin, Ian Astbury and crew seemingly wanted nothing less than hard rock domination. If there was then (and now) and foot-dragging aversion to courting fame among most left of the dial artists, the Cult provided the counter to that, building albums that seemed designed to only really work in … Continue reading College Countdown: KROQ-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 1987, 34 and 33

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Top 40 Smash Taps: “What Now”

Dan Seeger

These posts are about the songs that can accurately claim to crossed the key line of chart success, becoming Top 40 hits on Billboard, but just barely. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 40. Upon its release in 1964, Billboard reviewed Gene Chandler’s single “What Now” in the following manner: “Tear-jerker tale of a guy done wrong by a fickle gal! Gene wails in fine style backed by driving instrumentation.” The track was Chandler’s fourth song to grace the Billboard Top 40 and the third straight, following “Just Be True,” which peaked at #19, and “Bless Our … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Taps: “What Now”

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College Countdown: KROQ-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 1987, 38 and 37

Dan Seeger

38. “Heartbreak Beat” by the Psychedelic Furs In a stunning example of hubristic hyperbole, Columbia Records saw fit to promote the fifth album from the Psychedelic Furs, Midnight to Midnight, as the band’s “masterstroke.” It had been around two-and-a-half years since the group’s previous album, and their profile had risen significantly thanks to one of their songs lending a title to a high profile John Hughes movie. They even rerecorded the song for the flick, drawing ire from many longtime fans who found the new version to overly slick and commercial. Turns out that was a mere precursor to a … Continue reading College Countdown: KROQ-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 1987, 38 and 37