I’m bored. And it looks like some other folks are too. The Great Affairs’ self-titled debut sounds like an incredibly polished, well-performed sigh of disappointment. Denny Smith, the driving force behind the band, explains his disillusionment with the “music industry”—a disgusting combination of words to be sure—is what drew him to Nashville from Los Angeles. It seems mildly ironic that his subsequent creative enterprise seems itself little more than an artifact of the same disillusionment and torpor.
All the boxes are checked off: decent group of backing musicians-CHECK; engineer and facility capable of slick radio-ready production-CHECK; memorable songs with something for the listener to latch onto besides some lyrical snark or cliché-ummm… still waiting for that one.
To be fair, The Great Affairs seems like one of those bands whose recordings lose some of the grit and energy of live performance. At least I hope so. As I said before, there is some skillful musicianship on this record. It seems workman-like, rather than soulful or well thought out. Smith’s vocals sound contrived. I don’t believe he cares about any of the words he sings. If you can’t sell your sincerity, then that is precisely when music ceases to be an artistic endeavor and develops into an industry. I don’t think of Springsteen’s Nebraska as a commodity, bought and sold. For me it’s intimately tied to my memories and experiences of listening to it. I will never have a great affair with The Great Affairs.
There are local bands who continue to make fantastic music, who do everything right that The Great Affairs have done wrong. Look for Glossary and This Modern Station for some decent rock ‘n’ roll bands.
The album is great. You, however, are a very poor writer, Mr. McClain. Now listen up, buddy – Mr. Smith has tried very hard to leave behind the garbage of Glam Rock and concentrate on a new style of music. He will seek what he searches for. You, however, are just some odd looking writer from Murfreesboro. And just for you and Mr. Smith’s info – Nebraska sucks! What are ya, 58 years old or something! Lord – I’m trying to figure you out. Whoever made you must surely be a mistake. Hi-Yo!!!!
Comment February 8, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
Just older than damn dirt’s dirt, bra….
Comment February 8, 2010 @ 6:33 pm
I’ve seen Denny play several times with both Former and The Great Affairs they always put on a energetic and raw rockin’ roll show …but I have never heard of you.
Comment February 8, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
Whatever dude…Glossary? Really? That band has never been important…or good for that matter…Glossary CD’s set on my shelf in my record store in their own hometown and collected dust for years…and yes, this was when people were still buying CDs. We all see where your musical tastes lie…
Comment February 8, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
What album did you listen too? Dont quit your regular job of writing obits in that little town of yours. Do you know anything about music? DOUBT IT….Glossary?…LMAO…you were kidding i hope.
Comment December 6, 2010 @ 3:28 pm