what if?

What would happen if the Beatles still exist today? A mind boggling question, is it not? They'd probably end up like The Rolling Stones, cashing in on farewell tours every 2 years or so. But somehow I think they'd still have released albums worth hearing to. This thought occurred to me after listening to the first Super Furry Animals album I've ever bought, namely Rings Around The World, released in 2001. This comparison isn't really something new, since there's quite a lot of other bands whose music has been likened to those from the Beatles (if Oasis were in anyway self respecting, they would've made this album). What really strikes me though, is how they eschewed the traditional arrangement, seamlessly mixing gorgeous melody with burst of experimentation. Take Receptacle for the Respectable (great title for a song by the way) for instance. What started as Beatles-esque sing-a-long with ended with a death metal rave up. Or No Sympathy, with its trance inducing electronica ending.
Another aspect of the Beatles was of course the wit, which they also displayed here in songs such as Shoot Doris Day or Presidential Suite. Interestingly, Paul McCartney did make a cameo in this album, which only goes to suggest that Sir Paul won't feel too out of place had his old band made this album. I suppose if this were a Beatles album, it wouldn't get much attention, but hey, they've done things so brilliant, people would've expected much better things from them. I for one, would've been satisfied with this album.



By the way, the day Germany lost to Italy I went to a free concert, namely the Adam Green concert in the Muffatthalle. It's not bad, but it wasn't exactly the best concert of my life either. What I enjoyed though, was the fact that the Germans were too upset about the defeat to watch him. It was by far the most relaxed concert I've been to. No pushing around, no sweating. It was almost surreal. He covered Velvet Underground's After Hours, which I enjoyed. And besides Jessica, I didn't think much of the other songs. I think I'll do a post about the German obsession with Adam Green. Why do they like the bloke so much anyway? Is it his Dada-esque approach to writing sings?