Artist: Rush Released: September 24, 1975 Recorded: June–July 1975 Length: 44:51
Label Anthem (Canada)
Atlantic (Japan)
Mercury Producer: Rush and Terry Brown
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Ok so Im pretty sure everybody knows Rush from the song Tom Sawyer... as well they should, Rush is a great band (also Canadian). But they have more than Moving Pictures to be an awesome band. Take Caress of Steel which by the way is one of my favorite Rush albums, the last 2 tracks The Necromancer and The Fountain of Lamneth are EPIC beyond anything that had been seen before.
Obviously The Necromancer is a dark sounding name for a song, it is till you spend the time to follow the story laid out in sound and word. All the words give the feeling of death till you get to Act III Return of the Prince song and it just rises high and gives you a happier feeling that isn't hokey. I love that part of the song, to me I hear something similar in The Talking Heads song Heaven, something about it being an ending sound that seems proper.
And with The Fountain of Lamneth life is one of the most obvious themes in the beginning Act I In the Valley, the optimism and the excitement of what is to come behind the next sunrise. The part that comes at the end of Act I around 4:02 reminds me of The Kills song Monkey 23 (which is also a great song). Its a great break for the next Act.
Ok I can go on forever on how much I love this album, but I want you to enjoy the discovery of these tracks and what they later influenced.
So with that I need to say to PASS IT ON and to remember to listen to my buddy Lee @ The Pinata Hour also I would like to give a shout out to my homegirl Mindee of The Hot Box
____________________________________________________________ All songs written byAlex Lifeson,Geddy LeeandNeil Peart, except where noted.
Released 18 February 2003 Label: Easy Star Records Producer: Michael G and Ticklah
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Ok so yeah everyone in the Western hemisphere has heard of Pink Floyd and Dark side of the Moon... but for all those stoners who left every thing half assed, Easy Star All Stars pushes this classic to a new level.
For me when Dark Side of the Moon was first played for me in its entirety the track "Money" was my first experience in classic rock that was easy enough for me to understand. Its a simple concept everyone has to deal with money and everything it brings with it.
Some of these tracks may serve as a definitive interpretation of some these song from both bands Pink Floyd or Easy Star All Stars as "Us And Them". But remember they will always the words of the Drunk Poet. Both versions are good but I like the new interpretations.
At the end of this album for the most part The cover of Eclipse seems like an apology, but this experiemnt in Western Music was a blessing to the new world that keeps giving... so I ask that you pass this on.
Remember kidos to check out my buddy LEE @ the Pinata Hour
So don't forget to PASS THIS ON as its something most should enjoy
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"Speak to Me" / "Breathe" (Sluggy Ranks)
"On the Run"
"Time" (Corey Harris & Ranking Joe)
"The Great Gig in the Sky" (Kirsty Rock)
"Money" (Gary "Nesta" Pine & Dollarman)
"Us and Them" (Frankie Paul)
"Any Colour You Like"
"Brain Damage" (Dr Israel)
"Eclipse" (The Meditations)
Bonus tracks
"Time Version"
"Great Dub in the Sky"
"Step It Pon the Rastaman Scene" (Ranking Joe)
"Any Dub You Like"
Released: November 20, 2006 Recorded: 1985–2005 Length: 189:17 Label: ANTI- Producer: Kathleen Brennan, Tom Waits
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Ok so I know its been a long while since I've spoken at length about anything... but aside from my tethering I issues I'd like to apologize and give you people an album that is longer and more robust than before. So for this selection I choose an album that wasn't a greatest hits, but something that was a huge chunk of this artist's career.
Tom Waits has always been an artist that I've always wanted to write about, but I always thought I'd leave him as the pinch hitter that was worth more than the average or surface stuff... "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards" is the album I choose that had a huge volume that was like a greatest hits but wasn't. So with that disclaimer stuff said, I wanna start with the first song to catch me "what keeps mankind alive"... this song really sounds like a gothic play (I can't remember the proper term of darker plays), similar to a live rendition of Faust... This one is very theatrical.
For the most part I would say I'm a fan of the gritty, broken thick rhythms of a simple song like "Dog Door". Something about this song really feels like it would be my intro to a place. Not like a wrestler, but something like a theme song. there's some elements of violence in this song that might be speaking to my frustrations as of late... so this would serve as the unofficial theme song to the Drunk Poet for the meantime.
If you've ever read "On the Road" you can really feel all the words in the song "Home I'll never be"... with this song as the book did for me, I wanna travel across America. Living more lives than I could spill out on to paper in one day. If you ever read the book you'd understand.
Have you ever felt that with the last breath of the night, that to have fitting rest you need to be set in your environment? Meaning that you need to be somewhere comfortable. Well "Bend down the Branches really makes me feel like that's where I need to be at times... and "You can never hold back Spring" fulfills that feeling in me more than any other song.
And with everything that ends, there must be a feeling that isn't words... but a sound of understanding... when I think of songs that will end me, without being terribly depressing I hear this song "Shiny Things" among two other songs (songs that I may eventually really in the future). This song never says the most depressing elements that it evokes, but it only seems like reaching above to the waves to be more.
I hope that would be enough for the time being... till at least when I don't have to be tethered again... but I ask that in the mean time that you give your attention to my friend LEE of Pinata Hour fame.
Disc one: Brawlers
"Lie to Me" – 2:10
"LowDown" – 4:15
"2:19" – 5:02 Appears on the Waits-produced John P. Hammond recording Wicked Grin (2001)
"Fish in the Jailhouse" – 4:22
"Bottom of the World" – 5:42 Appears in the 2003 documentary film Long Gone[24]
"Lucinda" – 4:52 (Covered by Jonathan Richard)
"Ain't Goin' Down to the Well" (Lead Belly, John Lomax, Alan Lomax) – 2:28
"Lord I've Been Changed" (trad. arr. Waits, Brennan) – 2:28 Appears on the Waits-produced John P. Hammond recording Wicked Grin as "I Know I've Been Changed" (2001)
"Puttin' on the Dog" – 3:39 Appears in the 1999 comedy-drama film Liberty Heights[25]
"Road to Peace" – 7:17
"All the Time" – 4:33
"The Return of Jackie and Judy" (Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone) – 3:28 Previously released on the Ramones tribute album We're a Happy Family (2003)
"Walk Away" – 2:43 Previously released on the Dead Man Walking soundtrack recording (1996)
"Sea of Love" (Phil Phillips, George Khoury) – 3:43 Previously released on the Sea of Love soundtrack recording (1989)
"Buzz Fledderjohn" – 4:12 Previously released on the "Hold On" single (1999)
"Rains on Me" (Waits, Chuck E. Weiss) – 3:20 Previously released on Chuck E. Weiss' 1999 Extremely Cool,[26] then on Free the West Memphis 3 in 2000. This is the latter version.
Disc two: Bawlers
"Bend Down the Branches" – 1:06
Previously released on For the Kids (2002), an album featuring renditions of children's songs by various artists
"You Can Never Hold Back Spring" – 2:26 Originally appeared in the 2005 Roberto Benigni film The Tiger and the Snow.
"Long Way Home" – 3:10 Previously released on the Big Bad Love soundtrack recording (2001)
(Covered by Norah Jones, on her 2004 album Feels like Home)
"Widow's Grove" – 4:58
"Little Drop of Poison" – 3:09
Previously released on The End of Violence and Shrek 2 soundtrack recordings. The "End of Violence" version differs from this, which is the Shrek 2 version.
"Shiny Things" – 2:20
"World Keeps Turning" – 4:16 Previously released on the Pollock (2001) soundtrack recording
"Tell It to Me" – 3:08 Previously recorded as a duet with Ramblin' Jack Elliot as "Louise (Tell It To Me)" (from Elliot's Friends of Mine). This version differs from the original with Elliot's absence, and a change in time signature.
"Never Let Go" – 3:13 Previously appeared on the soundtrack for the 1992 Martin Bell film American Heart.
"Fannin Street" – 5:01 Song appears on the Waits-produced John P. Hammond recording Wicked Grin (2001) performed by John Hammond. This version by Waits.
"Little Man" (Teddy Edwards) – 4:33 Previously released on Mississippi Lad, an album by Teddy Edwards released in 1991 on the Verve Label
"It's Over" – 4:40 Previously appeared in a different take on the soundtrack to the 1999 film Liberty Heights.
"If I Have to Go" – 2:15 Originally from Waits' 1986 theatre play Franks Wild Years, although not released on the studio album of the same name[27]
"Goodnight Irene" (Lead Belly, Gussie L. Davis) – 4:47
"The Fall of Troy" – 3:01 Previously released on the Dead Man Walking soundtrack recording (1996)
"Take Care of All My Children" – 2:31 Appears in the 1984 documentary film "Streetwise"[28]
"Down There by the Train" – 5:39 Song appears on the Johnny Cash album American Recordings (1994) performed by Cash. This version by Waits.
"Danny Says" (Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone) – 3:05
"Jayne's Blue Wish" – 2:29
Previously released on the Big Bad Love soundtrack recording (2002)
"Young at Heart" (Carolyn Leigh, Johnny Richards) – 3:41
Disc three: Bastards
"What Keeps Mankind Alive?" (Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht) – 2:09
From the Threepenny Opera Previously released on the various-artists Weill tribute album Lost in the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill (1985)
"Children's Story" – 1:42 Based on Georg Büchner's Woyzeck (public domain)
"Heigh Ho" (Frank Churchill, Larry Morey) – 3:32 From the 1937 Walt Disney film Snow White And the Seven Dwarfs Previously released on the various-artists Disney tribute album Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films (1988)
"Army Ants" – 3:25
"Books of Moses" (Skip Spence) – 2:49 Previously released on More Oar, a 1999 various-artists tribute to Spence and his solo album Oar.
"Bone Chain" – 1:03
"Two Sisters" (traditional, arr by Waits / Brennan) – 4:55
"First Kiss" – 2:40
"Dog Door" (Waits, Brennan, Mark Linkous) – 2:43 With Sparklehorse; previously released on the Sparklehorse album It's a Wonderful Life (2001)
"Redrum" – 1:12
"Nirvana" – 2:12
Words: Charles Bukowski
"Home I'll Never Be" – 2:28
Words: Jack Kerouac "Poor Little Lamb" (William J. Kennedy, Waits) – 1:43
"Altar Boy" – 2:48 Originally written for Alice; an earlier version can be found on The Alice Demos, under the title "What Became Of Old Father Craft?"[29]
"The Pontiac" – 1:54 Originally released on the 1987 spoken word compilation Smack My Crack[30]
"Spidey's Wild Ride" – 2:03
"King Kong" (Daniel Johnston) – 5:29 Previously released on the Johnston tribute album The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered (2004)
"On the Road" – 4:14 Words: Jack Kerouac. Originally appeared on the 1999 album Jack Kerouac Reads On the Road.
"Dog Treat" (Hidden track) – 2:56 Live recording
"Missing My Son" (Hidden track) – 3:38
Released: August 23, 1994 Recorded: Late 1993–1994 Bearsville Recording Studio (Woodstock, New York) Length:51:44 Label: Columbia Producer: Jeff Buckley, Andy Wallace
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Very few albums can get me from my different moods, but Jeff Buckley's Grace really hits me. Hearing the first track "Mojo Pin" can mean different things to me at different times, like a victory or a goodbye. It has a soul that is obvious and has an aggression that really speak to me in different ways, because of the slow start and the harder elements that scream to you.
Have you ever left something that meant more by leaving? ...Afterwards you just play it over and over in your mind, and it makes you angry to have to be that mature about things. I myself was there just over 4 years ago when I walked out on something that was going nowhere, and every time I hear "Last Goodbye", I remember that day. It was hot and uncomfortable, not because of the heat but having to leave something that was floating for 2 years, you just run as fast as you can to do right in life.
Everybody talks about "So Real", because everyone feels like its a prophecy Jeff Buckley sang about his life. But to me it feels like an epiphany of what your destiny is suppose to be and how far you are off that path. There are real emotions in this song that make those feelings stronger for me.
To me the 90's had a gritty honesty, that's been taken over by a glossy veneer. All of everything that the 90's were to me are encapsulated in the song "Hallelujah:. I know that Jeff Buckley didn't write this song, but it really felt the darker and truer things, that aren't here in this modern prepackaged reality. I actually like this version better than the Leonard Cohen version because it's simpler.
With all of that being said, I hope all of you young kids give this album a chance and to PASS IT ON to your friends... Like I share about my friend LEE at the Pinata Hour
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1.Mojo Pin Jeff Buckley, Gary Lucas 5:42
2.Grace Jeff Buckley, Gary Lucas 5:22
3.Last Goodbye Jeff Buckley 4:35
4.Lilac Wine James Shelton 4:32
5.So Real Jeff Buckley, Michael Tighe 4:43
6.Hallelujah Leonard Cohen 6:53
7.Lover, You Should've Come Over Jeff Buckley 6:43
8.Corpus Christi Carol Traditional, Benjamin Britten 2:56
9.Eternal Life Jeff Buckley 4:52
10.Dream Brother Jeff Buckley, Mick Grondahl, Matt Johnson 5:26
Released: October 19, 1970 Recorded: June – August 1970 at Studio B and Studio E, Columbia Studio Building, 49 East 52nd Street, New York City Length: 35:21 Label: Columbia Producer: Bob Johnston
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Ok first off sorry that I didn't write anything last night... I was kinda in a writers block from writing late into the night before. But this morning when I woke up, all could think about what album I should've written about. I spent most of the day listening to all kinds of music that didn't really hit me. Till I got out of the shower and it came to me while I was singing it... Bob Dylan's "New Morning". This album and song make me feel happier about things in my life, its a real big change in my life, because I use to hate Bob Dylan's voice.
I hated him till I heard "The Man In Me" in the movie the Big Lebowski. Actually I didn't know that was him till years later after I bought it on DVD. This song makes me think about the future and where I've been in my life. Like where will I meet that one woman that's described in the song, one to kick me in the ass hard enough to encourage me to be stronger, well I think that's why its a great song.
Proper endings are always hard to find especially in music, "Father of Night" is a perfect way to easy out with a memorable sound. I love that its simple and the piano sound gives a perfect tempo to this song. The lyrics of Dylan are always poetic but this one almost seems like an acknowledge of something higher... and that's not a bad thing in my book.
I don't know if anyone was waiting for this weeks Blog but here it is, so remember to PASS IT ON
and to Listen to LEE on the Pinata Hour
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All songs written by Bob Dylan.
"If Not for You" – 2:39
"Day of the Locusts" – 3:57
"Time Passes Slowly" – 2:33
"Went to See the Gypsy" – 2:49
"Winterlude" – 2:21
"If Dogs Run Free" – 3:37
"New Morning" – 3:56
"Sign on the Window" – 3:39
"One More Weekend" – 3:09
"The Man in Me" – 3:07
"Three Angels" – 2:07
"Father of Night" – 1:27
Released: August 8, 1988 Recorded: 1988 Length: 17:06 Label: Creation Records Producer: My Bloody Valentine
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Have you ever heard a band that after years of hearing about, you finally sit down and listen to, only to be amazed at how great the band is. That's the feeling that I got when I first gave My Bloody Valentine a chance. I've said it plenty of times that I missed out on allot of music, because of my surroundings and ignorance to other sounds, and this is another example of it.
When I first heard the song "Slow" I feel in love with the grittiness of it. Its unpolished, but it has a real strong emotion in it. Like falling in love with someone and the moment when you first get close to them. The sensual slide of this song makes me think of some of the girls I've dated and how they ranked to this song.
Mornings always are a little chilly from a night of partying or waking up next to someone your with. Those times don't need to be loud or fast, just slow and enjoyed. That's the feeling I get from "Cigarette In Your Bed". Not that any girl I've ever dated would let me smoke in bed(when I did smoke), but this track just says Sunday morning to me, with every note.
This week I'm gonna leave you kiddos with the full E.P. because it's that fucking good and its only 5 tracks... so with all that being said I need to tell you to check out my buddy LEE on the Pinata Hour every Wednesday evening @ 7pm.
And Remember Kiddos to listen to things you don't normally listen to and you might be surprised. Also remember to PASS IT ON
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"You Made Me Realise" – 3:46
"Slow" – 3:11
"Thorn" – 3:36
"Cigarette In Your Bed" – 3:29
"Drive It All Over Me" – 3:04`
Released: April 19, 2011 Length: 42:12 Label: 4AD
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When I first heard Tune-Yards, I thought they were dudes. But when I actually saw the video for "Bizness", I was pleasantly surprised that it was a woman singing. This song has an energy that infectious and you find yourself singing it later in the day. And what makes it even cooler is that they actually made a music video... seems like a lost art really.
After I first heard "Bizness", I came home and downloaded the album and found some really good tracks that caught my attention like "Gangsta". I guess I'm not the only one who liked the song because I caught it on Weeds some time later. Its kind of funny song that's for the most part true, if you listen to the words.
Most of these songs got a happy kinda feel to them and are really light hearted, even with songs like "Killa". When I first downloaded this album, I listened to it continuously for the next week or so. And it was these 3 songs that really caught my attention, not to say the rest is boring but that these songs should be heard more.
This week I gotta say one thing before I get into my good nights. Last week Adam Yauch died at age 47 on May 4, 2012. He pushed allot music and ideals in many new ways that some people are still trying to catch up to. R.I.P. Adam
So if you missed it, last night was Drinko De Mayo hosted by friend LEE of Pinata Hour fame. We had fun and had a few drinks with friends and saw some good bands last night... good times.
All that being said means that it nearing time for me to move on for the night. But remember to give something new a chance and toPASS IT ON
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1."My Country" 3:40
2."Es-So" 3:29
3."Gangsta" 3:58
4."Powa" 5:03
5."Riotriot" 4:13
6."Bizness" 4:23
7."Doorstep" 4:16
8."You Yes You" 3:33
9."Wooly Wolly Gong" 6:06
10."Killa" 3:12
Released: May 6, 2003 Label: Better Youth Org
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Woke yesterday morning all crudo as shit, and the only thing I could think, aside figuring out how the night before went, was Manic Hispanic's Menudo Morning Nightmare. For the most part of the song is about getting all kinds of crazy and wondering about it later. It also gives a quick overview of how things in the barrio go, maybe not all at once in a night, but hanging out in paisa bars and cruising is something I've done on more than one occasion(good times that are crazy fun).
Yeah these songs are all tongue and cheek covers of awesome old school punk songs, but their good. Also that they cover allot of local bands is a real big selling point for me, especially covering TSOL or DI, bands that I really respect.
Most of these songs make me laugh to, because for the most part they're pretty honest in the accents and the things you've heard people say in the barrio. Not sure if this one everyone will understand what makes this good... if not, do your research and read "Ask A Mexican", then you'll understand and might laugh. Hopefully you can read up and enjoy them before they play The 4th (Almost) Annual Manic de Mayo Celebration next weekend at the House of Blues.
Chances are that I will be at this show, but till then remember to check out LEE's show The Pinata Hour Wednesday... with that being said remember also kids to PASS IT ON
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1. Trippin on Mi Ruca
2. Brand New Imapla
3. Tio's Got a Secret
4. Cruise
5. Barrio Love
6. Creeper Is a Lowrider
7. My Homeboy Is a Joto
8. Big Heinas
9. Menudo Morning Nightmare
10. The I.N.S. Took My Novia Away
11. La Crusher
12. Get Up Your Late
13. She Turned into Llorana
14. Lupe, I'm Free
15. Code Brown
16. I Want to Be a Cholo
Released July 12, 1994 Recorded 1993 - 1994 Length 71:13 Label American Recordings Producer Deconstruction, Ron Champagne
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The 90's had allot of music that was over looked or forgotten. Some of it should be forgotten, but there are some albums, that should see more sunlight than they do, like Deconstruction. This album to me is the epitome of the unpolished experimental music during the 90's, L.A. song is the first example. It's gritty and does fell like L.A., driving down the 10 fwy in the heat, that's L.A. Its dirty and beautiful at the same time, same could be said about this song.
If you like Jane's Addiction, you'll probably be taken back by this album because it sounds nothing like anything remotely like Jane's Addiction. Dave Navarro and Eric Avery really went in a different direction especially with the track Get At 'Em. It's really aggressive and it really shows Dave Navarro's guitar playing. I remember hearing this one way back when with my uncle, when he bought it on cassette when it first came out.
When I reach back in time to gather some of these tracks I rediscover some shit that is a like a time machine. America is one those songs, that's a time machine, when I hear this one I can see myself during my teenage years writing or drawing something weird and this song blaring on the stereo or headphones. Time machine is fitting as I use to play loud music all the time when I was creating, don't listen to music so loud any more, but I still dig it.
So remember boys and girls to give it a try and to PASS IT ON
Released January 14,1977 Recorded 1976 at Château d'Hérouville, Hérouville, France, and Hansa Studio by the Wall, West Berlin Length 38:48 Label RCA Producer David Bowie, Tony Visconti
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Intro, intro, yeah yeah, not everything comes in a nice package that you expect, and sometimes the unexpected can be a game changer. Just like David Bowie's Low album when it just jumps in with "Speed of Life". It starts off like a mess, but as it progresses it cleans up and starts to feel like a story, hence the Speed of Life.
Somewhere around a decade ago, was when I left school and became a working man. And during that time I could hear a track in my head, that my friend had sent me a few years prior, and that tracks name was "Sound and Vision". There was nothing written about my future to be, and it seemed fitting as an unwritten book. Back then I wasn't a fully realized person, where I wanted to be, or how I was gonna get there, so this song if you listen to it you might catch what I'm implying.
During that decade I bounced around allot being some kinda moron or maniac, and everyday that I woke it was like living out the lyrics to "Always Crashing in the same Car". Nothing was ever stable, with money, relationships, or emotions, but it was always the same story every couple of months, just like the lyrics say.
And whenever there was a new frontier I always felt that "A New Career in a New Town", was my song that was written and performed for me. Its an instrumental, but the soul of the song is what was always pushing me, like waking up in the morning and not wanting to get up, so you have to force yourself, so that you can live. I could never understand that as a kid, but as an adult, I truly believe that you gotta wake up every morning, so that you can even have that choice, instead of just being nothing.
I really love this album and I hope that you at least give it a chance. And hell maybe you might see what I see in this album. So that's why I gotta say to PASS IT ON and shit maybe even subscribe to this madness.
Also Check out Pinata Hour this week with my friend LEE, another friend of mine that I haven't seen in a minute will be on the show
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All lyrics written by David Bowie; all music composed by David Bowie except where noted.
"Speed of Life" – 2:46
"Breaking Glass" (Bowie, Dennis Davis, George Murray) – 1:52
"What in the World" – 2:23
"Sound and Vision" – 3:05
"Always Crashing in the Same Car" – 3:33
"Be My Wife" – 2:58
"A New Career in a New Town" – 2:53
"Warszawa" (Bowie, Brian Eno) – 6:23
"Art Decade" – 3:46
"Weeping Wall" – 3:28
"Subterraneans" – 5:39
Released: 1986 Recorded: 1985 - 1986 Length: 28:30 Label: Plan 9 Producer: Glenn Danzig
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Given that today is Easter and a religious holiday in the west. I woke up today ready to get crazy, with some Samhain and the song that was rattling in my head was "Let the Day Begin". Its sacrilegious and all, lyric wise and the name of the band is kinda obvious about that to(I'm not gonna explain that to you so look it up). But it literally makes you get pumped and ready for the day.
I'm gonna bounce around this week in the track order as the last song is a great start. Next up for my choice is "Mother of Mercy", because its a great song to sing a long with and to growl out the words while drunk in a packed bar. Reminds me of the time, that I once witnessed a whole bar break into song with another Danzig song "Mother", great night when that one came on the Jukebox... good times good times.
I always love to hear how past songs and albums have influenced modern bands sounds. Hearing the bassline in the song "Unbridled", I can't help but to hear early Psychobilly in this song. It also still has allot of elements from Danzig's earlier career in punk.
This one came at me suddenly this morning and has been stuck in my mind all day. That alone makes me want to say that you should all give this one a chance and to PASS IT ON
Also don't forget about my buddy LEE from the Pinata Hour on every Wednesday @ 7PM Pacific time
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All songs written and composed by Glenn Danzig
"Diabolos '88" - 1:24
"In My Grip" - 2:44
"Mother of Mercy" - 3:09
"Birthright" - 2:10
"To Walk the Night" - 2:11
"Let the Day Begin" - 2:36
"Halloween II" - 3:15
"November's Fire" - 2:47
"Kiss of Steel" - 1:29
"Unbridled" - 1:48
"Human Pony Girl" - 4:57
Released: September 24, 1991 Recorded: May–June 1991 at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys and Devonshire, North Hollywood, California
"Polly" recorded in April 1990 at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin Length: 42:38 Label: DGC Producer: Butch Vig
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Growing up my influences were mostly what my friends liked and what my family liked. They liked allot of Pop music and what I now call bubblegum, I was always at their mercy. Till one day I got my very own alarm clock radio at the age of 9. From that point on I could decide what I wanted to hear, and that's when I can say without a doubt that my life had gone in an un-cliche way from main of my friends. It all happened around one song in particular, Nirvana's "Come As You Are".
At the time everyone was all hung up on the biggest song of Nirvana's whole career "Smells like teen spirit". Yeah that's a good song, but it didn't hit me like "Come As You Are"... and it didn't help that it was played over and over again day and night. I remember sitting up late at night with the radio pressed to my ear hoping to hear that song come on.
Eventually in 1993 I was able to come up on a tape deck and a Nevermind Cassette. Were I discovered they more songs that really spoke to me "On a Plain" was one of the songs that still gets into my mind. Its probably because at the time I was kinda confused and all about life, being a dumb kid and all, learning my personality that I would have.
To this day "Polly" always struck me as a very dark song. As I understood it being about torturing a young girl, as a kid I liked dark lyrics and being controversial(I think most boys do that, trying to get a rise out of someone). Now looking into the inspiration of the song, it seems sad the real story behind it.
Well given that last little bit of info being a sad, lets get into something lighter like Brokechella happening next weekend. You should all go bring your mothers, your father, your brothers, or who ever to come out and hang. Hell you can actually meet my buddy LEE from the Pinata Hour
So with all that being said I will tell you all again to PASS IT ON and enjoy music
__________________________________________________________________ Track listing
All songs written by Kurt Cobain, except where noted.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic) – 5:01
"In Bloom" – 4:14
"Come as You Are" – 3:39
"Breed" – 3:03
"Lithium" – 4:17
"Polly" – 2:57
"Territorial Pissings" (Cobain, Chet Powers) – 2:22
"Drain You" – 3:43
"Lounge Act" – 2:36
"Stay Away" – 3:32
"On a Plain" – 3:16
"Something in the Way" – 3:55
"Endless, Nameless" (Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic) -- 6:44 (hidden track on some copies of the record)
Released: September 24, 1991 Recorded: May–June 1991 at The Mansion in Los Angeles Length: 73:55 Label: Warner Bros. Producer: Rick Rubin
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Without a doubt I can say that The Red Hot Chili Peppers album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, is one of my all time favorite albums of all time. Straight out of the gate they start strong with "The Power of Equality". I can still remember all the lyrics from all the songs and this one is one of the greats. And when my Uncle Octavious found his old tape from 20 years ago, it was cued up to this song when I put it into the tape deck of my car.
Every time I hear the title track "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", I'm always taken back to my first day of High School. Because this was the first CD I had ever bought, and it was only a week before school started when I bought it at Music Plus, before it was Blockbuster Music.
OK, so some people are probably asking why aren't I highlighting the singles, well the reason being that the album has soo many good songs aren't ever heard on the radio and such. So that's why my third pick is gonna be another song that brings me back and gets me hyped up is "Naked In the Rain". Just listening to Flea tear it up on this song just makes me hyper, like I was the skinny 14 year old again jumping off of walls with wild hair... wait I still have wild hair, but no more jumping off of walls anymore... lol.
Having said all that I have to say what I always say PASS IT ON because there's soo much good music out there and not just on the radio
Doesn't look like there's a new flyer yet for Lee's show just yet, but enjoy this one and remember to check out his show The Pinata Hour
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1.The Power of Equality 4:03
2.If You Have to Ask 3:37
3.Breaking the Girl 4:55
4.Funky Monks 5:23
5.Suck My Kiss 3:37
6.I Could Have Lied 4:04
7.Mellowship Slinky in B Major 4:00
8.The Righteous & The Wicked 4:08
9.Give It Away 4:43
10.Blood Sugar Sex Magik 4:31
11.Under the Bridge 4:24
12.Naked in the Rain 4:26
13.Apache Rose Peacock 4:42
14.The Greeting Song 3:13
15.My Lovely Man 4:39
16.Sir Psycho Sexy 8:17
17.They're Red Hot 1:12
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This week's pick Ralfi Pagan, really hits a special note with me. And I'd assume it does with most Chicano's that grew up in the 80's and 90's. I remember riding around with my Dad and him playing a beat up old tape with some random Ralfi Pagan songs, I remember thinking the tape was gonna die at any point, because it sounded like it barely survived from the 70's. It wasn't till I heard a CD version of "Make it with you" that I realized that it wasn't the tape that had bad quality but the original recording and that made me laugh.
And it wasn't till I was an adult that I could really appreciate the lyrics of "Look at Her". I just always knew it was soulful and had a great melody, but now I really feel those words of loss. We all go through it at some point in our lives, where things don't always end up the way we want them to in relationships, either by taking it for granted or something else. It when your on the outside looking do you want it back and that's what this song means to me now.
Yeah it seem like I'm picking sad songs to highlight, but a majority of Ralfi Pagan's songs were pretty sad, he was a crooner, and that's what he's know for. "I Never thought you'd leave me" sounds like a lonely rainy day with all the lights off and this song playing on repeat. I love it in spite of that, and when he starts singing in Spanish near the end of the song, it just gets deeper.
This is one that I know many people have already but there are some people who didn't get to appreciate it growing up so with that I must say PASS IT ON
Also don't forget about LEE @ The Pinata Hour this Wednesday
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1. No Soy De Ti
2. Ooo Baby
3. Make It With You
4. To Say I Love You
5. Don't Stop Now
6. Look at Her
7. Hijo de Mama, El
8. Negrita
9. I'd Have You Anytime
10.I Never Thought You'd Leave Me
11.Didn't Want To Have To Do It
12.What a Wonderful Thing We Have
13.Just For A Little While
14.I Could Never Hurt You Girl
15.Just One of Your Kisses (Un Besito)
16.Who Is the Girl for Me
Released: 1963 Recorded: January 20, 1963 in New York City
Length: 39:25 Label: Impulse!, A-35 Producer: Bob Thiele
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One of the Sexiest and Sleaziest sounds that I've ever has got to be "Track A – Solo Dance". It almost sounds like it could be the intro song to Taxi Driver. There is true grit in this song, like walking in the hot sun hung over as hell, looking for an ice cold drink. It really feels like a soundtrack to me in this track, its very blunt and sharp at the same if that makes any sense.
All that aggression of the first track is taken down a bit with "Track B– Duet Solo Dancers". To me this one is more of a closer that ends the night, you know maybe at an after party with a someone over a few drinks, a night cap you know what I mean. Yeah it picks up around the middle but it still feels like an epic that eases the night away.
Jazz has an affect on me, the music has a way to shape my emotion and I think most peoples perception on most subjects(that's probably why its used in movies allot). "Track C - Group Dancers" sounds like getting up in the morning and rushing through the hustle of life. There's always a story in these songs
"Mode D – Trio and Group Dancers" has a good mix in it, the horns blaze and set a mood of action like a big climatic scene in a movie and the guitar gives a real sense of tense. At 18:39 long a whole story could be told in the time it takes to listen to this one playing the background its just that good, it hits all the point in the band that lend to the imagination.
Before I let you go this week I want to say what I always say because there is soo much good music out there that have to listen to it and share it so I say it again PASS IT ON
Remember kiddos to listen to the Pinata Hour Wednesday's @ 7pm to 9PM on Skidrow Studios... you'll enjoy it
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1.Track A– Solo Dancer
"Stop! Look! And Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!" 6:39
2.Track B– Duet Solo Dancers
"Hearts' Beat and Shades in Physical Embraces" 6:45
3.Track C – Group Dancers
"(Soul Fusion) Freewoman and Oh, This Freedom's Slave Cries" 7:22
4.Mode D – Trio and Group Dancers
"Mode E – Single Solos and Group Dance"
"Mode F – Group and Solo Dance"
"Stop! Look! And Sing Songs of Revolutions!"
"Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front"
"Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, then Farewell, My Beloved, 'til It's Freedom Day" 18:39
Released:March 1, 2012 Recorded: at Satellite Park Studios, Malibu, CA. Produced, Engineered: Paul Roessler and Geza X Cover photo:Mher Vahakn.
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Sometimes I write about a band more than once, its not like I haven't noticed that. It just shows how much a band has to offer. This is one such story in Ninja Academy's new release NINJA ACADEMY that came out last week. I didn't get much time with it Thursday and Friday as I was working, but having my car breakdown Friday night. It gave me time on Saturday, while searching car parts online to give it more attention, and was basically kicked in the teeth with the song Stanky. The crazy flowing at the end just tripped me out and made me want to play it again just have more time to groove.
That song really tripped me out, till I heard their cover of Radiohead's Idiotech. I love that song to begin with but to hear it in a different way, was really a trip. It also shows that Ninja Academy can grow and do new stuff, and not be afraid.
The Place Where Nothing Meets continues to show where this band is evolving their sound. The Female vocalizing at the beginning is different, but it works. And violin when it kicks in is awesome, violin is one of my favorite classical instruments.
As you maybe wondering why there are no videos this week, its because the band has been generous enough to release the album free online if you click on the words NINJA ACADEMY anywhere on this page you can be directed to your digital download.
This Wednesday don't forget to listen to the PINATA HOUR my buddy LEE has a kickass guest this week... so you should check it and remember to PASS IT ON (I mean both the album and the PINATA HOUR)
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All compositions by Ninja Academy, except "Blue Rondo a la Ninja" written by Dave Brubeck and "Idiotech" written by Radiohead.
1. Blue Rondo a la Ninja 04:04
2. March 03:03
3. Revenge of Iron Puppy 03:55
4. Stanky 02:46
5. Breaker 03:14
6. Last Action Hero 03:11
7. Choices 03:38
8. Wound Up 01:28
9. What's Behind Door #3 03:39
10.Pshat Pshat Pshat 03:50
11.Idiotech 04:00
12.The Place Where Nothing Meets 05:41
Released: January 1974 Recorded: September 1973 at Majestic Studios, London Length: 42:01 Label: Island Producer: Brian Eno
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OK seriously this album has got to be one of my favorites of all time... I have to listen to Here Come the Warm Jets in part to pick me up or in its entirety at least one a month, Its just that good.
Weird new sounds almost always catch my attention, when I hear them for the first time. "Baby's on Fire" is a song that caught my attention when I first caught it. At the time I was spending allot of time just digging into music that was obscure (2004), and when I found this I was blown away. Nothing at the time was appealing to me, none of my favorites or any of that shit they were playing on the radio.
And when "On Some Faraway Beach" played in its rotation I thought I had found the song that would be the end song to my autobiographical film... you know the kinda that ends the movie and goes into the credits. Its not depressing or anything like that it just seems to transcend and that makes me feel hopeful. This song is just soo beautiful and it really made me fall in love with Brian Eno's music.
Then to end strongly with "Here Come the Warm Jets" just really set the tone with me. And apparently it had set the tone for a generation, a generation that would not appreciate or really acknowledge till the 90's. Every part of this song can be broken into a certain influence on a band from the vocals and guitars that are still heard today. This one is an album that I can't give enough credit to.
There aren't enough words to say how much I love this album...
So all I can say is PASS IT ON
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1. Needles in the Camel's Eye (Eno, Phil Manzanera) 3:11
2. The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch 3:04
3. Baby's on Fire 5:19
4. Cindy Tells Me (Eno, Manzanera) 3:25
5. Driving Me Backwards 5:12
6. On Some Faraway Beach 4:36
7. Blank Frank (Eno, Robert Fripp) 3:37
8. Dead Finks Don't Talk (arr. Paul Thompson, Busta Jones, Nick Judd, Eno) 4:19
9. Some of Them Are Old 5:11
10.Here Come the Warm Jets 4:04
Released: May 21, 1996 Recorded: at Indigo Ranch Studios In Malibu,California Length: 68:32 Label: Rowdy Records/Arista Records Producer: Dallas Austin and Fishbone
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I've been sitting on this one for a while Chim Chim's Badass Revenge... or least I have been in my head. Fishbone is one of those bands that I'm not really a fan of their style, I'm talking about Ska people. But Fishbone has always been more than a Ska band to me because they mix all kinds of crazy stuff.
For example listen to "In The Cube" and if you don't hear the obvious Funk in it, your some kind of moron. Even the lyrics strike me as something that Parliament-Funkadelic would write. Funky lyrics and something of a higher message about life. It reminds me of the Funkadelic line that goes "What is soul?, I don't know, Huh, uh Soul is a joint rolled in toilet paper".
More Funk came to me in the track "Psychologically Overcast", that's the soul of the whole song. Even the hook sounds hella Funky and it only gets better when Busta Ryhmes. That part right there really caught me off guard, because it didn't seem like something would ever happen. But then you think about it, both Fishbone and Busta Ryhmes were both doing bigger things when this one came out, way back in 1996.
Sometimes a funny line in a song makes the song for me, like the song "Alcoholic" where they say "scratch the record" followed a few lines later with "burn the spaghetti". Those two lines make me laugh every time I hear them.
So again I'm gonna leave you with an album that is great and that you should "PASS IT ON"
Label: Independent Recorded:Hard Drive Studios in North Hollywood, CA. Released: September 3, 2005
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If there was ever was an album that has been overlooked by the world it would have to be Ninja Academy's Bra'ka dOm. It has a simple concept, Drum and Bass... but its done well enough that you forget that its only 2 instruments. It just kicks ass all the way around even if you don't notice till the end, that you liked it
Just hearing the track "Your Kung Fu Sucks!" makes you want to jump and do something crazylike. This is probably the first song that I heard from them, years and years ago, the video made me laugh.
Instumentals most of the time can either kick ass or just be tedious. But listening to "Hunt for the Manipurans" makes it seem like playing Ninja Gaiden and your really living it. For the most part its smooth and subtle till after sometime it just kicks in and tears you up out of nowhere.
Usually I do a third song with a video, but I couldn't find one that wasn't ridiculous and moronic... so I'm just gonna have to direct you to the bands website. There is a link to them a few paragraphs back so enjoy.
But if you were interested in the song I wanted to list, it was called "Ninja Ho Down". I love that song, I remember when I first saw them way back when they played this song, and they had some dude on stage dressed in a robe that just said "if you smoke like me you be high everyday". That made me laugh so hard, not to mention that the rest of the band was all dressed like ninjas during the whole show. Well except for the girl that dressed up like a Geisha and did a fan dance when she wasn't playing the Taiko drum. Literally one of the most memorable shows I have ever seen in my life.
I wish they would comeback... so that is why I'm gonna ask that my friend Lee of Pinata Hour fame have them on his show.
Also don't forget that good music is everywhere but on the radio or TV... so having read this remember to PASS IT ON
1.Intro 00:35
2.Kung Fu Grip 00:45
3.Excuse Me 00:24
4.Your Kung Fu Sucks! 01:26
5.Neckface 03:32
6.Insects 03:32
7.Pay No Attention To The Man, Behind The Man, Behind The Man 03:35
8.Und Keine Eier 00:42
9.Fenster's Theme 02:01
10.Hunt For The Manipurans 03:19
11.You Do The Math (gururum gururum) 02:35
12. Ninja Ho Down 01:36
13.Jungle Wabbit (Episode I) 01:14
14.Lord Escalator 03:56
15.Consequence 02:38
Released:2006
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OK so this weeks choice is by an artist that I've reviewed before 2MEX, but what this guy does is insane. 2MEX blows my mind every time I hear something new from him, who does that anymore? With this one Gloria was a Kroqer he did more of a mash-up than sampling.
"So many more words" mashed up with Weezer's "Say it ain't so" was the first time I had actually heard a mash-up that was decent. And with those lyrics is really took me back to being a dumb kid wishing and pining for some one that doesn't care anymore. the line that always gets me and seems like a cleaver stab back at the situation is "saw you at the show, You pretended that you never knew me, I don't know I guess ill act like I rented you like a movie".
2MEX tends to write about relationships that don't work and the angst of life. But he does it with a cleaver back hand complement. Just listening to 2MEX's choice to mash-up with on "Silly Girl", The Descendents was a great choice... I would have never thought anybody would ever mix punk with hip hop ever in my life.
The Best track on this one most definately have to be the mash up with The Talking Heads. I love that band and those lyrics for "Naïve Melody"... just blow my mind. It almost seems the way that this song was written, was as though they all wrote it together, Good Stuff.
Don't forget Boys and Girls to listen to The Pinata Hour Featuring my homie LEE
Remember to PASS IT ON when your done listening to this one.
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1 Naïve Melody (2Mex Vs. Talking Heads) 4:56
2 Beautiful Freak (Eels Cover) 4:29
3 So Many More Words (2Mex Vs. Weezer) 4:54
4 Elizabeth On The Bathroom Floor (2Mex/Eels) 3:13
5 Silly Girl (2Mex/Descendents) 1:57
6 Before You Say No (2Mex Vs. Weezer) 2:43
7 Oddessy Honestly (2Mex Vs. The Cure) 3:36
Released: April 18, 1989 Recorded: October 31 – November 23, 1988 at Downtown Recorders in Boston, Massachusetts and Carriage House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut Length: 38:38 Label: 4AD, Elektra (initial U.S. distribution) Producer: Gil Norton
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OK so yeah I know its been a while since I've written anything... last month was one of the most difficult times in my life. But now I think I've taken a long enough break to begin writing again. So without more delay I bring you this weeks selection of The PixiesDoolittle...
This album has one of the greatest intros of all time with "Wave of Mutilation"... it makes me think of the problems I use to have in my early 20's, and just chilling at the beach by myself when everyone was gone. The roads were always empty and dark so you had to be careful that the cops wouldn't try to pull you over for something dumb... I use to just sit there in the dark smoking a cigarette, while playing "Wave of Mutilation" over and over in my head. And sometimes if I was feeling daring I'd jump into the Ocean even if was raining.
One of the all time best lines I've ever heard was from the song "HEY" "Hey! been trying to meet you, hey must be a devil between us". It always come off to me like something to say to a girl that I never had to the courage to talk to, till then. The bass line that Kim Deal lays down on this one is ridiculous it all fits perfectly... I could listen to this song over and over for hours, which I have done plenty of times before (which I know I'm not the only one).
Perfect way to start a day with energy is blast "Gouge Away" all the while you scream along with Frank Black. It sounds like something you'd listen while driving 90 MPH to, while you buy booze before a party or a show.
Remember to Listen to my buddy LEE on The Pinata Hour and don't forget to PASS IT ON
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All tracks were written by Black Francis, except where noted.
"Debaser" – 2:52
"Tame" – 1:55
"Wave of Mutilation" – 2:04
"I Bleed" – 2:34
"Here Comes Your Man" – 3:21
"Dead" – 2:21
"Monkey Gone to Heaven" – 2:56
"Mr. Grieves" – 2:05
"Crackity Jones" – 1:24
"La La Love You" – 2:43
"No. 13 Baby" – 3:51
"There Goes My Gun" – 1:49
"Hey" – 3:31
"Silver" (Francis, Kim Deal) – 2:25
"Gouge Away" – 2:45
