The more things change in music, the more they stay the same. The alternative rockers of the 1990s may have caused so-called corporate rockers like Poison and Bon Jovi to become less visible, but at the same time, the worship of 1970s baby boomer culture was alive and well among post-baby boomers. In 1998, one of the most memorable examples of 1970s-flavored music came from the New Radicals. Although Radicals singer/leader Gregg Alexander was quick to espouse a left-wing point of view, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too doesn't beat listeners over the head with a sociopolitical agenda. Nor is the CD an exercise in angry 1990s angst rock. Rather, Alexander's band is a congenial and highly melodic throwback to the rock and blue-eyed soul of the early to mid-'70s. Alexander's vocals have a very Mick Jagger-ish quality, but while the Rolling Stones were a rock & roll band that occasionally dabbled in soul and funk, the Radicals favor pop/rock that is consistently mindful of classic Northern soul. Hook-happy offerings like "Jehovah Made This Whole Joint for You," "Flowers," and "Mother We Just Can't Get Enough" give the impression that Alexander holds the Stones and the artists of Motown Records in equally high regard. Without question, Brainwashed was among the more promising releases of late 1998. -AMG
If you like "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" get it here!
4 comments:
what a fantastic blog you have here! judging by how much i enjoy the stuff you've listed here that i already know, i'm bound to find a bunch of bands to fall in love with. thanks a lot!
it's funny how classic records can be 'lost' out in the open, right under the noses of consumers and critics. 'you get what you give' is as far as people seemed to get with this one, which is a shame, because it's a great record of they kind they stopped making when the 70s ended.
Thanks for the comments. You are right, if it dosn't just jump up and bite us in the butt we all seem to miss it. Enjoy and if you have any additional comments, suggestions or requests let me know
Gregg is one of the most talented people to just get up and vanish not to be heard of again.
As the record company greed and control of artists work has come full circle they deserve everything they are currently get. absolute obsolence.
now would be a great time for Gregg to make a reappearance .
This is a great album, it has a very special feeling, not just a throwback to earlier music.
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