THE ALARM - MAKING OF THE ALARM

"Up Close With The Alarm - and Mike Peters"

This is inside the bands perspective of putting together a video. Peters and crew called it quits years ago until a recent VH1 show got them all together. Here they are perfecting their signature sound.

They are interesting because of their stage presence. Notice the cameras and mics coming from the ceiling like a boxers mic. This adds height to the performance. Also the multiple images being shown over the band adds a bit of visual dynamicism.

These guys really carried over the look and upbeat positive feel that created the image for IRS RECORDS, (which is now defunct). There was a lot of imagery and text floating over the bands videos and live performances. This was the case for a lot of the early IRS bands and added to their complex nature. All of these bands in the early days were quite interesting.

The Alarm is still producing this type of look and it really does cut against the whiney pop diva subculture that exists today. The other thing that sets them apart from competition is their ability to deliver sharp guitar hooks that jar up against one another. Somewhere in all that chaos this Dublin band is still able to deliver a likeable melody. When the entire thing is delivered and signed over you want to listen to it again and again. It has this long lasting effect that so many bands today seem to miss.

Ted Cantu posted this on Oct. 6, 2007 at 10:08 AM

TAY ZONDAY TESTING THE PATIENCE OF AMERICA

"ONE OF THE WEIRDEST MOMENTS IN TELEVISION"

Confusing yes.... like the Kennedy Assasination.

Look at the faces of the people in the audience as he sings this .... er.. song. I haven't seen looks like that since Andy Kaufman jumped on the stage and sang his ridiculous songs. I got to give this guy credit because he is so upbeat and friendly. You want to like this guy.

But the song is absurd.

His speaking voice is just as low and strange as his singing voice. The audience warms up to him as he is interviewed. It is an interesting thing to watch.

Posted by Cantu on Oct. 6, 2007 at 9:56 PM

SQUEEZE - Michael McDonald Could Have Out Done Them Better ???

You gotta read this review.....

allenbroadway (1 week ago)
I think Steely Dan and Michael McDonald could have done it better

Comparing Squeeze, (a great UK Brit Pop band WUNDERKIND from the 80s')
to the dreary sounds of Michael (pass me a doobie) Doobie Brother McDonald or Steely Dan is a terrible unforgiveable mistake of a comparrison. Each had very different pop sensibilities.

For example, Squeeze will put you in a happy upbeat place. Where McDonald puts you in a literal Mc Donalds NEAR CLOSING TIME where you are running out of time and cell phone minutes listening to him warble over the loudspeaker while you are on a business road trip -- wondering what your entire purpose in this world REALLY IS.... ??

And Steely Dan makes you feel like ordering a 7 and 7 and sticking your head in a pothole and calling it a day. After all, you cannot get a time machine back to 1977 so why bother.

But you don't get those feelings when you listen to Squeeze. And man get a load of JOOLS HOLLAND on the keyboard. GREAT STUFF. I also adore the endless guitar solos that just build and build and build. There is so much life in those builds. I just find so much depth in those songs. It is unreal.

The last I heard Mc Donald was doing AT&T commercials.... (LISSSSEN BAYBEEEEE ETC.)

Posted by Cantu on Oct. 2, 2007 at 9:34 PM

THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - MEETS THE MANSON FAMILY

"WE'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY... (MORE OR LESS)"

This is amusing. Considering that it stems from one of the most horrific crimes of its time this will actually put a smile on your face --- in a humorous way. There is something pop culture related to this clip that I want to point out. There is a rumor on the Internet that Charles Manson was supposed to be one of the original Monkees. I doubt that this was true after listening to his recordings, (which are more like the Velvet Underground in appearance).

Still, when you look at how young, (and confused) the killers of these crimes were it boggles the mind. Its a real contrast at how evil these people were and its further confusing when you consider the reasons why they felt they must kill. To add further confusion it is interesting to watch the killers reflect on their crimes as if THEY were the REAL victims after all this time.

Its something that should be investigated if only so history will not be tempted to repeat itself. It is troubled time that needs to be dealt with.

Posted on Oct. 2, 2007 at 9:16 PM