Just discovered this groovy little record album inspired price tag from my sealed copy of Barry Manilow’s 1975 classic, Tryin’ to Get the Feeling. Adjusted for inflation, this $3.99 album today would run you a whopping $17.65! That’s crazy talk, man!
Monthly Archives: November 2015
MoA-M?
Futuristic, intergalactic surf rockers Man or Astro-Man? sally forth with another (inter) stellar collection of twangy tunes with their 5th studio album, 1995’s Intravenous Television Continuum. Also released on clear vinyl, this collection of far-out follies builds upon an already sizable and entertaining library of instrumental jams, yet remains fresh and engaging throughout its 17 audio explosions. Think Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet completely hammered and going through a rough break-up, or better yet, Lawndale trying to piss off everyone within a 3-mile radius. It’s raw. It’s elegant. It’s viciously delicious.Dear Liquid Kitty…
Another amazing outing at West LA’s prime dive-o-rama entertainment refuge, the Liquid Kitty. Free punk rock, free hot dogs, $2 beers, and a slew of yesteryear dirty-punk icons… BY FAR, the best dive bar in Los Angeles, and this, coming from a guy devoted to the dive bar. Dear Liquid Kitty… thank you.
… A Box Full of Stuff, oh Yeah!
I’ve got this box, see. It was given to me when I was younger, let’s say 12 years old, by a 2nd or 3rd cousin. Me and this family member shared the same last name, ya see, and as if out of the wild blue yonder, I was asked if I’d like a hinged, wooden, square box roughly 2′ x 2′ x 2′. I said sure, thinking nothing of it, thanked my cousin, and shoved the box into a corner for about four years.
Oh, how I’d love to slap my younger self in the face for not seeing the wooden potential that would (wood?) last for over 24 years. Since then, this box has held many a treasured object, safely tucking away knick-knacks and what-have-yous, all the while, and very slowly I may add, acquiring various, random, mainly music-related, stickers. This box, full of stuff, is bombarded with discount record price tags, Rocket from the Crypt freebie stickers, logos of friend’s bands that no longer exist, the occasional Star Wars Episode 1 Pizza Hut sticker (it was a troubling time), my “fight racism / fight sexism” sticker from the Plea for Peace tour back in 200? , a Canadian flag sticker from a snowboarding exhibition some 20 years back, random-ass Yankee Candle stickers from long burnt-out, but very lovely tarts (see, my girl is very serious about her candles), and of course, this sticker of Jump Up! Records’ first album, 1994’s American Ska-thic.
This box and I have been through a lot together. I’ve had this little schwag-attracting canvas longer than I’ve had a license, had the right to vote (oh yeah, I’ve got all my “I voted” stickers on there too!), and she’s been by my side, as if demanding newly acquired stick-ables, for my entire adult life. In a time of taking nothing for granted, I’d love for the opportunity to thank my cousin again for this overly generous gift. Anyway, so I’ve got this box, see…
Knuckles Full of Nightmares
“I’m tired. I’m salty. I require silence.” – Gordon (TKITH)
An adventurous few days at work, and all I want to do is stamp my passport to unconscious-ville. Sweet dreams (are made of these), kids.
BFL
I guess I didn’t realize my copy of Big Fat Love’s Hell House was still sealed. I’d dubbed a CD some years back, and snatched up this here fella during the Grand Royal liquidation dump. As Beastie Boys side projects go, this is an unusual one. She kind of flew under the radar, and although some of the material was recorded in 1987, it wasn’t officially released until 1997. Both Mike D and MCA got their hands dirty with this release (MCA more on the producing side), but an extensive breakdown of the band’s history can be found over at Beastiemania (your one stop shop for all things Ill).Is a Thousand Enough?
When 1000 heterosexual DJs won’t cut it, consider 1000 homosexual ones to finish the job. 1990’s Supernaut, a two-track 12” featuring an uncredited Trent Reznor on an early 70’s Black Sabbath cover, is both 25 years old, and essential Chicago industrial music material. Happy hump day.
Off to Never Never Land
Metallica’s 1991 self titled album stands out for me, or the Junior High me, as one of the first, popular, bootleg albums to circulate my clique (nearly our entire 7th grade class). I received a 3rd generation cassette which I borrowed for a few days to make a 4th generation (my 1st generation), then proceeded to Enter Sandman for the next 24 years. This non-cassette, double vinyl copy is a 2008 remastered reissue, and in a pinch, gets the occasional, late evening spin. If you’re looking for a copy, and believe me, you most certainly should, I’d suggest shying away from the original (fetching $143.38 currently on Discogs.com), and instead, dig around for this remastered version ($34.39, also on Discogs.com). That is, of course, if you don’t already own a 5th generation bootleg cassette.
Hello, Dolly!
This 1964 Kapp Records release of Satchmo’s Hello, Dolly! was more of a happenstance release, capitalizing on the Kapp Records success of Louis’ #1 hit single of the same name. Some sources say that Armstrong’s Hello, Dolly! knocked The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love from the number one spot, but my sources may be inaccurate. 12 tracks of unmistakable Louis Armstrong trumpet bliss, Hello, Dolly! features Dixieland jazz renditions of Blueberry Hill, Jeepers Creepers, and A Kiss to Build a Dream On. Some days call for the subtle, honest brilliance of Louis Armstrong, and today is one of those days.
Studio Sessions Featuring Seu Jorge
After the vinyl release of the coveted Rushmore soundtrack, I’ve had an itch to acquire all the timeless Wes Anderson soundtracks. With the recent addition of The Darjeeling Limited (2015’s RSD release), there are but a handful of yet-to-be-released vinyl gems that top this fan’s favorite list. Bottle Rocket (obviously), and relevant here, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Both have never received proper vinyl releases, but this double colored vinyl comp of Seu Jorge studio sessions does the trick until an official release rears its waxy head.
The Prudent Groove 