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Sonic Youth – Hits are For Squares (Hear Music)
I honestly didn’t expect much from this comp. It’s basically a Sonic Youth greatest hits record, though the twist is not just that Starbucks’ Hear Music label put it out, but that the track listing was selected by celebrities ranging from FLEA and EDDIE VEDDER to CHLOE SEVIGNY to ALISON ANDERS, just to name a few. Along with the classic tunes, we also get liner notes from each of these celebrities and from the band themselves that describe both why the person in question picked each song and then a band member describing the meaning behind the song. This, and only so-so new song “Slow Revolution” should be the main draw for hardcore fans. However, for those who either haven’t listened to this material in a while, this is nothing short of revelatory. Simply put, this collection makes a strong argument for Sonic Youth as one of the best bands of the last 25 years. Sure, many well-known tunes like “Teenage Riot (Vedder’s pick),” “Bull in the Heather (chosen by actress CATHERINE KEENER),” “100% (chosen by MIKE D of THE BEASTIE BOYS) and “Kool Thing” (chosen by RADIOHEAD, though honestly I would’ve expected something like the amazing 25-minute version of “The Diamond Sea” to be their pick) are all present. However, it’s the lesser known material that really shines here. “Disappearer” (from 1990’s major label debut Goo) is a forgotten stunner while “Rain on Tin” (from 2002’s Murray Street) may be the greatest thing the band ever did. I dare you to listen to it, particularly its closing jam session, and disagree. Elsewhere “Stones” (Anders’ pick) from 2004’s Sonic Nurse fits in quite nicely with the mostly older ‘80s and early ‘90s material found here as well. So yeah, this is a great introduction to Sonic Youth for newcomers as well. Who would’ve thought that Starbucks could get this right?
The Dead Boys – Liver than You’ll Ever Be (NMC Music)
This was reviewed in the latest issue and though it didn’t get a glowing review, I still picked it up since I saw it cheap and well, I love The Dead Boys and I’d never heard it before. This is a recent reissue of their ‘87 reunion show at the Ritz. While I wish that there were liner notes (though there are some nice previously unpblished photos of frontman STIV BATORS), the music here is great. The setlist is about what you’d expect (a mix of their 2 albums and a covers of “Search and Destroy”) and while yes it’s raw, I can’t imagine any fan not enjoying this. This collection proves that even when they came back from the afterlife, they were indeed liver than most bands would ever be!
Rob Dickinson – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) – Wednesday, June 25, 2008
See my full review here.
Mission of Burma with Versus – First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia, PA) – Friday, June 27, 2008
Mission of Burma played the same great set they played a few weeks ago at Bowery Ballroom. Once again, they played all of Signals, Calls and Marches along with some other older material and did an encore of 3 songs from The Obliterati. It was great, but now I really wanna see the Vs. show!
And speaking of Versus, who named themselves after that aforementioned Mission of Burma album, I’d really been looking forward to seeing them since they were one of my favorites in the ‘90s. Although they started tentatively and it took them a few songs to get going, they were great, making me remember why I liked them so much back then.
Jay Reatard – Singles ‘06-’07 (In the Red)
Because I was a bit late to board the Jay Reatard train, only picking up Blood Visions last summer (almost a full year after its release), I missed out on getting some of these singles and whatever ones were left were gone by the time of his incredible show here at the First Unitarian Church last October. Thus, up to this point, I’ve had to settle for mp3s procured from the internet and while some of these tracks really cook, it’s on this new collection that they really shine. Like NO AGE’s Weirdo Rippers, this is a collection of singles that really works like an album. Overall, as an album it’s almost as good as Blood Visions (which is my favorite album of the last few years) and that’s very high praise indeed. Even if you already have all of the singles, though, the other big draw of this expensive (mine was $18.99, though it’s worth it) is the accompanying DVD. Now normally the bonus DVD is a tossed-off thing to be watched only once. Not in this case, as it contains 3 completely smoking full shows, including a set at Cake Shop, one in Las Vegas and one particularly memorable outdoor set last summer from right outside the Sailor Jerry store. I wasn’t there, but watching it almost makes up for it. The quality is amazing and Jay and his backing band BOSTON CHINKS rip your face off with intense, minute-long blasts full of more hooks than just about anybody else these days. Yeah, their full sets are about 15 minutes, but so what? It’s about quality, not quantity. This is the real deal folks. Between Blood Visions, this collection and the singles he’s releasing on Matador now, not to mention his incendiary live shows and myriad side projects, he’s cementing his legend.
Dennis Wilson – Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy)
The long awaited reissue of Beach Boy Dennis Wilson’s lost 1977 classic Pacific Ocean Blue is here and it’s a must for fans. Disc 1 contains the original album and some outtakes and demos (including a previously unreleased version of “Only with You”, which originally appeared on 1973’s underrated Holland album). Disc 2 contains the unreleased album Bambu. Although many fans will have much of this material on bootlegs (or if they’re lucky enough, on vinyl or the blink and you missed it previous CD version of Pacific Ocean Blue), this is still a worthy purchase. Not only it is remastered and unreleased tracks included, but there’s a 40 page booklet with rare photos and liner notes as well. In short, this is an absolute must for hardcore Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson fans.
Drive Like Jehu – Drive Like Jehu (Headhunter/Cargo)
Although fans and critics pinpoint their sophomore (and last) album Yank Crime as the better and more influential of their two albums, I’ve always preferred the first one. In 1991 (when this was originally released), absolutely nothing sounded like this. Sure the influence of bands like Sonic Youth, WIPERS, SLINT and BLACK FLAG were clearly audible, but they took it several steps further. Combining raw hardcore punk with mind-bending time signatures (clearly they liked prog-rock) and loose song structures that hinted at what post-rock favorites like RODAN would do later, they took the influence of the ‘80s underground and combined it with prog, Krautrock and film soundtrack music (notably ENNIO MORRICONE). Nowadays, all of these influences are taken for granted amongst indie bands, but back then this was groundbreaking. It hasn’t aged a day, either, and songs like “Spikes to You,” “If It Kills You” and the closer “Future Home of Stucco Monstrosity” hit as hard as they did in the early ‘90s.
The Hold Steady – Stay Positive (Vagrant)
Their fourth album will be out in a few weeks and I’m pleased to say that it may their best one yet. Sonically, it’s almost an exact replica of their last album, 2006’s excellent Boys and Girls in America, but I’m not complaining! The title track nicely references YOUTH OF TODAY and 7 SECONDS, the first two songs (“Constructive Summer” and “Sequestered in Memphis”) are destined to be sing-along classics in the same vein as the last album’s “Stuck Between Stations” or “Chips Ahoy” and “Lord I’m Discouraged” is the obligatory BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN-esque ballad (ala the last album’s “First Night”). There’s a trace of synths on one track, but otherwise they haven’t changed a thing and they’re all the better for it.
Rocket from the Tombs – Rocket Redux (Smog Veil)
Every so often I put this on, four years after its release, and I’m just floored by it. Most re-recordings suck or are at least inferior to their original versions, but not these. Perhaps the difference is that they’re not really re-recordings after all since the band never entered a proper studio in its ‘70s heyday (the collection The Day the Earth Met the Rocket from the Tombs is comprised of rehearsals and live performances). Still, it’s amazing that they can get these 30 year old parts just right and that RICHARD LLOYD can fill in so capably for the late PETER LAUGHNER.
Versus – Dead Leaves (Teenbeat)
In the mid ‘90s, this collection of demos, singles and compilation tracks was one of my favorites and so in anticipation of their show here opening for Mission of Burma the other night, I pulled this out. I’d almost forgotten how great this stuff is! My favorites are “Astronaut, “Forest Fire,” “Venus Victoria” and the brilliant “Cross the Street”.
