Townspeople,
This is not a throwdown I can promote and take part in with even the slightest bit of pride, but upon hearing about 8 seconds of George Thorogood’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” while flipping channels on the drive in this morning, I feel compelled to book the following Steel Cage Match, pitting ZZ Top against the Delaware Destroyer. Hear me out.
Let’s throw out all notions of Critical Acclaim, Authenticity, Cool, and Self-Respect. Let’s line up Team Top vs Team Destroyer, and throw in a half dozen examples of “best” songs by each artist, as chosen by each team of relative, possibly reluctant supporters, against the other in terms of Listenability.
We will ask ourselves – and debate – which artist’s best songs are easiest to listen to, if forced to do so.
Also, each team will have the option of choosing three “skeletons” from the other artist’s catalog. There may be a need, if your team finds itself “winning” this debate by positive means, of embarrassing the other team’s artist.
Let me know what you think about this. Today we can start lining up in support of one artist or the other. Maybe we start developing the list of 6 “best” songs and 3 skeletons. Then we’ll gather those audio examples and see how this plays out in the Steel Cage. Are you game?
It’s so obviously Top that there is no point in elaborating that point. However, you should note that this is coming from the only native Texan hereabouts, so I would say that, wouldn’t I?
I can’t play if I have to listen to Thorobad’s toad croak of a voice. One song should be sufficient for him for best song AND skeleton, since he can only do one thing on the the guitar.
I’m up for this little game, but I too am already clearly in Top’s corner.
As much as it pains me to admit this, I am so far in Thorogood’s corner it’s not funny. I surely hope that I get more support than typically offered offlist by my so-called Quiet Storm of followers.
Regional loyalty is the only explanation I can give for Mr Mod’s corner.
Just to clarify, we’re choosing recorded tracks only? In other words, can one of ZZ’s skeletons be their willingness to use all means at their disposal, especially visual ones, to establish their ‘brand’ in the 80s, thereby achieving megastardom but losing their way a bit musically?
“I’m Bad I’m Nationwide” is maybe Top’s best song. What do we pit it against?
BigSteve wrote:
Nope, nor is it his loyalty to the great game of baseball. When I – and my team – make our stand, it will be on listenability alone.
I can pledge to keep an open mind on this battle, as I have no loyalty to either combatant. ZZ Top is indeed the only part of the curious, oft-cited ELO/[artist name removed for legal purposes]/Top trinity who I wouldn’t back unequivocally in a rock fight.
I think my biggest problem with Thorogood is that one guy shouldn’t be allowed to put out both “I Drink Alone” and “One Bourbon, One Shot, One Beer”. Hey, George, you don’t want to drink with me? Then I don’t give shit what you like to drink, pal. Take it to the other end of the bar.
I suppose you already know where my sympathies lie — but I also acknowledge that the Top’s skeletons are a LOT moldier. They went through (hell, they’re still seeking their way out of) years of really, really bad music to make up for their decade or so of boogie-rock Greatness. Thorogood, on the other hand, was never any good, and was never actually *terrible*.
You can count on me to supply the good, the bad, and the ugly where the Top .mp3 catalog is concerned.
Aren’t we developing a list of six songs by each artist to go head to head? To “I’m Bad…” I’d add “La Grange” and “Waitin’ for the Bus” for sure.
Mwall, you may include “Bad to the Bone” as part of your Skeletons Package, but do not assume that Team Destroyer is including it in his Relative Best Package. In fact, I feel safe in assuring you, it will not be included.
Huh? I was talking about “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide.”
Jesus, Mod! The Delaware Destroyer is awful. I mean. Firstly, “Hot, Blue, and Righteous” requires no caveats of who made it. It’s simply a great song. Add that there’s a photo of the band hanging with a young John Candy on the inner sleeve. They were laughable later, but they were non-jokily good back in the day. But Thorogood? He’s in a shore-bar cover band even playing his “originals.” All I can guess is he’s got the vicarious crucifixion agonies of an embarrassing Lou Reed moment all the time. On tap. No moments of brilliance to lessen the discomfort. I don’t get it.
I think you may be on team destroyer by yourself, dude. I’m with HVB on this one. While I appreciated George back in the day, if you go song by song, ZZ has ’em.
I’ll step up and stand side-by-side with Mr. Mod. Do we need a reasoned analysis now or are we just declaring our loyalties today?
I gotta hear the Thorogood offerings. Not because I currently think this is a close call, but because I’m reminded of the part in the action movie where the one guy says “That was easy” and the scowling hero looks around warily and says, “Yeah. Too easy.”
Well, I see that HVB has already posted his 6-pack. I’ve got my work cut out to find 6 Thorogood songs demonstrating this so-called listenability, but I am equally prepared for the hell of trying to listen to those ZZ Top songs. As usual, you guys display an astounding lack of creativity and open-mindedness. But I shouldn’t prejudge…
Al, welcome to Team Destroyer!
Rick, you are wise to be curious.
All I ask is a little time. This is a day for declaring loyalties and suggesting songs to build each team’s case.
Well, why didn’t you say so, Mr. Mod? If this is a thread about who it’s easier to ignore, that’s much less ambitious than trying to rehabilitate the rep of Thorogood. It’s also much less of a thread, but there you are. Also, what mess did Z Top create? Aren’t you thinking of Blue Oyster Cult or somebody? How much mess was that trio making back in the seventies, anyhow, when George first picked up his “broom?” Excluding the tour I saw them, where they had a whole Texas landscape onstage, including live bison. Excessive, yes, but not musically. In fact, the band before them *was* Blue Oyster Cult! But keep flailing, Mr. Mod, you’re often at your most creative on a sinking ship!