Buffalo Springfield - "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing"
Are you thinking about Ennio Morricone and Love right now? It’s OK if you are. Though you have reason, I think it is important to keep in mind that those reference points don’t matter. In fact, nothing in this song matters a hoot, except for the 26th second. That second, and also the 88th. Those seconds are second to none.
Neil Young wrote “Nowadays,” a fact which only compounds the goodness of the 26th second switch to 3/4 time. Mr. Young’s devotion to that time signature is like my cat’s devotion to Meow Mix: unwavering. [Buy]
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John Cale - "You Know More Than I Know"
Much of John Cale’s solo career has been dedicated to the pursuit of the perfect pop song. Much of John Cale’s solo career has been a miserable failure.
Yet, here Cale grapples with every saccharine pop-ballad stereotype (strummed acoustic, arpeggiated electric, climactic drum fills, a chorus of rising piano and crescendoing harmonies), and emerges unscathed, in control, the master of his art. Though there’s nothing restrained about the arrangement or the production, the music seems entirely unforced. With "You Know More Than I Know" Cale seems to have stumbled onto a song whose every detail is - as in all the best pop songs - necessarily as it is.
So, well done John Cale - you’re the Beatles. [Buy]
Posted by Jordan at July 27, 2005 1:06 AMOoh. I love "You Know More Than I Know," and I do think it's one of Cale's best songs. But even the rest of his solo career has a lot of good stuff in it. It's just sometimes hampered by corny instrumentation (which is why _Fragments_ shows off the quality of the songs best).
I'd recommend "Thoughtless Kind" as among his best songs, too.
Posted by Hillary at July 27, 2005 2:05 PMYA = Young Adult? hilarious
Posted by dan at July 27, 2005 11:26 PMKitty likes Young Adult novels. He reads well for a kitty, but when it comes to books, we have nothing to talk about.
Posted by Jordan at July 28, 2005 10:02 AMDan seems to have an uncanny gift for (in no particular order) mind-reading, the gab and acronymology. Impressive. I agree with his comment about YA. Incidentally, I have never heard the John Cale song in question, but the fact that he is The Beatles means that I have, and it's good.
Posted by Joel Taylor at July 28, 2005 12:55 PMI stand firmly behind John Cale's solo material, and I think that the stating that most of his "solo career has been a miserable failure" is provocative at best, and blatantly uninformed at worst! There's a Reed vs. Cale thread on the Montreal section of stillepost where I purged most of my thoughts on this, but lemme say, man, Cale is spectacular!
Posted by Jay Watts III at July 28, 2005 2:03 PMJay - I knew I'd take flak for that, but I stand behind my polemic (with me behind my polemic and you behind Cale's solo material, we can't even see each other anymore). I've read the stillepost thread and remain unconvinced. For the most part I find him dull and dated. But that's just me. Perhaps I should have written "IMO".
What is required of an opinion about the quality of a particular body of musical work for it to be "blatantly uninformed?" Just curious.
Joel (teeber), Dan (deeber) - Hey.
Posted by Jordan at July 28, 2005 2:39 PMWhat about me?!
Oh wait, I hadn't contributed.
Well, do I have to be "sheeber"? Can't I be, like, Captain McSweet-town? Or, "The Reverend"?
Sorry, am I being distracting? I'll go away.
Posted by Sean at July 28, 2005 3:17 PMA most heartfelt welcome to The Reverend!
Posted by Jordan at July 28, 2005 3:36 PM...Blatantly uninformed of the tender nature of John Cale's soul, sir!
Posted by Jay Watts III at July 29, 2005 5:57 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
