Hype stickers that deliver… SMoaSP (Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet), at their best, in their entirety.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
The Familiar Bridge
All this time, I thought Mr. Garfunkel wrote Bridge Over Troubled Water, but apparently, it was Mr. Simon. Perhaps it was Mr. Garfunk’s singing that threw me off, but none-the-less, I learned a bit of music history today in prep for this post. S&G’s last, and most prolific single continues to linger in the lore of pop-classic-rock-radio euphoria, and it’s only been something like, 46 years…
Demo
Why Minor Threat waited until 2003 to release their 1981 demo is lost on this sorry sap, but that doesn’t, in any way, take away from the adolescent brilliance within. It’s cheap on Discogs, so pick one up!
< Jake
Back in 1997, alligator-fighting, pop-punk Floridians Less Than Jake released their third studio album titled, Hello Rockview. 1998, in all its majestic glory, saw a reissue of Rockview in a 7x 7″ box set, featured here. It shames me, but I haven’t heard this album (series of 7″ records) in nearly 20 years, having purchased it from a forgotten record shop in Milwaukee, roughly around that time. I’ve sold many records, for many reasons, throughout the years, but I’ve kept this box set. Something (something?) tells me, it was for good reason.
Also
Broken into two parts by format limitations, Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss saw a resurgence in record sales (speculation), evidenced by this 1968 release on London Records, photo featured to the left. Coming on the fiery heels of the globally successful masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, this particular pressing was pimped as “The Original Von Karajan Recording of Music Featured in 2001 A Space Odyssey,” and for reasons that or painfully obvious, would make for a worthwhile accessory to the MGM Records soundtrack. When long, turbulent days call for relaxing ear candy, Also Sprach Zarathustra thoroughly fits the bill.Monday Night Blues
Between rain delays and episodes of Murder She Wrote, I was able to get through a few records this weekend. One of which was this Record Story Day release by bay area misfits NOFX titled, Sid & Nancy. With some sources claiming a limited run of 1000 copies, and others saying 750, I felt it wise to enlist / convince a buddy to nab an additional copy. The music is run of the mill NOFX (and that’s a good thing), but the vinyl presentation is brilliant. Full disclosure here, I forgot to take a photo for today’s post, and was stuck with attempting to salvage whatever random record related photo I had on my phone… hence the birth, and by tomorrow, the ultimate death of this post. When your reminders go off, don’t ignore them…
Dave Davies Hits
Death of a Clown received an outstanding rerelease on this Dave Davies Hits 7″ for 2016’s Record Store Day. One of three Kinks releases, Dave Davies Hits also contains the personal fav, Susannah’s Still Alive. I, of course, say this with all due respect, but thankfully, Dave’s personal career didn’t take off in 1968. Village Green, Lola, Arthur, and Muswell were all to follow, and I for one can’t imagine what they would have been without master Dave on the 6-string.
Record Store Day 2016
Today’s haul, with anticipatory glee. Happy RSD kids!
Pigs Will Pay
This comical insert to Propagandhi’s 7″ from Fat Wreck Chords once hung prominently on my bedroom wall some 18 years ago (yes, I’m that old). Now, it rests, tucked away inside the rarely played 7″ which is filed inside a shoe box on the office room floor. I can’t look at this and not think of innocent times nearly two decades ago. They don’t make ’em like they used to.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
I woke up this morning with high hopes and fruitful ambitions, and now I’m so exhausted I can’t keep my eyes open. 1987 is to hell and gone from here, but little, lasting memories keep Tiffany spinning in the jukebox of the mind. Tomorrow is Friday, the shortly thereafter, Record Store Day. We’re almost there…
Cuff Tity
So, this is a bit odd. I’d recently (past few weeks) attempted to purchase (twice) a few records from http://www.tuffcity.com. Seems easy enough, for sure, right? I’d entered my CC and email info, had gotten the order confirmation and all, when excitement started to settle in. Cheap-ass records, no, wait, ESSENTIAL records at a discount, and this shit was flat, straight denied. Funds returned. I’d sent email after email, asking for any sense of gimmie denial, but was left in the dark. Today I rechecked the shop to confirm this post, and everything was taken down. Le sigh. The long road it is.
Epic Stereo Cassette
Double analog owner of this “Epic Stereo Cassette” MAY have cycled one official listen way back in the day, but she’s new meat now that Mr. Suave Walkman is in town. One acquires an eye for the essentials, regardless of the medium, while on the frigid hunt. 2 Record Set on One Cassette ain’t too shappy… Epic Stereo Cassette
License to Chill
This recent tape obsession seems not to be going away, especially since a fully functional Walkman entered the home. At the very least, cassettes offer an interesting perspective on album art, if and when done well, like with 1986’s License to Ill. Check Your Head uses the same landscape layout, as I’m sure several other legendary albums I’ve yet to acquire also incorporate. Heavy static and bass-y hum offer a nostalgic glimpse into the media of yesteryear, and we’re slowly grabbing up the essentials.
Last Night
So, Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake last night… there are no words. Saturday night band from here on out, PLEASE!
Tonight
@
Check Your (Tape) Head
Another recent obsession in analog media, and the consolidated cassette collection is fully functional. You see, there was a time, not too long ago, where I’d (stupidly) given away 90% of my cassette tapes. I’d already owned them on CD / vinyl / both, or some type bollocks, but now, I’m kicking myself for not holding onto these rectangular treasures. As you can see, the essentials remained in my custody, and today… FINALLY, I’m able to enjoy them again.
Record player (x3), check! Compact disc player, check! 8-track player, (really?) check! Cassette player… well, it’s about damn time!
Super Ride 45
Bootleg 7″ records aren’t necessarily my thing… or the thing of my friends… or the thing of my friends’ friends… but brand any 45 with “Rocket from the Crypt,” and this casual collector starts hunting for shoe boxes for premium record storage. Super Ride 45 is the most recent addition to the family collection, but also serves as another solemn victory in the obtainable Rocket from the Crypt discography. Happy Thursday, for what it was.
Woah, Nelly
Woah, Nelly, am I excited for this book! Yes, that was just an Earthworm Jim reference… and I’m painfully okay with it. A quasi-autobiography-type-thing about one of my favorite high school bands which has sustained relativity and sonic consistency some 33 years after its pubescent, angry inception. NOFX has a book, you say? Where, and how much?
Also, RIP Merle Haggard.
GRR
Hidden legacies sealed on virgin vinyl. GR050 untouched.
1987
In 1987, I was 8. Also in 1987, Revolting Cocks released their heart-stopping live album, the double-trouble LP, You Goddamned Son of a Bitch. This album was recorded some 170 miles south of the rural, tumbleweed-rolling town I rode my GT Vertigo BMX around. Now, some 29 years later, this video documentation holds court within our humble library . Historical brilliance needs preserving, and this release was done up right.
The Prudent Groove 