Minimalist? Fer sure!
Simplistic? Like, totally!
The cover to Frank Zappa’s 1982 album, Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch holds a prominent place on the back cover to its 7″ single, Valley Girl, and has been, until this morning, looked over and ignored by yours truly. I mean, the totally bitchen LP should be on the “must have” list, like, that would be so awesome, I’m sure! Respect the music your elders dug, kids.
In 1964, the greatest film the world has ever known exploded onto the pale faces of Western civilization. Today, I obtained the closest thing to an officially released soundtrack from this, my all-time favorite film, Dr. Strangelove. Dropping the same year as the film, this various artist comp features a total of 13 tracks, with only one of them being featured in the aforementioned film. But that’s certainly ok, and completely without contention, for you see, this album, with all its 1964-infused Dr. Strangelove poster art, is for visual stimulation, instead of those more pleasing to the ear. I’m elated to welcome the most recent addition to my billowing record collection, Dr. Strangelove and Other Great Movie Themes.
I am in no way ashamed to admit that I went through a Ministry phase. I’m also not apologetic to concede that said phase lasted the good part of 14 years. I’ve witnessed their bone-crushing live act more than a few times, and was even fortunate enough to walk away from one show with a (purchased) autograph, and a “game used” drumstick. Ministry was, at one time, my favorite rage band. Now, she serves as a nostalgic milestone, whose chapter I’ll reread from time to angry time.
Burning Inside, the band’s 1989 single off their ass-kicking masterpiece, The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste, features 12″ remixes to both the title track, as well as fan-favorite Thieves, and offers a live cover of Skinny Puppy’s Smothered Hope. For a cool $6.99 from (what I remember to be) Second Spin back in Madison, WI, this copy of Burning Inside joined its industrial brothers and sisters in my then blossoming collection.
A classic track by a classic band in the throes of their heyday, Burning Inside is essential Monday afternoon listening material, and as with all Ministry records featured here, comes highly recommended.
… straight to sleep! It’s been a long weekend… thanks, kiddos!
The offices of The Prudent Groove are taking a vinyl-less weekend trip to Newport Beach, but in our passing, we suggest a spin (or three) of the flawless country / bluegrass soundtrack to the grand and goofy motion picture, O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Have a great weekend, listening friends, and stay cool and fully hydrated (for those of you in Southern California’s current heat wave).
Per Merriam-Webster:
disdain
: a feeling of strong dislike or disapproval of someone or something you think does not deserve respect
HOP, or House of Pain, and this, their 2nd full-length offering is in no way associated with the above noun, but this album’s vigor certainly makes for an appropriate dust cover.
Listen, for reasons that transcend both you and me, J. R. Cash holds, and will always hold, a deep-rooted seed of importance with me (and my Midwestern upbringing). Bruce McCulloch put it accurately when he said that Greatest Hits albums were for housewives and little girls, BUT, I must state that a little gathering of the goods, if you will, is nothing of an ill-comprised representation of one’s output. Are there better albums of Mr. Cash’s to be had? Shame on you for asking. Does this one hold sentimental value far more than any top 40 single on the bullshit charts? You bet your ass! I’ll be as gone as a wild goose in winter…and I welcome you all to join me.
RIP J. R. Cash.
1967 was a good year for the Kinks. If you don’t believe me, and you most certainly should, here is a live album on Reprise Records titled, The Live Kinks. The grandfathers of garage rock, this album burns a necessary spot in every collector’s library.
VIVA LA KINKS!
Here is a small, yet valuable lesson to be learned while attending Kiss shows. At some point, Gene Simmons will spit blood. Repress your craving for overpriced beer and stick around for this spectacle. I got thirsty and missed it, and will likely never get the opportunity to witness this again. That damn beer was not worth a lifetime of blood-spitting regret. Learn from my failures, kids.
Wes Montgomery and his nonchalant approach to classical guitar on this CTI Records / (SP-3001) smooth-jazz release needs no outlandish introduction. Kicking shit off with his interpretation of A Day in the Life, and including Eleanor Rigby on this here b-side, Mr. Montgomery’s interpretation of radio classics stand, in their own right, as adversaries within the crafted medium… or some type shit. This is a good album, is all I’m saying… happy Monday.
When 1991’s Cypress Hill dropped their muther fuggin self titled opus (1991… how long ago is / was that?! ) their single, Latin Lingo was perceived with prominence and prestige so much so that Mr. Prince Paul was a viable contributor. Brush up on your Latin Lingo, kids.
Listen, I know I sound like a broken record here, but I’m stuck under a Rocket from the Crypt sized cloud without an umbrella and it’s friggin’ POURING! Do you hear what I’m saying?! A stronger man may be able to control these things, themselves, but by God, I am not a strong man.
VIVA LA CRYPT!!!
(Photo taken from inside gatefold of the 1994 Rocket from the Crypt / Bloodthirsty Butchers split 7”, so, there you go.)
In my quest to acquire (apprehend) every and all Rocket from the Crypt records, one that will undoubtedly never come to fruition, I stumbled across this signed copy of 1992’s Yum Kippered. Unsure of this item’s authenticity, I decided to pull the trigger for a reasonable $25. I had to cross Yum Kippered off the list, and figured a signed copy by the greatest rock n’ roll band of my generation was a decent selling point. So one “Buy it Now” click, a twenty and a fiver out of my account, and a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong four days, and this beauty was mine. A great discovery at a reasonable price… NEXT!
Every-every time I drink this beer, see its label, or hear its reference, I can’t help but think of this song, and this fascinating band… the immensely underrated, Minutemen, and this, their 1983 opus, The Anchor.
Back in ’92, and a whole three years before the digital video disc was invented, LaserDiscs were considered, across the videophile nation, to be the best quality home consumer video format that money could buy. Leave it to the Beastie Boys to tackle this medium to promote a collection of their classic music videos, appropriately titled, The $kill$ to Pay the Bill$. Nabbing its title from the a bonus track to the So What ‘Cha Want single (release June 2nd, 1992), The $kill$ to Pay the Bill$ may very well be the best non-album track, aside maybe for Mullet Head, that the trio ever released, and is a fitting handle for this 12 video comp.
One of only two LaserDiscs that I kept after the great liquidation of 2012 (the other being the Criterion Collection release of Dr. Strangelove), The $kill$ to Pay the Bill$ is a perfect relic of early 90’s distinction. What’s a seemingly intentional snub to the fans, however, is the omission of the video from which this collection derives its name. Shameful punks!
Leave it to Loverboy and this skin-tight, hot pink leather pants wearing, luck-searching cover to show you and yours a romantic Valentine’s Day! Fingers crossed everybody gets lucky today!
Happy Valentine’s Day, kiddos!
So, first and foremost, an esteemed apology for the blatant William Shatner reference in tonight’s post. The SO and I have started watching Boston Legal, a personal favorite, and this 1979, Peter Pan Records release (#1513) seemed arguably appropriate. The In Vino Veritas story is certainly one for the fan-boy ages, but, and I’ll disclose 100% honesty here, anything Shatner is certified gold. Props to Mr. George Takei for his prominent position on this 7”’ cover.
It’s a bit fitting that the day, the very friggin’ day, that I run out of the glorious, remedy elixir; I stumble across a collection of tracks showcasing the same brand name. Perhaps I haven’t listened to this album in (more than) a few years, and perhaps I’ve forgotten the weight of its contents, but rest assured, that this weekend’s checklist includes the digitizing of this album, so that travels to and from work will become a new, symptom-resolving addiction.
A few beers and a couple of bruises later, the aftermath of an adrenaline-fueled, lightning-charged date with the World’s best rock n’ roll band leaves this humble fan grinning ear to ringing ear. Friday, January 30th, 2015 came, went, and brought with it one of most enjoyable concert going experiences I have, and will ever experience. Last night was the 7th time I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Rocket from the Crypt, and unlike this aging and pit-riddled walking corpse, it never gets old. Let’s do it all again tonight!
The Prudent Groove 
