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Bob Mould with Andrew Lipke – North Star Bar (Philadelphia, PA) – April 3, 2009
See my full review here.
Marianne Faithfull with The Felice Brothers – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) – April 3, 2009
I went to this because a chance to see Marianne Faithfull (and for free) play a rare U.S. show (even though it’s an abridged Free at Noon set) is not one to be missed! Backed by JOHN ZORN alumni including MARC RIBOT (who’s also well-known for his work with TOM WAITS and ELVIS COSTELLO, among many others) on guitar along with a pared-down band that included just stand-up bass and drums, Faithfull proceeded to stick mostly to songs off her latest album (2008’s all-covers Easy Come Easy Go). Her take on DOLLY PARTON’s “Down to Dover” felt a little flat, but her phenomenal versions of NEKO CASE’s “Hold On, Hold On” and THE DECEMBERISTS’ “Crane Wife 3” hit the spot. The only older song she played was “Sister Morphine”.
As for The Felice Brothers, they’re young, enthusiastic and fun, but if I wanted to listen to ‘60s BOB DYLAN (who their lead signer emulates to a degree that would shame MOUSE & THE TRAPS) fronting THE BAND (who the rest of the band emulate; the accordionist/keyboard player even looks like a dead ringer for GARTH HUDSON), I’d just put on The Basement Tapes.
The Dukes of Stratosphear – 25 O’Clock & Psonic Psunspot (Apehouse)
I’m working on a full-length review of these reissues, but for now I’ll just say that I’ve been really enjoying listening to these two records again. The bonus material (mostly demos) are, for the most part, curiosities that don’t demand repeat listening, but the individual albums kill! Songs like “25 O’Clock,” “Have You Seen Jackie,” “Little Lighthouse,” “My Love Explodes” and the stunning “Vanishing Girl” rival anything that the ‘60s bands that inspired XTC turned out in their heyday!
Bob Mould – Life and Times (Anti)
Mould’s latest (and his second full-length release in a little over 12 months) is a sharp departure from his last few albums. Instead of an album in the mold of his ‘90s trio SUGAR or his 1996 self-titled solo album, this one’s close cousin is 1989’s Workbook. Still, there are notable exceptions like “Argos” (which one fan on his Facebook page said sounded like a New Day Rising outtake! To me it sounded more like a later Husker Du song ala Candy Apple Grey or Warehouse: Songs and Stories or perhaps something from Black Sheets of Rain).
L7 – Smell the Magic (Sub Pop)
After not listening to them for many years, I found a cheap copy of this recently and in the process rediscovered my love for this band’s early material (like many, I lost track of them after 1992’s breakthrough Bricks are Heavy.
Of their 1st 3 albums, I think this is by far the best. Sure Bricks are Heavy is better-produced and includes the stunning “Pretend We’re Dead”, but some of their raw energy was sacrificed in the process. A HUGE improvement from their 1988 Epitaph debut, this one comes out swinging with the opener “Shove” and barely lets up over its 9 songs (originally it was a 6 song EP). Other highlights include “Fast and Frightening,” “Just Like Me” and a great cover of EDDIE AND THE SUBTITLES’ “American Society”.
The Fix – At the Speed of Twisted Thought (Touch & Go)
I finally picked this up recently and let me tell you, buying this CD will cost you a lot less than the hundreds of dollars their incredibly rare, two early Touch and Go singles still fetch on eBay. In any case, here you get both of those 7”s (“Vengeance” and “Jan’s Room”) along with some surprisingly not-too-bad-sounding live recordings from 1980.
For those unaware of them, The Fix had an interesting sound, forging a link between early D.O.A. and bands of that sort and the many, many hardcore bands that followed in their wake.
Food, Inc. (PG)
You can see my full review here.
Husker Du – Warehouse: Songs and Stories (Warner Brothers)
I don’t get why some fans don’t like this album. To me, it’s a classic up there with their more revered (and rightfully so) mid ‘80s work and it’s got the same untouchable magic that Zen Arcade, New Day Rising and Flip Your Wig all have.
Circle of Friends (Not Rated)
This is a Bob Mould DVD that features a show from the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC in October 2005 on the Body of Song tour. Having seen the New York show on that tour (at Irving Plaza), I can attest to the fact that this DVD accurately portrays this show as a powerful and pummelingly loud experience. Seriously, the sound is great on this thing and the setlist is great, too, incorporating tons of songs from SUGAR’s Copper Blue and lots of HUSKER DU material as well!
Dave Gregory – Remoulds (no label)
Never officially released, this is a collection of ‘60s and early ‘70s covers recorded between 1991 and 1997. There are fantastic versions of songs by CREAM (“Those Were the Days” and “I Feel Free”), JIMI HENDRIX (“Wait Until Tomorrow” and “All Along the Watchtower”, which while not written by Hendrix was immortalized by him and nonetheless Gregory’s version owes a lot to Jimi’s), SPIRIT (“Fresh Garbage”) and countless others.
XTC fans who don’t have this should check it out here.
