Tag Archives: Beastie Boys

Sounds Like Saturday or: Suckas

27 Saturday Mar 2021

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 37th anniversary of Run-D.M.C.’s debut self-titled album. It’s #242 on the RS list that matters, #378 on the one that doesn’t. It’s possibly one the most important of all hip-hop/rap albums. It debuted the group that would make rap mainstream. Sure there was some of the classics like Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, Sugar Hill Gang and what not but Run-D.M.C. made it popular for everyone. Some may argue that with me and that’s okay. I’m not a rap expert, but that’s how I see it. Here’s another important hip-hop group covering a tune from this album. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Two years ago, a friend of mine asked me to say some MC rhymes. So I said this rhyme I’m about to say. The rhyme was Def a-then it went this way: Took a test to become an MC and Orange Krush became amazed at me. So Larry put me inside his Cad-illac, the chauffeur drove off and we never came back. Dave cut the record down to the bone and now they got me rockin on the microphone. And then we talkin autograph, and cheers and laugh. Champagne caviar, and bubble bath. But see ahh, ah that’s the life, ah that I lead and you sucker MC’s is who I please. So take that and move back catch a heart attack because there’s nothin in the world, that Run’ll ever lack. I cold chill at a party in a b-boy stance and rock on the mic and make the girls wanna dance. Fly like a Dove, that come from up above. I’m rockin on the mic and you can call me Run-Love.” – “Sucker MCs (Krush-Groove 1)” (Hardy/McDaniels/Simmons/Smith)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Rough

21 Tuesday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the anniversaries of several albums: ABBA’s ABBA (45th), Pete Townshend’s Empty Glass (40th), Bananarama’s Bananarama (36th), Accept’s Russian Roulette (34th), Siouxsie And The Banshees’ Tinderbox (34th), Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) (33rd), Beastie Boys’ Check Your Head (28th), and The Cure’ Wish (28th). This is the tune I had to go with, though. Lots of mystery around it when it was released and obviously too much for Roger Daltrey to handle. Cool that this version features Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour on lead guitar. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Tough boys. Running the streets. Come a little closer. Rough toys. Under the sheets. Nobody knows her. Rough boys. Don’t walk away. I very nearly missed you. Tough boys. Come over here. I wanna bite and kiss you.” – “Rough Boys” (Townshend)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/1/18

02 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Our original plan for this week was thwarted when the Connells had to postpone their show in Durham due to a member of the band being in a car accident. So, we did the breakfast thing and then over to Underdog Records. It was a dreary morning but we brightened it up with rekkids! Here’s the haul!

Lightscamerarevolution

©Epic

  • Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill — #219 on the RS list, I wanted to get this to show 3B that not all rap is this mess they call rap these days or cRap as I call it. Sometimes you gotta fight for your right to better music. New.
  • Suicidal Tendencies – Lights… Camera… Revolution — I used to listen to this when my friend Danny (Daniel now) and I used to cruise Stratford. “Lovely” and “Send Me Your Money” was the two best on the album and they still are. Robert Trujillo who is now the bassist for Metallica was the bassist for ST in the day. I saw them open for Queensryche on the “Building Empires” tour, too. They were one of the first rapping metal bands that I remember. New on transparent green vinyl.
  • The Mountain Goats – All Hail West Texas — This is one of those bands that The BCPF loves. This was the sixth “studio” album by the “band.” Up to and including this the albums had been recorded on a Panasonic boombox and it was only John Darnielle writing, recording and playing the songs. It’s a concept album that the cover even says, “fourteen songs about seven people, two houses, a motorcycle, and a locked treatment facility for adolescent boys.” You can hear the wheel gears on the boombox whirling the whole time. It’s very lo-fi and I didn’t really care for it, but it wasn’t for me anyway. New.
  • The Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat — Once again, I will never understand the appeal of the Velvet Underground. Not the songs. The songs have some substance but the total disregard of sonic sense in the recordings of this album is raking on the nerves of people that enjoy real music. This is #293 on the RS list and I think that is asinine. It should be in the #1 spot for worst thing ever. This is worse than The Velvet Underground + Nico album and that’s saying something. VG++ but how would you know?
  • The Allman Brothers Band – The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East — The good news is I was able to add a few from the RS list. The bad news is that I don’t really like two of them. This was is #49 on that list which, again, I just don’t get. I stirred a bit debate on Facebook with the post about this album. I get so tired of extended jamming and endless crapola solos. I agree the guitar tones were fantastic and Gregg’s voice was on point, but if it were just songs of normal lengths, I’d have been quite fine with this, but it goes on and on and on forever. I mean the whole Side 4 is a 22-minute version of “Whipping Post.” I like that song but it was just a bunch of showing off. I didn’t care when I first heard it and I still don’t. But, it’s part of my collection and one off the list. VG+.
  • Handel, Leonard Bernstein, The New York Philharmonic, The Westminster Choir – Messiah — Christmas is coming, right? Leonard Bernstein, right? Yeah. 2xLP set. VG+.
  • Serkin / Beethoven – Three Favorite Sonatas — The “Moonlight Sonata,” “Pathétique” and “Appassionata” are the three and they are doing beautifully by Rudolf Serkin. This was NM and not a single pop and crackle was heard.
  • Bonnie Raitt – Takin’ My Time — I never really cared about Bonnie Raitt but the last few things I’ve listened to, I really liked from her. On this album, there are a few songs that she channels her inner Etta James and you can’t go wrong with that. Others she’s like Carole King. This is a great album. VG+.
  • Prokofiev – The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy– Classical Symphony, The Love For Three Oranges Suite, Lieutenant Kijé Suite — A $1 bin find, it seems like yesterday was a good classical day for The BCPF and me. Yay us. Even though it was a $1 bin find, it is in VG+ shape.

We got a lot of it listened to yesterday. It was a good day, even with two (necessary) clunkers. Jonathan was bouncing around the store and joking around, so he has gotten over the Record Store Day weekend. He’s gearing up for a good holiday season and you should tell your loved ones that you want a gift certificate to Underdog Records for your Christmas gift. You can use it for anything in the store. You’ll get it on a 45 7″, too. Listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear the TLD/UDR special of the week.

Discogs is the way I keep track of what my collection looks like. Also, I can purchase from other sellers the things that Jonathan may not be able to get.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“White light, White light goin’ messin’ up my mind. White light, and don’t you know its gonna make me go blind. White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes. White light, Oh have mercy white light have it goodness knows.” – “White Light/White Heat” (Reed)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/21/18

22 Sunday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

It was a big week from Underdog Records this time around. Not just yesterday but Friday as well. Jonathan had purchased a large number of records and immediately went in and pulled all the $1 records to go ahead and get those out for sale. I happened across them and snatched about 13 $1 records that I couldn’t let get past me. Here’s what we got:

Eat_Em_And_Smile_Cover

©Warner Bros.

  • Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique — #156 on the RS list. 3B is really into rap/hip-hop so I’m going to show him the stuff that happened before the current trend of mumbling that’s going on. New
  • Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures — The BCPF is a Joy Division fan. She wanted it and, by golly, I like giving her things she wants. Although I am somewhat familiar with Joy Division, I’d say this was like a cross between The Doors and Talking Heads with dark sprinkles on top. It was a great album, though. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Paranoid — #131 on the RS list. I never really cared for Black Sabbath, as a whole, but the more I listen, the more I like. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike them, I just didn’t care one way or the other. I liked Ozzy’s solo stuff. I also liked the Sabbath “hits,” just not the album stuff. Or at least I thought that was the case. It wasn’t, ultimately. “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “Planet Caravan” and “War Pigs.” ‘Nuff said! New.
  • Talking Heads – More Songs About Buildings And Food — #383 on the RS List. I filled quite a few slots on that list this week. This isn’t my favorite Heads album but it’s not bad. I think my only frown on this is that it has the much-overplayed “Take Me to the River.” And, even that isn’t too awful. New.
  • The Beatles – Yellow Submarine — Trying to build up my Beatles collection, too. I also bought a copy of Rubber Soul but I’m going to take that back because it’s the crappy US version and I want the far superior UK version. The songs on this album are great, of course, because it’s the Beatles on drugs. That was the best period or at least my favorite period. I really think George Martin’s orchestrations on the second side are beautiful. VG+
  • Patti Smith – Horses — #44 on the RS list. I caught this one being graded by Jonathan and snatched it right away. It was a great album and we enjoyed listening to it. VG.
  • Cheap Trick – Heaven Tonight — Trying to get caught up on my Cheap Trick needs and this a step in the right direction. It doesn’t make up for my missing In Color both because it’s my favorite CT album but also because it’s on the RS list. But, that being said, this is a fantastic album. VG+.
  • Alice Cooper – Flush The Fashion — I always run my Alice acquisitions by Eugene because he’s my “Alice Guru.” I sent him a picture of this (and the next) and he sent back his approval. I told him that I’m upping my “Alice Game.” He was a happy camper. VG.
  • Alice Cooper – Alice Cooper Goes To Hell — As with the last one, Eug was happy, although less enthused about this as Flush. But, it’s another notch in my Alice collection. VG+.
  • After The Fire – ATF — You know I’m not afraid to buy an entire album for one song, especially when it’s $1 or $2. I did for this one. “Der Kommissar” is on this album and I love their version. It was VG.
  • Elton John – Greatest Hits — #136 on the RS List. Being as it’s a compilation, I didn’t listen when I did the list, but, I didn’t have to, I have had it on CD for many, many, many years. It’s jammed-packed with “hits” and darn good ones, too. VG/VG+.
  • Styx – Crystal Ball — I know Styx gets crapped on all the time, but you know what? I’m unashamedly a fan. Rabid fan? Nah. But, I dig their stuff. It was Tommy Shaw’s debut with the band and he sang the album’s only Top 40 hit, “Mademoiselle.” It was a $1 bin find and in fairly good shape. I’ll go with VG.
  • U2 – Boy — I believe this was one of my two favorite $1 bin finds of the weekend. It’s #417 on the RS list and is, of course, U2’s debut album from 1980. Even though it was in the $1 bin, it’s in really good shape. VG/VG+.
  • Starz  – Starz — Another one that I ran by Eug because he’s also my “Starz Guru.” He sent back “Excellent! Every Starz album is awesome.” So, I’m taking that as it is a win! $1 bin find and VG.
  • Greg Kihn Band – Rockihnroll — Another that I purchased for one song, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em).” Again, it was only $1 so why not? VG.
  • Berlin – Pleasure Victim — I love Terri Nunn’s voice. That, plus this being a $1 pulled me to purchase the album, but it also has “Sex (I’m A…),” “Masquerade” and “The Metro” and you just can’t go wrong with those tunes. VG.
  • Chic – C’est Chic —  “Le Freak” for $1. Okay. VG.
  • Paul Revere & The Raiders – Paul Revere & The Raiders’ Greatest Hits — $1 bin find. VG.
  • The Raiders – Indian Reservation — $1 bin find. VG.
  • John Cougar – Nothin’ Matters And What If It Did — I don’t recognize any of the song titles on this 1980 album but it was $1 and it had Edith Massey on the cover which makes it something I can’t pass up. Massey played Edie the woman obsessed with eggs and the “Egg Man” in John Waters’ film Pink Flamingos. The BCPF considers this her favorite most hated film, ever. It’s in G+ condition.
  • Tom T. Hall – We All Got Together And… — I have really gotten into the country “crap” that I had to listen to from Ma Père growing up. Tom T. Hall was one of those. $1 and G+.
  • Tom T. Hall – For The People In The Last Hard Town – Same as the previous, it’s Tom T. Hall and it has “I Love” on it, so that helps. $1 and VG.
  • The Call – Reconciled — I’m familiar with the name The Call but not the music, at least that I know of. I do know they’re one of those mid- to late-80s pop bands that I like so much, so let’s try it out. It’s only $1 and in VG.
  • The Call – Into The Woods — As is the case with the last one, $1 and VG.
  • The Who – Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy — Compilation album in which the outer sleeve is in dreadful condition. It looks like it had lain in the snow for an entire winter, all puffed and bubbly. The vinyl looks to be in decent condition but I’m rating it at about G+ and it was $1.
  • David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile — The other that I am very excited about. I loved this album from the first time I ever heard it and when I moved to WSNC, it was the first time that I had MTV at my disposal and the video for “Yankee Rose” was one of my favorites! The whole thing was awesome and fun to listen to. It was in the $1 bin but I’m going with VG/VG+, even, because I think it is great shape.
  • Miles Davis – In Person, Friday Night At The Blackhawk, San Francisco, Volume I — Remember from many months back when I came across that bonus stack of records that I didn’t even know I had had for? This was part of that. There is still a huge stack of jazz and classical albums I haven’t even gone through, yet, but I am (very) slowly getting through that and this was one that I dug out for this week. I know nothing of it. I’m going with VG.

Whew! That was a large addition week. Jonathan is taking on some hired help to get Underdog Records up to the next level. He says he probably has tons of sellable inventory that he can’t get to because he’s stuck behind the counter and already works a shload of hours that he just can’t keep up with it all. I can’t wait to see what comes from his findings because I’ve gone through all the used stuff that he’s had for the last bit. But, it should bring in new customers when he (and I because I do a lot of advertising for him) starts advertising the stuff on Underdog Records’ social media platforms. So, be on the lookout!!

I didn’t add any Discogs Marketplace acquisitions this week but I did do some dealings with them. You’ll find out more about those when I get them. It will be good stuff. But, use it to keep track of your collection; it’s a great tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning!
Scorp out!

—
“I was on the outside when you said you said you needed me. I was looking at myself, I was blind, I could not see. A boy tries hard to be a man. His mother takes him by the hand. If he stops to think, he starts to cry. Oh, why? If you walk away, walk away, I walk away, walk away. I will follow.” – “I Will Follow” (Hewson/Evans/Mullen/Clayton)

Gonna Use My Style or: You Show Us Everything You Got (RS 35)

19 Friday Feb 2016

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Salutations™!!

Last segment was really good and I liked everything I listened to (take away the two compilations). So, sit back and let’s see what this segment of the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time brings, shall we?

#160 – Electric Warrior by T-Rex. I’ve heard people talk about the “great” T-Rex for a long time and have always judged everything off of “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” and “Jeepster.” Yeah, that’s about all there is. I’m not putting this down, it’s just not my thing. I can be lumped into the “glam” thing all day but I don’t think that I am part of that because most glam stuff I hear, I don’t care about. KISS somehow got categorized in that and they sound nothing like most of the other bands. Their look, maybe. The sound – what really mattered – no way. It’s okay but nothing, even the hits, move me. Meh.

#159 – Alive! by KISS. Yes, KISS is my favorite band. But, I have to admit that whilst both of the KISS albums on this list (also Destroyer at #489) are probably closer to the “average music fan’s” expectations of influential, importance and intrigue, they’re only middle-of-the-road favorites of mine. I truly like Alive II better, even though it’s less genuinely a live 1Alivealbum. It was the height of their popularity and mystique. This album, though, is truly what broke them into the spotlight, entirely on the coattails of “Rock and Roll All Nite” my second least favorite KISS song of all time (“Boomrerang” wins the honor of #1). And, I believe, completely, in my heart that all live albums that followed this is are judged on the comparison to this album. KISS, as a live show in general, is the standard by which live shows have shaped over the years. When the Vagabond Saints Society did Alive & Alive II back-to-back in November, I loved watching everyone’s interpretations of these tunes. If I was picking a favorite KISS tune of all time, it’s on here: “Black Diamond.” Although, I’m a huge a fan of everything on this album except “RNRAN.” Heavens Sake, the band that I am still “technically” in although we’ve not been in a band situation in about ten years, performed “Got to Choose,” live, almost more than any other KISS song. It was the first one we ever played together, all the way through. “C’mon and Love Me” and “Cold Gin” were others we did often. The HS song, “Cannibal” was basically written as an homage to “Watchin’ You.” So, by luck of the Doug Davis draw, when it came time to assign me songs for the VSS show, I drew “Got to Choose,” “Watchin’ You” (I asked for that one and “God of Thunder” from Alive II) and “Cold Gin.” I got to sing with Clay Howard on “Let Me Go Rock and Roll” to close out the night. Thanks, Clay. So, to sum this arse KISSing session up, this is definitely important in the KISS Kanon, but if you really want an experience in KISS, ask me and we’ll get you stuff you need (some of this will definitely be on there). Dug by default.

#158 – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy by Elton John. This is some classic Bernie and Elton, right here. The mastering on EJ albums have historically been quite quiet. When I listen on my iPod or iTunes, I generally risk blowing out my speakers if I don’t turn it down because the mastering is lacking something; volume. I think this is a remaster that I heard on Rhapsody, though. You can hear everything perfectly. The musicianship, here, is fantastic. Elton is a “fantastic” tunesmith and Bernie has sometimes oddball lyrics but they’re still danged near genius. “Tell Me When the Whistle Blows” is an example of this great musicianship and songwriting. A great tune, upbeat and fun. Truly, the whole album is worth a listen from just one song: “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.” That’s all you need to know about this album. The rest is cake and icing. Davey Johnstone’s guitar work, Dee Murray’s bass work and Nigel Olsson’s drumming are all what makes this album rock. The songs are there but without this component, the album would just be a collection of songs. And, doesn’t Nigel Olsson just sound like he should be a rock and roll drummer? Yes, his name fits him. This is a rockin’ album that reminds me a lot of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, or should I say the early- to mid-70s Elton/Bernie. That’s a fantastic thing, too. Not only that but several styles including some island inspiration in there, as well (“Writing”). I dug this album, fer sure…

#157 – Closer by Joy Division. Well, let me start off by saying that this is awful. To me, it’s just plain awful. Now, let me tell you why that’s not such a bad thing. This is an important album. It is important in the canon of the whole post-punk/early synthpop movement. 1Joy_Division_CloserPunk wasn’t about how good you could play and how much sugar you can pour into the lyrics. It was about being raw and emotional and standing out of the norm and flipping the bird to the “establishment.” All the things that I hate about it is what makes it so important and good (at least to those who like it). This came out in 1980, mere months after Ian Curtis decided he just couldn’t deal with the struggles of depression, which is always sad. I believe he definitely had some inspiration from Jim Morrison, what with the spoken lead vocals that are at times shouting and chanting and with the equally disturbing ignorance of tonality; that’s all here. But, again, it works for this. Musically, I think the album is pretty tight and I love some synth-driven music. My question, really, would be this: if Curtis hadn’t killed himself, would this album have mattered as much? I’m not being insensitive. I just think media, especially Rolling Stone (whose list this is) tend to latch on to the unfortunate circumstance and create mountains from proverbial molehills out of tragedy. Probably New Order wouldn’t have happened (it was created from the living members of Joy Division), sure, but would the rest of the world have cared so much if there wasn’t tragedy involved? The album didn’t chart. Their only true hit was “Love Will Tear Us Apart” which was released as a single after the album and isn’t even on the album. A lot of that era’s groups did that. I thought the idea of the single was to drive album sales? Apparently, not to many of the post-punk artists. Nevertheless, whether it would have done so well without his death, the fact is, he did die and it did drive the popularity of this album. Which, in the whole, if you’re into that kind of thing, it’s a great album. Truth is, I never cared about New Order either. The acts from that era/genre that I can halfway take in limited doses? Siouxsie and the Banshees, Devo and Talking Heads. This album, whilst I certainly see the importance, won’t ever get another listen from me (at least not on purpose). Meh.

#156 – Paul’s Boutique by Beastie Boys. I love the use of the bass on this album. I listened on the speakers in the studio and it’s plenty of bottom end that rocks it. Still in the days of rap that weren’t filled with the same overworked themes you have today. For one, every Tom, Dick and Harry didn’t have a recording contract or YouTube channel to promote their crap. This was at a time when rap was still new to the majority of the public and there were but a few rap acts even around. I think the quality of it was better back then. I couldn’t tell you the difference in Jay-Z, Lil Wayne or any of the other modern day superstars, not to even mention the hundreds or thousands of others that are populating the radio/video channels these days. There’s no originality. Beastie Boys had that originality. Almost every song on here is sampling other songs but I’ll be honest I didn’t notice it until “High Plains Drifter” when “Those Shoes” by the Eagles showed up. I wasn’t ever big on song sampling as I like people to right their own stuff, but this isn’t bad. Perhaps I’ve grown out of that sampling-hating. And it’s not even hip hop stuff as much as it is some classic rock and funk. Serious use of The Beatles in “The Sounds of Silence.” The whole album is like a scavenger hunt for the samples. Not a bad thing. The album finishes with a twelve and a half minute pot of samples called “B-Boy Bouillabaisse.” The album wasn’t great but it was cool to listen through and pick out the sample and it was a good background soundtrack, too. Overall, I dug it.

#155 – Pretenders by The Pretenders. A little bit punk, a whole lot of rock. And, even though there’s a woman singer, this ain’t no chick-rock. This is straight, in-your-face 1Pretenders_albumman-rock here. The Pretenders’ debut album, it’s sharp and to the throat. These riffs are gritty and attitudinal. And, the fact that Chrissie Hynde has a potty mouth that would rival any Tarantino character, just adds to the overall yumminess of this album. “Space Invader” has a dirty, nasty bass groove (Pete Farndon rocks) and I like that, a lot. The clandestine feel of a song titled “Private Life” isn’t lost on me. It’s mysterious; it’s subtly powerful; it’s perfect. I’d say the only nick I’d give would be “Lovers of Today.” It seemed, at least to me, like it was forced and not what I’m used to from Chrissie and I just don’t like it. Even though “Mystery Achievement” wasn’t released as a single I know I’ve heard it a great number of times because of SiriusXM’s First Wave Channel. I think it would have been a better single than the Kinks’ song “Stop Your Sobbing” (their first single) or “Kid” (their second). Just my opinion. Overall, it was a great album and has many high spots and very few less-than-high. I would recommend this album, for sure. Dug!

#154 – Moanin’ in the Moonlight by Howlin’ Wolf. Well, there are two things I can say about this album that is positive. I like the way that it sounds so “period.” Meaning, it sounds like it’s from 1959. Well, it is. The other thing positive is that the longest any of the twelve songs are is 3:08. Okay, one more positive thing: it wasn’t vile. That’s all I got.

#153 –  The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest. Back to hip hop basics. Or is that bass-ics? And I say back; really it’s at the front. This from the good ole days, before the hip hop 1low end theoryand rap communities got so big they became completely irrelevant (at least to me), overly saturated  and stereotypical. To me, the era from the mid-80s until the mid-90s are the best for hip hop. This was just vocals, heavy hip hop bass and drums with some samples and pads laid in for texture. Some references to Bell Biv Devoe and New Edition, I like that. But, in the end it became background music. Not that I was ignoring it or it wasn’t worth listening to, just that it became settled; as in it settled in and really didn’t take me anywhere. Or, it took me somewhere at the beginning but then dropped me off on the side of the road. But, hey, at least it wasn’t Quicksilver Messenger Service, right? Dug, sort of.

#152 – The B-52s by The B-52s. Okay, when I think B-52s, I don’t think “Love Shack” although, as overplayed and cheesy as that was, I still love it. And, by no means am I a B-52s “fan,” to make that clear up front. But, when I think of the B-52s I think of a time before I ever left La maison de mes ‘Rents (my parents’ house). A friend of mine, Shannon H. and I were hanging one evening, probably a weekend, although we hung almost every night, and in the time before satellite radio, internet for the common folk, music on cable and so on, we were looking for something to listen to whilst playing our video games. Something outside my mere 50 CDs or so. We somehow picked up on what I believe to be either WQFS or WUAG out of Greensboro (I know it wasn’t a WS station) and it was quite fuzzy as the signal was weak. We listened along through some things we’d never really knew about (something about REM or Sonic Youth or something) and then this crazy tune that sounded like we were watching The Munsters came on. They were talking about a rock lobster. We had to pause the game and look at each other, dying laughing. We thought this was the most ridiculous thing we’d ever heard before. Especially the “rock lah-ah-ahb-ster” parts. I mean, we were serious hair band musicians! I’ll pause whilst you laugh that one off, Dear Reader, it’s okay. But, that was my first exposure to something that wasn’t “Love Shack” from B-52s. The reason I told this story on this B-52s album was because “Rock Lobster” was on there! I love that surf-happy riff and, now, after learning the joys of classic alternative music, really dig this song. “Planet Claire” takes a while to get into the meat but that’s a great opener. The whole groove is surfish and the vocal contrast of Kate Pierson’s and Cindy Wilson’s surfer girl with Fred Schneider’s sauciness makes a very unique soup of cool. One song that really stood out to me was “Lava.” It was just a little heavier than usual for the band. I like heavy. But, it seemed like a more straight-forward rock song and I dug it. Great album. Dug!

#151 – Funeral by Arcade Fire. I hear shades of The Edge and Bono in here in style; touches of Talking Head’s “Life During Wartime;” homage American musical working class heroes. I looked it up (I knew but had forgotten), they’re Canadian. So, to take all of that and mix it together, that’s quite an eclectic mix, n’est-ce pas? Another thing I’m noticing is that 1ArcadeFireFuneralCovermany of the albums on this list are debuts. It’s like they come out firing and sometimes their subsequent albums fall slightly shy of the same greatness. I’m not saying that’s all the time but it happens. I hear some hints of Siouxsie and the Banshees as well. This band is all about some amalgamation of styles and there’s truly nothing wrong with that. However, the downside is that once I picked up on some of the influences, I spent more time trying to compare than I did listening to their merits. Don’t get caught in that trap, Dear Reader, just listen and enjoy. Because, whilst I did get in the rut of comparison, I thought the music was entertaining, as a whole. One funny thing is on the song “Wake Up” there are xylophones and one of the bars is the exact same tone and timbre of the Facebook Messenger alert tone. So, every time that played I kept looking to see who messaged me. I’m going back to an old adage that I (created?) have used this entire countdown from around 450 on: I think it’s a decent album but top five hundred of all time? That’s stretching it. I don’t see where it’s influential, groundbreaking or revolutionary. But, I can see that its enjoyable. I dug it, regardless of what half of this synopsis may indicate.

So, another segment down. Some really great albums on this list, including one from my favorite band of all time, even if it’s nowhere near my favorite album from them. Elton, Pretenders, Beasties, B-52s? Aye. None of them got a full-on dislike from me (Howlin’ Wolf, you got a pass on this one) and I think the two that got a “meh” from me was more disappointing because I wanted to like it for The BCPF’s and Eugene’s sake. But, I didn’t. Oh, well. So, it’s onward to the next segment and I’ll see you over there!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“You cry out in your sleep; all my failings exposed. And there’s a taste in my mouth as desperation takes hold. Just that something so good just can’t function no more. But love, love will tear us apart again.” – “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (Curtis/Hook/Morris/Sumner) (not officially on this countdown)

Come on You Raver or: Time to Get Ill (RS Part 29)

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Salutations™!!

It’s time for another installment of “Scorp’s Crazy, Wacky and Mostly Moronic Views on Music” as I’m sure some would call it. I call it my take on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All-Time. Last segment was alright, let’s hope this one surpasses it. Let’s hit it!

#220 – Look-Ka Py Py by The Meters. First of all, I don’t know what the heck that title even means. I know it’s some sounds they were chanting throughout the title track. Okay, then. Next, this is some funky stuff (and yes that was a pun and yes it was intended). The Meters (and later, or currently, Original Meters and Funky Meters) are a funk band. Not really any singing other than the title track but this could be used in any film that depicts the 1970s and be a fine soundtrack in and of itself. This album is about 9 months older than I am as it was released in January 1ameters1970. George Porter, Jr.’s bass work is fabulous here and I look forward to hearing more of his work. I know all of it goes into the overall sound but, to me the bass is the foundation to the greatness of these songs. The songs are relatively short, most of the twelve being under three minutes. The longest comes in a 3:18. It’s like they’re getting to the point, playing their boogie beats, turning you on and then turning you on again. And, again. And, again. And, again. I’ve not heard anything on here I didn’t like. I am a fan of funk, believe it or not, and this is on target! Muy bueno! I’d listen to this again and would like own this on vinyl. I’m not pulling any songs individually because I think the work, as a whole, is best observed as such. Dug!

#219 – Licensed to Ill by Beastie Boys. Lots of Led Zeppelin samples on this record. Some “Misty Mountain Hop” and “The Ocean” in the first three songs alone. That’s not a bad thing, it’s pretty cool actually. As much as I talk about liking this kind of music (especially the 80s/90s non-pretentious rap), Beastie Boys is someone I never listened to much. I knew “Fight for Your Right” and “Brass Monkey” but until about ten years ago, I hadn’t heard “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” I had people that would talk about that song and I had no clue what they were talking about. As to not look stupid, I just chuckled and pointed. Anywhat! I like this as it’s straight up rock rap and I dig that. I like, too, that they do a lot of rap turns. I really do like the sample work. That’s good stuff. Tongue-in-cheek, they don’t take themselves too seriously. Let it hang out. That’s what you do. Good rap album with “three nice Jewish boys” doing their thing. Dug!

#218 – The Queen is Dead by The Smiths. Plenty of the off-key warbling that Morrissey does, but, it works for them. “I Know It’s Over” is a prime example of that cat wailing. The Smiths is something that I don’t think that I’ve fully jumped on board with. I absolutely do like a few of their songs and this album has three of my faves: “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side” and “There’s 1The-Queen-is-Dead-covera Light that Never Goes Out.” But I do like “The Queen is Dead” and “Frankly, Mr. Shankly.” Not a bad album, however, if I am going to pick a Smiths album, this wouldn’t be the one I’d call great. Musically, Johnny Marr and company do a great job, as always, but Morrissey is an acquired taste. Again, I’ve not quite acquired that. Perhaps The Smiths is a band where I really do need a greatest hits album. Psst… I do have one. Dug.

#217 – Two Steps Away from the Blues by Bobby Bland. The beauty of this album is that while it sounds like it would be “blues” (and to some degree it is) it’s more of a crooner-jazz styled album than blues. There’s R&B, soul and some gospel in here, too. So that makes the handful of blues tunes mostly tolerable. Another beauty is that the longest song comes in at 2:44, so even if a blues tune sneaks through, it doesn’t last too awfully long. I’m not denying that the blues comes through. I hear it. But, the jazz/soul/R&B elements are so much better. Bobby Bland was only 30 when this album was released but, man, does he ever sound weathered? That’s not a knock, that’s a good thing. I feel the “soul” and “blues” parts needs to have that to authenticate the spirit of those genres. And, for the blues part of it, I like “St. James Infirmary” and “I Pity the Fool.” I think my favorite one is “I’ll Take Care of You.” The rest of it, I liked it. I don’t know that I’d listen again, but the album is solid. I dug it. Yes. I said that.

#216 – Go Bo Diddley by Bo Diddley. Technically this is supposed to be a combo album called Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley, but the album Bo Diddley is a compilation album but the second one is his actual debut album. Well, it’s early rock and roll, rock-a-billy and not really my thing. I don’t mind that genre but didn’t really care for this. I know, I know, I know: gasp! what!? are you (expletive) kidding me!? etc. etc. etc.  No. I’m not kidding you, don’t care for it, meh. I feel the same way about Chuck Berry, too. I don’t care who he influenced and I don’t care this and that, I just don’t care for this stuff. Am I just being contrary, now? Maybe, but that wouldn’t change me liking it. Meh.

#215 – New York Dolls by New York Dolls. Time for another “what!? are you (expletive) kidding me?!” moment. I’ve never heard a thing from New York Dolls 1aNewYorkDollsNewYorkDollsbefore. Not a single thing. Nothing. Of course, I’ve heard David Johansen as “Buster Poindexter” doing “Hot Hot Hot.” I don’t think there’s a person alive that has seen anything ever on television that hasn’t heard that. And yes, I also know that it doesn’t count. It doesn’t count as hearing New York Dolls and it doesn’t count toward actually being a real song. I say all that but somewhere I’ve heard “Personality Crisis” and don’t know where. It may be some radio show mashup that is aimed at partying on a Friday or something. I don’t know. My initial response to this is that it sounds like a less-talented T-Rex or early Alice Cooper. Before any panties are in a wad, I didn’t say no-talent, I said “less” than those artists. It certainly has its moments and does kind of remind me of Rocky Horror Picture Show’s soundtrack, except with Johansen’s batty vocals instead of someone who likes to be in key. Again, don’t hear that as me not liking it, I’m just pointing out the obvious. Musically, this is one good album. I missed most of the “glam rock” because of my age. I wasn’t old enough to know about it and I was located in a town in WV where no one even heard of this stuff until much later. In fact, I never even heard of New York Dolls until 1986 when I moved to WSNC and I think that was because I got MTV. And, whilst they didn’t play a lot of stuff like that, I do remember them talking about it.  My faves on this is “Personality Crisis,” “Frankenstein,” “Trash” (or is it Tri-ash?) and “Bad Girl.” I dug it but found myself watching the track listing to see if it was almost over.

#214 – Proud Mary – The Best of Ike & Tina Turner by Ike & Tina Turner.

1aTattooYou81#213 – Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones. Never a Stones fan, per se, I’d say this is the third of my “favorite time” in Stone-dom. Started with Some Girls (#270), on to Emotional Rescue and finally here. I like the ’70s pop rock that they did. Weren’t they always pop rock, really? Not trying to take their cred away or anything. They’re still one of “those” great rock bands, but it’s really more pop. Who doesn’t get excited when they hear that opening riff to “Start Me Up,” the doo-doo-doos of “Hang Fire” or the like? I do. I don’t own Emotional Rescue but I do own the other two in this triad of Stones discs. I love the laid-back emotion in “Tops.” I’m also a fan of the ethereal ambiance of “Heaven.” Now, I think one of the best Stones songs ever written is “Waiting on a Friend.” The video, the song, the sound – all that reverb. I really love that song. I think if I hadn’t seen the video before hearing the song I’d actually picture someone standing up against a light pole waiting on a friend. It’s a great song and a really, really good album. To me it’s not better than Some Girls but it’s still good. Well written. Dug!!

#212 – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain by Pavement. The BCPF is a huge fan of these guys. It’s melodic and rockin’ while staying true to the times (1994). Lots of arpeggiated and open chords with simple but strong bass lines. Dropped volumes and nonsensical “jams” that sometimes don’t fit… or do they fit perfectly? It’s not that it’s unwelcome or unwanted but odd that it’s there. But, at the same time, I say, “of course that’s there.” The use of Leslie effects is splendid. I was warned that I wouldn’t like his (Stephen Mulkmus) voice, but truthfully, I don’t mind this. I can’t explain it, I just like it. Mixes of Velvet Underground (which you know I can’t stand), The Doors (also not a huge fan) and Nirvana (again) make this something that I can really listen to and like. I think it’s the execution that I really like. “Cut Your Hair,” “Newark Wilder” and I absolutely love “5-4=Unity.” I think that’s my favorite on the album. It’s an instrumental, maybe that’s why? Let me say that musically, I really enjoy this entire album. Vocals would get a B- if I was going that but as it stands, I think the music and musicianship is top-notch. I dug it!!

#211 – Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. I’m for most Pink Floyd, just that very early stuff (Piper at the Gates of Dawn and such), I can’t get into. I especially like Dark Side of the Moon and later. This falls there. I think the twenty-six minute opus called “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (parts 1-9)” is a bit long but I don’t know what I’d cut, perhaps the disco-ish part? I don’t know. I think it’s pretty much epic just 1aWishYouWereHere-300the way it is. With the exception of that lengthy version of the song (it’s usually edited down), you’re liable to hear any of the stuff on this album on classic rock radio. My personal favorite on this album is “Have a Cigar.” I love the story behind it and it’s tongue-in-cheek aspects (“which one is Pink?”). And Roy Harper sings the song, not Roger Waters or any other permanent band member. It’s one of only two. I’m suspecting the other to be Big Gig in the Sky.  The title song is definitely a classic and “Welcome to the Machine.” It’s really sad the story behind the whole album and Syd Barrett visiting in the studio during recording. Not my overall favorite Floyd album but still a danged good one. If you get a chance, go read the Wikipedia article on this album, it’s really good. LOVED it!

One compilation and only one that got anything other than a “dug!” I wouldn’t say that it’s anywhere near my favorite segment but I think it’s the most likes I’ve given in one segment. I enjoyed this segment, for sure. So let’s get on out of here. Thanks for reading!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“How I wish, how I wish you were here. We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.” – “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd (Waters, Gilmore)