f you haven't guess by now, or been hiding under a rock you may have
noticed that we have our 2nd winter storm of the week. So far we
received about 10 inches of the white crap thus assering us of another
white christmas. Envy us Louisana.
I'm not sure about Global
Warming but I do think we are in the beginnings of an new ice age.
Seems that way the last three freaking winters.
So I spent most
of the day shoveling snow and trying to keep it off the car and watching
it get covered in snow all over again. Whatever is getting lost in
Greenland or the polar ice cap seems to make its way here. December
weather in Iowa, one big suckathon.
Yes Sassy Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers turned 62 Tuesday.
And
of course my favorite independent artist Liz Chaffe popped in to say
Howdy. Howdy back. In a perfect world Lizzy Williams would be played
on radio all across the nation. Magic 8 remains one of the essensial
albums of this decade. And Liz always is nice enough to check in too.
Keep a rockin y'all!
My other half has compiled a Christmas top
ten (and then some) and you will be able to see it two weeks from
today. I'm still in the process of editing some of it. But in the
meantime, Mr. S will give you another ten reasons why my radio station
is better than your radio station (But not as good as AM740)
1.
Take It Slow-Lizzy Williams 2005 As forementioned, this track always
sounded good leading off an album and Magic 8, as I said before remains
one of my favorite albums of the 00's. I haven't kept a log of repeated
songs in the top ten but Take It Slow has been on the list a few times,
alongside Can't Be Who You Want Me To Be. I'm sure you can find copies
at CD Baby. CD Baby remains a great place to discover the everyday
rock and roller that still loves music for it is; good tunes. And good
music is timeless, like Magic 8.
2. I'll Be Back-The Beatles
1964 Amazing to know that anywhere you go and whatever is played on the
radio that new music you cant remember like I can't remember it but
when you go to a McDonalds and they're playing something from The
Beatles that you can. No it wasn't a hit but it seems to stand out
better than what they play for music there. And it's a oldies station
they play. The McDonalds that I frequent plays music from the 60s and
70s and has MSNBC so I get entertained easy by Miss Maddow and Mr.
Olbermann although the Tiger Woods news is a bit too much. I don't care
about Tiger and his mistresses (all 9 of them) and neither should you.
3.
A Girl In Trouble Is A Temporary Thing-Romeo Void 1984 Maybe it was
the VH1 Bands Reunited that got me interested in this band, didn't care
much about them in the mid 80s but did find an album from theirs on the
wasted trip to Ames/Des Moines. This still can be heard on 80s radio
stations around the area.
4. Detroit City-Drivin N Cryin 2009 I
still care and I'm still a fan of Kevn Kenney and Tim Neilsen and their
first album in 12 years showcased some great rock and roll. Kenney's
voice isn't for everybody, and he looks like the uncle that you tend to
avoid at all costs but he can still rock it. Which is the point that
keeps me interested in new music. Although next year due to lack of
shelf space I won't be so generous in discovering the new big thing, but
if Drivin N Cryin still puts out new product I'll still listen.
5.
Turn It Over-Eddie Jobson/Zinc 1983 Do you know the biggest one hit
wonder of this decade was Daniel Powder's suckfest Bad Day? Do you
really care if I brought that up? This was a nice one hit wonder from
the dude who played in Jethro Tull and Roxy Music and he made a decent
prog rock/new age album called the Green Album and had a minor hit with
this. Sounded like Yes in a way. Found it on CD in Vegas a few years
ago and sold it but found the vinyl album in Ankeny during the wasted DM
trip.
6. The Diary Of Horace Wimp-Electric Light Orchestra
1979 I really haven't been much of a fan of Jeff Lynne in my younger
years although I did find some ELO albums in the dollar bins to which I
brought Discovery on the basis of Don't Bring Me Down. But the chorus
to this song sounds like a rip of the Bee Gees' Night Fever, don't get
me wrong this is a cool song but 1979 everybody was apeing the Bee Gees
in one way or another.
7. High And Dry-Poco 1974 Another dollar
album found at the pawn shop, this was Poco's final album for Epic
before moving on to ABC/MCA Records and I think the first album they did
with Mark Harman. Wounded Bird reissed this for a time but last I
checked it's not availble in their catalog. I suppose in the future I
might consider listening to more Poco but we'll see.
8. Ain't
That Just Like A Woman-Chuck Berry 1965 From his forgotten Fresh
Berry's, this is a cover of the Louis Jordan number that Jordan had a
hit back in the early 40s. And some people consider Jordan the first
true rock and roller but back then it was called jump blues.
9.
Can I Get To Know You Better-The Turtles 1965 The Turtles made some
fine fine music of the 60s and this was one of the lesser charting. But
it's still a pop classic in its own right. I get a smile when I play
it and sometimes my better half complains that I don't smile enough.
She might have a point.
10. Girls With Guns-Tommy Shaw 1984 He
was never this much fun in Styx, nor anything after this fun pop ditty
either. And the less said about Damn Yankees the better but at least
American Beat did reissue Girls With Guns on CD.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
What Do I Think Of New Music You Ask?
Not much.
As we conclude another year I've been listening to some albums that are being considered for the best of 2009. We have umpteenth review sites out there that can pretty much tell you what they think is great and some that would rather bash them. It's hard to review most album since there's so much out there and I just don't have enough time to sit down and actually listen to it like I used to when I was younger. Perhaps it's odd to state that the albums that I didn't care much for back in my teens I still listen to on a somewhat regular basis. (KISS Rock N Roll Over, BTO Head On, even Aerosmith Draw The Line come to mind). I remember them better than I do to some of the albums that I gave high praise of this decade. Could it be the loudness wars, to which a CD is TOO LOUD and everything GOES OVER MY HEAD SINCE IT IS SO LOUD?!? Or could it be that in my old age I'd rather watch TV and pass out on the couch rather than put on a CD and listen and pass out during the album.
I come to find that Rolling Stone or SPIN knows zilch about good music judging by reviewing some of their four star albums and being bored to death or it rubbed me the wrong way. I enjoyed the first Wolfmother album but their second just sucked to these ears. Another band that I liked Train, had some listenable albums till they pooped out Save Me San Francisco, an album so bad it reminded me of fucking Daniel Powder. Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear gave us something that sounded like progessive folk music and why or how people found anything of value of these turds I can't hear.
This decade will go down as the worst decade for music ever. Too much sugar coated crap and too many rap acts hiding behind the autotuner. American Idol is also blamed for the crapfest that has been bestowed upon us and gave us Kelly Clarkston and Miss Everything Carrie Underwood. While the Carrie Nation continues to go wow on each and every thing that Underwood puts out, I still get the feeling that she's not as geniune as she would like you to believe. Sure she can sing, but her problem is the problem of all these female singers that want to cram all their octaves into the final chorus (the Celine Dion/Whitney Houston syndrome). Despite what the Carrie Nation would like you to think, Miss Underwood does have her eye on the pop market, probably pissed that Taylor Swift managed to beat her to the pop side, with less albums to boot. And I still think that Taylor Swift would be more likely to talk to me rather than Carrie Underwood.
The talent shows such as Nashville Star or Make Me a Star or American Idol sometimes could give a unknown or runner up a second chance at stardom. Daughtry comes to mind although his Nickelback lite grunge rock isn't for me, and Taylor Hicks's Mike Mcdonald vocals did have a moment or two and even Bo Bice, had he recorded his own band instead of having his album ruined by Jon Bon Jovi might have beaten Daughtry to the charts, but Bice was a bit too southern rock and too 70s for the mass IPOD heads. The only act that made me buy their albums was Miranda Lambert, who was a carbon copy of a female Steve Earle and with the help of a used cd of her first album convinced me that sometimes greatness can come out of a Nashville Star or American Idol. Buddy Jewell where have you gone? So perhaps, Miranda Lambert is one of this decade's artist that I actually care about this year, making a great debut, a classic second album and a credible followup.
While fans and critics trip over themselves over Radiohead being best band of the decade, I still can't find anything off Kid A that warrants that praise. Basically, it's pompous, overplayed and a piece of crap as far as I concerned. Didn't care much for their 1997 OK Computer either. Pink Floyd was better although I will give Radiohead props for In Rainbows with their name your own price and make your own CD cover. Another band that suggests overratedness is The Strokes, whose Is This It had the most ironic title of this decade. Room On Fire was perferrable and Last Impressions Of Earth was total dreck. Band number 3 was Kings Of Leon. Their best album was their EP Holy Roller Novacaine which showcased a promising rock and roll band before somebody got them to listen to Radiohead and their albums lost focus. Then Mr. Folllowhill bitched about the price of fame and how they got too big. Nevertheless we can leave Caleb and company in the cutout bins should he feeled trapped by fame and fortune.
There are some highlights in a lost decade. Melody Gardot's Worrisome Heart, Long-View Mercury, Radio Moscow's debut which gave me some hope for the future before their second album Brain Waves proved that maybe they weren't the great lost Blue Cheer we were hoping for. Jack White made Loretta Lynn a genius with Van Leer Rose as producer although he did good things with White Stripes, The Racontuers and The Dead Weather. But the jury is still out wether or not if those albums are as enduring as Elephant or Van Leer Rose.
For progessive rock, I perfer Steven Wilson's Porcupine Tree over the overhyped and overbearing Mars Volta. Porcupine Tree I think will be remembered in the same way of Floyd or Zepplein if modern radio promotes them. Can't say if Those Crooked Vultures will be a band since it remains a all star collective but Dave Grohl's Foo Fighers or Josh Homme's Queens Of The Stone Age did managed to put out decent albums. But then again after listening to Foo Fighters' Greatest Hits, that seems to suggest that they're a better singles band than albums. And The Queens Of The Stone Age flamed out after their flop Era Viguris (sic) album. And the only time the Queens were interesting was when Grohl guest drummed on Songs For The Deaf a album that was great, ruined by Eric Valentine's shoddy production.
And that's the problem of this decade; that most albums were ruined by shitty recording. The Loudness Factor. that made could have been classics such as Long View Mercury or even The Rolling Stones Bigger Bang sound distorted and like crap. Yes, Bigger Band was pretty good but appently was mixed with Mick and Keith's hearing aid turned off. Metallica's Death Magentic would have been their best since Masters Of Puppets but ruined by a mix far into the red. Too loud CDs, compressed and mixed for the IPOD generation.
If Porcupine Tree or Miranda Lambert continues to make new albums I'll listen to them since they remains artists with something to say but the album format is dying and everything is moving over as singles, just like it did back in the 50s but instead of 45s or vinyl you get downloads. And that's where I get off the bus, I haven't downloaded any singles and will not. I still perfer the product in hand. The future generations will dictate what will be classic and if it becomes classic time will tell. The biggest one hit wonder of the decade remains Daniel Powder's crapassed Bad Day which became an American Idol standard for singers that didn't make the cut on AI. Which sums up the bottom line of what i think about the music of this decade.
Not much.
As we conclude another year I've been listening to some albums that are being considered for the best of 2009. We have umpteenth review sites out there that can pretty much tell you what they think is great and some that would rather bash them. It's hard to review most album since there's so much out there and I just don't have enough time to sit down and actually listen to it like I used to when I was younger. Perhaps it's odd to state that the albums that I didn't care much for back in my teens I still listen to on a somewhat regular basis. (KISS Rock N Roll Over, BTO Head On, even Aerosmith Draw The Line come to mind). I remember them better than I do to some of the albums that I gave high praise of this decade. Could it be the loudness wars, to which a CD is TOO LOUD and everything GOES OVER MY HEAD SINCE IT IS SO LOUD?!? Or could it be that in my old age I'd rather watch TV and pass out on the couch rather than put on a CD and listen and pass out during the album.
I come to find that Rolling Stone or SPIN knows zilch about good music judging by reviewing some of their four star albums and being bored to death or it rubbed me the wrong way. I enjoyed the first Wolfmother album but their second just sucked to these ears. Another band that I liked Train, had some listenable albums till they pooped out Save Me San Francisco, an album so bad it reminded me of fucking Daniel Powder. Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear gave us something that sounded like progessive folk music and why or how people found anything of value of these turds I can't hear.
This decade will go down as the worst decade for music ever. Too much sugar coated crap and too many rap acts hiding behind the autotuner. American Idol is also blamed for the crapfest that has been bestowed upon us and gave us Kelly Clarkston and Miss Everything Carrie Underwood. While the Carrie Nation continues to go wow on each and every thing that Underwood puts out, I still get the feeling that she's not as geniune as she would like you to believe. Sure she can sing, but her problem is the problem of all these female singers that want to cram all their octaves into the final chorus (the Celine Dion/Whitney Houston syndrome). Despite what the Carrie Nation would like you to think, Miss Underwood does have her eye on the pop market, probably pissed that Taylor Swift managed to beat her to the pop side, with less albums to boot. And I still think that Taylor Swift would be more likely to talk to me rather than Carrie Underwood.
The talent shows such as Nashville Star or Make Me a Star or American Idol sometimes could give a unknown or runner up a second chance at stardom. Daughtry comes to mind although his Nickelback lite grunge rock isn't for me, and Taylor Hicks's Mike Mcdonald vocals did have a moment or two and even Bo Bice, had he recorded his own band instead of having his album ruined by Jon Bon Jovi might have beaten Daughtry to the charts, but Bice was a bit too southern rock and too 70s for the mass IPOD heads. The only act that made me buy their albums was Miranda Lambert, who was a carbon copy of a female Steve Earle and with the help of a used cd of her first album convinced me that sometimes greatness can come out of a Nashville Star or American Idol. Buddy Jewell where have you gone? So perhaps, Miranda Lambert is one of this decade's artist that I actually care about this year, making a great debut, a classic second album and a credible followup.
While fans and critics trip over themselves over Radiohead being best band of the decade, I still can't find anything off Kid A that warrants that praise. Basically, it's pompous, overplayed and a piece of crap as far as I concerned. Didn't care much for their 1997 OK Computer either. Pink Floyd was better although I will give Radiohead props for In Rainbows with their name your own price and make your own CD cover. Another band that suggests overratedness is The Strokes, whose Is This It had the most ironic title of this decade. Room On Fire was perferrable and Last Impressions Of Earth was total dreck. Band number 3 was Kings Of Leon. Their best album was their EP Holy Roller Novacaine which showcased a promising rock and roll band before somebody got them to listen to Radiohead and their albums lost focus. Then Mr. Folllowhill bitched about the price of fame and how they got too big. Nevertheless we can leave Caleb and company in the cutout bins should he feeled trapped by fame and fortune.
There are some highlights in a lost decade. Melody Gardot's Worrisome Heart, Long-View Mercury, Radio Moscow's debut which gave me some hope for the future before their second album Brain Waves proved that maybe they weren't the great lost Blue Cheer we were hoping for. Jack White made Loretta Lynn a genius with Van Leer Rose as producer although he did good things with White Stripes, The Racontuers and The Dead Weather. But the jury is still out wether or not if those albums are as enduring as Elephant or Van Leer Rose.
For progessive rock, I perfer Steven Wilson's Porcupine Tree over the overhyped and overbearing Mars Volta. Porcupine Tree I think will be remembered in the same way of Floyd or Zepplein if modern radio promotes them. Can't say if Those Crooked Vultures will be a band since it remains a all star collective but Dave Grohl's Foo Fighers or Josh Homme's Queens Of The Stone Age did managed to put out decent albums. But then again after listening to Foo Fighters' Greatest Hits, that seems to suggest that they're a better singles band than albums. And The Queens Of The Stone Age flamed out after their flop Era Viguris (sic) album. And the only time the Queens were interesting was when Grohl guest drummed on Songs For The Deaf a album that was great, ruined by Eric Valentine's shoddy production.
And that's the problem of this decade; that most albums were ruined by shitty recording. The Loudness Factor. that made could have been classics such as Long View Mercury or even The Rolling Stones Bigger Bang sound distorted and like crap. Yes, Bigger Band was pretty good but appently was mixed with Mick and Keith's hearing aid turned off. Metallica's Death Magentic would have been their best since Masters Of Puppets but ruined by a mix far into the red. Too loud CDs, compressed and mixed for the IPOD generation.
If Porcupine Tree or Miranda Lambert continues to make new albums I'll listen to them since they remains artists with something to say but the album format is dying and everything is moving over as singles, just like it did back in the 50s but instead of 45s or vinyl you get downloads. And that's where I get off the bus, I haven't downloaded any singles and will not. I still perfer the product in hand. The future generations will dictate what will be classic and if it becomes classic time will tell. The biggest one hit wonder of the decade remains Daniel Powder's crapassed Bad Day which became an American Idol standard for singers that didn't make the cut on AI. Which sums up the bottom line of what i think about the music of this decade.
Not much.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
History Of Music 2008
1. Radiohead-In Rainbows (ATO) B
2. Bruce Springsteen-Magic (Columbia) C+
3. Raveonettes-Lust Lust Lust (Vice 47:18) B-
4. Ray Davies-Working Man's Cafe (New West 61:56) B+
5. Mike Doughtry-Golden Delicious (ATO) B-
6. Willie Nelson-Moment Of Forever (Lost Highway 53:11) A-
7. The Coral-Roots And Echoes (Deltasonic 42:18) B+
8. Black Crowes-Warpaint (Silver Arrow 53:43) C+
9. Diplomats Of Solid Sound With The Diplomattes B+
10. Raconteurs-Consolers Of The Lonely (WB 55:35) B+
11. REM-Accelerate (WB 34:25)A-
12. Pat Monahan-Last Of Seven (Columbia 48:20) C+
13. James McMurtry-Just Us Kids (Lightning Rod 60:17) A-
14. Lady Antebellum (Capitol 42:48) B-
15. Asia-Phoenix (EMI 64:55) C+
16. BoDeans-Still (Orafin 46:35) B+
17. Bo Ramsey-Fragile (BR Records 41:52)A-
18. Portishead-3 (Mercury 50:47) A-
19. Whitesnake-Good To Be Bad (SPV 59:26) B+
20. Steve Winwood-Nine Lives (Columbia 57:16) A-
21. Rush-Snakes And Arrows Live (Atlantic 79:05-74:47) B+
22. Kooks-Konk (Virgin 43:55) C+
23. Dierks Bentley-Greatest Hits (Capitol 71:30) B+
24. Foxboro Hot Tubs-Stop Drop & Roll (32:42) B+
25. King's X-XV (Inside Out 54:08) A-
26. 7th And Beale-Crossroads & Highways (41:27) B
27. Fratellis-Here We Stand (Cherrytree 47:57) A-
28. Dead Rock West-Honey And Salt (42:12) B+
29. Ringo Starr-Liverpool 8 (Capitol 45:25) C+
30. Townedgers-Pawnshops For Olivia (Radio Maierburg 47:30) A+
31. Alejandro Escovedo-Real Animal (EMI Manhattan 49:09) A-
32. Teddy Thompson-A Piece Of What You Need (Verve 35:50)A-
33. Supergrass-Diamond Hoo Ha (EMI 41:11) B
34. Mudcrutch (Reprise 56:55) A-
35. Joe Cocker-Hymm For My Soul (Fantasy 41:49) B+
36. Switches-Lay Down The Law (Interscope 37:50) B+
37. POD-Where Angels And Serpents Dance (INO 51:30) B
38. Hold Steady-Stay Positive (Vagrant 55:15) B
39. Coldplay-Viva La Vida (Capitol 45:49) B+
40. Los Lonely Boys-Forgiven (Epic 41:35) B+
41. The Roots-Rising Down (Def Jam 47:24) A-
42. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 6 (Wicked Cool 40:35) B+
43. Candlebox-Into The Sun (Silent Majority 49:03) C+
44. Cropper & Cavaralie Nudge It Up A Notch (Stax 48:10) C+
45. Black Stone Cherry-Folklore & Superstition (Roadrunner 53:01)A-
46. Randy Newman-Harps And Angels (Nonesuch 34:55) B+
47. Charaltans UK-You Cross My Path (Cooking Vinyl 36:43) C+
48. Motorhead-Motorizer (SPV 38:43) B+
49. Mettalica-Death Magnetic (WB 74:40) A-
50. BB King-One Kind Favor (Geffen 57:05) B+
51. Blues Traveler-North Hollywood Shootout (Verve 42:10) B
52. John Hiatt-Same Old Man (New West 45:30) B+
53. Wreckless Eric/Amy Rigby (Stiff 40:27) B
54. Matthew Sweet-Sunshine Lies (Shout Factory 50:45) B+
55. Jordan Zevon-Insides Out (New West 40:39) A-
56. Oasis-Dig Out Your Soul (Reprise 45:54) B+
57. AC/DC Black Ice (Columbia 55:39) B+
58. Kings Of Leon-Only By The Night (RCA 42:39) B+
59. Waylon Jennings-Waylon Forever (Vagrant 35:41) C+
60. Ryan Adams-Cardinalogy (Lost Highway 40:39) B+
61. Snow Patrol-A Hundred Million Suns (Geffen 58:16) A-
62. Jack's Mannequin-Glass Passenger (Sire 56:36) C+
63. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 7 (Wicked Cool 48:55) B
64. Secret Machines (World's Fair 48:00) B+
65. The Sound Of The Smiths (Rhino/Sire 77:16) A
66. Melody Gardot-Worrisome Heart (Verve 33:11) A-
67. Belle & Sebastian-BBC Sessions (Matador 57:00) A-
68. We Wish You A Heavy Metal Christmas (Armory 51:14) B
69. Fall Out Boy-Folie A Duex (Island 50:34) B
70. Saliva-Cinco Diablo (Island 38:00) B
71. Jet Black Stare-In This Life (Island 40:17) B-
72. Mother Truckers-Lets All Go To Bed (Funzino 42:10)B-
2. Bruce Springsteen-Magic (Columbia) C+
3. Raveonettes-Lust Lust Lust (Vice 47:18) B-
4. Ray Davies-Working Man's Cafe (New West 61:56) B+
5. Mike Doughtry-Golden Delicious (ATO) B-
6. Willie Nelson-Moment Of Forever (Lost Highway 53:11) A-
7. The Coral-Roots And Echoes (Deltasonic 42:18) B+
8. Black Crowes-Warpaint (Silver Arrow 53:43) C+
9. Diplomats Of Solid Sound With The Diplomattes B+
10. Raconteurs-Consolers Of The Lonely (WB 55:35) B+
11. REM-Accelerate (WB 34:25)A-
12. Pat Monahan-Last Of Seven (Columbia 48:20) C+
13. James McMurtry-Just Us Kids (Lightning Rod 60:17) A-
14. Lady Antebellum (Capitol 42:48) B-
15. Asia-Phoenix (EMI 64:55) C+
16. BoDeans-Still (Orafin 46:35) B+
17. Bo Ramsey-Fragile (BR Records 41:52)A-
18. Portishead-3 (Mercury 50:47) A-
19. Whitesnake-Good To Be Bad (SPV 59:26) B+
20. Steve Winwood-Nine Lives (Columbia 57:16) A-
21. Rush-Snakes And Arrows Live (Atlantic 79:05-74:47) B+
22. Kooks-Konk (Virgin 43:55) C+
23. Dierks Bentley-Greatest Hits (Capitol 71:30) B+
24. Foxboro Hot Tubs-Stop Drop & Roll (32:42) B+
25. King's X-XV (Inside Out 54:08) A-
26. 7th And Beale-Crossroads & Highways (41:27) B
27. Fratellis-Here We Stand (Cherrytree 47:57) A-
28. Dead Rock West-Honey And Salt (42:12) B+
29. Ringo Starr-Liverpool 8 (Capitol 45:25) C+
30. Townedgers-Pawnshops For Olivia (Radio Maierburg 47:30) A+
31. Alejandro Escovedo-Real Animal (EMI Manhattan 49:09) A-
32. Teddy Thompson-A Piece Of What You Need (Verve 35:50)A-
33. Supergrass-Diamond Hoo Ha (EMI 41:11) B
34. Mudcrutch (Reprise 56:55) A-
35. Joe Cocker-Hymm For My Soul (Fantasy 41:49) B+
36. Switches-Lay Down The Law (Interscope 37:50) B+
37. POD-Where Angels And Serpents Dance (INO 51:30) B
38. Hold Steady-Stay Positive (Vagrant 55:15) B
39. Coldplay-Viva La Vida (Capitol 45:49) B+
40. Los Lonely Boys-Forgiven (Epic 41:35) B+
41. The Roots-Rising Down (Def Jam 47:24) A-
42. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 6 (Wicked Cool 40:35) B+
43. Candlebox-Into The Sun (Silent Majority 49:03) C+
44. Cropper & Cavaralie Nudge It Up A Notch (Stax 48:10) C+
45. Black Stone Cherry-Folklore & Superstition (Roadrunner 53:01)A-
46. Randy Newman-Harps And Angels (Nonesuch 34:55) B+
47. Charaltans UK-You Cross My Path (Cooking Vinyl 36:43) C+
48. Motorhead-Motorizer (SPV 38:43) B+
49. Mettalica-Death Magnetic (WB 74:40) A-
50. BB King-One Kind Favor (Geffen 57:05) B+
51. Blues Traveler-North Hollywood Shootout (Verve 42:10) B
52. John Hiatt-Same Old Man (New West 45:30) B+
53. Wreckless Eric/Amy Rigby (Stiff 40:27) B
54. Matthew Sweet-Sunshine Lies (Shout Factory 50:45) B+
55. Jordan Zevon-Insides Out (New West 40:39) A-
56. Oasis-Dig Out Your Soul (Reprise 45:54) B+
57. AC/DC Black Ice (Columbia 55:39) B+
58. Kings Of Leon-Only By The Night (RCA 42:39) B+
59. Waylon Jennings-Waylon Forever (Vagrant 35:41) C+
60. Ryan Adams-Cardinalogy (Lost Highway 40:39) B+
61. Snow Patrol-A Hundred Million Suns (Geffen 58:16) A-
62. Jack's Mannequin-Glass Passenger (Sire 56:36) C+
63. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 7 (Wicked Cool 48:55) B
64. Secret Machines (World's Fair 48:00) B+
65. The Sound Of The Smiths (Rhino/Sire 77:16) A
66. Melody Gardot-Worrisome Heart (Verve 33:11) A-
67. Belle & Sebastian-BBC Sessions (Matador 57:00) A-
68. We Wish You A Heavy Metal Christmas (Armory 51:14) B
69. Fall Out Boy-Folie A Duex (Island 50:34) B
70. Saliva-Cinco Diablo (Island 38:00) B
71. Jet Black Stare-In This Life (Island 40:17) B-
72. Mother Truckers-Lets All Go To Bed (Funzino 42:10)B-
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Top Ten Of The Week-Once In A Blue Moon
Do you know that this month we have two full moon cycles? One today and
the next full moon cycle comes at New Year's Eve. Let's hope we have a
nice clear evening to see that.
Looks like the folks at J & K Trucking and myself have settled upon a agreed upon payment to get my Corsica Fixed. Basically it's a 50 50 type of settlement and it's better than nothing. So hopefully, the car will be fixed just in time for my girlfriend to arrive.
I don't care about Tiger Woods
Chuck Grassley is an old senile fuck that's out of tune with the people here and the lobbyist from insurance and drug companies in his back pocket.
Lee Ann Womack, the one who gave us I Hope You Dance tweeted me the other nite saying she liked my comment about Bruce Springsteen sounding like he need to take a dump during the RNRHOF concert on HBO sunday night. "hit it on the head" she repiled. Gotta love Lee Ann for chatting with us plain folk. Thanks for writing Lee Ann, we hope you dance too.
And now this week's top ten playlist. Only four more left to go kiddies.
1. Keep Pushing-REO Speedwagon 1977 I had the CD and traded it in since I had the album but playing the album sunday night I noticed quite a few pops and clicks on the record and wondering WTF? If I known the album sounded this bad, I would have kept the damn CD. Anyway, Kevin Cronin returns on this album and this becomes the first step in world domination from the Speedwagon. REO was a pretty good midwestern rock band till they went MOR ballads in 1980. Sellouts indeed.
2. It's Gonna Be-Norah Jones 2009 Not surprisingly, her new album didn't top the charts, she went with a more guitar driven and more moody sound than Not Too Late but I think I do like her new album The Fall a lot. I kinda wished this record would do better but there's not much that resembles her big hit Don't Know Why, a song that I can really do without due to KDAT overkill. The Fall just might make my top ten best albums of 2009.
3. Cry Me A River-Joe Cocker 1970 From Mad Dogs & Englishman that mammoth live album and mammoth band that Leon Russell put together. Finally got around hearing Mad Dogs this week and despite the slow and plodding Blue Medley, it's not a bad album. Compared to Joe's Woodstock concert, this was ALL OUT, with Woodstock, the Grease Band was more stripped down and needed those female vocals. Does it amaze you that Joe Cocker is still around 40 years later too? It does to me.
4. Picture Book-The Kinks 1968 KKRQ played a very rare Kinks track today. Plastic Man! Never heard it before on the radio mind you and it's rare to the point that I don't even have that on any of my cds. KUNI played Picture Book, a new version from an album that Pairs Ray Davies up with a chorial. Strange to hear a choir singing background on this song and I doubt if I'll buy that album but it did remind me to refer to the original version that can be found (and perferred) on The Kinks Are The Preservation Society CD. Even still have it on vinyl, God I'm a music pack rat.
5. Ever Since The World Begin-Gary Myrick & The Figures 1980 With Wounded Bird reissing Gary Myrick's albums I have to pull out my vinyl copy to rediscover Mr. Myrick and found that his first album remains his best. I know I played this album quite a bit during 1980 enuff to put most of those songs on a cassette on the old Crusing By The Moonlight show that I did. Basically it was me and a cassette player crusing up and down old highway 151 in Cedar Rapids way back when. Don't do that too often and the cassette player has been replaced by a Discman that still plays great after 9 years of everyday use. It actually outlasted two CD players hooked up to my stereo. Oh, to be young again and making the same mistakes that I used to do.
6. The River-Octopus 1970 Another odd cd that was found at HP Books, this was a forgotten British band that made one album for Larry Page's Penny Farthling UK label although I don't think it was ever released in America and best known for a comic book drawing that the band didn't care much for. Rev Ola reissued the CD with bonus tracks including a note for note live version of I Am The Walrus. Two members of this band went on to join Split Enz just in time for their biggest hit I Got You (Malcom Green and Nigel Griggs).
7. Black Day In July-Gordon Lightfoot 1968 Lightfoot made four albums for United Artists and this was a minor hit for him. Basically a retelling of the Detroit Riots of 1967.
8. Christmas For Cowboys-The Townedgers 2005 It's christmas time and I'm sure I'll add a song or two from the holiday season but I'll go with a local band that did a cover of the John Denver version that is more famous. K Memory played the John Denver version today marking the first time that I heard a christmas song anywhere without changing the channel but I'm sure you'll hear Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin Around The Christmas Tree about 150 times before Christmas. But not the TEs, they're exclusive here.
9. Napoleon Bona-Part One And Two-Budgie 1975 Forgotten three piece power rock band that made a bunch of albums for MCA and A&M but they also had a deadpan sense of humor too. One of a few albums that I found on the illfated Ames/Des Moines trip. Thank God the Ankeny Goodwill had some decent music albums.
10. Burn Down The Mission-Elton John 1971 For all purposes I still can't get into Tumbleweek Connection but this remains my favorite song off that album and it was also on Your Songs, that 1986 MCA compliation that was tailor made for the CD age but since I have upgrades of his classic albums, I didn't see the need for Your Songs and donated mine to the Salvation Army in a attempt to give back in what I found for bargains up there. If you are thinking that there seems to be a lot of Elton John songs in the top ten of the week the past month, you're right, I've been listening to lots of EJ. And that's of a forthcoming blog about his past music works and I am trying to at least listen and grade accoudingly. He may be a diva, but EJ did provide us some of the greatest music of the 70s, most of it overplayed to death but the lesser knowns still have a redeeming quality and charm. Let's hope that they don't get ran into the ground like Rocket Man or Bennie And The Jets or Crock Rock.
Looks like the folks at J & K Trucking and myself have settled upon a agreed upon payment to get my Corsica Fixed. Basically it's a 50 50 type of settlement and it's better than nothing. So hopefully, the car will be fixed just in time for my girlfriend to arrive.
I don't care about Tiger Woods
Chuck Grassley is an old senile fuck that's out of tune with the people here and the lobbyist from insurance and drug companies in his back pocket.
Lee Ann Womack, the one who gave us I Hope You Dance tweeted me the other nite saying she liked my comment about Bruce Springsteen sounding like he need to take a dump during the RNRHOF concert on HBO sunday night. "hit it on the head" she repiled. Gotta love Lee Ann for chatting with us plain folk. Thanks for writing Lee Ann, we hope you dance too.
And now this week's top ten playlist. Only four more left to go kiddies.
1. Keep Pushing-REO Speedwagon 1977 I had the CD and traded it in since I had the album but playing the album sunday night I noticed quite a few pops and clicks on the record and wondering WTF? If I known the album sounded this bad, I would have kept the damn CD. Anyway, Kevin Cronin returns on this album and this becomes the first step in world domination from the Speedwagon. REO was a pretty good midwestern rock band till they went MOR ballads in 1980. Sellouts indeed.
2. It's Gonna Be-Norah Jones 2009 Not surprisingly, her new album didn't top the charts, she went with a more guitar driven and more moody sound than Not Too Late but I think I do like her new album The Fall a lot. I kinda wished this record would do better but there's not much that resembles her big hit Don't Know Why, a song that I can really do without due to KDAT overkill. The Fall just might make my top ten best albums of 2009.
3. Cry Me A River-Joe Cocker 1970 From Mad Dogs & Englishman that mammoth live album and mammoth band that Leon Russell put together. Finally got around hearing Mad Dogs this week and despite the slow and plodding Blue Medley, it's not a bad album. Compared to Joe's Woodstock concert, this was ALL OUT, with Woodstock, the Grease Band was more stripped down and needed those female vocals. Does it amaze you that Joe Cocker is still around 40 years later too? It does to me.
4. Picture Book-The Kinks 1968 KKRQ played a very rare Kinks track today. Plastic Man! Never heard it before on the radio mind you and it's rare to the point that I don't even have that on any of my cds. KUNI played Picture Book, a new version from an album that Pairs Ray Davies up with a chorial. Strange to hear a choir singing background on this song and I doubt if I'll buy that album but it did remind me to refer to the original version that can be found (and perferred) on The Kinks Are The Preservation Society CD. Even still have it on vinyl, God I'm a music pack rat.
5. Ever Since The World Begin-Gary Myrick & The Figures 1980 With Wounded Bird reissing Gary Myrick's albums I have to pull out my vinyl copy to rediscover Mr. Myrick and found that his first album remains his best. I know I played this album quite a bit during 1980 enuff to put most of those songs on a cassette on the old Crusing By The Moonlight show that I did. Basically it was me and a cassette player crusing up and down old highway 151 in Cedar Rapids way back when. Don't do that too often and the cassette player has been replaced by a Discman that still plays great after 9 years of everyday use. It actually outlasted two CD players hooked up to my stereo. Oh, to be young again and making the same mistakes that I used to do.
6. The River-Octopus 1970 Another odd cd that was found at HP Books, this was a forgotten British band that made one album for Larry Page's Penny Farthling UK label although I don't think it was ever released in America and best known for a comic book drawing that the band didn't care much for. Rev Ola reissued the CD with bonus tracks including a note for note live version of I Am The Walrus. Two members of this band went on to join Split Enz just in time for their biggest hit I Got You (Malcom Green and Nigel Griggs).
7. Black Day In July-Gordon Lightfoot 1968 Lightfoot made four albums for United Artists and this was a minor hit for him. Basically a retelling of the Detroit Riots of 1967.
8. Christmas For Cowboys-The Townedgers 2005 It's christmas time and I'm sure I'll add a song or two from the holiday season but I'll go with a local band that did a cover of the John Denver version that is more famous. K Memory played the John Denver version today marking the first time that I heard a christmas song anywhere without changing the channel but I'm sure you'll hear Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin Around The Christmas Tree about 150 times before Christmas. But not the TEs, they're exclusive here.
9. Napoleon Bona-Part One And Two-Budgie 1975 Forgotten three piece power rock band that made a bunch of albums for MCA and A&M but they also had a deadpan sense of humor too. One of a few albums that I found on the illfated Ames/Des Moines trip. Thank God the Ankeny Goodwill had some decent music albums.
10. Burn Down The Mission-Elton John 1971 For all purposes I still can't get into Tumbleweek Connection but this remains my favorite song off that album and it was also on Your Songs, that 1986 MCA compliation that was tailor made for the CD age but since I have upgrades of his classic albums, I didn't see the need for Your Songs and donated mine to the Salvation Army in a attempt to give back in what I found for bargains up there. If you are thinking that there seems to be a lot of Elton John songs in the top ten of the week the past month, you're right, I've been listening to lots of EJ. And that's of a forthcoming blog about his past music works and I am trying to at least listen and grade accoudingly. He may be a diva, but EJ did provide us some of the greatest music of the 70s, most of it overplayed to death but the lesser knowns still have a redeeming quality and charm. Let's hope that they don't get ran into the ground like Rocket Man or Bennie And The Jets or Crock Rock.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
History Of The Music World 2007
1. Mellow The Band-1967 (Renanassiance 46:47) B+
2. Gloria Trevi-La Historia (Norte 59:16) A-
3. AM-Troubled Times (39:36) B
4. Decemberists-The Crane's Wife (Capitol 60:15) B+
5. Moe. The Couch (Fatboy 75:00) B-
6. The Coolest Songs In The World Volume 1 (Wicked Cool 50:33)A-
7. John Hammond-Push Comes To Shove (EMI 45:22) B+
8. Chesterfield Kings-The Mindbending Sounds Of (Wicked Cool 48:06) B
9. Fountains Of Wayne-Traffic And Weather (Virgin 47:34) A-
10. Kings Of Leon-Because Of The Times (RCA 51:40) B-
11. Fratellis-Costello Music (Cherrytree 43:00) A-
12. Bob Welch-Fleetwood Mac Years Two (AAO 39:31)B-
13. Reliant K-Five Score And Seven Years Ago (Capitol 51:17) B+
14. Ted Leo-Living With The Living (Touch And Go 62:03) C+
15. Roger Clyne-No More Beautiful World (EmmaJama 57:42) B+
16. Honeydogs-Anygdala (56:20) B+
17. Albert Ayler-The Impulse Years (Impulse 56:37)B+
18. Son Volt-The Search (Legacy 48:57) C+
19. Bright Eyes-Cassadega (Saddle Creek 62:10)C+
20. Porcupine Tree-Fear Of A Blank Planet (Atlantic 50:33) A-
21. Arctic Monkeys-Favorite Worst Nighmare (Domino 38:37) B
22. The Feeling-Twelve Stops And Home (Cherrytree 55:07) C+
23. Fall Out Boy-Infinity On High (Island 47:57) B-
24. The Townedgers-The Highway Home (Radio Maierburg 47:35) B
25. Jah Roots-Crucial (47:50) C
26. Joe Meek-Freakbeat (Castle 77:54) A-
27. Rush-Snakes And Arrows (Atlantic 62:46) B+
28. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-Baby 81 (RCA 60:24) B
29. Idlewild-Make Another World (Sanctuary 41:14) A-
30. Lindsay Buckingham-Under The Skin (Reprise 45:04) C-
31. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 2 (Wicked Cool 49:38) A-
32. Gretchen Wilson-One Of The Boys (Columbia 37:27) B
33. Linkin Park-Minites To Midnight (WB 43:31) B
34. Radio Moscow (Alive 37:00) B+
35. Saliva-Blood Stained Love Letter (Island 40:09) B+
36. Richard Thompson-Sweet Warrior (Shout Factory 68:10) A-
37. A Band Of Bees-Octopus (Astrelwerks 39:25) B
38. Body Count-Murder For Hire (Escapi Music 44:25) B
39. Porter Wagoner-Wagonmaster (Anti 53:00) A-
40. Queens Of The Stone Age-Era Valgarli (Interscope 47:26) B-
41. White Stripes-Icky Thump (Third Man/WB 48:26) B
42. Elizabeth Cook-Balls (Thirty One Tigers 32:57) A-
43. Lifehouse-Who We Are (Geffen 46:27) C
44. Artimus Pyle-Artimus Vemonous (Deadline 58:49) B
45. Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger (Lost Highway 38:00) B
46. Nick Lowe-At My Age (Yep Roc 33:13) B-
47. Against Me-New Wave (Sire 33:38) B+
48. Velvet Revolver-Libertard (RCA 51:57) B+
49. Dash Rip Rock-Hee Haw Hell (Alternative Tenticles 37:15) B+
50. MxPx-Secret Weapon (Tooth & Nail 49:15) B+
51. Bad Religion-New Maps Of Hell (Epitaph 38:30)A-
52. Teddy Thompson-Upfront And Down Low (Verve 45:50)B+
53. Moses Mayfield-The Inside (Columbia 55:30) D+
54. EIEIO (44:15) A-
55. Silverchair-Young Moderns (11 45:16) B-
56. Marshall Tucker Band-The Next Adventure (Shout Factory 41:00) B
57. Delta Moon-Clear Blue Flame (40:46) A-
58. Linda Thompson-Versatile Heart (Rounder 44:16) B
59. Liars (Mute 39:10) A-
60. Foghat-Live 2 (Metro City) B
61. Peter Himmelman-Where The Pigeons Sleep (Himmelsongs 49:16)A-
62. Miranda Lambert-Crazy Ex Girlfriend (Columbia 37:25) A
63. Joe Strummer-The Future Is Unwritten S/T (Legacy 76:05) B-
64. Meat Puppets-Rise To Your Knees (Anonyle 68:39) B-
65. Ministry-The Last Sucker (13th Planet 69:05) B-
66. Stablizers-Wanna Do The Wild Plastic Love Brane (Wicked Cool 35:47) A-
67. Ted Nugent-Love Grenade (Eagle Rock 57:50) C
68. Flynnville Train (Show Dog 36:00) B
69. Peter Case-Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John (Yep Roc 41:16)B-
70. John Fogerty-Revival (Fantasy 43:45) B+
71. Kid Rock-Rock And Roll Jesus (Atlantic 66:56) A-
72. Gov Mule-Mighty High (ATO 66:56) C-
73. Patti Sciafa-Play It As It Lays (Columbia 39:13) A-
74. Merle Haggard-Bluegrass Sessions ( McCoury Music 40:55) B+
75. Steve Earle-Washington Square Seranade (New West 42:13) B
76. Sister Hazel-Bam Volume 1 (Rock Ridge 56:18) B+
77. Ryan Adams-Follow The Lights (Lost Highway 31:12) B+
78. Editors-An End Has A Start (Epic 44:38) B
79. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss Raising Sand (Rounder 57:27) B+
80. Rorky Erickson-You're Gonna Miss Me S/T (Palm 37:26) B+
81. Jimmy Eat World-Chase The Light (Interscope 41:37) B-
82. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 3 (Wicked Cool 47:11) B+
83. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 4 (Wicked Cool 49:51) A-
84. Monster Magnet-20th Century Masters (A&M 49:00) C+
85. Chesterfield Kings-Psychedelic Sunrise (Wicked Cool 42:37) B+
86. Hives-Black And White Album (A&M 45:27) B+
87. Queensryche-Take Cover (Rhino 55:27) B-
88. Ricky Skaggs/Bruce Hornsby (Legacy 49:00)B+
89. Christmas With The Smitereens (Koch 37:09) A-
90. Wishbone Ash-The Power Of Enternity (Sanctuary 49:29) B+
91. Derailers-Under The Influence Of Buck (Palo Duro 34:26)A-
92. Big Head Todd-All The Love You Need (Big 34:26) B+
2. Gloria Trevi-La Historia (Norte 59:16) A-
3. AM-Troubled Times (39:36) B
4. Decemberists-The Crane's Wife (Capitol 60:15) B+
5. Moe. The Couch (Fatboy 75:00) B-
6. The Coolest Songs In The World Volume 1 (Wicked Cool 50:33)A-
7. John Hammond-Push Comes To Shove (EMI 45:22) B+
8. Chesterfield Kings-The Mindbending Sounds Of (Wicked Cool 48:06) B
9. Fountains Of Wayne-Traffic And Weather (Virgin 47:34) A-
10. Kings Of Leon-Because Of The Times (RCA 51:40) B-
11. Fratellis-Costello Music (Cherrytree 43:00) A-
12. Bob Welch-Fleetwood Mac Years Two (AAO 39:31)B-
13. Reliant K-Five Score And Seven Years Ago (Capitol 51:17) B+
14. Ted Leo-Living With The Living (Touch And Go 62:03) C+
15. Roger Clyne-No More Beautiful World (EmmaJama 57:42) B+
16. Honeydogs-Anygdala (56:20) B+
17. Albert Ayler-The Impulse Years (Impulse 56:37)B+
18. Son Volt-The Search (Legacy 48:57) C+
19. Bright Eyes-Cassadega (Saddle Creek 62:10)C+
20. Porcupine Tree-Fear Of A Blank Planet (Atlantic 50:33) A-
21. Arctic Monkeys-Favorite Worst Nighmare (Domino 38:37) B
22. The Feeling-Twelve Stops And Home (Cherrytree 55:07) C+
23. Fall Out Boy-Infinity On High (Island 47:57) B-
24. The Townedgers-The Highway Home (Radio Maierburg 47:35) B
25. Jah Roots-Crucial (47:50) C
26. Joe Meek-Freakbeat (Castle 77:54) A-
27. Rush-Snakes And Arrows (Atlantic 62:46) B+
28. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-Baby 81 (RCA 60:24) B
29. Idlewild-Make Another World (Sanctuary 41:14) A-
30. Lindsay Buckingham-Under The Skin (Reprise 45:04) C-
31. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 2 (Wicked Cool 49:38) A-
32. Gretchen Wilson-One Of The Boys (Columbia 37:27) B
33. Linkin Park-Minites To Midnight (WB 43:31) B
34. Radio Moscow (Alive 37:00) B+
35. Saliva-Blood Stained Love Letter (Island 40:09) B+
36. Richard Thompson-Sweet Warrior (Shout Factory 68:10) A-
37. A Band Of Bees-Octopus (Astrelwerks 39:25) B
38. Body Count-Murder For Hire (Escapi Music 44:25) B
39. Porter Wagoner-Wagonmaster (Anti 53:00) A-
40. Queens Of The Stone Age-Era Valgarli (Interscope 47:26) B-
41. White Stripes-Icky Thump (Third Man/WB 48:26) B
42. Elizabeth Cook-Balls (Thirty One Tigers 32:57) A-
43. Lifehouse-Who We Are (Geffen 46:27) C
44. Artimus Pyle-Artimus Vemonous (Deadline 58:49) B
45. Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger (Lost Highway 38:00) B
46. Nick Lowe-At My Age (Yep Roc 33:13) B-
47. Against Me-New Wave (Sire 33:38) B+
48. Velvet Revolver-Libertard (RCA 51:57) B+
49. Dash Rip Rock-Hee Haw Hell (Alternative Tenticles 37:15) B+
50. MxPx-Secret Weapon (Tooth & Nail 49:15) B+
51. Bad Religion-New Maps Of Hell (Epitaph 38:30)A-
52. Teddy Thompson-Upfront And Down Low (Verve 45:50)B+
53. Moses Mayfield-The Inside (Columbia 55:30) D+
54. EIEIO (44:15) A-
55. Silverchair-Young Moderns (11 45:16) B-
56. Marshall Tucker Band-The Next Adventure (Shout Factory 41:00) B
57. Delta Moon-Clear Blue Flame (40:46) A-
58. Linda Thompson-Versatile Heart (Rounder 44:16) B
59. Liars (Mute 39:10) A-
60. Foghat-Live 2 (Metro City) B
61. Peter Himmelman-Where The Pigeons Sleep (Himmelsongs 49:16)A-
62. Miranda Lambert-Crazy Ex Girlfriend (Columbia 37:25) A
63. Joe Strummer-The Future Is Unwritten S/T (Legacy 76:05) B-
64. Meat Puppets-Rise To Your Knees (Anonyle 68:39) B-
65. Ministry-The Last Sucker (13th Planet 69:05) B-
66. Stablizers-Wanna Do The Wild Plastic Love Brane (Wicked Cool 35:47) A-
67. Ted Nugent-Love Grenade (Eagle Rock 57:50) C
68. Flynnville Train (Show Dog 36:00) B
69. Peter Case-Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John (Yep Roc 41:16)B-
70. John Fogerty-Revival (Fantasy 43:45) B+
71. Kid Rock-Rock And Roll Jesus (Atlantic 66:56) A-
72. Gov Mule-Mighty High (ATO 66:56) C-
73. Patti Sciafa-Play It As It Lays (Columbia 39:13) A-
74. Merle Haggard-Bluegrass Sessions ( McCoury Music 40:55) B+
75. Steve Earle-Washington Square Seranade (New West 42:13) B
76. Sister Hazel-Bam Volume 1 (Rock Ridge 56:18) B+
77. Ryan Adams-Follow The Lights (Lost Highway 31:12) B+
78. Editors-An End Has A Start (Epic 44:38) B
79. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss Raising Sand (Rounder 57:27) B+
80. Rorky Erickson-You're Gonna Miss Me S/T (Palm 37:26) B+
81. Jimmy Eat World-Chase The Light (Interscope 41:37) B-
82. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 3 (Wicked Cool 47:11) B+
83. Coolest Songs In The World Volume 4 (Wicked Cool 49:51) A-
84. Monster Magnet-20th Century Masters (A&M 49:00) C+
85. Chesterfield Kings-Psychedelic Sunrise (Wicked Cool 42:37) B+
86. Hives-Black And White Album (A&M 45:27) B+
87. Queensryche-Take Cover (Rhino 55:27) B-
88. Ricky Skaggs/Bruce Hornsby (Legacy 49:00)B+
89. Christmas With The Smitereens (Koch 37:09) A-
90. Wishbone Ash-The Power Of Enternity (Sanctuary 49:29) B+
91. Derailers-Under The Influence Of Buck (Palo Duro 34:26)A-
92. Big Head Todd-All The Love You Need (Big 34:26) B+
Saturday, November 28, 2009
History Of Music 2005
The Copy Protected Cd was introducted and CD sales went south. Not that
the music mattered anyway. Too much LOUDNESS and not enuff decent
recordings. This was the beginning of the end of music as we knew it.
And I must have not cared all that much since a lot of these albums I didn't even bother to put down the timings of the albums.
1. Killing Joke-For Beginners (Caroline/EMI) C+
2. Good Charlotte-The Chronicles Of Life And Death (Epic) B
3. Al Stewart Greatest Hits (Rhino) B+
4. Tom T Hall-The Magnificent Music Machine (Copper Creek 28:37) A-
5. Bobby Darin-Songs From Big Sur (Varese Fontana) B+
6. Joe Cocker-Heart And Soul (New Door) C+
7. Kings Of Leon-Aha Shake Heartbreak (RCA 35:11) B
8. The Mars Volta-Frances The Mute (Universal 76:55) C-
9. The Rockets-Back Talk/Rocket Roll (Wounded Bird Reissue) A-
10. Outlaws-Soldiers Of Fortune (Wounded Bird Reissue) B
11. Kaiser Chiefs-Employment (Universal 44:11) A-
12. Lifehouse (Geffen 47:51) B-
13. Queens Of The Stone Age-Lullibyes To Paralyze (Interscope 59:32) B+
14. Long View-Mercury (Columbia 52:26) A-
15. Ringside (Geffen 48:30) B-
16. Pepper's Ghost-Shake The Hand That Shook The World (Hybrid 40:37)A-
17. Joe Perry (Columbia 52:05) B+
18. Porcupine Tree-Deadwing (Lava 63:27) B+
19. Ravonettes-Pretty In Black (Columbia 44:30) B-
20. Peter Himmelman-Imperfect World (Himmeltunes 39:46) B
21. Wallflowers-Rebel Sweetheart (Interscope 49:56) B+
22. Dierks Bentley-Modern Day Drifter (Capitol 41:56) B
23. Audioslave-Out Of Exile (Epic/Interscope 53:43) C+
24. Elizabeth Cook-This Side Of The Moon (Hog Country 39:22) B
25. The Dead 60s (Epic 35:44) B+
26. The 100's-Take The Gravel Home (Independent 55:05) B+
27. Oasis-Don't Believe The Truth (Big Brother/Reprise 42:53) B+
28. White Stripes-Get Behind Me Satan (Third Man 44:14) B
29. Coldplay X & Y (Capitol 62:35) B-
30. MxPx-Panic (Side One Dummy 41:24) B
31. Graham Parker-Songs Of No Conseqence (Bloodshot 46:30)A-
32. Webb Wilder-About Time (Landslide 42:40) B+
33. Blue Rodeo-Greatest Hits (Rounder 75:30) B+
34. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Cold Roses (Lost Highway) A-
35. Ray Davies-Return To Waterloo S/T (Konk/Velvel 31:44) B
36. Anna Nalick-Wreck Of The Day (Epic 41:45) B
37. Molly Hatchet-Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge (SPV 58:35) D+
38. The Offspring Greatest Hits (Columbia 51:17) B+
39. Willie Nelson-Countryman (Lost Highway 35:49) B-
40. Son Volt-Okemah And The Melody Of Riot (Legacy 46:47)B+
41. Pat Travers-PT=MC2 (AAO/Reality 53:46) B+
42. Bruce Springsteen-Devils & Dust (Columbia) A-
43. Reckless Kelly-Wicked Twisted Road (Sugar Hill 48:41) A-
44. Christine McVie-In The Meantime (Koch 50:38) B
45. Robyn Hitchcock-Spooked (Yep Roc) B
46. Fountains Of Wayne-Out Of State Plates (Virgin) B+
47. Richard Thompson-Front Parlor Songs (Cooking Vinyl) B
48. Hot Hot Heat-Elevator (Sire 37:53) B+
49. Flatt & Scruggs-Foggy Mountain Gospel (Columbia) A-
50. Hootie & The Blowfish-Looking For Lucky (Vanguard 42:55) B
51. Blasters-4-11-44 (Rainman 49:54) B-
52. Kentucky Headhunters-Big Boss Man (CBJ) A-
53. New Pornographers-Twin Cinema (Matador 47:55) A-
54. The Rolling Stones-A Bigger Bang (Universal 64:02) B+
55. John Hammond-In Your Arms Again (Backporch 47:00) B
56. Amy Rigby-Little Fugitive (Signature Sounds 39:35) A-
57. Blues Traveler-Bastardos! (Vanguard 56:36) B-
58. Jones Gang-Any Day Now (AAO 44:06) B+
59. Click Five-Greetings From...(Lava 37:11) C+
60. Dandy Warhols-Odditomium Or Warlords Of Mars (Capitol)B-
61. Band Of Bees-Free The Bees (Virgin 58:05) A-
62. James McMurtry-Childish Things (Compedia 53:10) A
63. Teenage Fanclub-Man Made (merge 46:22) A-
64. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Jacksonville City Nights (Lost Highway 46:17) B
65. Old 97s-Live & Wired (New West 55:47-57:07) B+
66. Gretchen Wilson-All Jacked Up (Epic 41:54) B-
67. The Posies-Every Kind Of Light (Rykodisc 36:47) B+
68. Neil Young-Prairie Wind (Reprise 52:07) C+
69. Limbeck-Let Me Come Back (Doghouse 48:22) B+
70. Franz Ferdinand-You Could Have It So Much Better (Domino 41:10) B+
71. Cream-Live 05 (Reprise 66:20-79:00) C+
72. Siegal Schwall Band-Flash Forward (Alligator 54:20) B
73. Redwals-De Nova (Capitol 44:17) B+
74. Status Quo-The Party Aint Over Yet (Sanctuary 55:00)B-
75. Eric Claption-Back Home (Reprise 60:12) B+
76. Curt Kirkwood-Snow (Little Dog 37:55) B-
77. Deep Purple-Rapture Of The Deep (Eagle Rock 55:55) B+
78. Neil Diamond-12 Songs (Columbia 49:35) A-
79. The Darkness-One Way Ticket To Hell And Back (Atlantic) B
80. Big Blue Hearts-Here Comes Those Dreams Again (Eagle Eye 47:27) C
And I must have not cared all that much since a lot of these albums I didn't even bother to put down the timings of the albums.
1. Killing Joke-For Beginners (Caroline/EMI) C+
2. Good Charlotte-The Chronicles Of Life And Death (Epic) B
3. Al Stewart Greatest Hits (Rhino) B+
4. Tom T Hall-The Magnificent Music Machine (Copper Creek 28:37) A-
5. Bobby Darin-Songs From Big Sur (Varese Fontana) B+
6. Joe Cocker-Heart And Soul (New Door) C+
7. Kings Of Leon-Aha Shake Heartbreak (RCA 35:11) B
8. The Mars Volta-Frances The Mute (Universal 76:55) C-
9. The Rockets-Back Talk/Rocket Roll (Wounded Bird Reissue) A-
10. Outlaws-Soldiers Of Fortune (Wounded Bird Reissue) B
11. Kaiser Chiefs-Employment (Universal 44:11) A-
12. Lifehouse (Geffen 47:51) B-
13. Queens Of The Stone Age-Lullibyes To Paralyze (Interscope 59:32) B+
14. Long View-Mercury (Columbia 52:26) A-
15. Ringside (Geffen 48:30) B-
16. Pepper's Ghost-Shake The Hand That Shook The World (Hybrid 40:37)A-
17. Joe Perry (Columbia 52:05) B+
18. Porcupine Tree-Deadwing (Lava 63:27) B+
19. Ravonettes-Pretty In Black (Columbia 44:30) B-
20. Peter Himmelman-Imperfect World (Himmeltunes 39:46) B
21. Wallflowers-Rebel Sweetheart (Interscope 49:56) B+
22. Dierks Bentley-Modern Day Drifter (Capitol 41:56) B
23. Audioslave-Out Of Exile (Epic/Interscope 53:43) C+
24. Elizabeth Cook-This Side Of The Moon (Hog Country 39:22) B
25. The Dead 60s (Epic 35:44) B+
26. The 100's-Take The Gravel Home (Independent 55:05) B+
27. Oasis-Don't Believe The Truth (Big Brother/Reprise 42:53) B+
28. White Stripes-Get Behind Me Satan (Third Man 44:14) B
29. Coldplay X & Y (Capitol 62:35) B-
30. MxPx-Panic (Side One Dummy 41:24) B
31. Graham Parker-Songs Of No Conseqence (Bloodshot 46:30)A-
32. Webb Wilder-About Time (Landslide 42:40) B+
33. Blue Rodeo-Greatest Hits (Rounder 75:30) B+
34. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Cold Roses (Lost Highway) A-
35. Ray Davies-Return To Waterloo S/T (Konk/Velvel 31:44) B
36. Anna Nalick-Wreck Of The Day (Epic 41:45) B
37. Molly Hatchet-Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge (SPV 58:35) D+
38. The Offspring Greatest Hits (Columbia 51:17) B+
39. Willie Nelson-Countryman (Lost Highway 35:49) B-
40. Son Volt-Okemah And The Melody Of Riot (Legacy 46:47)B+
41. Pat Travers-PT=MC2 (AAO/Reality 53:46) B+
42. Bruce Springsteen-Devils & Dust (Columbia) A-
43. Reckless Kelly-Wicked Twisted Road (Sugar Hill 48:41) A-
44. Christine McVie-In The Meantime (Koch 50:38) B
45. Robyn Hitchcock-Spooked (Yep Roc) B
46. Fountains Of Wayne-Out Of State Plates (Virgin) B+
47. Richard Thompson-Front Parlor Songs (Cooking Vinyl) B
48. Hot Hot Heat-Elevator (Sire 37:53) B+
49. Flatt & Scruggs-Foggy Mountain Gospel (Columbia) A-
50. Hootie & The Blowfish-Looking For Lucky (Vanguard 42:55) B
51. Blasters-4-11-44 (Rainman 49:54) B-
52. Kentucky Headhunters-Big Boss Man (CBJ) A-
53. New Pornographers-Twin Cinema (Matador 47:55) A-
54. The Rolling Stones-A Bigger Bang (Universal 64:02) B+
55. John Hammond-In Your Arms Again (Backporch 47:00) B
56. Amy Rigby-Little Fugitive (Signature Sounds 39:35) A-
57. Blues Traveler-Bastardos! (Vanguard 56:36) B-
58. Jones Gang-Any Day Now (AAO 44:06) B+
59. Click Five-Greetings From...(Lava 37:11) C+
60. Dandy Warhols-Odditomium Or Warlords Of Mars (Capitol)B-
61. Band Of Bees-Free The Bees (Virgin 58:05) A-
62. James McMurtry-Childish Things (Compedia 53:10) A
63. Teenage Fanclub-Man Made (merge 46:22) A-
64. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Jacksonville City Nights (Lost Highway 46:17) B
65. Old 97s-Live & Wired (New West 55:47-57:07) B+
66. Gretchen Wilson-All Jacked Up (Epic 41:54) B-
67. The Posies-Every Kind Of Light (Rykodisc 36:47) B+
68. Neil Young-Prairie Wind (Reprise 52:07) C+
69. Limbeck-Let Me Come Back (Doghouse 48:22) B+
70. Franz Ferdinand-You Could Have It So Much Better (Domino 41:10) B+
71. Cream-Live 05 (Reprise 66:20-79:00) C+
72. Siegal Schwall Band-Flash Forward (Alligator 54:20) B
73. Redwals-De Nova (Capitol 44:17) B+
74. Status Quo-The Party Aint Over Yet (Sanctuary 55:00)B-
75. Eric Claption-Back Home (Reprise 60:12) B+
76. Curt Kirkwood-Snow (Little Dog 37:55) B-
77. Deep Purple-Rapture Of The Deep (Eagle Rock 55:55) B+
78. Neil Diamond-12 Songs (Columbia 49:35) A-
79. The Darkness-One Way Ticket To Hell And Back (Atlantic) B
80. Big Blue Hearts-Here Comes Those Dreams Again (Eagle Eye 47:27) C
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Gobble Gobble Gobble-2009 Turkey Turds Of The Year
Greetings folks. Since you're probably tired of turkey that you had today, it's time for the annual 2009 Turkey Turd Albums Of The Year. This will be the final Turkey Turds Of The Year since next year I am retiring from reviewing new albums. I've been doing this on a regular basis since 1975 and I heard just about everything imaginable. I like variety and not be held hostage by the same playlist that classic rock radio has been shoving down our throats for the last twenty years. Which is why I have continue to buy and listen to music, I need to hear something different.
This decade has to be the worst in terms of music and what has come out of it. I really haven't played much of any albums of this decade all that much and what I read from these magazines touting the best of this decade I don't get. Kid A? yuck. The Strokes Is This It? Unfortunly yeah and pretty bland too. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? Good but that not great. But what do I know? I perfer three chords and the truth and a little boogie to boot. I'm easy to please but the big four labels don't care and don't want to appease me so screw em.
I reviewed 87 albums this year. Some good, some not so good and the rest fall in between. But there were some turds this year that did make the infamous list. I thought I was getting better in buying some good music but these examples proved that I don't know it all. Radiohead fans you're spared this year. And here's this year's least.
1. Train-Save Me San Francisco (Columbia) Sure they were never much of a critic's band but I did like their first album and For Me It's You and perhaps it was Brendan O'Brien that kept them from the compose heap but on this their latest, Pat Monahan and company sell their soul to get back to the MOR radio station and fall on their ass as this record bombed bigtime. You know your in trouble when you start sampling Black Water in order to get a hit. It didn't work. By far their worst album ever. It may even get them booted from Sony Music.
2. Hoobastank-For(n)ever (Island) Why these guys are still on a major label is beyond me. This type of emo music hasn't been in favor since they trotted out The Reason, which had their best song but like everything else, Hoobastank couldn't come up with enough songs to make that album memorable. Everytime their lead singer sings that annoying boy band falsetto whine, I hit the fast forward button. I bought this cd in the bargain bins for three bucks, just a week after it was released. That should have been a indication that this cd would suck.
3. Wolfmother-Cosmic Egg (Interscope) Never trust Rolling Stone and their four star rated albums such as this. Wolfmother made a pretty good decent album a couple years ago and it proudly showed off it's Black Sabbath/Deep Purple/Hawkwind roots. This time out Andrew Stockdale gets rid of the other guys, and goes for a more Billy Squier leading Black Sabbath mode. Ugly as it sounds but I think Billy Squier wrote better songs. Musically it's not bad but when Stockdale starts singing or yelling, it's a headache upon itself.
4. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest (Warp) Progessive folk rock?!? Are you kidding me? Yet another band that is touted by Spin or Rolling Stone and when I listen to this I wonder what the hell is the fuss is about. Grizzly Bear, along with Animal Collective might just be one of the most overrated bands that I have heard. I long for the days of three chords and the truth and some boogie rather than be bored out of my ass listening to slow, plodding songs that take forever to get done.
5. UFO-The Visitor (SPV) Once upon a time, this band made some classic albums and even into this decade Phil Mogg and company still could come up with some listenable albums which the last one You Are Here had Jason Bonham setting in and actually singing background. But with the loss of Pete Way, The Visitor kinda loses focus and Phil Mogg can't sing very well anymore. Disappointing but not as bad as the four albums ahead of this.
6. Melody Gardot-My One And Only Thrill (Verve) Gardot made one of the most refreshing albums of this decade with Worrysome Heart to which she was paired with a very small combo and she made some cool soft jazz/pop. This time out, Larry Klein sticks her with plenty of strings and things and slows the tempos down to a crawl and it didn't work very well. I say get her back to basics with her first album and she'll be all right.
7. Jet-Shaka Rock (EMI) They're becoming a one hit wonder with each new record. Shine On bombed and so Jet tries to return to the sound of Get Born. It didn't work, they actually got more pompous if you can believe that. It's pretty bad when on your hit you rip off The Knack. Another forgettible effort from a band who better save up their royalty checks. Even Budweiser couldn't find a useable song off Shaka Rock.
8. John Rich-Son Of A Preacher Man (Warner Brother) The musiz mafia is falling apart. Big And Rich put out a greatest hits package after three albums, Big Kenny's new CD is so eco friendly you can plant it into the ground and it will grow and there's rumours that Gretchen Wilson is no longer on Sony Music. Had a top ten song with Shuttin Detroit Down and I have heard that his acoustic version would have been classic. Some fairly good stuff but there's a lotta FOX news influenced crapola as well.
9. Radio Moscow-Brain Cycles (Alive) Great debut album and this followup isn't as good and a bit more toward the Blue Cheer sound and Parker Griggs sounding a bit more like Dicky Peterson at spots down to the screams. But like Wolfmother's latest the music remains pretty good. It's the vocals that drag it down.
10. Green Day-21st Century Breakdown (Reprise) And finally, it's unthinkable for me to include a Green Day album into the gobble gobble bins (maybe their first but since they were mare teens back then they get a pass) but on listening to this again I can't believe how overproduced this record was and how LOUD and DISTORTED it is when I play it on the player. Perhaps their performance on the AMA's have something to do with this album on the ten least. They made their great statement on American Idiot five years ago but on this effort it sounds like rehash and their great statement is no different nor better than U2's latest which didn't make the least ten since I didn't buy it. I do not need Billie Joe Armstrong making great statements, I want him to rock out and not overproduce it. This record is 71 minites long and feels longer and for a Green Day album that's unthinkable. And won't warrant too many listens either.
So basically, the first four albums are turds down to the core and the rest do have moments but somehow either the arrangements or the album overstaying their welcom plays a role into this.
And so it goes people. This concludes my final Turkey shoot for the decade and my reviewing career. But don't worry, I still have lots of decent music to listen to.
This decade has to be the worst in terms of music and what has come out of it. I really haven't played much of any albums of this decade all that much and what I read from these magazines touting the best of this decade I don't get. Kid A? yuck. The Strokes Is This It? Unfortunly yeah and pretty bland too. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? Good but that not great. But what do I know? I perfer three chords and the truth and a little boogie to boot. I'm easy to please but the big four labels don't care and don't want to appease me so screw em.
I reviewed 87 albums this year. Some good, some not so good and the rest fall in between. But there were some turds this year that did make the infamous list. I thought I was getting better in buying some good music but these examples proved that I don't know it all. Radiohead fans you're spared this year. And here's this year's least.
1. Train-Save Me San Francisco (Columbia) Sure they were never much of a critic's band but I did like their first album and For Me It's You and perhaps it was Brendan O'Brien that kept them from the compose heap but on this their latest, Pat Monahan and company sell their soul to get back to the MOR radio station and fall on their ass as this record bombed bigtime. You know your in trouble when you start sampling Black Water in order to get a hit. It didn't work. By far their worst album ever. It may even get them booted from Sony Music.
2. Hoobastank-For(n)ever (Island) Why these guys are still on a major label is beyond me. This type of emo music hasn't been in favor since they trotted out The Reason, which had their best song but like everything else, Hoobastank couldn't come up with enough songs to make that album memorable. Everytime their lead singer sings that annoying boy band falsetto whine, I hit the fast forward button. I bought this cd in the bargain bins for three bucks, just a week after it was released. That should have been a indication that this cd would suck.
3. Wolfmother-Cosmic Egg (Interscope) Never trust Rolling Stone and their four star rated albums such as this. Wolfmother made a pretty good decent album a couple years ago and it proudly showed off it's Black Sabbath/Deep Purple/Hawkwind roots. This time out Andrew Stockdale gets rid of the other guys, and goes for a more Billy Squier leading Black Sabbath mode. Ugly as it sounds but I think Billy Squier wrote better songs. Musically it's not bad but when Stockdale starts singing or yelling, it's a headache upon itself.
4. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest (Warp) Progessive folk rock?!? Are you kidding me? Yet another band that is touted by Spin or Rolling Stone and when I listen to this I wonder what the hell is the fuss is about. Grizzly Bear, along with Animal Collective might just be one of the most overrated bands that I have heard. I long for the days of three chords and the truth and some boogie rather than be bored out of my ass listening to slow, plodding songs that take forever to get done.
5. UFO-The Visitor (SPV) Once upon a time, this band made some classic albums and even into this decade Phil Mogg and company still could come up with some listenable albums which the last one You Are Here had Jason Bonham setting in and actually singing background. But with the loss of Pete Way, The Visitor kinda loses focus and Phil Mogg can't sing very well anymore. Disappointing but not as bad as the four albums ahead of this.
6. Melody Gardot-My One And Only Thrill (Verve) Gardot made one of the most refreshing albums of this decade with Worrysome Heart to which she was paired with a very small combo and she made some cool soft jazz/pop. This time out, Larry Klein sticks her with plenty of strings and things and slows the tempos down to a crawl and it didn't work very well. I say get her back to basics with her first album and she'll be all right.
7. Jet-Shaka Rock (EMI) They're becoming a one hit wonder with each new record. Shine On bombed and so Jet tries to return to the sound of Get Born. It didn't work, they actually got more pompous if you can believe that. It's pretty bad when on your hit you rip off The Knack. Another forgettible effort from a band who better save up their royalty checks. Even Budweiser couldn't find a useable song off Shaka Rock.
8. John Rich-Son Of A Preacher Man (Warner Brother) The musiz mafia is falling apart. Big And Rich put out a greatest hits package after three albums, Big Kenny's new CD is so eco friendly you can plant it into the ground and it will grow and there's rumours that Gretchen Wilson is no longer on Sony Music. Had a top ten song with Shuttin Detroit Down and I have heard that his acoustic version would have been classic. Some fairly good stuff but there's a lotta FOX news influenced crapola as well.
9. Radio Moscow-Brain Cycles (Alive) Great debut album and this followup isn't as good and a bit more toward the Blue Cheer sound and Parker Griggs sounding a bit more like Dicky Peterson at spots down to the screams. But like Wolfmother's latest the music remains pretty good. It's the vocals that drag it down.
10. Green Day-21st Century Breakdown (Reprise) And finally, it's unthinkable for me to include a Green Day album into the gobble gobble bins (maybe their first but since they were mare teens back then they get a pass) but on listening to this again I can't believe how overproduced this record was and how LOUD and DISTORTED it is when I play it on the player. Perhaps their performance on the AMA's have something to do with this album on the ten least. They made their great statement on American Idiot five years ago but on this effort it sounds like rehash and their great statement is no different nor better than U2's latest which didn't make the least ten since I didn't buy it. I do not need Billie Joe Armstrong making great statements, I want him to rock out and not overproduce it. This record is 71 minites long and feels longer and for a Green Day album that's unthinkable. And won't warrant too many listens either.
So basically, the first four albums are turds down to the core and the rest do have moments but somehow either the arrangements or the album overstaying their welcom plays a role into this.
And so it goes people. This concludes my final Turkey shoot for the decade and my reviewing career. But don't worry, I still have lots of decent music to listen to.
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