Randy's Best of 2010

Randy’s Holiday Listomania for 2010

Top 10 albums for 2010 (# of 5 star songs)
1. Arcade Fire - Suburbs (10)
2. Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record (6)
3. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today (6)
4. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
5. Richard Thompson – Dream Attic (5)
6. Free Energy - Stuck On Nothing
7. Yeasayer – Odd Blood (4)
8. Best Coast – Crazy For You (4)
9. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast (4)
10. Beach House – Teen Dream (4)

Honorable Mention
1. Spoon – Transference
2. Wolf Parade – Expo 86
3. Blitzen Trapper – Destroyer of the Void
4. Joy Formidable – A Balloon Called Moaning
5. Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 – Propellor Time
6. Dr Dog – Shame Shame
7. Roots – How I Got Over
8. Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
9. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dar Twisted Fantasy
10. Nada Surf – If I Had a Hi-Fi


Favorite Songs of Year
1. Arcade Fire -Sprawl II
2. Yeasayer – Madder Red
3. Broken Social Scene – World Sick
4. Arcade Fire – We Used to Wait
5. Yeasayer – Ambling Alp
6. The Dum Dum Girls – Jail La La
7. Wolf Parade – Pobody’s Nerfect
8. Broken Social Scene – Art House Director
9. Surfer Blood – Twin Peaks
10. Richard Thompson – If Love Whispers Your Name

Favorite Songs – Honorable Mention
1. Deerhunter – Coronado
2. Free Energy – Wild Winds
3. Arcade Fire – Empty Room
4. Best Coast – Each and Every Day
5. Blitzen Trapper – Laughing Lover
6. Yeasayer – O.N.E.
7. The Joy Formidable – The Last Drop
8. Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 – Ordinary Millionaire
9. Spoon – I Saw The Light
10. Nada Surf – Love and Anger



10 Great traditional and Americana tracks from 2010 in no particular order
1. The Walkmen - Juveniles
2. Teenage Fanclub – Baby Lee
3. Sun Kil Moon – You Are My Son
4. Roky Erickson (W/ Okkervil River) – Goodbye Sweet Dreams
5. Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 – Primitive
6. Graham Parker – Broken Skin
7. Midlake – Acts of Man
8. Matt Pond Pa – Remains
9. Bonnie “Prince” Billy – Troublesome Houses
10. Richard Thompson – The Money Shuffle

10 Greats from the Female lead singers in 2010
1. The New Pornographers – Crash Years
2. The Joy Formidable – Last Drop
3. Camera Obscura – The Sweetest Thing
4. Best Coast – Goodbye
5. Bettie Serveert – Waiting For Control
6. Beach House – Norway
7. Arcade Fire – Empty Room
8. Sambassadeur – Days
9. The Like – Release Me
10. Broken Social Scene – All To All

10 Great tracks from the world of Indie Electronic and Experimental
1. Yeasayer – Love Me Girl
2. Deerhunter - Revival
3. Sleigh Bells – Rill Rill
4. Beach House – Walk in The Park
5. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Reminiscences
6. LCD Sound System - Home
7. Broken Social Scene – Sentimental X’s
8. Suuns – Arena
9. Tamaryn – Love Fade
10. Yeasayer – O.N.E.


10 Tracks from 2010 from Contemporary Indie Rock – Accessible for all ears
1. Arcade Fire – Modern Man
2. Spoon – The Mystery Zone
3. The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
4. Nada Surf – Love Goes On
5. Deer Tick – Twenty Miles
6. Surfer Blood – Catholic Pagans
7. Badly Drawn Boy – Too Many Miracles
8. Broken Social Scene – Ungrateful Little Father
9. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Bottled in Cork
10. Dr Dog – Where’d All The Time Go


10 Songs that will have you wondering what decade this is
1. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round and Round
2. Free Energy – Young Hearts
3. Malachai – Snowflake
4. The Roots – How I Got Over
5. The Like – Release Me
6. The Drums – Best Friend
7. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Bright Lit Blue Skies
8. Blitzen Trapper – Destoyer of the Void
9. Beach House – Norway
10. Dr Dog – Shame Shame

Make Your Album Like This...

We interrupt these announcements! Arcade Fire reviewed

The Suburbs

Hey, folks. Lots going on as we get into late Summer here. Just today plugged a fucking well. Made a small step for Human Rights. Maybe all this momentum was inspired by yesterday’s music release. The Arcade Fire is a small armada of multi instrumentalists that can firmly lay claim to the best album release of this year. It will stick folks. There are some other cool things out there right now, but these guys and gals stepped up big time. The Canadian Indies have always had themes prevailing for each LP. They have tackled death and religion head on with the first two albums with amazing musicianship, yet a downright depressing undercurrent in the early work of this fine group. Here, The Arcade Fire tells tales of Urban Sprawl in a symphonic delivery that tingles the spine at a near perpetual rate. 16 songs and over an hour running time is rare these days. This might have been a problem had there been the appearance of the forced throwaway tracks. This album has no throwaways. Starts with a tempo setter the albums title track , “Suburbs” invites you in with cozy texture, a Wilcoesque cadence, and some great piano. Track 2 brings a shimmering jaunty hopefulness with an uplifting track called “Ready To Start” bounces in a tense businesslike manner. It’s tension eases to a really pretty track and one of my early faves “Modern Man.” This is a songwriter’s song. Beautiful rich deeply plucked acoustic guitar with some lovely little reverb laden, Clashy guitar tweaks in the background. Cool song for sure. “Rococo”, is an interesting shift change track bringing drama and some synth to the game. If you were worrying at all that the pace of the album would slug along too much for your liking, along comes the anthemic, and triumphant “Empty Room” as it would be a great new contemporary workout track for fans of the U2’s and other Northern Europe influenced drmatipop. That means Coldplay. The next track, “City With No Children” speaks of yuppie kid resistance from cold and empty McMansions. Win Butler, the lead singer is in a Lindsey Buckingham position of strength that has this band up to the task with his impressive and evident leadership. His wife, Regine Chassange is the major angelic female voice you hear that gives and takes with Butler throughout this gem. “Half Light I” is the first track I felt compelled to score any lower than 4 out of 5 stars. It’s sequel song picks up steam again and leads into another track that makes me want Itunes to add a sixth star. “Suburban War” is a folksy number at first echoing the Byrds and other delicately plucked traditional artists. It builds in a crescendo of question and doubt. “Month of May” Crunches up the guitars and turns the amps to 11 for the rockers who just aren’t feeling all this grandeur and drama. A couple of fairly pedestrian tracks, relatively speaking of course give way to a killer piano ballad “We Used to Wait.” This track and the incendiary “Sprawl II” are also just tremendous. “Sprawl II has some of the coolest Electric synth influence as it feels like a Kate Bush classic that never revealed itself. Regine’s voice has all the range of that freak Bjork with none of that annoying factor.

6 out of 6 Go buy this !!!! That is all for today. Nothing else is worthy of mention

A Musical Heatwave

Some July thoughts on Music new and old as Philly cooks.

Hey there folks. The heat wave is intense I know, but some cool new summer tunes and some old gems that never surfaced will be the cure for what ails ya’.

Some cool new Artist, Albums and Tracks to lookout for

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Experimental Indie Rock, Post New Wave

Ariel Pink is a 32 year old from L.A. that must have spent too much time is his folks AM gold records from the 70’s. This unique album, that conveniently has it’s best track, called Round and Round on a 4AD (record company) free sampler album on Amazon. Cool textures and very bizarre lush synth make this song and whole album a real throwback to experimental and Progressive rock with a really melodic underbelly. It is hard to place this creative group of Pink’s.

Check out the song highlights that certainly don’t have the most charming titles, but you must hear the aforementioned “Round and Round” (again free on Amazon!), the track “Bright Lit Blue Skys” has a Bond, Broccoliesque, pace and cadence with the lush vocal sound that I would think was derived from band The 5th Dimension. It feels like Garage too. It sounds that dated. Very cool and not feeling derivative for it is so creative. The poorly named track “Butthouse Blondies” has a Husker Du, Mould type opening and then kicks into a druggy Americana like the Byrds Tour bus crashed into Velvet Underground. Fans of Paisley Underground bands like Green on red, and The Dream Syndicate will know this sound. Some quality instrumentation continues with the Bluesy yet reverb drenched track “Little Wig.” Fans of Ween would dig this track I think. This album, while bizarre, scores huge points for me in creativity. “I Can’t Hear my Eyes” is another track far removed from it’s release date. Sounds like AM gold like Ambrosia, or maybe (Dave alert) Bread?. That’s how strange this album sounds I know, but for fans of diverse sounds, check ‘er out. The Grover Washington and Dave Koz fans may like the track “Reminiscences” WJJZ could slip this instrumental in there and no one would even notice. Next track “Menopause Man” is again, a really dopey premise and title, but I will not deduct too many point for song titles today, for the song is cool and creative, and breaks out into a Synthy yet catchy hook that even I am having difficulty placing. “Revolution’s a Lie” is a very Joy Division framework. Fans of Gothy Post Punk from Manchester should check this track out

I really enjoy this album more and more as I get more listens, but check out “Round and Round” and if you don’t feel it, they are not for you.

Verdict: 5 out of 6


Wolf Parade – Expo ‘86
Genre: Indie Rock, Post Punk Revival, Canadian Indie

Wolf Parade from Montreal is an Indie Supergroup of sorts with all members having solo success in relative terms in the Indie circles. Dan Boeckner the lead singer, had a cool release with his wife, called The Handsome Furs. Keyboardist Dante Decaro from Hot Hot Heat, and Spencer Krug has led Sunset Rubdown. These guys have a nervous frenetic quality about them that makes itself quite evident on the first track. “Cloud Shadow on the Mountain” is chaotic and disjointed but has a decent payoff in the last minute. “What did My Lover Say” has a Modest Mouse feel about it, which makes sense, for Isaac Brock produced their first LP. “Little Golden Age” is the first of a few songs that have keyboardist, Decaro, channeling Jan Hammer’s Tubular Bells sound. It has moments that are cool, but Wolf Parades songs all go on about a minute too long or so on this LP. A number of 5 minute plus songs are here but they seem a bit forced. “In the direction of the Moon” falls a bit flat for me. “Ghost Pressure” has a cadence that echoes a Clash rhythm, but it chugs along another 5 minutes, when they could have gotten their point across with a servicable 3 ½ to 4 mins. After this comes my favorite track “Pobody’s Nerfect.” This Song has a feel of the Hold Steady’s Pub Rock feel and could be Wolf Parade’s attempt at an homage to The Only Ones. “You just don’t know how to stop it at all” screams Boeckner in this anthemic hot rocker. This is holding up as one of my favorite songs of the year. The final few tracks are pretty cool, as the track “Oh You Old Thing” is a song that wears more Post Punk influence squarely on it’s sleeve, as this song has synth lines that sound like Magazine, or Gary Numan. “Yulia”, a single is tucked next to last is okay. Cave-O-Sapien wraps up the album in appropriate fashion as being a very uniquely sounding Wolf Parade track with the vocal choppiness that makes them fun. The 4:30 mark of this has some really cool keyboards to punctuate and tie this one up.

I’m conflicted a bit. Great influence and good creativity, but more editing and trimming the edges could have made it even better.

Verdict : 4 of 6



Some tracks of recent note I’ve liked (Which are available free on Amazon BTW)

Band Song Why?
Harlem- Gay Human Bones /Great Garage Revival
Camera Obscura- The Sweetest Thing / Silky and Smooth and Scottish
Deer Tick- Twenty Miles /Great Indie Folk , nice Piano
The Dum Dum Girls- Jail La La /Lyrics are great for pace of song
22-20’s- Shake, Shiver, and Moan
The Mynabyrds- Numbers Don’t Lie /Because it’s soulful and pretty
Henry Clay People- Slow Burn
Port O’Brien- Oslo Campfire

I’ve touched on some newer things but the real fun is digging deep in the under-known artists who have attained a modicum of critical acclaim.

It may be old stuff, but it’s new to me, which is just as good.

The Long Ryders- Best of

Fans of The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Tom Petty, The Jayhawks, My Morning Jacket, and many more would really dig the cowpunk, outlaw country rock of California’s The Long Ryders. Tracks like the kicking “Looking for Lewis and Clark”, and “Gunslinging Man” which interestingly enough, fans of The Chameleons UK should notice a guitar line striking similar to Return of the Roughnecks by said UK Goth band. Not sure which track came first. The song “If I were a Bramble and You Were a Rose” is in the vain of Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris and just a beautiful alt-country ballad. First listen of the greatest hit’s of this band, which were only around from 1982-87 got under my skin as some of the catchiest folk rock I’ve ever heard. Hear the track “Man of Misery” and you will understand where My Morning Jacket arose. If you consider yourself well versed in Alt-country, these guys should be on your radar.

Chelsea- The Punk Singles Collection 77-82

I Love my UK Punk. More tuneful than many, I don’t see much praise for Chelsea but these guys provided a true working class punk from the era. Chelsea, was a stop on the way for Billy Idol and his Generation X cohorts who also cut their teeth in this unknown commodity. The track “Right to Work “ sounds striking similar to the approach of working class Cleveland Art Punks, Pere Ubu. “Urban Kids” is another great track with killer Bass work. “No Flowers” is amazing and quite tuneful I think. “I’m on Fire” sweeps around in a downright sophisticated manner for punk. I think the band 999 also had this aesthetic down. Tuneful Punk with artistic quality, “Look at the Outside” and “Stand Out” are also exemplary.


See my Ilike playlists for some samples of some tracks.

Thanks
RF

Now Hear This!!!

Hey Folks,

Let Randy be your guide to all things music.

Musical Consultation at the most reasonable rates you could imagine. Free!!! Or what you feel my musical consultation services are worth. Let me explain. I have so many ways I feel I could help busy people, aspiring artists, business owners, record producers, talent scouts, movie and T.V. producers, advertising executives, retail store operators, and I could go on, use and apply music in a personalized fashion. Let my advice that is only an email away prove my legitimacy and credibility in music be dispatched in a consequence free manner. If you have been checking out my blog and fear my tastes and opinions are not up your alley, test me for an objective take on the Pop scene as well, and I assure you I can view music as openly minded as anyone.

Personal applications of my services.

If you have any album new and old you are considering, contact me, and I will give you a review and relate it to similar artists and styles.

Personal Playlist Variety for the busy music lovers. Is your Ipod a little stale with overplayed popular bands. Let me know if maybe you like say, U2 and I could tell you that you may just like about 15 other bands that inspired said band. I could tell you who may have inspired and artist and what bands have followed your artist that may be similar.

Applications of my musical database for businesses - retail, marketing and advertising.

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Commercials on TV - Impact with a quirky song that grabs attention. All those songs in commercials that pop up that are infectious, you never heard, and are Shazaming right now to find out who they are? Those are the songs I've been uncovering for a long time. Can even save you some bucks with the royalty fees by plucking the gems of the lesser known artists.

Movie and Television Scores, Soundtracks, and background. Have a movie soundtrack you want to see if flows. Have scenes that are using music you need the right song for. No 32 year old has listened to and fully absorbed as many musical masterpieces from the full spectrum of genres and sub genres of contemporary rock music than this one here. Book it.

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How do you all take advantage of this amazing offer. Simply email me at rflogaus@gmail.com if you want to see if I'm serious or not. Email me with anything musical you've got. You have me as your personal music expert


Some new albums you may want to explore and why you may like.

LCD Soundsystem: This is Happening - 4 out of 6
Highlight tracks : All I want - sounds like a Low era Bowie drone at a Modern Love era pace.
Dance Yrself Clean - requires a bit of patience clocking in at over 8 minutes but the payoff is very strong after a minimalistic few minute intro. Song bursts out into some really cool dubby video game inspired electronica.
I Can Change - Wearing the Gary Numan and other synth legends proudly on his sleeves, here is the John Hughes movie soundtrack of 2010.

The New Pornographers: Together - 3.5 out of 6 disappointing for a band that has a high quality track record over last decade.
Highlights : Crash Years - A really nice track flexing the vocal might of the very talented Neko Case. This is a song that is quite accessible for these Canadian Indie poppers. The album has just too many 3 star or below tracks to be a hit for me.

Blitzen Trapper: Destroyer of the Void - 4 out of 6
Band out of Portland plays a fuzzy brand on folk oriented Indie Rock with a major tip of the cap to Progressive rock of the 70's
I can't help but think Queen, ELO, Jethro Tull were major forces in the constructing of this Neo-Prog first track called Destroyer of the Void. Fans of Philly roots rockers Dr Dog would dig this too.
Laughing Lover - Is a really cool vocal flow that has an awful lot in common with the best tracks from Ben Folds.
Below the Hurricane - is their interpretation of a Gordon Lightfoot railway classic. Fans of the Samples and Jam banders might like this. Widespread fans too.
Love and Hate - is a Bluesy number that chugs along like a Drive By Truckers or Calexico number.

Nada Surf: If I had a HiFi - 5.5 out of 6 Well done by the most tuneful band you've never heard
An album of covers that may not be very memorable to you. They lead off this album with a cover of Bill Fox's Electrocution which is a lofi track that allows Nada Surf to flex great vocal might in an inspiring version of this underground classic. The track Love Goes On is a spine tingling rendition of an under appreciated Aussie act the Go Betweens. Really awesome vibrant power pop. If you believe no music these days has rich powerful singing, try Nada Surf.
Then these guys cover an absolute power pop legend Dwight Twilley with and awesome "You Were So Warm" This is a song any lover of the Byrds, Badfinger, Big Star would just love.
Then they go with a Kate Bush track from later in her career that is very triumphant and textured called Love and Anger. These covers will inspire you to check out the originals as well.
A cover of Spoon, one of my faves, is maybe one of the weaker songs on the more for song choice on it.
They knock my socks off with a downright rocking rendition of The Moody Blues of Question. It jams hard. Preview it my Moody's fans.

Teenage Fanclub - Shadows 4.5 out of 6
Scotland Power Pop and vocal strong men have some really nice Adult alternative and Contemporary Indie Pop offerings with the likes of the exquisitely crafted "Baby Lee" that is a classically written Jangle pop gem that echoes again the Byrds or Hollies.
Dark Clouds - is another example of real songwriting skill as Teenage has oodles of it. Shins fans will like the simple pretty piano and melody here.

Some really cool tracks by recent artists that I have not gone balls deep on and bought the album

Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La - Available on the free sub pop sampler on amazon this track has all the earmarks of a simply perfect chamber pop a la Raveonettes or Magnetic Fields

Ted Leo & RX - Bottled in Cork

Deer Tick - Twenty Miles

Sorry I've been so lazy with my musical mind droppings in the recent weeks. Busy Daddy has had to try to take in things musically to pontificate about. I have some new and old material that is sure to take you on a wonderful musical journey if you are as daring as me.

The new music scene seemed a bit dry for a while but just spewed forth some great indie albums from some reliable veterans of the genre.

Some Fresh new albums and tracks to check out and why you might like them.

Free Energy - Stuck on Nothing 4.5 out of 6
This band spawned in Philly and has frighteningly good tracks you would have thought T-Rex and Thin Lizzy already wrote.
Songs that highlight them are Young Hearts, Wild Winds, Hope Child

Graham Parker - Imaginary Television 3 out of 6
This Pub Rock and UK New Wave legend that is an excellent Song Writer falls a bit flat but has a couple really nice tracks.
Highlight is Broken Skin. Buy this track if nothing else.

Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 - Propeller Time 4 out of 6
One of the UK's finest Alternative Pop Craftsmen teams up with Peter Buck and some other fine guest like Nick Lowe, and John Paul Jones on a folksy album that has some nice musicianship and a killer song penned by Johnny Marr formerly of the Smiths and currently in Modest Mouse called Ordinary Millionaire.

Avi Buffalo - S/T 4 out of 6
This band from Long Beach takes it's cues from bands like Love, The Grateful Dead, Flying Burrito Brothers, to name a few. Some strong Beachy psychedelia for you. Airy and atmospheric, but may be a bit too falsetto for some.
What's It In For, Five Little Sluts and Jessica are the takeaway tracks from this one.

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record 5.5 out of 6 (Best this year if my math is correct)
This large group of Canadian Indies has released their most tasty offering of accessibility with a brilliantly textured selection of cleverly written compositions. World Sick, the first single is an awesome example of the swagger these guys and girls exhibit so well. Texico Bitches is poppy and fun. Forced to Love, Art House Director, and Ungrateful Little Father are all top notch tracks. Romance to the Grave and Water in Hell are special too.

The Joy Formidable - A Balloon Called Moaning 5 out of 6
This band from Wales has been buzzing around XMU on Sirius but just finally got released state side. A great female led post New Wave band that feels a bit like Scotland's Delgados or a bit like Blonde Redhead. Dissonance and layers of shimmering sound to shoegaze around to. Check out the tracks Austere, Whirring and my favorite, The Last Drop.

That will do it for some of the new. I will wrap up this posting below with some of the great albums from yesteryear that I have uncovered and explored over the past couple of months that I think you should know.

The Move- Very Best of
The Move was Jeff Lynne of ELO's first band and the original Do Ya is here, along with I Can Here the Grass Grow, and the original California Man. This UK band might as well have invented Power Pop.

Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians- Fegmania 6 out of 6 stars. This album is brilliance. Tracks like Egyptian Cream, Strawberry Mind, The Man with the Lightbulb Head, Heaven, and Bells of Rhymney show why this lad is criminally overlooked when it comes to creativity in songwriting.

The Fall - 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong This is for the daring. Dance oriented laconic post punk is definitely not for everyone, but Mark E Smith's peculiar style of delivery and cadence has garnered my interest. Try Powder Keg, High Tension Line, Victoria (cover of Kinks), Green Eyed Loco Man, and Feeling Numb if you're up for a challenge.



Some special Tracks over the past couple months.

Pete Shelley - Homosapien Former Buzzcock drops the band for a drum machine but here it works.
Uncle Tupelo - I wanna Destroy You Alt Country legends cover the Soft Boys on a B-side from Still Feel Gone
The Soft Boys- I Want To Be and (Anglepoise Lamp) Thanks to Pete S for pointing this one out. hard to find though.
Vic Godard & the Subway Sect - Ambition This songs percolates and pops in a beautifully British Punk manner.
The Skids - Animation The Skids had Stuart Adamson from Big Country on guitar and were fine Scottish Punk
Japan - Automatic Gun
Robyn Hitchcock - Out of the Picture Blissful amounts of Reverb and Crunch
Old 97's - Jagged A track that shows why the Old 97's are legendary when it comes to Alt Country
Echo & The Bunnymen - Do it Clean U2 owes these guys a lot of credit.
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians - The Crawling This is the best track of Element of Light and really exhibits the strong song structure that this lad is the master of.

That's enough for now. It's time to go out and spice up those playlists, because hearing the same shit over and over gets old.

Please let me know what you think.

Hello Cleveland, Hello Cleveland!! Who is Next at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Hi Folks,

You probably missed it, but on Monday night the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted it's 2010 class into the highly debatable walls of this shrine. I do not have any real problem with this years class in particular, other than the fact there are piles of bands and artists who have been eligible for a decade or more that should find a cozy home in this hall as well. I'm going to discuss below some artists that have been eligible for a while and whether they have a good shot at it or not.

Eligible RF's top snub(s) Notes
Year

1981 John Coltrane: Where is he already. Jazz is Rock too.
1983 The Kingston Trio: So important in influence of folk and vocal harmonies, but the hall may shut out
1984 Neil Sedaka: Started writing hits in the Brill building in 1958. Calendar Girl alone should have him in.
1985 Bobby Rydell: Dick Clark is in the hall, but the artists he propelled still lack respect. Chubby Checker too.
1986 Ben E. King: Never has one artist more deserved to get in on the quality of one song.
1987 Bobby Fuller Four: This might be second most deserving for one kick ass song. I Fought The Law rules!
1988 Neil Diamond: What did this guys do to piss off the fame or hall of Shame in this case. Get him in!
1989 The Moody Blues: A timeless body of pretty rock songs. Very original. No business not being in soon.
The Zombies: Just not a big enough body of work, but album Odessey and Oracle alone has them close.
1990 Donovan: 1990 is a year that these decisions are getting tough. Lots of greats now eligible.
1991 Cat Stevens: Maybe the Yusuf Islam thing has them all confused.
1992 Harry Nilsson: Won't ever get a sniff, but great artist
1993 Deep Purple: Don't start putting all your Metal also-rans without letting a Metal pioneer slip in.
1994 Chicago: Year is really tough for first ballot candidates, but Chicago's body of work is exemplary
Yes: Prog finally got some respect with Genesis in '10 but Yes should be there too.
Warren Zevon: If freakin' Jackson Browne is in, get Zevon in there too at some point. I think he slips in.
1995 Jimmy Buffett: He has an outstanding body of work. Not just dopey drinking songs. Should be there.
Todd Rundgren: My favorite Philly area artist and Power Popper should be there already.
1996 Thin Lizzy: I'm probably dreaming on this one but the Irish rockers sure should be there IMO.
Electric Light Orchestra: Maybe not everyone's thing. Very deserving and original for their time.
The Doobie Brothers: Kind of hokey of course, but who doesn't love them some Doobies every once in a while.
1997 Big Star: No, they were not big stars, but maybe the most important band you don't know. Bar none.
Lou Reed: He's in with the Underground, and my bro will scoff at this one. His solo work is HOF too.
Roxy Music: To artsy and British to get the respect they deserve. Probably won't get in I'm guessing.
Richard Thompson: This guy is the best folk oriented guitarist on maybe the planet, you may not know.
1998 Rush: Are there not any fantasy nerds in powerful places. These Canucks are incredible and should be there now!
1999 Kiss: Must be the makeup. Great hits. Tons of sales and no HOF yet. I'm betting these guys get in next year.
Brian Eno: Again too artsy, but a pioneer that has been overlooked
Bad Company: Really great rock songs, but not likely to make it at this pace.
The Commodores: I would think they get there soon.
2000 Journey: I think they are getting closer, but somebody doesn't like them at RHOF.
Television: I'm dreaming again of course, but CBGB's most gifted artistic Punk outfit should have it's place.
2001 Heart: Females of true Rock music have been a glaring omission of the HOF. Lot's of R&B and Singer/Songwriters have been enshrined, but we need more Rock women.
Boston: Maybe going years and years between each album, never helped these great rock musicians.
Nick Lowe: A songwriting genius from multiple bands is probably too brit, and too Power Pop for entry.
The Runaways: See Heart's entry, and add that here we have Joan Jett and Lita Ford, starting tremendous rock careers.
2002 Cheap Trick: This one's a biggie. Criminal overlooking so far. I think they make it soon, but I'd be scared if not in next couple years.
The Buzzcocks: I think I heard my entire audience of 4 people say "Who?" Actually my audience is smarter than that. These guys come second only to The Clash for high quality UK Punk. Get 'em in.
Motorhead: All Metal heads started here, or should have.
XTC: Okay I know, may only ever see a british rock HOF, but the rest of the world should know them too.
Wire: Same case as XTC, but Rolling Stone has given due so maybe someday we could be so lucky to see Wire in.
George Thorogood: Delaware's only hope.
Peter Gabriel: Love him or hate him, he should be there someday.
2003 The Cars: New Wave is worthy of Hall entry too you know.
Dire Straits: Propelled by virtuoso guitar by Mark Knopfler, these guys may make it someday.
Joy Division: This is where I piss some people off when I reach for a Goth Rock Pioneer.
Magazine: This is where I hear crickets. I might be the only one in the world who appreciates Howard Devoto and John McGeoch this much.
Siouxsie & The Banshees: I'm quite new to the relevance of Siouxsie, but another woman rocker who has been knocked off by so many.
The Cure: Oh man, did I hate the Cure. I have really warmed up to them though and have so much respect for their longevity.
2004 Def Leppard: Studio darlings fall a bit short on longevity of music with substance, but Pyromania is good enough to invite these lads in.
Iron Maiden: If Metal is going to proliferate one day at the hall, better get these guys in too.
Echo & The Bunnymen: One of my not a chance in this world possibilities, but Post Punk should have one of it's greatest in.
2005 Ozzy Osbourne: C'mon, do I need to say a thing? Ozzy rules.
The Go-Go's: Pioneering in their own way. Very important female contribution.
INXS: I hated them when all my classmates loved them. I still kind of do, but they've moved a number of peeps so I give credit when due.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: This chic is so damn Rock and Roll, let her in here too.
2006 Duran Duran: The greatest new wave band ever, and second only to Michael jackson for understanding MTV and the transition to video. They are so important to me.
Billy Idol: Epitome of a Rocker.
New Order: Manchester music scene should have it's own wing, and New Order is a big reason why. More important for the influence.
Motley Crue: These are the metal also-rans I speak of, but they are pretty important for many.
2007 Beastie Boys: The Beasties were all over the place in high school years. Paul's Boutique is the soundtrack to this generation.
Janet Jackson: Hey, she's not my favorite, but so many hits and very very talented. Hall worthy some day.
Sonic Youth: Indie Rock has arrived hopefully some day anyway, at the hall. All things grunge better recognize.
2008 Bon Jovi: Tough to admit, but they have left a mark.
Pantera: I know so little about them, but I know how important they are to that realm of music.
Stevie Ray Vaughn: Wow, he's not in yet.
The Smiths: Boy did I hate the people that liked the Smiths, or thought I did. They are super important though.
2009 LL Cool J: Hip Hop has arrived at the hall only a couple of times, but L will find it here someday too.
The Flaming Lips: Not likely but if there is ever an Indie Rock Hall of Fame, these Oklahomans are front and center.
The Pogues: Celtic rock has no representation yet and you must start here.
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Not my favorite by any means, but wow they have now been around quite a while now and are hit makers.
2010 Dinosaur Jr: Not on the radar for most, and this never happens but one could hope.
Megadeth: If Metal is embraced, they have to be there someday.
My Bloody Valentine: Wishful thinking again on my part, but the pioneers of shoegazing.
Primal Scream: Way too freakin' cool and unique to ever get a sniff.


Future classes of RHOF. That's a discussion for another day. Must get outside now in the beautiful weather that has finally arrived.

I would just love people's opinions fired back at me on this topic. I have spoken my two cents. The best part about all this music criticism is the healthy debate it can stir up. I love a good challenge.

Thanks RF

Pop, But Not Popular

Hi folks. Your very own Music Junkie is back on hand to give your playlists some new life. If one person finds one song they really like, I have done my job. Hopefully more "take a chance on me", to quote both Abba, and Roxy Music.

Today we will discuss some really great Pop music, that did not register on most peoples musical radar screens. I love my raucous Punk music, and bizarre Post Punk variations that I know are hard for many people to wrap their heads around, so today I cater to the type that just loves Pop harmonies, and crisp chord structures, and tasteful rhythms. I was inspired this morning to make this my topic, by a band called Nada Surf. Great band for this very accessible sound. Albums from 2003 and 2005 called Let Go, and The Weight as a Gift have some really pretty songs. Blizzard of '77, Happy Kid, and Fruit Fly are great classic Power Pop. The 3 favorite cuts from 2005's album, dial it up for even more perfectly executed Pop. "Always Love" was an inspiring tune at the time for me, for I had just met Diane. This song gives me chills. Blankest Year, and Imaginary Friends are just fun as well. Check out Nada Surf, and look out for a new album they have coming out of just covers. They do a fantastic version of the Go-Betweens, "Love Goes On" that is just hitting satellite radio on XMU.

Another band who supremely gets this aesthetic is Canada's Indie supergroup called "The New Pornographers". By far one of the last decades most important bands, these guys have brilliant albums, not just a few strong songs here, but albums you can listen to from front to back. Starting with a breathtaking first release, "Mass Romantic" has brilliant tunes such as the title track opener, and a very scrumptious guitar hook on "The Fake Headlines. "The Body Says No" is also a fun tune. Electric Version, the second album offers a couple of my favorite tracks of NP, with "Electric Version", "The Laws Have Changed", and "All for Swinging You Around" which all display the great vocal punctuality of Neko Case, AC Newman, and Dan Bejar, who all have their own solo gigs bearing fruit in indie circles. Next was probably the greatest album of theirs with 2005's Twin Cinema. Also make sure to check out "Use It, and do not miss the greatest song they have done "Sing Me Spanish Techno"
They would release Challengers in 2007 and are working on a new album now. Keep an eye out.

Honorable Mentions in recent years - Pop that was not all that Popular

The Delgados
Eels
Bell X1
Beulah
Jens Lekman
Mates of State
Tegan and Sara

Sorry, got to keep it short today.

Explore music and it endless bounty.

That is all.

Randy

Miracle On Ice Part 2...

Hi Folks,

I love my music, yes. But any of you have come to know me, I love my hockey too. I'm starting to get chills and goosebumps at the thought of the young spunky US hockey team at the top of the world in pucks. 30 years after the greatest sports moment I am so jealous to have not been able to absorb, I will discuss some underground tracks I love from the year 1980. In 1980 Punk bands were starting to turn from garage noise, to a more artistic and less abrasive product. The biggest example of this is the indulgent 3 LP length of The Clash - Sandinista. Sandinista has it all. Pure Punk track "Police on My Back", a cover of Eddy Grant's first band the Equals, is quite possibly one of their finest songs. The Clashes travels to Jamaica had left a profound impression as they use many elements of Dub Reggae sound pioneered by Lee Scratch Perry and Mikey Dread. Dread would produce the Dubby track "Bankrobber" Dance music finds it's way onto this album in the form of "Lightning Strikes", and the practically hip-hip of "The Magnificent 7". Songs "Broadway", "Charlie Don't Surf", and "Washington Bullets" show the subtle side of the highly adaptable Clash. Sandinista is an album that typifies what 1980 was about for underground music.

Punk becoming art rock is also displayed by one of my favorite recent finds, Magazine. Howard Devoto, quit The Buzzcocks for he wanted more art in his punk. 1980 Blessed us with magazine's "Correct Use of Soap" a great album to with it's great title. The songs "Because You're Frightened", "Model Worker", and "Philadelphia, along with "Songs From Under the Floorboards" are some of the greatest blending of great lead and bass guitar licks along with the always controversial Synthesizer. If you cringe at Synth and needs the more organic instruments, Magazine may not be for you. I suggest trying them.

The Only Ones released a breathtaking blend of Punk and Power Pop in "Baby's Got a Gun". This album is not the critical darling to most that their first two were, but I think it's their most focused and fun full album effort. The Grandiose Tympanic sound of "The Happy Pilgrim" gets the album started wonderfully. "Deadly Nightshade" has an incredible Bass line that any aspiring Bassist would love to analyze. "Oh Lucinda (Love Become a Habit)" is a strong song, that wraps up with a tease of Guitar lick that is so crunchy, you'll need to let it sit in the milk a minute. Tracks, "Strange Mouth", "My Way Out of Here" and the pretty duo, with Pauline Murray of Penetration, named "Fools" is an old country track pulled off by theses punks.

Other great offerings from 1980's Underground

Great albums not likely on your radar

"Underwater Moonlight" from the Soft Boys
"Where Have all the Nice Girls Gone" by Any Trouble is a band derived from Elvis Costello's sound.
"Dirty Looks" by Dirty Looks. Had two awesome tracks with "You're Too Old" and "Automatic Pilot"
"I just Can't Stop It" by The English Beat is one of the finest Ska albums of all time.
"Crashes" by The Records is a Power Pop delight with songs "Same Mistakes" and "Rumor Sets the Woods Alight"
"Black Sea" by XTC is a high water mark for a great band. "Generals and Majors", and "Respectable Street" are splendid.
"Hypnotised" by The Undertones, with a track by the same name, and "Tearproof" are among the Northern Ireland band's finest
"Pretenders" by the Pretenders. Hardly underground but amazing album just the same. "Mystery Achievement" is awesome
"Los Angeles" by X is a rockabilly punk album led by a enigmatic Exene Cervenka. Queue up "Johnny Hit and Run Pauline"
"Crazy Rhythms" by the Feelies is a New Jersey product that helped pioneer Jangle Pop. Track "Crazy Rhythms" is the apex.
" A Different Kind of Tension" by the Buzzcocks

Great Albums by some Classic Artists

"Women and Children First" by Van Halen Romeo's Delight folks, say no more.
"Joe's Garage" by Frank Zappa
"The Game" by Queen
"Making Movies" by Dire Straits
"Duke" by Genesis
"Ace of Spades" by Motorhead
"Back in Black" by AC/DC
"Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School" by Warren Zevon
"Blizzard of Ozz" by Ozzy Osbourne Ozzy at his finest and with Randy Rhoades
"British Steel" by Judas Priest
"Cristopher Cross" by the same fella with a Yacht Rock masterpiece
"Gaucho" by Steely Dan
"Glass Houses" by Billy Joel
"Uprising" by Bob Marley

Great hidden tracks of 1980

"There There My Dear" by Dexy's Midnight Runners. This song puts Come on Eileen to shame in my mind.
"When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman" by Dr Hook is a classic example of Yacht Rock
"Shining Star" by The Manhattans is another Yacht Rocker. Sooo pretty.
"Blue Boy" by Orange Juice. This UK New Wave band was the starting point for Edwyn Collins
"Academy Fight Song" by Mission of Burma is a Boston punk must have.
"Teacher Teacher" by Rockpile is another classically written Nick Lowe song.
"Final Day" by Young Marble Giants is an example of Punk Minimalism.
"Am I Supposed to Lie" is Tommy Tutone's song that shows they were not a crappy band despite being a one hit wonder.
"Boys in The Gang" by 999 is a punk song that has plenty of pop accessibility to it.
"Sleepwalk" by Ultravox
"Over You" by Roxy Music
"Endless Night" by Graham Parker. Backed up by the Boss? Now that takes a respected pub rocker. Graham Parker my favorite.

That's is for now.

Best part is now that you guys get to tell me who I forgot. Please do.

Check out new tracks this week by Frightened Rabbit, and Sambassadeur. I will tell you which ones next time.

Snowed in....

Hey folks. Been a while, I know, but a lot of Daddying and shoveling 64 inches of snow means little time for something as mindless as this. Oh well, that doesn't mean we were without great music. In fact I found a very strong album I'd like to pontificate about today. Last week a Trio from Brooklyn named Yeasayer knocked my socks off with a Post New Wave delight.

Yeasayer- Odd Blood

Yeasayer does not sound like your typical New York Indie Rock. They are Indie, but have a very a lot of non western influence that unveils itself on most certainly their first album All Hour Cymbals. Again they wear these many olympic colors, but throw in a high Pop quotient that has garnered the attention of even my Wife, Diane. The first song, The Children is about the least accessible song on the album as it feels like the boys spent a night huffing scotchguard with Ween as the vocal effect is a tad overwhelming. Good to get this track out of the way.

Song 2 Ambling Alp is the super poppy number they posted free on Amazon last week. It has oodles of texture and an undeniably catchy rhythm. "You must stick up for yourself son" lead singer Chris Keating yelps in the homage to Joe Louis. This may be too synthetic and too overproduced for some. I think it's catchy as fuck. Diane seems to dig too. Keating can pull off some nice falsetto's here.

Track 3 is so great. A song called "Madder Red" feels like Big Country, Baltimora, Dream Academy, was putting out new stuff. Very Tribal, synthy, and haunting. A beautiful and lush vocal befalls you before too long. Interpol, and other contemporaries will be kicking themselves for not writing something so cool. I love this song, folks. If you cannot dig this song at all, you have no chance of getting any part of this album. Move on.

Track 4 a song called "I Remember" may have been from the soundtrack of "Better off Dead" or some other 80's flick with training montages. The vocal here is quite pretty and expanse. I'm curious if he can sing live half as well. He sounds as if he's the the chops of current vocal heavyweights, like the leads from Maroon 5 and Train. Neither of which are my favorites, but those dudes can sing. Chris Keating of Yeasayer sounds as if he can belt it out with the best of them.

Track 5 is the poppiest song of them all as "O.N.E." is pretty much a dance number. Fans of Hot Chip, and MGMT will probably already know about this album, but would certainly enjoy it. This song bobs and weaves into a really cool place when the all the right vocal accouterments are placed in the final 2 minutes of this fine song. I think even Michael Jackson and Prince fans are pleased with this song.

Track 6, Love Me Girl, is another effort that reminds of Paul van Dyk or some crazy Euro house music. This song then takes on Tribal qualities that have been exhibited by Adrian Belew and Brian Eno before. It has a killer synth laden hook that is not that far off from the art rock sound of bands like Roxy Music and Duran Duran. Okay, is this too much pop for you? Not me. We Flogi are all groovin'. I'm super amped when I find an album that Diane digs.

Track 7 called "Rome" is a cool number that has a vocal feel of Rusted Root, but the beat and cadence of Fatboy Slim. I would kind of think that has very little chance of being cool upon reading that, but here, this mix sounds pretty rad.

The album really starts to tail off a bit here at the end, but since the whole album clocks in a less than 40 mins, you can have the patience for some numbers that fall short simply because so many of the other songs are just so damn catchy.

If you like a world beat and are not afraid of synth pop please dive into this album or at least preview for free some songs at www.lala.com. See what you think.

I think this album is 5 out of 6 Stars.

Best songs Madder Red, Ambling Alp, O.N.E., Love Me Girl.


Now for some old stuff and another introduction into Randy's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a place where bands that I know will never be on the radar of the lame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tonight I talk about a band who has thrust themselves into my personal top ten shooting past the likes of the Beach Boys, Todd Rundgren and right in the Neighborhood of Queen and The Clash, who are basically 1 and 2 in my mind. So yeah I lean british. The band is called "The Only Ones" Led by the brilliantly troubled Peter Perrett. Peter Perrett Is your stereotypical drugged out rocker, that delivers like a more lucid and excited Lou Reed. Don't be scared off. The bands brilliant cohesion of straight forward blues laden hooks lay a shimmery cloak over any vocal short comings of the fairly laconic Perrett.

Check out this song. "Another Girl Another Planet" This songs is so freaking rock and roll. The Lead guitar of John Perry in the introduction and solo portion of this song are licks that any aspiring guitar player should know about.

The two strongest albums of this short lived band were "Even Serpents Shine" and "Baby's Got a Gun"

Songs like the brilliant "Out There in the Night" and "Miles From Nowhere" are 2 more amazing guitar classics that will not get their due.

Just check these guys out. Trust me. Diane and Emily are back home so a daddying I a go.

Take care.

Please let me know what Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs bother you.

Ones that bother me right now.

Rush
Cheap Trick
Roxy Music

That is all. listen to lost of music folks.

I Wanna Destroy You.... Grammys

Boy oh boy. How terrible does the music scene look each year once the Grammy's come along? This is what you are supposed to believe is strong in music. What a travisshamockery. The categories get filled with the lamest excuse for mail it in rock an roll. Metallica gets a nomination for it's work on The Unforgiven 3? Wow. Green Day is so insanely non essential yet get's blown each year at this thing for whatever rubbish they've forced out. The winners were correct for the most part this year. Happy the Kings of Leon have made the ripple they have, 'cause that's a great album. Lady Gaga is relevant and fairly interesting despite her unfortunate looks. What sucked again about the Grammy's is that the bar is sooo low, and the competition is really poor. I'll leave my frustrated view of the Grammy's at that, and just say it was a night that is just not aimed to appease this music fan.

Some new material that is worth checking out... With caution. Slim pickin's over last couple weeks.

Well, the two albums I have as most anticipated, are pretty much duds.

Magnetic Fields has a nice track on it I picked up called "You Must Be Out of Your Mind", but the album has not the strength I was looking for as it has none of the delightful dissonance that fueled the previous album.

Midlake's album which came out Tuesday was one I also looked forward to, that has been a swing and a miss. Very low key and some nice songs, but nothing as memorable as their song "roscoe"

A song I ran across last week is the Jangly and off kilter track by a band called Good Shoes. The song "The Way My Heart Beats" has a very frenetic start and pace much like the Arctic Monkeys, but has a bit of a more artistic and satisfying chorus than the Monkey's could pull off. This song is 4 out of 6. Only 2 on the accessible scale though, so stay away if you are wimpy.

The best album out right now from the last two weeks if from a band called "Beach House" The artistic and subtle, duo from Baltimore? has a pretty album led by the tracks "Norway" and "Zebra"

A couple other things I have absorbed heavily this week are tracks by "Broken Bells", which is lead singer James Mercer of The Shins with DJ Danger Mouse, who is one half of Gnarls Barkley. The song "The High Road" has a really cool blend of Mercer's singing beauty mixed in with an awesome nostalgic keyboard underlayment by the eclectic DJ Danger Mouse. Great track and I bet it will be a great album. 5 of 6 score on this track. Many folks will be okay with this sound.

One other song that has big time rotation this week for me is actually from late 2009. A band called "Avi Buffalo" has knocked my socks off with a rather twangy number called "What's it in For?" This is brilliantly executed Country Alternative Rock. Sirius XMU has this song playing quite a bit, and I recommend taking it in. If you don't dig Indie Folk or Alt Country, not for you though. I think 5 out of 6.



Randy's Album Hall of Fame inductee

The Soft Boys- Underwater Moonlight

When things get lame on the new tunes front I will introduce my audience of 3 people to an album that I feel cannot be ignored. Tonight, we have the finest of underground Jangle Pop by a quirky fella by the name of Robyn Hitchcock. He blazes a trail with the captivating angst of the first track "I Wanna Destroy You" This anti war song has really come full circle into a time and place that works for it's message to be heard clear. Strong and bizarre tracks abound here will slink and slither into one another. "Insanely Jealous" is another cool example of the disjointed yet tunable sound that is the brilliant Hitchcock. This track is then followed up with one of those tracks I must put on an island getaway mix. The song "Tonight" displays an uncanny Crescendo of alt rock greatness. The "Queen of Eyes" is a juicy number as well. This then is followed by the delightful track this fine album was named for. "Underwater Moonlight" weaves and bobs all over for a Jangle Pop classic. This album has brought it's best at this point and slows down a bit on the memorable tunes, but uncovers a couple more tracks that test the boundaries and senses of our captivated music adeventurers.

To me, this is RAHOF and is 6 of 6 stars. It is a 3 of 5 on the accessible scale so it could be borderline TBFB for some.

Please explore this album if you are daring, and let me know what you think of this bizarre fella names Hitchcock.

That is all for tonight.

Randy

"33"

33 means what, Randy? Has a brewery from Latrobe bought advertising space? Not yet. Is it a tribute to the mediocrity that is Flyers backup goaltenders (crappy Dominic Rousell)? No! 33 is an important number tonight 'cause it was 33 years tonight that one of the finest yet most misinterpreted years in rock music, 1977, is just getting heated up.

You may now be thinking to yourself, what could Randy, who was a burgeoning fetus 33 years ago today, tell me(you) about this musical year that was 1977. You'll simply have to trust me on this one. I've been studying the subject and trying to uncover every genre and sub-genre of late 70's early 80's and it's best highlights and it's a treasure trove of musical diversity in underground and fairly inaccessible bands and tracks as will be warned about. It was also chock full of big hits that are familiar like Hotel California and Rumors. It also had some of the most tragic cases of poor marketing of bands that had amazing hooks and just did not get radio airplay.

Baby Bjorn: Wasn't Abba from '77 dude?
(BTW I have my baby Emily Bjorned to me right now and I have surprising keystroke quality right now.)

Yes, and they rocked too, in their Cheesy way. My Dad blared the shit out of Abba when I was growing up. 1977 had Take a Chance on Me and Knowing Me, Knowing You, 2 of their finest.

1977, Didn't Rock & Roll Die in 1977 Randy?

The over sandwiched and over medicated Elvis was lost in 1977 and so was a bunch of Skynyrd members GRTS, but so much about what is great in the path of contemporary Rock music has 1977 as a firm ground zero.

Let's dig in.

The overlooked UK and Power Pop (My personal area of expertise) Will let you know how far out and bizarre it may be on a 1-5 scale of tuneful accessibility. I need to do this 'cause sometime I send my Brother, Dave running for z hills. This would be a 1 or 2 and also considered TBFB (Too British for Brother) 5 is the most poppy and tunable. Okay Robbbb!!!!

Punk and Power Pop gems by album and the songs to investigate

Adverts- Gary's Gilmore's eyes and One Chord Wonders are punk staples but TBFB

Buzzcocks EP Spiral Scratch which I actually tragically have overlooked but is when Howard Devoto of Magazine was still with Pete Shelley and the chaps

Boomtown Rats- Lookin' Out for number 1

Cheap Trick- In Color which has I think the best song in the arsenal here with "Southern Girls" Thanks Joe. it may be the best album too by Trick

The Clash- S/T Punk perfection and pretty accessible 4 here where London calling is the 5 "Complete Control" is amazing. You're my guitar hero scream Joe Strummer. White Man at Hammersmith, and Career Opportunities head up a monstrous selection of legendary Punk. Must have CYPG RAHOF (Crap Your Pants Good)

The Damned- The Damned are well critiqued and essential to heads like me, but a 1 on abrasive to tuneful scale. These guys are spicy. Songs "New Rose" and "Neat Neat Neat" are for beginners.

David Bowie gets fiercely down to business with both albums "Low" and "Heroes" being released and full of some of his most serious and relevant work. Songs "Sound and Vision" and "New Career in a New Town" are musts from Low and "Heroes" is a song you should already know.

The Dead Boys- Young Loud and Snotty Super essential punk from NYC is a 3 which is almost accessible for people who want to logically progress from the Clash. Stiv Bators was a bad ass front man.

The next D is for the Dwight Twilley Band, the first pure power pop foray mentioned here. This is very bubblegum stuff and very cleanly played and highly tuneful. The album Twilley Don's Mind has the delicious "Looking for the Magic" also done by his right hand man Phil Seymour when Twilley's side man got the urge to go solo. Both do the song well. Twilley a better pace though.

Eddie and the Hot Rods- Life on the Line Wow what an album, UK Pub rock at the best it's ever been executed. Sorry Nick Lowe. Only got this yesterday from Shady Dog, and I am in love. Pub rock is very basic in it's tight rock grooves and precision harmonies. This is a RAHOF and the CYPG songs are "Do Anything You Want to do" and "And Don't Believe Your Eyes" are worth the price of admission. Mike at shady dog will order it for you. Let's get it on the charts.

Generation X would be Billy Idol's launching point and the track "Your Generation" is needed for the punk curator.

Next more Pub Rock,
Ian Dury and the Blockheads - album New Boots and panties. Red alert TBFB not for the faint of heart, but explorers will want to uncover the songs "Blockheads" and Sweet gene Vincent"

I can go on all day and may, so sit tight.

The Jam lead by the ultra talented and soulful Paul Weller is the epitome of Mod revival on the albums "In the City" and "All Mod Cons" I love songs "Life From a Window" and "Standards" These guys are very brit, but Weller wears his love for US Soul and R&B proudly on his sleeve. Not TBFB 4 of 5 on accessibility.

The Kinks- Not their finest year, but "Juke Box Music" and "Sleepwalker" are highlights

The Nerves- Oh boy, this is important. Our introduction to California's most underrated songsmith and writer, Paul Collins. I only have the track "Hangin' On the Telephone" to be covered by Blondie Paul Collins later work with The Beat would be where he flexes his power pop muscle.

The Only Ones- Peel Sessions This album is soo very important. A raw live version of a band who is legendary in the UK but barely makes a blip on anybody's radar in the states. "Another Girl, Another Planet" my favorite rock song of all time. You did just read that! That song is here, in a very well executed live delivery of the classic. Also must hear "Miles From Nowhere"

The Pezband- S/T this Chicago skinny tie power pop band is guilty in the bubblegum factor but the execution is tight. Overshadowed by sharing territory with Cheap Trick, they are obscenely overlooked and therefore hard to find. Get Mike at SD on this one for you.

Plastic Bertrand- That french song from Euro Vacation Louvre scene. Ca Plain Pour Moi. This one if british would be TBFB, but it is French.

The Ramones were busy and on point with albums "Leave Home" and "Rocket to Russia". We find out that "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" here and "Commando", "Locket Love" and it's a "Long Way Back to Germany" are leaders in portraying the Ramones dominance for team NYC/CBGB

The Real Kids- The Real Kids This Boston Punk band has hooks so tightly wound you could cause limbs to fall off if you are to entangle yourself. This is a RAHOF member prodly and is a 5 on the accessibility scale.

Richard Hell and the Voidoids leave no void in the impact of CBGB and NYC in punk music's history. The song "Blank Generation" is a song that explains this whole Punk thing as straight as can be. Hell's classic "Love Comes in Spurts" is quite the visual but all you need is the audio treat you are about to unveil. This stuff is 3 on the freak out scale. Not too rough. Dave wouldn't like his half assed vocal effort.

Sex Pistols- Not much really needed here I don't think. If you don't know them already, you probably never will try.
If Anarchy in the UK and God Save the Queen are not for you, try "Holidays in the Sun", "Problems" and "Pretty Vacant" instead. if it doesn't register, check your pulse.

The Stranglers- 2 albums from these cult UK legends. We have the incendiary album "No More Heroes" and "Rattus Novegicus" here. The song "Something Better Change" shows that Paul Shafer type organ and synth work are able to work in punk music. These guys were still touring as of last year with a drummer named Jet Black who has just turned 71 years young. "No More Heroes", "Golden Brown" and "Hanging Around" are the other tracks that will uncover this band for you. They are 3 of 5 on my equivalent of the scoville scale for music spiciness. Almost TBFB, probably are.

The Talking Heads:77 This is very strong TH. Song "Love- Building on fire" while not the recognizable track is one of their best.

Television- Marquee Moon Red alert... This is a killer album, but it is an acquired taste with it's slight inaccessibility issues. Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd play exquisitely with Jazz chops and sweeping guitarscapes that put the art in art punk. "See No Evil", "Venus" and "Marquee Moon" get another check mark for the NYC representation of 1977 punk music.

Tyla Gang- Yachtless Crunchy, hooky guilty pub rocker here that nobody freakin' knows. Song "Hurricane" is hot to me.
"Speedball Morning" and "Lost Angels" are treats.

The Vibrators- Pure Mania is the name of an album I should have all of. I don't yet, but may soon. The song "Baby Baby" by them off of this is so cool it is a CYPG track fo' sho'

As we round out the alphabet of this landmark year that is.

Wire- Pink Flag. These guys are the very regimented and virtuous art punk pioneers that many have tried to emulate. Notice the guitar line in "Three Girl Rhumba" that 90's act Elastica would "borrow" before litigation put the end to that. "12XU", "Feeling called Love", "Mannequin", and the tricky to find "Dot Dash" are examples of this bands precision assault on punk rock's cliched sloppiness. They are 3 of 5 and not for everyone. Were TBFB for mi hermano, but I might break him down on these guys eventually.

X-Ray Spex, and the abrasive lead by Poly Styrene welcome a surly beat and some sexy saxophone to the equation in "Oh Bondage, Up Your's"

Whew... That is it for Punk and Power Pop.

Don't forget some other classics from 1977 in some of the other forms of rock.

Classic Rock
Jimmy Buffett-Changes in Latitudes is relaxing as Corona commercials that bear this mantra.
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors- amazing and you better not need explaining on this one.
Billy Joel - The Stranger
Chicago- Chicago XI
CSN-CSN and the song Cathedral. Thanks Tyler and Izbick.
Dave Mason- We Just Disagree
Dennis Wilson (of the Beach Boys) - Album "Pacific Ocean Blue" amazingly pretty for a drummer on lead vocal. Check out "River Song" and "Only With You" here if you dig the Beach Boys.
Electric Light orchestra- Out of the Blue is not critically acclaimed for Jeff Lynn blasted it out in months, but I like it a lot.
Elvis Costello- My aim is True
Eric Clapton- Slowhand Check out "Next Time you See Her"
Frank Zappa- Lather
Heart- Little Queen has "Barracuda" on it. Greatest female rocker ever.
Kiss - Love Gun has "Christine Sixteen" on it.
Lynyrd Skynyrd- Street Survivors, not air. Southern Rock would never be the same.
Meat Loaf- Bat out of Hell who doesn't know this windbag. It is cliched, but a good album
Neil Young would have a crummy "American Stars and Bars" but wow with the "Decade" collection that is cover to cover A #1
Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane from the Small Faces. Rough Mix is a wonderful juxtaposition to the Pete solo work that is more Who like. This is straight Country rock and awesome. Check out " My Baby Give's it Away" and "Heart to Hang Onto"
Peter Gabriel- The first of multiple S/T albums. A little pompous, don't you think. "Solsbury Hill" is here
Pink Floyd- Animals is an arty album, but maybe the finest. At least it does not tend to be overplayed. Check out "Pigs (3 different ones)" here.
Oh a little band called Queen. My favorite of all time btw. The would release "News of the World" and Arena rock was born. "Sheer Heart Attack" is hardcore and under appreciated as is "Spread Your Wings" and the very bluesy Queen songs on this winner.
Steely Dan would unleash Jazz rock with the exquisite production of "Aja". "Peg", "Deacon Blues", and "Josie" will add some dinner music for entertaining a boss and making you look very suave and sophisticated. I know it made me look quite bad ass in my Altoona days.
Supertramp- Give a little bit. 'nuf said.
Ted Nugent- Cat Scratch Fever.

Van Halen would come a year too late.

Reggae-
Junior Murvin- Police and Thieves
Bob Marley- Exodus
The Congos- Congoman

I think that just about does it.

Will anyone question what 1977 means musically anymore? You better have a strong argument for me.

Please interject if I have made any glaring omissions as this is according to my records. John Powell and Mike at SD can fact check me for they lived it. I am trying to live it.


That is going to be it for the topic tonight, but I'll be reviewing at least some samples of tracks from Magnetic Fields new album due out tomorrow. Also keep you eyes out for the top 15 Magnetic Fields songs of all time per me.

Go to bed!!!

Graceland?

Refreshed and back for more, tonight I will review a couple more recent releases and explore the depths of some lost albums I feel are brilliant.

First the reviews of newer material.

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Man are Vampires hot. And no I'm not talking about that frosty haired Pattinson Schmuck. I'm talking about the number one selling band for the last week. Everyone's favorite Graceland revivalists, Vampire Weekend with their album Contra. Title that has lineage to the unforgettable Nintendo game and also apparently is referenced for the Contra's opposition to Sandinistas. Of Course Sandinista being The Clashes finest display of excess. Ezra Koenig, the ever busy lead of this quirky outfit pays homage to Joe Strummer again with a track called Diplomats son, which also snags a line from Toot's and Maytal's Pressure Drop. The album is bouncy and synthy from beat one. Horchata, the opener is not my favorite, but a nice little song. White Sky follows it up and you get to hear Koenig's best "Boy in the Bubble" impression. You're either going to say, that falsetto is too much, or lap it up like my Terrier's eat baby socks. Next is a favorite of mine. Holiday drives and cavorts all over with layers of deeply reverb laden rhythm guitar. They get a tad bit over Auto tuned for my taste on California English. Taxi Cab blah's me out, but then a pretty groovy number with a sleek high hat beat called "Run" brings the album back to life. The next track Cousins is a throw away track for me. The steamer that is Cousins is rescued by an upbeat, drum machine heavy "Giving up the Gun". Giving up the Gun would have certainly been a message The Diplomat's Son, Strummer, would have supported. We here a bit of M.I.A. in this track as well in the Rocksteady rhythm. The album winds down with a late night serenade to our albums namesake. Nice little song but the album pitters out in it's original form. A bonus track adorns the Itunes store edition to close it up. The first go around for these guys is hard to top and I think they miss the mark a bit here.

3.5 out of 6


Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP

Let me introduce you to the keepers of the torch from last years finest album release. These 5 songs are a pretty nice extension of the confusion that is Animal Collective's song patterns. Nothing here is going to knock your socks off like "Brother Sport" should have. Graze is a hazy daydream unfolding, in part 1 of the number, part 2 blows up into a twisted carnival dirge that leaves you a bit disoriented. Then comes a another example of these Bipolar songs the Collective constructs with the haunting open of What would I Wan't, Sky? 2 minutes of weaving in a bit of a troublesome sound, blossoms into a triumphant payoff that is worth the wait. The EP drops off after these two highlights pretty significantly so a bit of a disappointment coming off the beautiful Meriweather Post Pavilion

3 out of 6

Some Track Reviews of late 2009 finds

Band - Album

The XX - S/T

This London Indie Pop band slinks and seduces with a great duo call and response that has a hint of Peter, Bjorn and John but in a more Portishead direction on the song "Crystalised" Crystalised gets 5 stars out of 6, Heart Skipped a Beat 5 stars as well.

I have only 2 other songs on this album due at this time so album is incomplete grade but I really like their sound.

If you like Blonde Redhead, The XX is up your alley.


The Big Pink - Dominoes

More London Calling here as the UK band that takes an awfully Helm/Robertson namesake, don't make the Thames look like Cripple Creek here. Straight Britpop in a Shoegazer tempo. "Dominoes" is a 5 out of 6 song. Cheers Lads!


Next Tuesday look for a review of the new Magnetic Fields album Realism, from the Chamber Pop legend Stephen Merritt who wrote a bonafide 6 star, Randy's Album Hall of Fame, Crap you pants good album called 69 Love Songs



Impressions on the music in the Haiti concert Friday night.

I know it's fun to say Coldplay is cheese, but man they can play. They had the best song. U2 and Jay Z was pretty cool, but who dresses Rhianna. Stevie Wonder sounded great doing Bridge over Troubled. The Harder They Come Soundtrack was utilized twice with a lady butchering Many Rivers to Cross, by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 inductee Jimmy Cliff. Wyclef did not do the most justice to Rivers of Babylon, which you dorks know Sublime covered. The good version was the Melodians. Neil Young and Dave Matthews was nice. Neil looked like Johnny Cash tonight. A good cause as my heart goes out to Haiti.



A Randy Public Service Announcement

I for one at home do generally purchase all of my music through the Itunes store for convenience. I also seek out strong albums on CD via great shops like Shady Dog Records in Berwyn and The mighty Chester County Book Store. Used Cd shelfs in these two meccas are chock full of great deals for good full DRM free music. The CD store / Record shop experience is still essential to the music head. Itunes and online has great immediacy, but loses all of the great music head interaction with the proprietors of fines stores like the old Repo Records, Plastic Fantastic (tearing as we speak), Tower Records.

Check out Mike and Dave at Shady Dog Records and tell 'em Randy sent ya'



Randy's Album Hall of Fame


Yes folks, you heard it, a Hall of Fame for albums. Rules are as follows. Hall of Fame album is a 5 star or 6 star album as determined by, you guessed it, ME!! When an album has 4 or more CYPG songs which of course stands for Crap Your Pants Good, which is a 5 or 6 star song as determined by Sir Lunacy.


Today we look at the almighty Buzzcocks and the aptly named Singles Going Steady.

Folks, punk and it's intersection with pop in the UK gets no stronger than Pete Shelley's driving "Ever Fallen in Love" this track is on the desert Island mix I take on Oceanic what have you.

The whole album is 4 and 5 star selections, but the Kinksy "Love You More" should be heard.

"Autonomy" and "Why Can't I Touch it" will have you drooling for shortbread biscuits


Todays other inductee into RAHOF is the quintessential album from an odd little sub genre called C-86. C-86 guitar sound has a U2's Edgeness to it. The Wedding Present's masterpiece "George Best Plus" was 1987 so I'm not sure who had more influence on one another. The Wedding Present performed precision high speed Jangle pop that can be filed under TBFB or Too British for my Brother. It's not too Brit for me. Check out the following songs fro, this gem. "My Favorite Dress" is one of My favorite songs, Ever!!!!. Also take notice of the cheeky "Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now". So solid, they had to do this dong in French as well.

Wedding Present - George Best, Congrats, you are in Randy's Album Hall of Fame.

Well, that is it. All the $hit that is fit to print. For tonight anyway.

Stay tuned for the mind droppings that are this music lover's continuing journey. And my variable cornucopia of bad grammar and formatting.

Thanks

Don't Dictate

Hi folks, Randy here. A good week I feel to start these musings of mine. Strong albums released this week, I can talk about. A young aspiring musical legend lost way too soon I can wax poetic and gush about, and the beginning of the musical journey I will get to take with my young 7 week old daughter Emily. So, without further ado, let's get to it.

Some New Releases and my take.... My scale is 6 stars. You have to friggin' earn that 6th star.

Spoon - Transference

Spoon from Austin Texas, led by the electric Britt Daniel, is quite possibly one of my favorite bands of all time. They are in my Indie Rock hall of fame. Driving Piano, by Eric Harvey, sweeping idiosyncratic beats and rhythm that come from Britt Daniel's distracted and restless song crafting style. A slow start to the album, with anything to memorable in the first 2 songs. The Mystery Zone is a sophisticated diddy that has some nice dub beat background. It's slow but soothing. Good Saturday morn paper accompaniment. Who makes you money, the next one continues that same vein is lurid but not super playable. Written in Reverse, they played on Conan the other night. Nice beat, and anger growl from Britt's swaggering leadership. Good song. It is followed up by a grower, not a shower, called I Saw the Light. No.. not Todd Rundgren cover. Great groove that ends up going instrumental for the second half of the number with a dramatic shift change which Spoon loves to incorporate to confuse. The self produced album picks up steam here as the crunchy power pop of Trouble Comes Runningunveils itself. My favorite of the album, is probably the most accessible song from the album for the music Layman, or Lame Man. Unfortunately the song is kind of the only rousing, fist pumper. Nice and pretty numbers follow up the rocker, but fall a bit flat. Got Nuffin, the faster song at the end was released before so, that's a bit of a cheat. Spoon's worst stuff is so much better than so many other acts, it's worth noting, but would give 4 out of 6 stars.

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

Wow, who are these guys. From West Palm Beach apparently, and despite the horrow show of a band name, which I Love, they are playing a Indie meets Phil Spector route here. Shades of the Clash and Beach Boys from older influence nicely pulled off. Tracks 1 and 2 are great, Swim is a brilliant song, with a falsetto lead vocal that is very reminiscent of Band of Horses and more importantly My Morning jacket. Album continues to be strong throughout, with the highlights of Harmonix which has some shimmery Gang of Four angular guitar at a shoegazers pace. Neighbour Riffs, has great throbbing baseline and sweeping cadence in a short instrumental. Twin Peaks is an awesome song that kicks this album into it's upper gear range. Fans of the Shins and Vampire Weekend should be happy here. 5 of 6 stars

Jay Reatard at the age of 29 found dead and Rock and Roll has one less of it's messengers.

Over the last 2 years I have been loving the quirky, jagged, driving Garage revival of Jay Reatard. Songs like "Know a Place", and "See/Saw" highlight his all too short career. He is definitely not for everyone, with a shrill and nasal, yet explosive delivery. Check out other classics of his like his cover of a Go song, Don't Let Him Come Back. Also, tough as it is to say, a great track of his "A Ugly Death" puts things in too much f'ing perspective. Painted Shut, It Ain't Gonna Save Me are strong examples of his fierce pace and delivery. He can get sort of pretty, yet creepy with the song "I'm watching You" Great track, nevertheless. Jay will be missed by me, and at least one other guy I know. Thanks for the support Rob.

What have I uncovered Lately... and why you may like

Band Album Songs to check out You'll like 'cause

Penetration - Moving Targets Don't Dictate, Nostalgia Heart meets the Sex Pistols

Magazine- The Correct Use of Soap My Tulpa, Rhythm of Cruelty You love synths with your

punk, don't you

My final thought.

Not bad first try, huh. Ah, we'll see. I am in a great moment in my life right now with a beautiful new baby girl, that I can unleash all my misguided musical energy on and try to bestow her the gift that is music appreciation. She seems to enjoy rocking and swaying to new wave and Power Pop like her old man. One other thing. Thanks to my beautiful wife Diane for letting me take over the Dj'ing around the house. She gets some Lady gaga and Rhianna sometimes, but mostly just carcinogenic levels of obscure rock. Thanks Dear.

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG65eqfg6bc