Rockin' the Vote: These 5 Should Make the Hall for 2011

Well, two of the voters in the recent Straight Lines Music Poll are going to be disappointed if our 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picks are on the money: Bon Jovi got two votes from SLM readers...and we didn't even know his mom and wife were followers... Seriously, someone's got some 'splainin' to do....

Anyway, over the past couple of weeks Straight Lines Music has taken a look at each of the dozen 2011 nominees, sketching their background, citing their influence, listing their breakthroughs, and providing some sample cuts for you to hear.

But which 5 make get the Straight Lines vote? Well, ladies first:

Laura Nyro, who has been nominated before but has never garnered enough support, clearly belongs, and this year "competing" with these 11 she's going to make it. A songwriter of the highest caliber and a fine, though possibly less-accessible interpreter of her own music, Nyro was at the forefront of the singer/songwriter movement and a transitional women's artist from folk to pop and rock. Without Nyro Joni Mitchell struggles to find an audience -- and maybe a record deal. Without Nyro which white woman pens soulful folk/blues with a jazz or pop influence? Without Nyro how does the 5th Dimension or Blood, Sweat & Tears break through? Without her soul the music that was to follow would be a little thinner, a little less adventurous, a little less interesting. She earns her way in on her own merits and based on what others did with what she wrote.

Still sticking with the ladies... Alice Cooper gets the nod, too, and not necessarily for valuable contributions but for contributions nonetheless. The dangerous early incarnation of the band energized teenagers, damaged eardrums, and scared parents -- all the stuff great rock & roll is supposed to do. Add to that the heavy (for its time) metal sound that can be considered a precursor to Metallica and others, Alice Cooper ripped a hole in rock's niceties and forced its way into the Hall. Then add the great hits and it's almost a dare to keep them out. And, despite those who prefer straight-on music to onstage dramatics, Alice Cooper (the later version) pioneered stage shows that many bands and artists would eventually emulate (and improve on). So Alice Cooper gets in because they were a great metal band and one of the first, because they looked good in ripped lingerie and helped make androgyny acceptable, because they put on groundbreaking if crude stage shows, and because they know what it feels like to be 18. In fact, they get in for "I'm Eighteen" alone.

Now the guys.

Neil Diamond is a no-brainer if there ever was one. Frankly, he gets in for "Cherry, Cherry" alone, but try this: Get a bunch of people in your car, hit the road, and fiddle with the dial until a Neil Diamond song comes out of the speakers -- you won't have to wait long to find one -- and note what happens. Just as with The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival and many other melodic impact artists, people will know the lyrics and will start singing along. And not just to "Sweet Caroline," either. Whether you consider his writing, his ties to Brill Building excellence, the pop hit after pop hit after pop hit, the length of his career, the devotion of his millions of fans, the dollars of record sales (supposedly not a factor in Hall voting), or the still sold-out concerts, Neil Diamond is the man -- and he would appreciate it if the Hall were to put it that way on his plaque. Just be wary when he strolls to the mic to accept as he has a greater flair for the drama than the dramatic.

Everyone needs a poet, so this year Tom Waits also makes the cut. His is a classic case of being loved by the critics (most of them and most of the time) and being loved by an almost cult following of fans. His very long career has careened from folk to blues to jazz to rock and back and then he mixed parts of all those together seemingly on a whim, generally to solid, engaging, challenging results. He's never been a Big Seller, though releases such as Swordfish Trombones have pushed their way up the chart. But Waits, in many ways like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Brian Wilson, walks his own streets in his own mind. His streets are darker, the wind is harder and colder, and most of the streetlights are broken -- but he finds his way.

Last but not least the Beastie Boys. Bands get in the Hall based on their entire output and impact (unless the Hall makes a specific designation of period) but the Boys (with one girl) get in starting with their output from 1984 when Rick Rubens began producing them for Def Jam and they became an impact rap band (from a less-impactful punk band). They hit the big time, bringing rap to the masses, and took another big step when Mix Master Mike joined up in 1998. But in addition to bringing rap to rock and showing it can work at a profitable and artistic level, the Beasties rock the vote by their groundbreaking successes with sampling -- a practice that has dominated rap and hip-hop ever since this band had huge success with Paul's Boutique. That, plus their willingness to fight and win a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement opened the door for hundreds and maybe thousands of bands to give new life to riffs and beats from hundreds of dead or no-longer-performing artists, introducing some of those folks (Hendrix etc) to a whole new generation of listeners.

So, that's the Straight Line on who's going to make it in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when ballots are counted. Let us know what you think...and don't wait until winners are announced!

FInally! Some Competition for Ticketmaster...Hopefully

We've all bitched about Ticketmaster's monopoly which results in ridiculous prices, service fees (for what service, by the way?), and a host of other charges that add easily 15% or more to a ticket price. And despite the efforts of a variety of bands (Pearl Jam gets the biggest kudos for the greatest effort) Ticketmaster has challenged all comers and won.

But maybe that will change.

Turns out former Ticketmaster CEO Fredric Rosen is going to become CEO of an Outbox Technology subsidiary that enables organizers of concerts and other events to sell tickets through their own websites. The subsidiary, Outbox Enterprises, provides ticket-processing technology to performers, events, and venues -- essentially cutting out the middleman.

In addition to hopefully providing a credible challenge to Ticketmaster, which could drive costs down, Outbox turns the entire ticket-selling system on its head. Where Ticketmaster has developed a centralized ticket processing operation the Outbox approach is to decentralize ticket sales, creating an almost grass roots approach to sales.

Of course just because there's competition doesn't mean the additional fees would suddenly vanish -- those are here to stay. But the Outbox approach does allow artists and venues to decide how much of a service fee to charge, and Outbox receives a percentage of that fee.

Sufjan Fever Hard To Catch

Stinks is probably a tad bit to harsh, but disappointing certainly fits when describing Sufjan Stevens at the Chicago Theatre this past Friday night. Maybe it was the fact that the hype and expectations were too high? I'm not sure really. What is for sure though was the feeling that I was missing something that everyone else saw. Sufjan fever? Apparently it is hard to catch.

The first taste of Sufjan Stevens that I had was with his album Illinoise. After hearing about it from various sources and people that I trust musically, it was a natural fit as something to check out. Again, I was a tad bit disappointed after the first listen. Not that it was bad or anything. I found myself enjoying many of the songs including Jacksonville, Chicago, and Casimir Pulaski Day. The album, as a whole, just did not deliver like I thought it would.

Friday night was the same. While the rest of the sold out crowd was bobbing their heads and singing, I was glancing around wondering if they had their Ipods on and were listening to something else. Virtually the entire set list revolved around Sufjan's new record "The Age Of Adz," which makes sense considering the album just came out October 12th. The fact that he played only his new stuff was not the problem. The problem was that nothing clicked. Sure, it was unique, quirky, and sounded nothing like anything being released these days, but it still was just boring. The songs weren't pleasant to listen to or thought provoking. If it wasn't for the artwork corresponding to the certain songs on the video screen, I undoubtedly would have fallen asleep. The crazy thing though? I would have been awakened by all the cheering from the audience once the song had concluded.

After a few days to digest the show and listen to some more Sufjan material, the only conclusion that I could make as to why I was so out of touch with the rest of the audience on Friday goes back to that element of unique. Obviously, people listen to music for different reasons; but it truly felt that the majority of the Sufjan audience was there to listen to his music strictly because it was different. Not necessarily because it is good. And to their credit it is different and it is very unique. But is it worth two hours of your time? Sure, if you're looking to take a nap.

All in all, I can't catch the Sufjan fever. I've tried the albums and I've tried him live and I just can't understand what the fuss is all about. To me, good music is good music. If it is played on an electric guitar with a traditional four piece band, great. If it is played on a piece of wood with a rubber band, even better. Good means good, not different or unique.

As for the Sufjan fever? Wake me up when they find a cure.

Video Of The Week: My Chemical Romance Returns

The Straight Lines video of the week this week is from My Chemical Romance. After a bit of a hiatus, the band is back with a new album, Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys. The album comes out on November 22nd, but the group has released a video for the first single Na Na Na. Check it out below and let us know what you think!

Arcade Fire Frontman To Lecture At Northwestern

Arcade Fire front-man, Will Butler, will be moving from the big stage to the classroom. Northbynorthwestern.com is reporting that Butler will give a lecture at Northwestern University in Chicago. Butler attended Northwestern and majored in poetry and creative writing.

The lecture he will be giving is slated to be about how he has influenced the world by combining his music career and love for social activism. It will take place during Civically Engaged Young Alumni Week on the Northwestern campus. Butler will speak on November 2nd at 7pm. For more information, click here.

Chicago Weekend Music Information 10/15-10/17

It has been a little while since we did this, but the weather is getting cooler and its time to get back at it! Here is your concert information for this weekend in Chicago.

Schubas
10/15 - King Sparrow, Pet Lions, This Is Versailles
10/16 - Nathan Xander & Witchhouse, The Kickback, The Migrant
10/17 - Pepper Rabbit, From A Fountain, Words And Numbers

Lincoln Hall
10/15 - DeVotchKa, Angus And Julia Stone
10/16 - DeVotchKa, Angus And Julia Stone

Bottom Lounge
10/15 - The Octopus Project, Starfucker
10/16 - 1349, Triptykon
10/17 - Eli "Paperboy" Reed

Cubby Bear
10/15 - Stellar Road, Lying Delilah, Backyard Cohort
10/16 - Peter Terry, Murley Shertz, Train Company

Elbo Room
10/15 - Finley Night, Even Bigger, The Nows
10/16 - Scott Wesley, Jeanne T. Arrigo, Al Day and Victor Saunders

Chic, Beastie Boys and LL Cool J Round Out R&R HOF Nominees

The final three nominees for the 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are Chic, Beastie Boys, and LL Cool J.

Chic

We'll start with Chic, a primarily disco band founded by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards that made its mark as producers as much as with "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsa, Yowsa, Yowsa)," "Le Freak," and "Everybody Dance," among other disco ditties. Originally a rock and R&B band, Rodgers and Edwards added Tony Thompson and Norma Jean Wright as a lead singer (eventually adding Luci Martin too). The renamed group hit the road as Chic as dance fever infected the country. While still releasing dance LPs as Chic the group also wrote and produced a host of other chart-topping records including Sister Sledge's We Are Family, Diana Ross' Diana, and Blondie's Debbie Harry's solo outing KooKoo. Chic has been nominated to the R&R Hall in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Rodgers and Chic still perform, though without original members Edwards and Thompson who died in 1996 and 2003 respectively.

Beastie Boys

Started in 1979 as a punk rock band, this New York City group took the name Beastie Boys in 1981 and quickly found itself supporting Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys and other punk bands at popular New York punk clubs such as CBGBs and Max's Kansas City. FOllowing siginng in 1984 to Def Jam with producer Rick Rubens, Beastie Boys went from punk to rap and became a trio, releasing the breakthrough Rock Hard EP in 1985 and License to Ill in 1986. The sample-heavy Paul's Boutique which eventually sold a million copies followed in 1988 with Check Your Head in 1992 on the band's own Grand Royal label (which featured former Beastie Kate Schellenbach's band Luscious Jackson as well as Julian Lennon, John's first kid). The Beasties returned to the top of the charts with Ill Communication in 1994, earned a headlining slot opposite The Smashing Pumpkins at Lollapalooza the same year, and in 1998 released Hello Nasty, which featured the addition of Mix Master Mike and catapulted them to #1 in the U.S. The Beastie Boys made another impact in the music industry when in 2003 a judge ruled in their favor in the case Newton vs. Diamond. The judge ruled that the Beastie's sampling of six seconds of James Newton's "Choir" in their song "Pass the Mic" did not violate copyright law -- a ruling that nudged open the door to sampling by other rap and hip-hot artists.

LL Cool J

From his earliest release, Radio, with hits "Rock the Bells" and I Can't Live Without My Radio," LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James) signaled that he was anything but a "typical" rapper. His romantic ballads, his use of standard song structures, and his almost pop-oriented approach made rap accessible to more than that music's core audience. Consider these numbers: Radio, 1.5 million in sale; Bigger and Deffer, 2.3 million; Walking with a Panther, 1.1; Mama Said Knock You Out, 2.7 million. And that's just his first four Def Jam releases. He went on to release another eight records, plus a greatest hits package, and almost all of them were driven by singles that burst onto the charts and stayed there: "I Need Love," "Goin Back to Cali," "I'm That Type of Guy," Jingling Baby," "Doin' It," and "Phenomenon" are just a few. Following his last release, Exit 13 in 2008, LL focused on the acting career he had dabbled in. He is now a regular on NCIS: Los Angeles.

NEXT WEEK: Straight Lines Picks Its 2011 R&R HOF Inductees! Make sure to check back!