If MXPX on Fat Wreck Chords seems, let’s politically say, interesting, that’s because there may very well be something interesting about a “Christian” band recording for Fat Mike’s (NOFX) record label. I can honestly say, with a semi-clear (vinyl) conscious, that I’ve MAYBE listened to this record once in the 14 years since owning it. I can’t speak for its content, only for its visual clarity.
Tag Archives: wax
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!
Reflections of the Hypothetical
If circumstances prohibited you to purchase only one more record before you died, what would it be?
Stipulations:
– Purchase needs to be new; no duplicate purchases (a 3rd copy of Richard Pryor’s Greatest Hits does not qualify… as awful as that sounds)
– Purchaser understands that no other record will be obtained after said purchase, and that this particular record will “complete” purchaser’s collection (or some type shit)
– Purchaser understands the depressing limitations that once and for all, the hunt is finally over (bummin’ me out, man)
Talk amongst yourselves…
(Photo is a desktop reflection of June 8th’s posting, for those of you keeping score…)
Aey Jay Jay
Thanks to the general item description from Discogs.com (cited), below is the slew of variants attributed to the magnificent, folk-punk debut full-length from Phoenix’s best, Andrew Jackson Jihad. People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People in the World is nothing short of unrelenting genius, and is as crass as all good art should be. Featured here is the dark blue / black swirl 2nd pressing. Enjoy!
1st press (brown jackets): 400 brown; 100 black
2nd press (blue jackets): 500 dark blue/black swirl; 500 maroon
3rd press: 300 clear blue
4th press: 300 opaque white
5th press: 500 random colored
6th press: 500 clear red
7th press: 500 black vinyl
8th press: 600 random colored
9th press: 700 clear green/black swirl
Garbage
Lagwagon’s brand of snotty, emotionally-charged pop punk was, and still is, a staple for the Fat Wreck Chords label. The band’s longevity and continued popularity among middle class youth (now middle aged middle class) has spanned its influential wings across an impressive 23+ years. With many iterations throughout their tenure, and even more rock-solid studio releases, it doesn’t get any better than 1994’s Trashed, as far as I’m concerned. What you’re seeing here is a reissue from the 10 LP box set, Putting Music in its Place from back in ’11. A personal classic, Lagwagon continues to demand my respect.
The Saturday Evening Post Presents…
… a trip to the ER. Everybody is fine, but our priorities have shifted a smidge. Lesson 1: Write your posts sooner. Lesson 2: Be damn careful chopping basil. Liberace performs the Third Man Theme on this one…
RIP Amoeba
So, as far as I’m concerned, Amoeba Hollywood, and the collective employees with which they frequent, can kiss my collecting arse! I got burned on a $30 Dark Side… picture disc a few years back, and I got burned today on a Van Morrison 8-track that does exactly one thing correctly… not fucking work. Their overpriced population has taken its toll, and I for one am over their rhetoric.
Short Round
What is your favorite Indiana Jones film? Mine is Temple… for the lot of those I mingle with, it’s Raiders. Fools, as far as I’m concerned.
Begin Where?
I passed on the opportunity to snatch the 2013 Record Store Day reissue of the US version of The Zombies’ debut album (titled The Zombies in the states, Begin Here in the UK). I didn’t think much for the bastardized cover, and although the album is obviously essential listening material, I opted to hold out for the original UK art. At my local hit-or-miss brick-and-mortar the other day I found this amazing gem, a UK import of the 2014 limited edition reissue. If Heinz ketchup has taught me anything, it’s that good things come to those who wait, so I feel I made the educated decision. Plus, this copy sounds flippin’ amazing! Side A is unstoppable, and it’s sad to fathom that this amazing band only lasted for two albums. Next on the “need” list, their 2nd, and last album, 1968’s Odessey and Oracle.
Excitement!
This 2015 Hot Topic exclusive has gotten me a little more excited than I probably should be. For one, The Shape of Punk to Come is by far one of the best albums ever to invade my ears. It’s heavy, melodic, technically insane (the percussion), and it killed the band (2015’s forthcoming Freedom aside). I owned the original since its 1998 release, and have since acquired a double blue, double red, double clear, and now single disc translucent purple version. What I think gets me riled up more than (almost) any of my other versions (clear vinyl will always be the treasured version of any version of any album) is that at first glance, this puppy looks like a straight black record. For a split second upon emerging this gem, I thought it was a mistake and panicked, but after closer inspection, the darkness, as it turns out, is eclipsed by a deep, moody, purple cloud. I love records that look like nothing but are secretly hiding their inner beauty, which, if you think about it, mirrors the album perfectly. Yeah, a little over excited for this one. 
24K Fingers
One of my favorite high school jams finally received a vinyl pressing earlier this year, and my copy of Goldfinger’s self titled debut magically arrived at our doorstep yesterday afternoon. Pressed on blue (this), gold, and lavender vinyl, each version was released, as far as I can tell, with a limited run of 500 copies. Unfortunately, Goldfinger’s followup (1997’s Hang-Ups) was nothing short of a disaster (at least for our listening circle), and the band was squarely written off. Listening to this album now, some 19 years later, I’m knocked out by a raging flood of adolescent memories. For those who missed this gem, and are fans of quirky, snarky, pop-punk, get this record!
Screeching Queers AKA The Mr. Weasel Experience
If you find yourself aimlessly wandering around the Santa Ana area off Harbor Blvd on Saturday, August 8th, pop into The Observatory and check out Screeching Weasel, The Queers, and The Mr. T Experience. Fools were handing out these fliers after Saturday’s Rocket from the Crypt show and I thoughtlessly threw this guy in my back pocket. He emerged this morning while cleaning out the ol’ pockets. If you missed Rocket, you missed another mind-blowing experience. Happy Monday.
Circa: May 30, 2015
DES 18012
The elegant mysticism that surrounds the ethereal journey that is Days of Future Passed is as inviting as it is comforting, and is, for this blue-skied Saturday afternoon, the perfect melodic mate. The Moody Blues and I are forever intertwined, as they were the first live band I’ve ever seen. I used to scoff at that fact, but now embrace it with humbled pride. Thanks, Big Guy for introducing us.
Happy Saturday, kids! Please drink / consume responsibly.
Live in Concert
Robert Gerard Goulet is many thing to many, many people. Vegas crooner, housewife heart-throb, and of course, uncompromising supernatural connoisseur à la Beetlejuice. But before his mustache-swaggered role in Tim Burton’s 1988 classic, Mr. Goulet released his first live album, 1963’s Robert Goulet in Person: Recorded Live in Concert. Jam packed with a medley per side, Mr. Goulet’s sugar sweet wails covers, including the medleys, 17 poppy jazz favorites, and is perfect mood setting music for dress-up play dates with your cocktail wielding significant other. Mr. Goulet comes highly recommended from the Groove. Happy Friday!
The Prudent Groove 