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'The Next Great American Band': We wuz robbed!
OK, what the hell happened here, America? Because the band you voted off from The Next Great American Band rocked, and the bands that are still going... well, some of them aren't really floating my boat. When even the band that gets through looks disappointed that the band that didn't is going, you've got to know something is wrong.
You ain't nothing but a spoiler-dog, cryin' all the time.
Franklin Bridge? Really? They seriously didn't get enough votes after last week? And Tres Bien! did? That's messed up, folks. Franklin Bridge was one of the best bands there, and Tres Bien! -- well, they weren't. Cute and goofy and fun, yes. Great musicians? No. Le sigh.
Yes, Curt, the lead guy in Franklin Bridge, obviously had an ego, but damn, folks -- he has the talent to back it up! Oh well -- I hope the exposure they got on the show leads to them getting the fans and acclaim they deserve.
And to Tres Bien!'s credit, they looked pretty shocked and upset when their name was called at the end. Michael even introduced their song thusly: "This one's for Franklin Bridge, the best band here." That was graciously done. I still don't think you should have gotten through, though. Their song, "Some Other Guy," sounded very early Beatles, and they did a decent job with it. Dicko warned them that they sometimes look like the house band from Hairspray, and I think he's got a point.
But that's how the show ended. It began with Light of Doom, playing a metalled-up version of "Jailhouse Rock," which worked very well. Good guitar solo, great vocals. Sheila compliments the drummer -- "I can't even play that fast" -- and Dicko admits that they're tremendously watchable, although "I still think it's going to end in tears recording-wise."
The Clark Brothers chose "Saved," a rockabilly gospel song that's perfect for them. It makes me wish I could have seen them when they were playing tent revivals with their preacher-man pappy. They give the sort of performance that would make you get religion -- or, as Dicko says, "even a wretch like me feels closer to salvation after that." Great stuff.
Dot Dot Dot plays "Love Potion Number 9" with 80s synth-rock panache, and I loved it. Rose and Lisa get showcased, and the judges single them out as great musicians. They do rock (much more than the ladies of Rocket did, I'm afraid.) All the judges are complementary -- even Dicko. I kind of love this band.
I'm not as enthusiastic about Cliff Wagner and the Old #7, which does a pretty straight-up version of "Poison Ivy." I'm surprised they're still in this -- they don't strike me as a band that would send people scurrying to the phones (but then, I thought people would scurry for Franklin Bridge, so what do I know?) All three judges wish they'd put more edge into the song, and Dicko warns that if they keep doing sort of slowpoke versions, they're not going to stay.
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra scorch up "Ruby Baby" with 70s dance-band funk -- Sheila nails it when she refers to Donald Fagen and Steely Dan. I absolutely love it -- the horns are on fire, and I quite liked Denver's take on the lyrics. John disagrees -- "You're funk skills are really, really limited." What? Are you nuts? Sheila goes with Wild Cherry reference (as will happen when anyone pasty plays that funky music), which makes more sense to me. She loved it. Dicko thinks they've got to consolidate their brand, which has nothing to do with the music they just played. Feh.
Sixwire takes on "I Keep Forgetting," adding more of a rock edge than they've had recently. I think it really works. John is apparently determined to undermine me, as he thinks it was technically good, but that they were going through the motions. Sheila again gets lustful toward Andy, and Dicko says they need more edge. But... that just had more edge. How much edge do you want from them?
Quotes, highlights and odds and ends
- Seriously -- Franklin Bridge went home? I'm still wrapping my head around that. So is Sheila, who predicted they'd win the whole shebang. "America got it wrong this time," she says. I agree.
- In the canned sections where the bands talk about themselves, Erik from Light of Doom says "hell." Gasp! Sheila tells them to be a better role model by not swearing. What I think is unprintable.
- John asks The Clark Brothers why they hate drummers. When Ashley protests that they don't hate drummers, John says "Yes you do, everybody hates drummers!" And then he realizes who he's sitting next to. "Except for Sheila, she's the only singer drummer in the world!" Perhaps he was so cranky for the rest of the episode because Phil Collins, Dave Grohl, Don Henley, Levon Helm, Ringo Starr, Roger Taylor (from Queen, not Duran Duran), and the vengeful ghost of Karen Carpenter got together and kicked the crap out of him during the commercial break.
- I love the guys from Denver and the Mile High Orchestra not just because I think they're great musicians, but because they always look so grateful when their name is called. That said, they all looked slightly ill after the judges' comments this week.
- Dicko on Denver and the boys bringing the funk: "If I want to buy soul-funk, I'm going to buy Breakestra or Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings; I'm not going to buy it from a bunch of super-straight white dudes in business-casual dress." OK, Dicko, they're in business casual dress because you mocked Denver's suits. Now pardon me while I Google those other bands you talked about.
- Dicko on Sixwire: "You play and chicks swoon, or get hot flashes, but it shouldn't be music as hormone replacement therapy. We need more of an edge."
- Sheila tells Tres Bien! they should have their own Saturday-morning cartoon show. They took it as a compliment. I'm not entirely sure she meant it that way.
That's it for this week. My picks for the weakest bands are, again, Cliff Wagner and the Old #7 and Tres Bien!, but obviously America doesn't listen to me. (Mutter mutter grumble harrumph.)
I think the show ran a bit long, because my TiVo switched channels before I could hear who next week's artist was. Did anyone catch that? Tell me in the comments if you did.
Rolling Stones are next week's artist. I'm still in shock that Franklin Bridge got sent home and Cliff Wagner and Old #7 and Tres Bien are still in it.
Even American Idol doesn't get it that wrong.
SG | Nov 16, 2007 9:17:18 PM | #Okay, can we just admit that we're not necessarily looking for the best musicians in this competition? What we are looking for are the most marketable band with the best songs.
And, frankly, while I would put Franklin Bridge in that category, and was dismayed when they got sent home this week, I think Tres Bien! is a wonderful band. Their originals are catchy and fun, and their covers are getting better by the week.
They're no Clark Brothers, maybe, but they're sort of perfect for this sort of competition.
And, frankly, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra are one-note. I liked them the first two weeks, but we've seen the same schtick over and over.
And Sixwire? Sixwire is awful. Come on!
Dan | Nov 16, 2007 11:02:54 PM | #I will no longer watch ANGB because Franklin Bridge - the best and ONLY band that could win it all - was dumped. Franklin Bridge was the most versatile band capable of making any rock, jazz, blues, soul, funk or R&B song their own, was comprised of the best musicians, was fantastically talented , and had gobs of personality. No other remaining band can even come close. Most of them are one trck ponies - no versatility - with limited talent ranges:
Light of Doom: One note metal kids
Cliff Wagner: One note Hillbilly jug band
Denver & the MHO: One note ecapees from the Swingers
soundtrack
Six Wire: One note Poco ripoffs
Clark Brothers: One note ?
Tres Bien: One note stuck in the sixties Standells wannabees with no talent
ONE OF THESE WILL BE AMERICAS NEXT GREAT BAND? Well, not with me watching them.
I predict Franklin Bridge's exposure, despite being tossed last night, will lead them to greater success than any of the remaining novelty acts will ever have combined.
Otto | Nov 17, 2007 8:17:51 AM | #Well, now that Otto is gone the other 16 of us viewers will have to choose America's Next Great Unheard band. This show is at the bottom of the ratings and if it wasn't for the writers' strike would probably already have joined Nashville in the cancellation bin.
Bono | Nov 17, 2007 4:59:28 PM | #Excellent review today. Thanks for writing it. I agree with you that Franklin Bridge was an incredible group of musicians and that the voters got it wrong. Somehow they just didn't resonate with the audience. I love em. As far as Dan and Otto's comments above bout Denver and the MHO being "one-note" I think your nuts. They have performed so far a blues song, disco song, Pop song, rock song. All other bands pretty much stayed in one genre. Maybe you don't like them but at least be honest.
musikan | Nov 17, 2007 7:31:36 PM | #Started watching the show because was curious to hear good bands play. After ep 1, I only liked 2 bands - the Muggs and Franklin Bridge. Muggs suicided on stage, but the few viewers and voters have done more damage to this show by getting rid of FB. Makes you wonder, that whoever is watching this must be country music fans (3 country bands going strong), girls who love "adorably" white teens (Tres Bien!, LoD), and people who think just because they look like a "rock band" they must be a rock band (Dot x3 - the girls rock. Without them, this is a shitty group). I have no explanation for Denver staying on... maybe the majority of (must be) young viewers think it's an original style hence are incredible musicians. That or Band Geeks Unite! Who knows?
Bridge got robbed, we wuz robbed. Hope they jump off this burning mess of a show into the big time - where they belong.
flaunt | Nov 18, 2007 4:32:58 AM | #Cliff Wagner and the ONS are a great Alt. Bluegrass band , but how can you tell when they and all the other bands have to play covers week after week? If they play straight BG then they'd get reamed for playing only Bluegrass
Clark Brothers- that last song was a mess. They didn't sound like they were playing together. Slow down show some taste.
Franklin Bridge did not get robbed, they got what they deserved. Another band that has fabulous players who don't know what the word " ensemble" means. By the way note that ALL the country bands got more votes than The Bridge....
Six Wire - cheesy , great players though. Ever song sounds the same. That's the problem with session bands.
I think you just don't know bluegrass Sarah. Are they the Next Great American Band? Who knows , this isn't a band contest it's a TV show- remember that. Skewed by the producers. Just look at the judges comments.
Cliff Wagner and the ONS are a great Alt. Bluegrass band , but how can you tell when they and all the other bands have to play covers week after week? If they play straight BG then they'd get reamed for playing only Bluegrass
Clark Brothers- that last song was a mess. They didn't sound like they were playing together. Slow down show some taste.
Franklin Bridge did not get robbed, they got what they deserved. Another band that has fabulous players who don't know what the word " ensemble" means. By the way note that ALL the country bands got more votes than The Bridge....
Six Wire - cheesy , great players though. Ever song sounds the same. That's the problem with session bands.
I think you just don't know bluegrass Sarah. Are they the Next Great American Band? Who knows , this isn't a band contest it's a TV show- remember that. Skewed by the producers. Just look at the judges comments.
The way everyone has always maundered on about how great FB is, I was rather shocked they got the boot.
But not disappointed. Good riddance. They may be 'great musicians' - I'll have to take your word for it - but it certainly didn't help them; every performance on the show was unbearable.
Of course, I could say the same about LoD. This week was actually OK, but really it should have been them going home, not FB (much as I dislike the latter).
Another Dan | Nov 19, 2007 7:42:55 AM | #I was shocked that Franklin Bridge got the boot---but I also didn't vote for them. Since there are only 16 of us watching--and only half of those are voting--I think this is going to stay unpredictable.
SportsNightDave | Nov 19, 2007 9:54:17 AM | #I thought Franklin Bridge was robbed. They are great musicians, but over arrange, they wouldn't have lasted much longer.
LoD should have been gone - everything sounds the same, and it "ain't no guitar throwin' contest".
Some of the others were marginal at best, but let's see what develops
I thought Franklin Bridge was robbed. They are great musicians, but over arrange, they wouldn't have lasted much longer.
LoD should have been gone - everything sounds the same, and it "ain't no guitar throwin' contest".
Some of the others were marginal at best, but let's see what develops
Dah! Just because Tres Bien was not voted off, doesn't mean they had the next least amount of votes! Don't you morons that write this stuff know how it works? The host states that the bands play in random order. The producers place the bands in order that they can get the most umph for! Get a clue people!
Teri | Nov 29, 2007 2:49:37 PM | #Franklin Bridge and the Clark Brothers had the two ingredients I look for in a "New" American band. They are hugely talented and original. But then again, maybe I'm jaded. I've played in a dozen different bands and have heard just about everything there is to hear. I bore easily.
Comments have been made about how out of control and wandering Franklin Bridge was. That shows the lack of musical talent or ear from the reviewer. It is literally impossible for them to pull off the tight feel they had on every piece without knowing exactly what they are doing. They moved the music expertly from feel to feel and are genius for it.
Let's face it, lots of teenagers with cell phones don't understand music and even think Mile High is fresh. How else do we explain three country bands, 1940s, 1960s and children strumming basic 1970s rockers that you can hear in any bar any night any town and way better?
The show is now a one horse show: The Clark Brothers. We have to decide if it's worth a whole hour of our lives to hear them play something talented the surprisingly fresh feeling for one lousy minute.
Where's Rockstar NXS when you need it.
Gary | Dec 1, 2007 6:18:45 PM | #i think you've got a big dick up your ass that's blocking you from knowing anything about music. franklin bridge isn't anything special. been there seen that
John | May 15, 2008 1:17:46 PM | #
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