It’s Monday, and that means it’s time for Fugazi (really, any day is a good day for Fugazi, let’s be honest). Once a topic of disdain and much, much anger is now the comfort of a warm and snug blanket or sweater… meaning it’s been wholly embraced and absorbed, because at one time in my life, I was an idiot. Repeater, the band’s first full length, was released many a moon ago, in April of 1990. I was ten. Carry on.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
5
One can never turn down a Motown presentation, especially when its offered up by Diana Ross. 1969 saw a lot of things, and among them was the first studio release from The Jackson 5, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5. I won’t got into details so much as to say, this is essential listening material for both historical, and pleasure purposes.
Spin it to Win it
Finally getting around to the ever-growing “have yet to listen to” pile. Spun some Dust Brothers, Negative FX, Rocket from the Crypt, The Kinks, Refused, Mike Watt, Misfits and now some Weezer. Stay warm out there, kids.
Nina
Oh, man. I can’t wait to spin this beauty tonight. Vinyl Me, Please comes through (again) with another mysterious gem, this time with Nina Simone’s 1967 classic, Nina Simone Sings the Blues. It’s gonna be a soulful evening, kids. Spin responsibly.
Music, Martinis, and Memories
Another day, another Jackie Gleason reissue. This time, Music, Martinis, and Memories. Oh, how wayward evenings must have been in the chilly Decembers of the mid 1950s. As heavy on the piano as it is on the strings, Music, Martinis, and Memories sprinkles in a cool layer of lustful trumpeting, while never grooving faster than a slow, lovers walk… or a prowler’s strut. Music, Martinis, and Memories is, quite simply put, all you and your lover need for a successful, Jackie Gleason-inspired evening.
Week-End in Havana
To be completely honest, this album is the only thing getting me through the remaining days of this laborious work week. It offers a hi-fi glimmer of, what is sure to be, a sun-soaked, Caribbean cocktail, Havana holiday week-end away from the office. Just… two… more… days…
can’t maintain.
I’ll reluctantly admit that my knowledge of Andrew Jackson Jihad is virtually nonexistent outside their 2007 masterpiece People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People in the World. Upon its release, that damn record was the only thing I spun for nearly two months. At that time, the fresh, emotionally-fueled marrying of folk and punk was all I would listen to, which makes the fact that I never really ventured off into other nuggets of their discography all that much more questionable. Can’t Maintain is the 2009 follow up to PWCEPatLPitW, and while it keeps the same self-destructing lyrics and high-energy acoustic back beat, there’s an underlining layer of hope and optimism not found from PWCEPatLPitW. It’s well worth checking out, just the same. A little tidbit of info, Andrew Jackson Jihad is now only called AJJ. Not sure when this happened, but there you have it. The more you know.
Music for Lovers Only
This reissue of Jackie Gleason’s debut album (from 1952) jumped into my hands today for a cool $1.95. Labeled as “easy listening,” Music for Lovers Only is classic mood music, perfect when looking for non-assuming elevator music, with a bit of a suggestive twist. Now we can listen to Jackie Gleason while we eat!
Spoon!
I don’t listen to the Lovin’ Spoonful that much these days, and it’s not because the records are located on the shelf right next to Loverboy. But when I do listen to the Lovin’ Spoonful, I get a hearty dose of The Best of. Now, I’m fully aware that greatest hits albums are for lazy bastards and fascist sympathizers, but every once and a while it’s good to “spin the hits,” especially when you forgot you even owned the record.
Good Groove’s Urge
It’s been a long time coming, 20 years to be exact, and I can honestly say, without a hint of bias or kickback on commission, that Porno for Pyros’ Good God’s Urge is one of the top 5 albums from the 1990s. It’s perfect from start to finish, and still sounds brand-spanking-new to this day. Perry Farrell is a genius.
Pink
So, it’s been a bit cooler here in LA lately, though nothing even remotely close to the subzero temps currently inflicting emotional harm on my home state in the Midwest. So, in honor of the frigid nights ahead, we’ll spin Weezer’s 2nd album, Pinkerton. By far their best offering, Pinkerton was once shunned by lead singer Rivers Cuomo (to the point of public apology, if my memory serves me right), but the album has, in the 20 years since its release, been embraced by critics and Cuomo alike. Anyway, wherever you are, stay warm, and spin your records.
Bustin’ Out
If you’re like me, and randomly find yourself in the mood for some late 70s freaky funk, might I suggest you bust out of L Seven with James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. (aka Rick James) on this, the man’s 2nd studio album, Bustin’ out of L Seven. I mean, the weekend is almost here, so why not let the funk get’cha a head start?
Elv Is
I’m more a fan of rock n’ roll history than I am of Elvis, generally speaking, so this late 70’s reissue of Elvis Presley’s 2nd studio album, Elvis, was a no-brainer at the $5 asking price. Having purchased a dilapidated copy of his debut, Elvis Presley, several years back for a cool $3, my Elvis budget, more or less, mirrors my toleration of the man, but for historical purposes, I was more than willing to fork over my Lincoln in exchange for this 1956 classic. Anyway, Elvis… he spins tonight.
Rocket Queen
Artist: Rocket from the Crypt
Release: Rocket Queen EP aka Rocket Queen EP (Checkered Version)
Label: Speedo’s Classics
Year: 1995
Number of tracks: 4
Authenticity: Bootleg
Run: 300 copies (no. 180 of 300)
Reissue: Yes
Number of personal spins: 0
Necessity percentage: 100
Volume II
Over the weekend I paid $8 for this SST Records comp, The Blasting Concept Volume II, which, adjusted for inflation is only $0.30 more than the original $3.49 suggested retail price, or in this case, the special list price. So, that’s something. Also, as a proud owner of The Blasting Concept Volume I, I can’t wait to spin this Minutemen, Saccharine Trust, Black Flag, Husker Du, Meat Puppets, comp as soon as the day job allows. This minimalist cover is hilarious, when compared to the mildly disturbing Raymond Pettibon cover for Volume 1. I’ll just leave it at that.
Sings of the Caribbean
We’re happy to (finally) bring home, into the collection, Harry Belafonte’s 1957 album of Caribbean lullabies, Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean. She was once the black hole among the early Belafonte releases, the only missing LP from Harry’s first five years, and is arguably one of his all-time greatest records, aside from 1956’s Calypso and 1961’s Jump Up Calypso. Anyway, I was happy to find it for a cool $4 this weekend. Cheers.
Split the Difference
This 2009 reissue of a 1997 bootleg between goth punks the Misfits and garage rock whores Rocket from the Crypt is an odd, yet complimenting split LP. On side A you’ve got a few 1995 live recordings by Hell’s house band, Rocket from the Crypt (I heard that somewhere and never forgot it, though I forget where), and on side B you’ve got 9 live tracks by the Misfits from 1981 (recorded somewhere in Jersey, if you can imagine). Pressed on white vinyl and limited to 300 “unofficial” copies, she marks the latest on the endless, yet essential list that is the Rocket from the Crypt discography. Listen with caution, I seldom say.
DtA
During my “all things Dan the Automator” phase I acquired, among a plethora of others, this 2006 soundtrack to the NBA 2K7 video game. As can be expected, each track is b-ball themed in both lyrics and song title (Baller Blockin’, Fade Away, Don’t Hate the Player, to name just a few), and makes for a perfect companion to the 2K7 Instrumentals album (which I do not yet have). As with (almost) all DtA releases, there is a stripped down instrumental release to accompany the full, words-from-the-silver-tongue version. Kind of an intelligent way to get people to purchase two of (nearly) the same album. I’m game.
I Was Aboot to Say…
Limited to only 218 copies on green vinyl, Oot & Aboot by Honest Don’s The Real McKenzies looks like your typical, run-o-the-mill black record until you shove it up to any given light source. The music is decent pop punk, but the quasi-hidden color makes for a fun, limited release.
Otha Fish
Fresh from the Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde The Singles Collection, this 2012 colored vinyl reissue of the 1993 classic was one of 7 x 7″ 45s that make up this essential Delicious Vinyl release (record 6 of 7 to be exact). The music isn’t all that bad, either. Otha Fish Single Version on side A, and Otha Fish Acapella on side B, for those of you wanting to tickle your hip hop beat production fancy.
The Prudent Groove 