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9.08.03
Another record that I like because my mother used to play it when I was a youngster. I do't care too much for the 2nd side, but the first 4 tracks are really great. I mean, it certainly is AOR by anybody's standards. But the structures and playing is a little loopy. And if you think about Phil Collins' hair when you listen to it, it's kinda funny, like the Dead Milkmen. 7.15.03
You know, I never really liked the Sex Pistols. I mean, NMTB is a good record with a number of good songs, but I never really bought into the whole "doomed punker in a leather jacket with spikes" thing. I had a friend that got me into PIL as a youngster. Her name was Heather Silkey, and we used to huff a lot of glue together. Regardless, this record is way out of bounds as accessible to a bunch of misunderstood teen-cretins. I can't even fathom how some of the sounds of this record could be made. There doesn't seem to be any mid-range. It's all outstanding deepwater stomach ache bass or screeching caterwaul treble noises. You don't really have to have the Metal Box edition to be a friend of mine, the US released "Second Edition" will do just as nicely. John Brearley and I used to listen to Poptones over and over again and marvel at how great it is. If I met a girl that looked good and owned (as well as liked) this LP, I'd certainly marry her. Really, that's all it would take. She exists, and I love her. 6.05.03
I'm not exactly sure what my reason for never liking Bad Brains is, because this first LP has me absolutely floored. From time to time the promo CDs get passed out at work, and I usually have nothing to do with it because it's usually pretty cruddy stuff. I grabbed this one this week and played it at least 25 times in the store, and then another 15 in my car and then I took it home because my co-workers and customers seem kind of annoyed by it. And you know what? I already had a copy. Fucking Idge. 5.11.03
Whoa, I haven't updated this section for two months. Regardless, I distinctly remember buying 15 Lunchables from a grocery on special in Kent while I was in college. I have the oddest memory of eating the Lunchables on the campus bus while listening to Perfect Teeth on headphones. I can't remember when I picked up Imperial, but it's pretty much perfect indie-pop the whole way through, with a couple of odd tracks as a nod to Unrest's earlier, noisier and not as good seminal years. Unrest will always be on my Desert Island discs list, that is, of course, if the list is 100 records long. Oh, and I'd date the shit out of that Bridget Cross. 3.04.03
Wow. It's not very often a record absolutely floors me, but this is certainly one of those. I was at work today loading some LPs into a car and came back in to the lilting sounds of the musical hobo whose repeated line makes up this entire CD. I was immediately excited. It's 74 minutes long of sweeping orchestra. My only complaint is the Tom Waits vocal, because I'm not much of a Tom Waits fan. There's really only one thing worse than Tom Waits, and that's a Tom Waits fan. All wrinkly wearing some crumpled suit smoking non-filtered cigarettes using chalk to make art or something. Whatta bunch of jerks. So I'm going to go out of my way to find this on Eno's label from the early 70's. It's a whole bunch shorter, but sans Tom Waits. Kinda like me! 3.02.03
Holy good & sweet jesus, this record is absolutely boss. Go and get it and play it a whole bunch of times over and over again and make all of your friends listen to it like you have discovered something new and when they go, oh we've heard this already, pretend that you hear something else that they don't hear, dude. 2.11.03
I never really gave James a fair shake, mostly becuase of that terrible song that was played a lot on the radio when I was in college. I think it was called 'Laid' or something equally silly. But this record, introduced to me by Melissa Lutkus, is a feverish railer of emotion and mania. There are some tracks that are wildly energetic like kids just running all over the living room, all on top of the furniture and knocking over lamps and running their shins into corners of the coffee table not caring because they are yelling their fool heads off. And then there is that track about bugs living in somebody's head and having some sort of party, it's all quite nice really. I recommend this LP and the Village Fire LP, which I have to make Alyce Ornella a copy of, but that's where my recommendations stop. Because that's when things go to pot. 1.6.03
Yeesh, it's been nearly a month since I've done one of these things? Why doesn't anybody remind me when I get too slack? I write this as I listen to the bonus tracks of the sorta-recently re-release of the first Femmes record. A record that certainly deserves the Rhino Deluxe treatment, because for me and 7,000,000 other people, THIS RECORD GOT ME THROUGH MY TEEN YEARS. No shit. I say it loud and proud. I have fond memories of drinking vodka in a darkened bathtub with this LP blaring as a 13 year old after breaking up with Stacey Cooper or Ericka Stadnick or Jamie Pickwick or whichever teen harlot from Berea, Ohio I was dating that week. Up-the-shirt at the movies 13 year old dating listening to Promises from a 5th generation dubbed type I cassette, god damn I miss the motherfucking mid 80's. 12.13.02
I think I have yet to give this LP it's due, and now is the time. It's an awful long way from Yip Jump or Songs of Pain, and right up there with them. All nervous and creepy and childish and funny. And that song Cathy Cline? Whoa. So, yes. Rejected Unknown has a place in my heart. 12.12.02
I hadn't heard about Coyle & Sharpe until I stumbled upon sharpeworld - which is a site to behold in itself. But this man-on-the-street-put-on CD had me rolling on the floor for hours. Amazingly super funny. I even got the other "On The Loose" -which is equally brilliant. If you gots the time and means, please check them out. 11.27.02
I was in a pretty crummy mood at work, so I played Black Flag's My War, which made me feel a little better. I still wasn't 100%, so I got home and played this record. And now I feel a whole lot better. I feel like smashing out some windshields and I feel better. 11.27.02
It was pretty much a revelationary eureka moment when I first heard this record. All sorts of grating but invitating noises that appealed to my teenage "I love being weird" impulses. Now I'm well down the road to adulthood and I find this record even more fascinating, most likely because I've become fundamentally weird. And not weird in a good way, but weird in a trenchcoat with nothing on under it at the local roller-rink kind of way. Here's a good site for an introduction. 11.20.02
Certainly not as whacked-out as Smile, but pretty nutty in it's own right. Most of the times that I listen to this LP, I think of when an old girlfriend and I moved into a loft and the neighbor who would normally blare crummy house music put on "Fall Breaks and Back to Winter" and I thought, "ok, things could be worse.". Of course, they got worse. And I might get chubby, but I'll never be as chubby as Brian Wilson or pre e-operation Carnie. 11.05.02
You know, in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, when Judge Reinhold is jacking his lumber (obscure Jackyl quote) to the image of Phoebe Cates coming out of the pool? And then 'Moving In Stereo' by The Cars comes on? Well, that's the best merging in music and cinema, ever. My mother was a big Cars fan. Patty is pretty cool. 11.03.02
I woke up this moring with the undying hankering to listen to this record. I put on the recent Ryko re-issue CD because it has the 'In A Car' 7", which is almost better, save for the lack of material. I have my own lyrics for both of those records, because Curt Kirkwood sounds like he's chewing serious gravel. The lyrics on the first releases were all be Derrick Bostrom. Read an interview with him here, it's quite good. I like later MP records, save for the 90's stuff. They got pretty fucking ungood. 10.31.02
Oh boy. The king is gone. At least I hope the king is gone. The effortsin the last few years of Run-DMC have been pathetic to say the least, so they most likely will have to pack it in now. I implore them to pack it in now. Please pack it in, now. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Jason Mizell was shot on the 30th. Jam Master Jay. The man behind the music. Run had tight rhythm, D had the top lyrics, but J was the glue. The wings that made the plane fly. I spent a bit of time has a white rap fan in 87-88 with my friend Brandon Wagner of Berea, Ohio tagging street signs with Magnum 44 markers and riding giant skateboards. I think my tag was Icee 3. It was cool to have a number at the end of your name. I think Brandon's was Crime 89. I miss that guy. I miss Jam Master Jay also. I mean, not really. King Of Rock was the key that unlocked the door to rap-honky-fandom. Raising Hell was the record kick that door in. But I like this one better, because I can stand that giant-sewer-face-father-of-the-female-lead-in-Armageddon. 10.28.02
Last night, I was splicing the speaker wire on a Casio SA-2 into an 8th inch cord. I'm doing it so I can begin work on my new techno record entitled 'The Falcon Beat'. The band is going to be called The Future Cobras. Julia was sitting across the table from me, reading. We were listening to the new Adam Green CD, called 'Garfield'. He sings about a lot of funny stuff, and I was chuckling here and there. I was watching her to see if she liked it, but I don't think she was paying much attention. Then, the part came on about having off onto a cracker and then a girl having to eat it and Julia said, 'This CD is quite funny'. I couldn't agree with her more. 10.22.02
Sorry these things are coming so few and far between. Today it's the fantastic Blurt - kinda no-wavy stuff outta New York, from what I remember the early 80s. I've delved into other things Blurt - I like this single the most. Tim Gilbride introduced them to me on a great tape that he made me when we first met. I think there was some Blue Orchids on there also. Nonetheless, this single is great. Great, great, great. I would have picked 'Father Abraham in Smurfland', but the Allmusic website is down, so I couldn't steal the image. 10.10.02
Another notion stomper to come out recently, ok yesterday. I'm barely familiar with Dan Bejar's other works, this one is heart-boggling. Kinda like 1975 Alex Chilton. On the vocals at least. Not that comparisons are necessary. I just ate a pop-tart and drank some tea. I'm dying for content! Other records I bought today while buying this: Reagan Youth 'Vol. #1' (Did you know they wrote the song called 'Degenerated' that the Lone Rangers played at the end of Airheads? Hell, me neither!), Punx - A collection on Japanese Hardcore, Patti Smith 'Never Talked To Bob Dylan' & The Stranglers 'Tank' 7". Speaking of Tank, 'The War Drags Ever On' nearly got me arrested on Tuesday night. 10.02.02
Dude, I'm totally drunk! 9.25.02
Hot live record from one of my favorite live groups. Don't be dumb, getcha some. 9.17.02
Yeah, I like this record. Though I think that the singer sounds a LOT more like Mark Edwards from My Dad Is Dead than Ian Curtis. 9.15.02
I recently sent Dom from this band a copy of the 'Gary, Indiana - The Saddest Place On Earth' video in trade for a Sloth tape & t-shirt. That was nearly a month ago, and I have yet to receive either. I assume this is because he has realized that a Sloth tape & t-shirt, though he may have many, are worth more than a copy of the 'Gary Indiana - The Saddest Place On Earth' video. This split 7" with Boulder is searing white hot choco-rock. I like Boulder, but the Slothsters blow them to bits. Update: Dom sent me the goods. Including a tape called "Audio Evidence Of Contempt For Existance" - which is quite choice. 9.13.02
Oh, boy. One of those records that kinda makes me hate music. I mean, not exactly in that sense, but....ok, the first track reminds me a lot of that Johnny Cash song where he sings, 'I shot a man in (?)...just to watch him die.' It kinda has the same melody, in a way. I could look up exactly what that song is called, and then just rattle it off in text like I know everything there is to know about music, which I absolutely don't - because I HATE IT! I wish I had learned some stuff in college instead of walking around like a zombie discovering hot college music on headphones and taking ungodly hours at a radio station, like...'who cares about literature, Sebadoh fucking rules!'. So, getting back to it, I guess - the last thing that I want to do while wrestling with getting OLD, (and I'm like, in the full-nelson) is be interested in the affected voice of a 22 year-old twit from Nebraska. But, (and get this) I was at Reckless, which I don't really care to visit, because of all the sheep with those pants, before one of the greatest meals of my life at the Chicken Hut across the street, and I heard track #10 (the name escapes me and the book is 4 inches from my hand) and zombied up to the counter and did the 'you make me learn good music' doltish record store customer thing and bought the thing on the spot. I could have employed a discount at any number of area record stores, as well as fished for a Reckless acquaintence for a price break, but no dice. I paid full price. Some may want to be Conor Oberst, and I do too, but not in the sense to say the things that he says, but more in the way that I want to go on tour and lay college-aged asian girls. 9.04.02
Ah, yes. The mighty Black Flag. This record threw a lot of doltish punkers for a loop, and it's their loss. This record is like mud. Not quite dry mud, all dirty and lumpy. 8.24.02
Ha! Obviously one of the best records of all time! I've been flailing to this masterpiece for a long time. A major rager. A colonel rager! 8.06.02
Alright, I give up. 8.05.02
Another record that got crummy reviews. I completely worship this record. All day long. 8.04.02
Man, I think that Eddie Smalling was into this record. A good kid that Eddie Smalling. 8.03.02
Whoa, this record is quite good. 8.02.02
In 1995 I was riding my bike around a lot. I certainly wasn't listening to this LP. 8.01.02
A major rager, I stayed up until 4am pumping this out with DP and JR last night. Whoa! 7.31.02
Can you believe that nobody like this record? I plumb don't get it. 7.30.02
I listen to this tape in my car, a lot. 7.29.02
I went to a Cubs game yesterday and they lost. This record is totally good. 7.28.02
Here's a good one - I stole this CD from Lakewood Public Library in 1991 or so and then mailed it back in 1993 after feeling guilty. 7.27.02
I like to listen to this record before and after I burn things in the back yard. 7.26.02
I mean, if you're going to be into metal, you might as well be into murder, also. 7.25.02
I remember skateboarding and listening to this tape on some headphones. Life was much nicer then. 7.24.02
He's right - it is tough to be a baby! 7.23.02
The best of all those early solo records, fer shure. Beware Of Darkness is totally the cut! 7.22.02
I think this guy killed himself, this record is fantastic. 7.21.02
I got into this her through fIREHOSE and then picked up a copy of this record in Portland, OR. Boy, it's a soother. I have a video with her and John Fahey - holy shit! 7.20.02
I totally work with this guy, and though I don't like house music - this shit is real good. 7.19.02
Something weird is going on in the Pixies camp of late. Like old practice recordings being sold on Spin-Art. Frank Black must need some mad bucks or something. It kinda cheapens the name, which is weak. The B-Side collection is top notched. 7.18.02
My mom liked Lou Reed, so I always thought he was kinda crummy. Then I got into the VU, of course and then I guess you just learn to accept crummy. This LP is top notch, but he put our some real clunkers later. 7.17.02
The only reason I ever even liked this band was because Metallica covered one of their songs on that Garage Days LP. The first record all the way up to 'Revelations' must not be denied. Click here for page 2, holmes. |
Genesis "Abacab"
Public Image Limited "Metal
Box"
Bad Brains "Bad
Brains"
Unrest
"Imperial f.f.r.r."
Gavin Bryers "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet"
Talking Heads "Talking Heads: 77" 
James
"Stutter" 
Violent Femmes "Violent Femmes"
Daniel Johnston "Rejected Unknown"
Coyle & Sharpe "Audio Visionaries"
Dicks
"Kill From The Heart"
Throbbing Gristle "D.O.A.: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing
Gristle"
Beach Boys "Smiley Smile"
The Cars 'The Cars'
Meat Puppets 'Meat
Puppets'
Run-DMC 'King Of Rock'
Adam Green 'Garfield'
Blurt 'The Fish Needs
A Bike'
Destroyer 'This Night'
Norah Jones "Come
Away With Me"
Dead Moon 'Hardwired
in Ljubljana'
Interpol 'Turn on
the Bright Lights'
Sloth / Boulder Split
7"
Bright Eyes 'Lifted
Or The Story Is In The Soil...'
Black Flag 'My
War'
Corrosion Of Conformity
'Animosity'
Vines 'Highly Evolved'
Stranglers 'Black
& White'
Bob Dylan 'Desire'
Company Flow 'Funcrusher
Plus'
Aphex Twin 'I Care Because You Do'
Wire 'Pink Flag'
Ramones 'Animal Boy'
Leonard Cohen
'New Skin For The Old Ceremony'
Replacements 'Sorry Ma,
Forgot To Take Out The Trash'
Morrissey 'Kill Uncle'
Joni Mitchell
'Clouds'
Dark Throne 'Transilvanian
Hunger'
Firehose 'If'n'
Jordy 'Pochette Surprise'
George Harrison
'All Things Must Pass'
Donny Hathaway
'Extensions Of A Man'
Elizabeth Cotten 'Freight
Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes'
Common Factor 'Dreams Of Elsewhere'
Pixies 'Complete B-Sides'
Lou Reed 'Berlin'
Killing Joke 'Killing
Joke'