So we meet again

Another fine week for lovers of good music.

I don't know why but for some reason I am craving Pudding with whip cream on top of it lately. I can't stop. It's like I'm pregnant as the craving hits and I need (no NEED) the pudding. Strange? Yes. Hopefully it will fade quickly. Soooo on to the tunes.


Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville (Deluxe Edition)
This one is listed for a few different reasons. One...Just in case you don't already own this blow by blow response to Exile on Mainstreet by the Stones. Now you can remedy this tragedy. Two...it is brilliant in so many ways. Three...The main deluxe part is a Liz directed Documentary about the CD and the 15 years since. Let's hear it for classic Chicago CDs.

Big Blue Ball - Big Blue Ball
Started in 1991 and finished (basically) in 1995. So PG why make us wait? Yes he has put touches on the cd since then but c'mon man. Give me the tunes. Luckily worth the wait. It plays like a great, lost Peter Gabriel CD. Oh I didn't mention that part yet. Well yes it was all recorded at his Real World Studios etc. It must be so cool to have songs like these in the vaults.

Ry Cooder - I, Flathead
A concept album with his wonderful touches of rockabilly and Blues etc. In fact, let's call this one Sci-Fi Americana. The concept? Something about a guy and a car and outer space (maybe). I am sure love, lost, and lust are in there too.

Alejandro Escovedo - Real Animal
Real shame this man isn't huge. No HUGE. A punker from the 70s. The man is a survivor and tells great stories. He talks truth. Maybe that is the reason he isn't huge. People don't like truth. Although it seems to work for Springsteen and it worked for Carlin. Anyway if you don't know this man enjoy the cd and the back catelogue as you work yourself backwards through this old cds. Still gave one of the best concerts I've been at. One sentence for this man? Austin Texas' Bruce Springsteen.

Others to sample
Amos Lee has released a nice cd of campfire songs with his great soulful voice. The Watson Twins were made famous by Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis on their latest cd they do most things right. At least listen to their Cure cover (which has already been on NEXT by the way). Camper Van Beethoven has released a Greatest Hits which is nice to have a bunch of their songs on one CD. G Love returns just in time for summer with shockingly a great summer BBQ cd. Sadly it's mostly background music. Oh and Motley Crue are back and they sound like Dr Feelgood Crue...so if that is your cup o tea you will drink from that cup and be happy.

More later
Bro

R.I.P.

Yet Another Good One

Sorry I am so late on this but I will blame the wedding. Hell I just got the other weeks up. Tomorrow I'll try to get CD of last Month up. I think I already know which one.

Ready? Here we go...

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
No sophomore slump here. More like a kick a$ follow up CD. Tighter and more mature. Usually in a review if you print "more mature" it's code for "not as good" or "safe". In this case it's almost the opposite. It's confidence more than anything. I think. No immediate "grabber" tunes but this one is one hell of a "grower". Hit repeat and soon this one wouldn't leave the cd changer.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida
What no covers of Ricky Martin? That would have been too cool. Maybe they are saving that for a B side. I'd buy that for a dollar. Not a knockout just another quite solid Coldplay cd. No big changes just classic sounding.

David Bowie - Live in Santa Monica 1972
There may have been better concerts but this one is on tape. This is "The Spiders From Mars" at the top of their game and it's on tape.

Denis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy Edition)
The pretty one. The professional party animal. The other Wilson brother. Luckily we can re-write a bit of history with this re-issue. A very strong and sadly under-rated cd. Enjoy it now with bonus material.

Also check out:
Tilly and the Wall and the latest from the Notwist. If you have little ones Jason Falkner has "Bedtime with the Beatles PT2". Speaking of re-issues look for Sebadoh's "Bubble and Scrape" with bonus tracks.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The Submarines - This Conversation
via FoxyTunes

Can we finally stop now

with the talk of Kobe being MJ and really no one...even a die hard Laker fan should ever utter the words "24 is better than 23". Stop it. You are wrong.

Bryant is a brilliant offense player I will give you that. Beyond that not much. I think the only reason he got the NBA's All Defensive Team first 5 was because it would help the NBA if they had a Michael Jordan. So we give Kobe that defensive award just like Mike. Sorry but he just doesn't do it.


I realize he doesn't have his Robin yet (MJ would be Batman and Pippen his Robin) but Odom isn't bad. In fact, one might argue that Kobe was Shack's Robin or one could even say Paul Pierce was closer to MJ in this series. Pierce has two Robins though. That helps alot.


MJ doesn't lose games in the Finals by 39. He wins them by 42. In fact, even against what is considered one the greatest teams in NBA history the Celtics of '85-'86 the most he ever lost in that series was by 19. Yes I know this was just a playoff game and not a final...but the Celtics that year are one of the top 3 NBA teams ever. Plus MJ was still skinny then and he was coming back from a broken ankle. He dropped 63 on them too.


oh and the most MJ ever lost in the finals was 21 and 11. The 21 was after Chicago went up 3-0 so an off night isn't that big a deal. Someone, someday will pass MJ (maybe) but not Kobe.

One last thing. Ainge is not the GM of the year McHale is. He hooked up his buddy and his old team and city. Period. What he was demanding of other teams were almost fair market value for Garnett. He gave Garnett away to the Celtics.

Hope you saved up

those hard earned pennies. Something musically for everyone this week.

"Do you think I have a plethora of CDs? This week you do.


On to the music

Jakob Dylan - Seeing Things
Sounding more and more like dear ol dad. Very strong cd but I hope he works things out with the Wallflowers. He might be the next Tom Petty?

Sloan - Parallel Play
My favorite Canadian Power Poppers. I still don't understand how or why they aren't bigger. Catchy riffs and hooks with intelligent lyrics (well mostly). I guess I can see why people wouldn't like that. WTF? people. Give 'em a try. This cd is almost like a backlash to their double CD from last year. This is 13 songs in 37 minutes. Pure Power Power goodness.

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
This cd will only surprise anyone that is new to them. If you have been listening for any length of time you will love this cd. Yes he does channel his inner Prince (Yes the little purple guy that has changed his name more than most people change their underwear) but this cd is fantastic. Oh and the jam band torch has been passed. New years eve at MSG this year...MMJ. Rejoice lovers of music.

Emmylou Harris - All I intended to Be
Back to the future with this one. Back to her days with a lean toward a more country and folk feel. There are enough traces of "Wrecking Ball" (her work with Eno) to make me smile. What a lovely voice.

The Fratelli's - Here We Stand
Usually when the fun first cd turns into the serious second cd it spells doom and gloom. Not so much on this cd. They have pushed their sound out of the pub and into a proper studio. They may have smoothed out most of the edges but there are quite a few fun "favs" on this cd. Don't forget about this band yet.

Also listen to and for
Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha. It pains me not to include it but if nothing else buy one of this years greatest songs "Butterfly". The Charlatans UK released a close to gold cd too called "You Cross my Path". The Bridges are quite close and you should file them under "someone to watch and hope that they bloom" Don' forget Solomon Burke - "Like a Fire" or Dan Zanes new kids cd "Nueva York". Yes it's all in Spanish.


Man a ton of great music. Time to simulate the economy everyone.

more later
Bro

Terry's Answers

Real name: Terry

Where I live: Shrub Oak

Occupation: Machinist


Favorite movie: The Quite Man... John Wayne

Favorite book: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas


Favorite album: Pink Floyd...Animals


Three famous people I'd like to meet: Kate Beckinsale,
Steven Hawking, Richard Petty


One famous person I actually met: Jimmy Fink

Best concert experience: American Music Festival L.A.
mid 80's

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Foamy the Squirrel
Plush ( illwillpress.com/)


And what movie prop would like to own: 1 or 3 of
Austin Powers "Fembots" ;^)

Released cds this week

Fleet Foxes - Self Titled
Wonderful harmonies...you can hear the ghost of Brian Wilson on this CD. A glorious blend of British Folk with Indie Pop sensibilities.

Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything
One of the great under-rated singers and/or performers of music around. She is lovely. Go ahead...take a listen and fall in love then start on her back catelog. How is she not on the radio? Well even if she isn't on the radio she should at least get a few spins on shuffle on you iPod.

Aimee Mann - Smilers
A "Grabber" of a CD: meaning she doesn't make you work hard to listen or "get it". "Grabber" the opposite of a "grower". "Grower" being a cd you need to listen to a CD few times before you think "damn this is one fine cd". She helps you along with big, poppy hooks and brilliant,bright production. Luckily she is on the radio. Thank you 80s one hit wonder.

Dr John - The City that Care Forgot
He is one pissed off musician. He is also a great musician with famous friends like Eric Clapton and Willie Nelson. He is a New Orleans guy so one guess as to the "City" that Care forgot.

Also
The Futureheads - This is Not the World. They have a nice Clash sound with that post punk dance beat thing going on too. Just download a few key tracks. You'll be fine with that. Radiohead - Best of... really?!? I know it's just a money grab but c'mon if you are friend of Radiohead you already own their hits. Throw the people a bone. Give them B sides or something. A bit silly unless you really, really need all the best known Radiohead tunes in one case. Or maybe your burner is acting funny or you are a bit too lazy.

More later
Bro

Raconteurs at T5

I almost titled this one "In love with a drummer".

Jack White is quite the guitar god. People know this already. That is a given and he did not disappoint. Intense would be a fine one word review of his guitar style. The dude just flat out plays but it's the drummer (Patrick Keeler) of this glorious, glorious collective that I came away from the concert admiring the most.

Highlight of the show was "Level" bleeding right into "Steady as She Goes". The first song is one of, if not, my favorite tunes of theirs and "Steady" is obviously their best known tune. They really crank it up live. The intro is special in the flesh. In fact, this gets me to a point that I still don't get. Release this live show. Take a look at Pearl Jam. It hasn't hurt them and with digital storage being almost nothing just let the people have the Live Tracks as MP3s. You don't need to release it as a CD. Just get the music out there. I would definitely give you a few of my hard earned pennies for the live tracks.


It was my first time at the newish venue in Manhattan called Terminal 5. It's huge with three floors. I guess in a former life it was a dance club. After I found that I out the general layout and feel of T5 made a lot more sense. Not the greatest sound system but they are getting quite a few good acts. I am sure I'll be back. Every bar on every floor has different beer so search out your favorite then stay close. Also a bit of pain is the "one drink limit per wrist band".

25 years ago today

An amazing thing happened exactly 25 years ago. Well, maybe not amazing, but it certainly made an impression on me....and a few others. On June 1, 1983, the Police released their last studio album, Synchronicity. The album, which ultimately sold over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone, was suddenly everywhere. And the band that had succeeded with tracks such as “Roxanne” and “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” was about to chart 4 singles from this one album.

The timing for me was critical, as this record appeared when I was in junior high school. My musical tastes were becoming my own. I was no longer sitting in the back seat of the car as mom tuned into Tony Orlando’s latest hit. In the process of trying to figure out which album would look most impressive when I put it on the record player for my friends, I was also discovering which music I most appreciated. As I reflect, it is so hard to believe this was happening a quarter of a century ago.

The album begins with the track that remains my favorite, “Syncronicty I.” Looking back, it feels like the one track that the band still played together, avoiding the obvious strains that were breaking up the band. This album was famously recorded using separate tracks, with band members often refusing to work together in the studio. You can hear the divergent styles of the band members. In fact, its hard to believe Andy Summers’ “Mother,” Stewart Copland’s “Miss Gradenko,” and Sting’s “Walking in Your Footsteps” all appeared on one record. The styles were divergent, and this group was about to diverge. But for one track, at least, they were a world class rock band.

Sting dominates the album, writing each of the major hits. His voice, which remains one of the great male voices in rock, was featured generously. Everybody remembers “Every Breath You Take,” King of Pain,” “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” and “Syncronicity II.” In fact, this is one of the first albums I grew to love that utilized music videos to promote each of the songs. MTV and The Police were working together to make sure these great songs were planted in the minds of receptive adolescents throughout the country. Now, 25 years later, I could sing them all, word for word. Not well, but you get the point.

Looking back, this album could be used to support the argument that harmony is overrated in rock bands. John and Paul recorded “Let It Be” before parting ways, and I’m happy Dave and Ray didn’t kill each other before recording “Word of Mouth.” I guess, given the current tour, The Police have found a way to get along these days. But I remember a time when this band, about to break at the seams, released an album that continues to be relevant all these years later. And lets face it......you can’t say that about every artist. Especially Tony Orlando.