The latest thrift store excavation yielding nothing, let’s say, groundbreaking, but the PG was willing and eager to bring home this pristine 1964 Boots Randolph LP, The Yakin’ Sax Man, the, you know, quote, unquote jazz / easy listening LP. Have yet to listen to it (that sometimes happens), but the cover is aces!
Tag Archives: record collecting
Me and My Bean Bag
Me and My Bean Bag, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Me and My Garbanzo Bean, shatters the primitive expectations (read: demands) from loyal fans of the Me and My Series. Marginally abandoning the space-country vibe of the series debut, the eponymous Me and My Asteroid Mistress, Me and My Bean Bag focuses more on the eclectic sounds of a Kitchen Aid mixer crossed with the unsettling sounds of lively power lines (aka: the rhythm section), which make up the bulk of this grounded album.
Questionable rumors are already spreading about the upcoming release in the series, a concept album loosely based on cement mixing called, Me and My Last Shoes.
If you enjoy Me and My Bean Bag, you’ll be thrilled by other outstanding releases from this groundbreaking series:
Me and My Asteroid Mistress (MaM001)
Me and My Expanding Waistline (MaM002)
Me and My Misinterpretation of the Word, Churlish (MaM003)
Me and My Garbanzo Bean (MaM004)
Me and My Bean Bag (MaM005)
Angel Prophylactics
I must have been wearing a green shirt when taking this morning photo (see, there is a reflection in the center plastic do-hickey). Anyway, I don’t squeeze out as many insert posts as I used to. If it were up to me, and it is, every post would be a classic, history-forgotten insert, but unfortunately (or not) that would mean I’d post roughly once a month. Anyway (again), as always with Angel Records ANYTHING, quality is nothing short of top of the line… the Rolls-Royce of record prophylactics. Protect your records, kids, and if you don’t, there’s always an Angel on your side.
Fight War, Not Wars…
Fight war, not wars. Destroy power, not people. – Crass
They wouldn’t be revered if they weren’t delicious. In the most simplistic of terms, Crass were holders of mirrors, reflecting the filth and smut of humanity. Blaming the frame which holds the mirror is much more popular than facing the impure and whorish tendencies we all inhabit as we stand and reflect. We hope to see something fixed, something humane, but reflection cannot, and does not lie.
To HELL With ‘Merica
I very much wanted to rant and rave about the current state of affairs, but chose to post this cover of Canada’s finest, the uncompromising Propagandhi’s 2nd album, instead. Even within our own walls we find restriction… anyway, GO CANADA!
Jaws Day 2k15
Happy Jaws Day, kiddos! (Photo courtesy of Jillian Kenney)
Please, Mr. Postman
Please, Mr. Postman, don’t drop, throw, toss, pitch, hurl, thrust, flip, heave, fire, or fling any of my precious records upon delivery. My copy of Lawndale’s 1986 debut LP, Beyond Barbecue, was a birthday gift (my loving SO), and now it’s little more than unplayable garbage and a sour subject. Government-infused laziness should not, nor ever, equal subpar workmanship.
Rocket from the Insert aka Circa: 1991
Haven’t done an insert post in a while, and I’m nowhere near out of my (lifelong) RFTC phase, so here is side two to the Paint as a Fragrance insert from 1991, aka RFTC’s debut studio album.
The artist’s signature looks to be either a forgery, or an afterthought, but really what the hell do I know. Likely some child relation to Speedo based on the last name. Anyway, on a completely unrelated note, binge-watch your shows responsibly!
Circa: Soon
(Photo to come as soon as this 3rd rate, garbage bag Wi-Fi decides to start functioning…) So the lovely SO and I decided to take a trip to Sultan City, mainly because I’m a big dumb idiot. I have no idea what to anticipate, but expectations are certainly running on 11! (As previously stated, Wi-Fi at this Palms Springs hotel is garbage bag) #giveusakiss
Update @ 12:17: Wi-Fi decides to function, and allows my feeble image upload to compete. Don’t come to Palm Springs for the Wi-Fi, kids…
Nitzer Sliced
EBM… a former roommate introduced me to Nitzer Ebb, and I thank you explicitly, Tricia. This $3 necessity was had from a little hallway of a record shop across the street from Nick Nice’s shop in Madison, WI. This is the humble shop where I acquired my first Revolting Cocks record… where I snatched the Hot Snakes debut, the Lenny Soundtrack, the O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack, and Johnny Cash’s American IV… needless to say, $3 for Ebb’s debut, however mangled, was a bargain, given the circumstances. Covers be damned, until the time in which they be praised.
It’s Album Time
What can be said about Todd Terje that hasn’t been overstated already? Perhaps only this: better to get into this album, knowing absolutely nothing about it. Sub-classic electro-fun-zone… for those of you keeping score, that’s a solid 100%. No need to check your watch, because, It’s Album Time. Enjoy!
Old Time Piano
This is a fun one. So, long, sappy, convoluted story short, work has been a bear lately, so this past Saturday I decided to have some selfish fun. After liquoring up my SO on heavy margaritas and Mexican food, I nonchalantly informed her that we were heading to the local brick and mortar and that she had one, very important task at hand… one she certainly did not ask for, and one she admirably knocked out of the vinyl-spinning park. She was to pick out one record, period. See, she doesn’t collect vinyl… she cooks… and is amazing at it. I, collect… and eat her delicious goods. So, amongst a sea of Radiohead, Johnny Cash, and Beatles-related material, she picked Frank Froeba’s Old Time Piano 10″. I love this woman, and impromptu pairings of Mexican and record hunting is, I’m sorry kiddo, now a thing.
Begin Here, by Mr. Argent
For reasons far beyond my level of feeble comprehension, here is the back (ass-cover) to The Zombies’ 1965 debut, Begin Here. Mind you, this is just a reissue (180 gram, half speed mastering at Abbey Road), but Mr. Rod Argent’s humbling write-up has all the makings for an entry worthy of withstanding the tests of time. Have a read, then a listen (if you’re already in the know). The Zombies : Begin Here…
Return to Rhome
This could have been pressed on oil black, single vinyl with no bonus tracks or download card and I still would have thrown fists full of my hard earned cash for an opportunity to own Old 97’s insanely classic debut, Hitchhike to Rhome. Lucky for me, this puppy is the Cadillac of vinyl releases, as clearly stated by this marketing sticker, and needless to say, I’m giddy over FINALLY owning this uncompromising release.
FF
With arguably the most recognizable keyboard intro to any track to kick off any album in all of rock (save maybe for Baba O’Riley), Freeze Frame, the title track on 1981’s appropriately titled Freeze Frame by The J. Geils Band took second seat to the the band’s most successful incarnation, Centerfold. That’s right, both Freeze Frame AND Centerfold are featured on this album. Shocking, I know.
The band’s sound (somewhat) drastically shifted over its tenure, but it’s humbling to imagine a band can (finally) hit its stride on its 12th album. The J. Geils Band would ride on the success of Freeze Frame (the album, not the track) for another two albums until calling it quits with 1984’s You’re Gettin’ Even While I’m Gettin’ Odd. For a damn fine radio-friendly example of early 80s mind-numbing awesomeness, check out Freeze Frame. Your yester-self (it exists) could use a solid, loving punch in the shoulder.
She’s Over It
Written by Ad-Rock and producer Rick “Def Jam” Rubin, the 1985 soundtrack (or “sound track” as it’s listed on the cover) to the smash-bang-hit, She’s On It, is little more than an elaborate, mediocre, wave two Beastie Boys offering. There’s a reason She’s On It never appeared on a proper album, and that’s because it’s shit. I love the Boys Beastie, but I’m sorry. This song is terrible… and the video is even worse. But… this razor-edged opinion in no way prevents me from seeking out this release to round out the collection. 1985 Beastie Boys was a very sad, but ultimately necessary phenomenon… one that would be all but eclipsed with the dawn of a new era (wave three), ushered forth by the impeccable Paul’s Boutique. It’s okay to question your heroes… RIP MCA.
Write it With Your Paw
What is it about hand-numbered releases that draws so much mild elation from the collector? Is it the rarity? The often, almost illegible scribble isn’t much of a draw. Perhaps it’s hoping to score as low a number as possible? Or maybe, in the case of this 2008 vinyl release of Lawrence Arms’ 1999 debut album, A Guided Tour of Chicago, the hand-written, numbered feature is just a bonus that accompanies this album’s debut pressing. Whichever the reasoning behind its appeal, hand-numbered releases certainly aren’t going anywhere, and to that simple fact, I’m remain indifferent.
War… Pimp…
1997… LARD… Booklet… Lunacy… Reality…
Blue
(Is my obsession showing?) When subtle vigor overcomes wasted want, there stands the might Andrew Jackson Jihad. Featured here, again, is the 2nd pressing of AJJ’s first full length, People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World. Necessary ear candy, regardless of the pressing, punk-influences folk transcending 11 blissful, crass, comforting melodies… what more, no, seriously, what more could you ask for?
June 27th, 2007
Back in 2007, Hear Music, co-owned label by Starbucks and the Concord Music Group, released four tracks by Sir Paul McCartney performing live at Amoeba Hollywood. I was working in Hollywood at the time and called to see what the situation was… are there tickets, how long is the expected line, stuff like that. I was told by the kind gentleman on the phone that there were already people waiting in line for the event, that wasn’t set to take place for another 28 hours, clearly the next day. I laughed and said my thank yous. A few months later I picked up this copy of Amoeba’s Secret, but for reasons I still can’t recall, never opened it. She may have her virgin spin sometime this weekend, but then again I may wait another 8 years. We’ll see.. Happy Friday!
The Prudent Groove 