Rewind to Remind: CMJ 10 Years Ago

October 18th, 2007 by Rachelandthecity

In celebration of CMJ week, I have created some Mp3s from the CD that came in The College Music Journal issue no. 51 (Nov. ‘97). Before the word “blog” was a glimmer in any of our eyes, the CMJ CD was how a very large percentage of people discovered music. And so, in the spirit of brief descriptions and rhetorical questions, I will now share my thoughts in one fragment or more for each song selected.

Portishead - “All Mine” This song has some ill-tyme break beats and the horns drop in on the down beats. “Illbient” (ambient with a hip-hop feel).

Everclear - “So Much For The Afterglow” I think you don’t hear much Ska for a reason now-a- days.

Death In Vegas - “Dirt” An industrial thump to it. And definitely a similarity to Crystal Method.

Sweet 75 - “Lay Me Down” What is it…open mic night? She could be swept off the Apollo Stage with that shit. I’m not sure how this got on the CD.

Finley Quaye - “Sunday Shining” The jam part reminds me of that key signature from the Doors’ “Riders on the Storm.” Can you hear it?

Garageland - “Fingerpops” I like the feel-good tease. Is it pop or punk? There is a part with “Radiohead drums” in the last 15 seconds of the song that is enjoyable.

Greg Garing - ” My Love Is Real” I can hear Tool.

Ivy - “The Best Thing” A Tortoise spin-off of sorts.

Pat Dinizio - “124 MPH” Kinda like Superdrag. Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, bridge, chorus. Commonly known as the ABA verse chorus bridge format. The Beatles and Nirvana did that too.

Adam Sandler - “The Lonesome Kicker” No need for an introduction.

Holly McNarland - “Numb” A cross between Natalie Merchant and Ani DiFranco; and throw in a little Alanis Morisette and you’ve got Ms. McNarland.

Baby Bird - “You’re Gorgeous” A little Bono a little Vanderslice. Nice xylophone.

Beautiful South - “Don’t Marry Her” It’s her truth. I like her voice very much.

Jack Off Jill - “American Made” Not feeling it. B-side bust.

Juno Reactor - “God Zilla Mix”Trippy. Not trippy like Jefferson Airplane, but trippy like Flaming Lips. Sounds like Prodigy. Industrial trance dance. Next.

I know, 1997 cannot be represented in one CD. It was where we were supposed to be in the month of November in that year, I guess. Does anyone really remember what they were listening to 10 years ago? I think I was really in to DMB.

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