This week we look at the more artsy side of pop music. First, we have a
Views column about how they just don't make artistic pop like they used to.
Then, we have three new releases this week from the next generation of
singer/songwriters, including Shaun Groves and Jill Phillips. But first, a
little on how you can express yourself on our site...

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WHY MUSIC WAS BETTER IN THE 60s
by Mel Miles

I'm 20 years old, and in the words of Brian Wilson: "I just wasn't made for
these times." I think I was made for the Sixties. Not for hippy-dom or for
any cultural changes that were birthed during that era (down with
feminism!), but rather for the MUSIC!!! Instead of scantily clad girls
gyrating to voices that aren't even theirs, or a guy who is hailed as
"brilliant" because he can rhyme, give me the groups who actually knew how
to make music. Here is a short but sturdy list of songs, bands and albums
that have firmly convinced me that music was far better in the groovy days
of our Fathers:

1. The Beatles
They hit their stride in the mid 60's… They were past the lovey-dovey "I
Wanna Hold Your Hand" stage, and they hadn't been corrupted by all that
Hare-Krishna rot that tainted the work of latter years. Songs like "Eleanor
Rigby," "Day Tripper," and "Paperback Writer" are simply huge. Most would
say that The Beatles were by far the most influential band in the history of
music, and any that disagree are just, well, wrong.

2. The Monkees
The only knock-off band that was ever worth their salt. They were charmingly
shameless. Two of the four couldn't even play instruments, but all the same,
they were infectious. Toss in an overly kitschy TV show, a feature film
directed by Jack Nicholson that has been described as "A Hard Day's Night on
acid," and you have a group of guys that still have huge fans. Including me.
Highlights: "Monkees Theme (Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees)" "Words," "Randy
Scouse Git" and the ever-amazing "Porpoise Song."

3. Simon and Garfunkel
The men are kings. No one else found that perfect blend of spine-tingling
harmony, meaningful but humorous lyrics, and the big hair. Just "The Sound
of Silence" alone is enough to put them on my "admired artist" list, but add
to that "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)," "Mrs. Robinson," "I
Am a Rock," and "Homeward Bound," and you've got a musical haven.

4. The Turtles
Classic, fun, catchy rock. The cowbell on "Outside Chance" gives me
goosebumps every time I hear it. Their sound varies deliciously from song to
song, not allowing any sort of musical sediment. They also showed us that
any song can be improved with a few "Ba ba ba's" in the bridge. Try humming
a few bars of "Happy Together" and see what happens.

5. The Beach Boys
Ok, so bypass all the "Surfer Dude" stuff, and Brian Wilson is a master at
creating sheer magic in a California studio. His music was nothing hyped,
nothing extremely technical, just the rambling of a guy who knew what
sounded good. Get "Pet Sounds" and listen to it through some good, loud
speakers. The details boggle the mind. Wonderful creative inspiration
without artsy fluff. Priceless.

I could go on, listing amazing artists like Herman's Hermits, The Guess Who
(although they barely caught the end of the 60's), James Taylor, Bob Dylan,
Cat Stevens and other genii of musical bliss, but I did say at the beginning
that it was going to be a short list. Go raid your parents' old records, (or
grandparents' if need be) and discover what GOOD music sounds like. Peace
out.

Check out more interesting Views:
http://cMusicWeb.com/views


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Interview: Chris Tomlin
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/christomlin/interview.shtml

Views: Why Music Was Better In The 60s
http://cMusicWeb.com/views/archivemel/whymusicwasbetterinthe60s.shtml

Review: Picking Up The Pieces - Seventh Day Slumber
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/seventhdayslumber/pickingupthepieces.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

WARREN BARFIELD (self-titled)
We are still not sure how a management company starting a label works, but
Warren Barfield is the first signee to Creative Trust Workshop. I haven't
heard this disc yet, but this one is supposed to be a promising debut from a
singer/songwriter.

TWILIGHT - SHAUN GROVES
This week is the week of the singer/songwriter, but the PICK OF THE WEEK is
Shaun Groves's second disc, Twilight. Groves, while he can still hold his
own onstage with just him and his guitar, gets the full band experience on
the CD, and his honest, heartfelt lyrics are backed up by some rockin'
instrumentation.

WRITING ON THE WALL - JILL PHILLIPS
After a debut on a big label, Phillips was dropped by Word because of meager
album sales. Well, now Phillips is back on the new Fervent Records, and this
new disc sounds the best yet.


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb