http://robceemusic.com One reporter's opinion... the only one that matters. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:21:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe hit the ground running on their most relevant album in fifteen years or so with "Living Well Is The Best Revenge"- possibly the rawest and punkiest they have sounded since Chronic Town back in '82 (Alternate descriptions: 1. It really puts the "rapid" ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/05/07/rem-accelerate-warner-bros/ By 1980, Dire Straits were stuck. Their self-titled debut had attracted much praise with its pub blues/rock sound and had spawned a rock radio hit with "Sultans Of Swing", but 1979's Communique was a washout (save for the excellent "Lady Writer") and the band seemed to be merely treading water ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/04/22/journey-through-the-past-dire-straits-making-movies-warner-bros-1980/ Here, I'll just come out and say it: Consolers Of The Lonely by The Raconteurs is the worst album that Jack White of The White Stripes has ever been associated with. That being said, it's really not that bad. The Raconteurs, if you're not familiar with them, feature Mr. White ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/04/08/the-raconteurs-consolers-of-the-lonely-warner-bros/ On her third and latest album, Canadian country girl Kathleen Edwards confesses that "choosing my words carefully has never been my strength." It can only be assumed that she is singing about her private life and not her artistic persona, as her first two albums were winners for their lyrical ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/03/29/kathleen-edwards-asking-for-flowers-zoerounder/ Let's begin with some obvious things about The Black Crowes: 1. They are led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson- one is a loudmouthed beanpole, the other is cool as hell despite having chick hair. 2. They seem to be influenced almost exclusively by early 70's Rolling Stones and The Faces. 3. They ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/03/18/the-black-crowes-warpaint-silver-arrow/ In 1999, The Magnetic Fields released an ambitious three disc set called 69 Love Songs that, true to its name, contained 69 canciones de amor. Critics swooned over the Fields' twisted Brill Building sensibilities and the sheer moxie of Magnetic mastermind Stephin Merritt, launching 69 onto many "Ten Best" lists ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/02/27/the-magnetic-fields-distortion-nonesuch/ (In the Journey Through The Past series, Rob Cee gives you his two cents on some of the greatest rock albums of all time.) The story goes something like this: One day in the late 70's/early 80's, a teenage guy went to the house of a female acquaintance after school anticipating ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/02/17/journey-through-the-past-aerosmith-rocks-columbia-1976/ (originally posted on The Electric City Renaissance) Athens, Georgia and the 1980’s seem inextricably linked in the minds of many rock fans. Athens is the boho/college town that birthed the B-52’s, R.E.M., and many other pleasant-but-not-so-ultimately-memorable jingle-jangle bands of the Reagan age (Guadalcanal Diary, anyone?). Sure, Athens hasn’t done much for ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/02/04/the-whigs-mission-control-ato/ More quickies! Some records from the last few months that I neglected to put under the microscope: VHS Or Beta- Bring On The Comets (Astralwerks) Retro/dance-happy Tennesseans return with their third album and bring their A-game right out of the gate. Bring On The Comets has the throwback track listing on the ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/01/22/catching-up-with-rob-cee-vol-2/ (originally posted on The Electric City Renaissance) In years of listening to Marah records, I’ve never picked up on a religious theme, so it seems odd to note several holy allusions on their sixth and latest album- starting with the album title itself. Angels Of Destruction! comes with a rockin’ title ... http://robceemusic.com/index.php/2008/01/13/marah-angels-of-destruction-yep-roc/