Archive for the ‘Dear Ed.’ Category
Posted by s woods on March 5, 2013
A by no means comprehensive or conclusive survey of a Canadian power trio who once upon a time (much less so now) got under the skins of more rock critics than any other rock or pop artist going.
- – - - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
- Creem, June 1981
“For the record, those three are drummer Neil Peart, who writes all the band’s lyrics and takes fewer solos than might be expected; guitarist Alex Lifeson, whose mile-a-minute buzzing is more numbing than exciting; and bassist, keyboardist and singer Geddy Lee, whose amazingly high-pitched wailing often sounds like Mr. Bill singing heavy metal. If only Mr. Sluggo had been on hand to give these guys a couple good whacks…”
- Steve Pond, review of Rush live in Los Angeles, Rolling Stone, 1980
Geddy Lee’s high-register vocal style has always been a signature of the band – and sometimes a focal point for criticism, especially during the early years of Rush’s career when Lee’s vocals were high-pitched, with a strong likeness to other singers like Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. A review in the New York Times opined that Lee’s voice ‘suggests a munchkin giving a sermon.’ Although his voice has softened over the years, it is often described as a ‘wail.’ His instrumental abilities, on the other hand, are rarely criticized.
- Wikipedia entry on Rush
- Mark Coleman and Ernesto Lechner, The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, 2004
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Archival, Canada, Chuck Eddy, Classic Music Mag Covers, Creem, Critical Collage, Dear Ed., History of Rock Criticism, Links, PDFs and Scans, Quotes, Rockism, Rolling Stone | 3 Comments »
Posted by s woods on July 14, 2011
For some odd reason, a lot of Twitterers are coming here today to read an old letter I posted ages ago which Jonathan Richman sent to CREEM in 1973. I can’t let this moment pass without a) saying ‘welcome’ and b) pointing out that there is an entire section of these. And I should get off my fanny and put out a few more (I’ve got others, just been lazy to deal with them).
Posted in Dear Ed. | 1 Comment »
Posted by s woods on June 9, 2011
“Have you ever thought about how common it is for a music magazine to run a column about movies, and how many music critics are so in love with both movies and literature (popular, and otherwise), but how uncommon it is for music writers to be interested in architecture?
“Just sayin’…”
Posted in Dear Ed. | 6 Comments »
Posted by s woods on July 1, 2008
[Creem, Feb. 1974]
Genesis of the term “pigfucker” as a rock critic perjorative — fascinating stuff.
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on July 1, 2008
[Creem, Feb. 1974]
Hmm, Fred Mills… name sounds familiar.
Posted in Dear Ed. | 1 Comment »
Posted by s woods on March 28, 2008
[Creem, Nov. 1975]
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on March 28, 2008
Because we’ve been on something of a Mendels(s)ohnian kick today, here’s a chestnut from Rolling Stone, June ’71.
“Ned?” Say what? Weirdest letter in Rolling Stone ever?
Posted in Dear Ed. | 1 Comment »
Posted by s woods on March 28, 2008
[Creem, Dec. 1971]
Unless there are two Diana Ross fans named “Randy Taraborelli” I think we can safely assume this is the same guy.
Posted in Dear Ed. | 10 Comments »
Posted by s woods on March 28, 2008
[Rolling Stone, May 1980]
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on February 24, 2008
[Rolling Stone, June 22, 1968]
Posted in Dear Ed. | 3 Comments »
Posted by s woods on February 12, 2008
[Nerve magazine, Toronto, 1986. Mr. Page was right BTW - we did hear of him, we did.]
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on February 8, 2008
[CREEM, November 1975]
Posted in Creem, Dear Ed., Xgau | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on February 7, 2008
[Rolling Stone, June 14/79)
(“Perspicacious” = Elvis Costello’s dad was clearly brushed up on his Christgau!)
Posted in Dear Ed. | 4 Comments »
Posted by s woods on January 30, 2008
[CREEM, Aug. 1973]
Posted in Dear Ed. | 1 Comment »
Posted by s woods on January 29, 2008
[Smash Hits, August 1981]
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on January 29, 2008
[CREEM, Dec. 1973]
Posted in Dear Ed. | 1 Comment »
Posted by s woods on January 27, 2008
[Trouser Press, April 1982]
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on January 27, 2008
[Esquire, 1971?]
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by s woods on January 26, 2008
[New York Rocker, Feb 1982)
Posted in Dear Ed. | Leave a Comment »
