Don't Look Back (1967)

So I watched Don't Look Back (1967), the documentary about Bob Dylan's 1965 European tour, a couple days ago in an effort to try to understand the legend/enigma that is Bob. Things I gathered:

1. Bob Dylan was like any other pretentious 20-something, but somehow he became a spokesman for a generation.

2. Sitting around watching a movie about people wasting time by doing douchey things and getting in douchey fights is just as terrible as watching it happen in person.

3. Same goes for watching people noodle around on instruments. If you're the one sitting there watching it happen and not the one playing, it's incredibly dull. Occasionally I'm anti-social, can you tell? And no, I won't watch you play videogames.

4. Bob Dylan has (had?) a rather charming stage presence. You see this at the end of the movie right as you want to not like the guy.

5. I've had the Boston song of the same name stuck in my head ever since. I like it better than this documentary.



Thus ends another well thought out review.

100 Favorite Songs: 31-35

Well this is an interesting bunch.

31. "The Look of Love" by Dusty Springfield (1967)

More Burt Bacharach, but this time from the soundtrack for the spooftastic Casino Royale. Mostly I just love the bridge. At least I think it's the bridge, but since there's no discernible chorus, it's hard to tell. It's the part that's starts with "I can hardly wait to hold you..."


I may or may not start to move like Dusty Springfield whenever I sing.

32. "Old Love" by Eric Clapton and Robert Cray (1989)

2 ways to get me to listen to blues: an interesting chord progression or gorgeous instrumental solos. Luckily this has both--mostly in the form of gorgeous guitar solos from both Eric and Robert in this version.


I love Sting so much.


33. "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5 (2004)

Their one song that doesn't get obnoxious after about 5 times through. Plus I can never resist some good blue-eyed soul. (Skip to about 1:30)


It's just so catchy.

34. “More Than a Feeling” by Boston (1976)

I love pretty much every song by Boston since they all sound like slightly different versions of the same awesome road trip song, but "More Than a Feeling" is their finest. Not only was this the least obnoxious ring tone I ever had, but it contains some great Brad Delp's voice blending into a wailing guitar moments.


Mmmmmustache.

35. "Photograph" by Def Leppard (1983)

Blah blah blah, Def Leppard is pretty lame and WTF was with all those Union Jacks. Whatever. This is pop rock at its finest.


Passion killer? Cage? Marilyn Monroe? This video's creepy.

Medley of the Day: A practical list of don'ts for you edition

Just in case you're in need of a little musical inspiration to start your year off right. Mostly, as a list of don'ts.

"Seize the Day" from the motion picture Newsies (1992)

A little warm-up from my favorite street urchins, exhorting you to "don't be afraid and don't delay."

"Don't Look Back" by Boston

Boston: most energizing band of all time?

A perfect example of the Amount of Hair Proportionate to the Rocking principle.

"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey

Is there anything more inspirational than this song? Performed awesomely LIVE?

"Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen

Hopefully we can all get to this point this year. Namely, overconfident and oh-so-catchy.

The Audacity of Rock: Part 32

Tone it down and build it up.

A surefire way to make any song way more exciting: drop out some instruments, either in volume or entirely, and then bring 'em back in with a vengeance. Also, I won't complain if you have some sweet vocal harmonies to add to the mix.

"Feelin' Satisfied" by Boston (1978)

Brad Delp works it out vocally to an epic guitar riff and claps-only percussion at the beginning of the chorus (see :54 and again at 2:30). Boston always knows how to up the ante.

"Girlfriend" by Phoenix (2009)

French sensations Phoenix display this timeless technique by blending it with modern rock's penchant for a continuous driving beat. The band tones down all the instruments, but keeps us interested before building to the glorious "girlfrieeeend" (see 1:21 and more obviously at 2:28 and 2:57).

Questions:

1. What's with bands being named after places (if Phoenix is referring to the city and not the mythical bird)?

2. Is there any Boston song that doesn't make you want to a) have a spontaneous dance party, b) go outside and loudly greet strangers, or c) take a joy ride in your car?

The Audacity of Rock: Part 19

I'm totally going to get a girl with this song.

Since the dawn of music (probably), men having been writing songs for the ladies. The most surefire way to get your message of love to the girl of choice is to put the chick's name in the song, preferably making the name the title*. There are so many to choose from, so I picked one from the last five decades.

"Michelle" by The Beatles (1965)

Even the Beatles weren't above using a bird's name in a song--or rudimentary French.



"Alison" by Elvis Costello (1977)

This is one of my default-stuck-in-my-head songs. I'm bound to sing it to any Alison I know.



"Amanda" by Boston (1986)

If you're all, "This sounds exactly like every other Boston song, but with just hint of Power Ballad," I'm like, "That's why it's awesome."



"Valerie Loves Me" by Material Issue (1991)

Apparently bands hated girls' names in the 90s. They're getting raped ("Polly"), rejected ("Molly"), called a whore ("Ava Adore"), or fake ("Josie (Everything's Gonna Be Fine)"), but not loved. Anyway, after way too much "research" here's a 90s song that's kind of an ode to a woman. I guess.

Material Issue |MTV Music

"Kelsey" by Metro Station (2007)

It took long enough to get a song with my name in it. Too bad it's kind of a lame song, in the sense that I doubt they'd actually swim the ocean for me. They didn't even spell my name right, so whatever. They suck.



Questions to Ponder:

1. Why did the 90s hate women?

2. What happened to Jayne?

L.A. Guns |MTV Music

*I realize most (read: all) my posts for The Audacity of Rock are about dude rockers. Sorry.

Medley of the Day: I really like classic rock Edition

I keep thinking I should write some posts about...something interesting and/or significant, but I'm sleepy and have really bad cramps and sucked at my speech anatomy test today. So here's some pretty awesome songs instead.

"Crystal Ball" by Styx. Great chorus and, as always, great synthesizer. Also, the lyrics are magical: "Tell me, tell me, won't you tell me? Then tell me again."



"Hitch a Ride" by Boston. It's now on Rock Band, which is a great choice. And as lame as playing a fake guitar keyboard-style is, it's a pretty fun game. Also, how can you not feel better listening to 70s rock? Seriously.



"Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. Ultimate feel-good song. Maybe tomorrow won't suck!