Styx: 1. Amazing Video 2. I think male rompers are making a comeback. 3. never liked/disliked Styx. 4. Followed them more after a bunch of Adam Sandler Movies.
NeilYoung: 1. Love Neil. 2, My wife hates his voice.
Styx- I am going to use all of my will to try to not reference the video (until after talking about the song). Of course, I heard this a ton when it came out. Listening now there are a lot of cool elements to it. The weird synth intro sliding into the pulsing synth bass sound is cool. The guitar licks answering the vocal melody. The harmonies are well done and the guitar lead is very tasty. I was finally moved to look up the one lyric I never understood: “Is it any wonder I’m null and void.” Nice little flourish with the singing of “T-t-t-icking away.” Nice to have this to revisit.
But sweet fancy moses, that video. I was going to rationalize that it came out at a time when most videos sucked. It came out the same year that MTV started so, okay. But other videos that came out the same time were better- In the Air Tonight, A Woman in Love (Petty), even Centerfold (J Geils). Bad acting. Bad performance. Bad costumes. At least they recovered with Mr. Roboto.
Neil Young- I think if this song was done by anyone other than Neil Young I would not have liked it. But that is the power of his inimitability (is that word Bill?). His guitar playing, singing and contibution to harmony is so singular and it has a quality that is amazing. I know there are many parodies of his work, but I’m stretching to think of a good cover.
Styx – Too Much Time on My Hands
I remember playing the 8-track of The Grand Illusion album as a young lad while doing the weekly cleaning of the hair salon my sister owned (A Cut Above). I really liked that album but had a falling out with the band’s music as they stripped it down for the airplay – or so it seemed to me 🙂
This track, while dated, is a pretty taught little number – man that 80s synth vibe – right back to the time of Beverly Hills Cop and Don Henley singles. Fashionwise: Love those big shoulders!
Note: The still/thumbnail for the video had me thinking Spinal Tap
Neil Young – Winterlong
Ah, Neil. Mid tempo and crunchy. This could have been in the longing round – the plaintive “come back now, come back now.” As tight, maybe a little too so, as the Styx track is, this one is ragged and more emotionally satisfying. Nothing fancy, just pouring it all out into the song.
“Too Much Time …”/Styx. As with most in M5, I heard this one a kajillion times on the radio when it came out, and for years afterward. The basic song remains quite catchy, with that quasi-funky synth (a sequencer?), a good melody and lines that still stand out like “I’ve got nothing to do and all day to do it.” Dated? Sure, but so am I! And yes, it would be better without the video. Though in a weird way, I’m glad I saw the vid. It’s really … something.
Come on, The video was a masterpiece. Can you honestly tell me that you didn’t go shopping for a sky blue romper after seeing it? I know I did. Unfortunately the only ones I found were shorts.
The finger gun point technique on the synth was outstanding but the turn and point after that enabling the drummer to start was excellent conducting. The shoulder pads rocked too. Now …the performance.. Pure 80’s pop…close to ear candy, catchy hooky fun but perhaps little bit too much sugar.
“Winterlong” by Neil Young:
1970? Neil Young holds up well even after many years (timeless quality in music is difficult to achieve). Def has a loose live feel but this adds to the colors.
Styx: 1. Amazing Video 2. I think male rompers are making a comeback. 3. never liked/disliked Styx. 4. Followed them more after a bunch of Adam Sandler Movies.
NeilYoung: 1. Love Neil. 2, My wife hates his voice.
Styx- I am going to use all of my will to try to not reference the video (until after talking about the song). Of course, I heard this a ton when it came out. Listening now there are a lot of cool elements to it. The weird synth intro sliding into the pulsing synth bass sound is cool. The guitar licks answering the vocal melody. The harmonies are well done and the guitar lead is very tasty. I was finally moved to look up the one lyric I never understood: “Is it any wonder I’m null and void.” Nice little flourish with the singing of “T-t-t-icking away.” Nice to have this to revisit.
But sweet fancy moses, that video. I was going to rationalize that it came out at a time when most videos sucked. It came out the same year that MTV started so, okay. But other videos that came out the same time were better- In the Air Tonight, A Woman in Love (Petty), even Centerfold (J Geils). Bad acting. Bad performance. Bad costumes. At least they recovered with Mr. Roboto.
Neil Young- I think if this song was done by anyone other than Neil Young I would not have liked it. But that is the power of his inimitability (is that word Bill?). His guitar playing, singing and contibution to harmony is so singular and it has a quality that is amazing. I know there are many parodies of his work, but I’m stretching to think of a good cover.
Styx – Too Much Time on My Hands
I remember playing the 8-track of The Grand Illusion album as a young lad while doing the weekly cleaning of the hair salon my sister owned (A Cut Above). I really liked that album but had a falling out with the band’s music as they stripped it down for the airplay – or so it seemed to me 🙂
This track, while dated, is a pretty taught little number – man that 80s synth vibe – right back to the time of Beverly Hills Cop and Don Henley singles. Fashionwise: Love those big shoulders!
Note: The still/thumbnail for the video had me thinking Spinal Tap
Neil Young – Winterlong
Ah, Neil. Mid tempo and crunchy. This could have been in the longing round – the plaintive “come back now, come back now.” As tight, maybe a little too so, as the Styx track is, this one is ragged and more emotionally satisfying. Nothing fancy, just pouring it all out into the song.
I was thinking the same thing about Spinal Tap but forgot to mention it
“Too Much Time …”/Styx. As with most in M5, I heard this one a kajillion times on the radio when it came out, and for years afterward. The basic song remains quite catchy, with that quasi-funky synth (a sequencer?), a good melody and lines that still stand out like “I’ve got nothing to do and all day to do it.” Dated? Sure, but so am I! And yes, it would be better without the video. Though in a weird way, I’m glad I saw the vid. It’s really … something.
“Winterlong”/Neil Young. Confidential to AS: Yes.
Come on, The video was a masterpiece. Can you honestly tell me that you didn’t go shopping for a sky blue romper after seeing it? I know I did. Unfortunately the only ones I found were shorts.
“Too Much Time on My Hands” by Styx
The finger gun point technique on the synth was outstanding but the turn and point after that enabling the drummer to start was excellent conducting. The shoulder pads rocked too. Now …the performance.. Pure 80’s pop…close to ear candy, catchy hooky fun but perhaps little bit too much sugar.
“Winterlong” by Neil Young:
1970? Neil Young holds up well even after many years (timeless quality in music is difficult to achieve). Def has a loose live feel but this adds to the colors.