Making it big in the music industry is undoubtedly a difficult task, but finding the way to retirement seems to be just as difficult for some musicians.
In the past few years, we have seen the long awaited reunions of many important musicians such as Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, The Dead and The Police. This fall holds excitement for both older generations and younger music fans. Highlights include appearances from definitive 1990s bands Phish, Sonic Youth and the Pixies as well as two prolific voices of the 1960s and 1970s: Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
After a four-year hiatus, jam band Phish has rekindled their bond after a dramatic break characterized by guitarist Trey Anastasio’s drug abuse. After the first leg of their highly anticipated reunion tour, it is clear that Phish still has what it takes to be on top of the jam band scene.
Johnny Meara, a 19-year-old sophomore open-option major, saw Phish at Red Rocks this summer.
“Phish sounds as good as they did before their hiatus. They have not gotten much better or worse, but they are definitely back,” said Meara.
Their shows have progressed in musical technicality and band camaraderie has improved since the three-night reunion run at the Hampton Auditorium in Hampton, Virginia on March 6, 7, and 8. Phish recently hit the studio with producer, Steve Lillywhite, and birthed “Joy,” their highly anticipated new album, released Sept. 8.
Unlike many of Phish’s previous albums, “Joy” evokes lyrical emotion. Paired with Phish’s uncanny ability to masterfully blend funk, rock, and jazz music into a sound that is solely Phish, this lyrical emergence has helped “Joy” become accepted by much of their often critical and nostalgic fan base. The foursome will celebrate Halloween weekend in Indio, California for a three day Phish Festival 8 as their last tour thus far, with more dates are expected to be announced soon.
While Phish was defining the jam band scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sonic Youth was influencing a much different scene. The New York based alternative rockers started making music in a post-punk scene that eventually influenced the grunge movement.
Sonic Youth shaped what became known as alternative rock by experimenting with new sounds, unique guitar tunings, and odd chord structures. The breakthrough album, “Daydream Nation” launched Sonic Youth into the public eye and changed the independent music scene forever.
“Loosed on the world in 1988, Daydream Nation made alt-rock a life force. It fused Sonic Youth’s displaced guitar tunings with tunes as hummable as the Beatles’ or the Ramones’ – a standard they’ve matched ever since, but never again with quite so much anthemic consistency,” according to Rolling Stone Magazine in a review of the album’s 2007 re-release.
This rings true in the band’s most recent album, “The Eternal”. It retains the unique sound that Sonic Youth created 28 years ago, but the band isn’t able to overcome the musical standards they set. Still, its chaotic guitar melodies and clever lyrics make this album another indie classic that has enticed old fans. The echoes of Sonic Youth can be heard in numerous new indie bands. The band is currently on tour, playing in both Europe and America.
The Pixies emerged as a group of inexperienced musicians in the late 1980s that would influence the alternative scene much like Sonic Youth. Bashing guitar chords and dissonant male and female vocals are characteristic of the Boston-based band. They blend punk, surf rock, and pop that meld beautifully with bizarre lyrics to evoke a raw, indie sound; the echoes of which can be heard in modern indie bands today.
The history between the members of the Pixies throughout the 1990s is very much like a high school relationship. They stayed together for a short time, broke up, played music with other people, went solo–and as of recently, all they want is another shot at the magic that started it all. They are finally back together, touring through America and Europe.
They have been together since 2004, but have released little new material. The newest addition to the Pixies repertoire will be a box set of all of their previous albums with additional bonus artwork called “Minotaur.” They will be in Denver on Nov. 16 at the Fillmore Auditorium.
Since Bob Dylan emerged in the early 1960s he has often changed his sound throughout the years. From folk, psychedelic rock, country, gospel, blues, and anywhere in between, Dylan has embraced a diverse range of music while not allowing criticism to phase his artistic pursuits.
It seems from his latest albums that Dylan has returned to his roots. He has released two albums since 2001’s “Love and Theft”, that have dug deep into the blues and is due for a charity Christmas album this winter. Dylan receives much negative criticism nowadays as his live shows and sound are simply not what they used to be due to his old age.
“Ninety percent of musicians never retire, there is really no retirement in music,” said Dave Corbus, a jazz professor in the College of Music.
Dylan has continued his activity on the music scene, something often considered uncommon for a musician of his age and historical relevance.
“He is an icon in American music and it is hard to quit,” Corbus said. “He also makes a little money, but that is not the main reason he does it. When money is the main reason for making music, that’s when it is time to quit.”
Corbus said he thinks that Dylan should continue making music. Dylan will be playing at the Magness Arena in Denver on Oct 21.
Coming from a slightly different era, Bruce Springsteen continues to do what “the Boss” does best. Springsteen and the E Street Band have been touring and making music since 1973.
The early years consisted of albums such as “Greetings From Asbury Park” and “The Wild, the Innocent, & the E Street Shuffle”, and embodied a jazz, rock feel. It wasn’t until his 1975 breakthrough album, “Born To Run” that Springsteen gained international fame for his New Jersey sound.
Today Springsteen is writing music faster than ever. He has released several albums in the past few years with a steady concert schedule to go with them. The Boss has always been known for his energetic live performances and he still adheres to his legendary reputation by giving the audience every bit of what they pay. He even surprised music fans across the nation by joining newly reunited Phish on stage at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this year, cranking through classics, “Glory Days” and “Bobby Jean” among others.
Though coveted as a thriving musician from many fans, Springsteen receives negative criticism from a younger generation.
“He’s not necessarily outdated because people like The Stones and The Dead still tour, but I believe his style of music is outdated and pretty much only appeals to middle aged people,” said Hilliary Grace, a 19-year-old sophomore sociology major.
His fall tour sticks to the East Coast with a number of dates to keep him busy. Springsteen’s current albums have embodied modern day technology and issues, but just as Bruce has always done, he sticks to what he knows. He sticks to lyrical mastery combined with pop hooks, giving it the New Jersey flavor his fans know and love.
Despite the new albums and sounds created by Phish, Sonic Youth, the Pixies, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, the public continues to buy tickets because of what these artists have done in the past. People want to hear “Like a Rolling Stone” when they see Dylan. They want to hear “Glory Days” when Springsteen comes on for the encore. Everyone will expect to hear “Where is My Mind” when the Pixies take the stage in Denver. Phish fans hope for that twenty-five minute version of “You Enjoy Myself.”
“There is nothing wrong with continuing to make music no matter how old you are,” said Kylie Hansen, a 20-year-old pre-journalism major. “It’s what these artists do, why should they give up something they love to do?”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Davis Brown at Brownfd@colorado.edu.
