What the buzz?
I’m not sure which is more appalling: The fact that there is a two-CD compilation called “Buzz Ballads” or the music contained therein.
I was watching a DVRed episode of “The Sarah Silverman Program” (which is brilliant, by the way) this morning and before I could grab the remote to fast-forward through the commericals, an ad came up for this “Buzz Ballads,” which apparently comprises “32 of the most rockin’ alternative power ballads,” according to the spot.
I remember a time when “alternative power ballad” would have been a contradiction in terms, so that’s strike one. Quote-unquote alternative rock came to the forefront partially because of the worn-out, cliched power ballad.
Strike two is the use of the word “buzz” in reference to this kind of music. It’s as useless a term as “alt-rock” or “modern rock.”
Strike three is the actual musical selections. There’s not a single halfway decent song among the 32. It’s all that garbage that KPNT (”105.7… The Point!”) overplayed to death in the mid-1990s. Selections include:
- “Lightning Crashes,” Live
- “Glycerine,” Bush
- “Runaway Train,” Soul Asylum
- “Jumper,” Third Eye Blind
- “Sex and Candy,” Marcy Playground
- etc.
Wait… this does have one good song: “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Except it’s the Tori Freaking Amos version. *retching sounds*
Among other bands included are Better Than Ezra, Candlebox and Eve 6. Don’t they want people to buy this CD?
