REMember

Many music writers will at some point discuss where they were when they first heard the Beatles. For me, it is the kid who remembers where he or she was when they first heard So. Central Rain.

That was when music became exciting for me. Before those notes & words, I loved music, but never so much as suddenly discovering something that was mine/ours. The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Billy Joel had all been handed down; i was taken by it, but did not believe. REM was borne from something that didn't crave hit singles or stadium sell outs. It borrowed from the past, as all art does, but built it new. They probably didn't care if you liked it, but they believed, and because they believed, so did you.

REM appeared to be the band that launched "college rock,' or"alternative" music. I fell for those labels, as it allowed me to dangle it above those that loved Led Zeppelin and look down my nose at them. Now considerably older, i see that it was quite possible to enjoy Led Zeppelin & REM simultaneously, but i do not regret my past. i needed a flag to fly as i marched forward, serving under many commanders: The Replacements, Husker Du, Fugazi, The Cure.

So, as i mow my lawn, and some kids drive past laughing at the aging guy wearing a T short by some old fart band, i resist the temptation to tell them that i was once in that car. Instead, i hope that they are looking for their own flag.

Grocery Store song

A grocery store song is a song that you hear (wait for it) at the grocery store, that you haven't heard in years and yet recall it. Chances are, it was a one, or two, hit wonder, but nonetheless still a good song.

This week's GSS is "Mary's Prayer" by Danny Wilson. Released in 1988, it is the antitheses of rock, but the music is quite good, reminiscent of soul, and the lyrics are well written and above all, catchy.