Podcast Review: Sound Opinions interviews Tim Fite (4/14/08)

Now for another weekly review of Sound Opinions, the infuriating, highly entertaining rock critic playpen featuring the love children of rock criticism, Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis. They open the show this week with an interview with Jill Sobule, who if you had a pulse in the 90's, you'd know sang that totally irritating song "I Kissed a Girl." Apparently, Jill's music career is not doing super well and now she is having her fans finance her next album . Kind of like virtual busking if you ask me. This is possibly one of my least favourite models that has emerged in the download era. First off, Sobule set her recording budget at $75,000, which seems a bit exorbitant unless she has cut and run from her previous girl with acoustic guitar leanings. Since you are charging your fans for the final product, one might imagine you'd use your financial restrictions to inspire something creative within the music itself. Instead, Sobule assures us she wants to "go all out" and get a string section, with her fans footing the bill. Blah. DeRo has the sense to a least point out that you can make a damn fine album on your computer for far less but Jill isn't having it. Look for "I Kissed a Girl (2008)" coming later this year.

Second, I find this method to be a little too much like begging and patently unfair. Performing and recording music is a privilege, not a right. Sobule sounds like a whiny kid who has been cut off from her parents. When I wanted to go to law school I didn't beg my friends to pony up the cash in exchange for free legal services later on (although maybe I should have). This is a novelty model that favours established artists: sure, I might pay Jeff Tweedy anything he wants to hear him hum the second verse of the Eagles' "Take It Easy" on his way to the drycleaners but would I pay for the Evangelicals to record? Perhap, except I wouldn't like them if I hadn't heard the album they recorded. Thus Bob Mould and Frank Black can use their classic indie rock status to help this model work but it still leaves most new talent behind.

This was followed by a lovely tribute to the recently deceased drummer, founder of Neu! and member of Kraftwerk, Klaus Dinger. They do a pretty good job giving some background on Neu! and I couldn't help but find myself smiling since I didn't have to hear about the Beatles this week.

Tim Fite is another hip hopper folk indie rocker, much like Why?, who was reviewed on the Siblog a few weeks back. I spent the entire time wondering if Why? was unavailable and that was why they decided to invite Mr. Fite on down. Tim brought his bro down to play some tunes. His brother, whose name escapes me, actually spoke up to mention he will no longer be known by his god given moniker and is now referred to as Dr. Leisure. Note to Sound Opinions: I know you want to be kind of nice but you need to make fun of anyone who insists on being called Dr. Leisure. Perhaps for an extended period of time.

Our golden boys review the new Breeders album, "Mountain Battles" although they opt to play one of the two cover songs instead of say, one of the original songs people have waited 6 years to hear. The song is alright with the chugging bass and tinny guitar solo that the Breeders are known for. Many minutes are spent fawning over "Cannonball" which is fair, as I'd rather talk about that song than anything the Deals have done since. Maybe Kelley should stick to executive producing sub-par Pixies movies. I feel like DeRo saw the Pixies movie as well since he references the domesticated Deal sisters. He also name drops PopMatters which was cool, but come on, no love for the Siblog?

Desert Island Jukebox: It's Greg Kot's turn to pick a tune this week and he chooses perenially rock critic fav (and excellent band) Pere Ubu . Unforunately, Kot loses me when he spends too much time trying to convince me how Pere Ubu "railed against the industry." As true as that might be, these guys spend an awful lot of time heralding these anti-industry types yet they can't seem to say no to writing for Rolling Stone, Spin, Blender, Entertainment Weekly, GQ, and Playboy. But they aren't into the "industry." Keep in mind: I'm not telling anyone how to make a living since I wouldn't mind having my harebrained opinions in print nationwide. But, with that said, after years of clearly working within the industry (and yes, Jim, we know about Hootie), perhaps the boys should rethink their outsider status.

Next week they will interview Ray Davies. Let the idol worship commence...