In honor of Hall & Oates’ sold-out show at the Spectrum tonight, here’s my favorite piece of the H&O oeuvre. It’s one of their more understated tunes from the 80s. I dig the mellow, dreamy vibe that builds slowly and soulfully, then hits you with a killer tempo change near the end. Big Bam Boom! Love it. Sparks flying of out the guitar is also a bonus.

Lastly but not leastly, Hall’s mullet is magnificent, like a large rigid-yet-supple piece of Mummer headgear.

Philly Weekly Interview: Hall & Oates’ John Oates On Playing The Spectrum Tonight

Back in 1987 Rush entrusted  the video for their song “Time Stands Still” to a guy who was not afraid to use a green screen and a special effect or 4,000. The pitch:

“Hey Guys, love your stuff! BIG Huck Sawyer &  Limelife fan, anyway… for this video, I’m thinking… now stay with me… ‘floaty and frenetic’? Huh? And I got the ‘Voices Carry’ chick to chase you around a bit with a TV camera. It’s gold, right? Let’s do it.”‘

Gold indeed. I still love this song a lot and love the video’s sheer absurdity and absolute lack of concept even more.

Highlights:

• Neil Pert in tanktop
• Oddly incongruous wilderness background stock  footage
• Geddy rocking the “Mom doing housework with her hair in a bun” look
• Angel-voiced Aimee Mann clearly not amused by her asinine role in the video (debut 00:41), slight smile (01:01)
• Alex Lifeson gleefully spinning in circles like a dim child. (01:15)
• Choreographed double-spins by Alex and Geddy (01:22 and 01:30)
• Aimee leaving her camera duties to go in control room for no apparent reason (02:01)
• Wait, she might have hurt her arm (02:16)
• The epic “multiple Rush’s coming at ya ” shot (03:27) (favorite of Video Toaster wizards) that ends with Alex and Geddy hopping in step. Nailed it!
• Followed by Aimee Mann completely bored and snoozing (03:35) “Guys, c’mon this is just ridiculous…”
• Alex Lifeson does  fabulous dances with just his chin (03:48)
• Another HUGE choreographed Alex and Geddy 360 spin with spot-on precision (10s all around!) to bring it into the homestretch (04:12)
• Aimee smiles and shrinks and floats away (05:06), leaving Canada for good and never ever speaking with Rush again

More:

• Best Rock Video Ever: “Burnin’ For You” by Blue Oyster Cult
• Unintentionally Gay Music Videos

Prog rock is back! And that’s a good thing, love these guys.

Website: www.trailofdead.com

New CD: The Century of Self

I have a hard time imagining a band creating a more inspired piece of instrumental rock music: triumphant, sweeping, rocking and just a dose of lilting quirkiness all seamlessly layered together in grand Norwegian fashion. Beautiful!

Hear More: What We Must (2005)

Here’s a nice complement to the Jaga tune, a classic blast of hypnotic brilliance:

“Orris Root Powder” by MF Doom

Hear More: Metal Fingers Presents: Special Herbs 9+0 (2005)

My pal Mike sent me an email this morning prompting me to watch a video from Canada’s 8th best power trio known as Triumph. I enjoyed the hell out of it and it inspired me to hunt down another classic bit of ancient 80s music from our northern neighbors. Behold Saga!

I only know this one Saga song and call me crazy, but I think it still holds up. Guitar solos, keyboard solos, Han solos… it all just works. I loved watching this video back in the day, a nice mix of live performance and cheesy-as-hell conceptual work. I’m still not sure why the guy from Hall & Oates was in prison, but thankfully, with the help of a dame, he busted out.

Remember kids, “The time we’re feeling most stable, is the time we’re coming off the wall!” So true, Saga guy, so true.

Attention parents of children who like to hop around to good music: Want to spend a fun hour or so with your kiddie and the computer? Well then, fire up the old Dell, close your depressing Quicken screen and check out the fun-packed Pancake Mountain website.

It’s “cleverly disguised as a children’s TV show” that makes fun of our absurd culture, features an awesome puppet (Rufus Leeking) and rocks out with outstanding musical guests who play live while a bunch of cute kids and adults bop around. Musical guests have included: Tegan and Sara, Arcade Fire, Anti-Flag, Ted Leo, Craig Wedren, X, The Evens (Ian MacKaye), Fiery Furnaces, Wolfmother and many many more! Please note: You do not have to have a child to enjoy.

Pancake Mountain Introduction:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE3M6EFldAc[/youtube]

Jenny Lewis On Pancake Mountain:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXSyztgPQi0[/youtube]

The Go! Team perform on Pancake Mountain:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q6sd5z2pRo[/youtube]

Built To Spill Rocking On Pancake Mountain:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLHOwrYdLls[/youtube]

Many more on the PM youtube channel!