Mar 14, 2023·edited Mar 14, 2023Liked by S.W. Lauden
Glad to see The Semantics on your list but you can't forget how terrific that first Material Issue LP was. I know you mentioned them in your intro but I can't express how influential they were in the Chicago music scene, The Bad Examples, The Insiders and so many Chicago greats were influenced by them. One of the most underrated band of the nineties, Material Issue's appreciation of pop was sadly out of place due to the popularity of grunge.
Was not expecting to see Enuff Z'Nuff in that list, so now I'm compelled to go listen to that album. I had always had them in the hair metal genre but many of the best hair metal songs were really power pop dressed up with aqua net and cheesy guitar solos. I likely couldn't get past the band name is why I also didn't take them seriously.
I also need to re-listen to Enuff Z'Nuff. Otherwise I still listen to these fairly regularly. Another I'd add would be The Fastbacks "Zucker". Some of their best songs and Bee Gees cover. They also released a single from the record with the Raspberries "Go All The Way" as the B-side. One of the great underrated bands of the 80s and beyond.
Once again, you talk about albums and artists I've never heard of, like The Semantics and Chris Von Sneidern. Will definitely have to check those out.
I would like to throw Matthew Sweet's Altered Beast into the mix. It does get overshadowed coming out in between the twin pillars of Girlfriend and 100% Fun, but is a great collection of songs. You can also throw "Superdeformed" from No Alternative in there too!
Glad to see The Semantics on your list but you can't forget how terrific that first Material Issue LP was. I know you mentioned them in your intro but I can't express how influential they were in the Chicago music scene, The Bad Examples, The Insiders and so many Chicago greats were influenced by them. One of the most underrated band of the nineties, Material Issue's appreciation of pop was sadly out of place due to the popularity of grunge.
Was not expecting to see Enuff Z'Nuff in that list, so now I'm compelled to go listen to that album. I had always had them in the hair metal genre but many of the best hair metal songs were really power pop dressed up with aqua net and cheesy guitar solos. I likely couldn't get past the band name is why I also didn't take them seriously.
I also need to re-listen to Enuff Z'Nuff. Otherwise I still listen to these fairly regularly. Another I'd add would be The Fastbacks "Zucker". Some of their best songs and Bee Gees cover. They also released a single from the record with the Raspberries "Go All The Way" as the B-side. One of the great underrated bands of the 80s and beyond.
I'd add Buffalo Tom's "Big Red Letter Day," "Ring" by the Connells (pretty sure that's from '93), and maybe The Goo Goo Dolls "Superstar Car Wash."
I'd find room for Jason Falkner solo albums.
Once again, you talk about albums and artists I've never heard of, like The Semantics and Chris Von Sneidern. Will definitely have to check those out.
I would like to throw Matthew Sweet's Altered Beast into the mix. It does get overshadowed coming out in between the twin pillars of Girlfriend and 100% Fun, but is a great collection of songs. You can also throw "Superdeformed" from No Alternative in there too!