Hero Worship & Reviews of Van Hunt and Mastodon
Hero Worship – Jim and Greg play a collection of songs that name-check great artists from the history of rock and roll. And later they review new albums by R&B singer Van Hunt and metal group Mastodon.
Hero Worship
Today's theme is Hero Worship. The genesis of this idea was that we here at Sound Opinions started noticing that a lot of artists have written songs about their own heroes. Think of Bob Dylan's "Song To Woody." It's the kind of love only one rocker could express to another. Though when it comes to name-checking important musical figures, critics like Jim and Greg come a close second. Here are their favorite moments of musical Hero Worship.
Jim
- The Replacements, "Alex Chilton"
- Television Personalities, "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives"
- Cheap Trick, "Surrender"
- Robyn Hitchcock, "I Saw Nick Drake"
Greg
- Van Morrison, "Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)"
- The Hold Steady, "Constructive Summer"
- Frank Black, "I Heard Ramona Sing"
- Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke"
What Were You Hoping For Van Hunt
After being cut loose from his major-label deal, singer/songwriter Van Hunt has a new independently released album out called What Were You Hoping For. Jim and Greg received exactly what they were hoping for - a musically inventive album that doesn't fit into one particular genre. Van Hunt is finally free to let his freak flag fly, and fly it does. Jim and Greg compare him to George Clinton and Prince and encourage you to Buy It.
The Hunter Mastodon
Some call Mastodon the saviors of metal. Others...hipster sellouts. But Jim and Greg just think they make terrific music. Combining a little Black Sabbath with a little Melvins, they are experimental and hard rocking without losing their sense of melody and harmony. Their new album The Hunter marks five successful releases in a row. Jim and Greg say Buy It.
Featured Songs
- Bob Dylan, "Song to Woody," Bob Dylan, Columbia, 1962
- The Replacements, "Alex Chilton," Pleased to Meet Me, Sire, 1987
- Van Morrison, "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)," Saint Dominic's Preview, Warner Bros., 1972
- Television Personalities, "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives," And Don't the Kids Just Love It, Rough Trade, 1981
- The Hold Steady, "Constructive Summer," Stay Positive, Vagrant, 2008
- David Bowie, "Song for Bob Dylan," Hunky Dory, RCA, 1971
- LCD Soundsystem, "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House," LCD Soundsystem, DFA, 2005
- Cheap Trick, "Surrender," Heaven Tonight, Epic, 1978
- Frank Black, "I Heard Ramona Sing," Frank Black, 4AD, 1993
- Robyn Hitchcock, "I Saw Nick Drake," A Star for Bram, Editions PAF!, 2000
- Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke," Songs in the Key of Life, Tamla, 1976
- The Fall, "I Am Damo Suzuki," This Nation's Saving Grace, Beggars Banquet, 1985
- Van Hunt, "Watching You Go Crazy is Driving Me Insane," What Were You Hoping For, Godless Hotspot, 2011
- Van Hunt, "Designer Jeans," What Were You Hoping For, Godless Hotspot, 2011
- Mastadon, "Blasteroid," The Hunter, Reprise, 2011
- Mastadon, "Dry Bone Valley," The Hunter, Reprise, 2011
- Four Tet, "Locked," Fabriclive 59, Fabric, 2011
- Wilson Pickett, "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)," The Exciting Wilson Pickett, Atlantic, 1966
- Gladys Knight and the Pips, "Midnight Train to Georgia," Imagination, Buddah, 1973
- Ghost in the Water, "Break It Down," Shooting Stars and Battle Scars, skulls/talons/skeletons, 2011
- The Rolling Stones, "Gimme Shelter," Let It Bleed, Decca, 1969
- Jeff Beck, "Over the Rainbow," Emotion & Commotion, ATCO, 2010
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