Friday, December 23, 2005
Sadly (to a few), more than three months have passed sinced my last update. The roots of laziness run very deep, I'm afraid, and for that I blame society. Society made me what I am.
I'm not serious, I was just quoting a line from Repo Man, a classic movie that should be on everybody's Christmas list.
As another holiday season has nearly come and gone, my younger brother is home with his family, the Vikings and Suns are both winning, and the local brewpub has an excellent barleywine on tap. For now, things are good. Merry Christmas everybody!
Long time readers (all three of you) will notice that I've added a link at the bottom so you can add comments to each post. Please check it out.
Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Eventually, some young band was bound to carry the blueprint laid down by the Talking Heads circa 1983 into the new millenium. Brooklyn upstarts CYHSY proudly do that on their auspicious debut, and in doing so they produced one of the best albums of 2005. Seek this one out and you'll be amply rewarded.
2) Gang Of Four - Return The Gift
Seminal leftist punk band Go4's first album in 20 years consists of recent re-recordings of their best and earliest work, originally released from 1979-82 or thereabouts. While the sound of the new recordings is great, the improvement over the originals is marginal. Why accept substitutes when the originals are still available?
3) Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison
After seeing and enjoying Walk The Line, I naturally had to pull out some Cash. While I enjoyed his later Rick Rubin produced albums, JC was clearly at the top of his game on this 1968 live album. See the movie......but only listen to the genuine article.
4) Trey Anastasio - Shine
The former Phishman almost gets it right on first solo album since the band called it quits in 2004. More radio friendly and with less noodling than any Phish album, these songs will open up just fine when he takes them on the road. The best songs here clock in at just three minutes, very economical by Phish standards. The last half of the CD lags a bit, however, and the slick production doesn't serve Trey well. A decent album by a very good guitarist.
5) My Morning Jacket - Z
Maybe this will be the album that puts MMJ onto the big stage they deserve. More consistent though less heartfelt than 2001's At Dawn, MMJ's best album, the new one showcases all the usual influences (Neil Young, the Band, etc.) while adding experimental touches a' la Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev. Perhaps MMJ is the American Radiohead.
6) Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Live At Billy Bob's Texas
Clyne's current outfit will never reach the glorious highs of his previous band, local heroes The Refreshments. Regardless, this 2005 live album gives a nice overview of his post-90's work, and there's a few Refreshments gems included. Country-rock and power pop with tongue firmly in cheek. Fun stuff.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
The Elevators - Frontline [1980]
The Feelies - The Good Earth [198?]
Mark Isham - Film Music [1987]
Rolling Stones - Tattoo You [1981]
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead [1986]
Fetchin' Bones - Bad Pumpkin [1986]
Wayne Shorter - Phantom Navigator [1986]
Randy Newman - Trouble In Paradise [1983]
The Grateful Dead - Live Dead [1969]
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega [1985]
Neil Young - Old Ways [1985]
No Nukes [1980]
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Southern Accents [1985]
Danny And Dusty - The Lost Weekend [1985]
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.
I'm not serious, I was just quoting a line from Repo Man, a classic movie that should be on everybody's Christmas list.
As another holiday season has nearly come and gone, my younger brother is home with his family, the Vikings and Suns are both winning, and the local brewpub has an excellent barleywine on tap. For now, things are good. Merry Christmas everybody!
Long time readers (all three of you) will notice that I've added a link at the bottom so you can add comments to each post. Please check it out.
Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Eventually, some young band was bound to carry the blueprint laid down by the Talking Heads circa 1983 into the new millenium. Brooklyn upstarts CYHSY proudly do that on their auspicious debut, and in doing so they produced one of the best albums of 2005. Seek this one out and you'll be amply rewarded.
2) Gang Of Four - Return The Gift
Seminal leftist punk band Go4's first album in 20 years consists of recent re-recordings of their best and earliest work, originally released from 1979-82 or thereabouts. While the sound of the new recordings is great, the improvement over the originals is marginal. Why accept substitutes when the originals are still available?
3) Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison
After seeing and enjoying Walk The Line, I naturally had to pull out some Cash. While I enjoyed his later Rick Rubin produced albums, JC was clearly at the top of his game on this 1968 live album. See the movie......but only listen to the genuine article.
4) Trey Anastasio - Shine
The former Phishman almost gets it right on first solo album since the band called it quits in 2004. More radio friendly and with less noodling than any Phish album, these songs will open up just fine when he takes them on the road. The best songs here clock in at just three minutes, very economical by Phish standards. The last half of the CD lags a bit, however, and the slick production doesn't serve Trey well. A decent album by a very good guitarist.
5) My Morning Jacket - Z
Maybe this will be the album that puts MMJ onto the big stage they deserve. More consistent though less heartfelt than 2001's At Dawn, MMJ's best album, the new one showcases all the usual influences (Neil Young, the Band, etc.) while adding experimental touches a' la Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev. Perhaps MMJ is the American Radiohead.
6) Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Live At Billy Bob's Texas
Clyne's current outfit will never reach the glorious highs of his previous band, local heroes The Refreshments. Regardless, this 2005 live album gives a nice overview of his post-90's work, and there's a few Refreshments gems included. Country-rock and power pop with tongue firmly in cheek. Fun stuff.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
The Elevators - Frontline [1980]
The Feelies - The Good Earth [198?]
Mark Isham - Film Music [1987]
Rolling Stones - Tattoo You [1981]
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead [1986]
Fetchin' Bones - Bad Pumpkin [1986]
Wayne Shorter - Phantom Navigator [1986]
Randy Newman - Trouble In Paradise [1983]
The Grateful Dead - Live Dead [1969]
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega [1985]
Neil Young - Old Ways [1985]
No Nukes [1980]
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Southern Accents [1985]
Danny And Dusty - The Lost Weekend [1985]
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.
