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Somewhere Over Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow

How about reviewing at least one Rainbow album? After all, it was Dio's start in metal, and since someone took the time to review those last four embarrassments from The Ian Gillan band -- oh wait, sorry, "Deep Purple" -- maybe someone could give Blackmore some respect!

It's always interesting when someone preaches respect but fails to give it to a very talented band (the current DP lineup consists of three members from its most famous Mark II lineup, plus Steve Morse and Don Airey... no lack of talent there).  That said, ask and ye shall receive...

Jimmy Invents the Internet (Or Something Like That)

Hi Jason:

I've been reading reviews on your website for years and I think your writers do an excellent job. I find so many publications to be overly cynical, often reducing an album or artist to a few lines of text. A lot of so called music critics are so preoccupied with sub genres and where each band fits in to them that the music itself becomes an afterthought in both the listening and writing process. You and I have pretty similar taste in music so I enjoy reading your work in particular.

One of my favorite records of the last decade was John Mayer's Continuum. The first time I listened to Continuum I was like "This can't be as good as I thought it was." So I listened to it again and by about the fourth listen of "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" I was texting all of my friends and telling them John Mayer's new album was better than almost everything Clapton had released in the last 20 years.As evidenced by its mediocre score on Metacrtic, not too many writers approached that record with the same lack of personal bias that you did.  

I just finished reading your review of Jimmy Eat World's Invented and I thought it was spot on. When Bleed American came out in 2000 I was 19 years old and I didn't love that album and Futures because I was crying into my pillow over a girl every night. They're just great rock albums. Jim Adkins has such a great sense of melody and is so unpretentious that it's tough to dislike his writing.

Anyway, I agree completely. It's not a perfect album. It's doesn't flow like Futures and the heavier tunes lack some of the punch of their best stuff,  but the title track is without question one of their finest moments. I wasn't disappointed with Chase This Light, but it certainly lacked the soul of the previous albums. Invented recaptures that. Hopefully I can catch them live on tour. I saw them in Saskatoon (I'm from Regina, Canada) on their last tour, but it's the only time they've been through my neck of the woods. Keep up the good work

Craig

Thanks a lot, Craig.  As you might imagine, the site doesn’t get a ton of mail, and a lot of it is of the “hey, why haven’t you covered my favorite band ____??” variety.  All of us on the Vault do this for a hobby and don’t make a dime.  The amazing part is that so many people stay year after year… most of us just really enjoy what we do.

Continuum felt like a major statement to me from the first time I heard it… glad you heard it the same way.  Interestingly, I have not bought Battle Studies.  I know part of that decision is a result of my feeling that it would inevitably have to fall short, especially after all the time John has spent in the tabloids since Continuum.  That affects people in strange ways, and a defensive, rationalizing John Mayer is not nearly as interesting to me as a confident, open one.

Anyhow, thanks again and best wishes to you.  Your support is much appreciated.

Jason

I'm A Pepper, You're a Pepper...

A C+ for Sgt. Pepper’s? Is Thelen insane?

The doctors all assure us that he’s stable now. Well, you know. It’s a relative thing.

If I write a letter to the Feedback column and you think my question or comment is out of line or dumb or anything like that, will you reply with barbed sarcasm and possibly a gratuitous personal insult of some kind?


Depends on who wrote the letter. We are perpetually kind to old people, children and pets. Well, unless they don’t like our favorite band. Then we lock and load.