Peter Gabriel (1980 album)

Released: May 30 1980
Recorded: 1979–1980 in Bath and at the Townhouse, London
Length: 45:32
Label: Charisma (United Kingdom),Mercury (Original US LP pressing),Geffen (United States, Canada) Producer: Steve Lillywhite
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Having always heard something in the back of my life about the band "Genesis" I've had a passing understanding that Peter Gabriel was a deeper musician, but like everything I understood as a child, nothing hit me till adulthood. And always hearing "Games Without Frontiers" I always appreciated the song, never did I really enjoy it.

When I finally broke down and bought the album, only then did I appreciate the treasure that was before me. The beginning tracks are great, but what really caught me with a fury was the track "I Don't Remember". "Where did this fury come from to me?" there was an aggression in this song about breaking off to me, like a clean break, that tries to fray at the ends for a stupid cut.

After having drove so many stupid circles in southern California, doing so many mindless jobs I heard "And Through The Wire"  did I hear what my life should say. There is some kinda love through all the hate and stupidity, there is some kind of love that I can't understand.

At the of this madness that I speak I have to give all the respect to the cornerstone track "Games Without Frontiers" the track that got my attention. There are so many notes and references in this track that scare me about the future.

There is something that is still trying to break out in this album after all the anger and striped down emotions of the 90'a there is something more in this album what is poisoning this new generation.

So with that I will say Pass it on because there are so many fucking albums and songs that should be heard.... btw Thanks to my friend Julian for pushing me into Peter Gabriel
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Cat Power... Sun

Released August 29, 2012
Recorded 2007–12 in Malibu; The Boat Studio, Silverlake; South Beach Studios, Miami and Motorbass Studio, Paris
Length  48:50
Label Matador Producer Cat Power


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As Chan did with this album there is not a set timeline no matter how hard you try. With that being said that's what makes this album jump out at me. I had heard of Cat Power years before, so I had an appreciation of her work. So when I heard the track Ruin on KCRW I had to Sound hound this song, because it blew me away as most most the songs I've heard of Cat Power were acoustic and these song felt deeper. Not that she wasn't deep before(in my opinion most songs that are intimate and acoustic are deeper than electric). But hearing her in electric is almost like the third dimension going 4D... straight fucking trip.

every time that i turn on my stereo in the work truck or my mp3 player Cat Power's Manhattan is always playing and it always seem's fitting for every moment, which is rare for anything and especially that seems like  an accusation of not having enough to be a proper lie. She's so subtle but so obvious of common themes.

During plenty of time when I've been floating between tracks I get caught on a track that makes me stop. And in of those moments recently I was caught by Cat Power's Nothing But Time... not because Iggy Pop is on this track. But because of Chan's soul she gives in this song. She's screaming about fighting to keep above water long enough to breath and to enjoy what matters aside from every expectation. She is a poet that can inspire beyond me, I wish I could be as great with my words.

So with that being said I wish you would give this album a chance and I would wish that you would
PASS IT ON and don't forget to listen to my friends on http://www.skidrowstudios.com/ LIke LEE on the PInata Hour or my Friend Mindee from the hotbox
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1."Cherokee" 4:45
2."Sun" 3:19
3."Ruin" 4:33
4."3,6,9" 4:00
5."Always on My Own" 2:23
6."Real Life" 2:37
7."Human Being" 3:28
8."Manhattan" 5:16
9."Silent Machine" 4:00
10."Nothin' But Time" 10:55
11."Peace and Love"

Exquisite Corpse... Warpaint

Released: 2008 (self-release)
October 6, 2009 (U.S.)
December 7, 2009 (UK)
Recorded: 2007
Length: 33:32
Label: Manimal Vinyl ________________________________________________________________________
Sometimes in life we need to sit back and let the world move without us... to unplug if you will. When I feel myself in the need of disconnecting, I turn off the lights pour myself some kind of hard drink and blend into a song like Stars by Warpaint. The tempo keeps me low and the lyrics aren't accusing as many other bands. For me that's when my mind starts to relax enough for me to start writing again... this maybe a trade secret to get into my own writing ritual, but I think this band needs to be given credit for inspiring me.

Sometimes when I get disturbed when I'm writing, either by someone asking me a question, technical issues, or I run out of something to drink. That jarring emotion can be good to get you out of a loop or whatever, I take it as an intermission. Usually shit bugs me around 20 minutes into anything I do...I try to use that as a change in mindset or mood, that's what I get from the song Beetles. It starts kind of angry, but it moves into a sensual statement that is a change in mindset or mood. When I hears songs like that it makes me think of the last moments of everything and just being there with someone, there's a subtle epic tone to this one in my mind.

And when the night is over and the closing starts, things are slow without stopping a good song that doesn't overpower the moment can carry things to the next day without notice. If you missed that I was speaking of something like romance, not everything can vicious, there's timing to everything you experience. Having said all this kind of madness Burgundy seems like a great way to surmise everything in the throws of passion.

Ok another album I think you should all respect has been spoken... so remember to listen to my friend Mindee from The Hot Box and also most importantly PASS IT ON

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All songs written by Warpaint. "Billie Holiday" contains a portion of the song "My Guy", written by Smokey Robinson.
"Stars" – 6:25
 "Elephants" – 4:44
 "Billie Holiday" – 6:44
 "Beetles" – 6:57
 "Burgundy" – 4:40
 "Krimson" – 4:02 (not included on original release)

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

Caress of Steel.. Rush

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
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All songs written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart, except where noted.

1. "Bastille Day" – 4:37
2. "I Think I'm Going Bald" – 3:37
3. "Lakeside Park" – 4:08
4. "The Necromancer" – 12:30
   • "I. Into the Darkness" – 4:12
   • "II. Under the Shadow" – 4:25
   • "III. Return of the Prince" – 3:52
5. "The Fountain of Lamneth" – 19:58
• "I. In the Valley" – 4:18
• "II. Didacts and Narpets" – 1:00
• "III. No One at the Bridge" – 4:19
• "IV. Panacea" (music: Lee) – 3:14
• "V. Bacchus Plateau" (music: Lee) – 3:16
• "VI. The Fountain" – 3:49

Bob Dylan... New Morning

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

Tune-Yards... Whokill

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 to PASS 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

David Bowie... Low

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

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

Brian Eno... Here Come the Warm Jets

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

Also don't forget Lee @ the Pinata Hour


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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

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