Black Love... Afghan Whigs

 
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Released: March 12, 1996
Recorded: August/September 1995
Length: 51:56
label: Elektra (CD)Sub Pop (vinyl) Mute
Producer:Greg Dulli

I guess this one comes from a darker place. I don't know why it's like that, but I feel like I need to actually write about something isn't always life affirming. Somethings are easy to write about, that way. I guess that's why, I choose the Afghan Whigs Black Love... I guess at this point in my life I can really look back at relationship and lifestyle as an adult. There's nothing wrong with how things have been to this point, but listening to songs like Double Day I can see where I came up short. Obviously there's anger in some of the outcomes in life, but you learn to with things as they happen... and sometimes that outcome is better.

Aggression comes in many forms, frustration is one of the ways it comes out. The realization of wasting time is one that's always been my trigger. That's when I make I usually move, like when I feel a relationship is going nowhere and I'm wasting my time. I've been there in the past and I know when things are gonna end up that way, from this point in my life. And that's were the song Honky's Ladder comes in, its because its about taking charge of the short comings and making it your own.

And when all is over and the dust settled in your lungs, you understand something about where you failed and where you need to grow. So when I hear the song Faded it sounds like an understanding of how things went but that there is a hope you don't understand now, but sometime in the future you'll appreciate that pain.

I know this is another 90's album but I think this is an album that should not be forgotten, not just because its part of me growing up, but because it speaks to more people than myself so that's why I say PASS IT ON... so at this point I'd to shout out my Homie Mindee @ The Hot Box
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All tracks composed by Greg Dulli.
 "Crime Scene Part One" – 5:59
 "My Enemy" – 3:10
 "Double Day" – 4:40
 "Blame, Etc." – 4:11
 "Step into the Light" – 3:40
 "Going to Town" – 3:16
 "Honky's Ladder" – 4:15
 "Night by Candlelight" – 3:40
 "Bulletproof" – 6:37
 "Summer's Kiss" – 3:55
 "Faded" – 8:25

Jeff Buckley... Grace

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

My Bloody Valentine...You made me realise EP

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`

Deconstruction... Deconstruction

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




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Track listing

1. L.A. Song - 6:02
2. Single - 6:45
3. Get At 'Em - 4:29
4. Iris - 4:40
5. Dirge - 5:53
6. Fire In The Hole - 5:52
7. Son - 3:07
8. Big Sur - 5:41
9. Hope - 3:49
10. One - 5:32
11. America - 7:02
12. Sleepyhead - 3:09
13. Wait For History - 6:03
14. That Is All - 1:10
15. Kilo - 2:09

Nirvana... Nevermind

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



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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)

Red Hot Chili Peppers... Blood Sugar Sex Magik

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

The Pixies... Doolittle

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 Pixies Doolittle...

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

R.E.M... Monster

Released: September 26, 1994
Recorded: April–May 1994 at Kingsway Studio, New Orleans; Crossover Soundstage, Atlanta; Criteria Studios, Miami; Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles
Length: 49:15
Label: Warner Bros.
Producer: Scott Litt and R.E.M.
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This week’s choice is kind of a special selection… namely as this band, just recently announced that they are calling it quits R.E.M.; I wasn’t really into R.E.M. but I liked enough to not complain when I heard them on the radio. But whenever I hear Bang and Blame it reminds me of hanging out in dark arcades in the middle of the day (because I would ditch school). The guy who owned the place had a jukebox that he used to play that song all the time while I was playing Turtles in Time. Man I miss video arcades; I use to spend a good portion of my days playing video games in those dark noisy places…

By the way whatever happened to the music video? They use to be awesome and weird, before they became elaborate dance routines or boring rappers driving slow throwing money at hookers… Crush with Eyeliner was a cool video; it was kinda trippy to me because, I remember R.E.M. being a bunch of white dudes, but in the video there was an Asian dude singing the song with Michael Stipe in the background at a restaurant. Kind of confused me a bit but it was a good song anyways.

Most light hearted movies I see as of late like a John Cusack movie always has the song “What's The Frequency, Kenneth?” playing during a montage in the movie of the main character working on something difficult like painting a house or something. It’s a good song that I think should be taken out of that boring formula… I’m just saying...there is way more potential in this song to further a plot; that’s just my opinion.

Not feeling to well this week, so I'm gonna be quick about it... Listen to The Pinata Hour with LEE and remember to PASS IT ON
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All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe.

"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" – 4:00
"Crush with Eyeliner" – 4:39
"King of Comedy" – 3:40
"I Don't Sleep, I Dream" – 3:27
"Star 69" – 3:07
"Strange Currencies" – 3:52
"Tongue" – 4:13
"Bang and Blame" – 5:30
"I Took Your Name" – 4:02
"Let Me In" – 3:28
"Circus Envy" – 4:15
"You" – 4:54

The Pixies... Surfer Rosa

Released: March 21, 1988
Recorded: December 1987 at Q-Division in Boston, Massachusetts
Length: 32:50
Label: 4AD
Producer: Steve Albini
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Ok so back in the day before everybody finally discovered The Pixies, I use to listen to Rodney on Roq just to hear crazy sounds before they were on the regular rotation. Where is my mind is the first song I remember listening to back in like 1994… yeah I know Rodney at the time use to come on before and after Loveline at the time, but his show was the best where you could find awesome bands like The Pixies.

Yeah I know everybody knows that song from Fight Club great movie, but there were more songs on that album than just that one like Gigantic. I love this song it really reminds of the time I spent alone after high school working as a security in a little shack in the industrial side of Brea. I had only a little boombox to pass the time and it only played stations from San Diego or AM stations… go figure. But the cool thing about that boombox, was that it had a tape deck that I could play my Rodney on the Roq mixtape, the Pixies were on that tape more than once I can say for sure.

Yeah I’m kinda fixated on the 90’s era of music… well it’s because that’s the era I grew up in, and the decade that followed it didn’t have anything that got my attention (well at least on the radio). That period had allot moody music and strange sounds that haven’t really been repeated since like Brick is Red… something about this song really sounds like that period of time. Weezer kinda has that sound in some of their old songs and the way that the guitar hums at 1:03 really sounds like something Blur would do.

Ok so the Pinata Hour is back so you should listen to Lee do interviews and play music that is too badass for the radio...

All thanks for reading and remember boys and girls to PASS IT ON
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All tracks written by Black Francis, except where noted.

1. "Bone Machine" – 3:02
2. "Break My Body" – 2:05
3. "Something Against You" – 1:47
4. "Broken Face" – 1:30
5. "Gigantic" (Francis/Kim Deal) – 3:45
6. "River Euphrates" – 2:33
7. "Where Is My Mind?" – 3:53
8. "Cactus" – 2:16
9. "Tony's Theme" – 1:52
10. "Oh My Golly!" – 1:48
11. "Vamos" – 4:18
12. "I'm Amazed" – 1:42
13. "Brick Is Red" – 2:00