1. "More Cigarettes"--The Replacements, Sorry Ma, I forgot to take out the trash:
Admittedly, I did not get on board with the Replacements until their last 2 albums. However, I became a pretty big fan. One of my live show highlights was seeing Paul Westerberg solo in Austin. He played 30 songs! (half from the Replacements catalog). He did not play this one, but it's a good song from an early Replacements album. NO SHAME.
2. "She's a Jar"--Wilco, Summerteeth:
Wilco was an acquired taste for me. I liked some of the Uncle Tupelo, but basically followed Son Volt after their breakup. My friend Doug forced me to consider the awesomeness of Yankee Fox Trot Hotel, which helped, but I was not fully on board until seeing them live for the Sky Blue Sky tour. They were amazing live. I picked up the rest of their catalog after that. All that being said, I'm not very familiar with this particular album, and this song is not doing a lot for me. Actually, this song is a good example of why it took me so long to get into the band. MEH.
3. "It's all in the Movies"--Merle Haggard, Legendary Hits (disc 1):
I love Merle Haggard insofar as he reminds me of my dad. This was his music when I was growing up. Merle's voice brings that back (along with Waylon and Willie and the boys). Not a huge fan of the country ballad, so MEH.
4. "Shaktar Donetsk"--Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, Global A Go-Go:
With the breakup of the Clash, throughout the late 80s and 90s I listened to more Big Audio Dynamite than any of Strummer's solo stuff. The Mescaleros was one of his later projects, and I have come to it late, but ultimately I think it will hold up better over time than the B.A.D. I have only given this particular album multiple listens and need to pick up the others, but it is solid. NO SHAME.
5. "House of Suffering"--Bad Brains, The Youth Are Getting Restless:
As far as live albums go, this one is a winner. If you need to own some Bad Brains, this live album would serve as an awesome greatest hits. A solid song, but not necessarily a favorite. NO SHAME.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Week of January23, 2012
1. "Who Stole the Soul"--Public Enemy, Fear of a Black Planet:
This album is the last one I really listened to by Public Enemy. They were one of the first rap bands that got my attention. My friend Bill put their first tape in on the way to school back in 1987, so I was actually ahead of the curve for once. While I prefer the first two albums, this one had some strong stuff. This song is not a particular standout for me. However, I should take this opportunity to brag about meeting Chuck D. He was a speaker at my grad school around 2006, and I got the opportunity to meet him. It was just a handshake and a hello, but it was awesome! He is an amazing dude and very down to earth. NO SHAME.
2. "Glamourpuss"--Hoodoo Gurus, Magnum Cum Louder:
I believe this is the second appearance by the Hoodoo Gurus on the blog. I listened to this album a lot when it came out but, except for the single "Come Anytime," the album has not stood the test of time. I find that on each album, the Hoodoo Gurus would have one or two strong singles and the rest of the album would do little for me. MEH.
3. "Perfecting Loneliness"--Jets to Brazil, Perfecting Loneliness:
The title track here is one of the stronger ones on this album. This second album by Blake Schwarzenbach's second band (formerly of Jawbreaker) was less interesting to me. Jets to Brazil's first album was better for me. I was a huge Jawbreaker fan in their day. I saw them live a couple of times, and they never disappointed. Years later I learned that they were considered "emo," which was not a term in my day. Jets to Brazil never lived up to Jawbreaker for me. Recently, Schwarzenbach has had a couple of projects go bust, most recently the forgetters, which recorded an e.p. but apparently broke up before completing a full length album. We'll see. NO SHAME.
4. "The Lie and How We Told It"--Annie Hayden, SCORE! 20 Years of Merge, Volume 4:
I enjoy box sets. SCORE! was a subscription box set the year that Merge Records celebrated its 20th birthday. Every 2 months I received 2 cds in the mail. Each cd in the box set was curated by a "special guest" who selected songs from the Merge catalog to make a mix cd. It was a brilliant idea. Lots of cool people curated. This particular volume was curated by Georgia Hubley, the drummer of Yo La Tengo. All of that being said, no matter how cool the box set, I do not necessarily love all the songs. This one by Annie Hayden just does not do much for me. MEH.
5. "LockDown"--Fugazi, Live Series Volume 16 (Disc 2): New York, NY:
These live series discs are all amazing. I give the link every time a live Fugazi song comes up, so go here if you want to get some live Fugazi, just like their live shows back in the day, only $5 apiece. Great song, great live version. NO SHAME.
This album is the last one I really listened to by Public Enemy. They were one of the first rap bands that got my attention. My friend Bill put their first tape in on the way to school back in 1987, so I was actually ahead of the curve for once. While I prefer the first two albums, this one had some strong stuff. This song is not a particular standout for me. However, I should take this opportunity to brag about meeting Chuck D. He was a speaker at my grad school around 2006, and I got the opportunity to meet him. It was just a handshake and a hello, but it was awesome! He is an amazing dude and very down to earth. NO SHAME.
2. "Glamourpuss"--Hoodoo Gurus, Magnum Cum Louder:
I believe this is the second appearance by the Hoodoo Gurus on the blog. I listened to this album a lot when it came out but, except for the single "Come Anytime," the album has not stood the test of time. I find that on each album, the Hoodoo Gurus would have one or two strong singles and the rest of the album would do little for me. MEH.
3. "Perfecting Loneliness"--Jets to Brazil, Perfecting Loneliness:
The title track here is one of the stronger ones on this album. This second album by Blake Schwarzenbach's second band (formerly of Jawbreaker) was less interesting to me. Jets to Brazil's first album was better for me. I was a huge Jawbreaker fan in their day. I saw them live a couple of times, and they never disappointed. Years later I learned that they were considered "emo," which was not a term in my day. Jets to Brazil never lived up to Jawbreaker for me. Recently, Schwarzenbach has had a couple of projects go bust, most recently the forgetters, which recorded an e.p. but apparently broke up before completing a full length album. We'll see. NO SHAME.
4. "The Lie and How We Told It"--Annie Hayden, SCORE! 20 Years of Merge, Volume 4:
I enjoy box sets. SCORE! was a subscription box set the year that Merge Records celebrated its 20th birthday. Every 2 months I received 2 cds in the mail. Each cd in the box set was curated by a "special guest" who selected songs from the Merge catalog to make a mix cd. It was a brilliant idea. Lots of cool people curated. This particular volume was curated by Georgia Hubley, the drummer of Yo La Tengo. All of that being said, no matter how cool the box set, I do not necessarily love all the songs. This one by Annie Hayden just does not do much for me. MEH.
5. "LockDown"--Fugazi, Live Series Volume 16 (Disc 2): New York, NY:
These live series discs are all amazing. I give the link every time a live Fugazi song comes up, so go here if you want to get some live Fugazi, just like their live shows back in the day, only $5 apiece. Great song, great live version. NO SHAME.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Week of January 16, 2012
1. "She's Long Gone"--The Black Keys, Brothers:
These guys seem particularly hot right now. This album brought them to my attention and seems to be the one to get them spots on late night television. They just released a new album and were on SNL, one of the few musical acts on SNL recently that has been watchable. I definitely get the hype and like what they do. I am not completely hooked, but only because the bluesy hooks are only good for me in small doses. IMO, they are kind of a newer and slightly mellower version of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. NO SHAME.
2. "Miner's Prayer"--Dwight Yoakam, Dwight Live:
I definitely dig Dwight Yoakam. I don't listen to him a ton, but he is old school country for me. My friend Danny has kept me into Dwight. To be honest, at least half the reason I love Dwight Yoakam is due to his portrayal of Doyle Hargraves in the movie Sling Blade; he is absolutely brilliant in that movie. I like his live albums as well. NO SHAME.
3. "Don't Stop"--Fleetwood Mac, Rumors:
I suppose my appreciation of Rumors will give away my age to a big degree (not that I haven't already with all of my 80s rock references). It is definitely one of the best albums from the era. Great songwriting and strong beginning to end. I grew up with good ole' album rock radio in the 70s and 80s. Fleetwood Mac was a radio band for me. Later, I bought the full album, as well as their greatest hits. This song is on both and a true Fleetwood Mac staple. NO SHAME.
4. "Little Saint Nick"--The Beach Boys, Now That's What I Call Christmas:
My friend Mark hooked me up with most of the Christmas music that I own. This song pops up about a month too late. I did see the Beach Boys live when they played a post-game show in the Astrodome after an Astros game. I was pretty young. Not a huge Beach Boys fan, but they bring out some nostalgia. Given it is January, this song is a MEH for this shuffle.
5. "Dumb it Down"--Office of Future Plans, S/T:
In contrast to the last song, this song is perfectly timed. I hinted that this album would come out in some of my earliest posts when some Jawbox covers came up. Office of Future Plans is J. Robbins's new band (formerly of Government Issue, Jawbox, Burning Airlines, and Channels). Cellist Gordon Withers, who came up in those two previous shuffles covering Jawbox songs, is in this band as well. The album is a Dischord Records release and has not disappointed. I think it is J.'s best stuff since Jawbox. A new release, on heavy rotation currently, and SHUFFLE GOLD!!
These guys seem particularly hot right now. This album brought them to my attention and seems to be the one to get them spots on late night television. They just released a new album and were on SNL, one of the few musical acts on SNL recently that has been watchable. I definitely get the hype and like what they do. I am not completely hooked, but only because the bluesy hooks are only good for me in small doses. IMO, they are kind of a newer and slightly mellower version of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. NO SHAME.
2. "Miner's Prayer"--Dwight Yoakam, Dwight Live:
I definitely dig Dwight Yoakam. I don't listen to him a ton, but he is old school country for me. My friend Danny has kept me into Dwight. To be honest, at least half the reason I love Dwight Yoakam is due to his portrayal of Doyle Hargraves in the movie Sling Blade; he is absolutely brilliant in that movie. I like his live albums as well. NO SHAME.
3. "Don't Stop"--Fleetwood Mac, Rumors:
I suppose my appreciation of Rumors will give away my age to a big degree (not that I haven't already with all of my 80s rock references). It is definitely one of the best albums from the era. Great songwriting and strong beginning to end. I grew up with good ole' album rock radio in the 70s and 80s. Fleetwood Mac was a radio band for me. Later, I bought the full album, as well as their greatest hits. This song is on both and a true Fleetwood Mac staple. NO SHAME.
4. "Little Saint Nick"--The Beach Boys, Now That's What I Call Christmas:
My friend Mark hooked me up with most of the Christmas music that I own. This song pops up about a month too late. I did see the Beach Boys live when they played a post-game show in the Astrodome after an Astros game. I was pretty young. Not a huge Beach Boys fan, but they bring out some nostalgia. Given it is January, this song is a MEH for this shuffle.
5. "Dumb it Down"--Office of Future Plans, S/T:
In contrast to the last song, this song is perfectly timed. I hinted that this album would come out in some of my earliest posts when some Jawbox covers came up. Office of Future Plans is J. Robbins's new band (formerly of Government Issue, Jawbox, Burning Airlines, and Channels). Cellist Gordon Withers, who came up in those two previous shuffles covering Jawbox songs, is in this band as well. The album is a Dischord Records release and has not disappointed. I think it is J.'s best stuff since Jawbox. A new release, on heavy rotation currently, and SHUFFLE GOLD!!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Week of January 9, 2012
1. "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love"--Van Halen, Dressed to Kill (live bootleg):
Considering the first full-length studio album with David Lee Roth on vocals since 1984 will be released in a month, and the first single from that album is coming out tomorrow, this is the perfect opening to this week's blog. "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" is one of my all time favorite songs by VH. This live version is good but has standard, sub-par, bootleg production. Great song. I can't imagine any of the new songs will live up to this single, but not many have. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "South of Round Rock, Texas"--Dale Watson, Cheatin' Heart Attack:
Not a great song to follow VH, but a great song nonetheless. A very catchy, country dance hall song. My friend took me to see Dale Watson at the Broken Spoke in Austin nearly 10 years ago. He is a proponent of old style country music and often blasts Nashville music as not country. If you are a Waylon and Willie fan, pick up some Dale Watson. By the way, in case you are not familiar with TX, the town just south of Round Rock, TX is Austin. NO SHAME.
3. "Bed for the Scraping"--Fugazi, Live Series Volume 16, in NYC:
As mentioned in a previous post, Fugazi has recently made hundreds of their live shows available digitally through their website. About 10 years ago, they put 30 of those shows on CD and made them available. Those are all out of print now but of course can be purchased digitally. Great live version of this song, one of their later ones, and good Ian banter at the end. NO SHAME.
4. "Make This Go On Forever"--Snow Patrol, Eyes Open:
A friend turned me onto Snow Patrol with their album Final Straw, in 2003. I really liked that album. This album followed in 2006 and received love from the t.v. show "Gray's Anatomy." I suppose I should have seen that as a bad sign, but I did like this album. Since then they have released two other albums. I have heard one but not the most recent. I think they are a good band but I lost some interest over time. Though often compared to Coldplay, I never found that comparison to be terribly significant or legitimate. NO SHAME.
5. "Powerline"--Husker Du, New Day Rising:
The second Bob Mould song in 3 weeks. I am a huge fan of his. Two weeks ago was Sugar; this week we have Husker Du, his first three-piece band. Husker Du was an amazing band in the 80s. I got on the Husker Du train at the very end, essentially as they were breaking up. I came to most of their music later. New Day Rising is one of my favorite albums, but "Powerline" is a deeper cut for me. Solid, but not gold. NO SHAME.
Considering the first full-length studio album with David Lee Roth on vocals since 1984 will be released in a month, and the first single from that album is coming out tomorrow, this is the perfect opening to this week's blog. "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" is one of my all time favorite songs by VH. This live version is good but has standard, sub-par, bootleg production. Great song. I can't imagine any of the new songs will live up to this single, but not many have. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "South of Round Rock, Texas"--Dale Watson, Cheatin' Heart Attack:
Not a great song to follow VH, but a great song nonetheless. A very catchy, country dance hall song. My friend took me to see Dale Watson at the Broken Spoke in Austin nearly 10 years ago. He is a proponent of old style country music and often blasts Nashville music as not country. If you are a Waylon and Willie fan, pick up some Dale Watson. By the way, in case you are not familiar with TX, the town just south of Round Rock, TX is Austin. NO SHAME.
3. "Bed for the Scraping"--Fugazi, Live Series Volume 16, in NYC:
As mentioned in a previous post, Fugazi has recently made hundreds of their live shows available digitally through their website. About 10 years ago, they put 30 of those shows on CD and made them available. Those are all out of print now but of course can be purchased digitally. Great live version of this song, one of their later ones, and good Ian banter at the end. NO SHAME.
4. "Make This Go On Forever"--Snow Patrol, Eyes Open:
A friend turned me onto Snow Patrol with their album Final Straw, in 2003. I really liked that album. This album followed in 2006 and received love from the t.v. show "Gray's Anatomy." I suppose I should have seen that as a bad sign, but I did like this album. Since then they have released two other albums. I have heard one but not the most recent. I think they are a good band but I lost some interest over time. Though often compared to Coldplay, I never found that comparison to be terribly significant or legitimate. NO SHAME.
5. "Powerline"--Husker Du, New Day Rising:
The second Bob Mould song in 3 weeks. I am a huge fan of his. Two weeks ago was Sugar; this week we have Husker Du, his first three-piece band. Husker Du was an amazing band in the 80s. I got on the Husker Du train at the very end, essentially as they were breaking up. I came to most of their music later. New Day Rising is one of my favorite albums, but "Powerline" is a deeper cut for me. Solid, but not gold. NO SHAME.
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