Published on Feb 19, 1997
Alex Chilton is a victim of his own early publicity, or so
legend has it. Chilton now lives in relative obscurity in Memphis
and sporadically performs as his newest incarnation, an
intentionally sleazy lounge lizard. This talented singer/songwriter
and rock icon has inspired many a “cool” alternative band during
the 80’s and 90’s. The Replacements wrote a song about him on their
effort into the mainstream, 1987’s
Pleased To Meet Me, paying tongue-in-cheek homage on “Alex
Chilton.” What Paul Westerberg and company were trying to say is,
enough already, why does every young band say Alex Chilton is their
divine inspiration, a god of gods, a true “rebel without a clue,”
to rip off Paulie and company?
Ah, the mysteries of almost success, fame and fortune. It’s so
much easier for today’s rising stars twirling about the alternative
scene to worship their grandfather of inspiration, Alex Chilton. No
wonder Alex dropped out–it’s only a damn pop band, kids. Lighten
up.
So what is all the fuss about 23 years later? Why does everybody
on the scene, the cool, hip types, don’t cha know, adore, worship
and so blatantly rip off one of the greatest pop bands that nearly
made it? Back in the late 60’s when Alex was a wee lad, he was the
lead singer of the Box Tops, which projected a teenaged Alex into
stardom with the hit “The Letter”. After this early venture into
pop celebrity, Alex retreated and formed the now, much revered Big
Star.
Okay, so this reviewer digs Alex as much as the rest of the
gang. But you have to hear
Radio City to know what pop songs should sound like and
realize where so many current pop bands have dredged their musical
rip-offs from. This is one of the originals, not a recycled, record
executive’s wet dream of hipness.
Alienation, angst, unrequited love are all here along with
jangly guitars, great bass hooks and soul-searing lyrics (this is
how these cliches were born to be put into music reviews) Chilton’s
plaintive vocal’s on “Back Of The Car” recreate every teenager’s
venture into escape from parents, reality, and adulthood. His voice
pleads that “music’s so loud, I can’t hear a thing” Only the warmth
of the intoxicants and the girl next to him can save him. The gem
of gems on the record, “September Gurls,” mixes the false swagger
and machismo of a young, snot-faced brat of a rock star that we all
know and secretly admire. In today’s times, he’d be politically
incorrect, but it’s a secret pleasure you guiltily indulge, as you
sing along :
Radio City‘s themes are the themes rock n roll was founded
on–rebellion, sex (love?), and loud guitars. Throw in your own
substance of choice. The original three chords of rock are here,
mixed up very nicely, thank you. The defiance in Chilton’s voice
and the wail of the Strats say it all–I’m young, I’m pissed, and
I’m not sure about anything except this song, this day and this
girl. Tomorrow is another story. What this record may lack in
today’s production attributes it makes up for in attitude with a
capital A. In fact, if you’re lucky enough to find it on vinyl, I
recommend it over the sterility of a CD. The scratch and the
rawness of Davey Johnson’s guitars and Chilton’s raspy vocals is
made more authentic and powerful on vinyl. Technology just screws
up the passion.
Even the outfits worn by the band on the back cover photo show
great irony in 1997. Everyone who’s fallen into the retro-70’s
fashion trap or is a
Friends wardrobe wanna-be can see what a real, live 70’s
rock star looked like with his feathered hair, hip hugger bell
bottoms and -gasp!- a sneer only Billy Idol dreamed of in 1974.
This was cool then. Songs like “Mod Lang” and “She’s A Mover” have
a definitive 70’s feel and rhythm, but still seem fresh and
spontaneous today unlike many of the rehashed flashback artists out
there today.
In the end, the classics remain and legends are born. Chilton
and Big Star deserve the reverie.
Radio City is their legacy left for all to ponder, study,
and well yeah, rip-off. Listen to this one a lot and listen to it
loud
. Sing along, stare dreamily at the band photos, play air
guitar, don’t act your age, regardless what it is. Remember why
they call it pop music. It’s not a dirty word compared to
“indie-alternative”. This is where a true pop record begins and the
imitations follow.