Shaft Went To Africa I Went To Perkins

My favorite 150 albums of all time

2016-04-05T14:24:00.000-05:00

The Current's 893 Essential Albums List compilation/contest has made social media a lot of fun over the last couple weeks. Seeing the top ten albums from people who's music opinions I like and respect is awesome and really got me thinking about my own. I submitted my top ten but stopping there seemed like not enough. The world (7 people who will read this) needs to know more from me! My original plan was to a top 100 album list but that quickly turned into 150. For the sake of diversity (as well as making it much easier on myself) I decided to only include one album per artist as well as no compilations or live albums. It's interesting to see how white male centric my tastes are and I wish I had more diverse tastes but I also had to be honest with myself. Anyway, here they are, my favorite 150 albums of all time, don't pay too much attention to the specific order as the difference between album 137 and 83 for example is largely negligible.

150. Ex Hex - Rips (2014)

149. Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols (1977)

148. Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne (1993)

147. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

146. Joe Jackson - Look Sharp! (1979)

145. The Sonics - Here Are The Sonics (1965)

144. The Knack - Get The Knack (1979)

143. Pretenders - Pretenders (1980)

142. Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out (1997)

141. Allman Brothers Band - Idlewild South (1970)

140. Ray Charles - Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music (1962)

139. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain (1971)

138. The Jesus And Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)

137. Van Halen - Van Halen (1978)

136. X - Los Angeles (1980)

135. The Specials - The Specials (1979)

134. The Suicide Commandos - Make A Record (1977)

133. The Cure - Disintegration (1989)

132. Dead Boys - Young Loud And Snotty (1977)

131. The Jayhawks - Tomorrow The Green Grass (1995)

130. U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

129. NOFX - Punk In Drublic (1994)

128. Nas - Illmatic (1994)

127. Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (1957)

126. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970)

125. Lucero - That Much Further West (2003)

124. Elvis Presley - From Elvis In Memphis (1969)

123. Aerosmith - Rocks (1976)

122. Against Me! - Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014)

121. Fugazi - Repeater (1990)

120. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)

119. Neil Young With Crazy Horse - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)

118. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced (1967)

117. Lynyrd Skynyrd - (Pronounced 'Leh-nerd 'Skin-nerd) (1973)

116. Misfits - Walk Among Us (1982)

115. Reel Big Fish - Turn The Radio Off (1996)

114. Metallica - Master Of Puppets (1986)

113. The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace Of Sin (1969)

112. The Modern Lovers - The Modern Lovers (1976)

111. The Crickets - The "Chirping" Crickets (1957)

110. The Black Crowes - Shake Your Moneymaker (1990)

109. Operation Ivy - Energy (1989)

108. Tenacious D - Tenacious D (2001)

107. Televison - Marquee Moon (1977)

106. Minutemen - Double Nickles On The Dime (1984)

105. The Bottle Rockets - The Brooklyn Side (1994)

104. Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand (1994)

103. The Who - Who's Next (1971)

102. The Methadones - Not Economically Viable (2004)

101. The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past (2012)

100. Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)

99. Bad Brains - Bad Brains (1982)

98. Marshall Crenshaw - Marshall Crenshaw (1982)

97.Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis (1969)

96. Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)

95. Foo Fighters - The Colour And The Shape (1997)

94. Motörhead - Ace Of Spades (1980)

93. Face To Face - Don't Turn Away (1992)

92. Blink 182 - Enema Of The State (1999)

91. Al Green - Call Me (1973)

90. Superdrag - In The Valley Of Dying Stars (2000)

89. Jason Isbell - Southeastern (2013)

88. Go-Go's - Beauty And The Beat (1981)

87. Talking Heads - Remain In Light (1980)

86. Eddie and the Hot Rods - Life On The Line (1977)

85. The Bouncing Souls - How I Spent My Summer Vacation (2001)

84. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Willy And The Poor Boys (1969)

83. The Cars - The Cars (1978)

82. Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (1986)

81. Rise Against - Revolutions Per Minute (2003)

80. The Damned - Damned Damned Damned (1977)

79. Jawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge Therapy (1994)

78.Smoking Popes - Born To Quit (1994)

77. The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic (2003)

76. Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning (2003)

75. Lydia Loveless - Something Else (2014)

74. Mad Caddies - Just One More (2003)

73. Aretha Franklin - Lady Soul (1968)

72. Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet (2001)

71. Drive-By Truckers - The Dirty South (2004)

70. Willie Nelson - Phases And Stages (1974)

69. R.E,M. - Reckoning (1984)

68. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Damn The Torpedoes (1979)

67. Black Flag - Damaged (1981)

66. Huey Lewis And The News - Sports (1983)

65. Little Feat - Dixie Chicken (1973)

64. Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend (1991)

63. Otis Redding - Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)

62. Lemonheads - It's A Shame About Ray (1992)

61. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

60. The Last - L.A. Explosion! (1979)

59. Social Distortion - Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell (1992)

58. Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985)

57. Local H - Pack Up The Cats (1998)

56. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (1988)

55. Superchunk - Majesty Shredding (2010)

54. Old 97's - Too Far To Care (1997)

53. The Velvet Underground - Loaded (1970)

52. Japandroids - Celebration Rock (2012)

51. Prince and the Revolution - Purple Rain (1984)

50. Rockpile - Seconds Of Pleasure (1980)

49. The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God (1988)

48. Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables (1980)

47. Bad Religion - Stranger Than Fiction (1994)

46. Less Than Jake - Hello Rockview (1998)

45. The Band - The Band (1969)

44. Nick Lowe - Jesus Of Cool (1978)

43. AC/DC - Highway To Hell (1979)

42. The Black Keys - Rubber Factory (2004)

41. Dillinger Four - Versus God (2000)

40. Patti Smith - Horses (1975)

39. Sam Cooke - Night Beat (1963)

38. Heartbreakers - L.A.M.F. (1977)

37. Beastie Boys - Check Your Head (1992)

36. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972)

35. Hüsker Dü - New Day Rising (1985)

34. Stevie Wonder - Innervisions (1973)

33. New York Dolls - New York Dolls (1973)

32. Blondie - Parallel Lines (1978)

31. Screeching Weasel - My Brain Hurts (1991)

30. Big Star - #1 Record (1972)

29. Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight (1978)

28. Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988)

27. Sly & the Family Stone - There's A Riot Goin' On (1971)

26. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)

25. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

24. Ramones - Rocket To Russia (1977)

23. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)

22. Weezer - The Blue Album (1994)

21. Pearl Jam - Ten (1991)

20. Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

19.The Stooges - Fun House (1970)

18. Guns 'N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction (1987)

17. Green Day - Dookie (1994)

16. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (2008)

15. Sugar - Copper Blue (1992)

14. Dance Hall Crashers - Honey, I'm Homely! (1997)

13. Elvis Costello - This Year's Model (1978)

12. Pixies - Doolittle (1989)

11. Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run (1975)

10. Descendents - Milo Goes To College (1982)

9. Graham Parker and the Rumour - Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)

8. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (1991)

7. The Lillingtons - Death By Television (1999)

6. The Ike Reilly Assassination - Sparkle In The Finish (2004)

5. Rancid - ...And Out Come The Wolves (1995)

4. The Rolling Stones - Exile On Main Street (1972)

3. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

2. The Replacements - Let It Be (1984)

1. The Clash - London Calling (1979)

Ranking The Albums: The Ramones Version

2015-01-07T17:14:00.000-06:00

I've been on a pretty huge Ramones kick for the last couple weeks so I thought "well I may as well do a blog post on blogger about them for the first time in over a year. The Ramones are one of the best and probably the most important punk rock band of all time. Their sound never changed all that much over the course of their twenty year, fourteen studio album career but the quality of the releases certainly did. Here' a quick rundown of all fourteen of them in what I consider their worst to their first.

14. Halfway To Sanity (1987)

Even though a lot of their 80's albums are not very good, The Ramones never really made a truly horrible one either. Halfway To Sanity is about as bad as it got but it still has a few redeeming songs in "I Want To Live," "Garden Of Serenity" and Real Cool Time" but for the most part this is a very nondescript, lifeless album that's as close to a pure failure as the band ever recorded.

13. Brain Drain (1989)

If Halfway to Sanity is the Ramones worst album, Brain Drain sure isn't much better. This was the last album Dee Dee would play on and the infighting within the band may have been at an all time high. The only reason it's higher is because "I Believe in Miracles" and "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) are better songs than any on Halfway. It also has their highest charting single ever in "Pet Sematary" but that song kinda stinks so it's not a really good selling point. The other songs are all pedestrian efforts that just reek of a band going through the motions.

12. Animal Boy (1986)

Animal Boy find The Ramones treading very close to heavy metal as Johnnie's guitars are downtuned, the production is layered (too much so) and a number of songs feature Joey giving particularly aggressive vocal performances. There's also a whole lot of subpar material here as well so it doesn't really matter what the sound necessarily is. Animal Boy also has perhaps the worst (and laziest) Ramones song ever recorded in "Crummy Stuff." On the positive side "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" and "Something To Believe In" are pretty good rockers and "She Belongs To Me" is a better than average ballad. The real highlight is "My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitberg)" Joey's takedown of Reagan that Johnny would not let the band release under it's original name (the Bonzo part). It's catchy and full of life, two things the Ramones struggled to pull off in the late 80's.

11. Mondo Bizarro (1992)

Mondo Bizarro doesn't feature a whole lot of high quality songs but the addition of new bass player C.J. Ramone did seem to give the band a bit more energy. It's not a return to form by any means but "Censorshit" (Joey's attack on Tipper Gore and the PMRC), "The Job That Ate My Brain" and a cover of the Doors "Take it as it Comes" are all good punk songs Meanwhle the departed Dee Dee gave the band two string mid-tempo songs in "Strength To Endure" (sung by C.J.) and "Poison Heart." The rest of the album again suffers from fairly indistinguishable material but at least it's performed with some zest.

10. Acid Eaters (1994)

If Acid Eaters is proof of anything it's that The Ramones suffered more from a lack of quality material in the late 80's and early 90's than anything. They rip through covers of The Amboy Dukes ("Journey To The Center Of The Mind"), The Who ("Substitute"), Bob Dylan ("My Back Pages") and CCR ("Have You Ever Seen The Rain") with a fire and vigor not heard on a Ramones album in a decade. Even the slow songs (The Rolling Stones "Out of Time," The Seeds "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" and the Animals "When I Was Young") are full of energy. It's far from a classic covers album but overall it's pretty good.

9. Pleaseant Dreams (1981)

After failing to make a commercial dent with their classic 70's punk albums, The Ramones attempted to crossover to the pop market in the early 80's. Pleasant Dreams is their second attempt at this and while there are some excellent songs here, the production by 10cc member Graham Gouldman is soft and still and robs the songs of any of their power. "We Want the Airwaves," "The KKK Took My Baby Away," "It's Not My Place (In The 9 to 5 World)," and "She's A Sensation" all have memorable hooks and manage to overcome the stale production but the rest of the songs just sit there, waiting to be rescued. As far as pop sellouts go, The Ramones could have done worse but Pleasant Dreams could have been a lot better.

8. Adios Amigos! (1995)

The final studio album the Ramones ever recorded isn't a classic by any stretch but it's a more than admirable way to go out. Joey's health was starting to fail a bit by this point leading to more mid-tempo songs and C.J. sings lead on four of the 13 songs. Their cover of Tom Waits' "I Don't Want To Grow Up" was a spirited rendition (and a minor hit) and the albums other cover (The Heartbreakers "I Love You) is excellent as well. "Life's A Gas," and "She Talks To Rainbows" are fine ballads while "Got a Lot To Say approaches hardcore and "Cretin Family" is a nice callback to the bands early years. A couple of the C.J. sung songs are two of the better tracks ("Makin Monsters For My Friends," "The Crusher") and Dee Dee even shows up to sing a verse on the closing "Born To Die In Berlin." The Ramones knew going in that Adios Amigos! was going to be their final album and as a swan song, it does not disappoint.

7. Subterranean Jungle (1983)

Subterranean Jungle featured more cover songs (three) than any other Ramones album (not counting Acid Eaters) and those three songs help make up for the lack of consistency among the original material. The Music Explosion's "Little Bit O' Soul" and The Boyfriends "I Need Your Love" are both obscure enough covers that most people may think they're originals (I certainly used to) and the kick off the album with style and hooks. The Ramones also do a straightforward version of The Chamber Brothers "Time Has Come Today" that isn't as essential but it's perfectly acceptable. As far as the originals go "Outsider," "Psycho Therapy" and "Time Bomb" are the kind of catchy pop-punk the Ramones could pull off with ease early in their career and "My-My Kind of a Girl" is one of their better slow songs. The strength of the covers makes Subterranean Jungle worth seeking out.

6. End of the Century (1980)

End Of The Century was the Ramones first real attempt at pop music. They got one of their heroes in Phil Spector to produce it but the results did not turn out as well as they had originally hoped. Spectors wall of sound production wasn't a huge detriment to the 60's radio tribute "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?" and the ballads ("Danny Says" and their Ronette's cover "Baby I Love You") but it absolutely neutered the harder material. "I'm Affected," "Chinese Rock," "The Return of Jackie and Judy," "This Ain't Havana" "Let's Go" and a re-recording of Rock 'N' Roll High School" are all great songs that simply can't fully overcome the stagnant production that robbed Johnny's guitars of all their edge and power. End Of The Century certainly isn't a bad album but it could have been a great one.

5. Too Tough To Die (1984)

The Ramones seemed to find their focus in 1984, they scrapped the attempts at mainstream acceptance and emerged with their last truly classic album. Too Tough To Die features a nice variety of different styles including catchy punk ("Mama's Boy," "Danger Zone," "Humankind" the title track), pure pop ("Chasing the Night,"Daytme Dilemma (The Dangers of Love)," and "Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La)"), rockabilly ("No Go") and riff driven hard rock ("I'm Not Afraid of Life" "Planet Earth 1988"). All these songs are fantastic and even the ones that verge on filler status are enjoyable. Throw in the instrumental "Durango 95" and the two manic songs that Dee Dee sings lead on ("Wart Hog," "Endless Vacation") and you have the most eclectic album of The Ramones career and also one of their best.

4. Road To Ruin (1978)

I go back and forth as to whether Road To Ruin or Too Tough To Die is a better album. I'm going with RTR here since it's a more traditional sounding Ramones album but it's close. While it's not quite up to the standards of their first three and a couple of the rockers are pretty by the books, "I Wanna Be Sedated," "She's the One" and "I Just Wanna Have Something to Do" are as good as anything the Ramones ever recorded. There's also a couple of the best ballads of the bands career in "Needles & Pins" and "Questioningly." It may not be an all time classic punk album but it is a classic Ramones album.

3. Leave Home (1977)

Here we are, the Holy Trinity of Ramones albums (and maybe even punk rock in general). Trying to decide on which of these next three are better is a fools errand and I guess I'm going to be that fool. Even though Leave Home is full of classic songs, it doesn't have quite as many as the other two higher on the list. But still the list of amazing songs here goes beyond the well known "Gald To See You Go," "Gimme Shock Treatment," "Pinhead," "You're Gonna Kill That Girl" and thee cover of"California Sun." "Oh Oh I Love Her So" and "Swallow My Pride"have hooks as big as any Ramones song and "Suzy Is A Headbanger" and "Commando" aren't far behind. The two slow(er) songs "I Remember You" and "What's Your Game" are both awesome as well. There are a couple weaker tracks mixed in but Leave Home is ultimately every bit as good as the two albums ahead of it.

2. Ramones (1976)

This is where it all began. On a song by song basis Ramones and Leave Home are very similar with some of the performances here actually being lesser but there's no denying the importance and influence of this record. All it takes is the opening three chords and "Hey, Ho, Let's Go!" chant of "Blitzkreig Bop" to establish the sound the Ramones would largely stay faithful to their entire career. "Beat on the Brat," "Judy is a Punk," "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement," Havana Affair" "Listen To My Heart," and "I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You" all follow the same approach and it never gets old. The street corner tale "53'rd and 3rd," the lovely "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" and the Nazi themed "Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World" give the album just enough needed variety to keep the listener from getting lost in the beat but really who wouldn't get lost in this. Punk music rarely gets better than Ramones and it never gets more important than this landmark.

1. Rocket To Russia (1977)

This is it, the indisputable best album of the Ramones career. There's not anything close to a bad song, there's the perfect variety of fast and slow tempos and more classic's than any other Ramones record. "Cretin Hop," "Rockaway Beach," "Sheena is a Punk Rocker," "We're A Happy Family," "Teenage Lobotomy" and their covers of "Surfin' Bird" and "Do You Wanna Dance?" are all on Rocket To Russia. There's also the beautiful ballad "Here Today Gone Tomorrow," the pure punk of "I Can't Give You Anything" and "Why Is It Always This Way" as well as the mid tempo "I Wanna Be Well" and "I Don't Care" which are all as good as the more well known songs. Even the lesser tracks ("Locket Love," "Ramona,") are pretty great. As I said before, choosing between these last three albums is nearly impossible and all three are required listening experiences. Punk rock (and music in general) does not get better than this.

My Year in Music: 2013 Part 2 (or how I learned to stop worrying about variety and re-love Pop-Punk)

2013-12-22T18:01:00.000-06:00

Here ya go! My top 25 albums of 2013!! I wrote a lot of it either drunk or hungover so I hope it makes sense! (If you missed part 1 here's a link.

25. The Flatliners: Dead Language

I had never listed to the Flatliners before Dead Language was released but I feel like I;ve been missing out on some real good stuff. The albums second half isn't as strong as the first but wow, the first half is fantastic!

24. Monster Magnet: Last Patrol

Psychedelic stoner metal is not usually my genre of choice but Monster Magnet rock so hard and are weirdly intriguing enough that I found myself listening to Last Patrol a whole lot more than I would have ever imagined.

23. Alkaline Trio: My Shame is True

My Shame is True is Alkaline Trio's best album since 2003's Good Mourning. Clever lyrics, sing along melodies and a dark streak have been the bands repertoire since they started but it's been a while since they all came together in this enjoyable of a fashion.

22. North Mississippi All Stars: World Boogie is Coming

The Dickinson brothers have been making great southern boogie for a long time and World Boogie is Coming may be their best offering yet. Featuring a lot of delta blues legends and with no stabs at contemporary sound, NMAS have made a great southern roots rock album.

21. The Suburbs: Si Sauvage

The other legendary Twin Cities band to release new music for the first time in over a decade, did so with a fine output of danceable adult pop. Si Sauvage lacks a lot of the weird jittery new wave that made The Suburbs 80's albums so memorable but when it comes to aging gracefully, these guys have done it very well.

20. Gov't Mule: Shout!

Gov't Mule have been making rock solid hard rock for almost 20 years and Shout! is as good of an album as you'll find from them. Warren Hayes' voice and guitar are both in fine form throughout and his songwriting is an equal match. The bonus guest star portion of the album is interesting but doesn't hold up as well as the original. High quality stuff.

19. Jetty Boys: Let 'Er Rip!

Let 'Er Rip sees the Jetty Boys continue to develop their brand of pop-punk while mixing in some stabs at hardcore. It's hard to label an album that features songs like "Wasted in the Basement" and "Forever Dumb" as mature but Let 'Er Rip is a step forward for the band.

18. Steve Earle & the Dukes (& Duchesses): The Low Highway

A new Steve Earle album is always a welcome addition to my collection and The Low Highway does not disappoint. Mixing in straight forward rock ("Calico County," "21st Century Blues") folk (Burnin' it Down") New Orleans inspired jazz ("Pocket Full of Rain") and country ("Love's Gonna Go My Way"), Earle navigates us through life in troubles times but leaves the door open for a bright future.

17. Portugal, the Man: Evil Friends

Although it's a bit uneven, the high points of Evil Friends are awesome. "Creep in a T-Shirt," "Modern Jesus," "Hip Hop Kids" and "Holy Roller (Hallelujah)" are all among my favorite songs of the year. Danger Mouse's production does wonders for most of the tracks making this one of the great indie rock albums of the year.

16. Parquet Courts: Light Up Gold

If you mixed up the Velvet Underground, early Pavement and the Strokes, you'd get something resembling Light Up Gold. That's not to say that Parquet Courts are just the sum of their influences. "Master of My Craft," "Stoned and Starving" and "Borrowed Time" would all stand up well beside the best of those bands work. This is an excellent album of high energy indie punk.

15 (tie). Broncho: Can't Get Past the Lips

This is technically a couple years old but got a nice wider release this year and without that I would have never heard it. It's a short collection of uptempo punk and well done indie pop. It's also completely addictive.

Masked Intruder: Masked Intruder

This came out in 2012 and while I heard it then, I certainly did not appreciate it. A year later and while some of the issues I had with Masked Intruder (gimmicky, too soft) are still there, the albums hooks and energy won me over. The band is also a lot smarter than I had originally given them credit for. Some people say this is the best pop-punk band putting out music right now and while I don't agree, they're pretty damn good.

14. Grant Hart: The Argument

Loosely based on John Milton's Paradise Lost, Grant Hart's double album The Argument is easily the most ambitious solo work the former Hüsker Dü member has put forth to date. It's the least easily accessible album on this list but the rewards are very high as well. There are still plenty of straight forward pop songs ("Far From Heaven," "Morningstar," "Letting Me Out," "(It Was a) Most Disturbing Dream") for the casual listen but The Argument works best when taken as a whole over multiple listens.

13. Off With Their Heads: Home

Off With Their Heads 3rd full length album of dark, melodic hardcore is the bands most accessible yet in terms of pop songwriting but the lyrics are as downcast as ever. The result is a surprisingly uplifting affair. If singer/songwriter Ryan Young's life sucks so bad maybe mine doesn't. (JOKES!!)

12. The James Hunter Six: Minute by Minute

The latest superb soulful rock album by Hunter expands the bands name to give credit to all the members of the backing band. It's a well deserved act but this is still James' show. His Sam Cooke like vocals have become deeper but still convey emotion as well anyone's. The title track is masterful.

11. Civil War Rust: The Fun & the Lonely

I have no clue why these guys aren't a bigger deal in the national punk scene (maybe they are, I'm too old to know any better) but they damn well should be. The Fun & the Lonely is a fantastic pop-punk album, full of hooks, energy and passion. Try listening to "Whipping Star," "Seven Down" or "Walking Down Ward" and not singing along at the top of your lungs. It's virtually impossible.

10. Pearl Jam: Lightning Bolt

Lightning Bolt continues Pearl Jam's streak of fantastic albums (starting with their S/T 2006 album). It isn't quite as strong as the last few due to being a bit long but their mix of punk fury ("Mind Your Manners," "Getaway" ) beautiful ballads ("Sirens" "Sleeping By Myself") and everything in between ("Infallible," "Swallowed Whole" "Let the Records Play") still works and Eddie Vedder still sings with tons of passion. There isn't a better straight forward hard rock record that was released this year.

9. David Bowie: The Next Day

BOWIE!!! The Next Day's cover art makes it look it will be an album reminiscent of his experimental late 70's work but in reality it's a excellent modern sounding alt-rock album. Between "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)," "Valentine's Day" "How Does the Grass Gow?" and the title track there's uptempo rock aplenty and Bowie's voice carries the ballads ("Where Are We Now?," "You Feel So Lonely You Could Die") to just as great of heights. The Next Day is Bowie's best album in a long, long time.

8. Dan Vapid & the Cheats: Two

Dan Vapid has been in so many pop-punk bands over the years it's nearly impossible to list them all. The Cheats are the first one to list his name in the title and their second album is every bit the equal to last years debut and holds up with the best of his catalog. "I'm A Contrarian" "Live It Down," "I Wanna Go to Machu Picchu Before I Die" and "Invader" are great uptempo punk while ""Miracle Drug" and "Cold and Rainy Days" are pop gems. The closing "A Long Way" is a successful ballad and leaves the listener wanting more. I would have no complain if Vapid kept up his one album a year pace.

7. John Paul Keith: Memphis Circa 3AM

If you like roots rock and you're not familiar with John Paul Keith, you are doing it wrong, Memphis Circa 3AM is another outstanding collection of sun records influenced rock ("You Really Outta Be With Me" "Baby We're A Bad Idea" "True Hard Money"), smokey bar room shuffle ("We Got All Night," "Walking Along the Lane"), weeping honky tonk ("Ninety Proof Kiss") and pure pop bliss ("Everything's Different Now," "If You Catch Me Staring"). When it comes to creating simple pleasures in music, very few people are doing it as well as John.

6. Less Than Jake: See the Light

Less Than Jake has been struggling to make great music for the last decade but See The Light finds them re-hitting all the sweet spots that made them one of my favorite bands in the ska heyday. It's a great mix of punk, ska and reggae with varying tempos and hooks galore. I don't know if being back on Fat Wreck has re-energized them or if they just got their groove back but no matter what, seeing the light has paid off ina big way.

5. Kurt Baker: Brand New Beat

You want to hear some great power-pop? Then here ya go! Brand New Beat is a nearly perfect collection of guitar based pop. You'll be singing along in no time to uptempo rock like "Partied Out," "Hit the Ground," and "Weekend Girls." While the jangle of "She Can Do It All" is timeless. Throw in few winning ballads ("How Many Times," She's Not Sorry") and Kurt Baker has made one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. It might not be deep but it's a helluva good time.

4. Superchunk: I Hate Music

I Hate Music finds Superchunk branching out into darker and more varied territory than on their previous album Majesty Shredding but the results do not suffer in the least. "Overflows," "Void," "Trees of Barcelona" and "FOH" are all vintage indie-pop punk and with the glorious "Me and You and Jackie Mitoo" Superchunk have given us the best song of the year. It's impossible to hate this music.

3. Bad Religion: True North

I thought the days of awesome Bad Religion albums had passed but then they go and record True North, AND TOTALLY REDEEM THEMSELVES!!! "True North", "Past is Dead," "Robin Hood in Reverse," and "Nothing To Dismay" are vintage Bad Religion. "Dharma and the Bomb" is one of their best mid-tempo tracks in recent memory and "Fuck You" is definitely the best Bad Religion song of the last decade. This didn't get great reviews but for the life of me I can't see why.

2. Queens of the Stone Age: ....Like Clockwork

It took me a while to fully embrace this album then just ....Like Clockwork (don't worry, there won't be any more of these) it all hit me and I fell in love. "I Sat By The Ocean," and "If I Had A Tail are the kind of slinky rock QOTSA excel at. While "My God is the Sun" is a balls out rocker. Josh Homme uses his falsetto to with great results on a large number of tracks. It's not an immediately accessible album but ....Like Clockwork is well worth putting in the required effort.

1. Jason Isbell: Southeastern

Ever since Isbell released Southeastern in June it was pretty obvious that it would be my number 1 album of the year. He's been releasing amazing music both solo and with the Drive By Truckers for well over a decade but nothing else he's done has been this personal and emotional. It's those qualities (along with Isbell's voice and guitar obviously) that give country/folk tracks like "Cover Me Up." "Traveling Alone" "Elephant" and "Relatively Easy" their weight. "Flying Over Water" and "Super 8" are fine rockers that help give the album balance. This is music that is meant to be really listened too and the rewards are outstanding. It might not always bring a smile but it's incredibly moving and enjoyable. I can't say enough good things about it.

For anyone interested here's a link to a Spotify playlist with many of my favorite songs from the year.

Shaft Went to Africa 2013 Playlist

My year in music: 2013 (part 1) THE EXCITING LIST PORTION OF THE RECAP!!!

2013-12-21T21:13:00.000-06:00

Usually I do a top 50 list every year. I generally go into detail on all 50 but frankly I don't have the time and I didn't obsess over music like I have in the past. Must be growing up I guess. Anyway here's a bunch of albums I heard once or twice on Spotify that seemed good but I didn't give much time to.

Snuff: 5-4-3-2-1... Perhaps?
Jim James: Regions of Light and Sound
The Bronx: The Bronx (IV)
Eric Clapton: Old Sock
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Specter at the Feast
Mudhoney: Vanishing Point
The National: Trouble Will Find Me
Mavis Staples: One True Vine
Nine Inch Nails: Hesitation Marks
Okkerville River: The Silver Gymnasium
King Khan & the Shrines: Idle No More
Two Car Garage: The Death of the Self-Preservation Society
Paul McCartney: New
Mark Lanegan: Imitations
Nobunny: Secret Songs: Reflections From the Ear Mirror
Deltron 3030: Event II
Get Dead: Bad News
Polar Bear Club: Death Chorus
Reggie and the Full Effect: No Country for Old Musicians
My Bloody Valentine: MBV

If I was gonna make a detailed top 50 these would be albums 26-50. I present them in arbitrary list form.

50. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Push the Sky Away
49. Iggy and the Stooges: Ready to Die
48. Arcade Fire: Reflektor
47. Robert Randolph & the Family Band: Lickety Split
46. Deer Tick: Negativity
45. Blitzen Trapper: VII
44. Son Volt: Honky Tonk
43. Dawes: Stories Don't End
42. Old Man Markley: Down Side Up
41. Mike Cooley: The Fool on Every Corner
40. Frank Turner: Tape Deck Heart
39. Billy Bragg: Tooth and Nail
38. Dr. Dog: B-Room
37. Tedeschi Trucks Band: Made Up Mind
36. Streetlight Manifesto: The Hands That Thieve
35. Swingin' Utters: Poorly Formed
34. Motorhead: Aftershock
33. Elvis Costelo & the Roots: Wise Up Ghost
32. Camper Van Beethoven: La Costa Perdida
31. The So So Glos: Blowout
30. Night Marchers: Allez Allez
29. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: Unvarnished
28. The Shouting Matches: Grownass Man
27. Black Joe Lewis: Electric Slave
26. Meat Puppets: Rat Farm

Just so I don't do an entire post without pictures here are three great compilations and my top 5 E.P.'s of the year.

Compilations

Bob Dylan: Another Self Portrait (1969-1971) The Bootleg Series Vol. 10

The 10th volume in Dylan's long running bootleg series is a great look at the creative process Bob was going through when making such oddball choices as his first self-titled album and the underrated New Morning. Like all Bootleg albums, this is for the hardcore and converted fan but it's a very rewarding listen for those of us that qualify.

Songs For Slim: Rockin' Here Tonight: A Benefit Compilation For Slim Dunlap

When Twin Cities rock and roll mainstay and former Replacement Slim Dunlap suffered a massive brain stroke it was only natural that the TC music community would step up to help with the costs of long term medical care. What was surprising was the level of national recording artists that stepped up and contributed to the cause. Not to mention it being the impetus for the long awaited Replacements reunion. The songs included here all consist of Dunlap covers and are all of a very high quality. This is one of the biggest must own albums of the year due to the music and where the profits are going.

Fat Wreck Chords: The Songs of Tony Sly - A Tribute

Another example of a great cause and some great music going hand in hand. When Tony Sly died last year he left behind a wife and daughter. Tony wrote great songs and this tribute collects a lot of amazing artists to cover them with the proceeds going to help support the family Tony left behind. Any fan of punk rock should have already picked this up.

E.P.'s

3. Motel Mirrors: Motel Mirrors

John Paul Keith is a personal favorite under the radar musician of mine and his side project team up with Amy LaVere is a great little collection of country based duets.

2. Lucero: Texas & Tennessee

The continued evolution of Lucero from rock band to soul outfit may have reached it's peak on these 4 tracks. Ben Nichols' voice is well suited for these stripped down songs of lost and breathless love. I'm very excited to see what direction the band goes in next.

1. The Replacements: Songs For Slim

The Replacements releasing new music and reuniting for live shows was easily the most exciting musical news I heard all year. While I was unable to attend any of their Riot Fest appearances and anxiously await a full tour, this 5 track E.P. is a great addition to their catalog. It's mostly just sloppy covers but the spirit of the Replacements has been as important as the actual music (if not more so) and in that regard, it's a smashing success.

Ranking the Albums: The Guest Post Lou Reed Edition

2013-11-03T21:15:00.000-06:00

EDITORS NOTE: I didn't write this but since this blog hasn't been active in quite some time and my good friend Mr. Tyler Mills, the biggest Lou Reed fan I know, took the time to recap his solo career I felt compelled to re-post it here.

Alright, so this is the final bit of commentary I'll post in the wake of Lou Reed's passing. Obviously all four of the Velvet Undergrounds albums are essential listening for any true music fan, but what about his dizzyingly erratic solo career? Well here's my rankings.... From worst to best.... #22 to #1:

#22

Mistrial - 1986

This album is further proof of my theory that every big musical act from the 60’s and 70’s went to hell in the 80’s. Lou Reed fell for every trap that entailed being relevant in the 80's. Big drums, synthesizers, super slick production, all of it. And this coming from the fella who pioneered white noise, dangerous themes, and non-feel-good music in the 60's! Generic and uninteresting, Mistrial takes the bottom spot for Lou Reed solo albums. But don't let this entry dissuade you from checking out the other write-ups. Remember, this is the worst in a 22 album spanning solo career. It get's better folks! But if you want to see for yourself the awfulness of Mistrial..... here ya go. I mean, good god, it's a middle aged Jewish man rapping. Somehow allmusic.om gave it three stars. don't trust that rating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxyIs8MkmU

#21

The Raven - 2003

The Raven was Lou Reeds tribute to Edgar Allen Poe. I remember being excited to buy a brand new Lou Reed studio album when this came out, and then being severely disappointed when I heard it. Lou Reed was always an "artsy" guy in a certain sense, but in this case, artsy meant boring songs (with totally weird guest vocalists) mixed in with people the likes of Steve Buscemi reciting Poe Poems. Basically Reed was trying too hard to be cultured and artsy, and it's a failure in my opinion. allmusic.com gives it three and a half stars. Don't trust that rating either.

#20

Lulu - 2011

Lou Reed's strange collaboration with Metallica. Sounds cool / interesting right? It's not. Basically what it is, is Metallica playing subdued Metallica riffs with a crazy old man ranting nonsense over the top of it. Don't believe me? Listen to the link below. Honestly, It's possible that this album doesn't deserve a rank this low. I've only listened to it once. But that should say something about it. Again, allmusic.com gave it three stars. Maybe it deserves that meek rating, maybe it doesn't. "I AM THE TABLE!" ....fuck that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxyIs8MkmU

#19

Hudson River Wind Meditations - 2007

It's weird meditation music (like Paul McCartney's "Zen"). Not music that you want to listen to in most circumstances. But I'll give it a higher rank since it's not meant for regular listening. I dunno, I don't meditate. Maybe it's awesome for meditating. Don't worry, the list get's positive in just a few entries.

#18

Metal Machine Music - 1975

Musically, this album should be at the very bottom. Its' not music. It's noise. But the reason for this albums existence is so spectacular that I can't put it below the previously mentioned ones. There’re a few theories regarding why Reed made this monstrosity. One is that back in the 70s' Lou Reed hated his fans. His previous band the Velvet Underground expanded the soundscape and literary boundaries or rock while still intermixing sweet love songs and pop music. Now, his fans wanted to watch him get wasted and embark on a drugged out death trip. After his commercial offering of "Sally Can't dance", this is what he did to them. ....for an entire album. HAHAHA! Also, he was (admittedly) really high when he made it, so that could have something to do with it as well. Another is that it was a big middle finger of a contract filler to his current record company. The last is that he was serious about it, but (as I said earlier) was just really really stoned. It’s most likely a bit of all three. In the liner notes he wrote “Anyone that makes it to side four is dumber than I am”. So obviously he didn’t put it out thinking that ANYONE was going to like it. Don’t record companies listen to, and have some say in the albums released on their label? It’s actually kind of amazing that this was even released.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYtzNl48F60

#17

Growing Up In Public - 1980

The album that broke Lou Reed into the 80’s. A year earlier he’d released an album (The Bells) that was considered an artistic comeback or sorts (Coney Island Baby and Street Hassle weren‘t artistic?). And then came Growing Up in Public. The Bells seemed ultra-serious, where as Growing Up in Public seemed scattered and …. Well, I actually don’t remember it that well. I remember the title track being fun, but that’s about it. Anyways, this was Lou Reed’s first album since he quit drinking like a fish and pumping drugs into his arms. And of course, as is almost always the case, you wish that he’d just get wasted and make an album…. Cause it pretty much sucks.

#16

Songs For Drella - 1990

Lou Reed reunited with John Cale for this minimalistic artsy-fartsy tribute to Andy Warhol. boring. allmusic.com gives it an almost perfect rating (four and a half stars). maybe I'm a simpleton. I give it two and a half. Three at best.

#15

Legendary Hearts - 1983

FUCK! I forgot about Legendary Hearts. I don't like Legendary Hearts all that much. It was considered Lou Reeds "artistic-comeback part II (being compared to The Blue Mask… apparently Lou Reed had a lot of artistic comebacks)". Meh, you’re not missing anything by skipping it. I enjoyed his drugged out stuff from the 70's a lot more. "The Last Shot" is good though.

#14

Lou Reed - 1972

Lou Reed’s first solo album. As exciting as that sounds, it’s about as mediocre as it gets. Most of the songs are remakes of VU tunes that were never released (the VU versions ended up being released in the 80’s on two “lost tracks” albums, and their lack of polish only helped them). There’s a few new worthwhile tunes here and Lou still sounds young and fresh (his lifestyle didn’t allow that to be for long). Goin’ Down is a nice song. Berlin is good, but was done better on his 3rd album (of the same name). Wild Child is Reed on Dylan, which is pretty cool.

#13

New Sensations - 1984

New Sensations was Lou Reed being happy go lucky (an interesting turn from his pissed off 70's era). It gets bogged down by a lot of the typical 80's problems, but there's enough feel good upbeat songs here to make it worthwhile. The opening track "I Love You Suzanne" is catchy as hell, and a few of the other songs let go of the turmoil that was Lou Reed's life and let him have a good ol' time with the album. About half of it translates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p1TrF-pVwQ

#12

Magic and Loss - 1992

Finally things start to get interesting. I don't love Magic and Loss, but there are some solid tunes on here, and the concept is interesting. The entire album is Reed's medetation on dealing with two friends dying of cancer. with that in mind, it's not nearly as depressing as you'd think it'd be. Even a few of the album's lesser tracks have some interesting concepts about them lyrically. This is a fun track from his "my friends are dying of cancer" album! (What's good? Not much at all...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl9_Nn1E0cY

#11

The Blue Mask - 1982

Lou Reed's "Artistic Comeback"! It's a solid album with interesting song writing and good guitar work. It's tones range from the blistering title track, to the haunting "The Gun", to the rocking yet introspective "Underneath the Bottle". "Heavenly Arms" is probably one of the most romantic things this old crumudgen ever put to paper. There's some filler, but it dodges the typical 80's pitfalls, so that's good.

#10

Rock and Roll Heart - 1976

Considered by allmusic.com to be Lou Reed Lite (compared to his earlier 70's work), Reed was getting away from his typical 70's themes but still had his 70's instrumental flourishes. There's plenty of saxophone and keyboards on the album, but they don't tend to be cheesy. Rock and Roll Heart is underrated. Musically there's a late-night feel abound, and lots of clever wordplay to match (both claims exemplified certainly in the tounge-in-cheek "A Sheltered LIfe"). And then the album throws a bone to Reed's past by ending on the minimalistic and dark "Temporary Thing". Part of the reason this gets a higher rank than Blue Mask is because on Blue Mask Reed is trying to write deep and meaningful poetry. Again, that’s all well and good. On Rock n’ Roll Heart however, he just sounds like a cool guy. And let’s face it, that’s a big part to Lou Reed. He’s supposed to be an ultra hip New Yorker. And this album portrays that. Yeah! That’s right bitches! I put Rock and Roll Heart over The Blue Mask! C’mon n’ say something’ bout it! P.S. …he’s never taken dope and he’s never taken drugs……… (Uh Huh…. Sure Lou).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtxMgZSKGI8

Set the Twilight Reeling - 1996

Here's the thing about STTR. It's a fun and pleasant listen. There's really not a bad song in the bunch. In fact, there's a bunch of good songs in the bunch. With that being said, unfortunately people expect something out of Lou Reed (if they studied the VU albums, they wouldn't) and what that is, is they expect him to shock them. There's nothing really shocking here (except for one particular track which isn't so much shocking as it is purposefully profane). It kicks off strong with Reed's memories of hanging out at soda fountains, and moves to a beautiful and poetic tune about NYC (with a lovely horn backing). The rest of the album deals with mature emotions and concepts of adult relationships, and its' all very nice. Old man Reed’s last album of the 90‘s. There’s a couple of duds, but for the most part this is catchy and mature songwriting. That being said, is "very nice" what you want from a Lou Reed Album? Hmmmm..... Should you expect something else from a man nearing his 60’s?

Sally Can't Dance - 1974

Alright, here we go.... Sally can't Dance, according to allmusic.com, was pandered to the "lowest common denominator". Know what? That is absolutely true. Know what else? It's super fun to listen to. Most of us AREN'T the lowest common denominator, so this album acts as a nice little dangerous glimpse into that kind of lifestyle. There's funky horns blaring all around, and all sorts of stories that we'll never live. And despite the fact that Lou didn't really put any of the ensembles together himself (he basically showed up and wrote the lyrics… he was more than a bit strung out at the time, in fact, he even stated once that he barely remembers the sessions for this album) the tunes are catchy. This album is considered among critics to be one of Reed's worst. I strongly disagree. They pan him on this one because he wasn’t “artistic”. I say, artistic is great, but so is fun. And despite all the awkward rhymes, you can't deny the touching song "Billy", a tune about a lost friendship due to war. Yes, the rhymes are awful, but the combination of acoustic guitar (by Reed) and saxophone is timeless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJhgyZtxX3Y

Ecstasy - 2000

Reed’s first album of the 2000’s was an impressive… and long one (1:17:15). Yes, this one is ARTISTIC! (unlike #8). It kicks off on a stones-style rocker to boot! Ecstasy explores a variety of topics, from city life to mature relationships (again), jealousy, lust, regret, lost love,and how sometimes he feels like a possum (this is 18 minutes of the album, B.T.W.)! It’s a great mix of songs, with a few up beat rockers like Paranoia Key of E and Mystic Child, a lot of mid tempo introspective songs like the shattering Tatters, as well as Turning Time Around and Baton Rouge, as well as eerie and ominous tracks like Rock Minuet and the title track. Yes, there’s some skippable tracks (Future Farmers of America…. Ish. And if you can’t take 18 minutes of filth and feeling like a possum, that one too), but even if you skip a number of tracks, there’s still plenty of worthwhile stuff here.

The Bells - 1979

In all honesty, I probably listen to #7 more often than I do The Bells. But this albums was very different than anything that Reed had released up to the time, and a good way to send off the 70’s. (though it’s almost not fair since this album has 9 songs while Ecstasy has 14). He hired jazz artist Don Cherry to fill in on most of the tracks, and it was the beginning of him writing songs about a life that is at least somewhat relateable to the masses (I.E. not about taking drugs and messing around with transvestites).

Transformer - 1972

Transformer made Lou Reed a hot commodity, mainly due to the fascinating lyrics and undeniable bass hook of “Walk on the Wild Side” (p.s. that song should’ve never made it on the radio! It’s all about drug dealers and transvestites, and somehow a lyric about “givin’ head” slipped past the censors!). Aside from Walk on the Wild Side, there’re bunch of tunes on here that you should have on your ipod. Hangin’ Round, Wagon Wheel, and I’m so Free should be glam rock staples, and Satellite of Love and Perfect Day are lovely ballads. Goodnight Ladies plods along with humorous lyrics backed by a trumpet and bass, and closes the album like a loser stumbling out of the bar at 2:00 a.m. Of course I’ll link Walk on the Wild here…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KaWSOlASWc

Berlin - 1973

Berlin….. Lou Reed’s moody concept masterpiece. This was my favorite album ever back when I was a college boy. It spins a rough, unhappy, and at times shocking tale of two doomed lovers, and it uses about every instrument known to mankind. There is virtually nothing happy about Berlin (the one feel-good moment I can think of, the ending of Caroline Says, which is admittedly very beautiful, is crushed within a minute of the next track). To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s a list of subjects that this album covers: unfaithfulness, drug abuse (a shocker, I know), spousal abuse, kids being taken away, and last but not least, suicide. Not exactly a finger-snappin’ toe-tappin’ listen, but it’s very effective. By the time track 10 rolls around, you feel a sense of relief that it’s all over. There’s no other album that I know of that’s had that effect on me. Apparently though, Reed and producer Bob Ezrin just didn’t feel this album was quite dark enough. So to remedy that, Ezrin set up a tape recorder in his home and told his kids that their mom was dead and taped their cries (or at least that’s the rumor) and then played the recording in the middle of the song “The Kids“. ……Jesus Christ……………………………. Maybe Reeds, most emotionally effective album, but if you’re not in the mood for completely horribly depressing songs, then this isn’t the one to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_i-R2ldyA

New York - 1989

Lou Reed’s artistic comeback! (the man has had more comebacks than a boomerang). The instrumentation is catchy, the wordplay is some of Reed’s best, and there’s a concept that ties everything together (the goings-on in Reagan-Era New York). Every song is a winner, and there’s something here for you regardless of what kind of mood you’re in. Reed often times is pissed off, and then later free-wheeling. Cryptic, and then funny. Poetic, and yet very much down to earth. …and it’s all rockin’ baby! It’s a smooth mix of poetic, and straight up goddamn coooool. Lou practically talks his way through the album, but it’s fine because the lyrics are smart, his messages and feelings on his subjects are crystal clear, and the guitars are great. So basically what I’m saying is, that hack that you voted for on American Idol can suck it, cause though he / she can sing pretty, they don’t have an original idea in their head, and cause Lou can convey an emotion without getting melodramatic about it. So there. “Stick a fork in their ass and turn ‘em over, …they’re done” - L. Reed.

Street Hassle

This album is tough as nails. It starts out with Reed talking to himself while imitating a black dude and basically mocking himself (he calls himself a “fuckin’ faggot junkie” within 15 seconds of pressing play). Yikes! The overall sound is murky, which some critics apparently thought was bad. In my opinion it’s fitting with the tone of the album. You could not have had Street Hassle and had it be nice and shiny. It would’ve been stupid. Most people agree this album is Reed looking inward and being disgusted with himself. Track 2 is called Dirt, and he seems to be singing autobiographically about himself….. And calling himself dirt (cheap uptown dirt to be exact). Track 3 is an 11 minute track cut into 3 parts, describing a tragedy, how the low-lives cover it, and possibly redemption (?). Not one for the kids…. Lots’ of bad words and adult situations. The following track is racial stereotype comedy that you probably couldn’t get away with in this day and age. And Leave Me Alone is a tough sax backed rocker about, you guessed it, how he wants the low-lives and leaches to leave him alone. And then in typical Reed fashion it ends in a throw-away track called Wait! As if he were taking back everything he’d just told us. This album could possibly be #1 depending on how I’m feeling on that particular day, but track 1, aside from the intro, isn’t that good and the VU remake of Real Good Time Together was WAY better in it’s original form. That being said, if you feel like getting down and dirty, Street Hassle is the album for you. This is a good example of what you’re in store for. Even the album cover is bad ass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQ4vPxXeJI

Coney Island Baby - 1976

It’s hard for me to pick a definite number 1 Lou Reed album. Mostly it depends on the kind of mood I’m in. That being said, choosing Coney Island Baby for the top spot was a tough decision. There’s not a bad song on the album. It’s probably Reeds most accessible and consistent album. The melodies are mostly catchy pop songs (it‘s kind of the solo career equal of the VU‘s Loaded). Lou still sings the vocals, (albeit in his cool stoney drawl) and sounds healthy. Charlie’s Girl is a toe-tapper that you can’t help but sing along to, and Crazy Feeling seems like Lou’s take on a Buddy Holly song. The most lovely track on the album, the beautifully romantic doo-wop inspired title track was absolutely hated by his record company (one executive called it the worst thing he’d ever heard).

And that’s all part of it. The album is great accessible cool rock music, and the story of it’s creation adds to it’s success. Reed was at the height of his drug abuse when this came out, yet he managed to string together enough healthy days to give it a good clean sound. In the biography “Transformer” it was noted that during this time, Reed and his gang, (who regularly slept on the floor at his apartment in NY) would boil pills and inject the byproduct to get high. When they’d come down, they’d reboil the pills, and inject to get high, but would also get kind of sick. Then when they came down again, they’d re-re-boil the bills, inject the byproduct, …..and just get sick. At one point Reed’s producer found him during the sessions collapsed in the bathroom crying.

If you get the special edition version of C.I.B. this becomes very apparent via the demo tracks that are included. Reed’s voice sounds hoarse and sick. The 34 year old Reed sounded like he was a 50 year old throat cancer patient. But alas, he was able to overcome his turbulent life, defy the record executives, and release (in my opinion… sometimes) his finest album. The extended tracks on the special edition also offer you one of Reed’s most fiery rockers (that is available nowhere else) Nowhere At All, the dark and seedy roots of a song that would appear on his next album Downtown Dirt (renamed simply Dirt), and a rough, off the collar take of the title track.

To summarize: Coney Island Baby takes the top spot for it’s catchy freewheeling uptempo melodies, accessibility, and backstory. ….And if you don’t like this (below), then there’s just something wrong with you. Seek help.

…and don’t forget, this is the song that the record company wanted to keep off the album……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPrIulnAblk

So that’s it! Do you disagree with me on one or more of the rankings?!? Too bad. I know more about this dead son of a bitch than you do, so what I say goes…..

A Year in my Ipod: 1983 (Part 2)

2013-01-08T19:00:00.000-06:00

Continued from part 1. Now on to the good stuff.

3 Essential E.P's

3. Billy Bragg: Life's a Riot With Spy Vs Spy

One man, one electric guitar and 7 songs that set the tone for Bragg's entire career. With a balance of songs that are either political ("To Have and To Have Not," "The Busy Girl Buys Beauty") or personal ("The Milkman of Human Kindness," "A New England,"), Bragg puts his heart on his sleeve and makes a great first impression.

2. Hüsker Dü: Metal Circus

This is the point where Hüsker Dü began to evolve from a strictly hardcore outfit to one more focused on melody. This is mostly heard in the songs by Grant Hart. Both "It's Not Funny Anymore" and "Diane" are able to be sung along with (though the lyrical matter makes them both far from joyous) which wasn't possible on previous Hüsker songs. Bob Mould still is in hardcore mode but "Real World," "Deadly Skies" and "First of the Last Calls" all pack a serious punch.

1. Minutemen: Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat

Minutemen made a lot of fine E.P.'s in their day but none are finer than Buzz or Howl. Recorded for $50, it contains several of the bands finest songs. "Cut," "I Felt Like a Gringo," "The Product" and "Little Man With a Gun in His Hand" are all classic Minutemen and pave the way for the greatness that would come the next year.

Top 25

25. Motley Crüe: Shout at the Devil

Shout at the Devil shows very little of the glam and pop influences that would come to define later Motley Crüe albums and sticks to straight forward melodic hard rock. "Looks That Kill," "Too Young To Fall In Love" and the title track were all hits and "Helter Skelter" is a more than adequate Beatles cover. The rest of the album holds up just as well over time even if the bands outfits do not.

24. Richard Thompson: Hand of Kindness

Richard Thompson was not known for rocking out before Hand of Kindness but this album proved he was more than capable of (relatively) doing so. Of course in his case "rocking out" consists of a healthy dose accordions and horns along with Thompson's excellent guitar work. "Tear-Stained Letter" and "Two Left Feet" are a couple of the most upbeat and fun songs of Thompson's career while "Both Ends Burning" and "The Wrong Heartbeat" slow the pace but retain the sense of excitement. It wouldn't be a Richard Thompson album without a bit of depression and "Devonside" covers that in full.

23. The Wipers: Over the Edge

The Wipers third, best and most accessible album doesn't get the attention of so many other influential albums from this time period but it really should (this stands for the Wipers as a band in general). Greg Sage's droning guitar and rough edged but melodic vocals are in perfect balance thought the album and tracks like "Romeo," "Over the Edge," "Messenger" and "What Is" are practically pop songs and "The Lonely One" is a very good ballad. Over the Edge is definitely worth seeking out.

22. Minor Threat: Out of Step

Minor Threat's only full length release is a landmark hardcore punk album. "Betray," "Look Back & Laugh," "Think Again" and the title track could all be included in a Hardcore 101 manual. Minor Threat had a huge reputation for being overly serious but "Cashing In" shows the band could poke fun at themselves and the scene while effectively slowing down the tempo as well.

21. The Police: Synchronicity

Synchronicity is the Police's most diverse album which is both it's blessing and it's curse. While it features some of the band best and/or most well known songs ("Every Breath You Take," "King of Pain," "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Synchronicity I and II") it also has the complete waste of wax used up by Andy Summer's "Mother" and to a lesser extent, Stuart Copeland's "Miss Gradenko." The good certainly outweighs the bad and the album sold 8 million copies so it's still a fine record that others may find more endearing than myself.

20. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: Album

Joan Jett's 3rd album (2nd with the Blackhearts) of straight forward, power chord heavy, no frills rock is the most consistent set of songs of her career. "Fake Friends," "Handyman," "I Love Playing With Fire" and "The French Song" are all among the better songs Jett ever wrote while "Secret Love" and "Why Can't We Be Happy" are both respectable pseudo-ballads. The covers of "Tossin' & Turnin" and "Everyday People" don't best the originals but are of a high quality. If the regular album would have included the infamous cover of the Rolling Stones "Star Star," (it was only released on the first cassette pressing as a hidden track) this would have been bumped up a few spots.

19. Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind

I'm not overly familiar with the Iron Maiden catalog but if Piece of Mind is indicative of the quality I'm gonna have to check out a lot more. "Where Eagles Dare," "Flight of Icarus," "Die With Your Boots On" and "The Trooper" are all fantastic and while "Revelation," "Sun and Steel" and "Still Life" aren't nearly as enjoyable they're hardly bad tracks (the same can't be said about "Quest For Fire," that song sucks). I don't think most people go through a heavy metal phase in their 30's but whatever. This is a cool album.

18. Bob Dylan: Infidels

Dylan's 80's catalog is much maligned (and rightfully so) but Infidels is a pretty strong work. After a few handfuls of largely Christian music, he returned to the secular world and while it's far from a first rate Dylan album there's plenty to enjoy here. "Neighborhood Bully" and "Union Sundown" are both decent upbeat rockers and "I and I" and "License to Kill" show off the heavy reggae influence that lurks underneath the entire affair. "Jokerman" and "Sweetheart Like You" are two of the best songs Dylan would release in the 80's and the highlights here. If only Dylan would have included "Blind Willie McTell" on the final product, Infidels would almost be considered a triumph.

17. Dio: Holy Diver

DIO WHAT!?!? Not too much to say here. As previously mentioned I'm not a huge metal guy but Holy Diver kicks too much ass to not love. "Stand Up and Shout," "Gypsy" and "Straight From the Heart" are all face melters while "Don't Talk to Strangers" and "Invisible" are quality mixes of power ballad and rocker.. Throughout the album, Dio's voice is amazing and Vivian Campbell is Ronnie's equal on guitar. "Rainbow in the Dark" and "Holy Diver" are two of the most iconic metal songs of all time and while I used to make fun of them, I've grown to appreciate them (and Dio as a whole) a lot more.

16. Social Distortion: Mommy's Little Monster

There isn't a trace of the roots-rock and country influences that Social Distortion would come to be known for on their debut. In it's place is 9 tracks of straight forward punk. "The Creeps (I Just Wanna Give You)," "Another State of Mind," "Telling Them" and the title track are still staples of live Social D concerts and the other 5 tracks hold up well. Social Distortion would go on to make better albums but none of them match Mommy's Little Monster for pure power.

15. Bad Brains: Rock For Light

Rock For Light and Bad Brains' debut are 2 of my favorite hardcore punk albums of all time (Black Flag's Damageis the other). The two share a lot of the same songs so they're kind of hard to separate but I'll give the debut the slight edge. Anyway Rock For Light is a blast of speed, energy and craziness balanced out by the beautifully sublime reggae of "Rally Round Jah Throne," "The Meek" and "I and I Survive." Bad Brains were(are) a lot more skilled as musicians than most hardcore bands were and that adds an additional oomph to the punk tracks( the guitar solo on "Riot Squad is out of this world). Throw in H.R.'s insane vocals and you have a pure hardcore classic.

14. The Suburbs: Love is the Law

LOCAL MUSIC ALERT!!! Love is the Law is the Suburbs masterpiece. It's alternatingly easily accessible ("Love is the Law" is the most straight forward pop-rock song they ever made, "Rattle My Bones" is a catchy as hell rockabilly tune) and defiantly weird ("Monster Man," "Crazy Job"). There are jagged rhythms and danceable beats on nearly every song. Love is the Law holds it's own against the best that the Twin Cities music scene offered in the 80's.

13. Peter Tosh: Mama Africa

Mama Africa is Peter Tosh's most easily accessible album. This is still very dense, politically charged roots reggae but there are far more obvious hooks on "Glass House," "Not Gonna Give It Up,""Where You Gonna Run" and the title track than on most of Tosh's solo work. Throw in reworkings of the Wailers "Stop That Train," Tosh's own "Maga Dog" and a glorious cover of "Johhny B Goode" and you get an excellent reggae album that's both passionate and memorable.

12. ZZ Top: Eliminator

Eliminator is an album completely stamped in the 80's but whereas that is a huge hindrance for most music, it is what gives ZZ Top's biggest seller it's most endearing quality. Sure there are synthesizers all over the place but songs like "Legs," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Gimmie All Your Lovin" would be incomplete without them. There's still plenty of Billy Gibbons guitar work scattered throughout the album to make it a pure ZZ Top album and "TV Dinners," "Dirty Dog" and "I Got the Six" show off the bands humor and lust at it's finest. Eliminator is the perfect balance between ZZ Top's commercial aspirations and their classic boogie rock that they would try (and fail miserably) to duplicate the rest of their career.

11. Talking Heads: Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in Tongues is the Talking Heads full funk masterpiece. They had always been a funky band but their sound had never been as full fledged as it is on "Burning Down the House," "Making Flippy Floppy," "Girlfriend is Better" and "Slippery People." "Swamp" is a bit slower and well swampy but no less effective and the closing "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" is one of the most beautiful songs the band ever recorded. It speaks to the greatness of the band that this is not generally considered one of their finest albums.

10. Marshall Crenshaw: Field Day

Marshall Crenshaw's second album Field Day falls just short of his superb debut due to a bit of overproduction and a slightly lesser set of songs but it's still a great set of power pop. "Whenever You're On My Mind," "One More Reason" "Monday Morning Rock," and "One Day With You" all have huge hooks while the one's in "Our Town" and "This Time" are a bit more subtle but still fantastic. These songs may not sound like much at first but they will stick in your head for days. There's nothing fancy going on here, just highly enjoyable, guitar pop at (close to) it's finest.

9. Tom Waits: Swordfishtrombones

Swordfishtrombones marked the point where Tom Waits fully turned from a piano balladeer into the avant-garde surrealist we know today. This (and all of Waits subsequent work) is very hard to describe without hearing the album. There are bare bone's stompers ("Underground," "16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six," "Down, Down, Down"), blues-rock ("Gin Soaked Boy") balladry done both weird ("Shore Leave" ) and traditionally ("Johnsberg, Illinois," "Town With No Cheer," "In the Neighborhood") off beat instrumentals ("Dave the Butcher," "Just Another Sucker on the Vine," "Rainbirds") and spoken word tales ("Frank's Wild Years," "Troubles Braids"). The end result is a startling reinvention for Waits that he would go on to pursue for the rest of career and while it's not the best album he would make in this vein, it's a very interesting one.

8. Violent Femmes: Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes is still one of the most unique albums in rock and roll history. The bands mix of folky guitars, punk energy and a boatload of teenage angst makes for a still unique listening experience. "Blister in the Sun" is the frat party anthem but "Add It Up," "Gone Daddy Gone," "Prove My Love" and "Kiss Off" are all at least it's equal. "Please Don't Go" and "Confessions" balance out the more frantic tunes remarkably well and show off Gordon Gano's excellent songwriting. This is one of the best debuts in alternative rock history and it's a shame the Femmes never reached this level again.

7. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Texas Flood

By the early 80's the blues were widely considered an afterthought or a relic before Texas Flood came along and sparked a new interest in the genre. Vaughan certainly wasn't an original at this point in his career as he borrowed liberally from many older blues artists but that has little to no impact on songs like "Love Struck Baby," "Pride and Joy" "Lenny" and the title track. Vaughan's guitar playing is understandably the star but his soulful vocals and Double Trouble's capable backing help make this a landmark blues album.

6. Huey Lewis & the News: Sports!

Goodbye music snob card!! I've written about my (unhealthy?) love for Huey Lewis in general and Sports in particular in the past. This albums signifies so much of what I hate about most 80's mainstream pop music but I love it all the same. There's just a indescribable quality to "Heart of Rock and Roll," "Heart and Soul," "I Want a New Drug," "Walking on a Thin Line" and "If This is It" that gets to me in spite of the albums cheesiness. This is a good time waiting to happen and I make no apologies.

5. Metallica: Kill 'Em All

More Metal!! Metallica is the only metal band I had a strong familiarity with before researching 1983 so maybe that's why I think their debut is the best metal album of the year but Kill 'Em All is really, really good so maybe not. There's little diversification going on here, just straightforward speed metal. Killer riffs, amazing solos and propulsive rhythms cover up Hetfield's early weaknesses as a vocalist (he's not really singing here, just monotone yelling) but tracks like "Seek and Destroy," "Hit the Light's," "The Four Horsemen" and "Jump in the Fire" don't need strong vocals anyway. The band would go on to make bigger and better albums but Kill 'Em All established Metallica as a force to be reckoned with and set the stage for the most famed career in all of heavy metal.

4. X: More Fun in the New World

X was always the most diverse and commercial sounding of the late 70's L.A. punks. Their commercial aspects came to a head on More Fun in the New World. There's still plenty of rage on display as the tempo's are upbeat, Billy Zoom's guitar still buzzes and howls. "True Love" "Make the Music Go Bang," "Devil Doll" and "I See Red" would easily fit on previous X releases while "Hot House," "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts" and the title track are slower but no less effective. Exene Cervenka and John Doe still showcase the best harmonies any early punks offered up. After this album X's would start to go downhill but More Fun in the New World certainly lives up to it's title.

3. The Replacements: Hootenanny

Hootenanny isn't the Replacments best work but for the uninitiated it does represent the finest essence of what the band was all about. There are throwaway tracks ("Hootenanny," "Lovelines"), pseudo hardcore ("Run It," "Heyday") drunk fueled tales of life ("Treatment Bound," "Mr. Whirly") and the first two full fledged classic songs that Paul Westerberg wrote ("Color Me Impressed," "Within' Your Reach"). The album may be a mess but it's a beautiful mess that encompasses everything the Replacements stood for and why they mean so much to so many.

2. U2: War

This is the album where U2 really became U2. Their first 2 albums were solid post-punk works but nothing could have prepared listeners in '83 for "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Two Hearts Beat as One" or "New Years Day." Even after hearing both hundreds of times over the years they all seem fresh and relevant. At this point Bono didn't appear to have the weight of the world on his shoulders (just the weight of Ireland) and the Edge's guitar work was both creative and unique The rest of the album isn't up to the level of those 3 tracks but "Surrender," "Surrender," "40" and "Like a Song....." are all great songs. U2 doesn't do much for me nowadays but War is still a fantastic testament to how great of a band they used to be.

1. R.E.M: Murmer

It's certainly not accurate to pinpoint Murmer's release as the beginning of alternative rock but it's certainly one of the defining albums of the genre (whatever the hell that is considered these days). It would be impossible to choose which is the more defining sound, Peter Buck's jangly guitar or Michael Stipe's mumbly vocals (Mike Mills melodic basslines are also great) but it really doesn't matter. "Radio Free Europe" and "Talk About the Passion" are the most well known tracks but really every song is a classic. "Pilgrimage," "Catapult," "Sitting Still" and "Shaking Through" are all fantastic upbeat rockers while "Perfect Circle" is the bands first great beautiful song. Murmer isn't quite the greatest R.E.M. album of all time but it set the stage for a phenomenal career and is the best album that was released in 1983.

Spotify Playlist

Shaft Went to Africa 1983 Playlist

A Year in my Ipod: 1983 (Part 1)

2013-01-08T18:17:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of the "Allmusic Loves" and the AV Club's "My Favorite Music Year" comes the Shaft Went to Africa rip off "A year in my Ipod." Originally this was just going to be a summary of what was on my ipod sorted by any given year but it became much more. I did a lot of research for this and opened myself up to a lot of stuff had never listened to before. Thanks to Spotify, I have accessed an unbelievable amount of new, old music.

1983 was not a great year for music but there were certainly some fine albums released as well. New Wave had run it's course and had basically become crappy pop (unless you're really into synth-pop then this might be a fantastic year for you). The overproduction that plagues much of the decade was in full force and many iconic artists released records that, while having good songs, sound completely dated and overblown now. On the plus side, punk had gone almost entirely underground and the hardcore movement was at it's zenith. There were also some great debuts by soon to be legendary artists and there were a number of great metal (not my forte) albums released before the hair bands took over in the next few years.

Part 1 will feature a bunch of notable stuff that didn't make the top 25, grouped by made up categories. Part 2 will be the top 25.

Synth-Pop

Depeche Mode: Construction Time Again

Duran Duran: Seven and the Ragged Tiger

Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (are Made of This)

Eurythmics: Touch

Ministry: With Symphany

New Order: Power, Corruption and Lies

Tears For Fears: The Hurting

I think Synth-Pop is pretty terrible. There are some classics of the genre listed here but it just does nothing for me as a genre. The Ministry album is the weirdest one here just because they would become so important to industrial metal but their debut is pretty terrible.

Country

Alabama: The Closer You Get

George Strait: Right or Wrong

Johnny Cash: Johnny 99

Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson: Pancho and Lefty

Willie Nelson: Tougher than Leather

Finding 5 country albums worth including even on a pseudo honorable mentions list is tough for me any given year. I grew up on Alabama and it's got a couple notable singles, Right or Wrong and Tougher Than Leather were close to the top 30. Pancho and Lefty has the classic title track followed by a disappointing album and Johnny 99 is a good latter day Cash record boosted by a couple Springsteen covers.

Metal and Hard Rock

KISS: Lick It Up

Molly Hatchet: No Guts, No Glory

Def Leppard: Pyromania

Motorhead: Another Perfect Day

Ozzy Osbourne: Bark at the Moon

Quiet Riot: Metal Health

Suicidal Tendencies: Suicidal Tendencies

Twisted Sister: Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll

Pyromania sold a ton of records but Def Leppard is just not my thing I and I find it only listenable (pretty sure I won a vinyl copy though). Suicidal Tendencies is just as influenced by punk as by metal and contains "Institutionalized" making it my favorite Suicidal Tendencies album by far. Lick It Up is more notable for KISS shedding their makeup than the music on the album. Bark at the Moon is just an average Ozzy album. Metal Health is pretty much the first hair band album. Twisted Sister was still playing a harder brand of rock here than they would become and the less said about the Motorhead and Molly Hatchet albums the better.

Punk

Bad Religion: Into the Unknown

Circle Jerks: Golden Shower of Hits

Fang: Landshark!

The Misfits: Earth A.D.

Negative Approach: Tied Down

The Ramones: Subterranean Jungle

Golden Shower of Hits and Earth A.D. are both excellent 80's hardcore albums but neither represent the best work of the Circle Jerks or the Misfits. Tied Down is just a notch below them but not quite first rate. Fang was a big influence on Kurt Cobain and Nirvana covered "The Money Will Roll Right In" early in their career. Into the Unknown is a total oddball in Bad Religion's catalog with lots of synthesizers and pop leaning. Certainly not a great record but very interesting. Subterranean Jungle is a very enjoyable Ramones album though far from a classic.

Alternative and New Wave

The Waterboys: The Waterboys

The FIXX: Reach the Beach

XTC: Mummer

Echo & the Bunnymen: Porcupine

Jonathan Richman: Jonathan Sings!

The Stray Cats: Rant 'N' Rave

The Fall: Perverted by Language

Fun Boy Three: Waiting

Big Country: The Crossing

Some pretty good stuff here. The Waterboys and Echo & The Bunnymen really wanted to be U2 at this stage in their careers and the results are fairly uneven. Jonathan Richman ditched the Modern Lovers and does actually attempt to sing. Big Country's debut contains their most well known song ("In a Big Country") and is a interesting album. Fun Boy Three is nowhere near as good as the members previous band, The Specials, but is a decent slab of pop. XTC and The Fall are both bands with such expansive discographys they're tough to get into and I probably didn't give either album the time it deserves. The FIXX album is OK but it has "One Thing Leads to Another" on it. Same with Rant 'N' Rave featuring "(She's) Sexy and 17."

Mainstream Pop and Rock

The Rolling Stones: Undercover

Billy Idol: Rebel Yell

Billy Joel: An Innocent Man

Cheap Trick: Next Position Please

Eric Clapton: Money and Cigarettes

Madonna: Madonna

Pink Floyd: The Final Cut

Romantics: In Heat

Todd Rundgren: The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect

"Weird Al" Yankovic: "Weird Al" Yankovic

Yes: 90125

Bryan Adams: Cuts Like a Knife

David Bowie: Let's Dance

Elton John: Too Low For Zero

Genesis: Genesis

John Cougar Mellencamp: Uh Huh

Rick Springfield: Living in Oz

The Tubes: Outside Inside

Bob Marley & the Wailers: Confrontation

UB40: Labour of Love

There are some real popular albums lumped together in this category. Most have at least 1 giant hit single ("Rebel Yell," "Cuts Like a Knife," "Let's Dance," "That's All," "Holiday," "Pink Houses," Talking in Your Sleep," Bang on the Drum all Day," I'm Still Standing" "Owner of a Lonely Heart" and "She's a Beauty") but don't hold up as completed works. Idol, Adams, Madonna, Mellencamp and Genesis probably count for a bout a third of all albums sold in the 80's and others may think much higher of them than I do. I have a soft spot for doo-wop and also for Billy Joel so I rather like An Innocent Man. Undercover finds the Rolling Stones in experimental mode and the results are generally successful. Bowie, John and Clapton don't fall total victim to the curse of 80's production but none are overly strong albums. Next Position Please, Living in Oz and In Heat are actually pretty good slabs of power-pop. Weird Al's debut is nowhere near as strong as some of his later work but lays out his career blueprint fairly well. Confrontation is a fine collection of unreleased Marley songs. Labour of Love is exactly what you would expect from UB40. The Final Cut is a completely unmemorable Pink Floyd album. Yes sucks, don't know why I'm even including them.

Rock Gone Wrong, 80's Style

Graham Parker: The Real Macaw

Jackson Browne: Lawyers in Love

Lou Reed: Legendary Hearts

Elvis Costello and the Attractions: Punch the Clock

The Kinks: State of Confusion

Neil Young: Everybody's Rockin'

Nick Lowe: The Abominable Showman

Paul McCartney: Pipes of Peace

Robert Plant: The Principle of Moments

Randy Newman: Trouble in Paradise

These albums all range from the terribly overproduced (Punch the Clock, The Real Macaw, Trouble in Paradise, The Principle of Moments, Lawyers in Love, Legendary Hearts) to the terribly bland (Everybody's Rockin,' The Abominable Showman, State of Confusion) with a dash of just terrible (Pipes of Peace) thrown in for good measure. There are some seriously talented musicians on this list who, for whatever reason, came up very short in their efforts of 1983.

2012 Music Review: Part 2

2012-12-20T18:19:00.000-06:00

Continued from Part 1. My top 25 albums of 2012.

25. Tenacious D: Rize of the Fenix

THE FUCKIN' D IS BACK!!! Those words are pretty much the rallying cry for the third official album from comedic metal masters Tenacious D. Rize of the Fenix largely finds JB and KG taking on progressive rock and largely succeeding. The title track is an epic self mythologizing jam the likes no other band on earth can pull off. "Low Hanging Fruit" is fantastic tale of lowered sexual expectations, "Roadie" is a fine tribute to the unsung heroes of the rock world and the closing Neil Diamond influenced "39" is a filthy look at aging love . Consistently vulgar, always irreverent amd also rockin' like crazy (thanks in large part to studio drummer Dave Grohl), Rize of the Feniz is one of the best hard rock albums of the year.

24. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Meat and Bone

See that cover? It looks like a ballsack. That's a pretty accurate description of the first Blues Explosion album in 8 years. Spencer's music has always lacked subtlety but Meat and Bone takes it to a whole new level. The album is a nonstop aural onslaught designed to get into you nether regions and make you shake you ass. "Bag of Bones," "Boot Cut" and "Danger" are straight gut punches while "Get You Pants Off" and "Bottle Baby" are more groove orientated but still full of vigor. The album peters out a bit toward the end but by that time the listener has probably been beaten into submission anyway (I mean this as a complement BTW).

23. Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls

From all accounts Alabama Shakes are a tremendous live band (I have not had the privilege) but their debut album is pretty sensational as well. It might be lacking in some fire that occurs on stage but there's enough passion and energy to see how this material would translate marvelously to the stage. It's easy to say that Brittany Howard is this generations Janis Joplin but the comparison is so obvious it has to be made. The music both rocks and rolls, gives shakes and has soul but Howard is the real star here.

22. Graham Parker & the Rumour: Three Chords Good

The first Graham Parker album to feature his old backing band The Rumour since 1980 isn't all that different than most of Parker's recent solo material but it does just feel right to have them back together (whoever came up with the cover art on the other hand should never be allowed to make that decision again). Whether they're playing reggae ("Snake Oil Capitol of the World"), basic shuffles ("She Rocks Me") or rocking out ("Coathangers") Parker and the Rumour feel like they've never been apart. Three Chords Good is a bit more reflective and not nearly as angry as the music from the bands early days but there's still plenty of life left in this long awaited reunion.

21. Patterson Hood: Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance

Hood's third solo album plays like a low key Drive-By Truckers affair but manages to find a unique voice all the same. Based on an unfinished novel about divorce Hood wrote years ago. Heat Light tows the line between depressing and informative throughout but ultimately manages to be uplifting. Hood's lyrical imagery has always been his strong suit and that is no different here. Whether painting a portrait of a man dealing with pain ("Leaving Time"), resignation ("Better Off Without") or depression ("Depression Era") Hood makes it all seem true and real. The music is stripped down and bare adding more significance to the lyrics and the result is a cohesive statement that reveals new turns at every listen.

20. Jack White: Blunderbuss

Jack White's first solo album is real good. I like it a lot when I;m lstening to it. The problem (and this is true of pretty much everything White has ever been involved with for me) is that it just doesn't stick in my brain when it's not playing like it should. So while ""Sixteen Saltines," "I'm Shakin," "Weep Themselves to Sleep" and "Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy" sound great while they're on, they just don't have a lot of staying power. Lot's of people probably love Blunderbuss but for me it's only a (strong) like.

19. Dr. John: Locked Down

On Locked Down the good Dr. revisits his Night Tripper personality for the first time since the early 70's the and with a lot of help from Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, the results are great. The music is swampy, psychedelic voodoo funk. The songs are great, the production is even better and the Dr. is in fine voice throughout. Whether singing about "Revolution," being a "Big Shot" or getting spiritual ("My Children. My Angels," "God's Sure Good") everything works. Locked Down is a great comeback for the Night Tripper.

18. Jimmy Cliff: Rebirth

Jimmy Cliff has made a lot of forgettable albums since the days of The Harder They Fall and so it's good to see Rebirth live up to it's title. With producer Tim Armstrong (Rancid) in the fold, there are no real attempts at pop crossover or dancehall (with the possible exception of "Bang") and the focus remains on straight roots reggae. "World Upside Down" "One Love" and "Reggae Music" are all new reggae classics while the covers of The Clash ("Guns of Brixton") and Rancid ("Ruby Soho") are very successful reinterpretations. Cliff's tenor still has the power to move as shown on "Cry No More" and "Ship is Sailing" and hopefully he'll continue to make this type of music going forward.

17. Off!: Off!

16 songs in less than 20 minutes is not you typical full length album but then again, Off! isn't your typical band. Fronted by Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, Black Flag) and featuring members of Burning Brides, Redd Kross and Rocket From the Crypt, Off! blasts through the 16 tracks of 80's style hardcore and finishes before you know what hit you. There ins't a more purely visceral album released this year and even if it's as short as albums get, you can always turn the record over and start again.

16. Redd Kross: Researching the Blues

Speaking of Redd Kross, the veteran pop-punk jokesters release their first album in 12 years and perhaps their best ever in Researching the Blues. "Stay Away From Downtown," "One Of the Good One's" "The Nu Temptations" and "Choose to Play" are all power pop gems while the title track proves they can still rock. The stabs at balladry ("Dracula's Dughter") and psychedelia ("Hazel Eyes") aren't quite as great but they don't drag the album down either. Of all the albums on the list this one is the one that grew on me the most throughout the year. Great stuff.

15. Nada Surf: The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy

Nada Surf has been cranking out first rate power pop their entire career and The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy might be their best work yet. Sticking to the simple formula of pretty guitars and vocals with a lot of energy and a willingness to speed the tempo is a good bet for success and Nada Surf pulls it off, big time. "Clear Eyes, Clouded Mind," "Waiting for Something," and "Looking Through" are all uptempo standouts while "Jules and Jim" and "No Snow On the Mountain" have huge hooks (really every track has huge hooks but these two stand out). The album bristles with joy and sincerity throughout making it one of the best pop albums of the year.

14. Dr. Dog: Be the Void

Speaking if joyful, that's the best way to describe the latest from Dr. Dog. Be the Void is guitar based indie pop at it's finest. Largely forgoing the Beach Boys influences that have been dominating their last few albums, Dr. Dog (relatively) crank up the guitars and rock out. "These Days," "That Old Black Hole" and "Vampire" are heavier than a vast majority of the bands music and there's an overall looser and more shambolic nature to Be the Void than the band usually delivers. That's not to say they've abandoned their pop aspects at all. Every track features immaculate harmonies and precise instrumentation, it just comes off as a more organic live feel than usual. This is my favorite side of Dr. Dog and one I hope they continue down the road.

13. Justin Townes Earle: Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now

Justin Townes Earle try's his hand at soul on Nothing's Gonna Change... and while it takes a little while to sink in, once it does Earle's fine songwriting comes to the forefront. "Look the Other Way" "Memphis in the Rain," "Baby's Got a Bad Idea" and "Maria" are all upbeat soul rock while "Am I That Lonely Tonight," "Lower East Side" and the title track are perfect songs to curl up next to a fire to (or so I've been told by people with access to fireplaces). Earle's talent shines throughout and the only real complaint is that the album's just too damn short. Better to leave 'em wanting more than to stay too long I guess.

12. The Coup: Sorry To Bother You

The Coup have been making funk inspired political hip-hop for a long time now and the world of Boots Riley is one of anger, societal failings and yes, humor in spite of it all. Sorry To Bother You finds Boots employing a full band for the first time (at least for an entire album) and branching out into different genre's. There's stabs at dance ("Magic Clap"), rock ("Land of 7 Billion Dances), balladry (We've Got A Lot To Teach You Cassius Green") and the worlds first kazoo based rap song ("Your Parents Cocaine). There's still plenty of funk to go around ("The Guillotine," "You Are Not a Riot", "Strange Arithmetic") and Boots' commentary is both thought provoking humorous. There isn't a better album this year when it comes to simultaneously shaking your ass and flexing your mind.

11. P.O.S.: We Don't Even Live Here Anymore

P.O.S. takes his best claim yet as Minneapolis' finest hip-hop artist with We Don't Even Live Here. This is still the indie rock influenced hip-hop we've come to expect from P.O.S. but there are more nods to mainstream rap than he's ever used before ("Where We Land," "They Can't Come," ""Get Down"). This is certainly not an attempt at selling out for crossover appeal just to assuage fears. Oh yeah, "Fuck Your Stuff" is pretty awesome.

10. Dwight Yoakam: Three Pears

Dwight Yoakam made his name by playing traditional style country music (although with a heavy rock influence) but Three Pears is anything but traditional country. Yoakam's music will always have a country feel due to the natural twang in his voice but there's way more music owing to power-pop and soul influences than anything else. Whether it's the motown influenced bass of "Take Hold Of My Hand," the raucous cowpunk cover of "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke," or the two different versions of "Long Way To Go" (the closing piano ballad version is phenomenal), Yoakam stretches out more than any other album in his career and comes up with one of his best.

9. Bruce Springsteen: Wrecking Ball

Bruce Springsteen Irish folk rocker? That seems to be the general direction of Wrecking Ball as "Easy Money," "Shackled and Drawn," "Death To My Hometown" and "We are Alive" could all pass as Pogues covers. Of course Bruce is never gonna leave anthemic rock off the table as "We Take Care of Our Own," "Land of Hope and Dreams" and the title track prove. Only a slightly misguided attempt at incorporating hip-hop ("Rocky Ground") fails to work and while Wrecking Ball isn't first rate Springsteen, his 2nd rate stuff is still pretty fantastic.

8. Lucero: Women and Work

Lucero toyed around with their hometown Memphis signature soul sound on 2009's excellent 1372 Overton Park and go the extra mile and complete the cycle on Women & Work.There's a full blown horn section, soulful rhythms, and Ben Nichols voice is smoother sounding than it's ever been. None of that really matters because for all the sound adjustments this is still unmistakably a Lucero album. "Juniper," "Like Lightning" and the title track are all excellent upbeat rockers while "On My Way Downtown" and "Who You Waiting On" are great representations of Nichol's pleas for female companionship and alcohol (which, like all Lucero albums, is the main lyrical content). Lucero has always been great with the ballads as well and "It May Be Too Late" and "When I Was Young" definitely don't disappoint. The album ends with the gospel influenced "Go Easy" which is a great way for the band to close the newest chapter of their sound.

7. JD McPherson: Signs & Signifiers

This one is kind of a cheat since the album was originally released in 2010 but I didn't hear it until it was reissued this year and really it's just too damn good to not include. JD does souped up 50's rock better than anyone I've heard in a long time. "North Side Gal," "Fire Bug," "Scratching Circles" and "I Can't Complain" all conjure up the ghosts of Little Richard and/or Fats Domino (yes I realize neither are dead) but with McPherson's modern guitar licks also playing a central role. "You're Love (All I'm Missing)" showcases JD's formidable vocal skills. The cover of "Country Boy" manages to sample both the Wu-Tang Clan and Ruth Brown which pretty much sums up the album. McPherson s not afraid to bring modern influences into his retro sound and the result is a album that not only rocks, it really rolls as well.

6. Dan Vapid and the Cheats: Dan Vapid and the Cheats

This. Is. Pop-Punk. Dan Vapid has been making music for a number of different bands for the last 20 years (Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales, The Methadones) and with Dan Vapid and the Cheats, he's made a record that culminates all his strengths into one fantastic blend. No one writes simple, sing-a-long punk as well as Vapid and "Torture Chamber," "Beware of the Fog," "Just Like Cleopatra," "Baby, Baby Get Over Yourself" and "Good Enough" are all first rate tracks guaranteed to get stuck in your head. Vapid also branches out and shows off new wave ("Devo on Speed") and doo-wop (Girl Group) influences. There isn't an album I listened to more times this year than Dan Vapid and the Cheats. This is a phenomenal record.

5. The Gaslight Anthem: Handwritten

It was always inevitable that the Gaslight Anthem would blow up and become a popular mainstream band. They're just too catchy, heartfelt and basically too good not to. Kicking off with my favorite song of the year in "45" and rarely letting up until the acoustic closer "National Anthem," Handwritten runs the gamut from their traditional Jersey punk ("Handwritten," "Howl," "Desire") to mid tempo sing-a-longs ("Here Comes My Man," "Mae") and stomping hard rock ("Mulholland Drive," Biloxi Parish," "Too Much Blood"). The middle of the album bogs down a bit with too many of the latter in a row but that's really the only possible complain. Brian Fallon's lyrics are still heartfelt and his voice remains the band's ultimate weapon. Handwritten ensures that the Gaslight Anthem's career path will keep trending upwards. If all mainstream rock was still this good people might not say the radio was dead.

4. Bob Dylan: Tempest

I doubt there's anyone else on earth who would dream to write a 14 minute song about the Titanic (let alone one that has no chorus) but Bob Dylan (or Tim Heidecker I guess but that's more of a preemptive parody). While "Tempest" is certainly the most interesting song on Dylan's 35th studio album, it's far from the best (but it's really good). Showing no signs of aging apart from the beautifully ragged instrument that his voice has become, Tempest continues Dylan's late career resurgence with another great batch of roots rock and blues. "Duquesne Whistle," "Pay in Blood" and "Narrow Way" are some of the best upbeat songs Dylan has written since Love and Theft. "Early Roman King's" continues Dylan's streak of "stealing" beats from old blues songs ("Mannish Boy") but turning them on their head to make them his own while "Soon After Midnight" "Long and Wasted Years" and "Roll on John" are beautiful ballads. Lyrically, the specter of death looms large over all of Tempest but it doesn't stop Dylan from making jokes throughout the album and keeping it from becoming overwhelming. Bob's been on quite the roll the last 15 years and Tempeststands up with the best work of his career.

3. The Menzingers: On the Impossible Past

The Menzingers had made a couple albums of decent to pretty good melodic hardcore in the past but nothing could have prepared me for On the Impossible Past.This is an album of heart on the sleeve punk rock dealing with life, love and loss. It's simultaneously melodic, intricate and completely addictive. From the opening chords of "Good Things" until the gloriously bleak closer "Freedom Bridge," The Menzingers grab you and pull you in and don't let go. Whether it's the interplay between the guitars on "Mexican Guitars" or the vocals on "Burn After Writing" the bands songwriting and performance are amazing. "Gates," "Casey" and "The Obituaries" are all among my favorite songs of the year and there's a not a bad one to be found here. The album's flow is impeccable and there's a slight narrative that runs throughout and lends weight upon repeated listens. If the Menzingers keep improving at this rate who knows what they'll have in store for us down the road.

2. Bob Mould: Silver Age

As awesome and influential as Husker Du was, I can'e deny that I like Bob Mould's 90's band Sugar more. Silver Age is Mould's re-visitation of that type of music and the result is the most purely enjoyable solo album of his career. Mould and his band (drummer Jon Wurster and bassist Jason Narducy) rock out with big pop hooks, buzzsaw guitars and breakneck tempos. The songs alternate from the angry ("Star Machine," "Silver Age,") to the reflective ("Briefest Moment," "Angel's Rearranging"), the beautiful ("First Time Joy") and the flat out joyous ("The Descent" "Keep Believing"). Based on Mould's career path it will be surprising if he ever makes an album similar to this again but if this is his heavy power-pop swan song, it's a helluva way to go out.

1. Japandroids: Celebration Rock

Sometimes an album's title completely encompasses the music that lies within. This is certainly the case with Japandroid's sophomore album. 8 songs, 35 minutes of pure, high powered joy. The rush of exuberance that comes from cranking up songs like "The Nights of Wine and Roses," "The House That Heaven Built," "Evil's Sway" and "Fire's Highway" is unmatched by any other music released this year and it's not even close. The cover of the Gun Club's "For the Love of Ivy" fits perfectly and is a great choice for the album. There's not much in the way of a reprieve of as the album is one long adrenaline rush but the closing "Continuous Thunder" does slow things down just enough to keep Celebration Rock from being overwhelming. This is just amazing, energy and hook filled indie rock that sounds like it's built for stadiums. It's hands down the best album of the year.

For anyone interested in checking out a collection of songs from my list as well as a few others, here's a Spotify playlist that allows you to do just that!!! What service!!!

Shaft Went To Africa 2012 Playlist

2012 Music Review: Part 1

2012-12-18T19:17:00.000-06:00

So it's been a while. Probably gonna be a lot of spelling and formatting errors. Deal With it. Let's get right into my year in music.

Honorable Mentions:
The Heavy: The Glorious Dead
Shooter Jennings: Family Man
Lambchop: Mr. M
Madness: Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da
Rhett Miller: The Dreamer
The Mountain Goats: Transcendental Youth
Murder By Death: Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Patti Smith: Banga
Joey Ramone: "...Ya Know"
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band: Between the Ditches
Riverboat Gamblers: The Wolf You Feed
Royal Headache: Royal Headache
Ryan Bingham: Tomorrowland
Ty Segall Band: Slaughterhouse
Soundgarden: King Animal
The Wallflowers: Glad All Over
The Walkmen: Heaven
The Whigs: Enjoy the Company

Best Reissue

Sugar: Copper Blue/Beaster & File Under Easy Listening

Merge Records really killed it this year in reissues. The Archers of Loaf ones were fantastic but take a back seat to their work on Sugar's catalog. Copper Blue is one of the greatest albums of the 90's and with it's beefed up sound (you can actually hear David Barbe's bass) and excellent packaging this is THE must own reissue of 2012.

Best Live Album

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: Live From Alabama

\Live From Alabama features many of Isbell's finest songs ranging from his time with the Drive-By Truckers to his excellent solo work. The sound is impeccable, the additional horn section is perfect and the final result is the best live album of the year.

The Top 50 (26-50)

50. Soul Asylum: Delayed Reaction

The lineup is almost completely different but Soul Asylum hasn't sounded this alive since Grave Dancer's Union. The rockers ("Gravity," "The Streets") are the highlights but aside from a few unremarkable tracks, Dave Pirner and company are back on track.

49. Tony Sly & Joey Cape: Acoustic Vol 2

The second volume of acoustic versions of "hit" songs from Lagwagon's Joey Cape and the late (R.I.P.) Tony Sly (No Use For A Name) isn't much different than the first but still features top notch versions of some of both artists best known work. Worth it just to hear the (presumably) last stuff Sly will ever release.

48. Suburban Legends: Day Job

If you're the kind of person who would enjoy sunny ska covers of Disney songs (":Just Can't Wait To Be King, Under the Sea) then you'll likely enjoy the hell out of Day Job. If that sounds like the worst thing you've ever heard, then stay far, far away from this album and this band.

47. Guided By Voices: Let's Go Eat the Factory, Class Clown Spots a UFO, The Bears For Lunch

The ever prolific Robert Pollard (with a lot of fantastic assists from Tobin Sprout) managed to release 3 albums worth of music with the newly reunited Guided By Voices. In typical GBV fasion, there's a lot to love balanced out by an insane amount of filler and half songs. That's almost always been the point of GBV anyway but a better filter could have been used. Still there;'s enough great music spread throughout all 3 albums to keep fans happy.

46. Matt Skiba & the Sekrets: Babylon

Babylon sounds a lot like Skiba's work with Alkaline Trio and this is both a good and bad thing. Staying in his wheelhouse allows for fantastic sing a long's like "Voices" and "All Fall Down" but it also allows Skiba to completely rip himself off Fogerty style on ""Falling Like Rain." Just because you add a layer of synth to "The American Scream" from 2010's This Addiction doesn't make it much of a new song. Still a quality album for fans of Alkaline Trio.

45.Reel Big Fish: Candy Colored Fury

On Candy Colored Fury Reel Big Fish make a outright attempt to recreate the sound that made them one hit wonders in the first place. Fast and largely angry ska may be out of style but RBF are still able to pull off high quality tracks like "Everyone Else is an Asshole" and "I Dare You To Break My Heart." There's definitely a feeling of RBF by the numbers here and a couple tracks that should have remained on the cutting room floor but the overall effort is solid.

44. The White Wires: White Wires III

White Wires III is another solid set of melodic garage punk straight from Canada. Tracks like "Everywhere You Were," "And Then You Told Me" and "Let's Start Over Again" certainly don't rewrite any rule books but they are fun, catchy and energetic. There's a bit more of a pop feel here than on the bands previous releases but the result is very similar and well done.

43. And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead: Lost Songs

Lost Songs is ...Trail of Dead's best album in years . A great balance between hardcore ("Up to Infinity," "Catatonic"), melodic ("Lost Songs," "Heart of Wires") and a mix of both ("Open Doors" "Pinhole Cameras") is present throughout the album. It bogs down a bit in the middle but manages to overcome that issue with energy and passion.

42. Diamond Rugs: Diamond Rugs

This indie rock "supergroup's" debut album is a loose ramshackle affair that relies much more on energy and fun than craftmanship. The album is held together by the gleefully juvenile songs of Deer Tick's John McCauley ("Gimmie a Beer," "Hungover and Horny,"). The other members bring decent songs to the table but the material is a bit inconsistent. Still any album with the horn driven "Call Girl Blues" is well worth checking out.

41. Classics of Love: Classics of Love

The latest band from ex Operation Ivy frontman Jesse Michaels is a (surprise!) hardcore ska/punk band. While it's firmly in Jesse's career wheelhouse, there's tons of energy and passion along with enough hooks to make Classics of Love a more than respectable entry in Michael's on again, off again career.

40. The Avett Brothers: The Carpenter

The Avett Brothers continue to branch out and the results are generally top notch. There's still plenty of Appalachian folk ("The Once and Future Carpenter," "February Seven," "A Fathers First Spring") but the real highlights are the banjo driven "Live and Die," the 60's pop of "I Never Knew You" and the Beatlelesque "Pretty Girl From Michigan." Only the awesomely titled but fairly uninteresting alt rock of "Paul Newman vs. the Demons" disappoints but it's hardly enough to seriously hurt the album.

39. The Bouncing Souls: Comet

The Bouncing Souls may be slowing down a bit in both time between albums and the actual speed of the songs but I doubt most fans will care as long as the band keeps turning out solid, sing-a-long punk like this. "Fast Times" and "Static" are vintage Souls while "Coin Toss Girl" and "In Sleep" slow down the tempo but will stick in your head for days. The mindless fun aspects are more hit ("DFA") and miss ("We Love Fun") but overall Comet is another solid album from the punk vets.

38. Hot Water Music: Exister

Chuck Ragan takes a break from his solo folk career to revive his old hardcore emo band and you'd hardly know they'd been away. Ragan's and co lead singer Chris Wollard's voices are even more ragged than they used to be but their passion and energy haven't been diminished at all. "Mainline," "State of Grace," "Exister" and "Paid in Full" rock with force and vigor. The album never really lets up with only "No End Left in Sight" offering a slight reprieve from the onslaught. Here's to hoping HWM sticks around for awhile.

37. Dinosaur Jr: I Bet on Sky

I Bet on Sky marks a slight sonic adjustment for Dinosaur Jr. J Mascis' guitar isn't nearly as overpowering as most of the bands work but his solo's are still something to behold. "Don't Pretend You Didn't Know," "Watch the Corners" and "Pierce the Morning Rain" are worth the price of admission themselves.

36. Killer Mike: R.A.P. Music

I'm not very good at writing about hip-hop. I do know when something is good. This is good. That is all.

35. Local H: Hallelujah I'm a Bum

Local H seems intent on keeping the concept album alive and well in this singles driven day and age. Hallelujah I'm a Bum, rocks hard from start to finish while taking a largely bi-partisan look at the failings of America's political system. There's lots of blame to go around in Scott Lucas' view and he's not afraid to tell it on heavy tracks like "They Saved Reagan's Brain," "Here Come's Ol' Laptop" and "Blue Line." Hard rock is the main focus here as it is in all of Local H's music but the surprising turn to country on "Look Who's Walking on Four Legs Again" is the album's high point.

34. ZZ Top: La Futura

La Futura is the best ZZ Top album since Eliminator. Ditching all the synthesizers for some good old 70's style hard rock, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard turn back the clock and crank up the guitars. "I Gotsa Get Paid," I Don't Wanna Lose, Lose You" "Flyin' High" and "Consumption" are classic sounding ZZ Top rockers and "Over You" is a more than respectable ballad. Gibbon's voice is almost pure guttural growl at this point but it suits the music well. By sticking to what they've always done best, ZZ Top come out on top in 2012.

33. Green Day: !Uno!, !Dos!, !Tre!

3 albums in a year is just plain too much for any artist so much like Guided By Voices, Green Day stretches themselves too thin throughout their ambitious trilogy but when it works it works fantastically. !Uno! is the best of the 3, with it's focus on straight pop punk but both !Dos! and !Tre! feature numerous high points. A double album featuring all the best songs would easily make the top ten this year but between unmemorable tracks and failed experiments ("Kill the DJ," "Nightlife") there's too much that's easily glossed over to really make all 3 albums completely worthwhile.

32. NOFX: Self Entitled

NOFX incorporate a bit more hardcore stylings into Self Entitled but for the most part it's business as usual. With songs ranging from the comic ("Cell Out") to the political ("Ronnie & Mags") or a mix of both ("72 Hookers") lots of Fat Mike's usual targets are hit on this but the highlight of the album is the slowest song. "I've Got One Jealous Again, Again" documents Mike's divorce in the form of splitting up the record collection. If nothing else it's a great point for anyone looking for some hints into 80's punk.

31. Teenage Bottlerocket: Freak Out!

This set of high energy Ramones style pop-punk isn't anything different that anything Teenage Bottlerocket have done on their previous 3 albums but it's another damn fine set of humorous sing-a-long punk. Whether mocking metalheads ("Headbanging") or punks ("Punk House of Horror"), singing about rejection ("Done With Love") or asking to be sexually violated ("Mutilate Me") it's nearly impossible to not get caught up and Freak Out! Bonus points for writing a song about Top Gun ("Maverick") that's way better than the movie.

30. The Hives: Lex Hives

Lex Hives largely focuses on what the Hives do best, namely rocking the fuck out. With the exception of the new wave influenced "Wait a Minute Now" and a couple mid paced rockers ("I Want More" and the Howlin' Wolf influenced "Without the Money") the band gets back to basics and pushes the tempo on a fine set of raging garage rock. From the opening call to arms of "Come On!" until the closing "Midnight Shifter" (which displays some soul influences), Lex Hives is a blast.

29. Titus Andronicus: Local Business

The sound of Local Business is a bit off-putting at first for anyone familiar with Titus Andronicus' previous work. Gone are the giant walls of guitars and the stripped down results take a while to sink in. Fortunately once it does the high quality of the songs comes through loud and clear. Patrick Stickles still rages against pretty much everything (society, politicians, himself) but does so in a much more melodic and accessible way than ever before. Tracks like ""Still Life With Hot Deuce on Silver Platter" and "Upon Viewing Oregon's Landscape With the Flood of Detritus" may sound different than before but they're very much classic Titus Andronicus.

28. Trampled By Turtles: Stars and Satellites

Stars and Satellites might nor rock (relative term) as much as Trampled By Turtles previous work but they still crank up the tempo on "Walt Whitman" and "Sorry" and while those are some fine moments, nothing in the bands past is up to the quality of "Alone." The song is quite simply one of the most beautiful songs released by anyone this year. The rest of the album helps to prove that TBT is the finest contemporary bluegrass band in the business.

27. Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill

No one ever said Neil Young was unambitious. Psychedelic Pill opens with the 27 minute rambleathon "Driftin' Back" and features 2 other tracks that are 16 minutes long a piece ("Ramada Inn," "Walk Like a Giant"). There's a whole lot of dickin' around on guitar going on here and all 3 will surely test anyone's patience. On the plus side, the dickin' around generally works pretty well and there's some real cool solo's mixed in all over the place. The rest of the songs are all of a loose but high quality nature with the title track and "Born in Ontario" being standouts. While the album is better served as background music in spots it's still Neil Young and Crazy Horse so it's pretty awesome overall.

26. Gary Clark Jr: Blak and Blu

Gary Clark Jr is a very talented musician who isn't afraid to mix up a wide variety of styles but first and foremost he's an exceptional guitar player. The solo's scattered throughout every song on his debut album are the highlights and completely exhilarating. He's a damn fine singer as well but unfortunalely Clark's songwriting, while generally solid, and willingness to take on any style aren't at the same level ("The Life" might be the worst song from a good artist released this year). Fortunately he largely sticks to guitar based rock and blues and even if it's a bit too clean sounding, Blak and Blu is still a fantastic debut and Clark is an artist with a very bright future.

2011 Music Review (Part 2)

2011-12-17T09:36:00.000-06:00

Continuing where Part 1 left off....

25. Warren Haynes - Man in Motion

Haynes first solo album in nearly 20 years focuses as much on his aspirations as a soul singer as it does his legacy as a blues musician. His voice is in fine form throughout as tracks like "River's Gonna Rise," "On a Real Lonely Night" and the title cut showcase phrasing and emotion only hinted at in much of Gov't Mule. Haynes' Guitar still plays a prominent role and with the shortest song coming in at 5:30 there is plenty for his jam audience to embrace.

24. The Horrible Crowes - Elsie

Brian Fallon's side project isn't all that different from his work with The Gaslight Anthem. Most of the songs are more subtle and subdued but The Horrible Crowes are still a guitar driven band and Fallon hasn't abandoned his tendency (gift?) for anthemic choruses. "Behold the Hurricane" is one of the best songs of the year and "Ladykiller" isn't too far behind. Fallon is a very talented singer and songwriter and Elsie is more than just a placeholder until the next Gaslight album.

23. R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now

The final album from one of the worlds most important (and best) bands of the last 30 years sends R.E.M. out on a winning note. It's a mix of styles they've perfected over the years. There's jangle pop ("It Happened Today") heavy guitar Rock ("Discoverer," "Mine Smell Like Honey") acoustic ruminations ("Walk It Back," "Oh My Heart") and moody experimentation (Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I"). The band also gets as close to punk as they ever have with "That Someone With You" and write one of the dumbest (and most fun) songs of their career with "Alligator, Aviator, Autopilot, Animator." This mix of playfulness and seriousness doesn't add up to a classic R.E.M. album but it's a fine way to waive goodbye.

22. Butch Walker & the Black Widows - The Spade

The Spade finds Butch Walker perfecting a blend of glam, pop, hard rock and americana that may not be all that deep but is an absolute blast to listen to. It's hard to know if Walker's tales of party's, lurid sex, rocking out and fighting are true stories or just made up memories but in the end it doesn't matter. Whether you're reliving the "Summer of '89" or getting "Day Drunk," The Spade is Walker's finest solo outing yet and one hell of a good time.

21. Dawes - Nothing is Wrong

At first listen Nothing is Wrong seems like a highly generic album of mid-tempo folk and country rock but it's songs seep into your brain and don't seem to want to leave for days. "Time Spent in Los Angeles," "If I Wanted Someone" and the beautiful closer "A Little Bit of Everything" are the highlights but the remaining tracks all feature fantastic harmonies and simple but effective instrumentation. Crosby, Stills Nash and Young would be proud.

20. Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing

Blitzen Trapper must have been listening to their The Band records a lot recently. They almost completely abandons indie rock in favor of Americana on American Goldwing. Only the fuzzed out guitars of "Your Crying Eyes" and "Street Fighting Sun" hint at what the band had attempted on their previous albums. This could either be considered good or bad news depending on your viewpoint. For me their songwriting is far better than in the past and American Goldwing ends up being Blitzen Trapper's best album yet.

19. The Old 97's - The Grand Theatre, Volume 2

The Old 97's continue to play to their strengths on their second Grand Theatre album and the results are better than the first. The rocking "I'm a Trainwreck" and "Bright Spot (See What I Mean)" are balanced out by the pop of "Brown Haired Daughter" while the honky tonk of "No Simple Machine" and "Visiting Hours" are vintage 97's. Add in the hobo anthem "White Port," the acoustic based shuffle of "Perfume" and the beautiful "How Lovely All It Was" and you have an album that represents all the best things the Old 97's have to offer.

18. My Morning Jacket - Circuital

My Morning Jacket streamline their space country rock a bit into their best flowing album ever. From the opening slow burn of "Victory Dance" to the closing of "Movin' Away" Circuital lacks the frustrating and random genre shifts that marred their last few albums. There's still plenty of successful experimentation to be found on "Holdin' On To Black Metal" "First Light" and the title track but they're balanced out by the calm country of "Wonderful" and the dreamy "Slow Slow Tune." The result is a cohesive piece of work that doesn't just feel like a collection of songs.

17. Screeching Weasel - First World Manifesto

It's too bad this fantastic album got overshadowed by Ben Weasil's woman punching incident at SXSW (and subsequent "break up") because it's a blast to listen to. The pop is definitely emphasized over punk here but no one goes from snotty to sweet better than Ben at his best and "Dry is the Desert," "Beginningless Vacation," "Little Big Man" and "Fortune Cookie" rank among the best pop compositions Weasel has ever given us.

16. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire

Ashes & Fire is filled with beautiful acoustic based songs like "Lucky Now," "Dirty Rain" "I Love You but Don't Know What To Say" and the title track. While some of the tracks lean to the overly generic ("Chains of Love") and the whole thing could use at least 1 rocker (or at least 1 more up-tempo tune), Adams has rarely displayed this much depth and consistency and the album sounds gorgeous from start to finish.

15. Deer Tick - Divine Providence

Deer Tick cranks up the electric guitars on the first half of Divine Providence giving way to the shambolic drunken mess of "The Bump" and "Let's All Go to the Bar" and the straight up hard rock of "Funny Word." The second half is more in line with the folk rock of their previous albums although the punkish "Something to Brag About" is a hard charger and "Main Street" successfully splits the difference between the two sides. There probably isn't a better closing track on any album this year than the beautiful folk of "Miss K."

14. Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories)

If you're gonna borrow from other musicians (and who doesn't really?), you might as well borrow from the best. Hayes Carll at times sounds like Dylan ("Stomp and Holler," the title track), Hank Williams ("Chances Are," "Bye Bye Baby") and a number of other influences. Carll is more than a mere impersonator as every track is filled with humor and passion. There probably wasn't a funnier song released this year than the duet "Another Like You" and "Hard out Here" and "Bottle In My Hand" are right on it's tail. These American stories are well worth hearing many, many times.

13. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Volume 2

The Beastie Boys returned in a big way with Hot Sauce Committee Volume 2. Their sense of humor is evident throughout as they toss jokes back and forth between braggadocio and nonsense to great effect. Their brand of hip-hop is stridently old school but still allows for very successful experiments into reggae ("Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win") and punk ("Lee Majors Come Again") but really it's the sense of pure enjoyment and fun that the Boys obviously had making this album that's the biggest drawing point.

12. Wilco - The Whole Love

Wilco have seem to found a comfort level with what they want to do musically on The Whole Love and the results are excellent. Power pop is the main focus here as "I Might," "Dawned on Me," "Born Alone" and "Standing O" all feature catchy melodies and loud guitars. They haven't completely abandoned the avant-garde either as the opening "Art of Almost" powerfully demonstrates while the 12 minute acoustic track ("One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)" doesn't contain a wasted moment. Add in stabs at Beatlesque pop ("Capitol City"), string laden ballads ("Black Moon") and straight country rock ("Open Mind") and you have an album that not only offers a nice overview of Wilco's history, it plays to all the bands strengths as well.

11. Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears - Scandalous

Call it retro soul or rock and roll, it doesn't matter. Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears kick a lot of ass. Scandalous is a pretty big step up from their 2009 debut. The songs are catchier ("Booty City"), raunchier ("Mustang Ranch," "Black Snake"), hit harder ("Welcome To the Jungle") and feature more diversity (the slow blues of "Messin," the gospel influenced "You Been Lyin'). The slower songs ("I'm Gonna Leave You," "Since I Met You Baby," the title track) still bristle with energy and excitement and the rockers are ready made to be the soundtrack to many Saturday nights.

10. Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones

You won't find an album with three better singles than England Keep My Bones. the strenght of "Peggy Sang the Blues," "I Still Believe" and "If I Ever Stray" is enough to warrant heavy consideration in any years top 20 but the rest of the album hold up just as well. The songs are much more filled out than in Turner's previous work and the bigger sound works very well for a vast majority of the songs. There's still no shortage of energy and passion in Turner's vocals and the combination makes England Keep My Bones much more than a great folk-punk album. It's a great rock and roll album period.

9. The Roots - Undun

Undun is simultaneously the Roots most challenging and yet most surfacely accessible album to date. There are more soul hooks than ever before and tighter songwriting but it's all done in the context of a concept album about life (and death) on the streets, all told in the first person. It's easy to enjoy songs like "Make My," "One Time," "Kool On" and "The Otherside" on their own but putting them in the context of the album takes time and is ultimately much more rewarding. The closing 4 song suite is unlike anything I've ever heard on a hip-hop album before and the 39 minute run-time makes it one of the most concise concept albums ever made. The only real issue is, where's the vinyl release? Undun is perfect for that format and the lack of one costs The Roots a few spots in this completely arbitrary ranking.

8. Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots

The Truckers turn to country-soul on their latest outing and prove themselves a very versatile band in the process. There are very few traces of their big guitar rock but the three Mike Cooley tracks ("Pulaski," "Cartoon Gold" and "The Weakest Man") are great country songs. Patterson Hood's story songs ("Used To Be a Cop," "The Fireplace Poker," the title track) carry a lot of weight and the two Eddie Hinton covers ("Everybody Needs Love," "Where's Eddie") add authentic soul to the proceedings. The closing "Mercy Buckets" balances the bands attempt at recreating the Muscle Shoals sound with some great guitar work to help prove there are fewer bands in rock as consistently great as DBT.

7. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Wasting Light is the best straight hard rock album of the year and the best Foo Fighters album since The Colour and the Shape. "Bridges Burning," "Rope" "A Matter of Time" and "Arlandria" feature both solid hooks and loud guitars and having Bob Mould show up on "Dear Rosemary" elevates the song to a new level. The pop of "Back and Forth" and the Queens of the Stone Age style hard rock of "White Limo" show off the extreme sides of the band very well and "One of these Days," is among the best power ballads Dave Grohl has ever written. The closing "Walk" feels much more epic than it's 4:30 minute runtime would indicate (I mean this in a very complimentary fashion). Consistency hasn't always been the Foo Fighters strength but Wasting Light proves that the band can still make a great album from start to finish.

6. John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives - The Man That Time Forgot

The day I discovered John Paul Keith's music was one of my favorite days of this year. He may not be well known outside Memphis but hopefully that will change in the future. Keith mainly treads in retro sounds but he does so with amazing proficiency. Whether it's 50's style rock ("Never Could Say No," the Buddy Holly vibe of "Bad Luck Baby"), 60's era garage rock ("Afraid To Look"), classic country ("You Devil You") or 70's power pop ("Anyone Can Do It"), Keith and his crack backing band show their gifts for hooks and effective musicianship. The best compliment I can give is that most of these songs just seem like they've always existed and Keith just pulled them out of the air. Obviously that's not true but there's a timeless quality to The Man That Time Forgot that's both charming and exciting. Fantastic stuff here folks.

5. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'

Saadiq has been playing around with retro-soul ever since his days in Tony Toni, Tone but he's never done it gritter or better than on Stone Rollin'. Whether he's rocking out on "Heart Attack," giving us the best bassline James Jamerson never wrote on "Radio" or laying down the hard funk of the title cut, Saadiq has never sounded this assured in his diversity. Getting Robert Randolph to add some pedal steel to the Ray Charles vibe of "Day Dreams" was a stroke of genius and "Movin' Down the Line" features a fantastic groove. The slower songs ("Go To Hell," "Just Don't" and especially "Good Man") are fantastic string laden contemplations on life that give Stone Rollin' real depth. Retro-soul rarely gets better than this.

4. The Decemberists - The King is Dead

The Decemberists didn't appear to be a likely candidate to strip down and making an album of country rock but they did just that on The King is Dead and turned in their best album in the process. The influence of early R.E.M. is extremely apparent on a number of tracks ("Down By the Water," Calamity Song") but the overall songwriting is very strong and Colin Meloy's voice has never sounded better or been better accentuated by the music. The overall result is an album of beautiful melodies, great harmonies and fine musicianship that avoids the bands previous tendencies for self-indulgence and pretentiousness.

3. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Here We Rest

Isbell's third solo album is his most confident and successful outing yet. Here We Rest focuses mostly on country, and folk ("Alabama Pines," "Tour of Duty," and what is perhaps the song of the year in "Codeine") but still gives us the hard rock of "Go It Alone," the honky-tonk of "Never Could Believe" and the soulful "Heart on a String." Isbell's talent is undeniable as the combination of melody, lyrics and vocals are very rewarding. Add in the great support from the 400 Unit (and some guests) and you end up with one of the best albums of the year from an artist who may just be starting to reach his full potential.

2. Tom Waits - Bad as Me

Tom Waits albums are always a welcome addition to the ol' record collection and Bad As Me is his best studio work in a long time. There are no themes or motifs on display here. Just an economical 13 song, 45 minute blast of all things that make Waits music fantastic. The heavy stomp of "Hell Broke Loose" and jump blues of "Get Lost" play alongside the funkier title track and opener "Chicago." It only makes sense that if you're gonna respond to the Stones 40 years after the fact, you might as well get Keith Richards to play guitar as Waits does on "Satisfied" (He also duets with Wait's on the beautiful and fitting "Last Leaf"). The ballads hold up just as well as the rockers as Wait's voice is in perfect form throughout the album. His vocal versatility is really showcased on the haunting "Talking at the Same Time" and the sweet "Pay Me" and the lovelorn "Back In the Crowd." With all the different styles Waits has tackled in his career it's a bit of a surprise to see his 70's barroom balladeer show up on "Kiss Me" but there he is, laying his heart out. It might not be possible for Tom Waits to make a bad album at this point in his career and there's still no one else that sounds like him. Hopefully we won't have to wait 7 years for the next (studio) one.

1. The Black Keys - El Camino

The Black Keys have conquered both the blues and soul with their previous releases of 2004's Rubber Factory and last year's Brothers so I guess they set out to conquer mainstream rock with El Camino. While El Camino isn't as good as either of those albums, it does manage to take home the top spot in a year without any obviously classic albums. The whole thing is a giant riff heavy affair with Danger Mouse's production giving it a scuzzed out glam feel. This is a long way from indie rock but still manages to sound like the work of the same band. There's not a whole lot of brains behind the lyrics of "Lonely Boy," "Gold on the Ceiling." "Run Right Back," "Money Maker" or "Mind Eraser" but it doesn't matter. El Camino is all about bringing the rock and on that level it greatly succeeds. The only quit moments occur in the first half of "Little Black Submarines" before a Tom Petty riff filtered through Neil Young makes this the Keys version of "Stairway To Heaven." El Camino doesn't quite reach heavenly status but it's at least knocking on the door.

If you have any interest in hearing any of the artists on the entire list, I made this Spotify playlist for just that purpose. Lots of good stuff here and if you don't have Spotify I highly recommend getting at least the free version.

Shaft Went To Africa 2011 Playlist

2011 Music Review (Part 1)

2011-12-12T22:00:00.002-06:00

2011 has been a very deep year for lots of great music. While there isn't anything assured of going down as an all time classic album, there was a lot of stuff that I greatly enjoyed and putting together this list was incredibly difficult. I'll be breaking it down into 2 separate entries with this first one listing music that was not quite good enough to make my top 50 list on down to numbers 26-50. Tomorrow will be the top 25 plus a link to a Spotify list featuring a large number of my favorite songs from most of the listed albums..

First up some Honorable Mentions:

Adele - 21
Alkaline Trio - Damnesia
The Blind Boys of Alabama - Take the High Road
Blink 182 - Neighborhoods
Boston Spaceships - Let It Bleed
Cage the Elephant - Thank You Happy Birthday
The Cars - Move Like This
Dan P and the Bricks - Watch Where You Walk
Mike Doughty - Yes and also Yes
Joe Ely - Satisfied at Last
Face to Face - Laugh Now, Laugh Later
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Flogging Molly - Speed of Darkness
Merle Haggard - Working in Tennessee
Ben Harper - Give Till It's Gone
Jay Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne
Talib Kweli - Rainbow Gutters
Low Anthem - Smart Flesh
Nick Lowe - The Old Magic
David Lowery - The Palace Guards
New Found Glory - Radiosurgery
New York Dolls - Dancing Backwards in High Heels
Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Del McCoury Band - American Legacies
Rise Against - Endgame
Amanda Shires - Carrying Lightning
The Slackers - The Radio
Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde
The Strokes - Angeles
Swingin' Utters - Here Under Protest
They Might Be Giants - Join Us
Teddy Thompson - Bella
Eddie Vedder - Uekele Songs
Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest
Wild Flag - Wild flag
Wugazi - 13 Chambers
Wye Oak - Civilian

Worst (or maybe Best) Album of the Year

Lou Reed and Metallica - Lulu

I would only recommend that a small handful of people actually listen to Lulu but as a statement of artistic integrity and a "I don't give a fuck" attitude, there is no better album to come out in quite a long time. While there are some good songs (mostly "Junior Dad") most of the album is going to come off to most people as an unlistenable mess of Reed's spoken words uncomfortably layered over Metallica's riffs that goes on for what seems like an eternity. This is pretty much how I feel about it as well but man do I respect these guys for doing what they wanted to do and not caring at all about the potential backlash of this (along with having no hope of commercial success). The chances I'll ever actually listen to this again by my own choice are really small but I still consider it a very interesting piece of work.

Albums Released Last Year That I Discovered in 2011

These three albums all would have made the top 50 if they were technically released in 2011, since they weren't here's a separate category.

Fitz & the Tantrums - Picking Up the Pieces

This isn't the greatest retro soul album to come out the last few years but's a pretty damn good one. The band has generated a lot of buzz in the last year and for good reason. "Moneygrabber," "Breakin' the Chains of Love" and the title cut are fantastic upbeat numbers and "Don't Gotta Work it Out" is a winning ballad. The remaining 6 songs aren't quite as strong but are more than mere filler.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - The Wages

At first listen this blend of punk, old time jug music, and washboard ready rock is completely confusing. The Reverend himself was described to me as sounding like "a drunk guy singing through a tracheotomy hole" and is certainly not going to be for everyone. Over time though, The Wages is a very addicting album. There is certainly no one else I know of that sounds anything like this (they also released Charley Patton cover album this year but I have yet to listen to it).

The White Wires - LP II

The White Wires play poppy 60's style garage rock with a punk attitude as good as anyone in music today. Tracks like "Let's Go To the Beach, and "Be True To Your School (Till You Get Kicked Out)" may sound like kitschy throwbacks but they're intelligent and most importantly extremely catchy pop-rock. This album is full of goodness.

The Top 50 Albums of 2011

50. Childish Gambino - Camp

I have a lot of friends who will feel this is way too low for Donald Glover's rap side project to rank but even though I enjoy it, I just can't fully embrace it either. The subject matter alternates between so many random things and it's extremely hard to tell what is meant to be taken seriously and what's a total joke. I suspect that's kind of the point but for now 50 seems like a good spot for this.

49. Old Man Markley - Guts 'N' Teeth

Old Man Markley mixes bluegrass and punk as well as any non Duluth MN band in the world (not sure how many there actually are). It's nothing deep or even meaningful but it is a great deal of fun. Every track is a high energy sing-a-long that's bound to get stuck in your head.

48. Noise By Numbers - Over Leavitt

Noise By Numbers is probably my least favorite of the many bands Dan (Vapid) Schafer (Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales, The Methadones) has been involved in over the years but their second album is a nice step up from their debut featuring high quality pop-punk ("Lost My Way," "I Don't Think So," "Yeah Whatever," "Disappointed") as well as some less effective slower post-punk experiments. The overall result is a winning effort from one of the more underrated men in punk rock.

47. The Blind Shake - Seriousness

HOMER ALERT!! This Minneapolis band will probably never be as good in the studio as they are live but "Seriousness" is a 28 minute blast of high energy punk with a nod to psychedelic rock. If you ever get a chance to see them live, I highly recommend you do so but their second studio album (not counting collaborations with Michael Yonkers) is the next best thing.

46. Smoking Popes - Only a Test

This concept album about growing up "punk" isn't the best work that the Smoking Popes have ever done but it's full of the catchy pop-punk they've been known for. It's impossible to not sing along to tracks like "Punk Band," "Wish We Were" and "I've Got Mono" and even with a few failed experiments (specifically "Excuse Me Coach") Only a Test gets a above average grade.

45. Dropkick Murphy's - Going Out in Style

Bottom line here is that if you like the Dropkick Murphy's you'll like this album, if you don't you won't. Aside from a stab at holding a concept throughout, there's not much different here than what they've done in the past. It's still an enjoyable chunk of working class Irish punk and probably one of the bands most complete albums.

44. Mariachi El Bronx - II

The second album from the greatest "hardcore punk band mariachi side project" kicks off with one of the best songs of the year ("48 Roses") and is a total step up from their debut. This may seem like a joke band but the music is really good and it's certainly an original concept.

43. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Mirror Traffic

Mirror Traffic is Malkmus' most Pavementesque solo album to date and also probably the best. Whether it's the production by Beck or just a really good and eclectic set of songs, it holds together well with a solid mix of humor (highlighted by "Senator") throughout.

42. Tommy Stinson - One Man Mutiny

HOMER ALERT!!! Former Replacement and current Guns 'N' Roses bassist Tommy Stinson's second solo album is a solid batch of songs ranging from hard rock ("It's a Drag") to country ("Zero to Stupid") and features a song co-written by Paul Westerberg ("Match Made in Hell"). I'm likely overrating it but One Man Mutiny is a very good album.

41. North Mississippi Allstars - Keys to the Kingdom

The Dickinson Brothers tribute to their father (session musician and producer, Jim) is full of songs that examine death ("How I Wish My Train Would Come," "Hear The Hills") and heaven ("The Meeting," "Jellyrollin' All Over Heaven") in an honest and heartfelt way. Add in some blues rock levity ("Jumpercable Blues) and you have a album worthy of Jim's legacy.

40. The Jayhawks - Mockingbird Time

The first album for the reunited Mark Olsen, Gary Louris Jayhawks doesn't approach some of their past glories (Hollywood Town Hall, How the Green Grass Grows) but it shows they still haven't lost their gifts for solid songwriting and beautiful harmonies. Any album with tracks like "She Moves In So Many Ways" and "Stand Out in the Rain" is well worth exploring.

39. Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers - Unida Cantina

It may be a little too generic in places ("Love is the Road," "Go With the Flow") but Clyne's return to straight forward roots rock features enough good party songs ("All Over the Radio," "Heaven on a Paper Plate") and heartfelt mid-tempo work ("Play On") and ballads ("Marie") to be their best album in years.

38. Mike Watt - Hyphenated-Man

30 songs, 47 minutes. Mike Watt returns to early Minutemen song lengths in this pseudo-concept album describing 30 different types of man based off 300 year old dutch paintings. The songs range from hardcore punk to free jazz experiments and fly by ridiculously fast. Hyphenated-Man certainly won't be for everyone but it's surely one of the most interesting albums of the year.

37. Atmosphere - The Family Sign

The Family Sign is another solid album from these legends of Minneapolis hip-hop. Atmosphere is so consistent from album to album that it's hard to rank their work. Suffice to say tracks like "She's Enough," "The Last To Say" and "If You Can Save Me Now" are vintage atmosphere while "Ain't Nobody" continues with the more rock oriented songs they've been adding in recent years.

36. TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

TV on the Radio didn't exactly go pop with Nine Types of Light but it is their most accessible album yet. The Prince influenced vocals are fairly straight forward and seductive and the production (while still very dense and layered) is not off putting at first listen. The result is TV on the Radio's most immediate album to date.

35. Lucinda Williams - Blessed

Lucinda's most rocking solo album to date is another fine set of songs dealing with love, loss and well Love again. The electric guitars are cranked up on "Buttercup" and "Seeing Black" but Williams hasn't lost her gift for confessional songwriting as "Born To Be Loved," "Kiss Like Your Kiss" and the title track indicate.

34. Fountains of Wayne - Sky Full of Holes

With song styles ranging from pure pop ("The Summer Place"), country ("Road Song"), rock ("Dip in the Ocean") and folk ("Richie and Reuben"), Fountains of Wayne deliver another extremely consistent set of story songs. There are hooks galore and top-notch harmonies throughout Sky Full of Holes as FOW deliver another winner.

33. Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive

Steve Earle has never been one to shy away from dark songs and I'll Never Get out of this World Alive is no different. It's a engrossing experience that's only slightly diminished by T-Bone Burnett's overproduction of what are very personal songs. The production flaws aren't enough to ruin Earle's songs and the final, uplifting "This City" sends a dark album out on a ray of hope.

32. Fucked Up - David Comes To Life

David Comes To Life is Fucked Up's biggest and most bombastic album yet. An 80 minute concept album about falling in and out of love and living life may seem like am indulgent chore to sit through (and at times it is, hence the slightly low rank for an album I love in doses) but Fucked Up's sound has always been huge and now they have a piece of work that fits that sound to a T.

31. Doomtree - No King's

Hip-Hop isn't a genre I'm completely comfortable writing about so it's hard to explain what I like most about No King's . I'll just say it's really good and leave it at that.

30. Chuck Ragan - Covering Ground

Ragan's most filled out solo album features guest appearances from Brian Fallon and Frank Turner (among others) who help bring Ragan's folk-punk to a new level. With Chuck's impassioned vocals and road weary lyrics supported by a full band (or at least fiddle and bass) on most tracks, the result is a powerful set of songs ready made for singing along and acoustically rocking out.

29. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Magic of Youth

This album was pretty recently released and it's so exciting to have The Mighty Mighty Bosstones making new music again that it's possible I'm overrating The Magic of Youth. On the other hand, it's a whole lot of fun to listen to and that's a large part of what this type of music is all about. The Bosstones sound hasn't changed over the years but no one does melodic ska with metallic traces with more honesty and style than Dickey Barrett and the boys.

28. Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator

It would be easy to expect Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks "family" band to be a heavy blues affair but while Trucks guitar definitely gets put to use throughout, Revelator is a fairly laid back soulful album. Tedeschi's voice is the real star here on songs like "Come See About Me," "Bound for Glory" and "Midnight in Harlem" while the heavier vibe of "Don't Let Me Slide" and "Learn How To Love" showcase the 11 members gifts for tight grooves and instrumental prowess.

27. Social Distortion - Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

Social Distortion channel the Stones more than ever before on "California (Hustle and Flow)" and "Can't Take It With You," go gangster on "Machine Gun Blues" and add in their typical heart on a sleeve punk ("Still Alive"). Throw in a few good ballads ("Bakersfield," "Diamond in the Rough") and you have a solid outing from this longtime Shaft Went to Africa favorite band.

26. Gregg Allman - Low Country Blues

Allman's best solo album since the 70's is a fine collection of old jazz and blues standards sung with conviction and passion by a man who's no stranger to overcoming hard times. T-Bone Burnett's production works very well here, adding haunting layers of reverb to give these songs an extra dimension. Allman is is fine voice throughout and absolutely kills it on "Little By Little," "Just Another Rider" and "Please Accept My Love."

Tomorrow: the top 25.

Wilco: The Whole Love (2011)

2011-09-29T11:10:00.000-05:00

Wilco has been a band for almost 20 years now and it seems strange that the current lineup is the longest running version of the band so far. The Whole Love is the band's 3rd studio album with these members (and 8th overall) and the best one the current incarnation has released. It's obvious that frontman Jeff Tweedy is more comfortable with the band than ever before and that comfort enables him to write in diverse styles that span the bands entire career. The opening experimental "Art of Almost" that shifts from electronic backed folk, into heavy guitar freakout over the course of it's seven minute runtime. "I Might," "Dawned on Me" "Born Alone" and "Standing O" are all exceptional guitar pop featuring memorable hooks and great guitar interplay. The baroque style of "Capitol City" is a fine take on "Sgt. Pepper's" era Beatles while the title tack is folk rock done right. "Sunloathe," "Black Moon," "Open Mind" and "Rising Red Lung" showcase Tweedy's softer folk/country side effectively. It's also a credit to the comfort level of the band that they can pull off the 12 minute acoustic closer "One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)" while having it only slightly meander. The Whole Love is Wilco hitting on all cylinders with an album that's diverse, interesting and comfortable in it's own skin. It will be on many year end best of lists.

Grade: B+

Track Listing:

1. "Art of Almost" (7:17)
2. "I Might" (4:01)
3. "Sunloathe" (3:20)
4. "Dawned on Me" (3:43)
5. "Black Moon" (3:56)
6. "Born Alone" (3:56)
7. "Open Mind" (3:40)
8. "Capitol City" (4:04)
9. "Standing O" (3:29)
10. "Rising Red Lung" (3:10)
11. "Whole Love" (3:50)
12. "One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend) (12:04)

Friday Video: Foo Fighters with Bob Mould - "Dear Rosemary" on Conan

2011-09-16T12:08:00.000-05:00

It's the Foo Fighters playing with Bob Mould. What else is there to say?

Thanks to The Audio Perv for the video.

The Horrible Crowes: Elsie (2011)

2011-09-08T11:22:00.000-05:00

The Gaslight Anthem are probably my favorite band to come along in the last 5 years or so finding out that lead singer and the bands creative force, Brian Fallon, was working with the bands guitar tech, Ian Perkins, on a side project of more low key music was an exciting thing. The resulting band, The Horrible Crowes, and their debut album, Elsie is not a disappointment but it's not a radical departure from Gaslight either.

The slow burn atmospheric build up of the opening "Last Rites" and "Sugar" are excellent ways for Fallon to stretch out and show a softer side that is only hinted at in Gaslight. This side pops up throughout the album in "Cherry Blossoms," "Black Betty & the Moon," and "I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together." and puts Fallon's voice and lyrics about love and loss front and center in a very effective manner. Anthemic heartfelt rock is still Fallon's trademark and the best songs on Elsie could easily fit on a Gaslight album with only minor changes. The stunning "Behold the Hurricane" and "Ladykiller" are the highlights of the album while the jangle pop of "Crush" and the organ driven "I Witnessed a Crime" right behind. Fallon also takes the music into heavy rock on a couple tracks with varying degrees of success. "Go Tell Everybody" works very well with it's mix of organ and loud guitar but the ham fisted "Mary Ann" comes off as forced and is easily the weakest track on the album.

Ultimately, Elsie is a good album that fans of Gaslight Anthem will certainly want to pick up. It's not a radical departure from Fallon's previous work and the best moments are the ones that come closest to what he's already done. As an side project of experimental work it's not a rousing success but as a glimpse into Fallon's musical abilities and influences it's a more than worthy placeholder until the next Gaslight Anthem album arrives.

Grade: B

Track Listing:
1. "Last Rites" (1:27)
2. "Sugar" (4:53)
3. "Behold the Hurricane" (4:04)
4. "I Witnessed a Crime" (3:05)
5. "Go Tell Everybody" (4:17)
6. "Cherry Blossoms" (4:07)
7. "Ladykiller" (4:24)
8. "Crush" (3:19)
9. "Mary Ann" (3:35)
10. "Black Betty & the Moon" (3:01)
11. "Blood Loss" (4:04)
12. "I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together" (5:37)

Red Hot Chili Peppers: I'm With You (2011)

2011-08-30T10:08:00.000-05:00

If there's one thing you can say about the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album, I'm With You, is that it certainly does exist and that it sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Even with the loss of longtime off and on again guitarist John Frusciante the band's sound hasn't changed much but it does not go into the heavy psychedelic direction that Frusciante often drove them with good results. New guitar player Josh Klinghoffer is perfectly acceptable as a rhythm player but I'm With You lacks almost anything distinguishable in the guitar solo department (with the exception of the outro on "Goodbye Hooray"). On the positive side, Flea and Chad Smith remain a very potent rhythm section. Whether it's exploring African beats ("Ethiopia"), disco (lead single "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie," "Monarchy of Roses,") or the mid-tempo radio-friendly songs the Chili Peppers' have thrived on for years ("Look Around," "Happiness Loves Company") there's usually something interesting going on in regards to the bottom end. The same can't be said for vocalist Anthony Keidis. This may be a completely personal feeling and many others will likely disagree but his loverman shtick seems completely forced and annoying at this point. He does get in some very nice moments (especially on the celebratory tribute to a recently deceased friend "Brendan's Death Song") but really, he's just doing Anthony by the numbers. At this point there's probably not anywhere for him to go as a vocalist other than what he's previously done but mostly he just seems to be there, singing and to a lesser extent rapping. In fact the best way to describe I'm With You as a whole is that it's just there, available to be listened to but not something that demands attention. It's certainly not a terrible album but it's very unlikely that it will stick in your brain.

Rating: 3

Track Listing:

1. "Monarchy of Roses" (4:11)
2. "Factory of Faith" (4:20)
3. "Brendan's Death Song" (5:38)
4. "Ethiopia" (3:50)
5. "Annie Wants a Baby" (3:40)
6. "Look Around" (3:28)
7. "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" (4:42)
8. "Did I Let You Know" (4:21)
9. "Goodbye Hooray" (3:52)
10. "Happiness Loves Company" (3:33)
11. "Police Station" (5:35)
12. "Even You Brutus?" (4:01)
13. "Meet Me at the Corner" (4:21)
14. "Dance, Dance, Dance" (3:45)

Zebrahead: Get Nice! (2011)

2011-08-25T11:02:00.000-05:00

It's the refreshing sounds of bands from my college years. I have always had a soft spot for the mix of pop-punk and rap-rock that Zebrahead trades in but ever since original singer Justin Mauriello left and was replaced by Matty Lewis after MFZB I just haven't found them that interesting. Part if it is that Lewis' voice sounds like a 15 year old. Combine that with the increasingly sing-songy choruses the band presents and their songs often transcend catchy to become full out annoying. This is no more apparent than on jokey tracks like terrible hair metal referencing "She Don't Wanna Rock." There's a fine line between fun and lame "She Don't Wanna Rock" goes way beyond that line. While there's nothing else as awful as that song on Get Nice! there's nothing too fantastic either. "Nothing To Lose" has a chorus that is made for sing-a-longs even if the song goes on for a bit too long, lead single "Ricky Bobby" is a good attempt to incorporate hardcore into the mix and rapper Ali Tabatabee is in fine form throughout the album. Zebrahead is still a band with energy and enthusiasm to spare and their hardcore fans probably wont be disappointed in Get Nice! but the band has made much more interesting, fun and exciting records in their career.

Rating: 2.5

Track Listing:

1. "Blackout" (3:45)
2. "Nothing to Lose" (3:53)
3. "She Don't Wanna Rock" (3:09)
4. "Ricky Bobby" (2:42)
5. "Get Nice!" (3:23)
6. "The Joke's on You" (3:03)
7. "Nudist Priest" (3:08)
8. "Galileo Was Wrong" (3:15)
9. "Truck Stops and Tail Lights" (3:22)
10. "I'm Definitely Not Gonna Miss You" (3:48)
11. "Too Bored to Bleed" (3:58)
12. "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" (4:10)
13. "This Is Gonna Hurt You Way More Than It's Gonna Hurt Me" (4:03)
14. "Demon Days" (3:05)

Rockpile: Live at Montreux 1980

2011-08-24T10:55:00.000-05:00

Rockpile is quite simply one of the greatest pure rock and roll bands of all time. What's that? You've never heard of them? That's OK, there's no better time than now to get blown away by a new discovery. They're brand of revved up Chuck Berry music was well documented in the pub rock revival of the late 70's and even though they only released one official studio album (1980's fantastic Second's of Pleasure) they did play on great solo albums from group members Dave Edmunds (Tracks on Wax 4, Repeat When Necessary ) and Nick Lowe (Labour of Lust). While they were an outstanding studio band, on stage is where they really made their mark and now we finally have an official live album as the proof.

Live at Montreux 1980 finds Rockpile pulling songs from Edmunds and Lowe's "solo" albums as well as Second's of Pleasure and some choice covers. All the songs are played with extreme passion, energy and precision. Edmunds get most of the lead parts here and the relative lack of Lowe is one of the few drawbacks to this outstanding live document (guitarist Billy Bremner sings a couple to complement his lean but efficient solo's while drummer Terry Williams stakes a claim as one of the most underrated sticksmen of all time). You've probably heard more popular version of "I Knew the Bride" and "Queen of Hearts" countless times bedfore but until you've heard them blasted out on stage by Rockpile. They also crush versions of Lowe's "Switchboard Susan" and "They Call it Rock," Edmunds "I Hear You Knocking," Graham Parker's "Crawling From the Wreckage" and a set closing version of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Let's Talk About Us" that is sure to leave everyone wanting more.

Live at Montreux 1980 isn't the perfect place to start listening to Rockpile (any of the studio stuff is more essential) but it is a fantastic album that captures a truly phenomenal (and vastly underrepresented) live band at their peak. Get a copy, turn it up and let the music blast. This is what rock and roll at it's core is is all about.

Rating: 4.5

Track Listing:

1. "Sweet Little Lisa" (2:34)
2. "So It Goes" (2:49)
3. "I Knew the Bride" (2:46)
4. "Queen of Hearts" (2:56)
5. "Switchboard Susan" (3:16)
6. "Trouble Boys" (3:16)
7. "Teacher Teacher" (2:42)
8. "Girls Talk" (3:23)
9. "3 Time Loser" (2:54)
10. "You Ain't Nothin' but Fine" (2:49)
11. "Crawling From the Wreckage" (3:07)
12. "Let It Rock" (2:52)
13. "I Hear You Knocking" (2:34)
14. "They Called it Rock" (3:50)
15. "Ju Ju Man" (3:22)
16. "Let's Talk About Us" (3:59)

Fountains of Wayne: Sky Full of Holes

2011-08-11T11:09:00.000-05:00

It seems there are very few bands making smart, funny guitar pop these days. Fountains of Wayne are one of the few and the best of the bunch. Their fifth album, Sky Full of Holes, is a another solid outing that doesn't feature anything sure to top the charts like "Stacy's Mom" did a few years ago but no matter how poppy Fountains of Wayne's music is (and it's very poppy), it's never really been about "hits" either. Between the pseudo-surf guitar hook of "This Summer Place," the folk-rock shuffle of "Richie and Reuben," the horn fueled 80' pop of "Radio Bar", the steel guitar driven country of "Road Song" and the power pop of "Down By the Water" there are plenty of songs that wouldn't feel out of place on the radio and it's a shame that none of them likely will end up there. While Fountains of Wayne are masters of pop music stylings, it's their lyrics that make them a great band. They're funny, intelligent story songs paint a great picture and sometimes come out of left field (who else would rhyme "Cracker Barrel" with "Will Ferrel?") If there's a downside to Sky Full of Holes it's that a couple songs cross the line from memorable to annoying ("Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart," "Action Hero") and a few of the ballads take a long time to sink in. Sky Full of Holes is certainly not the best Fountains of Wayne album but it's a fine entry into the catalog of a criminally underrated band.

Rating: 3.5

Track Listing:

1. "The Summer Place" (3:31)
2. "Richie and Reuben" (3:32)
3. "Acela" (3:13)
4. "Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart" (3:54)
5. "Action Hero" (4:00)
6. "A Dip In the Ocean" (3:35)
7. "Cold Comfort Flowers" (4:26)
8. "A Road Song" (3:04)
9. "Workingman's Hands" (2:39)
10. "Hate To See You Like This" (4:14)
11. "Radio Bar" (2:56)
12. "Firelight Waltz" (3:14)
13. "Cemetery Guns" (2:54)

John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives: The Man That Time Forgot

2011-08-03T12:40:00.000-05:00

It seems that in today's musical climate most artists tend to go one of two ways; either they attempt to push genres forward in search of something unheard before (which is almost impossible at this point) or retreat into the past with retro stylings. Memphis rocker John Paul Keith and his band the One Four Fives are firmly in the second category. Their sound may not be anything that isn't based firmly in the past (specifically the late 50's and early 60's) but it's played with such passion, skill and intelligence that it's impossible to not get caught up in the music.

Their second album, The Man That Time Forgot, is a fantastic showcase for not only the bands musical abilities but Keith's excellent songwriting and clever lyrics. Every song is a winner featuring great hooks, obvious passion and an excellent variety of styles. With songs ranging from early-era influenced rock and roll ("Never Could Say No," Anyone Can Do It," the Buddy Holly vibe of "Bad Luck Baby), classic country both upbeat ("You Devil You") and reflective ("The Last Last Call"), blue-eyed soul ("Songs For Sale" and the beautiful "Somebody Ought To Write a Song About You") and even some jazz ("I Work At Night") Keith showcases a great ear for the past but his lyrics remain planted in the present. The garage rock influenced "Afraid To Look" and the weeping title track, tackle issues of both economic and social unrest. "Anyone Can Do It" reflects on the current state of music with humor and unfortunately isn't far from the truth.

The Man That Time Forgot is certainly a fitting title for the music of John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives. It's a great retro rock album that will likely go down as one of the most purely enjoyable albums of the year. My highest recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in roots music.

Rating: 4.5

Track Listing:

1. "Never Could Say No" (2:38)
2. "You Devil You" (2:35)
3. "Anyone Can Do It" (2:34)
4. "Songs For Sale" (2:34)
5. "Afraid To Look" (3:06)
6. "The Man That Time Forgot" (2:34)
7. "I Think I Fell In Love Today" (2:32)
8. "Dry County" (2:05)
9. "Somebody Ought To Write A Song About You" (3:07)
10. "Bad Luck Baby" (2:09)
11. "I Work At Night" (4:05)
12. "The Last Last Call" (2:55)

Wednesday Video: Frank Turner: "If I Ever Stray"

2011-08-03T08:21:00.000-05:00

Frank Turner has just released the second video from his excellent new album England Keep My Bones. The song is a pure sing-along and the video is pretty simple but definitely gets the point of living a simple life across. Enjoy.

Wednesday Video: Tedeschi Trucks Band - "Learn How To Love" on Conan

2011-07-20T11:10:00.000-05:00

I've been slacking and haven't written a review for the excellent new album from the Tedechi Trucks Band (among ohers) for a couple months now but at least I can post this video of them playing "Learn How To Love" on Conan Last night. The album's really good and here's a nice taste. Thanks to the Audio Perv for the video.

Alkaline Trio: Damnesia (2011)

2011-07-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

When bands make acoustic cover albums of their own songs it's generally little more than a contractual obligation that's only going to appeal to hardcore fans . Alkaline Trio's latest, Damnesia, is no exception. It's a wholly enjoyable album for anyone already know's each one of these songs by heart but there's little here to give newcomers a good idea of why those hardcore fans are so hardcore. Of course if you haven't discovered Alkaline Trio by now, you probably never will and those hardcore fans will undoubtedly buy Damnesia without hesitation and won't be disappointed. Pulling songs from every one of their studio albums, Alkaline Trio give most songs the straight acoustic transfer (with "We've Had Enough," "Mercy Me" "Radio" and "Nose Over Tail" working really well) but there are a few songs that get radically different arrangements. "This Could Be Love" is slowed down considerably and is a more haunting rendition than the one on Good Mourning. "Private Eye" is also much slower and string laden but lacks the immediacy and urgency that makes the version on From here To Infirmary so memorable. There are also a couple new tracks in the salute to malt liquor "Olde English 800" and the lackluster "I Remember a Rooftop". Rounding out the album is a rousing cover of the Violent Femme's "I Held Her In My Arms" which is the most joyous song on Damnesia and one of the best. While it's far from a necessarily album, Damnesia is sure to please the legions of fans Alkaline Trio has accumulated over the years. It's a good placeholder until their next full length is ready to go.

Rating: 3

Track Listing:

1. "Calling All Skeletons" (3:31)
2. "Nose Over Tail" (2:42)
3. "This Could Be Love" (4:26)
4. "Every Thug Needs a Lady" (3:42)
5. "Clavicle" (2:39)
6. "Mercy Me" (3:02)
7. "The American Scream" (3:16)
8. "We've Had Enough" (2:49)
9. "Olde English 800" (1:37)
10. "I Held Her In My Arms" (2:42)
11. "Blue in the Face" (3:41)
12. "I Remember a Rooftop" (3:39)
13. "Private Eye" (3:47)
14. "You've Got So Far To Go" (3:12)
15. "Radio" (5:23)

My Day With KISS

2011-06-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

Last week I came to realize that I had very little exposure to hard rock legends/lunch box salesmen extraordinaire's, KISS. With the urging of a couple friends I spent a whole day of work listening to KISS on my work van stereo. The results were far from disastrous and while I won't say I came away with an appreciation of them as a band, I certainly didn't hate the time I spent with them either. Here are my (very brief) thoughts on a partial discography.

Kiss - 1974

Kiss' self titled first album is a good collection of hard rock songs. "Strutter," "Nothing to Lose," "Firehouse," "Cold Gin," "Deuce" and "Black Diamond" are all good songs. There's a couple throwaways but I like it.

Hotter Than Hell -1974

Hotter than Hell is pretty terrible. The production sucks and there were only 1 or 2 songs in the middle that I cared for.

Dressed to Kill - 1975

Dressed to Kill is better than Hotter Than Hell but aside from "Rock 'N' Roll All Night" the songs are all really generic.

Alive! - 1975

This is where KISS became superstars and it's easy to see why. The live versions of most songs blow away the studio versions. If you only want to own one KISS album, this is it.

Destroyer - 1976

Destroyer is their first album that is pretty unfair to make a judgment on after one listen (though I heard it years ago and know at least half the songs). A lot more experimentation which probably isn't Kiss' strong suit but most of it worked pretty well. Will have to give it another go.

Rock & Roll Over - 1976

Rock and Roll all Over is back to straight hard rock but aside from the 2 famous songs ("Dr. Love" and "Hard Luck Woman" and 1 or 2 more it's again pretty generic and unexciting hard rock.

Love Gun - 1977

Love Gun is definitely one of their better albums. The songs hooks are a lot better and more consistant. Could really live without the lame cover of "Then He Kissed Me."

Alive 2

Alive II isn't as great as Alive but it's still far better then most of their studio work. Again the live versions of songs are generally way better than the studio one's.

Dynasty - 1979

After releasing the completely lame gimmick of four simultaneous solo albums (which I haven't listened to), KISS released this pile of shit. It's pretty terrible.

Unmasked - 1980

I made it through half of the first song before skipping this completely. I was pretty burnt out on KISS by now and that song was truly awful.

Creatures of the Night - 1982

Better than the last 2 (and one that I skipped, something Elder) but by no means anything I ever want to hear again.

Lick It Up

I'm not sure who was in the band besides Stanley and Simmons at this point but I do know they ditched the makeup. This one sounds a lot like straight hair metal so there's not much of chance that I will like it but it's not a horrible album.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I think KISS at their best is a good hard rock band with a great gimmick while at their worst listenable but highly generic dumb rock (at least in their prime, after the solo album mess most of this stuff is practically unlistenable).

If I ever see a copy of Alive 1 or 2 at a used record shop for under 5 bucks I won't hesitate to pick up a copy.

Thursday Video: Raphael Saadiq, "Daydreams" - Live on Leno with Robert Randolph

2011-06-23T10:23:00.001-05:00

Raphael Saadiq AND Robert Randolph? Sign me up! Anyway the two of them teamed up (along with Saadiq's awesome backing band) to rock out "Daydreams on Leno last night. It's one of the many fantastic songs on Saadiq's excellent new album Stone Rollin'. Thanks to The Audio Perv for the video.

R.I.P. Clarence Clemons - "Jungleland"

2011-06-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

There's not much for me to say. There are tons of great tribute articles from this weekend all over the internet that are far better than anything I'd come up with. You will be missed Big Man. This is the best performance of "Jungleland" I've seen on Youtube (and there are a lot). Clarence really nailed the solo here.