http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHBVnMf2t7w&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

OK..?

“Since most people haven’t heard the bands I’m talking about – radio and the recording industry have made certain of that – there’s a need to triangulate, to relate the music back to something the reader might know.”

Well, yes, but using Swedes as an example doesn’t make a compelling case – I love SOOL and The Hellakopters, but they are wonderful Beatle and arena rock clones. I’m not sure they prove the point.

“Some of those I like and respect the most have, like the greatest artists in past generations, learned from the masters and established themselves as emerging stars in their own right. The Killers, about whom I’ve written multiple times, and Franz Ferdinand and Interpol. Rob Dickinson, who gave us my pick for 2008’s CD of the Year. Jets Overhead, who are ready to release what I expect to be one of the best of 2009. Death Cab for Cutie, and maybe after another CD or two a guy who born into a very long shadow, Dhani Harrison of thenewno2.”

Don’t forget Doco. You may not like the merger of Sublime and Dre/Snoop/Eminem with RJ, Howlin’ Wolf, and Hendrix – but give credit where credit is due. Those boys are on to something….

“In the end, I’ll go on liking what I like and listening to everything that strikes my fancy, and of course my quest for the next big thing will continue, probably until the day I die. But my critical faculty, the part of me that wants my mind to love it as much as my ears do, will insist on thinking about things … until the day I die.”

You were, what, 3 when The Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan? You have no idea what aching for the next big thing is, pal….. And let’s accept, too, another premise from Thomas Kuhn: though the paradigm may not shift as often as we’d like, there’s brilliant work being done within the paradigm. My suggestion is this: let’s celebrate those who are out there doing great work, as you do on a regular basis.

If we get another “next big thing,” great. But there are lots of artists out there who got/are getting ignored or overlooked through the history of this thing we call rock. If we can help music lovers discover those bands, that’s a good thing. And that thing may inspire the next big one….

Firstly, great piece of writing here.

Second, I’m compelled to write a response:

I’m unfamiliar with Sharon Jones and her Dap Kings, (perhaps to my detriment here), but believe I know what you’re talking about within her example. Is it just shy of this sudden plethora of “tribute bands” we’re seeing sprout like mushrooms all over? Regardless, as you say-she does what she does and she does it damned well. So be it.

Within my favorite niche/genre, psychedelia, I’m seeing & hearing quite a lot of new & imaginative bands working the field. While there are several auditory clues or signals that a band utilizes to let the listener know they’re “psychedelic” it doesn’t immediately signal an “aping” of predecessors as much as it confirms a place within the niche/genre.

There are certainly bands who are more adept, from a creative perspective, at pulling together all of the varied signals than others. Admittedly. But in my experience, especially over 100+ hours these last two weeks as I attempted the nailing of my own “Best of 2008″, the Top Ten, even 20, are some of the most original sounding bands and pieces of music I’ve heard. These bands are clearly *not* taking the fast track to riches & fame, (though the genre is seeing a renaissance right now.) I think for every three or umpteen bands doing the Jam/Clash schtick in an effort to garner accolades, etc., there’s someone out there who’s trying to sound like a band who might’ve produced one or two albums, is little known, and offers very little opportunity for society-at-large’s definition of success.

Gods bless ‘em. It may not be new but-in my case, old is good, too.

-valis