Ho Ho Ho!

Check our virtual stocking.  I'm too lazy to burn and mail CDs.

Shit

One of the big ones.

Levon Helm was simply one of the greatest drummers ever. But he was also one of the most influential musicians and important artists of our time. Levon had a depth of feel that does not exist anymore. His brilliantly economic parts, lyrical phrasing and incredible touch and tone on the drums were as unique as his song writing and timeless voice. His impact on me cannot be overstated. Getting the privilege to double drum with him last year at our Solid Sound festival was one of the greatest thrills I could ever imagine. He was a passionate man with an extremely gracious, warm and giving personality. That he made some of his best music in the final years of his life, is a testament to his greatness and historical significance. He will be dearly missed.

-Glenn Kotche

Hissssss

Together

Hoo baby. Let's all Fawn Together, Please ...

Three of a Perfect Pair

King Crimson songs are like women you date after you're 40: you focus on the parts that look good and try to overlook the others. This album, released 15 years after their debut, was my intro to them in high school (courtesy of Rob White), and I love certain parts of it, even now. Some of their earlier stuff is arguably better, but also contains elements that make you think of Spinal Tap in their earnest pretentiousness. And those early albums contain like 4 songs that last for 15 minutes each (which Jay LOVES).

Finally

Sorry Lurker. Am I forgetful or is it just Fucking Terrible Procrastination?

Without a doubt, this album is one solid chunk of seventies power-pop goodness, start to finish. After an amazing initial run - primarily on the strength of "My Sharona" - The Knack was ultimately brought to its knees by ego, cocaine and ridiculously bad management.

It's Really Too Bad

In 1980, The Vapors released New Clear Days, an album full of one power-pop/new wave nugget after another. "Turning Japanese" was the big hit, but I always wondered why nothing else happened for these guys.

Seems it all comes down to mismanagement. The band's manager was John Weller, father of Paul Weller, and he could only effectively manage one group at a time.

This song, "Waiting for the Weekend," should have been huge. The 7 inch single - the version in the video - is over-produced (horns?!), but I couldn't find the album version on YouTube.

UPDATE! Here's the original. The single doesn't do the song justice.

Required Viewing For Even Casual Fans

Narrated by Joey Molland and Mike Gibbins (the two band members who apparently didn't experience the gut-wrenching despair that leads to suicide), Badfinger: A Riveting and Emotionally Gripping Saga contains loads of incredible band footage, plus a how-to guide on getting fucked by some of the sleaziest shitbags in the music industry.

You can get it here, or I can Finagle The Pontiff.

For those bastards with a litte more time on their hands, I found this out of print book, too. Although it says it's just a sample, the whole thing seems to be here. Much cheaper than the $100.00 Amazon wants for a used copy ...

And as if that isn't enough, here's a live rendition of "Day After Day" from 1972. It's a little dodgy at first, until the soundman gets the mix right. Still, no kick drum. What's up with that?

If nobody else is going to do it...

My favorite albums of '08, in no particular order:

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yestsin - Pershing
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
The Whigs - Mission Control
DBT - Brighter than Creation's Dark
Alejandro Escovedo - Real Animal.
Okervill River - The Stand-ins
Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Honorable Mentions - Clash Live at Shea, Bowie Live '72, Latest addition to Dylan Bootleg Series

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but those are the ones that I remember playing over and over throughout the year.

Another LBU Spinoff

52 LPs that I can't or couldn't stop listening to. That's one every week Joe, with a brief background of the band and album, along with the cover and a featured song.

Rock 'N' Roll Snob

Subteens Still Hanging In There

Courtesy of BullyRook.

Who's Up For A Trip To Spain?

From Wired:

Legendary garage punk band The Mummies have been convinced to reform for their first show in 15 human years. Unfortunately for most of us mere mortals, the show will take place in Valencia, Spain, on October 10.

Read the rest here, including an interview with Trent Ruane, singer and organist.

Also check out Mummies Peel sessions from '94, courtesy of Chunklet. You gotta scroll, baby.

This One Takes Me Back ... 22 Years?!

Of course, when I bought it in 1986 it was called album, and technically, my new copy should be called download, but that's splitting hairs, really.

Arguably PiL's most accessible collection of songs, album is something of an anomaly, not only because Lydon considered it a solo album (founding member Keith Levene was out), but also because of the fucking bizarre group of guest musicians he employed, including Bill Laswell (who also produced), Ginger Baker (Hunh?), Steve Vai (Seriously, hunh?), and Ryuichi Sakamoto (Who?). For whatever reason, it works. And the louder you listen, the better it works.

From the sometimes realiable Wikipedia:

Neil Perry gave Album a positive review in the NME: "This is a wonderful, stunning and equally confusing record, and working on the theory that you'd never expect to hear the Lydon sneer backed by prime metal riffing, that's exactly what you get. Not everywhere, of course, as proved by the haunting "Rise." And "Ease," by the way, with its shock-horror two minutes plus guitar solo, is quite beautiful ... In short, Lydon and PiL are still breaking barriers. The man has extracted the false phallus from rock's trouser front and is smashing it over our heads."

You guys are old now, so don't Forget (to) Take (your) PiL(s).

The Genius Of Flight Of The Conchords

Best Garage Punk Band Ever?

First show, December 1988. Broke up New Year's Day, 1992. European reunion tours, 1993, 1994.

Anachronistic, surf-inflected garage punk in the Age of Big Hair.

From Wikipedia:

The Mummies are especially known for their matching, tattered mummy costumes they wore on stage and their impertinent and insulting attitude that they brought with them. They created and promoted the concept of 'Budget Rock', which rejected professionalism and star status in favor of a simplified do-it-yourself aesthetic. As part of this concept they performed and recorded only on outdated and often damaged equipment. For a tour vehicle they used a garishly painted 1965 Pontiac ambulance. As part of their lo-fi manifesto, they released their music only on vinyl for many years, allowing 'official' CD format releases only in the 2000's.

I've mentioned these guys before, but this collection of singles is worth a listen. Thanks for the heads-up, Joe. Flagrant Taffy Pulling, gents.

My Boys

Da Teens. Their crowd seems to get younger and younger ...

Again with the Ryan Adams

Lost Highway is reissuing Whiskeytown's biggie label debut, Stranger's Almanac on March 4th. I know outside of Dave and I, you other bastards aren't huge Ryan Adams fans, but we know enough to be excited about a full disc of bonus tracks, including takes on Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," JC's "I Still Miss Someone," Gram's "Luxury Liner," and "The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over" by the great True Believers, in addition to acoustic demos from the album and previously bootleg-only songs from other sessions.

Prine Time

Post-Christmas hangover seems like as good a time as any to share some John Prine. I hardly ever think, "Man, I'd like to hear some John Prine tonight!" But once I start listening to him, I rarely want to stop. Frantic Twangy Poetry.

Power Pop & Tron Can't Lose

All this talk about power pop got me thinking about the best Cars song they never wrote. I'm not a big Strokes fan, and I didn't even acquire Room On Fire when it was released in 2003, but I could not stop listening to "12:51." The video sealed the deal, as I'm "of a certain age."

Anyway ...

12:51

Talk to me now I'm older
Your friend told you 'cause I told her
Friday nights have been lonely
Change your plans and then phone me

We could go and get forties
Fuck going to that party
Oh really, your folks are away now?
Alright, let's go you convinced me

12:51 is the time my voice
Found the words I sought
Is it this stage I want?
The world is shutting out for us
Oh we were tense for sure
But we was confident

Kiss me now that I'm older
I won't try to control you
Friday nights have been lonely
Take it slow but don't warn me

We'd go out and get forties
Then we'd go to some party
Oh really, your folks are away now?
Alright I'm coming

Ween

La Cucaracha, de new one by dem, is on de Fantastica Terremoto Pendejo!