Ace Frehley For President.

Tough Shits

2011-05-24T09:27:00.001-07:00

Got a bunch of emails to re-up this one.
Here ya go.

Play It Again, Asshole

Townes Van Zandt - Delta Momma Blues

2011-05-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

laughed at a memory of Taming the Shrew
woozy from the poles
every day is straw
in the sun
for days
like me:

on fire
and going about my chores

-kk

Townes

Scion A/V Garage Show in Chicago

2011-04-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

w/ REIGNING SOUND and LAST YEARS MEN

Scion is putting on another totally insane show in Chicago at the Empty Bottle.
Show is FREE and all you have to do to get in is RSVP here:

http://tinyurl.com/4u3hwh9

Generally, these are awesome, but get there earlyish to get in.

Robin Gibb - Robin's Reign

2011-03-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

Nothing reminds me of my best friend more than a little Robin Gibb. Seems strange, surely, but his awkward falsetto and his musical attention to detail was the soundtrack for my first foray into being an adult.

Robin's later solo work How Old Are You? was something of an anthem for me. Not many others shared in this revery, but eventually some came around.

Robin's Reign took a while for even me to get into, but now is something of a conerstone for me. Nothing matches the sincerity and plaintiff nature of Robin's songwriting (see: 'The Worst Girl In This Town') and few things sound both so dramatic and honest simultaneously. Both bare and ornately adorned, Robin's crown will never fall.

Viva Robin!

Jake Thackray - Lah Di Dah

2011-02-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

Well, not exactly what you'd expect from me I suppose. Jake is a Yorkshire boy who often gets thrown in with the goofy British entertainers from the time whose clever lyrics set them nicely aloof. Jake is no such doofus. He's much more akin to an English Jacques Brel or even Brassens.

Jake is clever and hilarious, no doubt, but...he's also a tremendous guitar player and a very skilled arranger.

'Personal Column' and 'Sister Josephine' (about a convict posing as a nun) are personal favorites along with 'Ulysses' (about his dog who fucks up all of his conquests in society and love).

This is no throwaway artist. Listen once to 'The Last Will and Testament of Jake Thackray' and you will certainly see.

Not for everyone, but when's the last time you heard something you liked that was?

This collection spans his records and is kinda large. Just give it a chance. Maybe while you're drunk.

Lah Di Dah

Winter, IL

2010-12-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

A mix of all the droning, to calm to fake smile. Listen to it on the way to mom and dad's this season.

1. Joan of Arc
2. Grouper
3. Moondog
4. Aphex Twin
5. Thee Oh Sees
6. Yussuf Jerusalem
7. Kurt Vile
8. Vacations
9. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
10. Silver Jews
11. Gerry Rafferty
12. Sonny & the Sunsets
13. Television Personalities
14. The Chills
15. Bob Dylan
16. The Clash
17. Neil Young
18. Donovan

Winter, IL

Television Personalities - Fashion Conscious

2010-11-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

The TVPs are one of those bands I'll swoon in and out of. I'm always in favor of them but sometimes more than others, and due to this my "favorite album" by them is always rotating. This is currently residing on that mantle.

There's something comforting about the delivery of these songs and the overall plaintive demeanor that I can't quite place. Surely , Dan Treacey's life story is not common knowledge, but through collections of songs like this you can certainly get the jist. His romance with misery is something to behold.

There is a weird kind of memory that these records bring on. Like a memory of something really boring.

In a good way.

I'm Not Like Everybody Else

Mannequin Men Demos

2010-11-16T11:33:00.000-08:00

I know all of you think that we've been sitting at a playground drinking FourLoko for the past year, but we've been doing tons of demos, working on shit for an EP/LP that we're about to record...Now is the sharing portion of that. Let us know what you think, spread it around, play it for your mom, whatever...First one is one of our favorites, called 'Don't Grow'.

www.soundcloud.com/mannequin-men

Enjoy.

Chris and Scott Ligon-Oh What A Day

2010-11-11T09:55:00.001-08:00

A record made by a dude and his younger brother in Chicago that makes me smile every single time.
Incredibly musical, clever, and well played. Something that should be a cult hit and for some godforsaken reason has gone relatively unnoticed. If this is what lo-fi actually sounded like, it would be something to get behind.

get all Chris' stuff at www.chrisligon.net. Hope he's not mad I'm posting this.

Oh! What a Day!

Gun Club-Miami

2010-11-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

A record I had in my hold pile three times in my life and never bought. Finally, I guess I'm old enough to love it.
Everything I didn't like about the Gun Club the first time I heard them, and a ton of stuff I did. Great record.

Miami

Thunder Buffalo - S/T

2010-10-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

Kids over at Ongakubaka turned me on to this. It's great. I couldn't be more bored with this bullshit where everyone tries to sound like Safe As Milk and totally blows it, but these guys seem to have a worthwhile perspective on it. There's some obvious stompers, and there's some definite middling songs...but hey, dudes, the wheel is the wheel. If you're going to claim you've made a huge improvement on it, it should still at least roll.

This does. Get it.

Thunder

Bo Diddley-The Originator

2010-09-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Untouchable.

He is a background to a music.

we're gonna get married

P.S. this one has a password because I stole the link from another blog...so...thanks to Record Fiend
the password is:
record-fiend.blogspot.com

I encourage you guys to go over there and scope what they have.

Rolling Stones-Goats Head Soup (1973)

2010-09-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

You're a star-fucker.
You can't say we're satisfied.
You can't say we never tried.

This album fuckin' grooves. Get a grip.

it's in the soup

Donovan-Open Road (1970)

2010-09-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Plenty of you ingrates consider Donovan a wash-out hippie because you all take Bob Dylan too seriously. Dylan was a prick, and yeah, Donovan is a traveler on the flake train....but.....there comes a moment where you need to think a bit outside of the Dylan-esque idea of what is relevant.

Donovan is a fucking beacon. This record smashes. John Carr's drumming is very reminiscent of another famous drummer named John who, at one time, was almost the battery for Donovan in another band...(read: John Bonham). Mike Thomson's bass playing is psychotic and rambling in the best possible ways, which brings us to the man himself.

This is by far Donovan's most lucid dream and most complete expression. After leaving the U.S. to return to England and assemble the Open Road band, Donovan found the freedom of working in a post-Mickie Most world. This, and his next record (HMS Donovan) show an artist who still eats granola, but no longer believes it is all he has to talk about.

Donovan haters....go die.

Open Road

Ann Peebles - Straight From The Heart

2010-05-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

Not much to write since I'm rather green with Ann Peebles. 'Just' a concise soul record that doesn't suffer from it's brevity and floors me with it's production quality every time I listen to it.

Straight From The Heart

Mitch Hedberg - Do You Believe In Gosh

2010-03-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

I play the guitar, I taught myself how to play the guitar, which was a bad decision... because I didn't know how to play it, so I was a shitty teacher. I would never have went to me.

- Mitch Hedberg

I really, really think that this guy was incredible.

Mitch

Bill Fay - Time of The Last Persecution

2010-03-03T13:24:00.001-08:00

Dream Song 14

BY JOHN BERRYMAN

Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so.
After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns,
we ourselves flash and yearn,
and moreover my mother told me as a boy
(repeatingly) ‘Ever to confess you’re bored
means you have no

Inner Resources.’ I conclude now I have no
inner resources, because I am heavy bored.
Peoples bore me,
literature bores me, especially great literature,
Henry bores me, with his plights & gripes
as bad as achilles,

who loves people and valiant art, which bores me.
And the tranquil hills, & gin, look like a drag
and somehow a dog
has taken itself & its tail considerably away
into mountains or sea or sky, leaving
behind: me, wag.

Bill
thanks to decrepitapes.blogspot.com

Bob Dylan - Surviving in a Ruthless World (Knopfler Mix of Infidels)

2010-02-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Infidels but pretty creepy shit. I like it a bunch.

Infidels

Thee Hardy Mums - Demos EP

2010-02-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Mannequin Men + Jesse (The Narrator) - Bass - Kick Drum + Annoying FX - song structure =Thee Hardy Mums

We like it.

MUMZ

Kevin Ayers - Shooting At The Moon

2010-02-08T09:56:00.001-08:00

Spun from a cloth so weird it could cripple the ShamWow. Ayers is a beauty. Nico chimes in on 'Oyster and the Flying Fish' and it's pretty great. Sure, there's a couple minutes of backwards noise on here that's pretty un-listenable but what have you done recently? 'Lunatic's Lament' is seriously unforgettable, the end part of Rheinhardt & Geraldine (called 'Colores') is pretty epic too.

AYERS

Method Man - Tical

2009-12-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Pretty sweet album, something about Meth's voice that just makes you feel cooler. One of my favorite changed lyrics in the Mannequin Men van is: "Where's that show you dudes are playin? DE KALLLLLLB" that'll make you feel pretty lame. It's all about checks and balances.

Tical

Jake Thackray-La Di Dah

2009-12-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

A little weird, yes, but amazing nonetheless. Such a smartass has never been witnessed before. A gruesomely talented guitar player and arranger, those only being trumped by his lyrical genius, Jake is a man among boys. The closest thing I can compare him to is an american Brel...but better. I don't know really what this comp is from, but it's pretty good. Great album to cook to, and sit around to, especially this time of year. Give it a couple spins, it's a grower.

La Di Dah

Alan Price-Runaway

2009-12-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

some solo stuff from me. have about five. here's one.

Runaway

Move Your Mule: Ace's Skinhead Reggae Vol. 2

2009-12-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest comp. Took quite a while to put together because I did a lot more digging than the last one. Some deep stuff and some stuff I somehow left off of the first one. Let me know if you want me to re-up the first one cos I think the link is dead.

Enjoy.
Here's the track order in case it sends it into iTunes all messed up:

1. The Dynamites-Tribute to Drumbago
2. Laurel Aitken-Skinheads Are Wrecking the Town
3. Pat Kelly-If I Don't Work
4. Hortense Ellis-My Last Dance
5. The Reggae Boys-Ba Ba
6. The Rudies-Devil's Lead Soup
7. Joe Mansaro-The Thief
8. The Concords-Butoo
9. Llyod & Claudette-Queen of the World
10. Dandy-Move Your Mule
11. The Harmonians-Music Street
12. The GG All Stars-2,000 Tons of TNT
13. The Versatiles-Spread Your Bed
14. Prince Buster-Pussy Cat Bite Me
15. The Kuraas-Stampeed
16. Vincent Foster-Shine Eye Gal
17. Sir Lord Cosmic-Wha'pen
18. Derrick Morgan-Come Back

Move Your Mule

The Cars - Shake It Up

2009-11-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

Seems a little odd, I know. It's weird though, because as a kid I listened to the Cars constantly and would consider them one of my first favorite rock and roll bands. Heard 'Since You're Gone' on the radio and it started it all over again. It's definitely a grower, but this album has some pretty weird/awesome shit going on.

Get down.
Shake It Up

The Clash - Sandinista!

2009-10-23T09:45:00.001-07:00

Rain, it's been around for quite a bit longer than the Clash I assume. It kinda sucks, but it's not really all that bad once you accept the fact that it is raining and will be for some time. It allows an easier recession into those boring melancholy feelings that are so often inconvenient. Let's be honest with each other, that shit feels good sometimes. It's especially good when accompanied with a guru to lead you out of the dark places once you've lingered too long. This is the one thing that I have found to do such a thing. An incredible record that gets better every single time I listen to it. Oddly, it is also the record that brings in the 'I want to be alone' feelings most sincerely. I don't think that's always a bad thing. Wallow away, don't apologize, and enjoy the rain.

Sandinista!

Neil Young - Time Fades Away

2009-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

There's something unspeakably comforting about someone who shares your disdain and joy for the world in the same easy breath. Uncle Neil.

time fades away...

Tough Shits - Prick Up Your Ears-Complete Tough Shits

2009-08-10T08:23:00.001-07:00

We played with these dudes in Philadelphia.
Aside from being some of the sweetest dudes we met on tour, they were also the weirdest and the most fun. Their show was sweet as hell and involved a guitar being smashed....in front of twenty people. Either way, I knew we were in for a treat when Greg came in and asked if they had anyone for the guest list and the first person to be put on was the singer's mom. Mom was then treated to a set that included jerking off the microphone and talking almost exclusively about drugs.

The songs are fucking brilliant and arranged perfectly to strut their simplicity. Sweet guitar playing, great harmonies, wonderful lyrics. I'm super stoked on these dudes.

gg-g-g-g-g-g-get it. so most highly recommended.

tough shit

Julie Dorion- Whoda Thunk It???

2009-06-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

Bill Did!
So click the link and see what he has to say....Good shit.

Let's Go To The Dance-Rocksteady Selections '65-'69

2009-06-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

A mix I spent some decent time on, all jams.

1. Coming On To The Scene - Johnny & The Attractions
2. Richard Cory - Ken Boothe
3. So Nice Like Rice - Charlie Kelly
4. Drip Drop - Termites
5. Woman of the Ghetto - Phyllis Dillon
6. Dancing Mood - Delroy Wilson
7. Somebody's Baby - Pat Kelly
8. Deep Down - Hazel & the Jolly Boys
9. With a Girl Like You - Henry III
10. If You See Jane - Yardbrooms
11. Rougher Yet - Slim Smith
12. To Sir With Love - Dawn Penn
13. Go Away - Eric Donaldson
14. These Eyes - Lee Arab
15. Silent River Runs Deep - The Gaylettes
16. Rough Rider - Prince Buster
17. Pretty Looks - Cornell Campbell
18. Lets Go To The Dance - Prince Buster

Let's Go To The Dance

John Cale- Fear

2009-06-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Back to back days? Yes.

I figured I would put this record up because most of you won't like it at first and I intend to test your mettle.

Cale is awesome. This record is totally wussed out, but i can't stop listening to it so...

Fear

Chris Bell-I Am the Cosmos

2009-06-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

I've been a tad bummer-ed recently about some shit, and then I remembered this record existed. If you feel like wallowing, or if you happen to be one of those people who can't cry even when they're pretty upset, this record can cure you. Take once a day (preferably at night) with two bowls and a glass of wine. You'll be blubbering like a fucking mental patient in twenty minutes.

It rocks too....but shit, his voice just heaves, makes my chest tight.

Get mad, or get even

Ace's Moon Landing-Skinhead Reggae Comp.

2009-06-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

So...It has been ages, and I have no real good excuse. I just got the internet at my house so it's totally possible that I will be updating more. Either way, I have put together a comp. for all of you that includes my favorite skinhead jams from all of the stuff I have been listening to lately. There's some fantastic stuff on here and it is perfect for trying to pretend that it's nice outside (it is a balmy fifty degrees in Chicago right now).

This one should be a good jumping off point for most of you, some weird shit and some standards.

You A Pirate

This Thursday in Chicago

2009-05-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

V/A-Girls Like Dirt

2009-05-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Some serious, stone-cold, classics. From Justin Hinds' 'Save a Bread' to two of the best Creations cuts. Great stuff. Probably not a good place to start for people who don't know rocksteady since this a little more lo-fi and definitely fewer hits than the Trojan box. 'Let's Go To The Dance' by Prince Buster breaks my heart every time I hear it. The lyric: Loving her is no disgrace, but it seems to me, another guy's been sipping my tea...

Surely you knew, once the weather changed, that this is all that would be getting posted.

Sit back, rock steady.

Girls Like Dirt

Ethiopians-All The Hits and So Much More

2009-05-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Shit.

Been quite a while, I know.
Relax.

In order to encourage the idea of relaxing, here's some of the best shit I have ever heard to "relax" to. Vocal melodies that would make Dennis Wilson blush, and simply fantastic harmonies as well. Simply a must have for the summer and beyond. I dare you, double dare you even, to listen to this and not want to ride your bike down a crowded street on your way to some water. A great album to fish to, to dance to, to fuck to. What more can a man ask.

Get on the train to skaville

It's Ace's Birthday!

2009-04-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Ace.

What a long strange trip it's been.

Mannequin Men recorded the new single for HoZac this weekend and came out with two good 'uns. Can't post em yet, until the 7" comes out, but when things get pressed, i'll throw some digital copies up here. Email me if you want to hear it and i'll send it along.

!!!

Shrimpss - 2 New Songs

2009-04-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

1. Song
2. Beach Towel

I'm really really quite fond of these two. We worked hard at getting things to sound a little different on these and we're finding out that we might actually have something cohesive working. Pretty cool actually. I like making music with those dudes.

Still couldn't talk Lust into singing but his drum tracks are incredible.

shrimpss

Have to say it again...

2009-04-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Just have to say that You and Me on a Jamboree is the BEST blog site I have ever been to for any music, and luckily enough for me (and you) that music is Reggae.

Totally comprehensive and awesome, I want to encourage you all to check it out on a sunny day like today.

Main site for You and Me on a Jamboree
Reggae in the Grass

Dukes of the Stratosphear - 25 O' Clock EP

2009-04-06T14:23:00.001-07:00

As you might be able to guess from the truly fucked up cover art, this one is kinda psyched out. It's real good and upon repeated listens keeps getting better. This is Andy Partridge and the XTC kids trying to figure out how to put out weirder records. The answer, as we all discover eventually, is to make up a fake band and release the shit. This band is quite a bit better than your average side-project, and there is some really worthwhile stuff on this EP, which is how it wound up on this here blog.

I've always been a fan of the XTC stuff that leaned a little closer to this direction so this is an obvious choice for me. Hopefully, for you XTC haters out there (and there shouldn't be any) this will convince you of the fact that they were a truly great band and a band that's prowess in rock n' roll cannot be denied.

You like Floyd, right? Then get this shit and shut up about how much you hate Drums and Wires (even though it rules).

Dukes of the Stratosphear

Kevin Ayers - Bananamour

2009-04-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...It's been a while.
I'm sorry.

Work has been kicking my ass, and I've been busy as hell.

I figured I'd throw this up here because I really can't stop listening to it.
I play 'Shouting In a Bucket Blues' for anyone who will listen to it, and I kept playing 'Decadence' on repeat on the drive home from Los Angeles.

There's something about Kevin Ayers that I didn't quite pick up at first. Now it's dripping from my chin and I can't get enough of the guy. Great guitar playing and a totally unique voice (both literally and stylistically) combine for a real strange musical experience. I know the word 'genius' gets thrown around a lot at people like Bobby Conn and Devendra Banhart and the like, but if you really wanna get to the root, try Ayers on for size.

Here ya go, dorks.

Bananamour

Currently-March 24, 2009

2009-03-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Been writing a ton of new shit lately with the boys and I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with listening to a TON of new things. Trying to figure out a little bit of a new angle to work things from and getting into some albums that have previously eluded me. I think I'm learning that the key is to temper the weird shit with a little bit of obviousness. Look dumb and play smart, if you will. Here's some songs that have been particularly interesting to me in these past few weeks. Come out on Wednesday and hear how much I rip em' off.

The Bats-Made Up In Blue

-I put these EPs up a while ago and not nearly enough people downloaded them. They're incredible in their simplicity and concurrently how that simplicity piggybacks how hard the songs are to play. The rhythms played in this tune specifically sound rather simple (and are, kinda) but the way everything is woven is truly brilliant. Something I try to constantly copy and can never pull off.

Can-Sing Swan Song

-This came on in the van on the ride home from Iowa and I realized how modern this song is. It sounds like it should be the new Devendra Banhart single. That's no dis on Can, but when you think about it, they really do sound similar. Can is such a strange strange band, and one that I didn't get into until very recently. Their ability to weave songs in and out of genre while still sounding like the same band is incredible and something I admire a great deal.

Kevin Ayers-Shouting In a Bucket Blues

-My old boss, Joe, turned me onto Kevin Ayers and I hated it at the time. As I got older, the nonchalant nature of his recordings really struck me. A virtuoso indeed, the guitar playing on here is hilariously bombastic yet still tasteful. The lyrics are by far what hits me hardest with Kevin's stuff. The opening line of "Sometimes I get too drunk and feel so goddamned low..." is so plaintiff that it almost goes unnoticed. I listen to this song at least once a day and will continue to until I start the cohabitation that is on the horizon. The most "male" song I have heard that has absolutely no masculine qualities.

Harlem-Psychedelic Tits

-This is one of the obvious "garage" records I just can't stop listening to. This fucking kid can SING. The Black Lips wish they were still this good, and Harlem wishes they started the trend cos they'd likely be rich. We can't always get what we want, folks. Again, fantastic lyrics about, what I'm guessing, is sex on hallucinogens. The way the chorus decays is radical and propels this seemingly simple song into one that I'm sure I will be able to place in my life when I'm older.

The Clash-Something About England

-What a bizarre fucking song. Can't believe that this is the same band that wrote 'Janie Jones'. The Clash has made a HUGE reintroduction to my listening pile. When the snare cuts in with the hi-hats at the end of the first "verse" it is incredible. They made the political lyrics palatable and made the goofy ones important, the way a band is supposed to pull it off. Mick Jones is a fucking genius and his harmonies are something that should be mocked. Honestly, please, kids, I'll never smite you for mimicking the Clash.
No one will.

The Zeros-Rico Amour

-Not much to say about this song, but somehow it keeps coming back to me so I figured I'd put it up and see what you guys thought about it. The cadence of this song is just perfect. Steady, lumberingly fast, and delivered very articulately. This is the kind of stuff I always loved about punk. Songs about nothing, the embrace that fact.

Narrator-Wolves In the Walls

-One of the best songs that a friend of mine has ever written. Any friend, any band, any time, this song speaks louder than it could have possibly been intended to. The delivery on the vocal is magic, and totally encapsulates how I would expect Sam to speak to himself in his head. Aside from that, everything sounds like it is passing through the other notes. There's nothing to hold onto until the second verse and then you are offered some beds of notes and nothing more. It reminds me of people who have no association with the song. I hope that one day I put together something that can come close to matching how important this song feels.

The Clean-Whatever I Do It's Right

-The bass in the intro is enough to make you cream your Levi's, but what really dominates this song is the vocal's dance with the drums. The Clean got so much of the simple shit right that it is frustrating. Verse, verse, verse, bridge, verse. The songs aren't following shit, they're just being played. The feel of these songs is something that makes my face hot with envy, must be something in the water in NZ.

My Current Temp

Blackout Fest, Athens, Ohio April 16-19 2009

2009-03-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally got asked to play Blackout Fest in Ohio, but we aren't able to do it since it's a Thursday and we have to pretend that we are big boys with real lives. Kinda a drag. The bill seems like a true ripper, and we would have had the chance to re-match Times New Viking which woulda been fun. It's a seven and a half hour drive without stopping which means eight and a half or nine if you're us, and I would have to be back by six Friday. Not happening. Either way, Blackout Fest is one of the cooler festivals that happen across the U.S. on a regular basis, and if I'm not mistaken they've had at least ten of 'em, maybe more.
One of the bands that I was most excited about playing with, a band we shared the stage with in Columbus, that I'm pretty sure didn't like us, the Guinea Worms. Great stuff, but you could tell they thought we were posers. Whatever. Here's a song of theirs since I don't want to put up their recordings and cheat them outta scrilla. Hilarious song title.

SXSW can blow me...

2009-03-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

We're not going this year, mainly because not only is it the biggest cluster-fuck in the history of man, but it isn't very much fun either. SXSW is always pitched to bands as this oasis of music appreciators and geniuses gathering to discuss the beauty of the sung note, when in actuality, it's a bunch of writers who cannot write and artists who don't make art tugging each other off. Nobody climaxes, even.

Another reason is, all there is to do for three entire days is drink beer. That is a bad scenario. I present you with an example.

Enjoy.

Arab Strap-Philophobia

2009-03-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm a bit salted lately, so? I've been really really stressed out and busy and all the other pedantic bullshit excuses, so shut the fuck up. Yeah, this record is sad, so?
Kidding aside, this record falls into the canon of records that you listen to when you break up with someone. Most records fall into the "got broken up with" realm and I appreciate the subtleties involved in writing from the opposite end. The sneering reality of not wanting to be with someone but not wanting them to be with someone else. 'Packs of Three' pretty much hits it on the head. It's possible that "It was the biggest cock you'd ever seen, but you've no idea where that cock has been" is the best opening lyric to an album ever, and "you said you were careful, you never were with me" is the best follow-up. Leaning towards overwhelmingly depressing most of the time is a sure way to get your record listened to on a limited basis, but the serene nature of the "sad" on here makes it o.k.

Give it a whirl.

This strikes me as the kinda record Sturdy would listen to while shooting. Kinda weird, but everytime I hear it that's what I think. So, all you photographers out there. Set up lights and shit to this (but take pictures to Fugazi).
Philophobia

Cypress Hill-III Temples of Boom

2009-03-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

I think it started in my pal's JoJo's bedroom. Talking about smoking weed but having no real idea what actual weed was because we were smoking brown shit that made you get a really bad headache, and chonged your eyes worse than you could imagine. This was the soundtrack. We liked rock and roll, but this was too great (even then) to pass on. I remember going to the Smokin' Grooves tour that these guys did with Tribe Called Quest and the Fugees and meeting B-Real at a hotdog stand after the show. He was just walking around. Shook his hand, had him sign my shirt. Weird.

This record is still in pretty heavy rotation and my appreciation for it just grows as I get older.

It's pretty genius, actually, and I don't give a fuck if you don't download this because it's too 'low brow'.
You're a bozo. This record is awesome.

spark another owl

The Lemonheads-It's A Shame About Ray

2009-03-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

I remember hearing the Lemonheads maybe once or twice before I promptly made my mother buy me a 'Come on Feel...' T-shirt at Kohl's. It's strange, but I loved them in spite of their obvious wussy qualities which could/should have gotten me beat up. My sister thought they were the best, and anything that she was into pretty much fell into my lap. These songs instantly remind me of her, in college, and my first beers, and things like that. It was a rough time for the two of us but I'm certainly not reminded of it when I listen to these songs. There's something in them that makes you nostalgic for something you can't really even remember and that makes me happier than I can express.

So, Dee, here's to you.

It's A Shame...

The Bats-First Three EPs

2009-03-05T12:54:00.000-08:00

I've been obsessed with Surf City, this band outta NZ recently, so I figured that I'd throw up one of my fav NZ records. This is kinda pussy, yeah, but whatever. It's a good coming out of winter into some nice weather album and is really really easy to cook to. Has a member of the Clean, which could save any band, and some really fantastic Kiwi kinda shit going on throughout.

'Mad on You' and 'Earwig' are my favorites right now, but they change from day to day. Give it a listen. It's really great stuff.

The Bats

The Specials - More Specials (1980)

2009-02-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

Here ya go, Patrick.
Talked about this band for about two hours already today with various people. It's 11:15 in the morning.

This record weaves through a crowded mind like a dude who's gotta take a shit. Unstoppably affronting and simultaneously in the background. Give it a whirl, Merle.

Do Nothing.

Shrimpss-These Arms Are Shrimpss EP

2009-02-23T08:23:00.000-08:00

Well, we collected all the old stuff with the new mixes and added a brand new cut: 'Speed Reader' from the 19th.

1. Speed Reader
2. What Does Earning Mean?
3. Manufacturing Company
4. Ripped Friends
5. Volunteering

LINK FIXED-FEB. 24th 9:30 AM CST
These Arms Are Shrimpss

Slob Dylan-The B of FL and JP

2009-02-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

Jesse and I, from our forthcoming record 'John Wesley Farting'*

*-original by Bob Dylan 'The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest'

get it here

Four Tet-Rounds

2009-02-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

It's been a while I know, and for some of you, waiting all this time for an electronic record might really irk you.
Well, fuck you. Boring ass kids.

This is a wonderful record from a truly amazing dude. Truly a musical electronic record which is hard to do for sure. This was my choice for record of the year back when it came out and it was running against some pretty hard competition. I can listen to this anywhere, anytime, but it's especially good when it's raining (like nearly every good record) when you are really really angry (like a few great records) or to go to sleep (a truly rare combo).

Give it a chance you garage rock dorks.

Rounds

Rick Berger-Lighthouse

2009-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

In my relatively short time playing music, I've gotten the chance to play with some truly talented musicians. Luckily, a in 2003 I got the chance to play with a quiet, kinda shy kid who immediately struck me as someone with a wealth of ideas that weren't being mined by others. Rick could (and did) teach me more about songwriting by talking about food than others could by giving a seminar. There's a brevity and wit to everything that he does, and his lyrics are truly something I have always admired.

Having Rick leave Mannequin Men was one of the hardest things I have gone through in my musical career, (luckily, we won the lotto on a replacement) and something that awakened me to the fact that a songwriting partner is something that is as rare as it is crucial to a band.

Every time I hear something that Rick has done it's immediately identifiable, but fresh, familiar, yet challenging.

I am grateful every day that I got to be there for some of the songs that have came out of this kid, and hopeful every day that I will be there for more.

Here's something I was around for the start of and I guess it's still a work in progress.
Too good not to share though.

Lighthouse

Shrimpss-What Does Earning Mean?

2009-02-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

New Shrimpss from last night.

1. What Does Earning Mean?

Shrimpss

Mudhoney-Superfuzz Bigmuff (1988)

2009-01-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

It was just brought to my attention that this EP came out twenty, yes, TWENTY years ago.
In it's wake it brought what we know as grunge. Say what you wanna, but this shit is smokin' hot.
Shamefully, the band at it's "peak".

This is some warped shit for 1988.

Super Hairy Gigantic Muff

Flamin' Groovies-Teenage Head

2009-01-29T10:45:00.000-08:00

This one has been sneaking into the DJ set more and more. Seems like everyone I play it for has never heard it before which seems strange, but at the same time, totally awesome. It's pretty easy to get enthusiastic about this record in the winter. It kinda exudes this strange aura of aggressive laziness. Some of the songs loaf around and don't really do anything, they go on for six minutes, they go through about seven jam parts, but still, you sit intently.

That's tough to do.

For anyone who digs on simple rock and roll and the way Todd Rundgren made records sound, you will fucking worship this record. Great vocalist and phenomenal guitar players in the same way that Malcom Young is a phenomenal guitar player.

Highly Recommended.

LINK FIXED 4:44 P.M. 1/29
Fixed Groovies

So...

2009-01-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

not only did the dipshits at Can's record label make me take the download down for a record that is OUT OF PRINT, but they also made me delete the entire post because i called them money grubbers.
well...
fuck you, Can's record label.
money grubbers.

Saturday in Chicago

2009-01-27T11:02:00.001-08:00

Santo & Johnny-Santo & Johnny

2009-01-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

I've always really loved Hawaiian music, but have never been able to get past the fact that it was Hawaiian music. Right or wrong (wrong, obviously) i've never been able to get past the kinda inherent cheezy-ness. I guess that might explain why I was so drawn to the music of Santo & Johnny, because the Hawaiian influence is super evident, but it's taken in a darker, more rural-american, direction.

All this aside, a story from James on the beach in California spawned this post. Something about one of the brothers picking a drunk fight in bar and getting killed. I don't know if it's true, and to be honest, I don't particularly want to know. It's kinda revving my listening engine right now.

Absolutely beautiful and overlooked far too long....

Santo & Johnny

Simply the Best

2009-01-22T13:03:00.000-08:00

Had to point you to another rocksteady comp over at Youandmeonajamboree.blogspot.com.

These guys get it right and from what I understand, they put this together themselves.
AMAZING rocksteady.
The best comp I have heard yet.

Please, for your sake and mine, pick it up over there for free.
Best nothing you'll ever spend.

Rocksteady Suffering

Television Personalities-Mummy You're Not Watching Me

2009-01-14T07:34:00.001-08:00

We were listening to records last night at the place and for some reason I played this for Seth for the first time. If Seth really likes a record you can be pretty sure there's something there worth listening to. If he isn't that into it, you can bet that you won't remember it in a month.

Well, Seth really likes this record, and I do as well.

There's something really queer about the TVPs that I can't quite place. It's this sort of strange attention to detail on songs that sound like they were recorded in five minutes. Polishing a turd, if you will. Somehow, against all odds, it works for them and the shimmering mess that emerges by the end of the record produces five of you "favorite songs of all time". This album is no exception to that, although it may seem hard to digest all the reverb at first. The real reward with this band comes through repeated listens (I know that is said about everything), but every time I listen to this I hear a terrifying lyric that swept past me previously. Treacy's power comes from what he alludes to and not what he says. Check out 'A Day In Heaven' for a little taste of that. Also, this version of 'David Hockney's Diaries' (the first and slower version) as opposed to the 'They Could Have Been Better Than The Beatles' version isolates instead of embracing.

The TVPs are one of the best, and this record is recommended, like whoa.

1. Adventure Playground
2. A Day In Heaven
3. Scream Quietly
4. Mummy You're Not Watching Me
5. Brian's Magic Car
6. Where The Rainbow Ends
7. David Hockney's Diaries
8. Painting By Numbers
9. Lichtenstein Painting
10. Magnificent Dreams
11. If I Could Write Poetry

Mummy, You're Not Watching Me

The Replacements-Hootenanny!

2009-01-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

I've had a lot of favorite bands in my time here on Earth. I operate on hyperbole, anyone who knows me understands that, "they are the greatest band in the world" generally doesn't translate exactly. I find it easier to speak in absolutes as it suggests a sense of conviction that is absent from most everybody nowadays.

As I have taken time to really find music that compels me to do things like write a music blog for instance, I continue to return to the 'Mats.

I don't know really why it speaks so true and awkwardly. I'm late in the game and never hung at 7th street or Oarfolk and I'm not even sure I would have if I was there. But the Replacements understood that collision of everything and nothing. They didn't care at all and they cared more than anyone in a seamless, unquestionable line. This album shows me how it used to be possible to make a god honest statement about nothing at all, and consequently, most everything in the same breath.

As ridiculous as those homos who talk about the power of music are, and no matter how many times you have to listen to them, coked out of their minds, speak of intrinsic beauty, know there is truth to it. You can't find it everywhere, and you can't find it easily, but if you think like I do you can find it in the 'Mats.

To all those who hate them for being so good, and love them for being so bad.

1. Hootenanny!
2. Run It
3. Color Me Impressed
4. Willpower
5. Take Me Down To The Hospital
6. Mr. Whirly
7. Within Your Reach
8. Buck Hill
9. Lovelines
10. You Lose
11. Hayday
12. Treatment Bound

Hootenanny!

Monks-Five Upstart Americans

2009-01-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

Had to share the link for this because it is incredible.
Apparently, these are the demos for Monk Time recorded in Germany when the Monks formed.
They sound as good, if not better, than Monk Time, and are more my speed as far as arrangements. Don't get me wrong, Monk Time slays and will be one of my favs til i'm gone, but the arrangements here are cleaner and more focused. Come to think of it, that doesn't sound like something I'd be into at all. Somehow, on these recordings it works really really well. The guitars sound fucking unreal. If anyone knows how they did that, please, tell me.

You guys should check out the other stuff on this blog I'm liking to as well. Real neat Yardbirds live stuff.

Monks-Five Upstart Americans

Oh, Eight Comp

2009-01-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

O.k. so I made a comp with my two favorite songs of each of the records that made the list.
Don't know why I'm so good to you.

1. Thomas Function-Snake In The Grass
2. Thomas Function-Filthy Flowers
3. Wavves- The Boys Will Love Us
4. Wavves- Vermin
5. Jacuzzi Boys- Dream Lion
6. Jacuzzi Boys- Island Avenue
7. Ty Segall-The Drag
8. Ty Segall- Dating
9. Muslims- Future Rock
10. Muslims- Extinction
11. Nodzzz- I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)
12. Nodzzz- Is She There
13. Thee Oh Sees- Block of Ice
14. Thee Oh Sees- Poison Finger

Oh, Eight

Scout Niblett-Kidnapped by Neptune

2009-01-06T07:51:00.001-08:00

Yup, that's right. Scout Niblett. People give me all kindsa shit for listening to her and I don't really get it. Everyone I talk to about this record says that her voice grates on them, and that it reminds them of Joanna Newsom. I can't afford weed good enough to make this true. This album flows great. This album is what your sub-conscious listens to when you put on Fleet Foxes. This album reminds me of Rick's old Volkswagen. This is a great headphone travel record, which I suppose are the only kind I upload since I am constantly commuting. She gets a pretty radical guitar tone that's kinda 1996 and super super compressed in an almost obnoxious way. Guess what? I fucking love 1996 and so should you. I recommend this for anyone who is a Liz Phair fan but wishes it would tweak a bit. Get real and get this record.

1. Hot to Death
2. Kidnapped BY Neptune
3. Pom Poms
4. Lullaby for Scout in Ten Years
5. Fuck Treasure Island
6. Relax
7. Valvoline
8. Good To Me
9. Handsome
10. Safety Pants
11. Newburyport
12. This City
13. Wolfie
14. Drink To Me
15. Where Are You?

Fuck Treasure Island

Shrimpss-Volunteering

2009-01-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

NEW LINK IN COMMENTS 4/22/10

So we did another song.
I like it.

Jesse, Seth, and I sing.
Lusty plays guitars and does the programming
Jesse and Seth played the synth
I might have played a little guitar

it was late.

1. Volunteering

Volunteer!

The Eight of Oh-Eight

2009-01-05T09:14:00.001-08:00

since i want to be cool too, i figured i would make a list of the best records of 2008.

disclaimer: i don't really know a lot about music (current music especially) so my tastes may be what you kids call "lame". totally aware.

figure i'll pick eight records.

8. Jacuzzi Boys-Island Avenue EP

I would have put this one a little higher, but it's only three songs and an album that does not make. Still, this stuff is great. It runs the same race as the Black Lips but more deliberately and maybe even a little steadier. 'Dream Lion', although slow and kinda a buzzkill, is a staple in my DJ sets and is brooding in the way that Bauhaus t-shirts were in high school. Brilliant, snappy, simple stuff from Florida nonetheless. Can't wait for an LP from these guys.

7. Wavves-Wavves

Drum machines ran through Boss DS-1's and unintelligible vocals about 'beach goths'. I hated this record the first time I heard it. I still kinda do. I think that's kinda nice actually and I continue to listen to it for that express purpose. The song titles are fucking hilarious and the cadence of the record seems kind of disjointed from the actual songs if that makes sense. This is the only record released in 2008 that I really believe may have subliminal messages in it.

6. Crystal Stilts -Alight of Night

People say these guys/Vivian Girls cast-off sound like the Velvet Underground. Isn't that just fucking retarded? Why would you say that a band? Remember when people said that about the Strokes? It made no sense then and makes even less now. What these guys do sound like is really really good music to take NyQuil and walk around the city with headphones on to. In fact, that is the express reason they made it onto this here list at this here slot. It may have been freezing rain.

5. Thomas Function- Celebration

When we were down in Alabama playing a show this was all that anyone down there talked about and ended up comparing everything to. Naturally, before I even heard it, I hated the shit out of it. That was misled as this band is everything that great pop bands should be. Consistently awkward in an interesting but not overbearing way. Well crafted sinewy kinda songs that have a 4/4 base and 3/4 tempo. Great singer, great songs.

4. Ty Segall-S/T

Again, a grower. Can't stop listening to/talking about this record still. At first, lo-fi stuff always bothers me because of how hard it is to play the shit out. This stuff charges through the production and even if it just sounds like buzzing at points, it sounds like the buzzing has a motive. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful songs that at no point bore me (I think there's one song over two minutes). This is what I'd always hoped that KK & BBQ Show would end up moving towards and instead they started to sound like a shitty James Brown cover band. There is merit in Ty Segall's approach to music. They could be huge with a little compromise on their end, but I think that once people get a real grip on this record they won't need to meet anyone in the middle. Garagey without being dated, noisy without being intelligent. Like if a white Little Richard fronted a louder Dirtbombs.

3. Muslims-Muslims

How many fucking self-titled records made this list?! Jesus. Think of something people. It's really not that hard to name a record. I know it seems cool to just let the name speak for itself but you know.....wait.......you did what?
You released a self-titled record that was released to critical acclaim?
Then you changed your name to the Soft Pack?
Are you a fucking idiot?

What a fun record. The OK GO dis is enough for a listen.
It sounds like the Velvet Underground!

2. Nodzzz-Nodzzz 12"

Remember Half Japanese? Yeah, well these guys are a shitload better. Fun is the only way to describe them and if it wasn't for how ridiculously amazing the Thee Oh Sees record is, it would have been number one. The single not included on this record is 'I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)' and may be my favorite song of 2008. (The 7" has since sold out and will not be repressed from what I hear)

If you are a fan of pop music, this is your ticket to sweetsville.

1. Thee Oh Sees-The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In

Terrifyingly agressive music that still seems stoned and laid back. This is what garage bands want to sound like. Equal parts Jandek, Troggs, and Soft Boys with a little Donovan thrown in for good measure (check out their early cover of 'Get Thy Bearings' off of OCS4) this is my favorite band right now, period. John Dwyer from Coachwhips fronts with a girl that sounds so fucking hot it makes my buttcheeks tremble. GO BUY THIS RECORD RIGHT NOW DUMMY.

Gal Costa-Gal Costa (1969)

2008-12-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

This is a great record to do it to. Especially if you're into doing it all intense-faced and while drunk on something exotic. This would be awesome Brazilian porno music.

Instead, it's just really amazing psychedelic music from Brazil in the late sixties. She's got an amazing voice and her band (in my humble opinion) is better than Os Mutantes. Go ahead and freak out at that comment but this music is just more fun for me.

Truly interesting and a nice break from the winter.

1. Nao Identificado
2. Sebastiana
3. Lost In The Paradise
4. Namorinho de Portao
5. Saudosismo
6. Se Voce Pensa
7. Vou Recomecar
8. Divino Maravilhoso
9. Que Pena
10. Baby
11. A Coisa Mais Linda Que Existe
12. Deus e o Amor

Note: for doing it purposes start record at track 5...

Gal Costa

Urinals-Singles

2008-12-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

So, today I put together all of my favorite stuff from the singles that the Urinals released for your listening pleasure.
We had the pleasure of sharing a night with these dudes in San Francisco this summer and boy, they are amazing...still.
Wonderful dudes who are still excited about music and still make incredible stuff. I gushed a lot at them and they responded hilariously. Just fun dudes to listen to stories from and talk music with. They even took it well when Intelligence covered 'Black Hole' immediately before they took the stage, which, well, wasn't a smooth move.

Lest we forget that there are some seriously legendary sounds in these here mp3's. 'I'm A Bug' was introduced to me by Nick Myers and was probably top five of my favorite songs in college. Check this stuff out. Some of it is pretty low-fi, but still just scorches. Everyone who digs post-punk should have this.

1. Dead Flowers
2. I'm A Bug
3. Ack, Ack, Ack
4. Hologram
5. Last Days of Man on Earth
6. Sex
7. Go Away Girl
8. Surfing With The Shah
9. Black Hole
10. U
11. I'm White and Middle Class

Urinals

Donovan-Fairy Tale

2008-12-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

There's not much I can say about this record.

I'm posting it for a friend I lost this weekend.

She used to demand it be played whenever we sat stoned on my floor.

Seems cheezy, but I know she'd enjoy that I put it up. So, for Emma...

I Was Born With The Name Geraldine

I Will Give You Aural Pt. 2

2008-12-16T11:16:00.000-08:00

Here's another mix. Lots o' good shit. Jacuzzi Boys cut is killing me right now. Worked on trying to get them to show up in order in your iTunes too. Hope it works. If you sort your music by album, then this should show up with the album title being 'I Will Give You Aural Pt. 2' if it doesn't, someone should let me know.

Sahweet.

1. Thee Oh Sees- Poison Finger
2. Urinals-I'm A Bug
3. Ty Segall- Go Home
4. Troggs- We Waited For Someone
5. Television Personalities- Adventure Playground
6. SRC- Checkmate
7. The Saints- This Time
8. Jacuzzi Boys- Dream Lion
9. Redd Kross- Ann (Stooges Cover)
10. Coathangers- Parcheezzi
11. Neon Boys- Time
12. Blank Dogs- Three Window Room
13. Nerves- When You Find Out
14. Narrator- Culture/Counts

get aural

Screaming Trees-Even If and Especially When (1987)

2008-12-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry to have not written for a while. Things have been busy and I've been hit by the S.A.D. It's cold as balls here in Chicago and not very fun to deal with. So...You get a grunge album. One of my favorites though, for sure. Mark Lanegan's voice gets on some people's nerves. Not mine. He was by far the best singer when MC5 did that reunion show with all those yokels singing and pretending they were cool.

This album is probably a grower for most of you. Definitely more psychedelic than most "grunge" at the time, it still is pretty straightforward rock music. "Don't Look Down" and "Pathway" are pretty awesome jams. The weird-ish "You Know Where It's At" gives away the obsession with NZ music.

You might not like this record, but you might also be kinda dumb.

1. Transfiguration
2. Straight Out to Any Place
3. World Painted
4. Don't Look Down
5. Girl Behind the Mask
6. Flying
7. Cold Rain
8. Other Days and Different Places
9. Pathway
10. You Know Where It's At
11. Back Together
12. In The Forest

Screaming Trees

Gandalf-S/T (1969)

2008-12-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

This one is a true psych gem. Fast, slow, straight, weird, named after a character from LOTR. What else do you want? OH. Forgot...a bunch of the tunes on here are kick-ass re-worked Tim Hardin songs. O.K. so nowwwww what more do you want?

Got turned onto this by my boss Tim at the record store and pretty soon it was being played every day. The tempos on it are near perfect and it seems that the record flows in a strange intuitive way. Don't know much about these guys and I don't think that they even went on to release another record. Bummer.

'I Watch The Moon' is the jam here, but there are all kindsa runners up to that. 'Tiffany Rings' a great version of 'Golden Earrings' that supplies the real psych-out here.

This one is super highly recommended.

1. Golden Earrings
2. Hang On To A Dream
3. Never Too Far
4. Scarlet Ribbons
5. You Upset The Grace Of Living
6. Can You Travel In The Dark Alone
7. Nature Boy
8. Tiffany Rings
9. Me About You
10. I Watch The Moon

Gandalf

Pere Ubu-Dub Housing

2008-12-09T08:02:00.001-08:00

"Pere Ubu is not now nor has it ever been a viable commercial venture. We won't sleep on floors, we won't tour endlessly and we're embarrassed by self-promotion. Add to that a laissez-faire attitude to the mechanics of career advancement and a demanding artistic agenda and you've got a recipe for real failure. That has been our one significant success to this date: we are the longest-lasting, most disastrous commercial outfit to ever appear in rock 'n' roll. No one can come close to matching our loss to longevity ratio." – David Thomas

Pere Ubu is pretty much the weirdest band I can think of. I know everyone is going to come up with shit to discount me, but compare those bands to the musical weight (no pun intended, David) of Pere Ubu and it doesn't come close. These guys were trying to be weird at times, sure, but it came so naturally for them. 4/4 time for them sounds foreign. Hard to believe that David wrote 'Sonic Reducer' while he was still in Rocket From the Tombs.

As weird as they seem to be, this record is a great, solid, engaging record. Quality is never sacrificed for plain freak outs (although there are plenty of those). I know a lot of people have already heard this record, or own it, but i figured that it's probably sat under a bunch of other shit for a few months. Hopefully, this will encourage some of you guys to give a complete listen to a record that simply kills.

1. Navvy
2. On the Surface
3. Dub Housing
4. Caligari's Mirror
5. Thriller!
6. I Will Wait
7. Drinking Wine Spodyody
8. Ubu Dance Party
9. Blow Daddy-O
10. Codex

Dub Housing

Loudon Wainwright-Album II

2008-12-08T13:40:00.001-08:00

So, I said that I would post an album today for someone.
Here it is.

This is hands down my favorite folk record of all time, and the only record I want to listen to when I fucked up in the middle of the night doing shit I really shouldn't be doing.

The lyrics on this album are totally insane. I have never, and quite possibly will never, hear such macho vulnerability. It's a total mind-fuck. Not to mention the fact that this dude has been on all my favorite TV shows and is a total bad ass. What happened to his kids? They suck. I mean, Loudon got totally cheezy in his old age, but we have already had the latter day sins discussion right?

'Trilogy: A. I Know I'm Unhappy B. Suicide Song C. Glenville Reel' has put me in a pretty fucked up mood more than once.
'Motel Blues' is totally fucking twisted and incredible, it's also probably Loudon's most recognized song.
The first line of 'Saw Your Name In The Paper' is awesome.
One of the grower songs on here is 'Samson and the Warden'. It's kinda goofy, but the delivery and phrasing is impeccable. Proof of the sheer songwriting ability this man has.

First line of 'Plane, Too' is pretty sweet too...

So totally fucking recommended...

1. Me And My Friend The Cat
2. Motel Blues
3. Nice Jewish Girls
4. Be Careful There's A Baby In The House
5. Trilogy
6. Saw Your Name In The Paper
7. Samson and the Warden
8. Plane, Too
9. Cook That Dinner, Dora
10. Old Friend
11. Old Paint
12. Winter Song

Motel Blues

Coachwhips-Bangers Vs. Fuckers

2008-12-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

It's Monday morning, I am in my office.
Let's try something brutal to wake us all up, eh?
I feel that this could be the soundtrack for the Blackhawks pounding of the Coyotes last night too.

This is the one and only John Dwyer (Pink & Brown, Thee Oh Sees). I have been playing Oh Sees stuff a whole lot, but after it was brought to my attention that putting that record up would be kinda shitty, I'll put one from his now defunct garage band.
This shit is so loud that when it comes on shuffle you think that the speakers on whatever you're listening to it on are going to explode (It has destroyed a pair of iPod headphones). Great stuff, really fun, and great lyrics even though you can't understand them.

This stuff isn't for the faint, it's fast, loud, and all the songs are kinda same-y. The funny thing is, it doesn't detract from the record at all.

Fuck Monday!

1. You Gonna Get It
2. Extinguish Me
3. I Knew Her
4. Purse Peekin'
5. Dance Floor Bathroom
6. I Drank What?
7. Evil Son
8. The Alarm
9. Recline, Recline
10. Muscle of Love
11. Good Night, Good Bye

I Drank What?

Trojan Rocksteady Rarities Box

2008-12-05T12:50:00.001-08:00

Simply had to give you guys the link to this it's incredible shit.
This blog is great for rocksteady stuff too, so look around.

The Saints-Eternally Yours (1978)

2008-12-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

We got new thoughts, new ideas it's all so groovy
It's just a shame that we've all seen the same old movies

The Saints 2nd record is and is not a departure from (I'm) Stranded. There's definitely more of an R&B feel and it's hard not to notice the horns blaring, but the idea is still pretty similar. Bailey's voice is one of the best in rock and roll history and I feel no sense of hyperbole by saying so. He can honestly sing a line without trying to sing a line.

The themes of these tunes are pretty dark and show these dudes growing desire to be removed from the "punk" scene. The amazing thing about the Saints is that this is 1978 in Australia. It's not like they're from NY with a bunch of buds who wanna be in bands and go see shows. They were fucking marooned.

Simply a fantastic band, an even more fantastic singer, and great songs. If you aren't already up on this you need to be.
(This is from the reissue, so I threw a couple bonus cuts on here, i'll denote the original tracklist with asterisks)

1. Know Your Product
2. Lost And Found
3. Memories Are Made of This
4. Private Affair
5. A Minor Aversion
6. No, Your Product
7. This Perfect Day
8. Run Down
9. Orstralia
10. New Center of the Universe
11. Untitled
12. (I'm) Misunderstood
13. International Robots
*14. L.I.E.S.
*15. Do The Robot

Eternally Yours

Tall Dwarfs-Slugbucket Hairybreath Monster EP (1984)

2008-12-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

This is a great little EP. I cut one of the songs (Phil's Disease Day 2) because it's pretty much unlistenable and I think I didn't even rip it. It's strange, these guys ran close with the Clean but definitely were on the weirder side of shit. The first time I heard this EP, Ethan was playing it at Continental and I remember searching and searching for it since that night. It was like three years ago. One of those things that is intriguing because it just sounds so out of left field, but not in a way that suggests it is trying to do so. I investigated after and tried to get into other Chris Knox (the brain behind Tall Dwarfs) stuff but was actually pretty disappointed at how lazy it sounded. Good ideas, but too many of them, and none of them holding hands.

This is the exception, four hands down awesome cuts from a band trying to find legs. I would say it is worth checking their other stuff if you dig this simply because everyone's experiences are different. In fact, most people who I talk with about this EP fall all over themselves talking about how great Stumpy and Weeville are.

Either way, classic New Zealand lo-fi.

1. The Brain That Wouldn't Die
2. Crush
3. I've Left Memories Behind
4. Phil's Disease (Day 1)

Slugbucket

Women-Women

2008-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

This record totally feeds my monster that is my post-rock past. The guitar playing is great, it's kinda wussy sounding at points and really scary at others, pretty neat stuff. Everyone I play it for really likes it, and that kinda says more about the people I associate with than it does the record, but if you like the other stuff I put up here, chances are you'll like this.
Totally surprising that these guys are a newish band that doesn't really have that much hype yet. This seems like it could ride the Deerhunter train straight to coolsville.

That said, there's a bit of that "noise rock" shit going on here which I have pretty much no tolerance for. Go ahead, say what you will but that shit is fucking boring. Do you just go to the airport and listen to planes taking off? I know that likely sounds real dumb, and that there are groaners out there saying that I am an unenlightened individual. To those people I say this...Stop trying to pretend that you are an artist when you are merely a hipster.

Oh, the rest of the record is good. I actually don't even really mind the noise stuff. Just had to get some off that shit off the chest.

1. Flashlights
2. January 8th
3. Upstairs
4. Shaking Hand
5. Group Transport Hall
6. Sag Harbor Bridge
7. Black Rice
8. Woodbine
9. Lawncare
10. Cameras

women

Teenage Fanclub-A Catholic Education

2008-12-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

I have been playing this record entirely too much. I'm voting it best 'ride home from work on the 66' album of November. Truly, a distinguished accolade. There's something about this record for me as opposed to 'Bandwagonesque'. I'm not sure if it's just a tad less pussy, or if the songs are just better. It's a really brilliantly produced record. The guitars sound like a tweaked synth but not at all when you focus on them. It's bizarre. The lyrics are fantastic and really funny at points, but at others some of the most desperate/plaintiff/confused one-liners around. The fast songs seem like they're being dragged behind the band and it's great. Yeah, there's some duds on here. I think that should be expected. But, for this time of year, I can't really come up with any good reason to listen to anything else as regularly as I listen to this.
'Every Picture That I Paint' and 'Everything Flows' are total classics, but these dudes really shine when they get a little snarky and funny, so make sure to take lyrical heed to 'Everybody's Fool'.

Super Highly Recommended

1. Heavy Metal
2. Everything Flows
3. Catholic Education
4. Too Involved
5. Don't Need A Drum
6. Critical Mass
7. Heavy Metal 2
8. Catholic Education 2
9. Eternal Light
10. Every Picture That I Paint
11. Everybody's Fool

A Catholic Education

The survey winner....Neil Young-On The Beach

2008-12-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

So I know that the survey thing was dorky, but in all honesty, so am I.
As promised, here is the victorious Neil record in its entirety.

This was the awaited follow-up to his commercial success 'Harvest' and is a pretty big departure.
If you read Shakey, you know that this is also the album where Elliot Roberts introduced the boys to 'honey slides' which is pretty much a bunch of weed cooked into a shot glass with honey and done like a shot. It's quite incapacitating and is purportedly the reason behind the slow down on side two of the album.

Neil is something else. Truly someone that I would defend at any juncture of his career. Nobody talks shit on Neil Young unless they have no fucking clue what is going on.

1. Walk On
2. See The Sky About To Rain
3. Revolution Blues
4. For The Turnstiles
5. Vampire Blues
6. On The Beach
7. Motion Pictures

On The Beach

Kool Keith-Black Elvis/Lost In Space

2008-12-01T07:54:00.001-08:00

Certainly my favorite hip hop album as of right now, this thing is fucking hilarious. I'm sure a lot of you know this record, but some of you indie rock kids might not have ventured into this territory yet. As Keith says: 'Black people mingle, white people buy my single'. In other words, even if you have bangs, you might like this record.

Keith is a true original and definitely a strange guy.
Miles has some pretty decent stories if you get a chance to ask him.
While I'm at it, you should roll over to the Reader's site and read his write-up of the No Age show at AV-Aerie
here.

1. Intro
2. Lost In Space
3. Rockets on the Battlefield
4. Livin' Astro
5. Supergalactic Lover
6. Master of the Game
7. I'm Seein' Robots
8. Static
9. Intro 2
10. Black Elvis
11. Maxi Curls
12. Keith Turbo
13. Fine Girls
14. The Girls Don't Like The Job
15. Clifton
16. All The Time
17. I Don't Play

Black Elvis

Sparks-Sparks/Halfnelson (1971)

2008-12-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Definitely an acquired taste, but one that is hard to get out of your mouth either way. This one is their first and in my opinion resides near the top of their output. Produced and signed by Todd Rundgren, you can see how someone would be drawn to the optimism and ingenuity of the songs. 'Wonder Girl' is a definite hit and completely strange all at once, 'High C' is probably my favorite cut on here though. All over the place and great, Highly Recommended for fans of Ween and to those of you who dug the Soft Boys record (kind of a stretch but...)

1. Wonder Girl
2. Fa La Fa Lee
3. Roger
4. High C
5. Fletcher Honorama
6. Simple Ballet
7. Slowboat
8. Biology 2
9. Saccharin and the War
10. Big Bands
11. (No More) Mr. Nice Guys (Bonus Track)

Halfnelson

Television Personalities-Privilege

2008-11-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

Some of you might know, the TVPs are probably sitting right at the top of my top three as far as bands go. I remember seeing this record while working at Hi-Fi sitting in the racks and I had dug on them a little bit because of Seth pushing 'And Don't The Kids Just Love It' and it kinda blew me away. I remember the Dots covering 'Silly Girl' and just listening to that song over and over again.

As anyone who has worked in a record store knows, there's lots and lots of time to listen to records, so naturally, I got around to Privilege. I hated it. I think that I may have listened to it once or twice (not even the whole way through) and then totally dismissed it as 90's late period garbage from a formerly great band. It's much more produced than any TVPs record and the songs almost sound kinda Kiss Me! Kiss Me! Kiss Me! Cure at points. 'My Hedonistic Tendencies' sounds like Prince. 'Sometimes I Think You Know Me Better Than I Know Myself' sounds like Bananarama. The record is all over the place. 'All My Dreams Are Dead' (which is one of the better lyrical experiments) is straight Cure and totally reminiscent of the stuff off of 'The Painted Word'. It's still obviously the same band, but the same band being ambitious in a non-offensive/annoying way.

Right now, I think it ranks in my top three albums by these guys. Right after 'And Don't The Kids...' just because of the impact that had and maybe above 'They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles' since the songs are so much more diverse, and on a whole, just better. This album is great for this time of the year, and also a nice one for longer drives.

It's kinda hit or miss. You'll love it or dismiss it. Who knows, maybe the tables will turn five years down the road when you turn into a total pussy.

1. Paradise Is For The Blessed
2. A Good And Faithful Servant
3. Conscience Tells Me No
4. My Hedonistic Tendencies
5. All My Dreams Are Dead
6. Salvador Dali's Garden Party
7. The Man Who Paints The Rainbow
8. What If It's Raining?
9. Sad Mona Lisa
10. The Engine Driver Song
11. Sometimes I Think You Know Me Better Than I Know Myself
12. Privilege
13. The Room At The Top of The Stairs
14. This Time There's No Happy Ending
15. Part One: Fulfilling The Contractual Obligations

Become Privileged

The Gories-I Know You Fine, But How You Doin'?

2008-11-25T08:13:00.001-08:00

Bought this ages ago but never got into then. Listened to it a while ago after getting more into the Dirtbombs and realized how much better the Gories were. There isn't really much here that is goin to knock your socks off, but it's terrifyingly solid and the lyrics are really funny. Mick is a much better singer than I ever gave him credit for and I think I owe him an e-pology.
Songs like 'Thunderbird ESQ' and 'Nitroglycerine' are what rock songs should be...short, and dumb. Figured I better follow up the Bee Gees with something a little more accessible. Diggit!

1. Hey, Hey We're The Gories
2. Detroit Breakdown
3. Stranded
4. Goin' to the River
5. Early in the Morning
6. Thunderbird ESQ
7. Nitroglycerine
8. Let Your Daddy Ride
9. Six Cold Feet
10. Smashed
11. Ghost Rider
12. Chick-Inn
13. View From Here
14. Feral
15. I Think I've Had It
16. Charm Bag
17. Boogie Chillun
18. I'll Go
19. Hidden Charms
20. Sovereignty Flight
21. You'll Be Mine
22. You Done Got Wrong
23. Sister Ann
24. Give Me Love

i know you fine...

Bee Gees-Cucumber Castle

2008-11-24T09:55:00.001-08:00

I have a long running obsession with this record.
I guess that soon I'll have to post the Robin Gibb record too, but this is the one that started me on psych Bee Gees. This shit ain't for everyone, it gets pretty ridiculous and the vocals can be strange/annoying/unbearable for some. To me, it sounds like the happiest mix of Millennium, Gandalf, and strange British folk. Although Robin is my favorite, I just can't stop loving this record. (He doesn't play on it, except for one track)

I suggest you give it a couple spins. You might want to be a little weeded, because it sure is pretty weird at first. Songs about God, Dogs, and being buried are hard to digest all at once. If you get past the initial fear that you might actually like a Bee Gees record I think a lot of people will be singing these dude's praises real soon.

Super Highly Recommended

1. Bury Me Down By The River
2. The Chance Of Love
3. Don't Forget To Remember
4. I Was The Child
5. I.O.I.O
6. If Only I Had My Mind On Something Else
7. Lay Down And Die
8. The Lord
9. My Thing
10. Sweetheart
11. Then You Left Me
12. Turning Tide

Enter the Cucumber Castle

Shrimpss-Endless Shrimpss

2008-11-24T07:19:00.001-08:00

well, lusty, seth, jesse, and i went into lust's place yesterday and made an EP.
actually, it's only three songs.
funny, but i'm pretty proud of some of it.

we'll likely try and get some more of these done soon as this is how calibrated crematorium got started.
it's much nicer to actually have a studio at your disposal as is evidenced by the recording quality.
totally amazing vocal by jesse on the 'ripped friends' track.
getting pretty into this shit as i load it up.
hopefully, i'm not just residually drunk/fucked up.

1. Manufactured Company
2. Ripped Friends
3. Accidents

shrimpin'

Calibrated Crematorium-2 songs from a new record

2008-11-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

So, how about some shamesless self-promo.
These are two tunes from our newest thing that is about to come out on Contraphonic in a couple months.
Just figuring stuff out for it now.
People had been wondering what we were doing so I figure I'll try and get people interested before we drop a feather at a metal show and nobody even hears that the record is coming out.
It's going to be called 'What Makes Star Salesmen Tick'.

These are two of my favorites.
One's a Seth tune and the other is one we wrote about Continental right as it's about to close and the wolves come out.

1. 3:30 Continental
2. It's A Shame That You're Leaving

Get Calibrated

Randy California-Kapt. Kopter and His (Fabulous) Twirly Birds

2008-11-19T09:43:00.001-08:00

This one might not be for the indie rockers. Totally a heavy 70s jam record. You know Randy as the guitar player in Spirit. After Spirit put out Dr. Sardonicus they broke up and Randy started this band. Jimi Hendrix had just died (a great friend of Randy's) and it hit him pretty hard which explains the darker stuff on this record. Noel Redding even plays on it and is credited on the back as 'Clit McTorius'.

All around, a pretty solid record with some boring-ish too long shit on the second side. The first few tracks and the cover of 'Rain' are definitely worth the download. This record was playing quite a bit during the summer and I'm breaking it back out. Join me.

1. Downer
2. Devil
3. I Don't Want Nobody
4. Day Tripper
5. Mother and Child Reunion
6. Things Yet To Come
7. Rain
8. Rainbow
9. Walkin' the Dog
10. Live For The Day
11. Rebel

Randy

I Will Give You Aural

2008-11-19T09:26:00.001-08:00

Figured I'd do a mix this time.
If I do say so, it's a pretty good mix.
Maybe I'll put them up from time to time.
The word 'mix' bothers me though.

1. Old Pervert-The Soft Boys
2. Brotherhood of Death-Apollo Sunshine
3. This Ain't No Hussle-Thomas Function
4. Adult Acid-Thee Oh Sees
5. Visit to the Gynecologist-Dr. Octagon
6. Get My Nails Did-Tobacco
7. Shaking Hand-Women
8. Activation-Atlas Sound
9. Everybody's Fool-Teenage Fanclub
10. Wildlife-Cheap Time
11. I Drank What?-Coachwhips
12. Dead Babies-Deep Wound
13. Girl on a Swing-Kevin Ayers
14. Shane-Liz Phair
15. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go (New York BOTT sessions)-Bob Dylan

mix mix mix mix mix

Ian Dury & the Blockheads-New Boots and Panties (1977)

2008-11-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

"Wake Up and Make Love To Me" is the funniest song about morning wood I have ever heard.
Maybe my favorite British album of all time behind the Specials.

1. Wake Up and Make Love To Me
2. Sweet Gene Vincent
3. I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra
4. My Old Man
5. Billericay Dickie
6. Clevor Trevor
7. If I Was With A Woman
8. Blockheads
9. Plaistow Patricia
10. Blackmail Man
11. Sex and Drugs and Rock N' Roll

New Boots and Panties

Liz Phair-Exile In Guyville

2008-11-18T07:55:00.000-08:00

So, I'm sure everyone is having a double-take moment, but fuck you. This record is great, and holding someone's latter day sins against them totally destroys everyone we look up to. When you get older you start to suck, that's fact. Dumbass Jim Derogatis decided he'd do a class of '93 article or some shit in the Sun TImes so I decided I'd post this record to remind everyone that making a record this good should be enough to cement your legacy.

The first song I ever listened to in my sister's brand new (with 100,000 miles on it) Toyota Corolla was 'Fuck and Run'. It made me feel like the coolest kid in the entire world. It was so dirty and hilarious and I understood nothing of what was going on with it besides the swears. I remember hearing 'Flower' for the first time and developing my first real star obsession. I remember going to see her and being so disappointed that she couldn't sing or play her guitar and that all the songs sounded really really bad live, and still, I couldn't get past how much I loved Guyville.

Recently, I picked it back up on my sister's recommendation and it's still as good as it was when I was thirteen. Go ahead and hate, but fuck you.

1. 6'1"
2. Help Me Mary
3. Glory
4. Dance of the Seven Veils
5. Never Said
6. Soap Star Joe
7. Explain It to Me
8. Canary
9. Mesmerizing
10. Fuck and Run
11. Girls! Girls! Girls!
12. Divorce Song
13. Shatter
14. Flower
15. Johnny Sunshine
16. Gunshy
17. Stratford-On-Guy
18. Strange Loop

Fuck and Run

Bob Darin-Born Walden Robert Cassotto (1968)

2008-11-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

There's been a whole lot of good words coming my way from the other Bob Darin post, so I figured I would put up my favorite record by him. It was made a year before 'Commitment' and is the first record he released on his Direction label. It seems kinda odd that there is such an overwhelming response to the Darin records from everyone I've played them for. There's something about these songs that kinda just snaps fingers in front of your face.

Although I love 'Commitment', the lyrics on 'Born...' are far and away better. I hate being a lyric man, as it seems like such a silly thing to be focusing on with this album, but so it is. Lines like "...and the ocean floor will be like a whore, who will lie no more, because she's dead..." on 'Questions' are so not Darin, but are delivered with conviction. It also has the tear-jerker, Bobby's tribute to Robert Kennedy, as the last song on the album.

Bob Darin is certainly not Bobby Darin and his ability to do such a thing late in his career is quite genius. These songs speak for themselves, but if they didn't I'm sure that you could have went and asked Bob.

1. Questions
2. Jingle Jangle Jungle
3. The Proper Gander
4. Bullfrog
5. Long Line Rider
6. Change
7. I Can See The Wind
8. Sunday
9. In Memoriam (Robert Kennedy)

Born Walden Robert Cassotto

Captain Beefheart-Bluejeans and Moonbeams

2008-11-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

So, sorry the first track from the Dutronc album was missing, trying to track it down on my hard drive and it's not happening.

Anyhow, I figured I'd put up this record by Beefheart because a lot of people I thought would be obsessed with it have never heard it. I'm looking at you Jesse. It's typical Beefheart in the sense that, yeah, it's pretty weird at times, but this record is way more slick and easy to digest than one like Trout Mask. I first got suckered in by "Observatory Crest" which is such a fucking weird ballad that even after listening to it fifty times I still can't figure out the vocal phrasing and fuck it up when I sing along.

Primarily a "heavy blues" album, with songs like "Twist Ah Luck" and "Pompadour Swamp", the record can seem a little hokey at times. Don't let it fool you, the songs are all solid and even the seemingly cheezy stuff will get caught in your head. That said, it's the ballads on here that just slay. Don's voice is perfect for ballads, when you think about it, and as far as I know, these are some of the only ones he sang.

1. Party Of Special Things To Do
2. Same Old Blues
3. Observatory Crest
4. Pompadour Swamp
5. Captain's Holiday
6. Rock and Roll's Evil Doll
7. Further Than We've Gone
8. Twist Ah Luck
9. Bluejeans and Moonbeams

Bluejeans and Moonbeams

Jacques Dutronc-1st LP (1966)

2008-11-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

Last one for today. Keep up on the world music tip with my fav french stuff.
Dutronc is smarter than Dylan, and more french that Serge.

This record is great for a few reasons:
1. La Compapade. A completely insane tribal farce that alternates between my favorite and least favorite song on the record.
2. J'ai Mis un Tigre Dans Ma Guitare. I put a tiger in my guitar?? Seriously? Incredible. The delivery is soooo distant, alternating between snarky and reserved. I am by no means a french speaking American, but I feel like I can understand what he's saying on this one.
3. The production of the drums. Whoa. 1966?
4. How could you not love the cover of the album?

01. Les Play-Boys WHOOPS, MISSING....SORRY.
02. L'Espace D'Une Fille
03. Sur Une Nappe De Restaurant
04. J'Ai Mis Un Tigre Dans Ma Guitare
05. Les Cactus
06. Et Moi, Et Moi
07. L'Opération
08. On Nous Cache Tout, On Nous Dit Rien
09. La Fille Du Pere Noel
10. Les Gens Sont Fous, Les Temps Sont Flous
11. La Compapadé
12. Mini, Mini, Mini

Tracks might be out of order on the download....Sorry.
Rearrange yourself.

Et Moi!

The Gaylads-Soul Beat

2008-11-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

I figured it's just starting to get cold outside so I would try and listen to some of my summer cuts. This one worked especially well as it is nice to sit in a heated (thank you pilot light) apartment and drink to. Of all the reggae stuff I listen to, this and Delroy Wilson have got to be fighting for my favorite. Just great rocksteady.

These guys were Ken Boothe's backing band on a lot of his recordings and were Winston and Bibby before going to the Gaylads name. This record doesn't include their one Jamaican hit, "Africa", but in my eyes is their best stuff.

Enjoy.

1. Peculiar Man
2. How Can I Go On?
3. Red Rose
4. The Soul Beat
5. I Am Free
6. Love Me With All Of You
7. Simple Way of Living (This is a STONE COLD jam)
8. Wait On Me
9. You Are Leaving Now
10. Go Away
11. She Cryed
12. She Want It
13. Joy In The Morning

Get The Soul Beat

Bob Darin-Commitment

2008-11-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

Alright, this one is going to take a little longer to explain.
First of all, it's one of my favorite records that I have ever heard and i didn't even know it existed until about two or three years ago. Finding it was another task.
My old boss at the record store, Tim, used to play me Darin's first foray into the swampy sound, Born Robert Walden Cassotto, all the time. I couldn't believe that it was really "Mack the Knife" singing it. Then I heard the story behind it.

Apparently, when the 60's hit, Bobby got less involved in the pop music schmaltz and became much more politcally active. He attached himself to Bobby Kennedy during his run for president. They were dear friends and Darin was actually at the hotel the day Kennedy was shot.

Bobby was devastated. He sold all his shit, moved into a trailer in Big Sur, and started his own record label, Direction, which released this gem sometime later. Playing nearly all of the instruments himself, writing, and producing doesn't even seem to have phased the process. The song's flaws seem intentional and the goal of the recording seems realized.

This is a record that might seem odd at first, but one that has fit any situation I've tested it in. We listened to it EVERY SINGLE DAY while recording the new MM record, and our engineer Mike now swears by it. It represents everything I have come to appreciate about music. It's stark but solid, funny but not goofy, smart but not coy. Best of all, it's a man truly removing all the veneer. A truly great musician testing his mettle.

Whoa.
Fan boy.

1. Me And Mr Hohner
2. Sugar-Man
3. Saulsalito (Governor's Song)
4. Song For A Dollar
5. Harvest
6. Distractions (Part 1)
7. Water Color Canvas
8. Jive
9. Hey Magic Man
10. Light Blue

Commit to the Darin

Soft Boys-Underwater Moonlight

2008-11-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

I think that it goes without saying, but I'll go ahead and say it anyway: You should buy these records if you like them.
Of course, there's going to be some shit that's up here exclusively because you can't buy it, but...

Anyway, this record has been slaying me every bus ride to work for about a month now and it just keep getting better.
It's strange that this was put out by Matador since they kinda vaguely remind me of the glory days of Pavement. I'm sure that Pavement would take that as a pretty insane compliment since Soft Boys just get it so much better. Very intelligent (not in an overbearing way) hooks and hilarious lyrics and the guitar parts are simple to listen to and impossible to figure out.
Very very highly recommended to fans of guitar rock bands who aren't total dolts.

1. I Wanna Destroy You
2. Kingdom of Love
3. Positive Vibrations
4. I Got the Hots
5. Insanely Jealous
6. Tonight
7. You'll Have to Go Sideways
8. Old Pervert
9. Queen of Eyes
10. Underwater Moonlight
11. He's a Reptile
12. Vegetable Man (Syd Barrett)
13. Strange
14. Only the Stones Remain
15. Where Are the Prawns?
16. Dreams
17. Black Snake Diamond Rock
18. There's Nobody Like You
19. Song #4

Underwater Moonlight

(Us And) All of Our Friends Are So Messed Up

2008-11-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

After being begged and begged to post this, I finally am.
This isn't the appropriate image to correspond with the recording, but fuck it.
It's just one track (the one we just covered for the new MM record) followed immediately by "Her Name Was Jane", another jam.
Thanks Cyndi, and sorry I fucked with the lyrics on the record.
Enjoy.

Get Messed Up