Popdose: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 37
Jack Feerick
· 10 months ago
Heh. I remember that J.D. Considine review. Good times.
I think the problem with the GTR record is that people were expecting some kind of shredfest, but the product was bland vocal rock. Seriously: who the hell is Max Bacon, and how did such a non-distinctive vocalist become the go-to guy for UK rockers in need of a singer? Mike Oldfield used him, too, on the "Magic Touch" single. He's like the anti-Paul Carrack, drifting around freelance looking for some project to ruin.
If nothing else, GTR taught me to be forever suspicious of projects where the vocalist is essentially a sideman.
luffy66
· 10 months ago
Another great J.D. Considine review was for David Lee Roth Album- "A little Aint Enough"
"Wanna Bet?"
drcastrato
· 10 months ago
reminds me of this line from Spinal Tap: Marty DiBergi: The review for "Shark Sandwich" was merely a two word review which simply read "Shit Sandwich".
David
· 10 months ago
I believe J.D. Considine's review (from the early 1990s Rolling Stone album guide) was actually: "TTL SHT", which is even better.
luffy66
· 10 months ago
Aren't those J.D. Considine reviews from Musician? Or am I mixing my music mags up.
My mind is a little fuzzy during those years.
steed
· 10 months ago
I don't remember the "TTL" part of it...and here's a decent interview with him from back in 99 where he says it just says "SHT" as well.
There was a radio format gaining traction at the time where "Nightrain" would have been friendly, but none of it could last: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KQLZ_(defunct)
If fate hadn't intervened, "Rock Me" by Great White could have grown into more of a curio, maybe for the soundtrack of The Wrestler.
GTR were on Arista records which was seen as the last bastion of rock music--the boss Clive Davis taking similar offense when Kelly Clarkson tried it 20 years later.
steed
· 10 months ago
There you go - you have taught me something new - I was unaware of the "Rock 40" format - which actually sounds tolerable.
scrumble
· 10 months ago
More obnoxious than tolerable. But, yeah, that "white flight" approach to Top 40 was a sign of the end of the Hot 100 as all things to all people, just in time for '89.
Old_Davy
· 10 months ago
Old Genesis fans are always mourning the departure of Peter Gabriel, but I think losing Steve Hackett was an even bigger blow. Seriously, the guy is one of the most underrated and misunderstood rock guitarists ever. Being a fan of Steve Howe as well, I was pretty psyched up for the GTR album and bought it without hearing a single note. Talk about a letdown!
Rob
· 10 months ago
I actually saw GTR live, believe it or not.
The band had two opening acts: Steve Howe on acoustic guitar and Steve Hackett on acoustic guitar. Each one of them would come in front of the curtain, do some doodling to show how talented they were and then leave the stage. The curtian parted – and the show began. Weak. Seriously weak.
Gwen Guthrie (who died a few years ago) deserves some credit for the fact that she wrote her own songs. Not many 80s divas did that.
DwDunphy
· 10 months ago
GTR was made worse by presenting "When The Heart Rules The Mind" as the kickoff single. It's actually a good song, which can't be said for the rest of the album. I think the majority of people who bought into the thing did it not on the basis of Howe and Hackett but on the strength of that song.
Either way, they were duped.
David_E
· 10 months ago
Geoff Downes dusted off "The Hunter" for latter-day Asia, as well (it was his co-write), and gave us a note-for-note reading on Anthology – except now it sounded like John Parr was singing it.
(I almost wrote "signing it" just now. Sadly, that would have been an improvement.)
Mike
· 10 months ago
I have NEVER done The Electric Slide. As soon as that damn song comes on, I head for the bathroom.
DwDunphy
· 10 months ago
I have that same reaction whenever the Chicken Dance starts.
RLB
· 10 months ago
Ditto, though I don't head to the wings. I stand right at the edge of the parquet and glare at people with not-so-mock disgust.
JonCummings
· 10 months ago
I'll sheepishly admit that, at a peak state of inebriation during last week's ball, I enthusiastically did "The Bird." It's amazing how fast the cobwebs come off the old Morris Day moves. It's also amazing (and a relief) that I'm not a YouTube star after that. BRAAAWWKK! Hallelujah!
steed
· 10 months ago
"The Bird" was the centerpiece of MY wedding. I rarely, if ever get up and dance at a wedding but I actually had the DJ set it up for me and my wife and did the full blown Morris Day moves ourselves. Sadly, no one got it on tape as I'm sure that was a sight to see. Of all the things i prepared that day, I didn't remember to tell anyone to grab a camera.
Chris X
· 10 months ago
no shame in that. I was doing "The Bird" and screaming the BRAAAWK in my girlfriend's face earlier tonight, in fact.
also, hey steed: OAK TREE!
steed
· 10 months ago
OAK TREE!
JonCummings
· 10 months ago
I'll put you to the test...
Not quite as great a dance as "The Bird"--you don't want to raise your hands unless you're Sure--but awesome nevertheless.
Chris X
· 10 months ago
it was actually part of our required curriculum in high school gym class. I shit you not.
Sharon
· 10 months ago
I believe it! I'm guessing I'm a bit older, we had to do The Hustle in middle school/Junior High.
breadalbane
· 10 months ago
I've never even heard of The Electric Slide, let alone done it. Perhaps it's because Marcia Griffiths' "Electric Boogie" did not chart at all in Canada. (I just looked it up to make sure.)
Of course, it could also be because I'm a clubfooted wallflower.
retroDO
· 10 months ago
Belinda Carlisle later covered "Lay Down Your Arms" on an early 90s solo CD. If memory serves, one or a few of the Bangles played on her version of the track. Fun facts.
wags
· 10 months ago
Very nice selection here at the ass end of the letter G in the ass end of the 80s. Who knew?
I'm not a grandma but I remember hearing the Theme to "Terms of Endearment" and as a band geek at the time enjoyed something that sounded a little like the kind of music I was learning to play. What's up with the dirth of theme songs charting these days? I mean even A3 shoulda been a contenda for the Sopranos... did I miss it being a "hit?"
Chris X
· 10 months ago
surprised "the Message" didnt chart higher. It still gets frequent radio play, I'd have thought it did better.
"Beat Street" ...man, that one brings back memories. That movie, that song, the whole culture attached to that(and to the Breakin movies which came out around the same time)..makes me wanna put some fat laces in my sneakers and tag some trains. "EVERYBODY SAY RAMOOOOONNNN!" Just watched all three of those movies again recently and loved every cheesy minute of them.
and "Nightrain" ....badass song from the record which is tied for #1 in my alltime favorites list. "I love that stuff!"
the rest of this list is pretty forgettable.
JonCummings
· 10 months ago
I was more shocked that "White Lines" didn't chart. Of course, it did come in at 7 and a half minutes...
Sharon
· 10 months ago
I love visiting the past through some of these songs. It's interesting, or more accurately, embarrassing, to see which CDs (or albums or 45s) I own. Thanks!
MichaelWSP
· 10 months ago
In an odd coincidence, at the end of Teddy Riley's best song of the 90's (Blackstreet - No Diggity) Teddy, or someone in Blackstreet, says "Ain't Nothin' Goin On but the Rent, no douuuuuuubt."
And here they are, united in Bottom Feeders.
Keith
· 10 months ago
I'm a little late to the punch on this eve of another Bottom Feeder's installment, but I've been through the ice storm (and power outage) of the century. And I couldn't let this week pass by without echoing my love for Go West's debut album. Might not be everyone's taste, maybe too much synth for some, but without a doubt one of my favorites not only of the 80's, but of all time. By the time of "Indian Summer", I think they had ventured too far towards Adult Contemporary. On that first record, though, their feet were firmly planted in new wave, albeit with a dose of blue eyed soul in the vocals.
TRONICITY
· 6 months ago
I found this blog by searching Teddy Riley. I make no boasts by trying to compare my music to that of any one else's, but the genre for this track in particular is really like a mixture of a lot of different musical elements similar to how New Jack Swing was a mix of different styles... Check this out I am calling it The New New Jack. Pass it along and please re-post it if you feel so inclined. Greatly appreciated!! Here's the link: (I swear this is not a virus thing or a quiz/survey thing) http://adsupport.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...
All Comments
I think the problem with the GTR record is that people were expecting some kind of shredfest, but the product was bland vocal rock. Seriously: who the hell is Max Bacon, and how did such a non-distinctive vocalist become the go-to guy for UK rockers in need of a singer? Mike Oldfield used him, too, on the "Magic Touch" single. He's like the anti-Paul Carrack, drifting around freelance looking for some project to ruin.
If nothing else, GTR taught me to be forever suspicious of projects where the vocalist is essentially a sideman.
"Wanna Bet?"
Marty DiBergi: The review for "Shark Sandwich" was merely a two word review which simply read "Shit Sandwich".
My mind is a little fuzzy during those years.
http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/jd_co...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KQLZ_(defunct)
If fate hadn't intervened, "Rock Me" by Great White could have grown into more of a curio, maybe for the soundtrack of The Wrestler.
GTR were on Arista records which was seen as the last bastion of rock music--the boss Clive Davis taking similar offense when Kelly Clarkson tried it 20 years later.
The band had two opening acts: Steve Howe on acoustic guitar and Steve Hackett on acoustic guitar. Each one of them would come in front of the curtain, do some doodling to show how talented they were and then leave the stage. The curtian parted – and the show began. Weak. Seriously weak.
Gwen Guthrie (who died a few years ago) deserves some credit for the fact that she wrote her own songs. Not many 80s divas did that.
Either way, they were duped.
(I almost wrote "signing it" just now. Sadly, that would have been an improvement.)
also, hey steed: OAK TREE!
Not quite as great a dance as "The Bird"--you don't want to raise your hands unless you're Sure--but awesome nevertheless.
Of course, it could also be because I'm a clubfooted wallflower.
I'm not a grandma but I remember hearing the Theme to "Terms of Endearment" and as a band geek at the time enjoyed something that sounded a little like the kind of music I was learning to play. What's up with the dirth of theme songs charting these days? I mean even A3 shoulda been a contenda for the Sopranos... did I miss it being a "hit?"
"Beat Street" ...man, that one brings back memories. That movie, that song, the whole culture attached to that(and to the Breakin movies which came out around the same time)..makes me wanna put some fat laces in my sneakers and tag some trains. "EVERYBODY SAY RAMOOOOONNNN!" Just watched all three of those movies again recently and loved every cheesy minute of them.
and "Nightrain" ....badass song from the record which is tied for #1 in my alltime favorites list. "I love that stuff!"
the rest of this list is pretty forgettable.
And here they are, united in Bottom Feeders.
Here's the link: (I swear this is not a virus thing or a quiz/survey thing)
http://adsupport.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...