1. "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights go out on Broadway)"--Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic:
First ever repeat! Check it out here.
2. "The Angels' Share"--Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets:
Awesome! One of my favorite Ted Leo songs off of my favorite Ted Leo album. This album was recommended by a friend from Peace Corps. After returning stateside, we were sharing music finds with each other, and Ted Leo was the best to come out of that exchange. I have been a huge fan ever since and own most of his catalog at this point. I generally dig his politics as well. I saw him live once, and he was solid. Without a doubt, SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Shut the Door"--Fugazi, Repeater + 3 Songs:
While the other Fugazi songs that have come up on the blog to this point have been good, this song is a bit more representative of my love for the band. I actually borrowed Repeater from my friend Deb when it first came out and gave it a listen. I suppose I wasn't ready for it. I didn't dislike it, but it did not stick at the time. About 2 years later, after the release of Steady Diet of Nothing, I sought out the rest of the Fugazi catalog. A great song, a great album, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Katatonic"--Los Dynamite, Greatest Hits:
My friend Rogelio turned me on to Los Dynamite. They have a full-on 80s vibe going on, ala Franz Ferdinand. In particular, the bass lines are awesome. They are from Mexico City and are solid. NO SHAME.
5. "I Wanna Know Girls"--Portastatic, Some Small History:
Portastatic is Mac McCaughan's solo project when he is not the front man for Superchunk. I'm a huge fan of Mac's songwriting and dig most of the Portastatic. This song is off of the album Bright Ideas, but is an acoustic version on this b-side and unreleased 2-disc compilation. It is one of my favorite Portastatic songs and served me well while waiting for a new Superchunk album. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Week of February 13, 2012
1. "Looking For A Way Out"--Uncle Tupelo, Still Feel Gone:
As mentioned before, I liked some Uncle Tupelo. I was never a huge fan. This song is clearly one of Jay Farrar's songs. Even though I have become a fan of Wilco, I always preferred Farrar's voice and songs to Tweedy's. NO SHAME.
2. "2000 Light Years Away"--Green Day, Foot in Mouth (live):
One of the first songs that I heard by Green Day. I love the early stuff and became a fan of theirs before they hit it big. I saw them multiple times in clubs. They were awesome live, and this album captures it pretty well. I am still a fan. A great song, the opener of Kerplunk, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Wasteland"--Artificial Peace, 20 Years of Dischord (Disc 1):
I love box sets, and this box set celebrated Dischord Record's 20th birthday. I have no particular memory of this song. It sounds like pretty standard D.C. hardcore. I've read about Artificial Peace but only know their music from compilations like these. MEH.
4. "Sameday"--J. Mascis & The Fog, More Light:
J. Mascis & The Fog was the Mascis vehicle between essentially being Dinosaur Jr. with hired help and reforming the original band with Murph and Lou Barlow. I believe there are a couple of Fog albums, but I only own this one. This album came out while I was overseas, so I was not aware of this venture until he was about done with it. It is pretty standard Mascis fare. I like it, but it is not Dinosaur. NO SHAME.
5. "Boston"--Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend:
I have listened to this album a handful of times. It is hit or miss for me. They kind of have a minimalist ska thing going--kind of ska without any real edge to it. They work in some strings on this song, and he does some pretty singing. I find that I keep coming back for more listens, but can't fully decide if I am a fan. Until I can figure it out, NO SHAME.
As mentioned before, I liked some Uncle Tupelo. I was never a huge fan. This song is clearly one of Jay Farrar's songs. Even though I have become a fan of Wilco, I always preferred Farrar's voice and songs to Tweedy's. NO SHAME.
2. "2000 Light Years Away"--Green Day, Foot in Mouth (live):
One of the first songs that I heard by Green Day. I love the early stuff and became a fan of theirs before they hit it big. I saw them multiple times in clubs. They were awesome live, and this album captures it pretty well. I am still a fan. A great song, the opener of Kerplunk, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Wasteland"--Artificial Peace, 20 Years of Dischord (Disc 1):
I love box sets, and this box set celebrated Dischord Record's 20th birthday. I have no particular memory of this song. It sounds like pretty standard D.C. hardcore. I've read about Artificial Peace but only know their music from compilations like these. MEH.
4. "Sameday"--J. Mascis & The Fog, More Light:
J. Mascis & The Fog was the Mascis vehicle between essentially being Dinosaur Jr. with hired help and reforming the original band with Murph and Lou Barlow. I believe there are a couple of Fog albums, but I only own this one. This album came out while I was overseas, so I was not aware of this venture until he was about done with it. It is pretty standard Mascis fare. I like it, but it is not Dinosaur. NO SHAME.
5. "Boston"--Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend:
I have listened to this album a handful of times. It is hit or miss for me. They kind of have a minimalist ska thing going--kind of ska without any real edge to it. They work in some strings on this song, and he does some pretty singing. I find that I keep coming back for more listens, but can't fully decide if I am a fan. Until I can figure it out, NO SHAME.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Week of February 6, 2012
1. "Best of Both Worlds"--Van Halen, Live Right Here Right Now:
Unbelievable! The week that the first studio album from Van Halen in 14 years is coming out, and we get some VFH. Of course, this is one of the better songs off of the first album featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals. As I've said in the past, I'm not too big into the singer debate, though Cherone was definitely a disaster. I'm excited but realistic about the new album. The old stuff is too deeply imbedded to be overshadowed by this new album. Needless to say, especially this week, this here is SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Fight Like a Brave"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Uplift Mofo Party Plan:
FINALLY! A solid RHCPs song shows up on the shuffle. This was the first album that I listened to by the RHCPs. A friend put a different song from this album on a mix tape for me, and I was hooked by this album. By the time I came on board, Hillel Slovak had died, and they were releasing Mother's Milk. I saw them live multiple times over the next 3 years. These are the RHCPs that I love and miss. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
SKIP: An "intro" to a Fugazi live album. Just a couple of people introducing the band.
3. "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights go out on Broadway)"--Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic:
This is the opening song on Billy Joel's first live album. Not sure that I have listened to this all the way through. Based on this opener, I need to. Great sound and solid representation of Joel live. NO SHAME.
4. "Arlandria"--FooFighers, Wasting Light:
This song is one of the strongest on the most recent Foo Fighters albums. This album has been in heavy rotation for me for the better part of the last year--it was released last April. I'm definitely a fan of the Foo Fighters. They are a consistent, solid rock band. I think it is fair to say that Grohl is not known as merely the former drummer of Nirvana. He has made his own name and, in my opinion, surpassed Cobain in many respects. NO SHAME.
5. "The Days of Wine and Roses"--Oranj Symphonette, Plays Mancini:
This song is just under a minute and does very little for me. However, the story behind this band holds a special memory. My wife and I honeymooned in San Francisco. We sought out some live music and found this band. They played all Mancini covers. The band's claim to fame is that they were Tom Waits's band at one point. Dave Brubek's son, Matt, was the bassist/cellist, and Joe Gore, who also played guitar for P.J. Harvey, were two of the bigger names in the band. They were great live, and we bought this CD as a souvenir. NO SHAME.
Unbelievable! The week that the first studio album from Van Halen in 14 years is coming out, and we get some VFH. Of course, this is one of the better songs off of the first album featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals. As I've said in the past, I'm not too big into the singer debate, though Cherone was definitely a disaster. I'm excited but realistic about the new album. The old stuff is too deeply imbedded to be overshadowed by this new album. Needless to say, especially this week, this here is SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Fight Like a Brave"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Uplift Mofo Party Plan:
FINALLY! A solid RHCPs song shows up on the shuffle. This was the first album that I listened to by the RHCPs. A friend put a different song from this album on a mix tape for me, and I was hooked by this album. By the time I came on board, Hillel Slovak had died, and they were releasing Mother's Milk. I saw them live multiple times over the next 3 years. These are the RHCPs that I love and miss. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
SKIP: An "intro" to a Fugazi live album. Just a couple of people introducing the band.
3. "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights go out on Broadway)"--Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic:
This is the opening song on Billy Joel's first live album. Not sure that I have listened to this all the way through. Based on this opener, I need to. Great sound and solid representation of Joel live. NO SHAME.
4. "Arlandria"--FooFighers, Wasting Light:
This song is one of the strongest on the most recent Foo Fighters albums. This album has been in heavy rotation for me for the better part of the last year--it was released last April. I'm definitely a fan of the Foo Fighters. They are a consistent, solid rock band. I think it is fair to say that Grohl is not known as merely the former drummer of Nirvana. He has made his own name and, in my opinion, surpassed Cobain in many respects. NO SHAME.
5. "The Days of Wine and Roses"--Oranj Symphonette, Plays Mancini:
This song is just under a minute and does very little for me. However, the story behind this band holds a special memory. My wife and I honeymooned in San Francisco. We sought out some live music and found this band. They played all Mancini covers. The band's claim to fame is that they were Tom Waits's band at one point. Dave Brubek's son, Matt, was the bassist/cellist, and Joe Gore, who also played guitar for P.J. Harvey, were two of the bigger names in the band. They were great live, and we bought this CD as a souvenir. NO SHAME.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Week of January 30, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)