Let’s review the ground rules here. The Mystery Date song is not necessarily something I believe to be good. So feel free to rip it or praise it. Rather the song is something of interest due to the artist, influences, time period… Your job is to decipher as much as you can about the artist without research. Who do you think it is? Or, Who do you think it sounds like? When do you think it was recorded? Etc…
If you know who it is, don’t spoil it for the rest. Anyone who knows it can play the “mockcarr option.” (And I’ve got a hunch that some of you know this one.) This option is for those of you who just can’t hold your tongue and must let everyone know just how in-the-know you are by calling it. So if you know who it is and want everyone else to know that you know, email Mr. Moderator at mrmoderator [at] rocktownhall [dot] com. If correct we will post how brilliant you are in the Comments section.
The real test of strength though is to guess as close as possible without knowing. Ready, steady, go!
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Mystery-Date-010711.mp3|titles=Mystery Date 010711]
It sounds like Los Angeles in 1989. Some Dionysian hair metal lyrics, a little Slash guitar, a little Chili Peppers funk. I dunno.
I know I’ve heard this before. I possibly own it, but I can’t place it, and I’m getting ready to fly to San Diego, so I’m going to miss most of the game. Isn’t that little riff/descending arpeggio thing that first appears around 1:37 the key that this is not your typical cock-rock riffarama? It’s not the Soft Boys, but my first guess is that it’s someone like that pretending to be a hard rock band rather than an actual hard rock band. As usual, I could be wrong.
Tremendous analyses from both of you, but not even warm! Keep ’em coming.
Well, bostonhistorian is well in the ballpark regarding the date of the recording.
I’m getting a very “Hoogeveen circa 1979” vibe, although it could just as easily be Stadskanaal.
Early Comment of the Month contender? (Although yesterday’s introduction of Cinesax, by alexmagic, may be hard to beat!)
I’m shocked – and stunned – that there’s been so little reaction to today’s Mystery Date. I thought for sure I’d have a half dozen e-mails playing the mockcarr option. Many of you will be delighted – and thankful – when the artist’s identity is revealed. (Maybe I’ll give you a clue if I see you at the North Star tonight.)
Sounds like a cock-rock pastiche by someone was in or affiliated with The Replacements or another Midwestern ’80s indie band. Despite my well-documented love of the ‘Mats, I swear I don’t know this one.
Is that your final answer?
No, let me fix the typo.
Sounds like a cock-rock pastiche by someone who was in or affiliated with The Replacements or another Midwestern ’80s indie band. Despite my well-documented love of the ‘Mats, I swear I don’t know this one.
That’s my final answer.
Kind of sounds like the Blue Hippos, maybe a little slower paced, but the song isn’t familiar, and I think I had both of their releases. Actually, that comes pretty close to Oats’ answer in a way.
Ladies and gentlemen….Der Fliegende Holländer!!!!!!
That made me laugh out loud. I offer up the Simpson-esqe take on it: De Bradende Holländer!
Oats NAILED it! And here I was worrying that Townspeople were completely baffled.
Very impressive.