Top Ten Of The Week-Going Goo Goo Over Ga Ga

Well, just between you and me I don't give a fuck about Queen and Lady Gaga getting together if that happens.  I'm sure they'll sell a ton of cds but then again they weren't as good as Paul Rodgers when he guest starred.   In the meantime, plenty of new music and old stuff that I forgot all about till I heard it a second time.  Don't look for Piano Man or Margaritaville on this top ten, they already been discussed.

1.  I Have The Skill-The Sherbs  1980 Or Sherbs for short.  Like Balance and Breaking Away, this was another one hit wonder from a band that is now forgotten since Cumulus Radio doesn't have this on their approved play list.  Sounds a bit like Genesis only more poppier and more keyboard.  Folks at Renaissance has had this on their reissue label a few years.  Sure hope you don't get a CD R if you do seek this out.  Found this on LP.

2.  No-Bulldog 1972  Stole this from Tad's great lost singles blog and I know I had this on 45 once, it was also on the K Tel 22 Explosive Hits to which a shorter version appeared.  Best known for having Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish from The Rascals in this band, they released a album on Decca but outside of this single heard nothing more.  They both later formed the crappy pop act Fotomaker that made a few forgettible albums for Atlantic in the late 70s.

3.  Closer To Your Side-The Jayhawks 2011  One of the big releases of the year was the reunion of Gary Louris and Mark Olsen and the rest of the crew known as the Jayhawks.  Hooray they kept Tim O'Reagan on drums and we can't forget Marc Pearlman playing bass and Karen too.  Alas, the new Jayhawks, while having those wonderful vocals of Louris/Olson, lack memorable songs although this is one of the better songs off that new album Mockingbird Time.

4.  I Fall To Pieces-The And 1997  Forgotten band that made two albums in one year for J Bird, one called Day, (the other And Night) and basically one sounds like half baked U2 (night) and the other more tolerable new wave (Day).  Cover of the Patsy Cline song you all know so well.  Produced by Butch Vig.  Anything else you know as much as I do.

5.  Coming Into Focus-For Love Not Lisa 1995  Another dollar bargain, this band owes a lot to Nirvana although the sound reminds me more of Foo Fighters but I don't think Dave Grohl had the Foos going yet.  Helmet seems to be another source point of music influence and Steven Haigler produced this also  produced Local H breakthrough album As Good As Dead.  Actually thought this band was more pop due to the name but boy I was wrong once the laser hit the disc. Not as abrasive as Sick Of It All, not as hooky as Helmet but it did fit the times of the mid 90s before Limp Bizkit came onboard and ruined it for the world.  Thought about reviewing the 3 Dollar Bill Y'all CD since HP Books had it for a dollar too but simply forgot all about it.

6.  Checkout Time-Nick Lowe 2011  Remember when he was the Jesus Of Cool?  Pure Pop For Now People?  Gawd I missed those days.  He's more into a slower pop mode and his latest album disappoints me but perhaps he can do wonders for you.

7.  Money For Nothing-Dire Straits 1985   Never had Brothers In Arms on any format till I found a 50 cent copy at the Goodwill Store the other day and I still think it's the least of the Dire Straits albums out there despite this being a big hit single and MTV video staple.  Classic rock doesn't play this as much as they do Walk Of Life but then again Canada re-approved it for radio consumption after the offending remark.  Sting guest stars but you already know that.

8.  No Smoke Without Fire-Bad Company 1988  After the failure of Fame And Fortune, which sucked, Bad Company gets former leader of the band Charlie, Terry Thomas to produce this and let Brian Howe take over the band.  Howe, who sang on the atrocious Penetrator album for Ted Nugent joins the second version of Bad Company for five albums and even though it sounds like Foreigner better than that actual band, critics weren't too kind and neither was I till I heard both Dangerous Age and Holy Water and actually liked them.  Got to see Bad Company opened for Damn Yankees around 1993 thereabouts and they put on a pretty good show.  I think Simon Kirke waved at me at the end of their show.

9.  It Isn't Gonna Be That Way-Steve Forbert 1978  This was a failed hit for Forbert but I think Alive On Arrival was a better album than Jackrabbit Slim which boasted Romeo's Tune.

10.  Wet Suit-The Vaccines 2011   The album What Do You Expect From The Vaccines might be one of the best albums of 2011 this year, I'm sure it might give a run for the money on 61 49 from Mike Eldred.  Tune in December for the final listing but The Vaccines are somewhat like White Lies but without the pretentiousness that made the White Lies last album hard to listen to.  Wrap in loads of guitar echo that would make The Jesus And Mary Chain jealous with envy, The Vaccines are fairly big across the pond although they haven't made much of a splash here in the states.  Such a shame really, but look for more Vaccines songs hit the top ten before the year is out.  Inspirational verse:  We all get old and gray at breakneck speed/Slow it down take it easy on me.  My thoughts exactly on getting older.