Tough-as-nails music industry commentator listens to the music

Legendary music industry gadfly Bob Lefsetz does not mince words, but in the June 14th, 2005 issue of his Lefsetz Letter, he has nothing but good things to say about The Doobies’ 2001 album Sibling Rivalry. Check out his commentary below:

“…rather than fade into the woodwork, rather than just go through the motions playing ‘Long Train Runnin’ in casinos, they went into the studio and cut a new album, 2000′s Sibling Rivalry.

It was the equivalent of the Dead Sea Scrolls. All these years later,
finding the pure essence of what existed YEARS before. Yes, there are tracks on Sibling Rivalry every bit as good as those from the Doobies’ heyday. There’s the signature sound, the harmonious vocals, the searing electric guitar, the powerful riffs, it’s just amazing. But I think very few people have ever heard Sibling Rivalry. Because it didn’t get the major label push. And today’s radio bears no resemblance to 1975. Top Forty doesn’t want music created on real instruments, it wants people who look better than they play, it wants URBAN MUSIC! And in order to be spun on AAA, you’ve got to be an outsider, someone sensitive making music that’s never hit, and probably never will. If you’re a rocker of yore, and you’re still vital, there’s NOWHERE for your music to be heard…”

Read the entire article here.