Sunday, August 29, 2004
No bloviating this time. Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:
King Crimson- Discipline
I got a CD version of this 1981 release when I discovered I no longer have a copy on vinyl. On this album, newcomer (at the time) guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew dominated, creating an album that sounded a lot like early 80s groups Talking Heads or Pere Ubu. Great stuff, especially the opening track "Elephant Talk".
John Hiatt & The Goners - Record Live Sept 2, 2000 (bootleg)
I downloaded this bootleg in advance of the local Hiatt show coming up Sept. 4. On this one, Hiatt and his longtime band were recorded live at the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite, CA. I'll never tire of John Hiatt.
Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash - Walk Alone
My so-called friend Lowell loaned me this debut CD (circa 2000) from BSOJC several months after we watched them locally at the Rhythm Room. They play an updated version of the "Bakersfield sound" popularized many years ago by the likes of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Though not very original, I think the band sounds a lot better on CD than they did live. They also have the greatest band name in recent memory.
Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts Now
On his newly released album longtime alt-country stalwart Earle continues his political ranting, similar to his 2002 Jerusalem release. Sounds kinda like a Tennessee version of The Clash.
Wilco - The Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Demos (bootleg)
I downloaded this one after reading a review of it at www.popmatters.com. I've felt the last few Wilco albums were overproduced, resulting in a "sterile" sound that is hard to warm up to. In their pre-released form, the seven tracks that eventually ended up on YHF have a much looser feel. The tracks included here that didn't make the final cut are very diverse, displaying a range of influences (Stones, Petty, et al) not heard on official Wilco releases.
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
I've never been a big SY fan, with my only previous exposure being their Daydream Nation album, a CD that's been gathering dust in my collection since 1988. I guess always felt I was too old for their loud feedback experimentation. Also, I didn't have a CD player in my car back then, and most of SY's music would drive my wife out of the house (of course, it seems that's true for a lot of what I own). Regardless, my friend Rich encouraged me to give SY's new one a shot, and I'm glad he did. This one is much quieter and much more accessible (though still plenty raucous) than I remember them sounding before. Though still not for the faint-hearted, this one certainly bears further listening.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
New dad Rich recently cleaned out his garage and foolishly elected to get rid of his old vinyl records (I think pending fatherhood made him woozy). Anyway, he gave me first crack at his pristine collection of 70s and 80s vinyl, which I of course used to my full advantage. Here's what I've heard so far:
Split Enz - True Colors (1979)
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Genesis - Nursery Cryme (1971)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Pictures At An Exhibition (1972)
Dave Davies - AFL1-3603 (1980)
Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (1982)
Icehouse - Sidewalk (1984)
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (1982)
Roxy Music - The High Road EP (1983)
Thomas Dolby - The Flat Earth (1984)
Bob Dylan - Infidels (1983)
The Cure - The Head On The Door (1985)
David Byrne - The Catherine Wheel (1981)
Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.
As you were!
King Crimson- Discipline
I got a CD version of this 1981 release when I discovered I no longer have a copy on vinyl. On this album, newcomer (at the time) guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew dominated, creating an album that sounded a lot like early 80s groups Talking Heads or Pere Ubu. Great stuff, especially the opening track "Elephant Talk".
John Hiatt & The Goners - Record Live Sept 2, 2000 (bootleg)
I downloaded this bootleg in advance of the local Hiatt show coming up Sept. 4. On this one, Hiatt and his longtime band were recorded live at the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite, CA. I'll never tire of John Hiatt.
Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash - Walk Alone
My so-called friend Lowell loaned me this debut CD (circa 2000) from BSOJC several months after we watched them locally at the Rhythm Room. They play an updated version of the "Bakersfield sound" popularized many years ago by the likes of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Though not very original, I think the band sounds a lot better on CD than they did live. They also have the greatest band name in recent memory.
Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts Now
On his newly released album longtime alt-country stalwart Earle continues his political ranting, similar to his 2002 Jerusalem release. Sounds kinda like a Tennessee version of The Clash.
Wilco - The Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Demos (bootleg)
I downloaded this one after reading a review of it at www.popmatters.com. I've felt the last few Wilco albums were overproduced, resulting in a "sterile" sound that is hard to warm up to. In their pre-released form, the seven tracks that eventually ended up on YHF have a much looser feel. The tracks included here that didn't make the final cut are very diverse, displaying a range of influences (Stones, Petty, et al) not heard on official Wilco releases.
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
I've never been a big SY fan, with my only previous exposure being their Daydream Nation album, a CD that's been gathering dust in my collection since 1988. I guess always felt I was too old for their loud feedback experimentation. Also, I didn't have a CD player in my car back then, and most of SY's music would drive my wife out of the house (of course, it seems that's true for a lot of what I own). Regardless, my friend Rich encouraged me to give SY's new one a shot, and I'm glad he did. This one is much quieter and much more accessible (though still plenty raucous) than I remember them sounding before. Though still not for the faint-hearted, this one certainly bears further listening.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
New dad Rich recently cleaned out his garage and foolishly elected to get rid of his old vinyl records (I think pending fatherhood made him woozy). Anyway, he gave me first crack at his pristine collection of 70s and 80s vinyl, which I of course used to my full advantage. Here's what I've heard so far:
Split Enz - True Colors (1979)
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Genesis - Nursery Cryme (1971)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Pictures At An Exhibition (1972)
Dave Davies - AFL1-3603 (1980)
Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (1982)
Icehouse - Sidewalk (1984)
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (1982)
Roxy Music - The High Road EP (1983)
Thomas Dolby - The Flat Earth (1984)
Bob Dylan - Infidels (1983)
The Cure - The Head On The Door (1985)
David Byrne - The Catherine Wheel (1981)
Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.
As you were!
