Label: I.R.S. Released: September 1979 Whenever I see (or make as the case may be) a list of the “Greatest Albums Ever” or the “Top 100 Albums of All-Time,” I find it unfair to include greatest hits collections and anthologies…with one exception: The Buzzcocks’ Singles Going Steady. I love the album, but that’s not the reason for the exception. Unlike… Read more »
Label: Wicked Cool Released: May 29, 2007 There’s a difference between cover bands and revivalists. The former, when done right (or as right as basing your existence on covers can be), sounds like a particular band. The latter, when done right, taps into the energy and soul of a band or a genre and brings it out for a fresh… Read more »
…at least as a good career move. Check this out. Thanks for the heads up, Chuck.
For those of you stuck buying it on the inferior compact disc format, here’s how cool the new Bad Brains album is on vinyl:Maybe I should give it another point just for a great package (and because the colors are like my dreams: red, gold and green).
“Rebel Waltz” is a forgotten song on the Clash’s forgotten Sandinista album. As the title says, it is a waltz, but with an edge. I’m not sure what war this involves or even if that’s important, but the lyrics describe the resolve in a rebel army before (or perhaps after) a battle they cannot (or did not) win. There is… Read more »
Everyone should read Chuck’s blog. Because he uses Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library as his music collection, his reviews have something for everyone. Besides, he’s the only guy out there that compares every album to some kind of food. Seriously, check it out if you have a chance.
Label: Megaforce Released: June 25, 2007 For a band with a history that spans nearly three decades, the Bad Brains have a fairly small studio catalog. They released four full-length studio albums over their first decade, but only four more since then (including the hardcore-free, dub-only I & I Survived). Needless to say, the first ten years didn’t just provide… Read more »
The Explicits are a hardcore band. Usually, that means the same old thing which is both good and bad. In this case, it means some of the same with a few different angles. The Jacksonville, FL based trio consists of Renee (vocals/guitar), Jeff (bass/backing vocals) and Jarrod (drums), all 19 and all currently enrolled at the University of North Florida…. Read more »
Label: Warner Bros. Released: June 19, 2007 Is there a tougher position to be in than following up a near perfect record? Probably not, but the White Stripes did a fine job by not trying to remake the stellar Elephant and instead stretching out even further on Get Behind Me Satan. While the latter was a half step down from… Read more »
Label: Reprise Released: October 31, 2006 Often when a band takes steps to broaden their appeal outside of their core audience, they flounder. This is particularly true if the band strongly rooted in personal appeal and emotional energy. They can fall into the traps of over-production and self-importance and the result is usually an uncomfortable, lackluster effort. After the success… Read more »