Tag Archives: Alice in Chains

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/14/20

15 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday, The Less Desirables Network

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a most typical day for The BCPF and me. Up, breakfast, Underdog Records, a quick stop at City Beverage to grab wine that we ordered 2 weeks ago, home to listen to records, MIL, dinner, movie. We love those kind of days. By the way, today is the last Sunday of my 40s. Wow… Here’s the haul:

©Columbia

Elvis Costello – Hey Clockface — This is Elvis’ newest album. We haven’t listened to it, yet, but I liked the pieces that I used in the Underdog Records commercial this week on The Less Desirables. 2×LP, Limited Edition, Indie Exclusive, Red Transparent. Indie exclusive means that the colored vinyl is only available at independent retailers. You won’t get the transparent red at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and large music chains (if those still exist). New.

Norah Jones – Come Away With Me — This was “used” but maybe played once and it is in NM condition. This has become a big deal for the daughter of Ravi Shankar, and both The BCPF and I love her voice, so we had to get it.

Alice In Chains – Facelift — Alice In Chains’ debut album. I have played two songs on it in bands. “We Die Young” and “Man in the Box.” The latter was the first song I ever sang as the lead singer in a band live. A little trio back when I was 22 called Amorak. The name is a long story for another time. But, this album is amazing and I had forgotten just how much so. I still prefer the follow up Dirt but this is still great. 2×LP remaster on 180g black vinyl. New.

Grateful Dead – American Beauty — #261 on the RS List (that matters) and the 50th anniversary edition at that. I am not a fan of the Dead, really. But, I needed this because I think everyone should have it and it’s on that danged list. This is the collector’s edition on 180g black vinyl. New.

The Dream Syndicate – 50 In A 25 Zone — I really know nothing about this. The BCPF put it in the crate. That’s all I know other than it’s a six-track 12″. VG+.

Steve Winwood – Chronicles — A compilation of Winwood tunes. VG+.

Elvis Presley – Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas — It’s almost Christmas time and The BCPF loves her some Christmas music. I mostly can’t stand Christmas music, but I love my wife and love her happy. VG+.

Commodores – Midnight Magic — The seventh album from Commodores. This album has the Lionel Richie-penned “Still” and “Sail On.” VG+.

It’s a shorter haul this week and my wallet thanked me for that. RSD Black Friday edition is coming, well, on Black Friday, so go to the RSD website and see what is coming out that day. The last three RSD drops (Covid 2020 editions) were by lottery appointments only. This one is back to lining up, waiting your turn and going in with people you may or may not know. I don’t know that I will be going to the Black Friday RSD but I don’t know that I’m not. Underdog Records will be open from 8a-7p that day. You can order new vinyl that Underdog Records has in its current inventory, day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Also, use Discogs to track your music collection of find those things you just gotta have but can’t find.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Lady, morning’s just a moment away and I’m without you once again. You laughed at me. You said you never needed me. I wonder if you need me now?” – “Still” (Richie)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Shload

29 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Video

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Today is a big day in musical releases. Glorified Magnified from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band turns 48. All the World’s a Stage from Rush is 44. The Stranger from Billy Joel is 43. Celebrate! from Kool & the Gang and Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder are 40. Bend Sinister from The Fall, Somewhere in Time from Iron Maiden, Brotherhood from New Order, The Pacific Age from OMD, and Chicago 18 are all 34 today. Strangeways, Here We Come from The Smiths and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan from Red Hot Chili Peppers is 33. Core from Stone Temple Pilots, Dirt from Alice in Chains, Our Time in Eden from 10,000 Maniacs and Us from Peter Gabriel are all 28. Bridges to Babylon by The Rolling Stones Urban Hymns from The Verve are 23. There are more but none that I really want to talk about.

Whew! That’s a lot. I mean, two huge grunge-era releases, one of the best from Maiden and we know what a fan of Peter Gabriel I am. But, since The Stranger is my favorite album from Billy Joel and this is my favorite song by him, it’s a no-brainer and this dude does it very well. I do kind of wish the saxophonist wouldn’t have been so diva-ish about his parts. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Things are okay with me these days. Got a good job, got a good office. Got a new wife, got a new life and the family’s fine. We lost touch long ago. You lost weight I did not know you could ever look so nice after so much time.” – “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” (Joel)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Shove My Nose in Tapioca

21 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by in Video

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Salutations™!!

Today is the 30th anniversary of Alice In Chain’s debut album, Facelift. That means 30 years since we were first introduced to “Man In The Box” which I think is one of the greatest rock tunes ever. I don’t really know what the lyrics mean, but I like it. The first song I ever played live as the lead singer of a band was this song. The band was called Amorak, which is Eskimo for “spirit of the wolf.” Our guitarist’s last name was Wolford, so that’s why it was named that. It was a bit out of my vocal range then and probably now, but a few years ago, my range could handle it. Still, I love the tune. This cover really starts at 4:30 so feel free to skip ahead. It’s… well, interesting. Enjoy?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Feed my eyes (can you sew them shut?). Jesus Christ (deny your maker). He who tries (will be wasted). Feed my eyes (now you’ve sewn them) shut!” – “Man In The Box” (Cantrell/Staley)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Jar of Flies

25 Saturday Jan 2020

Posted by in Sounds Like Saturday, Video

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Salutations™!!

Today is the 26th anniversary of what I consider to be Alice In Chains’ most melodic album, the EP Jar Of Flies. I like Dirt better, overall, but this does have some fantastic tunes. It’s Mike Inez’s first album with the band after Mike Starr’s dismissal for drug use, which I think is a bit hypocritical considering Layne Staley was known to be an abuser of substance as well and eventually died from an overdose. But, they were in solid form on this. This band may or may not be an AIC cover band but they do several covers of them so… enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“It’s alright, there comes a time. Got no patience to search for peace of mind. Layin’ low, want to take it slow. No more hiding or disguising truths I’ve sold. Every day it’s something, hits me all so cold. Find me sittin’ by myself. No excuses, then I know.” – “No Excuses” (Cantrell)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 7/20/19

22 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

So, yes, I’m a day late with this because I had to talk about something more important yesterday. But, here we are today. Let’s just get right into it.

Emergency1984

©Island Def Jam/De Lite

  • Alice In Chains – Dirt — One of my top 20 albums of all time. Front-to-back a fantastic album. Heavy and melodic. Deep and full of drug references that I don’t think I realized how intense they were at the time. It was like Layne Staley was asking for help and he probably was. Jerry Cantrell is a great songwriter and guitarist (and vocals). My faves on here are “Them Bones,” “Rooster,” “Down in a Hole,” “Angry Chair,” “Dam that River,” “Would?” New in 180g vinyl – Audiophile edition.
  • Michael Jackson – Bad — #203 on the RS list, it’s my second favorite MJ album. I listened to this one a lot. It was really the last album of his that I was really that interested in. Great songwriting and production! EX/VG++.
  • AC/DC – Let There Be Rock — AC/DC’s fourth studio album and one that brought them from the brink of extinction. I’m not a huge AC/DC fan as I’ve mentioned many times but I feel any real rock fan needs to have a few of their albums, right? The Canadian release of this album. EX/VG++.
  • The Shins – Wincing The Night Away — The Shins is one of those bands that The BCPF really digs. They are “indie rock” through and through. And from New Mexico. How about that? I enjoyed listening to this album. It was really great. VG+.
  • Iron + Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days — The BCPF is reading a book of the same title and the author thanks Sam Beam in the dedication. My favorite tune from this album is “Naked as We Come” which was put on a mix CD when The BCPF and I started talking. We saw him do his thing in McGlohon Theatre in Charlotte and it was a great show. VG+.
  • Jessica Lea Mayfield – Make My Head Sing… — This one confused me a bit. It was a little like Blossom Dearie with an edge. But, it was also some post-punk heaviness. There would be a couple of more laid back songs and then a heavy beater was thrown in from nowhere. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but it was confusing. NM.
  • Okkervil River – Sleep And Wake-Up Songs — We got an Okkervil River album last week and it was great. We haven’t listened to this one, yet, but I’m betting it’s also a great one. EX/VG++.
  • Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell — #343 on the RS list. Jim Steinman is a weird and wacky dude, but he is a heck of a songwriter and add that to Marvin Aday’s voice and you have a spectacular rock opera that really isn’t a rock opera. The album isn’t a cohesive story but it is epic in scope just based on the songwriting, singing style and orchestration. I believe this may be the Canadian edition. EX/VG++.
  • Eddie Murphy – How Could It Be — I had this on cassette because I still love “Party All the Time.” This is not a great album, but Murphy can actually sing and it’s entertaining. The title track could be my favorite song on the album. VG+.
  • Kool & The Gang – Emergency — I wore the ever-lovin’ crap out of this cassette when it came out. I then played the ever-lovin’ crap out of it on CD. Now I have it on vinyl and I will probably wear it out (at least the first side) here, too. It was my Kool & the Gang album. “Celebration” was a hit and I loved it, even had it on a “45” that had a crack in it that I made sure still lined up and playable. But, it was early for me to grab those albums. This was part of the RCA (eventually BMG) Record Club take I got. I loved it. It’s their biggest selling album with the title track, “Fresh,” “Misled,” “Cherish.” VG+.
  • REO Speedwagon – You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish — I don’t know about album-wise but the title is one of the most iconic (and overused) musical references ever. “Roll with the Changes” and “Time For Me to Fly” are probably the album’s biggest hits. VG+.
  • REO Speedwagon – Wheels Are Turnin’ — I think of this as the “cheesy REO album.” I don’t know if that’s fair. I really don’t have a great knowledge of REO’s history or catalog other than what I have. I just know it has “I Do’ Wanna Know” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” which were both kind of cheesy, even if I do like them. VG++.
  • Stanley Black And His Orchestra – Spain — Orchestral versions of Spanish tunes. It’s a great Sunday listening album. Lots of tremolo style strumming and Spanish guitar with orchestrations overtop. Pretty much what the title says. It’s a fun listen. VG+.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Pictures At An Exhibition — This is a recording of the band’s arrangement of Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, performed at Newcastle City Hall on 26 March 1971. According to Wikipedia, “Emerson wished to arrange the piece after seeing an orchestral performance of it several years before. He bought a copy of the score, and pitched the idea to Lake and Palmer, who agreed to adapt it.” I look forward to hearing it. It was a $1 bin find and I’d say it is in VG/VG+.
  • Various – Emotions — Another notch in my K-Tel collection. Dan Hill, Seals & Crofts, Paul Davis, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Crystal Gale, Commodores, Yvonne Elfman, Samantha Sang, Player and more. I didn’t even look at what was on it, I just looked that I didn’t have it. It’s a $1 bin find and I’d say in VG.

It was a great haul that day and we’ve enjoyed listening to what we have and I am happy with the take, really. Underdog Records was getting busy as we left, which we love seeing. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Also, use Discogs to catalog and track your music collection(s)!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“And all I can do is keep on telling you: I want you. I need you. But, there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you. Now don’t be sad ’cause two out of three ain’t bad.” – “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” (Steinman)

Quite Sonic or: Dig (Eugeology Entry 41)

19 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by in Music Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Listening to, or should I say analyzing, two albums in a week brings back fond memories of doing the Rolling Stone Top 500 of All Time list. But, I’m trying to stay on track. This will help. The last album was decent but not my favorite. Eugene and Jon are now another week behind. They have a long way to go; both. And, this starts the home stretch. Nine more to go.

Dig

©EMI/Capitol Records

 

#41 – Dig by I Mother Earth.

So, this album came out in 1993. It was right after Nirvana’s Nevermind came out. And, if you’ve read any of my commentary on albums from that time period, you’ll know that I was firmly checked out and against anything that resembled “alternative” music. There were some exceptions but usually, only a song or two, not the band and certainly not full albums were listened to by my ears by the artists that were “of that era.” I have since recanted and condemned my own self for that very ridiculous stance. This is no exception.

The first listen of I Mother Earth’s Dig album didn’t do anything for me, but per usual, it’s more of a wading in as opposed to an emersion at that time. The second time was a little better. Once I start getting a familiarity to something, it’s easier to get into – or completely out of. This was the former.

What we’re getting here is a mixture of funk, psychedelia, metal, Latin rhythms and just plain good rock. It is at times very familiar and others distant, but the more I listen the more I grow fonder of it. There are moments on this album that it is thick and heavy, pounding and in your face. There are moments that hold you in its loving arms and rock you into a thought-free lull. You have to be careful with that last bit because you get caught in its deceptive web of security and you’ll find yourself kicked square in the teeth when the heavy happens.

The album gets airy and it shows that these boys know what they’re doing. I think if I were to pick a weak link it would be Edwin Ghazal (who just goes by Edwin professionally), the singer, and that’s not saying he’s weak, just that if there is a weak link, that’s it. There are moments that I don’t quite get what he’s doing but for the most part, he’s keeping your attention exactly where you need to be. He gets growly and gruff and then whispers sweet nothings in your ear before screaming at you again. He left the band after the second album but is currently back with them.

Christian Tanna is definitely a rock drummer. He’s playing on a level with many of the era’s hard rock heroes. He pounds the skins like they’re trying to attack him. I will say I could use a little more kick drum from him but that’s in the production. I can hear that he is playing them, just not so prominently in the mix. But his footwork is certainly not in question.

Bruce Gordon played bass with the band for live performances and is listed on the album as being the bass player, but it seems that all the bass and guitar work was done by Christian’s brother Jagori Tanna. Now, this guy is a beast!!! His guitar chops are top-notch and his bass playing is rich. A lot of slap work (see “Production” for an example) and solid riffs and runs. A lot of times when a guitar player plays bass he or she tends to get lead-riffy. That’s not the case here. It’s bass runs for sure. They sound more natural for bass players. They’re not always mutually exclusive, but many times they can be. The bass parts and the guitar parts are each able to stand on their own.

The more I listen to this the more they remind me of a looser version of Alice in Chains. Not that they sound like AIC but they have a feel to them. Then again, the riffiness of the music could be a little like Extreme, but with a better singer. I do think the album went a little long, coming in at just over 67 minutes. Only one song comes in at less than four minutes with the average in the mid-fives. The good news about that is the songs are all worth listening to. Not a lot of filler. My favorite tunes are… well, all of them. This is a great album. Vinyl for me, soon. That is if they reissue it on LP. I don’t think it ever was pressed as such. That seems to be a thing these days, so here’s hoping.

Thank you, Eugene for introducing me to it. I await this and about 20 previous reviews from you and well, Jon… You have a world of catching up to do. I think if you put your absent reviews back to back you’d stretch almost to the moon… I kid (mostly).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Trying to move forward like a walk underwater. Two steps back like a walk through silent streets. I’ve heard the word. Guess I’m tired of trying . Everybody, I’m saying the ‘pop’ is gone.” – “Undone” (Tanna/Tanna)