Q: Why aren't the Stones as good as Aerosmith?
By that, I mean how is it that nearly 40 years into their career, Aerosmith continues to write hit songs -- songs that sell by the millions and millions -- while the Rolling Stones haven't written a single song that garnered any significant airplay in nearly 30 years?
On the eve of the re-issue of the Stones' "Exile on Main Street," perhaps their greatest release, I can't help wondering about that question.
If the Stones weren't putting any new music out, that'd be the answer. But they do release new CDs every few years, though the music is rarely interesting. No one buys it and the radio doesn't much play it. The idea that it might be inspired music is laughable, even to their fans.
Say what you will about Aerosmith, but their "new" songs are usually catchy as hell. Goofy and commercial, yes, but only a few are real junk. Sometimes they're catchy and surprising ("Jaded"), and sometimes they're catchy and funny ("Dude Looks Like a Lady"). Take a look at the list below of Aerosmith hit songs since the Stones last had their own hit -- can anyone imagine the Stones putting in the amount of work it'd require to match Aerosmith's output since 1987?
I don't think the Stones somehow lost the magic. My answer is that the Stones don't give a shit and won't do the necessary work. Which is fine, of course. (Another idea: both the Stones and Aerosmith are putting out raw product, and people much prefer Aerosmith to the Stones.)
Either way, it's interesting that some bands manage to get crazy rich and still do the work, some don't.
Then there's Dylan, still not writing hit songs, but writing inspired music and putting out great CDs that are considered among the best rock music being released in the last 10 years. And he still puts out crazy ones, too -- http://www.bobdylan.com/#/music/christmas-in-the-heart.
Rolling Stones: forget writing hits -- you're telling me you've got Keith Richards in your band and you can't try matching the kind of whacked out kookiness of Dylan singing "Christmas Island"? Oh come on!
Like any band, The Public Good is a group of people that forms around music making. This group isn’t limited to the people holding instruments; it embraces all involved. This blog records and riffs on this involvement.
The Public Good’s live shows in and out of the District of Columbia have developed a cult following intrigued by the band's special mix of heart-pounding rock-n-roll, brain-wrenching IQ quizzes, and occasional costume dramas.
John Elderkin (guitar) and Steve Ruppenthal (bass) lead songwriting and vocals, and the band is rounded out on stage by literary genius Sam Esquith on guitar/keyboards/tambourine, and the supremely talented roaming percussionist Chris Garges (Mitch Easter band, etc.) on drums.
