Start Speading the News...

I read one of Ira's reviews somewhere (can't remember which band) lamenting the lack of anything exciting out of New York since the early '80s, the days of Sonic Youth, not to mention the entire original hiphop movement. Which got me thinking...

My theory? Real estate. Who can afford to live in NY anymore? Even the crappiest neighborhoods are going upscale - Prez Clinton's in Harlem, CBGB's is getting kicked out to make way for chain stores. How can a large enough pool of scruffy radicals survive long enough to create anything?

A friend in Manhattan once described it to me thusly:
"The cost of living is out of control, there's trash in the streets, the crime rate is astonishing and this is a headline from 1890".

To some observers, Fab, the real estate factor played a part in NYC's rock scene back in the days of Sonic Youth, too.

In *Route 666*, Gina Arnold wrote about the musical artists she met during her visits to New York. She found that a high percentage of the young rock musicians in Manhattan during the '80s either had trust funds, or lived with their parents in rent-controlled housing. "Neither of those conditions is necessarily crippling to brilliance," she wrote, "but they do tend to limit the pool of available talent."

In the same chapter, G.A. posited this as one reason why Hoboken, NJ became the seedbed of a vital indie-rock scene in the early '80s: Hoboken was a more affordable place to live.

"a high percentage of the young rock musicians in Manhattan during the '80s either had trust funds, or lived with their parents in rent-controlled housing"

Heh, well, Ira did describe The Strokes as "five rich kids ."

I enjoyed Route 666 but got the distinct feeling that Gina Arnold really despised Sonic Youth.

Interesting theory. Has there been anything worth listening to out of San Francisco since the 415 label bands? Could be the same dynamic at work there, too, since that's another city that frighteningly expensive to live in.

actually, i'm the one who despises sonic youth...

San Fran? They're producing a lot of great stuff in the electronic/dj/mashup scene terrorizing the internet. Most people in the area can only afford tiny apts. so one/two-man computer music is the most cost-effective and space-efficient option. Whither live bands? (Or should that be "wither"?)

This is one time LA's sprawl has an advantage - we all live in (relatively) spacious houses with garages, or know someone who does (hi, mom and dad!), so we have plenty of big bands. Since the '90s, there's been a boom in wild, unself-consciously eclectic groups of the Ozomatli ilk keeping live music, er, alive. I saw a group called the Dakah HipHop Orchestra that was a 70-count-'em-70 piece orchestra. With rappers and djs. Sucks how much driving you have to do, tho.

NY? Gotta go with "VU+Nico." Followed immediately by "Ramones."

I'll take the Strokes over SY any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I know I shoot my indie-credibility all to hell when I say stuff like that on here, but "Is This It" was an instant classic to me. My fave record this decade and it's not really even close - and dare I say it , the most influential American record of this decade too (so far at least).

(Ducks, runs for cover).

I think both are fine bands and I could take either's side in a fight, depending on my mood.

What's the best album ever by a New York band?

My vote goes to White Light/White Heat, but Marquee Moon and Horses are only millimeters behind it.

Best recording by a New York band for me would be "The Velvet Underground & Nico". Perhaps the best and most influential from that part of town.

It's nice to see Strokes fans here. Theire the only Rock group I listen to nowadays. Thank God that such a group exists to make listenable music in these times. "Room on Fire" is a slight improvement over it's predecessor. Unfortunately the new album doesn't seem to hold up.

Best New York albums:
"New York" Lou Reed
"MM" TV
NY Dolls 1st
Ramones 1st
Dictators "Go Girl Crazy"
Blondie 1st
Patti "Horses"
Mink DeVille 1st
The Mumps
Velvets "WHWL"


funny thing is I always think of the Strokes and Sonic Youth and some of the CB's bands as being suburban music

I love the way mats edges LAMF into everything he can. Have you heard the Waldos yet?

Yes indeed, I dig the Waldos lp with "Flight" & "Countdown Love" on it. Never saw them but heard it was a great live show, do they still play regularly in NYC or is it over for them?.......I am also really enjoying the version of "Street Fighting Man" w/ Walter Lure being backed by the Ramones (!) from '74 or '75 on the (fairly) new 3 disc "Down to Kill" release on Jungle Records.



Post Edited (02-10-06 21:45)

I am right in there with you:

1) Velvet Underground And Nico

2) New York Dolls S/T

3) Rocket To Russia

4) Lou Reed: New York

Arguably, Some Girls and Sandinista could fit in here too.

Also, although I cannot say I love any Sonic Youth album start to finish, you could put together a damn fine career-spanning single disc compilation. For that matter, how about a two disc set containing: "Rockin' Blowouts" on one disc and "Arty Experimental Explosions" on the second? That way, you satisfy the tourists and the hardcore.

My best NYC album would be "L.A.M.F." which I know doesn't hold the same high stature to most here as it does for me, although I guess some would consider them a London band by the time LAMF was released anyway . I just find it to be glorious Rock & Roll.....Here's an interesting NYC thing : band makes wildly acclaimed/influential/hyped debut, followed by a (initially) "disappointing" 2nd record which is later acclaimed by a group of ardent supporters as being the equal, superior or at the very least, truly worthy (think Velvets, Dolls, Patti Smith, Ramones, Television, Voidoids, Beasties (!), Strokes, Interpol, and soon, perhaps, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)



Post Edited (02-09-06 19:42)

Here's to ya, Mats. I like the Strokes just fine, too ... although I've never really considered whether I like them better than Sonic Youth. (Come to think of it, I bet the Strokes listened to *Daydream Nation* and *Goo* a few times before making their first album.) It's all a question of the mood, I suppose.

I relinquished my "indie credibility" card ages ago. Haven't missed it at all.

I didn't get the impression that G.A. disliked Sonic Youth, from her book. She definitely wasn't too keen on the general art/noise-rock movement in NYC, or the above-it-all quality that some NYC artists seem to affect. "All arrogance and shit ... never once acknowledging that most basic of teenage impulses, 'Hey guys, let's start a band!'" Still, she spoke very highly of *EVOL* and *Sister*

As for best album ever by a New York band, my vote would have to go to *Marquee Moon*, followed by *The Velvet Underground and Nico*.

My vote goes to the New York Dolls' self-titled debut barely edging out The Velvet Underground & Nico as the best album ever by a New York band. But then again that's like trying to compare Fun House with Raw Power all over again.

I also agree that the Strokes' Is This It was an instant classic.

I'm also on board with L.A.M.F. as one of the greatest Punk albums ever made or just plain Rock albums ever for that matter. No bum tracks on that one.

My favorite NYC LP is Daydream Nation so I'm actually the oddball. It would be followed by T. Heads, Marquee Moon, Ramones and YLT's Painful (if it if counts).

Quote

actually, i'm the one who despises sonic youth...

Good enough, but explain.

My favorite albums from NY bands are the VU's 3rd & the Ramones' Rocket to Russia.

As for the Strokes, the songs that I heard from their 1st album sounded like a reworking of the VU's Coney Island Steeplechase & the song from their new album that Little Steven plays sounds like the Cars.

hey
you forgot all the good ones!

mystic tide Solid Ground
Wu tang Enter
Grand master flash singles
carole king Tapestry
Mel Brooks 2000 year old man
Fred Neil Bleeker and macDougal
dion lovers who wander
blues project projection
a -bones (all)
fugs s/t


i hear europe in VU, patti's poetry, television's knotty complexities

so greatest NYC?
ramones third
dic's second
public enemy's second
dolls' first
ben e king's first

I fucked it up completly!
I was thinking of the best NYC music, like music that is NYC, stuff you hear makes you think of walkng down Canal street, hackin' phlegm on Beeker, listening to teen chicks in the village, scoring in Wash Square, hitting the last subway uptown,damn, how do I miss this?(Thinking "Ghost Rider" by Suicide)
Mia Culpa, Mia Culpa
*bows head as he walks out the door backwards*



Post Edited (02-13-06 16:37)

Madis, I'd say that those ten albums are all strong contenders for best of NYC. For someone who "fucked it up completely," you posted a pretty good list.

i would say alice donut has a ny feel