At one point in my record collecting life I found it necessary to procure Loverboy’s 1983 album, Keep It Up. Though it was a huge success and produced three, radio-friendly singles (Strike Zone, Hot Girls in Love, and Queen of the Broken Hearts), I can’t tell you that I’ve ever listened to it. Perhaps one, lonely, initial spin upon its $0.99 thrift store purchase, but I can’t say for absolute certainty. Time to give her a shot.
Monthly Archives: July 2017
Shut Y-Aur Shades
Have an intimate gaze into the inter sleeve / die-cut backdrop to Led Zeppelin’s 1975 classic, Physical Graffiti. Somewhat stunning and presentable in its own right, wouldn’t ‘ya say? Anyway, if you don’t know Physical Graffiti, you don’t know rock n’ roll. Just called you out, there.
Roads Unknown
Unknown Road is / was Pennywise’s second studio album. These punk brats released ‘er way back in 1993 and she was one of my first ventures into the genre. More importantly, though, its opening track, Unknown Road, was the intro song to our Junior Varsity basketball warmup mix tape. The things you remember, eh?
Ground
A Good Ground was released in 2005 and, as far as I can tell, was the first studio album released on vinyl by Brooklyn indie Gods, Oxford Collapse. Though not as pleasing to the ear as 2006’s Remember the Night Parties (my first introduction to the band), Ground is solid angst music, heavy on rhythmic glee. These guys were really good. It’s just too bad the rest of the world didn’t think so.
When the Going Gets Tough… Well…
If you don’t remember Billy Ocean, the 80’s, or the sequel to Romancing the Stone (The Jewel of the Nile), then you don’t remember your history. That’s right, I said it. Bring back your white socks, slacks, high tops, and sports coat, and let’s everyone just get our shit back together.
The Lag
My copy of Putting Music in its Place box set doubles as a “catch-all” for all my Lagwagon schwag. Well, to be honest, the only element NOT from the 519 releases of the colored, 10x vinyl box set that IS “personally” original is the printed ticket from the only Lagwagon show I’ve ever witnessed (January 17, 2015 at The Fonda here in LA). Anyway, for a band with so much personal history, and the perfect release to reflect that, it’s always fun to trip down Memory Ln.
Mystic Records Wants Your Money
In randomly admiring the back cover to the 1984 Mystic Records comp, Mystic Sampler #1, I noticed a few key things. I present them in no particular or chronological order. 1) Discogs doesn’t have an entry for Slamulation, the comp album on which the original Suicidal Tendencies line-up released their early track, I Saw Your Mommy (also featured here). 2) There is a red vinyl version of Mystic Sampler #1 (Wantlisted). 3) The cover art to the Mystic Records cover compilation is the only advertised record NOT featured on this back sleeve. The only cover without a cover, is an album about covers.
The BBC Radio Sessions
The Zombies and the BBC. That’s all that needs knowing to justify this double LP purchase. Frosting on the cake is Record Store Day exclusivity. 38 vintage tracks spanning from 1964 – 1968. Worth. Every. Penny.
The Two
I’ve been going back and forth between these two albums over the past few days. They couldn’t be any more different in style, but they both hold important positions in my personal history. One one hand, you’ve got White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean (not the original title… this is the PG version) which takes me back to my high school years, and The Best of the Statler Brothers, which takes me back even further to my adolescent years. “Going back” is the theme, I suppose, and both are adequate vehicles by which to travel. It’s good to have options, I suppose.
Process 70’s France
Hop an intercontinental flight with Bob & Susan and journey through the provocative streets of Paris on this Process 70 Series 2000 easy listening day-trip from Gorden Jenkins and His Orchestra. Simply titled France, this Time Records stereo release is courageous in its approach to bringing the listener “in” to the French experience. Complete with between-song sound effects and comical dialogue (circa: 1962), you, the listener, can piggyback through the wondrous sounds (no sights, kids… this is a record, remember) of an actual French vacation… given that the vacation isn’t yours and you’re subject to the predestined locations that strategically complement the next song to spill from your living room speakers (or kitchen, I don’t know where you keep your stereo set-up… no judgements here). Check it out. It’s certainly not an everyday listen, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
Have a Laugh
Go ahead. Have a laugh. It’s Friday! Enjoy some Richard Pryor, some Steve Martin, some Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, or even some Marx Brothers (featured here). In fact, listen to whatever makes you laugh out loud, be it the latest Kid Rock album, or maybe some goofy They Might Be Giants (The Prudent Groove does not actually suggest you listen to Kid Rock). Happy Friday, and don’t forget to laugh!
Sonic Workshop
Motion in Percussion, people! Get into the super-sonic-spaced-out-stereophonic sound with The Hollywood ‘Pops’ Symphony and their 1958 (or 1959) release, Motion in Percussion and Orchestra. Sonic Workshop (the label) does an “astounding” job of selling the visual experience with their stereophonic albums (of which there are only a handful). For all its scientific advances and groundbreaking recording techniques, it simply comes down to one fact: how damn good is the music? Motion in Percussion and Orchestra in no way disappoints, and is perfect party-pop fodder for even the casual SAP (Space Age Pop) listener. Highly recommended.Spin Me, Please
I am now two months behind on my Vinyl Me, Please listens. The pile grows more quickly than the records spin. A focused weekend should create a sizable dent in the newbie pile. Looking forward to it.
See Elsewhere for Details
I broke down and got the newly released Ok Computer OKNOTOK triple blue vinyl reissue. As the hype sticker details about OKNOTOK 1997 2017 (still a bit unsure on the proper title), “LIMITED EDITION BLUE VINYL Triple 180g LP containing the original album, three unreleased tracks and eight B-sides, all newly remastered from original analogue tapes. Includes a download code”. So, there you have it. If a triple blue vinyl release of Radiohead’s most sought after album isn’t worth your $40, I’m not sure what would be.
Insert from the Crypt
Group Sounds is (arguably) Rocket from the Crypt’s best follow-up album. By that, I mean it (nearly) rivals every album they released after their 1990 debut. Here, to the left, is one side of the insert released with this 2001 classic. Enjoy.
P, P & M x2
I’m not at all sure why it’s necessary to own two copies of Peter, Paul and Mary’s 1962 debut but nevertheless, it’s a reality. Does this mean that I listen to this classic twice as much? Well, no, but there’s a good reason in there somewhere… I think.
ZZ
Still one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen, with no hesitation or hint of sarcasm. I walked away from this show with a whole new respect for the iconic band, so check them out if you ever get the chance. They won’t disappoint.
Opening Soon
Well, this is damn exciting!
War. Bros.
I’m slowly beginning to realize that come a certain point, I’m going to run out of inserts. Pains me to think, but eventually, that time will come. But in the meantime, check out that nifty Warner Bros. Records logo!
Compact Flood
Rummaging through my old high school CDs is both a chore and a mini adventure. Several years ago I’d gotten rid of 90% of my (near 1000) compact discs and paralleled my record collecting with digital hording. So after copying the CDs, out they went… save for a select few (100 or so… ok, maybe 200). Flood was my first introduction to the mighty Giants, and is as good now as it was back in 1994, which I imagine was as good as it was in 1990 upon its initial release. I’m not really going anywhere with this save to say that this album will spin in some form today… be it record, compact disc, or by 160gb hard disc.
The Prudent Groove 