Disqus - Latest Comments for Malchus

Re: Nobody’s Favorite Record Reviews #2: Neil Young’s “Landing on Water”

Malchus — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:07:27 -0000

These tracks remind me somewhat of what Kortchmar was doing with Don Henley in the mid-late 80s. Since Henley was another Geffen artist at the time, I wonder if there was some influence by the record company on this choice.
You mention that Jordan was a jazz drummer, but he has roots in funk and soul. He played for Stevie Wonder, the SNL/Blues Brothers band, and was the original drummer for Letterman's Most Dangerous Band.
Finally, let's not forget that Young had one more experimental album in him before FREEDOM. In 1988 he released his R&B bar band album, THIS NOTE'S FOR YOU, famous for it's MTV banned video of the title track.
Great article! I look forward to the Toxic Twins.

Re: The Weekend Matinee: “Gone with the Wind”

Malchus — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:49:51 -0000

I concur. Sometime people confuse BIG for GREAT.

Re: New Podcast! David Medsker Presents Dizzy Heights

Malchus — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 18:01:47 -0000

Oh come on! This is fantastic! So much great music! Can't wait for next week. What a way for Popdose to kick off the new year.

Re: The First Day of Mellowmas: Gone Pishin’

Malchus — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:34:52 -0000

This is just... ridiculous, even by Mellowmas standards.

Re: Spinning Discs: “Gift” and Toys

Malchus — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:21:03 -0000

Holy mother of God, it's going to take me all day to read this column. I love it!!!

Re: 25 Best TV Characters in the Past 25 Years | Rachel Green (Friends) | EW.com

Malchus — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 18:22:21 -0000

Frank Pembleton.

Re: The Three Strike Rule: “Veep” Season 4 on Digital HD

Malchus — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:09:56 -0000

In season 4, she's President for less than a year, so yes, they can still call the show "Veep." The series gets better as the seasons progress. Like most shows, "Veep" was finding its footing in the first 8 eps.

Re: TV Review: “True Detective” (Season Two)

Malchus — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:42:58 -0000

I've been telling people that this season is a cross between David Lynch and James Ellroy. I don't have a problem with the dreamlike quality of the show or the basic plot, however, the characters don't seem authentic. Last season, McConaughey could spout out philosophical gobbledygook and make it work because the actor himself is so weird and he inhabited his role so well. On the flip side of that. Harrelson spoke plain English and had a mpore grounded performance, making for an interesting pairing. This season, the choice to have EVERYONE speak like they stepped out of a novel has hurt the show. Vaughan seems like he's in over his head because he's being forced to say things that don't come naturally out of his mouth. Same with the rest of this excellent cast. Thus, you have four great actors doing their damndest to perform at the best of the abilities, and it all sounds forced.

That said, there have been some great moments. I've found Kitsch's performance to be heartbreaking. And the scene last week between Vaughan and his dead soldier's song was beautiful. The point of the scene was lost on me, but Vaughan was quite effective and the kid was, too.

The biggest problem I have with the show is that there are so many plot threads and characters (a la Ellroy's "LA Confidential") that there isn't enough time to focus, or care, about any of them. I've invested six hours in the show and I'm curious how they're going to pull it all together without it turning into a parlor room stage mystery where the killer is revealed to be someone we've never met before, but I don't have a lot of hope.

Re: BREAKING NEWS: CHRIS SQUIRE DIES AT 67

Malchus — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 14:54:26 -0000

Nicley written. What sometimes gets overlooked is how beautifully his voice harmonized with others, especially Jon Anderson.

Re: 7 Best Movies of 2015 So Far

Malchus — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 18:24:22 -0000

What about Dope? You gave it a great review. Or Spy? That was another one that received and excellent review by you, Mr. Travers.

Re: TV Top 10s: “Parks and Recreation”

Malchus — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 17:02:00 -0000

Alright, Alright, I take back what I said about "We Didn't Start the Fire."But the way the writers used it in the episode implied torture, and that's what I was trying to say. However, I liked Craig and his insanity a lot, so I won't back down on "Flu Season 2." Plus, Andy has some of his best scenes.

I like your list. I almost put "Harvest Festival" on mine. Like I said, this was a tough list to put together, as it was the near perfect series (even with season 1). Seasons 5 & 6 were shaky, true, but each episode provided at least two or three belly laughs, which is more than most sitcoms can say.

Thanks for reading.

Re: The Vinyl Diaries: Favorite Music of 2014

Malchus — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 15:16:29 -0000

Sturgill Simpson's album is remarkable. If only "modern" country could take its cue from him. Alas, modern country is really top 40 country and there is no real home for an artist like Simpson. You have to dig to find people of this caliber, like you have to dig to find Ryan Adams on any rock 'n roll station. Or you can read Popdose.
Nice work, Rob.

Re: DVD Review: Clive Owen in “The Boys Are Back”

Malchus — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:28:01 -0000

Hey, thanks for pointing that out! Nice to know that 4 years later someone is reading my reviews. I've fixed it.

Re: The Friday Five: September 19, 2014

Malchus — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:21:39 -0000

"Lazy River" - Louis Prima- A nice way to begin. Some 1950s jump blues by the Mr. "Zabadebebop" Prima. I love how this song begins as a slow blues number and goes bat shit crazy for the last half. Prima is singing so fast I can't tell if he's slurring because there are too many words or he's sloshed. Either way, a great one.

"Tonight I'll Be Lonely Too" - Alison Krauss. Ah, the young and eager Miss Krauss. If you don't own her 1995 collection, "Now That I've Found You," go out and get it. It's wonderful. I love how unrefined her voice was in the early years. Twangy and full of innocence.

"Burning Down One Side" - Robert Plant. Seems my iPod is reminding me to finish that f'n Popdose Guide to Robert Plant that I've been working on for years. Man, I love this song. Great drumming by Phil Collins and Plant still working with his Zeppelin voice, trying to figure out a way to break from the past and forge his own identity. Odd that Plant followed Krauss in this shuffle of songs.

"When I Come Around" - Green Day. Hated this song when it was initally released as a single only because Green Day was EVERYWHERE. I've come to love "Dookie" and respect how gifted these guys are as songwriters and musicians, especially Tre Cool. What a great drummer.

"He Loves and She Loves" - Ella Fitzgerald. Can you think of a more perfect ending? Ella singing Gershwin. Nuff said.

Re: Listening Booth: Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”

Malchus — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 13:38:46 -0000

It reminds me a Avril mixed with Kelly.

Re: Legendary: Chapter 34

Malchus — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:59:08 -0000

It was my pleasure. Thanks for reading.

Re: Listening Booth: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “American Dream Plan B”

Malchus — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:44:06 -0000

I think you nailed it when you said that Lynch brought a physicality to the music that added some punch to the music. Can you imagine what this band would have sounded like if Dave Grohl had accepted the offer to be their drummer?

Re: THEATRE REVIEW: “Of Mice And Men”, at the Longacre Theatre, New York, NY, Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Malchus — Wed, 28 May 2014 15:47:53 -0000

Man, I'm so jealous you go to see this. Glad to hear it was a great night at the theater.

Re: Coldplay Got You Down? Try a Better Breakup Record by Benbrick

Malchus — Wed, 28 May 2014 15:46:27 -0000

Good stuff, Keith, thanks for sharing. These songs have a little more life to them than the Coldplay tracks I've heard.

Re: Reissue Review: Billy Joel, “A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia”

Malchus — Fri, 23 May 2014 18:36:08 -0000

After the fallout between Joel and Liberty DeVitto, I'm impressed that he's still included in the retrospective.

Re: Legendary: Chapter 2

Malchus — Wed, 21 May 2014 18:37:53 -0000

Come back Friday, where the story picks up from Kate's POV.

Re: Legendary: Chapter 1

Malchus — Tue, 20 May 2014 13:30:59 -0000

Thanks, Ted! I'm glad you could relate to Gwen. She's a fun character (and one I could relate to, as well).

Re: Book Review: “Face the Music: A Life Exposed”

Malchus — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:30:16 -0000

Ted, I hope you read the Rolling Stone cover story about KISS. Simmons almost came off as pathetic, desperate for Stanley's attention and approval.

The lasting image of Stanley that I'll always have is his appearance in "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Year."

Re: How the Major TV Networks Can Learn to Love the Internet

Malchus — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 01:36:26 -0000

I think that if a network wants to attract younger audiences, they're going to have to start at the bottom and begin rebuilding, to use a sports term. At some point, the older audiences who only watch procedurals will fade away and whichever network has the balls to go for broke and try to be like the cablers will be the victor.

Will that be NBC? They're certainly taking more risks than the others. We all laugh and say, "When you're dead last you can do anything." But NBC has been making some interesting shows the past couple of years. More importantly, they've stuck with their critically acclaim, yet ratings challenged shows to allow them to grow.

Re: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Ends With an Annoying Surprise … And It Was The Plan All Along

Malchus — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:33:14 -0000

I watched just three episodes this season and gave up. The show ceased to be funny two years ago. The last ten minutes were a rip off. Were we supposed to feel something watching Tracy in the hospital room? I didn't.