Wolfmother — Wolfmother

Wolfmother -- Wolfmother

• Artist: Wolfmother
• Title: Wolfmother
• Year: 2006
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy / Mary
• Acquired: Not sure.
• Keeper: Yes

These guys have been everywhere in the last few months. Letterman, Leno, movie soundtracks, and I even heard their first single “Woman” used in a recap of the women’s tennis competition one evening during the US Open. Cleverrrrr.

When I first heard Wolfmother’s self-titled album I thought it was the rock and roll equivalent of macaroni and cheese. By that I mean at a glance it was cheesy and familiar, but damn tasty! And of course you just want more and more. Now that we’ve had the disc for a while I can say that it’s much more than that. In fact, it’s a well-rounded meal of music with everything from heavy Sabbathy riffs to pretty pop pieces. Despite some obvious old-school influences and sounds, overall it’s still very modern.

I’ve seen a lot of stuff comparing them to the White Stripes, complaining about it even, but I think that is mostly because of singer Andrew Stockdale’s voice. That said, even my 10 year old son said “this sounds like the White Stripes” on hearing the frantic song “Apple Tree.”

This is a great album that I think will appeal to a lot of folks, even those oblivious to the older influences. And that album cover art in pure genius, hilarious. I was just about to call it “Frazetta-style” when I read the liner notes to see that it is in fact the real deal, a Frank Frazetta original.

The Fall — Call For Escape Route

• Artist: The Fall
• Title: Call For Escape Route
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?

The songs on Call For Escape Route are pretty catchy for a band that’s pretty arty. The Fall released this three song EP in 1984. Most people would call a three song record a 12 inch single and name it after the lead song. Call For Escape Route is merely a title for this package that contains the songs:

“Draygo’s Guilt”
“Clear Off!”
“No Bulbs”

The sticker on front cover says that there’s a free 7″ included, but I’m not seeing it. Maybe it’s been filed with the other 7 inchers.

Echo And The Bunnymen — Echo And The Bunnymen

• Artist: Echo And The Bunnymen
• Title: Echo And The Bunnymen
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary, if she’ll claim it
• Acquired: I’m not gonna ask
• Keeper: Maybe

Oh man this album is lame, for Echo And The Bunnymen that is. Now I remember why they were dead to me, DEAD I tell you!, by the time this record came out. Maybe I didn’t give it a fair listen, but I’m not playing it again. If I was right the first time I’ll just suffer again for nothing. The hits “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo” and “Lips Like Sugar” are probably the best songs on Echo And The Bunnymen.

Flushing my head now with some Wolfmother. Heavy riffs, take me away…

The Damned — The Black Album

• Artist: The Damned
• Title: The Black Album
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: ? I’m thinking…
• Keeper: Yes

This version of The Damned’s The Black Album is the original release on the Chiswick label. That means it’s a full color gatefold sleeve double album. We also have another version that is mostly black, with no gatefold, and no second record. The second is mostly live stuff. I can’t remember when and where I got this, but I do remember that not too long ago it still had the shrink wrap on it. So, it’s old, but almost new, if you know what I’m saying.

I’ve always loved the song “Wait for the Blackout” and there are some other great ones on this record. But there’s some other stuff that just drags it down. Which is how I feel about every record by The Damned. Read more about The Black Album.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds — The Singer

• Artist: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
• Title: The Singer
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1986 – Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

I do dig this 12 inch single by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. The main track “The Singer”, by Johnny Cash and originally titled “The Folk Singer” is perfect and Cave makes it his own, just like Cash does when he covers a song. The two songs on the flipside are also covers: “Running Scared” by Roy Orbison and “Black Betty” by Leadbelly. This recording of “Black Betty” is definitely the most minimalistic, primitive, and just plain spooky I’ve ever heard.

All three of these songs ended up on the full length album “Kicking Against the Pricks” which I think came out later in the same year. The production guru Flood helped shape the sound of this disk.

Bad Brains — Quickness

• Artist: Bad Brains
• Title: Quickness
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – At our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA

Ah… back again to greatest band ever, Bad Brains. I know a lot of people were excited to know “Quickness” was coming out. It’s very solid record, if not as mind blowing as “I Against I.” Apparently, it was their best-selling album. Recorded in between break ups of the original band members, like a lot of their stuff, to me it feels like something is missing. There’s more hip hop, more metal, and even some reggae again, but something seems off. Maybe it’s just me. All that said, overall it is a great album. Every time I hear “With the Quickness” I want to stage dive off the couch, only the kids aren’t big enough to catch me, yet.

AC/DC — Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
• Year: 1976
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: ? Bought it used, a long time ago.
• Keeper: Yes

It’s tragic. My Bon Scott era AC/DC collection is incomplete. And I like the early stuff the best. Brian Johnson is fine, but the early sound was much more garage rock, punk rock, and traditional rock and roll. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is full of silly songs that you never need to hear more than once, but there are also some classics. My favorite is definitely “Problem Child.” Of course, the title track is also excellent, and so are “Ain’t No Fun Waiting Round to be a Millionaire” and “Ride On.”

Various Artists — ‘Til Things Are Brighter… A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Various Artists --'Til Things Are Brighter... A Tribute to Johnny Cash

• Artist: Various Artists
• Title: Til Things Are Brighter… A Tribute to Johnny Cash
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Probably was a promo we got at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

“‘Til Things Are Brighter… A Tribute to Johnny Cash” was recorded by the people listed below as an AIDS benefit deal. It’s a lot better than I remember, but I’m still not sure I’ll keep it. The performances are solid, and of course the songs are great. I listed the groups these artists are best known for, but they weren’t necessarily associated with them when this recording was made.

“One Piece at a Time” – Michelle Shocked
“I Walk the Line” – Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire)
“Rosanna’s Goin’ Wild” – Steve Mack
“Cry, Cry, Cry” – Sally Timms (The Mekons)
“Country Boy” – David McComb (The Triffids)
“Wanted Man” – Marc Riley (The Fall)
“Straight ‘A’s in Love” – Peter Shelley (Buzzcocks)
“Ring of Fire” – Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney)
“Five Feet High and Risin'” – Tracey and Melissa Beehive
“Home of the Blues” – Brendan Croker
“Boy Named Sue” – Mary Mary (Gaye Bykers on Acid)
“Folsom Prison Blues” – Mekons
“Man in Black” – Marc Almond (Soft Cell)

Arctic Monkeys — Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

• Artist: Arctic Monkeys
• Title: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
• Year: 2006
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: May 2006
• Keeper: Yes

Amazon recommended this CD for me, but they also recommended Hilary Duff once. I didn’t buy Hilary’s CD but I did buy the Artic Monkeys and I’m so glad I did.

The tittle of this CD, for me, was reason enough to purchase it.”Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” is a clue to the band’s attitude and keen observations. The lyrics are brillant. (There are a few explicit lyrics, but the singer’s accent is so thick my kids havn’t noticed them yet). How do people write like that? I’m amazed when song writers can tell a story, to music, (I know that’s obvious, but still impressive) that is witty, smart, down to earth, and makes you want to sing along.

The music is familar, yet not like any band out there. Maybe a little Franz Ferdinand, but tougher. Maybe a little Kaiser Chiefs, but more substantial. They also remind me of Sham 69, and the Ruts. I never get the feeling these guys are trying to be, or sound like something they aren’t.

The track Mardy Bum is what I hear, not often enough, on XM. It’s a slower song and it’s good but the entire CD is packed with great songs: “When the Sun Goes Down”, “Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured”, and “The View From the Afternoon.” A little something for everyone. Check out their web site to view some videos off this CD at ArcticMonkeys.com.

Paris Sigler — Pastel Dog

This is a picture that I did in art class. It is made with oil pastels on black paper. It was going to be a german sheperd like my dog Mika, but I ran out of room for the legs. So now he is a corgie terrier named Shep.