Rave’s Raves: June, 2001
Saturday, June 30th, 2001NEW RAVE’S FAVES
(on the air since April)
Coldplay (“Shiver”), Pete Yorn, Air, Manic Street Preachers (“Sad”), Rufus Wainwright (“Cigarettes”), Weezer (“Island”), Gorillaz (“Clint”).
The quality of current music on radio, video, and the internet is better than it has been for several years. I really like “Radio #1” by France’s Air, which has an outside chance at becoming a hit. Two of their three LA concerts are sold out, and I’m looking forward to seeing them. “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” from Rufus is great, but his new CD doesn’t match up to his spectacular first effort. He has dropped much of his appealing cabaret style in favor of a more straight-forward approach. Weezer’s “Island” joins “Hash Pipe” as two of the best songs on current radio. “Island” and Gorillaz’ “Clint Eastwood” are both Top Five requested at KROQ. “Clint” features Blur’s Damon Albarn, who sounds great. The song is a smash throughout Europe and is obviously getting a domestic buzz, yet Virgin is going with a different single in this country. Go figure. If you’re into new-millennium punk, check out Sum 41. Their “Fat Lip” hit is cool, and the entire CD is consistent with that song.
I’ve got some bad news for any of you who’ve been listening to The Chris Carter Mess on www.worldclassrock.com. Clear Channel, the corporation that owns more stations than anyone, blew out the entire staff. As I’ve often said, Chris is one of my top sources for new music. I’ll miss the show, but I’m sure he’ll be back.
80’s COLLEAGUES
Two of the bands I worked with are reforming. Duran Duran are going into the studio with their original lineup. I don’t know whether it will work at this point, but it will be interesting. I feel they should return to the positive, melodic style that graced their first few albums; with unlta-modern, electronic-based backing tracks. People don’t want to hear a dark-sounding Duran Duran. Warren Cuccurullo leaves the band, but don’t feel too badly for him, as he’s always wanted to reform his Missing Persons. Amazingly, he’s been able to get the divorced Terry and Dale Bozzio to work together. Persons will tour this summer, as are The Motels and The Knack. The Knack continue to amaze people with their youthfulness and energy. Among their recent shows was a headlining stint in front of 7,000+ in Detroit. In August, they will shoot a concert for a DVD release, and a new studio album is also in the works. Keep an eye on this space for further details.
Speaking of Missing Persons, their manager and producer was Ken Scott, who also worked on most of the Beatles albums, as well as with David Bowie, Lou Reed, Supertramp, and many others. Ken doesn’t give many interviews, but he and Uncle Joe Benson sat down for a discussion that will be featured on Joe’s nationally syndicated Off the Record during the weekend of July 7-8. Try to catch this show–tape it if you must!
Okay folks, that’s all for now. See you in August for Rave’s Raves #12. Until then,