HIDDEN TRACK IS PREDICTABLY NUMBER SIXTY NINE, DUDE

ARTIST: CRACKER
ALBUM: KEROSENE HAT
SONG: EUROTRASH GIRL
DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 1994
STATUS: ACQUIRED

One of the first CD's I ever bought was Cracker's Kerosene Hat. When I put it in the CD player it registered 99 tracks. I assumed because Cracker was a little alternative band that didn't get much air play (at that time) that their recording studio didn't have the technology to set the number of tracks properly. In retrospect this was pretty stupid, but it was the mid 90's. When it came to technology we were only one step ahead of the monkey in front of the obelisk. Then one day out of curiosity I skipped ahead to track 99 to find an outtake from their recording, and that's when I realized they did it all on purpose. Hidden tracks are so 90's.

I never listened to the tracks between between Looser and that outtake until one day I came back into the room after leaving the CD player on to hear "Eurotrash Girl" playing. I loved the song, and it kept getting better and better, especially after I spent sometime bumming around Europe.

There where two other hidden tracks on that album, "Hi-Desert Meth Lab" a sort of sound collage on track 15, and "Take Me (Back) To You" on 88.

SOUTHSIDE BRONX!

ARTIST: BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS
ALBUM: SEX AND VIOLENCE
SONG: WE IN THERE
DATE: 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Biggie? 2Pac? ... Nah. No one brought it like KRS1. That's why you never hear his name unless you are talking with a true hip-hop head; no emcee wanted to tangle with KRS.

Before going solo KRS ran with Boogie Down Productions. Over five albums there sound evolved along with the rest of hip hop from the slow stepping sound of early Bronx-centric rap to a more dynamic and diverse sound that would emerge as the mature sound of 90's hip hop.

Sex and Violence was BDP's final effort and KRS brings it, flipping Hip-Hop conventions, such as homophobia, to shame emcees who strike false hardcore gangster poses to rock a party. 90's rap, even when it was intelligently assembled by someone as talented as KRS, was rarely politically correct.

ONE HIT WONDERS HAVE SECOND ALBUMS AND THIRD ALBUMS

ARTIST: HARVEY DANGER
ALBUM: KING JAMES VERSION
SONG: SAD SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO
DATE: 2000
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Harvey Danger's Flagpole Sitta was a mega hit in America. None of there following songs ever approached its lofty heights, but that's not to say that they stopped making great songs. Sweetheart of the Rodeo was the first single from their follow up album. Maybe it lacks that "it" thing that makes a great song a hit, but all the Harvey Danger strengths are on display.

THINGS DOLOMITE WOULD SAY

ARTIST: DR. DRE
ALBUM: THE CHRONIC
SONG: LET ME RIDE
DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Few things actually changed everything, but Dre's 1992 album the Chronic did. For years afterwards every rap album sounded like the Chronic. It sounds like gangsters, but its really about parties.

MONDAY'S ARE EPIC. GET IN THE CAR AND DRIVE LIKE YOUR COMMUTE IS MEANINGLESS AND EPIC.

ARTIST: SOUL COUGHING
ALBUM: RUBY VROOM
SONG: SCREENWRITER'S BLUES
DATE: 1995
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

As grunge trickled out, burned out, or was washed under by waves of "grunge" bands quirky "alternative" pop acts surged into the ears of those of us listening for the authentic. Soul Coughing: strange, epic, groovy; stared into the epic nonsense that is life anywhere, even in America, especially in Los Angles where you don't have the secure urbane illusion of living a connective narrative, and channeled it into poetics.

AT FIVE-SEVEN SHE'S TWO INCHES TALLER THAN BLACK THOUGHT

ARTIST: THE ROOTS
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: THE SILENT TREATMENT
DATE: 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

The Roots is one of the top five Hip-Hop acts of the 90's. Nobody sounds like them because of their live backing sound, and Black Thought is a supremely effective rapper and front man. This early jam is so smooth and so funky.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALL THE GREAT SOUL BANDS

ARTIST: TONY TONI TONE
ALBUM: SONS OF SOUL
SONG: LEAVIN'
DATE: APRIL 12, 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Tony, Toni, Tone, was a great little soul band. Real music, real vocals. They were miscast as a New Jack Swing act, and many of there recordings suffer from the flat tinny sound of this style, but they quickly moved into a Proto-Neo-Soul mode that produced gem's like this one.

ALTERNATIVE TO ALTERNATIVE

ARTIST: FAITH NO MORE
ALBUM: ANGEL DUST
SONG: A SMALL VICTORY
DATE: AUGUST 3, 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Faith No More was the genre bending act that seemed determined to never break out into the main stream. They wanted to thrash and rock, but were never afraid to mix in dance and hip hop influences. They created a strange mix much like Tai food.  It's not as popular as Chinese, but those who like it, love it.

ALMOST THE SONG OF THE DECADE

ARTIST: R.E.M.
ALBUM: OUT OF TIME
SONG: LOSING MY RELIGION
DATE: FEBRUARY 19, 1994
STATUS: AQUIRED

There are two R.E.M.s. The one before Out of Time, an emotional punkish rag tag act out of the southern collegiate hinterland of Athens Georgia, and the one after, a full blown artistic machine that could fully recognize any notion it collectively held.

"Losing My Religion's" instrumental exploration would set the metric against which all other R.E.M. work would be compared, before, after, return, etc. The lyrics are wonderfully poetic and impassioned without ever honing in on a narrative.

PICASO AND EINSTEIN DIAL IN

ARTIST: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
ALBUM: APOLLO 18
SONG(S): FINGERTIPS
DATE: MARCH 24, 1992
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Technology drives innovation, and innovation drives technology. In the early 90's, we had these things called "Compact Discs" or CD's for short. They were like records only they were digital, not analog. These CD's were played in machines that could play an album from beginning to end as they had been forever, or they could play the songs in a random order by pressing a button labeled "shuffle".

As an exploration of the potential of this technology, They Might be Giants recorded 21 mini songs for their 1992 album "Apollo 18". When one pressed "shuffle" there was no predicting what order the songs would come, but by far the weirdest way to play them was beginning to end, something TMBG does regularly in concert.

POSSIBLY THE COOLEST SONG NAME EVER

ARTIST: EVERCLEAR
ALBUM: WORLD OF NOICE
SONG: FIRE MAPLE SONG
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

For those of you who haven't heard Everclear's first album, World of Noise, do yourself a solid and pick it up. It is what the title says it is.

I don't think "Fire Maple Song" is about anything I can relate to directly, but there's something in his voice that makes me cry. literally makes me cry. I'll just lose it when out running with my head phones on or riding on the bus. Does it every time. Suddenly a door opens connecting my inner and outer worlds. Things I've been keeping separate for so long I don't even know the barriers are there until their gone. Reminds me people I've lost.

ONE OF THE GREAT UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCES

ARTIST: NIRVANA
ALBUM: IN UTERO
SONG: ALL APOLOGIES
DATE: DECEMBER, 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

How good was MTV's Unplugged series. Ridiculously good. Hard rockin' (to many) Nirvana flash a rare direct look at the genius behind the howl.

EVERYTHING IS SOMETHING

ARTIST: DAVE MATTHEW'S BAND
ALBUM: UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
SONG: SATELLITE
DATE: 1995
STATUS: ACQUIRED

A friend of mine who was really into Hip-Hop, lets call him Sepi, was riding in my car when "Satellite" came on.

"Stop" he said, "I love this song" After a little while he asked me if I could explain the lyrics.

"Well...um...satellites?"

It was hard to say. Its not literally about anything. Its about satellites as a metaphor, as many metaphors all at once. Cycles, perspectives, life, death, eternity, the sublime of it all, and probably being a little stoned and watching the weather channel.

CURTIS MAYFIELD APPROVED

ARTIST: BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS
ALBUM: EDUTAINMENT
SONG: LOVE'S GONNA GET'CHA
DATE: JULY 17, 1990

Hands down, KRS-One is one of the top two or three MC's of the late 80's and 90's. His work with Boogie Down Production mates D-Nice and DJ Scott La Rock spans from the choppy rough collage sounds of early Hip-Hop to more complex De La Soul influenced tracks like Love's Gonna Get'Cha. Through it all and in to a solo career KRS never bends his lyrics to anyone's expectations. He keeps it knowledgeable and honest. His reverent respect for the art of Hip-Hop rings through in every lyric. He never takes it easy on a track.

This is a fantastic minimal video. Cool, minimal, and hard, just like the cut.

LIBERTY IS LIGHT, FREEDOM IS SUPER HEAVY

ARTIST: WEEN
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: FREEDOM OF '76
DATE: 1995
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Ween, a band so weird they can play it totally straight and come out sounding crazy avant-garde. Just a simple little ditty paying homage to the joys of their hometown, Philthadelphia. Where every you go, there you are. All things are equal.

BABY MAKING FRIDAY

ARTIST: D'ANGELO
ALBUM: BROWN SUGAR
SONG: BROWN SUGAR
DATE: JULY 3, 1885
STATUS: ACQUIRED

First Friday of the month is made for baby making...ughhhhhhhhhhh.

SCREW METAPHORS, JUST SAY WHATS ON YOUR MIND.

ARTIST: MAD COBRA
ALBUM: HARD TO WET EASY TO DRY
SONG: FLEX
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I had some very cool art teachers in high school. They offered a huge variety of classes. I took a photography class in which we made our own pin hole cameras. Very cool stuff. We'd spend have the class walking around the school unsupervised taking the pictures, and then our teacher would turn the class room into a dark room and we'd spend the second half of class all but unsupervised. Attempting to torment her by yelling obscene things in the dark was a favorite pass time. She never rose to the bait.

During dark room time a friend of mine and I would take turns yelling "Flex!" only to have the other reply "Time to have sex!"

THEY GO ALL THE WAY UP

ARTIST: RUPAUL
ALBUM: SUPERMODEL OF THE YEAR
SONG: SUPERMODEL (YOU BETTER WORK)
DATE: NOVEMBER, 17, 1992
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Settle down, not every thing good is about starving children in Kosovo, or lonely teenage girls and their acoustic guitars. Fun's important. Sometimes damn important. In times of repression important ideas retreat to the world of frivolous and fabulous where they hide under a vale of vanity.

RuPaul burst on the national stage just as gays where making major strides towards widespread acceptance. It confused the hell out of a lot of suburban teenage boys, but one of the important things about the song is that it is unabashedly of its roots and doesn't apologize for itself. Love it for what it is.

Get up and vogue a little in your cubical too. It'll be good for you.

DON THE FISHERMAN

ARTIST: PRIMUS
ALBUM: TALES FROM THE PUNCH BOWL
SONG: MRS. BLAILEEN
DATE: MAY 23, 1995
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I have to guess that there are at least a few teachers out there that did little Les Claypool wrong. Mrs. Blaileen you're on the list! all little Don wanted to be was a fisherman.

FALSETTO BOSS

ARTIST: GRANT LEE BUFFALO
ALBUM: COPPEROPOLIS
SONG: BETHLEHEM STEEL
DATE: JUNE 1996
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I love the mix, the piano pounding low in the background and the way the song grows and swells. The lyrics sound a bit like Springsteen subject. Its Monday in America. Time to get out there and deliver some services!

REMEBER WHEN BUCKET DRUMS WHERE NEW!

ARTIST: NAUGHTY BY NATURE
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: HIP HOP HOORAY
DATE: 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

They never actually say it in this song, but really you should just put your hands in the air and wave them like you have no consideration for what other people in your work place will say.

DIPPING WAY BACK

ARTIST: WAS (NOT WAS)
ALBUM: WHAT UP DOG?
SONG: WALK THE DINOSAUR
DATE: SEPTEMBER 1987
STATUS: ACQUIRED

This song is inexplicable. It feels like a throw back to earlier 80's songs, but there's something so willfully unmarketable about it that it, in some strange way, is a prelude to the assault of weirdness that would be alternative radio. There's also no denying the sensuality of this music. The voices are big and self assured and the instrumentation tight.

Its goofy as hell, and the video doesn't help, but its 100% true to maestros David Was and Don Was' vision.

THAT'S RIGHT....

ARTIST: NAZ FT. R. KELLY
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: STREET DREAMS RE:MIX
DATE: 1996
STATUS: ACQURED

Naz was the realest MC. Somehow he walked the line of dishing out gangster fantasies and morality tales. In this Remix (and in the 90's it seams like every rap song was closely followed by a remix) R. Kelly provides the hook. Kelly was a rather generic R&B act at this time but he hints at the crazy genius that would follow on albums like "In the Closet" when he tosses in the line "That's right"

SO MANY HEADLINES

ARTIST: HOLE
ALBUM: CELEBRITY SKIN
SONG: CELEBRITY SKIN
DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 1998
STATUS: ACQUIRED

To much tabloid bounce back gets in the way of appreciating Live Through This, and even more so Celebrity Skin.  Live Through This is a great album, but it does sound very heavily influenced by Nirvana. There's nothing wrong with that. A lot of bands wanted to sound like Nirvana, and Love brought an intense energy to the role of lead singer that separated the band from other acts. Celebrity Skin is a little more pop, and seems to represent an emergence of Love's own view point.

NEO SOUL

ARTIST: ERYKAH BADU
ALBUM: BADUIZUM
SONG: ON & ON
DATE: JANUARY 24, 1997
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Soul in the early 90's was New Jack. Flat and tiny. Heavy on the dance beat. Following close on its heals was hip-hop soul. Thick heavy beats and big church voices like Mary J. Blige. Then followed Neo Soul. More earthy with a greater emphasis on real instruments, or at least mixes that sounded more like real bands.

Ms. Badu was the leading edge of this sound. Her songs were soaked in a mix of new age and afro centric mysticism. On & On's mysticism is reflected in the down home southern retelling of the Cinderella story of the video.

OLD COUNTRY IS ALWAYS COOL

ARTIST: JOHNNY CASH
ALBUM: UNCHAINED
SONG: I;VE BEEN EVERYWHERE
DATE: 1996
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Country, real country, made for coal miners and cotton pickers, by coal miners and cotton pickers, was supplanted by new country in the nineties. New country is a pop abomination of Australians and Garth Brooks pretending to be from Tennessee and singing odes to ignorance and stupidity which reassure the dumb that dumb is the place to be. But enough hate for Friday.

Fortunately Rick Rubens got together with Johnny Cash to bring real country back into the light, and Johnny Cash, the man in black rode back into America's consciousness. We're all better for it. Unchained is better remembered for Cash's cover of "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden. "I've Been Everywhere" wraps up the album in a tone that rarely heard on Cash's American recordings, the fun crowd pleaser that got people up on their feet and stomping around. Originally an Australian song (so Australians actually know a little about real county) written by Geoff Mack, the American version obviously uses the names of American cities in place of Australian cities.

DANCE HALL BREAK

ARTIST: PATRA
ALBUM: QUEEN OF THE PACK
SONG: QUEEN OF THE PACK
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

So, where did they get the dancers for this video? Am I missing something, is this a cultural thing I don't get? I mean, I get the hip grinding and the booty shaking, even at burning Caribbean sun intensity levels of Jamaica, but did they cast this video at the Claremont?

Patra had a nice run of hits on BET and Rap and R&B radio stations. Here early work was more austerely Dance Hall. As here career progressed the singles became more and more American in tone.

ALTERNATIVE TO ALTERNATIVE

ARTIST: SEBADOH
ALBUM: BAKESALE
SONG: REBOUND
DATE: APRIL 23, 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Not exactly a side project of Dinosaur Jr. Bassist, Lou Barlow, and definitely a higher priority than Barlow's other project, Folk Implosion, Sebadoh was more of an ongoing chess game that its members frequently fiddled with to produce punkier and popier songs than their other projects. "Rebound" is a great mid nineties Lo-Fi rocker.

GEEK SHEEK REVOLUTION

ARTIST: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
ALBUM: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
SONG: BULLET IN YOUR HEAD
DATE: NOVEMBER 3, 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Rage never fits easily into any compilation. They care too much and they rock too mighty. Then again, what makes for good political rock, maybe doesn't make for great politics, which is an entirely different level of confusion.  When does patronizing an artist transgress into endorsement. Its too easy to turn poetic lyrics into simplistic ideologies, and to infer simplistic ideologies from poetic lyrics. 

In any event, Rage is right on this count, its better to be educated and prepared to fire the mental bullets than to have them fired at you.

IS THAT JENNIFER ANISTON?

ARTIST: TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
ALBUM: SONGS AND MUSIC FOR SHE'S THE ONE
SONG: WALLS
DATE: JULY, 29, 1996
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

One of my favorite albums from Tom and the Heartbreakers. I particularly enjoy their covers of Lucinda William's "Change the Locks" and Beck's "Asshole". Also good is the original rocker, "Zero from Outer Space". Generally the tone of the album is darker, than other Petty efforts but it feels more clear-eyed than dower.

DO THE HIPPIE SHAKE LIKE ITS 1993

ARTIST: THE LEMONHEADS
ALBUM: COME ON FEEL THE LEMONHEADS
SONG: INTO YOUR ARMS
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Punk songs don't have to be loud and angry, they just have to be short and simple. Sometimes they can be earnest, up-beat, love songs, and that's great. brevity kicks ass.

SKA BANDS LOVE TO HOP

ARTIST: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES
ALBUM: DON'T KNOW HOW TO PARTY
SONG: SOMEDAY I SUPPOSE
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

The Bosstones' horn section is just phat. They sound great on vinyl or cassette, and Dickey Barrett is a supreme front man. He just wrangles all that sound and pushes it to the back of the room. Sounds great. I wonder if he had the same voice as little kid?  I bet he totally did.

The point is, horns are cool. They really are, and so are the Bosstones. Its too bad more bands can't pull of the horn section. Come to think of it, its to bad more high school marching bands don't play ska music. Save those kids some ass beatings, and there's nothing worse than getting your ass beat for being talented.

THIS IS MY BOOM STICK!

ARTIST: METALLICA
ALBUM: METALLICA
SONG: ENTER SANDMAN
DATE: JULY 29, 1991
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Sure MetallicA got a little more musical with this album, but I also think the rest of the world caught up with Metallica. For years Metallica was the monster prowling around the outside of the cabin, and this song was that monster beating down the door. Sure the monster wasn't some demon from another world, it was just a bear, but JESUS THERE'S A FRIGGIN BEAR IN THE CABIN, AND HE'S HUNGRY!!!! RUN!!! I WISH IT WAS JUST SOME DAMN DEMON!!!

LITTLE BO PEEP TO LOST SHEEP...PARTY DOWN

ARTIST: BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE II
ALBUM: THE GLOBE
SONG: RUSH
DATE: JUNE 1991
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I bet you forgot about the weird ass middle part. I know I did. It was cut out of most radio broadcasts of the song. Mick Jones gets his full "Who" thing on with a fare share of sampling, which was pretty unheard of at the time.

LISTEN TO NED THE BULL

ARTIST: TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
ALBUM: INTO THE GREAT WIDE OPEN
SONG: LEARNING TO FLY
DATE: APRIL 1991
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Tom Petty believes that if a song is hart to play, its not a good song. He'd probably say the same thing about lyrics. If you have to work hard to decipher them, then they probably aren't any good. That Petty magic shines through on "Learning to Fly". As a teenager it was good to hear someone talk right down to earth in a language I could understand and say, "look, life's a kick in the nuts, don't sweat it. Go out and find something, anything."

Also, I totally forgot about the topless body painted go-go dancer. How'd that play on TV in the early 90's. I mean in a couple shots you can clearly see nipple, and not Frank Cross three-quarter nipple. full on "it must be cold on the set" nipple.  How did Tipper Gore let this happen?

TEARS OF A CLOWN LEVEL DOWNER

ARTIST: MATTHEW SWEET
ALBUM: 100% FUN
SONG: SICK OF MYSELF
DATE: MARCH 14, 1995

Its hard to deny the power of a good power pop song, and a sad sack of a power pop song at that. Holly shit this song is downer. Don't think about it, its Friday, and the guitar hook is fun...jesus, I just want to finish the day, go home an drink the week away. I'd rather drive a cab...

CHAMPION HOTDOG EATER HIROFUMI NAKAJIMA

ARTIST: GOOD LIVES UNDERWATER
ALBUM: LIFE IN THIS SO-CALLED SPACE AGE
SONG: FROM YOUR MOUTH
DATE: MAY 19, 1998
STATUUS: ACQUIRED

The songs cool. I like the song. Its a Johnny-Sad-Balls song, we've heard it a million times, but it's done well here. The thing that really stands out in my memory though is the video. Remember this is before Youtube started blasting unbelievable into our minds 24/7. It used to be you actually had to be some place to see something, or a professional would seek someone out and make a thing which would then be distributed through corporate controlled media. It was simpler time full of lost innocence.

...AND THEY SAY A COMPOOTER CAN DO MY JOB BETTER THAN I CAN DAMN DO IT.

ARTIST: OUTKAST
ALBUM: STANKONIA
SONG: B.O.B.
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2000
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Stankonia was one of the last albums I remember absolutely everyone of my generation owning. It was huge, It was everywhere, and when B.O.B. clicked over on the CD player windows would explode and panties would fall from the sky. Where ever you where, whatever you were doing, the party has just kicked the fuck off. Don't resist, you'll just hurt yourself, channel your inner leopard skin tights and ride the wave.

EDDIE LOVES JAN AND DEAN

ARTIST: PEARL JAM
ALBUM: NO BOUNDARIES: A BENIFET FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES
SONG: LAST KISS
DATE: JUNE 15, 1999
STATUS: ACQUIRED

It's not a Jan and Dean song, but it sounds like one. I totally forgot about the "No Boundaries" album. Probably just more proof that the 90's was a decade of young people looking for a cause. DARN YOU BILL CLINTON, YOUR STRONG ECONOMY AND YOUR REASONABLE LEFT OF CENTER POLICIES!

It took me a long time to come to grips with Pearl Jam. As great as they are, they aren't cool. You just can't care that much and be cool. Right about the time I was coming around this song hit the charts and it totally confused me. It didn't fit into anything else on the air in the late 90's, which was quickly being overrun by tween acts 'N SYNC and Brittney Spears*, and it didn't fit in with the rest of Pearl Jam's opus. Taken on its own though, its a really nice sweet song that does somehow fit with Pearl Jam's soul.

*also known as "pedophile chic"

SIR GODFREY TIBBET

ARTIST: OASIS
ALBUM: (WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY
SONG: DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER
DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 1996
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Don't Look back in anger is Oasis at their Beatliest. An impression driven home by a video rife with 60's British mod references. The entire mood of the song feels like what Noel Gallagher imagines' a John Lennon lament might be; an impression promoted by the band who claim that some of the lyrics come from an unreleased recording of Lennon's memoirs stolen from the Dakota Hotel. Mythology, true or not, is important.

The video is also a reminder of Liam Gallagher's petulance and Noels arrogance. Liam frequently refused to cooperated with big brother Noel's plans by refusing to perform at concerts or fully participate in video shoots. Noel's solution was simply to do Liam's part.  Noel's voice is fine, but he doesn't have that front man charisma of his brother. 

LEATHAL WEAPON 3 - DIE HARD 2

ARTIST: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
ALBUM: THE LOW END THEORY
SONG: BUGGIN' OUT
DATE:  SEPTEMBER 24, 1991
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Listening to "A Peoples Too Damn Long Album Title" I can't help but feel that Phife Dawg was Robin to Q-Tip's Batman. The same can't be said for "The Low End Theory", and this track in particular. Phife comes right out of the box swinging. His jittering intensity and ability to channel Jamaican influences are dynamic. Q-Tip's style, though cool, is a little less interesting.

That's why Quest is great. Q-Tip and Phife Dawg have such different styles and each is capable of pushing out in front of the other on a track or two before the other responds and raises his game.  Buggin' Out is Phife's territory.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE AND NARY A DROP TO DRINK

ARTIST: NIRVANA
ALBUM: NEVERMIND
SONG: COME AS YOU ARE
DATE: MARCH, 3, 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

The second single from Nevermind is certainly darker than "Smells Like Teen Spirit", but lyrically it carries on in the same vain. Making sense isn't important, at least not in a literal sense, but poetically something breaks through, some sense of being pulled in multiple directions and a deep suspicion of being manipulated, but not knowing why, and an understanding that not taking a stand, not getting engaged is the only way to break free.

LIKE CLIMBING THE ROPE IN GYM CLASS

ARTIST: GEORGE MICHAEL
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: TOO FUNKY
DATE: JULY 12, 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

For a fifteen-year-old boy there are just way to many super models in this video to handle in any constructive and productive manner, and for any serious music critic there's just way to much fashion in this video to take Michael seriously. Add that complaint to the general flotsam and jetsam of Michael's life; drugs, sexuality, charity, and its hard for some people to see to the core of his talent. He's a really good R&B singer, and one that's not afraid to make a big club anthum.

REX STARDUST

ARTIST: TOAD THE WET SPROCKET
ALBUM: IN LIGHT SYRUP
SONG: GOOD INTENTIONS
DATE: OCTOBER 31, 1995
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

I think these guys met while jamming out in the teacher's lounge. That's the only answer that makes sense right?

We tend to forget how big Toad the Wet Sprocket was. "In Light Syrup" was an album of B-Sides. That's right, the world's lust for Toad was so strong that they put out an album of songs that weren't good enough to be on previous albums or released as singles, and you know what, they're pretty good songs. The album toped out at #37 on the charts, and "Good Intentions" made it all the way to 23.

BIRCHMOUNT STADIUM, HOME OF THE ROBBIE

ARTIST: BARENAKED LADIES
ALBUM: STUNT
SONG: ONE WEEK
DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I'm pretty sure the verses have nothing to do with the chorus. On one side you have a song about relationships, fighting and making up, and on the other side you have just some of the maddest lyrics ever written. Seriously, whose Bert Kaempfert?

Also, I really have no idea what's happening in this video. Did they each get to pick a theme? Its going to take a week, or two days, that's all we know for sure.

THEY CALL IT ROAD ROCK! GET YOUR SUMMER OFF.

ARTIST: URBAN DANCE SQUAD
ALBUM: MENTAL FLOSS FOR THE GLOBE
SONG: DEEPER SHADE OF SOUL
DATE: 1990
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

UDS was way ahead of their time; releasing their rap/rock pioneer efforts two years before Rage Against the Machine even got together, and they're Dutch, which somehow makes sense. They love rock, they love rap, both those things are American so they must go together right.

My friend Joe picked up this album when we were 13. Deeper Shade of Soul was the only song on the album we liked. It wasn't necessarily that the rest of the album was bad, it was just too far out.

This song, and this video are perfect for the start of summer.

MEMENTO MORI

ARTIST: MAZZY STAR
ALBUM: SO TONIGHT THAT I MIGHT SEE
SONG: INTO DUST
DATE: OCT. 5 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Mazzy Star made it cool to be sad, even sexy. Never officially released as a single, "Into Dust" haunts and simmers just below a boil.

We never know what's coming our way, and its usually more epic than we understand, and like us it is already returning to from wence it came, and that's all kinds of beautiful.

JELLY BEAN BORITOS, TANGO MANGO, JOHNNY CASH AFRO HAVING

ARTIST: REDMAN
ALBUM: WHUT? THE ALBUM
SONG: TONIGHT'S DA NIGHT
DATE: MAY 4, 1993
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Redman was every moral guardian's worst enemy. Not only was he not having it, but he was also smart and funny. Only Redman would write a smooth sounding jamb, take the joke a full thirty seconds into the song and then turn it around for the final three minutes. Its hard to play a rapper off like he's a dumb thug when he's bending the joke back over on top of you.

ACHING, BEAUTIFUL, AND ENJOYABLE

ARTIST: THE CRANBERRIES
ALBUM: TO THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
SONG: WHEN YOU'RE NOT ARROUND
DATE: NOVEMBER 1996
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Rarely is such a sad song so enjoyable. Without Dolores O'Riordan's distinctive Irish lilt, this song would sound even more like a broken heated miss you doo-wop charmer than it does. It makes you wish for drizzly grey skies and an angry see to gaze across.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE CREW

ARTIST: BEASTIE BOYS
ALBUM: CHECK YOUR HEAD
SONG: PASS THE MIC
DATE: APRIL 7, 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I think they filmed half of what they needed for a video in black and white and then gave up and just shot three random scenes of the Beasties being the Beasties and called it a day. Works for me.

IN JAMAICA, ALL VIDEOS ARE WRECKX-N-EFFECTS VIDEOS

ARTIST: BORN JAMERICANS
ALBUM: KIDS FROM FORIGN
SONG: WARNING SIGN
DATE: 1994
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Thank god foe BET, bringing flavor into every cable loving corner of this great country in the '90's. Its the only way a suburbanite, even a sophisticated suburbanite like myself, was ever going to discover reggae, reggae/hip hop, bootie shorts, that girls like to wear bootie shorts, and spliffs. That brown paper bag will kill you.

Here's a fun thing to do. Its casual Friday, so on your lunch break go buy an air brushed shirt with your face on it and cane carved like a cobra. Wear the shirt and spin the cane when you return to work. See how long it takes to revoke casual Friday. Now everyone hates you, but they won't see you again until Monday.

HENRY ROLLINS CAN GO FUCK HIMSELF, BUT SERIOUSLY, MAD RESPECT TO HENRY ROLLINS

ARTIST: EDIE BRICKELL AND NEW BOHEMIANS
ALBUM: SHOOTING RUBER BANDS AT THE STARS
SONG: WHAT I AM
DATE: NOVEMBER 1988
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I often find my child self apologizing to my adult self for the musical choices he made (and my adult self always gracefully accepts), but not so with "What I Am". This song in no way surprises me as an adult after years of not hearing it, and it doesn't disappoint. Love the guitar solo, enjoy her voice, and the lyrics are ambiguous and thoughtful, never sure quite where the point is going.  Highly enjoyable.

Little known fact. Edie and the other new Bohemians recycled Simple Minds video concept, because it was good for the earth.

RICHARD LINKLATER DIRECTED THIS VIDEO AND EVERY VIDEO R.E.M. RELEASED IN THE 80'S. ITS A FACT.

ARTIST: R.E.M.
ALBUM: DOCUMENT
SONG: FINEST WORKSONG
DATE: MARCH 1988
STATUS: ACQUIRED

In 1998 I wasn't the most critical consumer of music, but the one weird chick whose older sister was in art school loved R.E.M. and took her to the concert and she wore the shirt to school the next day. Plus she was a stone cold fox, or so everyone said. We were all prepubescent and didn't really understand what that meant.

"Finest Worksong" is one of the best song names ever and it captures R.E.M at the height of their college radio chops. Its also a nice contrast to yesterday's liberating nihilism. Why think when you can do. Live in the moment. Code you little code monkeys code for life is a gift for today, and tomorrow you may be dead.

EVERYONE OWE'S MR. CAGE FIFTEEN CENTS IF WE GO EXACTLY FOUR MINUTES AND THIRTYTHREE SECONDS WITHOUT MAKING A NOISE

ARTIST: LIVE
ALBUM: THROWING COPPER
SONG: LIGHTING CRASHES
DATE: FEBRUARY 24TH, 1995
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Its the moments of silence and quite into which the great unknowable of life rushes in and overwhelms us. This is why so many fill their lives with effort, achievement, activity and distraction. it so powerful its frightening. Yet, if one can get over the initial fear, nothingness and meaninglessness can take you on a rush of ride.

So stop for about five minutes and just breathe. Listen to the song if you want. Its fucking good, but you know, silence is good to, and its never really silent. JOHN CAGE SAYS "SUCK IT"!

MONDAY'S ARE MADE FOR FIGHTING!

ARTIST: THERAPY?
ALBUM: TROUBLEGUM
SONG: SCREAMAGER
DATE: FEBUARY 7 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

I remember when my good friend Dave came up to me after studio and asked if I wanted to go to Therapy.  That was a little awkward, I had no idea we had that kind of relationship, much less that our relationship needed work. He then explained that Therapy? was a band from Northern Ireland with short, neat, sensible hair cuts. Kind of a Northern Irish Helmet, with more snare.

PETTY AND CAMPBELL WERE MADE FOR FRIDAYS

ARTIST - TOM PETTY
ALBUM - FULL MOON FEAVER
SONG - LOVE IS A LONG ROAD
DATE - 1989
STATUS - ACQUIRED (WAY ACQUIRED)

I remember reading a review of Petty and the Heartbreaker's work. The reviewer said something like, "well you really listen to for the music, not the lyrics." That may have been true for 80's Petty, but starting with Full Moon Fever that all changed. Petty and the Heartbreakers became true American story tellers.

Full Moon Fever sounded like your older brother's album, but it was also one of the first albums that burned itself into your soul. This is fucking rock. No explanation mark needed. Mike Campbell, Petty's underrated lead guitarist wrote this little gem that's buried on album of chalk full of awesome.

AND I CAN DO THIS

ARTIST - FOO FIGHTERS
ALBUM - FOO FIGHTERS
SONG - FOR ALL THE COWS
DATE - NOVEMBER 20, 1995
STATUS - ACQUIRED

Its kind of crazy how good Foo Fighters are. Sure the band never reached the iconic status of Nirvana, but some of that had to do with time and place. A song like "For All The Cows" shows that Dave Grohl was just as willing to follow his voice as Kurt Cobain was. Maybe it lead to a different place, but much respect to Mr. Grohl, drummer for one of the greatest bands ever, and leader of one of the most underrated bands ever.

THIS IS THE THIRD BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE

ARTIST - NIRVANA
ALBUM - BLEACH
SONG - ABOUT A GIRL
DATE - OCTOBER 1994
STATUS ACQUIRED

Actually "Bleach" came out in 1988 and sold relatively well for a Sub Pop release, but it didn't garner wide spread exposure until after Coabain's death. His suicide led to a wide spread search for any additional Nirvana material.

"Bleach" is a great album. Nowhere near as good as "Nevermind" and "In Utero" but even if those albums hadn't come out Nirvana could have been proud of the work they'd done. For the most part it sounds like Nirvana, but its clear Cobain grew a great deal as song writer between recording "Bleach" and "Nevermind". That being said, "About A Girl" sounds a lot like "Nevermind"; much more so than other songs on the album. The similarity actually highlights the difference between Dave Grohl brought to the band for "Nevermind". Great Cut

SOMETIMES TUESDAY IS JUST ANOTHER MONDAY, BUT SOMETIMES THAT'S NOT SO BAD

ARTIST - TOAD THE WET SPROCKET
ALBUM - DULCINEA
SONG - SOMETHING'S ALWAYS WRONG
DATE - 1994
STATUS - NOT ACQUIRED

Toad felt a lot, but some how that doesn't feel dirty. It feels good when its done so well. Toad was the sensitive band you never had to apologize for, thought I can't figure out where these four guys could have met.  DMV? Flight to Charlotte? Seriously, in what universe are these guys friends?

BIG SUITS YOU SIR.

ARTIST - PAVEMENT
ALBUM - BRIGHTEN THE CORNERS
SONG - SHADY LANE
DATE - MAY 20, 1997
STATUS - ACQUIRED

They had me with the headless lead singer, and the hook. So sweet. Pavement was always to cool for melodies, but some how it comes together.  Ease into your Monday folks.

HIS EYES ARE SOULLESS, GOOD THING ITS FRIDAY

ARTIST - VIOLENT FEMMES
ALBUM - WHY DO BIRDS SING?
SONG - AMERICAN MUSIC
DATE - APRIL 30, 1991
STATUS - NOT ACQUIRED

A beautiful song about being a vulnerable and confused teenager, loving music, and making a connection with another person. Bob your head and enjoy.

I SHOULD THINK SO

ARTIST - SUPERGRASS
ALBUM - I SHOULD COCO
SONG - LENNY
DATE - MAY 1, 1995
STATUS - NOT ACQUIRED

I Should Coco was the first album released by Supergrass, which is hard to believe. Its cheeky, its self assured. The music shifts gears quickly but smoothly. it sounds more like a band digging deeper into their music than a young band trying to make their bones. Lenny was the fifth single released from the album in the U.K. Crunching guitar and a fun hook, what's not to like.

PLUG IT IN AND TURN IT UP

ARTIST - LOCAL H
ALBUM - AS GOOD AS DEAD
SONG - FRITZ'S CORNER
DATE - 1996
STATUD - ACQUIRED

Local H sounds strangely like Nirvana. Hard driving drums. Scratchy but enjoyable vocals. Yet they aren't quite as melodic as Nirvana, which is probably why they only had the one really big hit. They do rock though. Sometimes that's not enough, but there's a quality to this rock which is self-assured, which hurdles it out in front of the audience at a pace just beyond there ability to follow, but is well within the bands limits.

THAT IS MOST 90'S

ARTIST - SCREAMING TREES
ALBUM - SWEET OBLIVION
SONG - SHADOW OF THE SEASON
DATE - SEPTEMBER 8, 1992
STATUS - ACQUIRED

I remember hearing the name "Screaming Trees" and knowing that I was going to like that band. Had to. Screaming Trees come across as a less self-serious Pearl Jam, which makes them less epic but more lovable.

Shadow of the Season crunches along with some the best of grunge, but it carries with it a certain classic rock sensibility in the guitar work, lyrical content, and vocals that seem to be far distant echo of classic rock.

MONDAY IN AMERICA!

ARTIST - PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ALBUM - PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SONG - LUMP
DATE - AUGUST 8, 1995
STATUS - NOT ACQUIRED

Monday's are stupid and brainless. Its the only way to get over the thought of doing the same thing for the next four days, but that doesn't mean its a downer. After all that serious rock out of Northwest, it was so good to find that people from a wet, gloomy climate can be beautifully stupid. The P.O.T.U.S.A. cranked out 100% unabashedly mindless ear candy that no one has to apologize for.

YOU DESERVE ROCK TODAY!

ARTIST: SUGAR
ALBUM: FILE UNDER EASY LISTENING
SONG: GEE ANGEL
DATE: 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Sugar was A moderately big deal when they came out because of front man Bob Mould's previous work with Husker Du.

Its really not surprising that Sugar never made it huge. There's something a little to pure in their approach to music. They're like a craft beer. They expect an audience to think while they sip and enjoy they simple mix of  barley, yeast and water. Then again, you can always hope.

Gee Angel is a perfect example of the kind of assuredness that a punk rock veteran like Mould can bring to a rock music. Never dressing it up, just driving it down.

THEN AGAIN, THEY MIGHT NOT...

ARTIST: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
ALBUM: FLOOD
SONG: BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL
DATE: 1989
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

This is about as mainstream as these guys get.  This may sound weird, but don't these guys feel like Primus' kissing cousins. Granted Primus has more of a tweaked out biker vibe, but can you think of two other bands who make such willfully unpopular music. Might Be Giants appear a little more hugable, but when it comes down to it, they really don't care weather you get it or not, and there's some deep down weird creepiness in their work if you look closely.

It's all so delightful

... GIVE ME GIN AND TONIC

ARTIST: OASIS
ALBUM: DEFINITELY MAYBE
SONG: SUPERSONIC
DATE: 1994
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I always likes Liam Gallegher's reason for never holding a microphone  That would be work, and he's not a worker, he's a star.  Supersonic has that Oasis mix of grandiosity and threat.

FOR A MINUTE THERE EVERYTHING WENT ALL WONKY

ARTIST: PRIUMS
ALBUM: PORK SODA
SONG: MY NAME IS MUD
DATE: 1993
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

There are times in your life when you're filled with self righteous anger at the constraints that others put on you, and you just know how perfect the world would be if those others would just get out of your way. Then one day, sitting at home, drinking a Dr. K and watching a little MTV before your parents gets home mass media just vomits Primus all over you and you realize you can only see one small sliver of the possibilities that await you.

LEONARD

ARTIST - SUGAR RAY
ALBUM - FLOORED
SONG - FLY
DATE - JUNE 17, 1997
STATUS - NOT ACQUIRED

Fly was a sharp ninety degree turn from the work on Sugar Ray's debut "Lemonade and Brownies", but this song strikes a sweet spot between the hard goofball rock of that earlier album and their flat out sell out latter pop efforts. By the way, not hatting. Get them checks boys!

Three marks for awesome

Mark One - Super Cat (aka Wild Apache and older brother of Junior Cat)
Mark Two - DJ Homicide
Mark Three - "All around the world status crumble for me" I have no idea if this song is about anything at all, but with lines like that who cares.

COMING AT YOU SUNDAY-SUNDAY-SUNDAY!

ARTIST: RADIOHEAD
ALBUM: THE BENDS
SONG: STREET SPIRIT (FADE OUT)
DATE: JANUARY 22ND 1996
STATUS: ACQUIRED

In Thom York Radiohead is one of the few artsy rock bands whose voice stands up to the its artistic aspirations. Equally this video is aesthetically seamless and stands up today as well as it did nearly twenty years ago.

In the song I think you can hear Echos of R.E.M.'s "Drive" and a prelude to bands like Ours.

I TOTALLY HAD THAT HAIR CUT

ARTIST: THE CHARLATANS UK
ALBUM: SOME FRIENDLY
SONG: THE ONLY ONE I KNOW
DATE: MAY 14 1990
STATUS: ACQUIRED

First of all, if you were an American teen, boy or girl, who took your soccer seriously, you had that hair cut, and it was so ambig-ya-sexy.

Second, Hammond Organ is the most underrated instrument in rock

Third, guitar is awesome, and that my friend is the secret to British pop per-capita dominance.

MADCHESTER!

SORRY, BUT HERONIE IS COOL

ARTIST: MORPHINE
ALBUM: CURE FOR PAIN
SONG: BUENA
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Don't ask. Just don't. the panties are coming down. That's what Morphine does. They are like the jazz version of straight-punk, only with drugs. Short haired girls just went nuts for these guys. Bass and Sax are baby making music.

PATRANYM: THE JOY OF THE UNPLANNED

ARTIST: SUGARCUBES
ALBUM: STICK AROUND FOR JOY
SONG: HIT
DATE: 1992

We're a little late this week, but we come back ridiculously awesome.

Bjork burst onto my consciousness fully formed, but then I remembered a brief encounter with "Hit" in the early 90's. Hit churned away in all its glowing late era glow only to break down into some bizarre rap by "ouch that really hurts". It was so wrong I knew no one I knew would admit to liking it. Yet its oh so good.

ITS FRIDAY AND OUR PRODUCTION BUDGET IS RUNNING LOW

ARTIST: CAKE
ALBUM: MOTORCADE OF GENEROSITY
SONG: ROCK AND ROLL LIFE STYLE
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I first heard this song on the radio and then never again. The DJ never told us who it was. It wasn't until Fashion Nugget was a world number one smash hit that I rediscovered the song while digging through Cake's back catalog, for what it was. It is the ultimate hipsters anti-hipster lament.

SECOND SINGLE EQUALS CONCERT VIDEO

ARTIST: GREEN DAY
ALBUM: DOOKIE
SONG: WELCOME TO PARADISE
DATE: OCTOBER 4, 1994
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Punk rock never seamed so responsible and wholesome until Green Day.

JUST CRAZY GOOD ON A WEDNESDAY

ARTIST: RADIOHEAD
ALBUM: KID A
SONG: IDIOTEQUE
DATE: OCTOBER 2000
STATUS: ACQUIRED

"Kid A" was hailed as the future, but only if the future was going to be awesome. It turns out the future is no more or less awesome than the past, but Idioteque is a beautiful song that blures the line between instruments and electronics to create a fuzzy, crackling, beeping tone.

36 JOHNNY PAY CHECKS

ORGANIZATION: WU TANG
ALBUM: ENTER THE WU TAN (36 CHAMBERS)
SONG: C.R.E.A.M.
DATE: JANUARY 31, 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Yesterday was fun, but back to work, after all cash rules everything around me, and Wu Tang is the kind of Metaproject that connects us back to a deeper truth that keeps creative types knuckled down.

OPENING DAY, WHICKED PISSER J'ELLO

ARTIST - G. LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE
ALBUM - G. LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE
SONG - COLD BEVERAGES
DATE - MAY 10, 1994
STATUS - ACQUIRED

Usually we'd save this one for a Friday, but its Opening Day, meaning millions of people are taking the afternoon off to get together and throw back a few cold ones, watch some baseball, and write it off as "marketing". We're on to you everyone in Boston!

We'll be heading over to Turner Field this evening to catch a Braves game with Fidel, Lil' Bro, and Ayn. The mush-mouthed styling of G. Love are the perfect thing to put us in that summer semester mood. Even if you're drunk, they still count you as present on the roll.

SINGLE ENTENDRE

ARTIST: BUSTA RHYMS FT. JANET JACKSON
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?!
DATE: MARCH 1999
STATUS: ACQUIRED

I just love how hyped Busta gets at the end of the song. He takes it to 11, and he sustains 11 for a good minute. That's a long time to hold at 11. You should try it. Its like he's Janet Jackson's hype man, and Janet's just saying nasty things.  Good nasty things, but nasty no doubt.  "Explicit" would be the word.

LONG NIGHT? DO NOT LOOK AT THAT ONE TILE!

ARTIST: PAVEMENT
ALBUM: WOWEE ZOWEE
SONG: RATTLED BY THE RUSH
DATE: NOVEMBER 1994
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

 

 

Pavement was too cool to be good. Like this video they can run from unpleasant dizzying disorientation to nerve dulling distance, but some how they churn along just enough. If you forget about all the things the aren't, and some of the things they are a song like Rattled by the Rush can suddenly bloom.

AND ANOTHER THING VONNEGUT, I'M GOING TO STOP PAYMENT ON THE CHECK!

ARTIST: BAZ LAHRMANN
ALBUM: N/A
SONG: EVERYBODY'S FREE (TO WEAR SUNSCREEN)
DATE: 1999
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Urban legend has it that film maker and general creative type Baz Lahrmann composed the music to fit the words of a commencement speech given by Kurt Vonnegut. In actuality the lyrics come from Chicgo Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, who wrote a hypothetical commencement speech that was published in 1997.

At first blush, some passages sound naive and silly: the kind of advice you get from beauty magazine, but then some lines ring through with piercing clarity. I do look back at photographs of myself from twenty years ago, and the effect is shocking, much as Schmich foretold. The overall effect is I Ching like. Simplicity hides complexity. The trivial is profound, and I have to stretch a lot, or it gets hard to put on my socks in the morning.

Its Wednesday. Be careful out their people. Keep your head down, and be nice to your siblings. It'll be okay.

KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

ARTIST: THE LEMONHEADS
ALBUM: IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY
SONG: IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY
DATE: JUNE 1992
STATUS: ACQUIRED

This is one of those early 90's songs that reproved that guitars and drums sound great. I always find myself humming along to it and wondering what happened to Ray. Something bad? Something tragic? It was complicated. I'm pretty sure about that, and it was probably one of those things, and that's life.  Sometimes stuff happens, even simple small stuff, and we're dumbstruck by our inability to do anything about it.

SOMETIMES THERE'S A MAN, AND SOMETIMES, THERES A MAN...

ARTIST: TOM PETTY
ALBUM: WILDFLOWERS
SONG: YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS
DATE: OCTOBER 1994
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Tom Petty believes that there really aren't that many rock bands out there. Sure there are a lot that call themselves rock, but few of them really are.  Petty and the Heartbreakers, and weather or not the Heartbreaker's name shows up on the album cover is beside the point, are rock, and their among the best.

Most manifestos are wind howling desert storms of indignation, but Petty's "You Don't Know How It Feels" is the manifesto of a man whose seen too much to care about meaning. This is Petty at his stoney best. I'm not sure if the title is braggadocio or plea. Probly a little bit of both. The point is, Petty's gonna be what Petty's gotta be. Know

I'm still not sure if that's a dude or chick in this video.  I know, I know, but you'd be amazed by what they can do with tape.

QUITTERS MAY NEVER WIN, BUT TECHNICALLY THEY DON'T LOOSE.

ARTIST: URGE OVERKILL
ALBUM: SATURATION
SONG: DROPOUT
DATE: 1993
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

 

Urge Overkill made it okay to be dirty and all body odered up. That's how you get a really cool leather jacket. Its that body funk that gets into the leather and breaks it in.  Clean rockers always look like they got their coat from Wilson's Leather at the mall. That's the thing about Urge. They were always cool, but too dirty to go mainstream, even if they knew what they were talking about.

SO...WHAT'S WITH HE AXE?

ARTIST: LIVIN COLOR
ALBUM: STAIN
SONG: LEAVE IT ALONE
DATE: 1993
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Living Color brought a thunder and virtuosity that was deeply rooted in 70's and 80's heavy metal rock but a sophisticated ambiguity to their politics that never fit into the culture wars of that time. Instead a proto-slackerdom comes through in songs like this.

Also, there's a medium size dog out in the world causing trouble.

THEY DON'T CALL IT HUMP DAY FOR NUTTIN'

ARTIST: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
ALBUM: FACTORY SHOWROOM
SONG: S-E-X-X-Y
DATE: NOVEMBER 26, 1996
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

They Might Be Giants, the thinking man's pornographers.

Look, its Wednesday, you're probably sitting in a cubical somewhere. You have a little over fourtyeight hours of work ahead of you. no one's told you its against company policy, plus she speaks Portuguese. Do you know what the odds are of that? Just unplug the head phones, turn up the volume and let nerd love happen as God intended, ironically and full of shame.

STEEL THAT WIFE, YOU THREE DOLLAR COWBOY!

ARTIST: BECK
ALBUM: ODELAY
SONG: SISSYNECK
DATE: 1997
STATUS: ACQUIRED

Every artist goes country eventually. Elvis Costello, Darius Rucker, everyone. But with Beck its oh so anti-folk, or whatever Beck is. Sissyneck distances itself from the noise injections of other tracks on Odelay and its lyrics begin to approach some kind of cohesive narrative. Not to much though, its Beck after all. What's really important, as with all Beck songs, the music should be wrong, but it's oh so right.

WELCOME TO ORANGE COUNTY HEART BREAK

ARTIST: SOCIAL DISTORTION
ALBUM: SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL
SONG: BAD LUCK
DATE: 1992
STATUS: NOT ACQUIRED

Social Distortion proves that punk band's can stretch their artistic wings, get the girls and still not sell out. This sounds like Mike Ness stumbled across John Mellencamp in some hotel bar on the outskirts of Kansas City; (because shit gets real on the outskirts of Kansas City!, especially when Johnny Cougar's riding shot gun!) had a lovely dinner, probably steak with a nice bourbon glaze and a side of asparagus with a middling sharez,  and went their separate ways.

Anyway, this should help get Joe-Chardonnay up and ready for a week of pushing paper. Even the tourments of the twentyfirst century are banal and evil.