Tag Archives: Weezer

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 4/3/21

04 Sunday Apr 2021

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I had a busy morning/afternoon yesterday. We got up and out to Underdog Records, the first two through the door, then went to brunch at one of our favorite spots. We saw Chef Travis Myers, sat in Bailey Park for a minute or 15, got an updated tour of 600°, Chef Travis’ restaurant coming soon, then some rekkid listening and dinner at Diamondback Grill, which is always a treat! Here’s the haul:

©Ruffhouse/Columbia

A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory — #153 on the RS list that matters, #43 on the one that doesn’t. I wanted to fill some holes in the hip-hop/rap section of my “list” collection, as you’ll see. This is what I wrote when I reviewed it in February 2016: 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 and 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. I still pretty much feel this way. I didn’t look up what I wrote until after I listened to it. It starts off cool, but four sides of a record is a long way to go if you’re only somewhat into it. 2×LP, Reissue, Remastered, Label variation, multicolor as opposed to black and white. New.

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill — #314 on the RS list that matters, #10 on the one that doesn’t. Yet another reason why that newer list is flawed. Is this a good album? I guess so, but to jump 304 spaces? Nah. Just like the entry above this one jumped 110 spaces. Nah. I get that you’re pulling from a younger demographic for this one, but c’mon, that’s ridiculous. From my original review back in May 2015 (with some clarifications): A little trivia for you. The cover of this album is directly inspired by another album on this segment of the overall list, Burnin’ by Bob Marley & The Wailers (#319). It’s basically the same concept. And, Lauryn, whilst touring with The Fugees got pregnant by Bob’s son, Rohan, so there’s that connection, too. Enough about that, though. I love the “school room” aspect. “Ex-Factor” is very much a breaking free song. Free of exes, of course. With two “high profile” exes to discuss, well, having this type song on the album is not unexpected and actually fits nicely. Wyclef or Rohan? The world may never know. Musically, the album is more than samples and hip-hop beats. It’s soul. Every bit soul. The messages spoken between songs (in the classroom setting) are positive and how to stand up for yourself, believe in yourself, being yourself; self-discovery if you will. I do like the cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” Now, I believe it to be a good album, influential and important for its time, but “best?” Eh. I know that coming up, especially in the upper tops of this list (#13 (Velvet Underground & Nico) I know already I’m going to run over like a lawnmower does a stray styro foam cup in the yard and #2 (Pet Sounds) I already don’t get) I’m going to get increasingly annoyed at the positioning of some of these albums and question a lot of them; you’ve seen what I’ve done so far. I get it this was important, but I really think it would be better up in the upper 400s. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it but think it doesn’t need to be this far up in the countdown. Dug. So, yeah, I liked it and I still liked it yesterday, but I don’t get that kind of jump. It’s not all that!!! 2×LP, Reissue. New.

EPMD – Strictly Business — #453 on the RS list that matters, completely gone from the one that doesn’t. From my initial review April 2014: “I Shot the Sherrif”… I mean, “Strictly Business” is fun.  I thought it reminded me a lot of Eric B and Rakim’s Paid in Full (which has to be in this list, somewhere).  Upon reading about it, it was called a “compliment” to it.  The time frame is right; the style is right; all is right.  And, it’s in a time that I liked what I heard in this genre.  Tight beats and fun samples (and yes, I hated sampling, then… still do mostly; this is tastefully done), not too harsh on the lyrical content and good stuff to hear.  I liked it.  I’d own it, believe it or not. DUG! Well, now I do own it. I haven’t listened to it again yet, but after reading what I wrote about it, I can’t wait to! 2018 Respect the Classics edition. Priority Records 2×LP. Non-gatefold jacket. New.

Weezer – OK Human — Clear vinyl with various random splattered colors known as “Control Room Chaos Splatter.” Indie Exclusive version. I always get Weezer and Wilco mixed up just based on name. One I like, one gets on my nerves. Weezer I like. This was released this January and we loved listening to it. Weezer is always fun. A lot of this was “sign o’ the times” kind of things like Zoom meetings and whatnot. But, it’s them keeping up. I dig it. I dug it. You should dig it, too. New.

The Andrews Sisters – The Best Of The Andrews Sisters — I thought to myself, you know what my collection is missing? Some swing-style, jump blues, boogie-woogie girl group that happens to be sisters. And, when I saw this at Underdog Records, in EX condition, I grabbed it, first thing (it is in the “A”s after all). 2×LP, Compilation, Club Edition (RCA), Reissue.

Khachaturian, David Oistrakh : The Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra – Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Minor — Composed by and conducted by Aram Khatchaturian. Performed by The Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra with David Oistrakh on violin. EX.

There’s the hip-hop heavy haul. Record Store Day is coming in June and July. Visit the RSD website to keep track of what titles (when they release them!!) will be available for those days. Underdog Records is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11a-7p. Watch their Instagram and Facebook pages to see what Jonathan may have just gotten in or what he’s stocking his bins with. You can purchase non-used new albums 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Jonathan and I have talked and we were supposed to have more news on our project at the beginning of last month but we have decided that May will be when we do it. I know I’m being vague, but be patient. I use Discogs for all my music cataloging needs.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Count on me to show support for Winston Smith in 1984. ‘Cause battling Big Brother feels more meaningful than binging zombie hordes. Take me up to Neverland. Hanging with Yossarian (Yossarian). He’s kinda just like me. We fight ’til we get free.” – “Grapes of Wrath” (Cuomo)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Is This Nowhere?

14 Thursday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the anniversary of several albums. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere from Neil Young & Crazy Horse (#210 on the RS list) celebrates 51 years today. The Carpenters’ self-titled third album is 49. Relics: A Bizarre Collection of Antiques & Curios, a compilation album from Pink Floyd is also 49. Little Queen, the second album from Heart is 43 today. Breaking All the Rules from Peter Frampton is 39. Combat Rock from The Clash is 38. Chicago 17, my personal favorite Chicago album is 36. Spellbound, the second album from Paula Abdul is 29. Slang, the sixth studio album from Def Leppard is 24 as is Long Line from Peter Wolf and All This Useless Beauty from Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Maladroit from Weezer and Down the Road from Van Morrison and Vapor Trails from Rush are all 18 today.  That’s a lot of albums. The last three were released the day before my son was born. I guess you can figure what tomorrow’s post will be about, huh? Anywhat! This is what I decided to play today. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Loneliness is such a sad affair. And I can hardly wait to be with you again. What to say to make you come again? Come back to me again and play your sad guitar.” – “Superstar” (Bramlett/Russell)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/27/19

28 Sunday Jul 2019

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Salutations™!!

DrjohnNighttripper

©Atco

Yesterday was a good music day. I was still on a high from the night before when I participated with the Vagabond Saints Society doing the music of The Cars at The Ramkat. Then, The BCPF and I went to Underdog Records and had a full day of music intake. We have listened to the whole of our haul from yesterday by now as we listen to the last entry in this post whilst I am writing it. Here’s the haul:

  • Dr. John, The Night Tripper – Gris-Gris — Mac Rebennack wanted to do something with his character, Dr. John, the Night Tripper. It was an elaborate story he was making and wanted others to help him, even trying to get someone else to be “Dr. John.” But, he ended up doing it and highlighting a lot of the good – and probably some bad – of the voodoo/New Orleans culture. This was his debut album and it sits at #143 on the RS List. It’s weird and wicked but cool. Unfortunately, we lost Mac last month. New.
  • Weezer – Weezer — This is Weezer’s cover album and these covers are bad arse! To name a few of the covers, “Africa,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Take On Me,” “Paranoid,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” and “No Scrubs.” It’s awesome. New.
  • Kate Bush – Lionheart — Hella talent here. But, man, she is somewhat cuckoo, at least as she purveys it. Great voice. I was tired after listening to this because of the ups and downs. VG++.
  • Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest — The BCPF said she knew it would be right up her alley but she wasn’t too familiar with this. It was psychedelic, experimental and trippy but had some hints of Jeff Buckley in there, too. It was a great listen. VG.
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! — Original mono pressing. I can’t emphasize how much we both love Ella. She was so amazing. Her voice like silk. Neither of us care for most of the “scatting” but it wasn’t too prevalent on this album. But, there is plenty of greatness on it. It’s a bit scratchy but still a good listen. VG-.
  • John Barry – Out Of Africa (Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack) — I love John Barry’s work. From James Bond to Somewhere in Time to, well, this, and beyond. This incorporates a little bit of Mozart, but it’s a beautiful collection of music. From what I remember, I liked the movie, too. VG++.
  • Damien Jurado – Live At Landlocked — I believe, from the cover photo, Landlocked is a record/music store. The BCPF was all over this but I have to say, whilst I liked Damien’s commentary and explanations. Once he started singing it was like he only hit four notes on-key. I didn’t really care for it, but again, I’m pretty sure she did. And, that’s all that matters, right? VG-.
  • Various – Ruthless People (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) — I love soundtracks, but I have to say I didn’t really care for this one. I actually like most of the artists on the album but these songs were not that good. VG+.
  • Mendelssohn, Erich Leinsdorf, Boston Symphony Orchestra– Incidental Music To A Midsummer Night’s Dream — $1 bin find. It’s in great shape and sounds amazing. The BCPF doesn’t care much about the narration, but I think it’s cool. I like it. Great pieces of music, here, too. VG+.

This week, Bethany, my co-host on The Less Desirables purchased a turntable from Jonathan at Underdog. She posted that she was playing Van Morrison and had some Fleetwood Mac. I know she has like 10 Olivia Newton-John albums, so Top Leaf Cigar Lounge will be rocking! Speaking of TLD, listen to each new episode to hear the TLD/UR special of the week. And, use Discogs to catalog your collection and use that shaking feature (shake your phone) to select a “random grab.”

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“When there’s a yellow moon above me, they say there’s moonbeams I should view. But moonbeams being gold are something I can’t behold, ’cause I was born to be blue.” – “(I Was) Born to Be Blue” (Tormé/Wells)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 2/2/19

05 Tuesday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yes, this is usually a Sunday thing but Sunday and yesterday were either an important day or just something I had to rant about instead. So, here’s the haul from Saturday from Underdog Records.

Bent_out_of_shape_rainbow

©Mercury

  • Cherry Glazerr – Stuffed & Ready — Another try at introducing The BCPF to a group that I think she’d like. I’m usually successful and this another triumph. It’s a little Riot Grrl ish but that’s okay because she likes that stuff. Girl power! Jonathan said this was a little heavier than their past stuff but he also said he likes everything they do. Win! New.
  • Green Day – Kerplunk! — This is the second album from Green Day, the last indie release before signing with Reprise Records and the massive hit album Dookie was released and it’s the first with Tré Cool on drums. This is the 2009 reissue, VG+.
  • Donovan – Sunshine Superman / In Concert At The Anaheim Convention Center — As the title suggests, it’s a 2xLP/true Double Album as it is Sunshine Superman and a live album packaged together. VG+.
  • Weezer – Raditude — Weezer’s last on Interscope/DGC/Geffen. The title was suggested by Dwight Schrüte from The Office. Actually, it was Rainn Wilson who played Dwight, but still… VG.
  • Rainbow – Bent Out Of Shape — I’m trying to expand my classic hard rock repertoire beyond just what Eugene introduced me to in 2017. I’m trying. I’m trying. I don’t know much about the album. It was there. I purchased it. VG+.
  • U2 – Under A Blood Red Sky (Live) — Live album from the Irish lads that featured songs from their first three albums and was the soundtrack to a companion film of (almost) the same name. Great versions of the tunes, too. It was right before The Unforgettable Fire which was still before “my U2 time.” But, I really like that album, and the next few, a lot. VG+.
  • Rod Stewart – The Rod Stewart Album — Stewart’s debut solo record. I don’t know that I cared for his “Man of Constant Sorrow” but I did like the rest of the album. I like the elegant sleek yellow cover. In the UK it was called An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down which was one of the songs on the album. Lots of Faces and other special guests on the album. VG+.
  • Joni Mitchell – Mingus — A collaboration with Charles Mingus prior to his passing, we get to hear a shload of Jaco Pastorius on this record. It’s very experimental and some of it is “out there,” but it’s worth every second. Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Peter Erskine (along with Jaco) on one album? Wow! VG+.
  • UB40 – Labour Of Love — Yes, the whole thing sounds like “Red Red Wine.” But, it’s reggae with electronica sprinkled in and some of it is really “slow jammy” which is cool with me. It’s not a great record but it’s a decent record. VG+.
  • John Waite – Mask Of Smiles — The lackluster follow-up to No Brakes which had “Missing You.” It was there and I thought the picture on the back was funny. VG+.
  • ABBA – Voulez-Vous — “Chiquitita”, “Does Your Mother Know” and “I Have a Dream” were the singles of this album which saw the group embracing disco. I didn’t know they ever didn’t embrace it…? VG+.
  • Traffic – Mr. Fantasy — Traffic’s debut album. The cover and tracklisting the US got were different than the UK release which was fairly common at that time. It’s a decent record. The band was a four-piece but Dave Mason left before the album was released. VG.
  • Mott – Drive On — Mott the Hoople after Ian Hunter left. I don’t know anything about the album, but I like the Mott the Hoople stuff I’ve heard. Let’s hope it wasn’t all about Hunter. VG.
  • Rick Wakeman – Journey To The Centre Of The Earth — Yes’ keyboardist extraordinaire doing his composition based on the Jules Verne novel of the same name. I want to hear it. It’s in rough shape but I still have it as VG, but the cover is really rough (G/F+). It was a $1 bin find.

Jonathan had sold a couple of speakers when we were there and there were a lot of other speakers to choose from. A lot of cool stuff in there. I meant to ask him about the Curated by Underdog program. I kind of want to know how he’d curate music for me. Listen to The Less Desirables every Wednesday (or when you get to it) and hear the TLD/UR special of the week. Also, I highly recommend you use Discogs to catalog and track your music collection (no matter the format).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Under a blood red sky a crowd has gathered in black and white. Arms entwined, the chosen few. The newspapers says, says… Say it’s true, it’s true and we can break through. Though torn in two, we can be one. I will begin again.” – “New Year’s Day” (U2)

Skipped the Play or: Her Name is…

10 Thursday May 2018

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Records

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Salutations™!!

You know I’ve been posting albums that correlate with release days and all that good stuff, right? Yeah. Well, a month or so ago I posted my Top 10 albums that had an impact on my life or some other superlative. One of those ten was Duran Duran’s Rio.

220px-DuranRio

©Capitol Records

 

Well, today is the 36th anniversary of its release. But, because I had my first appointment this morning at 8am and then another meeting at 11a that lasted until 1:30p, stopping for lunch, going to the studio and downloading (or trying to) video off of four different devices to be able to piece together something later, pick up 3B from school, run to my optometrist to get my replacement contacts, go back to the studio to finish the downloads, go to dinner with 3B and his girlfriend and her family, go with them to a carnival that came through town and finally getting home around 8:30p, I didn’t have time to play the record.

So, I want to say that I love that album, because it’s well-written, has great tunes and one of my favorite bass players of all-time, John Taylor. It’s just a great album. Happy anniversary to it.

The album 11-17-70 from Elton John was also released on this day in 1971, so it’s 47 years old. I would have played it.

Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry is 34 as of today.

I don’t have it on vinyl but Steelheart’s self-titled album came out 28 years ago. I really liked a few tunes on that.

The Weezer self-titled (blue album) was released 24 years ago today. I have that on vinyl.

Also, today is the birthday of U2’s singer, Bono. He’s 58 years old today. So, I probably would have played War or The Unforgettable Fire for that.

I would have played Cosmic Wheels from Donovan, Traffic by Traffic (Dave Mason) and Bloody Tourists by 10cc (Graham Gouldman) because they all turned 72 today.

I would have played Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols because it would have been Sid Vicious’ 61st birthday (even though he played bass on just one song).

May 10 had a lot of things happening when it comes to my vinyl collection. It’s quite a day. Great stuff. I probably wouldn’t have gotten to all of it had I had time to play stuff, but it would have been tough to decide what to actually play. Rio would definitely be one, the rest would be a guessing game. But, thanks for reading what I would have tried to get in had I been home.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Moving on the floor now babe you’re a bird of paradise. Cherry ice cream smile, I suppose it’s very nice. With a step to your left and a flick to the right you catch that mirror way out west. You know you’re something special and you look like you’re the best. Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand, just like that river twisting through a dusty land. And when she shines she really shows you all she can. Oh, Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande.” – “Rio” (Le Bon/Taylor/Taylor/Taylor/Rhodes)

 

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 4/28/18

29 Sunday Apr 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day and it was really relaxed since The BCPF and I didn’t have to camp out for the hectic scene that was Record Store Day. We walked, ate at Mary’s Gourmet Diner, bought records at Underdog Records, listened to records, and ate at Willows Bistro before getting home before 10:20p. A good day. Here’s our haul:

R-1560033-1363118457-6629.jpeg

©A&M

 

  • Okkervil River – In The Rainbow Rain – When I make the commercials for Underdog Records on Wednesdays, I try to incorporate some of the music that is being released in said commercial to give a little taste (observing ‘fair use’ rules, of course) and this was one that I used. I liked it and it sounded like something The BCPF would like. I’m always on the lookout for new stuff she may like. New.
  • The Rolling Stones – Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out – A live Rolling Stones album that was released originally about two and a half months before I was born. This, however, is the 1986 reissue. It was considered to be an audiophile copy at that time. This is in NM condition.
  • Weezer – Pacific Daydream – The latest album by Weezer that was released around Halloween last year. This is a really good album. It was fun to listen to. NM.
  • Tim Curry – Simplicity – The last of Tim Curry’s solo albums, this one from 1981. I liked listening to the other one I have, Fearless, even if it wasn’t great it was fun. I hope this one is. VG++.
  • A Flock Of Seagulls – A Flock Of Seagulls – The eponymous debut album featuring what is probably their most famous song “I Ran (So Far Away)” as well as “Space Age Love Song.” It was in great shape and I can’t wait to listen to it. VG++.
  • Frank Sinatra – Strangers In The Night – $1 bin find that we just couldn’t pass on. I love me some “Ol’ Blue Eyes” and here it was in VG shape.
  • Sinatra – Basie – Sinatra-Basie (An Historic Musical First) – Another $1 bin find for the same reasons above. Plus, it was the first time Frankie and Count Basie recorded together. VG.
  • Mungo Jerry – Mungo Jerry – The listing on Wikipedia shows no trace of “In the Summertime” but the copy I have does. I know it was released as a single the same year as this, so I am thinking that it was an album-independent single that did well and any subsequent releases of the album included it. That’s what I have, I think. It’s in VG condition and was a $1 bin find.

So, here, I have to say when I played in GSO on Friday, we went to another record store, CFBG Records. Jonathan says we weren’t cheating on him but I feel like we were. But, we got some cool stuff, even if the prices were crazy expensive for used stuff. I guess we’re just spoiled by Jonathan. Here’s that haul:

  • The Byrds – Younger Than Yesterday – #127 on the RS List and containing one of my favorite Byrds (well, Dylan) songs, “My Back Pages.” It’s in VG++ condition.
  • The Fixx – Phantoms – I have grown to love The Fixx and I was excited to find this here (well, The BCPF found it). VG+.
  • Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks – #16 on the RS List (I need five to finish the top 25). From what I remember I didn’t much care for it, but The BCPF is a sucker for Dylan. Plus, I needed it for the list. VG+.
  • INXS – Listen Like Thieves – The INXS album with “What You Need,” the title tune and “This Time.” Very excited about it. VG+.
  • Midnight Oil – Diesel And Dust – The one with “Beds Are Burning” on it. We got that one for free. There is a long scratch all the way across the first side but I’m hoping it will still play. If not, I will use it as the first of my vinyl repair experiment that I plan on doing. I’ll say VG, but that may not be true.

So, a pretty good haul and we’re excited about it. Lots of good stuff in there. Jonathan is back in the saddle after getting caught up from Record Store Day. So, follow Underdog Records on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and you’ll see what he is putting out each day. They’re open Tuesday to Saturday, 11a to 7p. Also, you can shop during off-hours by visiting their website.

Discogs lets me keep up with my collection so I don’t buy a lot of multiples and its Marketplace lets me find those hard-to-get items that Jonathan just never sees come through. It’s fun.

Until tomorrow, happy listening…
Scorp out!

—
“Crimson flames tied through my ears, rollin’ high and mighty traps pounced with fire on flaming roads using ideas as my maps. “We’ll meet on edges, soon, ” said I, proud ‘neath heated brow. Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.” – “My Back Pages” (Dylan)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 5/20/17

21 Sunday May 2017

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Salutations™!!

We had another great haul from Underdog Records yesterday. Barely beating out Clay Howard to grab a few things, we nabbed the following:

1dark_side_of_the_moon

©Harvest Records

 

We’ve already hit the bottom shelves of our new record case, so, we’ll have to go get another one. Yikes. If you’re not using Discogs to catalog your LP collection (or even your CD collection), you should be. You have a record of what you have in case anything ever happens. And, if you’re into LPs and aren’t going to Underdog Records, you’re missing it. Even if you just want to get back into vinyl and don’t feel like looking for a turntable, he has some in stock that are affordable for those jumping back in.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“She calls me home, she says baby it’s a lonely ol’ night. I don’t know, I’m just so scared and lonely all at the same time. Nobody told me she was gonna work out this way no no no no no no. I guess they knew we’d work it out in our own way.” –  “Lonely Ol’ Night” (Mellencamp)

Qu’est-ce que c’est or: Why Do They Gotta Front? (RS Part 21)

01 Monday Jun 2015

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Salutations™!!

Whew 200 gone and now we kick into 3rd gear, right?  Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums of All Time are counting down and I think I said in the #400-301 recap everything I needed to say. So, it’s time to begin!

#300 – Master of Reality by Black Sabbath. Way to start it out, eh? Punched in the mouth by the originators of Heavy Metal music, at least what I perceive to be the case,1Black_Sabbath_-_Master_of_Reality Black Sabbath. It’s hard to believe that this heavy of stuff was coming out in 1971. It’s relatively short, too, at least as far as songs go, with 8 songs (one being only 28 seconds long). Time-wise, however, it’s up there with all proper songs being at least five minutes and about 35 minutes total. I’m wondering if the end of “Children of the Grave” is where Victor Miller and Sean S. Cunningham got the idea for the whispering in the film Friday the 13th from 1980? Don’t know. “Sweet Leaf” starts the album off and it’s a great riff, I used to play it in a band and it was fun to play live. I wonder what this s -weet leaf is that Ozzy’s speaking of? That was back when you could understand him talking. “Lord of this World” is one heavy tune and feels like my feet are grounded after being run over by it. Same goes for “Into the Void,” the closing number. And dang, Geezer! He’s kicking arse on this album. Tommy Iommi always kicks butt. I was trying to look up to see the personnel for this album and everything that I find says that Ozzy sings all the vocals but I contend that the vocals on “Solitude” is not Ozzy singing it. I’ll admit that my Ozzy knowledge is really from after he left Sabbath but I really don’t think that was him singing there. Overall, a crack-your-teeth kind of album that rocks the hardest way possible. Dug!

#299 – Weezer (Blue Album) by Weezer. When this first came out in 1994, I hated it. Hated it! Now, I think it’s a barrel of fun and love listening to it. The hits, “My Name is Jonas,” “Buddy Holly,” “Undone – The Sweater Song” and “Say It Ain’t So,” are hits because they’re quality hit material.  It’s fantastic stuff. They brought chic to nerdism and they were proud to do so. Musically, it’s some of the finest tunage that the 1990s had to offer. Nothing that makes these boys virtuoso-like, but the song writing, is amazing. I said I hated it. Why? Just like Flaming Lips getting famous from a song about Vaseline, these guys got famous because of a song about a sweater and Buddy Holly. I was stuck in the basement playing what I thought was the best option, musically. I know now that all that was baloney, but it was how I was at the time. I’d listen to this at least once a week if it was needed and do so with a smile on my face. I definitely dug!

#298 – The College Dropout by Kanye West. Okay, Kanye is an a-hole. I’ve said it. I just now said it, again. The POTUS even said he was an idiot. Some of the things he does, yeah, makes him look like one. I think he’s an attention wh*re and enjoys being such. But, while he does look like an idiot, I don’t think that he is one. This is his debut album and it took a long time to record. He uses samples from several of his 1Kanyewest_collegedropoutcontemporaries throughout the album. It’s been a while since the “N” word was prevalent in an “RST500” album but I knew this was going to have it in there. I was right. That’s bad for me, but he’s got a decent voice and isn’t too abrasive  in the raps. He uses a good bit of actual singing vocals from others, like “All Falls Down” with Syleena Johnson. “I’ll Fly Away,” by Albert Brumley is a modern gospelized version of the tune that heard growing up going to Ma Mère’s (and eventually Ma Père’s as well) Pentecostal-Hades-Fire-and-Brimstone church. Yes, Dear Reader, I haven’t always been the heathen I am today. Let me say, it sounds a lot better on this album that it ever did in that little white church by the creek. Kanye seems to have fun, but is serious. Lots of musicality and I’ll be honest, I didn’t hate listening to it. I’ll admit that with 20 tracks it does tend to become background music, but at the same time, it’s very accessible (minus the “N” word). The last song, “Last Call,” pretty much is KW talking about the making of the album and signing the deal with Roc-A-Fella records after Capitol passed on him. I like the behind the scenes stuff. All in all, I dug it.

#297 – We’re Only in It for the Money by Mothers of Invention. I have never, ever done an illicit or illegal substance but listening to this, I really, really, really wish that I at least knew what the high was like so I could maybe get it more. I mean they even talk about smoking a lot of dope in “Who Needs the Peace Corps?” There was definitely some influence on Stewart Copeland because some of his material for The Police sounds a lot like this.  The segues are a bit strange, too. But, I can picture a gang of people in togas sitting around in a “drum circle,” getting stoned, drinking Scotch Whisky and recording this album. Lots of lava lamps and Naugahyde animals scattered about, I’m sure. “COP KILL A CREEP! Pow pow pow.” That’s the closing lyrics to “Concentration Moon.” That and the follow up, “Mom & Dad,” are great musically, and lyrically, really, but it’s just so weird. Again, it’s the late-’60s and some wily stuff, but just weird, to me. I like weird. “Flower Punk” has to be the inspiration for the Match Game with Gene Rayburn’s theme song. Lots of tape loops and radio transmissions are scattered throughout the album. I sat listening to it with my eyes open in a daze and my scalp crawling because it was so corn-fusing. Then. Then there was “Let’s Make the Water Turn Black.” Then. The lyrics, which made me rewind and listen again, mention this: “Whizzing and pasting and pooting through the day.” Apparently, Kenny and Ronnie are crappy little kids who only want to light farts and pee in jars. I’m shaking my head, now. But, you know what? I didn’t hate it. It’s weirder than all get out but I’d probably listen again because the songs, while ridiculous at times, are mostly easy to listen to. Dug.

#296 – Meat is Murder by The Smiths. The Smiths: bouncy happy music complete with depression-laden lyrics from constant downer, Morrissey. I’ll be honest and say that I really only knew one song on this album, which was “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore.” 1MeatMurderThe Smiths, I’m hit or miss with them. I will say that I’m indifferent with this. Musically, it’s solid; completely solid. Lyrically, it’s solid, because Morrissey is a storyteller, but the clash of the happy/morbid is sometimes hard to get through. This isn’t necessarily hard to get through, just not my favorite. I really need to listen to more Johnny Marr’s solo stuff because his playing is fantastic on this. I do like “Well I Wonder,” though. And dang! Andy Rourke’s bass playing is always fantastic, but on “Barbarism Begins at Home,” it’s freaking amazing! It’s a great song. I believe I could listen to it again as it grows on you. I dug it.

#295 – Songs of Love and Hate by Leonard Cohen. Wow! Talk about a rough section. Weirdo Frank Zappa and then the laugh-a-minute duo of Morrissey and, now, Leonard Cohen? That’s a party, I tell ya! Now for all the craziness I made of people like Dylan, Waits, Young, etc. (Lucinda Williams is still on the hook), I really like Leonard Cohen’s 1Songs_of_love_and_hatewacky voice nuttiness. “Avalanche” is so dark but I love it. He’s a classic story teller but some of the stories really make one depressed. “Last Year’s Man” is the example I’m hearing right now. It’s about Jesus and such and he makes it all morbidly noir. In listening to this I’m hearing some of my good buddy, Patrick Ferguson, in this. Patrick sings much better than ol’ Leonard, but I hear a style comparison here. I think it’s in the execution. “Diamonds in the Mine” sounds like there is an attempt at fun for Cohen. Then again, perhaps he’s having fun the whole time and relishes in the murk? The music and the delivery is almost chuckling self-satire. “Joan of Arc” is a beautifully tragic song about Joan as she’s being burned at the stake. How can that not be fantastic? This album is dark, witty, honest. I like it. Take a listen. Dug.

#294 – Kick Out the Jams by MC5. Okay, a live album. I was happy with the last one (Nirvana Unplugged) so here’s hoping for good things with this one. I love the preachiness of the intro. Can I get an Amen!? Lots of energy in the first song “Ramblin’ Rose.” Lots of energy for all of it, really. Woodstocky, but isn’t most live stuff from that era? I think I’ve heard “Borderline” before, it sounds very familiar. It’s kick arse from the get go to the end. That being said, I have to say for the most part, I don’t really care for it, but I appreciate it for what it is. I see why it’s on the list and its placement is perfect. I’m not disputing any of it, just saying it’s meh for me. I’ll say that I do really enjoy “Starship.” That song is what I wish the rest of the album could have been. So I’ll just leave it at that.

#293 – White Light/White Heat by The Velvet Underground. Seriously distorted bass and poetic flair. That’s what I get from this. I can’t understand a single thing that they’re saying in “The Gift.” I hear a word here and there but I can’t put any full sentences together, at least not until about halfway through the song. I may have to go back and listen with headphones, but I don’t know if I really want to. Follow that up with Lou Reed being very loud and overtaking John Cale’s lead vox in “Lady Godiva’s Operation.” It’s abrasive and unneeded. I really think that VU just wanted to be as weird as they possibly could. They achieved that, if so. I do like “Here She Comes Now.” I’ve heard that before, too, I think. The album ends with a 17-minute jam about mainlining drugs, being high and oral sex. I do not get people’s obsession with this band. I don’t care how good the story is, this is ridiculous. DID NOT DIG!!!!

#292 – The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan & The Band. These are some funny songs. It’s exactly what you thought you’d get from Dylan and The Band as well. What confuses me, though, is the why? Let me rephrase that as I’m not asking why they did it, that’s not a problem, but I think that this is really a Dylan album with a few Band songs sprinkled about. This is a double album (four sides on vinyl; an hour and seventeen minutes long), why not just release the Dylan songs (there are almost 2 LPs or at least an LP and an EP worth) or The Bands songs on their own albums? My experience is that in recording, there are sometimes songs that aren’t used, I’m sure they could have filled any holes. So that’s the question, why not just do their own things and perhaps have guest spots with Dylan playing on The Band’s and The Band as the “backup” band for Dylan? Eh, I don’t know. It’s a mystery! Whilst most of the album, for me, was just background there were some really good tunes, as well. Some songs that I really did like were: “Yazoo Street Scandal,” “Bessie Smith,” “Don’t Ya Tell Henry” and “Ruben Remus.” Dug, I guess.

#291 – Talking Heads: 77 by Talking Heads. Have I mentioned how much I love Tina Weymouth? She’s the bass wizard that works magic with Talking Heads. “Uh-Oh, Love 1Talking Heads 77Comes to Town” is a great demonstration of this. She’s awesome and amazing. Ok, this is the debut album of Talking Heads. I’m up and down, hit or miss (I’m tired of this phrase for the blog) with them. Stop Making Sense was a masterpiece in every sense of the word. This, I must say, is a fine, fine specimen of musicality, just nothing that outright makes me excited. I do like it, though. “Psycho Killer” is one of my favorite Heads songs. “Don’t Worry About the Government” is also a nicely crafted tune.  All in all, it’s decent disc and I’ll say that I dug it. This is mostly because of Tina Weymouth.

Not a bad haul, though I’ll say it’s not my favorite segment. Not even close. I won’t poo poo much (save Velvet Underground and MC5) on it, though. Good listens, but I maintain my “why here” questioning of placement of some of the albums.  What do you think of the segment? What’s your thoughts on them or how I reviewed them? Are any of your faves on this part? Let me know, hit me up, say something!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Woo-hoo, and you know I’m yours
Woo-hoo, and I know you’re mine
Woo-hoo, and that’s for all time.” – “Buddy Holly” by Weezer (Cuomo)