Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Stratocruiser 'Revolutions (ADVANCE COPY)'


I found myself thinking about an accusation made against me years ago while ripping my Stone Temple Pilots CD to my Zune player… I noticed that the album ‘Purple’ was released in 1994. I also ripped Stickboy’s ‘Sings My Songs’ and Stratocruiser’s ‘Revolutions (ADVANCE COPY)’ CD’s released 2001 and 2006 respectively.

The accusation against me?

I never bought or listened to anything from the 1990’s.

I felt that the accusation was false. I still feel very much the same today. The first paragraph is proof positive that my listening tastes grew past the teased hair of the 80’s and the glitter of the 70’s. There’s also evidence in my collection with compact discs by Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Collective Soul, Silverchair, Blind Melon, Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Primal Scream, and Bush.

I must admit something… For the most part of the 1990’s, I felt that the music being churned out just downright sucked. Hard rock (my favorite genre) was still there, but it was being packaged as “Alternative”. The only differences were all the tattoos and piercings along with the lack of whammy bars or tremolo arms on the guitars.

And who can forget, the 1990’s spawned the Honda Civic of tattoos… The tribal armband. They made everyone very special.

It was a great time of revolution that made my eyes roll. And if you don’t realize it, I’m being a bit sarcastic.

The musical artists that I loved were being tossed out of the business like used cat litter. And for what?

Dirty hair, tattoos, misdirected angst, and heroin?

I don’t mind being of accused of anything that’s true, because in the majority of those cases I will own up to it. But when I’m falsely accused of something, it will eat and eat on me until that buzzard gets to the bone.

Oh sure… I’m a guy that grew up dining on the musical feast that were the 70’s and 80’s. Some of the CD’s from that era will always be a part of my diet and they’ll never go away. Those days were carefree and fun with little responsibility. It wasn’t unusual for me to buy an LP once a week (later to be replaced by the latest in technological advances).

I spent most of my 90’s working for Capitol Records at a distribution facility where I received ass loads of free music. The money I made went elsewhere unless an artist’s music caused me to plunk down 18 bucks for a CD. Sometimes I had a choice… The new White Zombie or eating for a couple of days. Paying the cable bill or picking up the new Monster Magnet.

I usually went with the responsible route to keep my stomach from growling and paid my bills. The monthly allotment of Capitol releases kept me in music and raised a monster of a collection.

So why does the accusation bother me?

After spending yesterday’s last waking minutes thinking about it… I took it as an affront to my age. I took it as an attack on my sophistication and good tastes. It was a unfair criticism directed towards me with a hint of malice.

Oh well… Thanks for letting me exorcise that tiny little demon. I feel good enough to go online and purchase a KC & The Sunshine Band digital album from the Zune Marketplace. They were a great band that were more than their singles.

Screw you, Linkin Park and Korn!*

* Two 90’s bands I didn’t like very much. The singer for Linkin Park is more of a whiner (makes him able to hit the higher notes… Like Boyz II Men) than a singer and no one ever told Korn that rap/hard rock hybrids just don’t work.

4 comments:

  1. Your post was very thought provoking. After reading it, I googled "great bands of the 90"s" and found an Amazon list. Nirvana was listed of course then they begot the Foo Fighters. Sublime & Blind Melon - other singers who bit the dust. Oasis - we tried to see them in the 1990 but due to their stupid sibling feud they canceled at the last minute. Smashing Pumpkins - did see them. Husband's ears are still ringing. Bush - love Gavin but more about his looks. REM - their 80's stuff was better. Pearl Jam & Soundgarden - kinda related from past bands. Cranberries - really the best? I see what you mean.

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  2. I never could get into Pearl Jam. In some ways, they reminded me of a whinier American version of U2... And to me, One Bono is enough in this world.

    Pearl Jam just bugs me.

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  3. Anonymous4:55 PM

    What is your problem with Pearl Jam?

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  4. Anonymous8:02 PM

    Korn Blows!

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