The Delete Bin

Graham Parker & the Rumour Perform ‘Black Honey’

Rob — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:06:43 +0000

Listen to this track by pub rock heroes Graham Parker & the Rumour. It's the contemplative "Black Honey" as taken from the band's 1976 album Heat Treatment, their second LP, and one which is held as one of the most enduring of its kind out of the mid-70s British pub rock scene. Parker was a key figure in British pub rock, inspired by Dr. Feelgood and American soul music, with a splash of Bob Dylan for good measure. His sound takes in all of that, plus later to incorporate reggae and even country music. His band The Rumour were all notable players, and one of the best live acts in the circuit, known for their mastery over a wide range of styles. As such, Parker's considerable songwriting capacity was given free rein.

Frank Black Sings ‘I Burn Today’

Rob — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:11 +0000

Here's a clip of former Pixies belter Frank Black (aka Black Francis, kids) with a track from his 2005 Honeycomb album. It's "I Burn Today", a song which betrays Black's love for mid-60s Bob Dylan. In fact, Black followed His Bobness' path to Nashville, recording this album and song in a like manner to 1966's Blonde on Blonde.

Elvis Costello & the Attractions Play ‘Riot Act’

Rob — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:14 +0000

Listen to this track, the closing song on 1980's Get Happy!!, recorded quickly after a dreary American tour and with a pile of Northern Soul 45s as a means to create it. Yet, there were other forces that helped to make this particular track - scandal! Picture the scene in a Columbus Ohio hotel bar, with a well-in-the-bag Costello, along with Attractions bassist Bruce Thomas, as well as members of Stephen Stills' band, including one Bonnie Bramlett. As such, we have something of the old guard in Stills' party, argubly 60s hippy remnants at somewhat of a descending arc by 1979. To contrast, Elvis Costello was being hailed as the future of rock 'n' roll, and as far away from Woodstock ideals as could be - at least on the surface. Musicians being the competitive sort, and some being rather belligerent after a few beers, an argument ensued. And boy, did it get ugly.

Classic Rock: Corporate Magazines Still Suck, Don’t They?

Rob — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:50 +0000

This month's contribution from author, music fan, and curmudgeonly pop culture critic Geoff Moore is all about the lost art of music journalism, back when music writers for Rolling Stone, Creem, and Trouser Press served as conduits to the ever-elusive future of rock 'n' roll. And where did that future take the music press, exactly? Find out here, good people!

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers Perform ‘Rockin’ Shopping Center’

Rob — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:28 +0000

Listen to this track by rock 'n' roll throwback eccentric Jonathan Richman and his band the Modern Lovers with their ode to the symbol of suburban gentrification. It's 'Rockin' Shopping Center', as taken from the band' 1976 self-titled LP.

The Bangles Perform ‘In Your Room’

Rob — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:30 +0000

Listen to this track by one-time Paisley Underground darlings and former Egyptian-walkers The Bangles. It's their 1988 single 'In Your Room' as taken from their EverythingLP. This song features the sultry vocals from lead guitarist and singer Susannah Hoffs, the ah-ah backing vocals from drummer Vicki Peterson, rhythm guitarist Debbie Peterson, and bassist Michael Steel, and the raga-esque strings on the outro that tie the band's sound to the mid-to-late 60s more so than the late 80s.

The Beach Boys Sing ‘Surf’s Up’

Rob — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:05 +0000

Listen to this track, a marvelous piece of orchestral pop, and indeed a fragment of a bona fide teenage symphony to god. It's 'Surf's Up' from the album of the same name from 1971, and recently coupled with 1970's Sunflower album in a CD twofer, Sunflower/Surf's Up. The song comes off like a suite, on this version led first by Brian's brother Carl Wilson (who also served as the band's musical director by the early 70s) with his famously angelic vocal range on the 'Are you Sleeping Brother John' sequence. Then, on the second 'Dove nested towers ...' section, Brian himself takes the lead vocal, with a follow-up section 'The Child is the Father of the Man', actually another track from the original SMiLE sessions, tacked on to it. This section features the full range of what the Beach Boys had to offer as a vocal unit, which is no less than an approach to male harmony vocals that changed the face of pop music forever.

Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians Play “My Wife and My Dead Wife”

Rob — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:45 +0000

Listen to this track, a Bowiesque tale of the supernatural, or maybe just another love song from a different angle. It's Robyn Hitchcock and his then-new band the Egyptians with "My Wife and My Dead Wife" as taken from the 1985 album Fegmania! Hitchcock is known of course for his ability to write from unexpected vantage points, often judged as willfully weird, even if his abilities with writing pop hooks are as accessible as you'd like. The oddness is certainly front and centre here. But, the story here of a man with an unwelcome house guest - his former, in every sense, wife. But, is this a literal tale of a man and his new bride plagued by the spirit of his deceased wife? Or is this just an elaborate metaphor for a man who has remarried too soon, who has not let himself get over one love before pursuing another?

John Lennon Sings ‘Real Love’

Rob — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:43:10 +0000

Listen to this track, a lullaby from the Walrus who became John, recorded as a home demo while a househusband taking care of toddler Sean. Both Lennon's were born on the same day - October 9th, 1940 and 1975 respectively. Happy birthday! The song would of course provide the basis for a new Beatles song by the mid-90s, when the surviving Beatles gathered together in the studio with the help of producer Jeff Lynne, with John's ghostly vocal underpinning the pop sheen that Lynne, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr built up around it. Unlike the wonderful "Free As A Bird", the results are less of a success to my ears. I prefer John's demo, which I originally heard on the Imagine : John LennonOriginal Soundtrack album.

Lyrics Born Performs “Callin’ Out”

Rob — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:05 +0000

Listen to this track by hip hop messiah Lyrics Born. It's "Callin' Out", a party tune with something of an inwardly-looking point of view, unpinned by a groove inspired by 70s funk as much as from modern hip-hop. The track is taken from 2003's Later That Day..., a debut album that is the product of an active career in hip hop as a support player.