His name was LL Cool J and he was the hottest, most versatile rapper around. Capable of appealing to the hard rocks and the ladies, the pop fans and the underground cats. His songs had choruses and hooks, but he didn’t sacrifice lyrical agility for commercial success. And when hip-hop fans started to think that he was about to fall off back in the early Nineties, he hit them with the album of his career: “Mama Said Knock You Out”. He was arrogant yet humble, dangerous yet approachable, undeniably talented…
Ahhh…remember that brief moment in the mid Nineties when female-fronted rock bands were the rage? The emergence of the riot-grrl movement went hand in hand with the first wave of bands inspired by mixed-gender ensembles like The Pixies, and ushered in a new age of women who aren’t afraid to pick up their guitars and rock out with their co…hmmm, perhaps I should rephrase that.
In the spirit of those bands (and in an age where we seem to need them more than ever, since most women in pop and rock have put down the guitars and adjusted the push-up bras), I introduce you to Nightwood. They rock. They contain 2 girls (who sing and play guitars) and a guy (who plays drums). They’re Canadian. Granted, our neighbors to the north have given us Celine Dion and Nickelback, but they’ve also given us Neil Young and Joni Mitchell! And Rush! I’m not quite sure why I’m making these comparisons…they sound nothing like any of those artists. Totally indie, totally cool, and maybe a little bit strange, this band’s music is definitely worth a listen to those of us who crave a little adventure in our musical excursions. It’s a little Pixie-tastic mixed with some Breeder-ific with a little bit of Sleater-Kinney-ness mixed in.
If that doesn’t grab you, maybe the fact that member Amber Goodwyn runs a “pansexual smut zine” (their words, not mine) called lickety split (be forewarned…there be naughty bits there!!-18 and over please) might turn your crank. Either way, these folks are a welcome dose of offbeat from the country that gave us Anne Murray and Alan Thicke.
You can check out their debut, “Big City E.P.” on your local digital music retailer (wait, there’s no such thing as a “local” digital music retailer…buy it on iTunes or Napster). While you’re at it, you might also want to check out their site.
Hey! They also have a video!! Watch “Cave of the Spleen” below:
Who is Tommy Page? I mention the name Tommy Page to anyone and I get nothing but blank stares.
Tommy Page is a product of sappy, early 90s pop music. Page actually opened up for the New Kids On The Block when his debut album was released. After touring with them, they lent a helping hand on his second album, Paintings In My Mind, which spawned his number one single, I’ll Be Your Everything. You can hear the New Kids influence on the song. Jordan Knight is on the hook and he hits one of his ball busting, groin punch falsettos, which kind of overshadows Tommy.
– Ya, I don’t get the ballet theme either.
– Sing in your highest voice possible – “I’ll be your friend”.
– Is Tommy wearing leather trousers or are they Z. Cavaricci’s?
– And while we’re at it, where’s his bolo tie?
– Since when is the word “last” pronounced “la-hast”?
– Yet again I must ask you to sing in your highest voice possible – “I’ll be your friend”.
– “Just reach for me, I’ll be the one to set you free.”
I do have some bonus Tommy Page coverage for you. If someone does remember Tommy Page when I bring up that name, it’s for this little gig he did below. Tommy Page!!!!!!!!!!
