It is sort of interesting how bands that in the 1980s were referred to (usually with derision) as "retro" were merely twenty years ahead of their time. Take the Rain Parade, for instance. Their mesmerizing combination of the Velvet Underground, Byrds, and bubblegum-psych sources like the Lemon Pipers was regarded as pleasant but lightweight back in the 80s; yet contemporary bands like Beachwood Sparks and Jennifer Gentle play cut and paste with the exact same sources and reap critical praise. So, maybe, just maybe, the original sources are so good that they can withstand 40 subsequent years of being twisted into different shapes by successive generations of kiddies. In any case renewed interest in the Rain Parade (beyond that which occurred as a result of David Roback's creation of Mazzy Star) seems overdue.

By the way, have any of you guys read Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad? Great book, very entertaining, but the author's concurrent swipes at the "paisley underground" and lionizing of trendy sacred cows does grate a bit. As if a good chunk of Mission of Burma's non-Conley material wasn't weak. As if Dinosaur Jr. weren't to blame for a whole generation of alt-rock singers whining nearly on key. As if Big Black really had anything to offer besides a guitar sound that has since been beaten into the ground, funny liner notes, and the ability to articulate exactly one emotion. As if the Replacements, great as they were, actually ever made an entire LP that didn't have several tracks of pure crap on it. As if Mudhoney's career couldn't be anthologized effectively on two or three 45s. As if the bulk of Black Flag's output isn't completely unlistenable. Go on, put on Loose Nut. I dare you.