SHARKFORUM: OPINION WITH TEETH

There’s no doubt that this collaboration works, especially on the Lungfish tune Love is Love and Bruuuuce’s Thunder Road. Add this release to 2005’s successful Calexico/ Iron and Wine recording, and it’s evident that Howard Greynolds of Overcoat Recordings has a formula that works. I expect that in the coming year you’ll see other labels trying to play matchmaker; it’s inevitable. Hopefully, artistic inspiration is behind it all like Bonny Tortoise and not some chase for the filthy lucre.

Some bands, because of integral deceased members, have tried to keep the money train rolling by using the all-star combination. I still cringe at the last MC5 reunion that featured Evan Dando in Rob Tyner’s boots and Marshall Crenshaw !?!? taking the Fred “Sonic” Smith guitar duties. Evan- I loved you as the adorable Partridge-like front man of the saccharine Lemonheads, but seeing you lead my heroic MC5 like a speed freak college cheerleader (complete with cartwheels) seared my corneas. Marshall Crenshaw should stick to Beatlemania. INXS desperately sought anyone to keep the royalties rolling. When it works well it can be a revelation. David Thomas led Rocket From the Tombs with Television’s Richard Lloyd and Dead Boy Cheetah Chrome in one of the most memorable shows ever at the Abbey Pub a couple years back.

So, with the prospect of love at first sight, matchmaking magic, I want to offer some proposals: P.J. Harvey with Shellac Steve worked magic as a producer with Polly, consider this high octane possibility.

Liz Phair and Hanson Hanson needs to be taken seriously and take it from PG to R; naughty milf Liz can give them “cred”. Liz just needs a hit.

Any suggestions out there? There’s money to be made!