(First in a series)
My apologies - the video is not the sharpest image, but the only one available on YouTube. I own a copy of the VHS video and someday, when I have bought a video capture card, I may throw it up here. My love for The Rembrandts knows no bounds. They have every requirement I look for in great pop/rock music - fabulous vocals and harmonies, muscularly melodic guitar work courtesy of Phil Solem (on the right in the photo above), great songs and some unusual chord changes (not present in this particular song - later examples to follow). The 60s throwback look - Beatle boots and tight jeans, great haircuts. Danny Wilde is the other member in this duo and has a long history going back to '76 in various groups, also to be covered later. But for now, as an introduction or memory jogger, Just The Way It Is, Baby, their top-20 hit from 1990. It got heavy rotation on MTV (when they showed videos, of course). This was my introduction to the group, and I was obsessed from Day 1. In particular, please listen to Phil Solem's guitar solo mid-song. This is quite possibly my favorite guitar solo of all time. Brilliantly constructed and played (and not easy to play - I've tried), I know every note by heart and it still thrills me 18 years later.
Next up: Big Hit #2, followed by chronological history posts.
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Rhapsody? I'm searching for positives as I await this vaunted guitar solo. >>OK you're correct, an admirable bit it was. Concise, melodious, rhythmic, and smooth. I like the "transparency" of the sound, you know what I mean? It doesn't sound patched together, each band member's contribution can be followed throughout. Not too shabby.
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MOG added the Rhapsody track. Since exactly the same track is in the video, I didn't bother with the red button version. Glad you liked the gee-tar.
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It didn't breed in me obsession, but I certainly dug the song when it came out. Will look forward to your sequels.
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Never really knew who this was by, but certainly remember hearing it before and really liking it. Thanks for helping me get up to speed and looking forward to the rest of the series.
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Was just listening to Great Buildings a few hours before this post. Coincidence...hmmmmmm. Remembering when this song came out that is was our number one song for a few months at the radio station.
The Rembrandts never fail to put out one wonderful album after another.
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A little too MOR/soft-rock for the sort power-pop I like, but a little Squeeze-y, too (which I do like). They really haven't had that much of an impact other than a certain TV theme song, which I suspect will subsequently be included in another post.
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I agree with Mike on this one. Not my cup of tea so much but I appreciate the effort. I'm in a chill mood regardless so it ain't bad for rt now :)
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When I hear their name, I can only hear the incessant theme for "Friends" - which I liked back in '92, but after over 10 years of that song, it makes me cringe. A sad fate for any band to be remembered as the ones who did a theme song for a popular show. I'll have to check out the other tracks later, when I don't have other music playing.
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contrabandwidth, it can take decades to erase the cringe factor. "Friends" was one of those basic elements of life I was too inert to take in, so now I have the small consolation of being open to its theme song.
dermahrk, it sounds great. The solo is one of the best. I'm probably as avid about power-pop as you, and I liked your description of it.
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Sorry, I'm a bit late for your series on "The Rembrandt".
As Pixie said, this would be more my saucer than my cup but I really enjoy reading your excellent write-up. The way you've described the track is just spot on.