Music in the Movies: To Razz or Not to Razz

The nominees for the 83rd annual Academy Awards were announced Tuesday with popular stars like Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, and James Franco all receiving recognition for their work on the big screen. While much of the focus of Hollywood’s biggest night typically falls on such high-profile actors and actresses, room is also made for the contributions that musicians make to the movies.

This year’s nominees for Best Original Song include perennial contenders like Randy Newman and Alan Menken, as well as newcomers like Dido and country music songwriter Tom Douglas. Also, in the short list for Best Original Score, industrial rock icon Trent Reznor leads the pack for his work on the Facebook-inspired drama “The Social Network.”

However, residing on the flip side of all this hoopla are the Razzies (aka the Golden Rasberries). Now entering their 31^st running, these so-called awards are given to lucky winners in recognition of the year’s worst contributions to film, and are handed out at a “deliberately low-end and tacky” show the night before the Oscars.

Strangely, while featuring most of the same categories as the Academy Awards, and even a few of their own invention (“Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property,” “Worst Excuse for an Actual Movie (All Concept/No Content!),” “Worst Eye-Gouging Mis-Use of 3-D,” etc.), for the past nine years the Razzie’s have not featured an award for worst music or song.

Why is this? Oddly, no one seems to know. According to a recent article on MTV.com, such awards were given out at the Razzies from 1980-1999 but no longer. Apart from a one-off appearance in 2002 (take that Britney Spears!), the categories seem to have been simply discontinued, which begs the question, why?

It is not like there is a shortage of bad movie music out there. Does anyone remember 2007, when songs from Disney’s live-action fairy tale “Enchanted” scored three of the five nominations for Best Original Song? Or how about 2008 when Bruce Springsteen was snubbed for his ballad “The Wrestler”? Sure, the winner that year was “Jai Ho” from eventual Best Picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire,” but The Boss couldn’t even get a nomination? Somewhere in New Jersey grown men are crying.

See the video for Bruce Springsteen’s “The Wrestler” here:

As many longtime viewers of the Academy Awards and Grammys can attest, voting boards rarely get it right when choosing entertainment-based winners. That is why more than ever an institution like the Razzies is needed to weigh in on what/ who shouldn’t win, especially when the choice comes to music. I mean, who else is there for such a job? MTV?

Interestingly, the same year he was snubbed at the Oscars, Springsteen was actually nominated at MTV’s movie awards for his song mentioned above. However, in perhaps a crueler twist of fate than that inflicted upon him by the Academy, he lost…to Miley Cyrus. Yep, you read that right. If you need me, I’ll be at the Stone Pony drowning my sorrows.

Don’t miss the Oscars live on ABC, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m., and see who took home a Razzie the night before by checking out www.razzies.com.

Album review – Belle and Sebastian “Write About Love” – January 27, 2011

Album review – Belle and Sebastian “Write About Love” – January 27, 2011

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Album review: Awesome Color “Mass Hypnos” – Springfield Student Vol. 125 No. 14 January 27, 2011

Album review: Awesome Color “Mass Hypnos” – Springfield Student Vol. 125 No. 14 January 27, 2011

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“Arts faculty makes home in Blizard,” – Springfield Student Vol. 125 No. 14 January 27, 2011

“Arts faculty makes home in Blizard,” – Springfield Student Vol. 125 No. 14 January 27, 2011

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Ultimate-Guitar writer Nolan Whyte surprises fans with latest story’s conclusion

Comeback Road book cover

Do you know who the Clutch Dogs are? What about the group Hellakill? Can you name the bassist for Riot Band? If you are able to answer any of these questions, then you must know Nolan Whyte.

As a part-time writer for the popular website Ultimate-Guitar.com, Whyte has spent the last couple of years crafting several series worth of hard rock fiction for music nerds and novice guitarists alike. Published chapter by chapter on a semi-weekly basis, each tale has largely revolved around the struggles of a different band and its members’ hopes and dreams for eventual success, or at the very least freedom from having to get a day job.

While each successive story has found a small but appreciative audience online, Whyte unexpectedly announced Tuesday that he would be ending his latest work (“Riot Band Blues”) nine chapters early and that he personally would be taking a hiatus of sorts by stepping away from writing about music for the foreseeable future.

He wrote:

“I feel it’s best at this time to bring things to a quiet close. There is always the danger of becoming complacent and trying to just ‘shift product’ for the sake of it, and I don’t want to sell the story’s very loyal fans short by presenting uninspired material.

A few months ago I said the series would end with the hundredth chapter. That would have been nice, but I don’t want to force out chapters that serve no purpose other than reaching an arbitrary number. The story can end here as well as anywhere, because it will always end in an entirely open manner…

[Also] I’ll be taking a break from Ultimate-Guitar for the time being. I have no plans for another series, but then again I had no plans for ‘Guitargasm!’ after ‘Comeback Road,’ or plans for ‘Riot Band’ after ‘Guitargasm!’ So maybe I’ll be back. It’s completely open.”

Despite such an optimistic sign-off, I for one feel more than a twinge of disappointment at the loss of what has become one my favorite Friday morning rituals. Open-ending aside, sympathizing with Whyte’s motley collection of protagonists over my daily cup of coffee was a highly rewarding experience as well as being infinitely relatable. However, as a fellow writer I can also understand his concerns about just going through the motions in order to reach some self-imposed quota.

Still, perhaps more surprising to me than Whyte’s exit has been reading his other fans’ reactions to the news. Instead of spouting out vulgar phrases and demeaning the author’s choice, which as any regular visitor to Ultimate-Guitar can tell you are almost required practices, the regulars on the site have shown almost nothing but respect and love. Inexplicably, in words typically reserved for eulogies to Dimebag Darrell or Randy Rhoads, many head-bangers have even shown actual soft sides for the work of a man who catered almost exclusively to their little community. See for yourself by following the link here.

Local Idol Hopeful Dreams On

As a music writer, it is often hard enough to ignore the behemoth that is Fox’s American Idol.

Now entering its 10^th season, the popular reality show has had an incalculable impact on the popular music landscape and given careers to such stars as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and David Cook. However, pushing aside the program’s media blitzkrieg is a task made even more difficult when the show’s impact extends all the way to one’s backyard.

While watching the season premiere last night, many fans in the Pioneer Valley got a special treat when it was shown that area resident Ashley Sullivan not only competed on the program but actually earned a coveted ticket to Hollywood.

After professing her wish to, “Be the first show-tune pop star,” Sullivan appeared to win over new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who overruled veteran judge Randy Jackson in order to make the young woman’s dream come true. Tyler even went so far as to say that he personally would, “Work that [Sullivan] into something good.”

Watch video of Ashley’s performance here:

Though it is still too early to tell how Sullivan may fare in the latter portions of the competition, she was at least able to break the show’s mold of predictability and likely earned many new fans in the process. Her love of Britney Spears notwithstanding, Western Massachusetts may have its newest representative to shake things up musically on a national scale.

Meanwhile in other news, if you are a member of a local band that is playing at SXSW in Austin, TX this year. We’d be interested in talking to you. Please e-mail tsturm@valleyadvocate.com for more information. Mahalo.

Album review – British Sea Power “Zeus EP” – January 20, 2011

Album review – British Sea Power “Zeus EP” – January 20, 2011

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Album review – Munly and the Lupercalians “Petr and the Wolf” – January 20, 2011

Album review – Munly and the Lupercalians “Petr and the Wolf” – January 20, 2011

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Hail Odin! British Sea Power set sail for “Valhalla” on new release

Fresh on the heels of their likewise mythological-titled record “Zeus,” the indie rocker lads who make up British Sea Power appear ready to chart a course for musical nirvana on their latest release, “Valhalla Dancehall.”

While I admit I was not too blown away by the group’s earlier efforts (a captivating appearance on Letterman in 2008 notwithstanding), this time around the band appears to have finally found a happy middle-ground between its experimental tendencies and anthem-prone aspirations.

Take for example the refinements made to the track “Mongk II,” which first appeared simply as “Mongk” on BSP’s recent EP. Gone are the mumbled vocals, and the once techno-heavy beat has been retooled to hit harder. Instead of a hypnotic haze, the song now has room to breathe, as evidenced by the banjo-tinged outro complete with sighing vocal lines.

Better still is “Dancehall’s” first single “Living is So Easy.” The tune opens inconspicuously enough with a simple drumbeat and a smattering of electronic noise, but soon evolves into a “Everyone’s going to the party” chorus that for some reason reminds me of what might happen if the boys of Blur hung out with Brian Wilson for a weekend.

Have a listen yourself, while watching perhaps the most blue-lip heavy video ever here.

Still, perhaps more revealing than a new record is the effort British Sea Power continues to put not just into their music, but also into their artwork and interactions with fans as well. Check out this Artrocker magazine article on how drummer Matthew Wood creates the group’s distinctive album covers. Also, for more insight into just how much of an effect British Sea Power can have on an audience, watch the mini-documentary below about the band during their memorable visit to the Isle of Eigg for a gig.

Nice to know there are still bands like this out there. Gives one hope when looking at the Top 40 chart and doing a shot for every time Lil Wayne or Justin Bieber’s name show up.

For more information on British Sea Power and future tour dates please visit www.britishseapower.co.uk/.

BSP at Eigg:

J Mascis tapped for appearance at Neil Young tribute concert

J Mascis (Photo credit: Francis Chung)

Amherst, Mass. native and Dinosaur Jr frontman J Mascis (see photo at right) has labored for years under the comparisons made between his voice and that of the legendary singer/ songwriter Neil Young. Now, according to an announcement made by the website americansongwriter.com, it appears J will get the chance to put his pipes to the test as part of a concert to honor the enigmatic Canadian himself.

The event, to be held at Carnegie Hall in New York City on February 10, also plans to feature the talents of artists Pete Yorn, Keller Williams, the Cowboy Junkies and many more. Additionally, all the proceeds from the show will be donated to non-profit organizations like the Church Street School of Music, The Pinwheel Project, and the Music Unites All-Youth Choir amongst others

Meanwhile, in other Mascis news, the silver-haired axe man is set to release his fifth solo album “Several Shades of Why” through Sub Pop Records on March 15. To download the new track “Not Enough” for free visit J’s official site here. And, for all of you who ever wondered about the possible connection made between Mascis and Uma Thurman during her time growing up in Amherst, check out this Pitchfork review of the J. Mascis and the Fog album “Free so Free”.

While I don’t know if I buy into all the connections the article makes, if the claims made are true then Thurman is responsible for inspiring some of the greatest guitar jams of the last 20 years. Sort of makes you want to forgive her for appearing in such lemons as “Paycheck” and “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” huh?

For more information on J Mascis and future tour dates please visit www.jmascis.com/.