Railroad Jerk CorD?

They didn't get the recognition they deserved 'cause life isn't fair. But then again, they were on "Beavis & Butthead."

I haven't seen White Hassle in years and I was pretty overwhelmed with 'em at the time but that was when they were a duo and RRJ was still a going concern (who honestly I wasn't big on either, but they were a lot of fun live). I might have to go see them now that a friend plays violin with them.

Why I hated them: Bland Ryan Adamsish pop-country with a fucking DJ scratching over it. They were trying SO hard, yet it was bland as can be. Felt like the worst of all gimmicks.

When was this? In Portland in this summer I had to sit through three garage bands, but you may have had it even worse. They should go back to touring with Wesley Willis.

Paula: The show was in NYC in July or August.

Come on, these guys cover more territory in one album than the fall did in twenty years. The "country" part is also sort of a ruse, though. Only a few of the songs are country in any way.

Destroy seemed too muddled, lacking the sharp edges that made SIRA a semi-classic.

Well you know what happened with two of the members. RRJ were dropped by Matador in the late-1990s (they were one of the first bands on the label), and had another album recorded, or at least demos of one, if I recall correctly. They had a single in 2000 or '01 as part of the Sub Pop Single of the Month club, but otherwise they've been inactive for much of the last half decade. Frontman Marcellus Hall also has a website that never gets updated.

I think they were just in the shadows of the other acts on Matador, that's why they never got any real recognition (you yrself note that you thought they were a band in the wake of JSBX, despite actually existing when Spencer was still doing Pussy Galore). I never cared much for them myself until I picked up two of their LPs used, one of which was One Track Mind, and made me an instant fan. If you like that, I'd recommend picking up The Third Rail as well. I don't think it's as great as 1TM, but it certainly is a good record. The first two LPs are fine, as well, but they're more like okay Pussy Galore records. The first White Hassle LP, National Chain, is worth picking up as well. It's more of a stripped down RRJ. The EP they put out has a great title track, but nothing else going for it.

I've been a fan since Raise the Plow ('93), and for what it's worth, I like White Hassle more than RRJ. While I can understand Yanc3y's assessment, I think it's off. While WH is definitely moving closer to writing pop songs rather than RRJ's rockers, I don't see any similarities to Ryan Adams.
If anything, Marce Hall is sort of becoming a pop crooner. Where RRJ was awful clever and often sarcastic, there seems to be real swell of heartfeltness in White Hassle's recent stuff (like the aforementioned "Life Is Still Sweet" gorgeous!). I've heard some advances of their upcoming album The Death of Song, and it's really good. Very much in the vein of classic classy-pop of Roy Orbison and Everly Brothers stuff. They do a cover of Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently" and it's one of the best pop recordings I've heard in a while. It's sorta got a New Pornographers vibe to it. There's still a bit of, uh, cheekiness there, and I can see how that rubs some people the wrong way, but that's where taste comes in, and they're not exactly Barenaked Ladies either.
I'm a big fan, so a grain of salt, etc.

everything else I've heard: eh.

not very net-savvy.

Their forthcoming LP "Death of Song" will most likely be on Orange as well.

Hi, Joel.

White Hassle probably the best band going on today...where's the love???

so it sort of blew my mind, not really

Saturday, November 19, 11:00 AM

Illustrator Marcellus Hall presents Full Moon & Star

New York-based illustrator Marcellus Hall is the artist behind such beloved contemporary picture books as Because I Am Your Daddy and City I Love. His newest work, Full Moon & Star, introduces readers to playwriting and performing while sharing a unique and tender story of friendship. Best friends Kyle and Katie do everything together. When Kyle decides to write a play about a full moon, Katie decides she will write one about a star. But it is always more fun to do things together, so when they decide to combine their two plays to create Full Moon and Star, the outcome is a beautiful collaboration and an over-the-moon testament to their friendship. Marcellus will create live drawings to accompany a reading of the book this morning at Story Time!

For ages 3 to 8.

"One Drop Of Rain" on his recent solo album is crazy good songwriting.

Link to solo album? Love this dude

CAN I GET SOME?

...

BANG THE DRUM

Here's the recent solo album: http://www.amazon.com/First-Line-Marcellus-Hall/dp/B004GHYCFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1321567075&sr=1-1

Here's a link to the song I mentioned: http://www.myspace.com/marcellushall/music/songs/one-drop-of-rain-55064075