Comments on: Who Will Be The Next Blog Rock Crossover Star?

By: DocStrange

DocStrange — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:11:09 +0000

@Chris Molanphy: no Bjork has been successful on the US Modern Rock tracks. The opposite would be a Jarvis (as Pulp, as brilliant as they are, have come close to but never have had a song in the Modern Rock Top 40)

By: Al Shipley

Al Shipley — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:49:00 +0000

@Chris Molanphy: If I had the time, energy or technical knowhow, believe me, I would've made little Grohlhead/half Grohlhead graphics for this thing.

By: Chris Molanphy

Chris Molanphy — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:48:59 +0000

I'm just jumping in belatedly to compliment Al on the super-apt use of the Grohls® song-rating scheme.

What would be the opposite of a Grohl? A Björk?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:12:38 +0000

the key to crossover success has less to do with sound than with
appeal to
(1) teenagers who spend their parents money on music and have the
motivation to (a) actually buy albums/mp3 (b) be hip and unique like
all their friends (c) spend their parents money with little
discrimination …. this is the Black Kids equation, who i saw
recently and truthfully exceeded my admittedly low expectations … or
(2) 60’s centric baby-boomers who are still trying to keep it real and
throw money at anything that even sounds familiar (Hold Steady!!!)

popularity among 18-28 year-olds has zero relevance to mainstream
success

By: DocStrange

DocStrange — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:06:26 +0000

@Al Shipley: I kind of knew it. Wait the most LEGITIMATE "@" or overall. Because I suspect someone had to do some random "yes" or "no"'s to everyone's responses before.

By: Al Shipley

Al Shipley — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:58:16 +0000

@DocStrange: Maura, is this a new record for most "@" responses in a single comment?

By: DocStrange

DocStrange — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:45:32 +0000

@2ironic4u: Exactly my point. I made this point before. I have no clue what other actual alternative formatted stations sound like because the only two I can get on my car stereo here in the Ocean State are great stations that are experimental with their playlist and aren't owned by media giants (WBRU is owned by Brown University, WFNX is owned by The Boston Phoenix, an alternative (rock, not lifestyle) newspaper). These two stations are beloved by local rock fans because they will play bands as far reaching and random as Mindless Self Indulgence, Biffy Clyro, The Swell Season (or whatever those "Falling Slowly" kids are calling themselves now), The Walkmen and local bands. I'm in a great radio listening spot, ain't I?

@BakerStreetSaxSolo: Minor? It hit #11. That's hardly minor and besides, the UK charts are a different animal than the US charts. Radio airplay has no effect on the charts and its solely sales driven.

@MayhemintheHood: "Triple A" means "Adult Album Alternative". It's kind of a mix between Alternative radio, Adult Contemporary radio and whatever is being played over the speakers at Urban Outfitters.

@Defenestrated: Los Campesinos! are a hard sell everywhere. I swore that a song as fantastic as "You! Me! Dancing!" would've been a huge hit in the UK, where indie rock can get into the Top 40 easily, but it wasn't. I think the highest they got with a single was like 192 or something like that.

@Defenestrated: Ah, Operator Please. Another band I like. Sadly they just ditched their cute keyboardist because she's (from rumors i'm hearing) a nymphomaniac. Also listen to "A Lesson in Crime" again. It's excellent.

@BaseballBookshelf: (I'm responding to everyone ain't I?) My love of She & Him actually starts with the fact I believe Zooey Deschanel is the single most beautiful woman on the planet (yes, I go for "cute" over "super beautiful") but i'm happy that the CD is pretty good and they were fantastic at the Newport Folk Festival.

By: D.R. Mosby

D.R. Mosby — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:56:39 +0000

“Sequestered In Memphis” is getting regular airplay on 100.3/”The Sound” here in L.A., but I haven’t heard them play “I’m Not Gonna Teach…” – at least not yet. “I’m Not Gonna Teach…” is getting airplay on Morning Becomes Eclectic and Indie 103.1, but maybe Black Kids are a little too weird for AAA tastes.

By: cassidy2099

cassidy2099 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:55:35 +0000

I don't think the Hold Steady will ever cross over because Craig Finn is a bad singer who is having a good time. Angst kids, angst. Ever see those Linkin Park kids smile? No, they sit on space shuttles and frown!

Note: I hate the Hold Steady, so while I despise most of what populates modern rock radio, knowing that I'll never stumble on a Steady song while surfing channels makes it a little easier to sleep at night.

By: BaseballBookshelf

BaseballBookshelf — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:19:01 +0000

@DocStrange: It's funny, this is the only Tokyo song I've liked. Different strokes, etc. It's my favorite of the bunch, and might fit into the guilty pleasure of kids too cool for school ... then again, it might just remind them of their math homework.

As for She & Him, I shared the same opinion as the author until I heard them perform live on Sound Opinions. No "hits," but certainly something to see in person.