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The Capitol Steps – Montgomery County Community College (Blue Bell, PA) – March 28, 2009
This was my first time seeing this talented group of political satirists and if you’re so inclined, I’d definitely recommend seeing them at one of their many appearances all over the country. I laughed so hard at some of the musical numbers! Imagine a parody of GLADYS KNIGHT’s “Midnight Train of Georgia” where the current Russian President changes it to “Midnight Raid on Georgia” or THE SHANGRI-LAS’ “Leader of the Pack” redone as “A Leader Named Barack” and you’ll get a good feel of what these folks do.
Doves – Kingdom of Rust (Astralwerks/EMI)
On their fifth album, Kingdom of Rust, there are no revelations (like the amazing Motown via THE JAM-influenced “Black and White Town”) and very few changes in sound, but just Doves playing the kind of electronica-influenced dream-pop that they do so well.
The Nerves – One Way Ticket (Alive)
See my full review here.
PJ Harvey and John Parrish – “Black Hearted Love” EP
I haven’t heard the album yet, but based on this two-song sampler (just the album version and a radio edit), it should be a good one. I’m not expecting something as great as say, Rid of Me or To Bring You My Love, but I’d be OK with something as satisfying as their previous collaboration (1996’s Dance Hall at Louse Point).
MacLean and MacLean – Toilet Rock (Attic)
OK this one seems to be unavailable everywhere except Canada (where this motormouth comedy duo hailed from) and Japan, so check it out here.
Based on the info I could find, this seems to be a mishmash consisting of most of the material on their first two albums (1974’s Toilet Rock, recorded live in Toronto, and 1976’s Bitter Reality, a half-live and half-studio recording).
As such, this stuff rules. Imagine an even more motor-mouthed (yep there’s that word again) and foul-mouthed GEORGE CARLIN, multiply him by two, and give them both acoustic guitars.
If you find this prospect as titillating as I do, then you must check it out. When you fall down from laughing so hard, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Heart Attack – The Last War: 1980-1984 (Broken Rekids)
This anthology came out back in 2001, but I only acquired it recently. Previously, the only Heart Attack material I’d ever heard were their tracks on ROIR’s terrific NY Thrash comp from 1981. This consists of everything they ever recorded, including a 7-song demo with not so great sound quality (there are frequent fade-outs and what not) but which would predict what was to come. Of course that includes the amazing “God is Dead” 7”, and the misproduced but still raging Keep Your Distance 12” EP (among other things) but also the legendary “Mojo Demos”.
This is amazing stuff, especially when you consider that JESSE MALIN was a pre-teen when they started. This is stuff that (at its best) could rival THE CLASH-isms of the early, three-piece D.O.A. recordings. Seriously.
Marianne Faithfull and David Dalton – Faithfull: An Autobiography (Cooper Square Press, 2000)
I mentioned this book on last week’s list and since I finally finished it, I wanted to comment on it. It’s a great memoir and honestly hard to believe that she didn’t write it all herself since it rings true (despite the many outlandish scenarios depicted within). Frankly, Faithfull can come off as a bit detached, stubborn and haughty on occasion, but this is still fascinating reading nonetheless. This is especially recommended not just for Rolling Stones fans, but for those curious about Marianne’s subsequent career and family history as well.
Lindsey Buckingham – Gift of Screws (Warner Brothers)
I’m a fan of not just the early, PETER GREEN-led FLEETWOOD MAC, but the much more popular version with Buckingham, STEVIE NICKS and CHRISTINE McVIE (admittedly I’m not familiar enough with the versions in between to comment on them). I know this may set me apart from some of the folks reading this, but frankly I don’t care.
Anyway, if you’re still reading this far, this is Buckingham’s fifth solo album overall and his second in three years. This is my first exposure to his solo material and as such, I really like it. The amazing finger-picking in “Time Precious Time” is a highlight, but there isn’t a bad track here. More experimental than Fleetwood Mac typically are and overflowing with creativity, hooks and ideas, it’s nice that even as a multi-millionaire in his late 50s who doesn’t have to do this, Lindsey loves making music so much that he does it anyway.
Obits – I Blame You (Sub Pop)
Following hot on the heels of their debut, two song 7” released last year (also via Sub Pop), this is an absolute rager, but perhaps not in the way that fans of RICK FROBERG’s previous bands HOT SNAKES and DRIVE LIKE JEHU would expect. There’s less manic intensity here and more melody, but my favorite aspect of this is instead of the also very welcome WIPERS-worship of Hot Snakes, Froberg and company seem to have spent time with the records of THE GUN CLUB. Their influence is all over this record. Hurray!
Luka Bloom – Eleven Songs (Bar/None)
I sat on this one for a while, but now I regret doing so. This is the first time I’ve heard one of Bloom’s albums, previously only being familiar with his late ‘80s cover of LL COOL J’s “I Need Love” and his appearances on compilations of live tracks recorded at the now defunct Bottom Line. and I really like it. It’s somewhere between folk-rock (or “anti-folk”, if you prefer) and the contemplative brooding of THE BLUE NILE with songs ranging from the personal (“I Hear Her, Like Lorelei”) to the political (the incendiary and accusative “Fire”).
