Albums around the 25-years mark:evenslow wrote:I would say it has just as much (if not more) to do with them a) getting older and b) being in the same band with the same bros for 25 years.
At the 25 year mark, the Stones put out Steel Wheels, which is pretty comparable to Lightning Bolt. I don't think their biggest problem was that the Beatles weren't around to push them anymore.
REM - Around the Sun
Bruce - Ghost of Tom Joad
U2 - How To Dismantle an Atom Bomb
Peppers - I'm With You
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Uncle Neil - Sleeps With Angels
Dylan - Knocked Out Loaded
The Who (Townshend) - Iron Man
Stones - Steel Wheels
REM made 2 more great records after that one. Neil continues being Neil and also made some great records. Both Dylan and Bruce made maybe 2 good records past their 25+ mark, aswell as a whole lot a C- records. Sonic Youth made one more before disbanding. Both Peppers and U2 suck since their 20-yrs mark.
So...Neil must always be an inspiration to every musician. But PJ should also be inspired by artists like Nick Cave and Tom Waits, both continue to be excellent. Mostly, PJ should take a look at how REM changed things up after their 25-years mark. They changed their producer, recorded in Berlin, played lots of shows, did more press,.... It all added to more focus and better records for them.