The Hamiltones - Live at the Jungle Gym 2/22/2014 Cassette

Big Neck / Primitive Screwhead

I've been saving this tape for last.  Here we are at tape number eight of eight from the Big Neck/Primitive Screwhead package, The Hamiltones.  I have been lucky enough to have been following The Hamiltones since I got their first cassette on More Power Tapes back in 2015.  That label sent me a lot of stuff (it looks like they've gone dormant since about 2018), but The Hamiltones were far and away my favorite thing that they ever sent.

This live tape is from a show in 2014 and it mostly features songs from that first More Power demo tape.  The recording quality is OK for what it is.  As they're an instrumental bands, there's no vocals to worry about balancing so that's good.  It gets a little muffled here and there when the band really kicks it into high gear, but it's a perfectly serviceable recording.  

To me, what it really shows is how great of a live band The Hamiltones must be.  This was recorded in 2014, before their first tape even came out, and the crowd is hot and totally up for everything they're doing.  Now that they have some proper releases under their belt, I can only imagine how they'd be able to engage a crowd that really knows their songs.  This is a fun tape and there's a reason I wrote it up last.  I'm the sort of person that tends to save the best for last.

The Hamiltones - Live at the Jungle Gym 2/22/2014:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/the-hamiltones-live-at-the-jungle-gym-2-22-2014

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep LP - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021) 

For the next several Fridays I'll be writing about an LP from the fantastic Godzilla Show Era soundtrack box set. Godzilla was such an important part of my childhood and the music was such a vital piece of that puzzle. Thrilled to finally have these on vinyl.

Next up in Godzilla land is Ebirah, Horror of the Deep - or as it was called in the US - Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster.  The Sea Monster being Ebirah of course.  This was one of those Godzilla movies that I did like as a kid, but not quite as much as the ones that came before it, though I'm somewhat unsure if I was full cognizant of the order that the Godzilla movies had come out as a youngster.  

To me, the biggest thing missing was the city crushing destruction.  As this movie was set on an island, they didn't really need to construct the elaborate sets that they had done for previous films.  But the plot is fun and I do dig the island motif more now than I did when I was 10.  I've also always enjoyed the bit during a fight scene where Godzilla and Ebirah bat a large rock back and forth at each other.  It's wacky, but a good kind of wacky.

The soundtrack is one of the Show Godzilla scores not done by Akira Ifukube.  This one has Masaru Sato back again and I think he hit this one out of the park.  The island/tropical orchestral themes that he weaves in and out mixed with the rousing 60s instrumental rock that creeps up from time to time is a blast.  As I've repeated every time so far, Waxwork did a great job with this LP just as they have with all of the others.  Sounds great and looks great, what more could I ask for?

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep - "Main Title":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttd17rPuIUQ&ab_

Exploding Eyes - Live at Bello Bar Cassette

Big Neck / Primitive Screwhead (2021)

Exploding Eyes is the third Robert O'Braidaigh band that's had a live tape recently released on Big Neck/Primitive Screwhead.  I wrote about The Things a few weeks ago and just last week I tackled Cheap Freaks.  This week, we have the second to last cassette from Big neck; Exploding Eyes.

One thing I will say about the three Robert O'Braidaigh bands is that I'm not positive I would know they had the same front person had I not been told.  While the bands all have that sonic garage sound, the music varies quite a bit,  Exploding Eyes appear to be the most recent of the three bands with this show's recording having taken place on February 27th, 2015.  There's definitely some psych rock influences here with the repeating bass lines that allow for some lead guitar noodling and plenty of instances where the music drops out completely for moments of solo vocals only.

The fidelity of this record is totally solid.  Levels are nice and even and everything is pretty clear.  The band sounds like they're having a blast and I can only imagine that it was a pretty high energy show.  I have one more tape to go from this batch, it's been the one I've been saving for last I was already an existing fan of the band.  But that'll be next Monday.

Exploding Eyes - Live at Bello Bar:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-bello-bar-february-27-2017

Invasion Of Astro-Monster LP - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021) 

For the next several Fridays I'll be writing about an LP from the fantastic Godzilla Show Era soundtrack box set. Godzilla was such an important part of my childhood and the music was such a vital piece of that puzzle. Thrilled to finally have these on vinyl.

Me, I'll probably always call this movie Monster Zero even if that's not it's proper Japanese name.  Monster Zero was one of the earlier Gidzilla VHS tapes I had in my collection as a kid so I have watched it a ton over the years.  It's definitely one of the ones I'm most familiar with, though admittedly I've probably watched the dubbed version twenty times more than the subtitled Japanese one.  

It's mostly built around Godzilla and Rodan against King Ghidorah who is now controlled by spacemen from Planet X.  In particular I love the alien invader plot, which quickly became a staple in Godzilla movies, and I think the Planet X denizens are probably the coolest batch of marauding space people. 

Soundtrack wise, it's another Ifukube masterpiece.  The main title and battle scene scores are impeccable, not only calling on some past themes, but really bringing in new, atmospheric pieces that really set the stage.  I don't know that it's my favorite score, but it's definitely way up there.  As per the rest of this set, Waxwork did great with this LP.  Sounds great, looks great and is happily part of my collection.

Invasion Of Astro-Monster: "Main Title Theme":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smnWKHVNw-g&ab_

Naughty By Nature - Naughty By Nature 2xLP - Blue/Yellow Splatter Vinyl

Tommy Boy (2021, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

Naughty By Nature is a group that I think deserves significantly more respect than they're given.  When you have a song that's as big a hit as "O.P.P." was, it's easy to try to write them off as a pop leaning, one hit wonder.  Here's the thing though, Naughty By Nature's first album is a pretty incredible slice of golden era hip hop.

The beats are pretty impeccable all the way through.  Upbeat bass line, snare drum cracks and keyboard flourishes lay down a canvas for the vocals, and that's where Naughty By Nature really shines.  Trech is probably one of the most underrated MCs from this time period in hip hop.  He can rhyme fast, slow, complicated, straightforward...there's really not a flow that he can't hit out of the park.  And it's consistent on song after song on their debut.

Then we have the song everyone knows, "O.P.P."  You know, there's plenty of people who would dismiss it as it was so omnipresent in 1991.  I'm not sure how recently most people have heard it, but it's really a hell of a song.  The samples picked, the lyrical flow, any way you slice it's so ridiculously catchy and you'll never convince me that it's anything other than a very deserving hit.  But ultimately, it's still only one great song on an album full of them.  I'm glad this was finally reissued and am hopeful that Nineteen Naughty III gets its own rerelease in the near future as well.  Though maybe they could pick a slightly less garish vinyl color for that one.

Naughty By Nature - Naughty By Nature:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k9FgeoABJzT3y2VQWdZfk1sQ3IcPuDdzo

Cheap Freaks - Live at the Olympia Cassette

Big Neck / Primitive Screwhead (2021)

We're at tape six of eight from the Big Neck/Primitive Screwhead folks and this time out we have a 2013 set from Cheap Freaks.  This is another great sounding recording.  The levels are all nice and balanced, you can hear the vocals clearly without them overpowering everything else and in particular, the keyboards sound great.

Cheap Freaks are trading in the sort of stomping 60s-ish sounding rock and roll that makes me think of bands like The Sonics.  There are hooks all over the place, but they never soften the kinetic tempo that the band is churning out.  The show itself sounds like it was probably a blast as the band is just humming along and full of energy.  The drumming stands out as being particularly excellent.

After six tapes of live recordings, I don't know that I'm changing my opinion of live albums as a whole (typically never been a huge fan), but I'm warming up to the idea that it is possible to capture some exceptional performances that are definitely worth preserving.

Cheap Freaks - Live at the Olympia:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-olympia

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster LP - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021) 

For the next several Fridays I'll be writing about an LP from the fantastic Godzilla Show Era soundtrack box set. Godzilla was such an important part of my childhood and the music was such a vital piece of that puzzle. Thrilled to finally have these on vinyl.

When I am ranking Godzilla movies, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster is usually pretty high on my list.  As a kid, I had the VHS tape of it's sequel, Monster Zero, longer so I've seen that one many more times and have a more nostalgic affinity for it.  But Ghidorah is quite incredible and judging them as an adult is probably the better of the two, even if I like Monster Zero more.  If any of that makes any sense.  I can telly you that the blu ray version of this movie in the Criterion box set has an annoying white line that flashes during each camera cut for the length of the film which can be infuriating at times.

The soundtrack is another Akira Ifukube special and one where he really starts to tie together past themes from other films.  You have 3 monsters that already have a history of their own movies in Godzilla, Mothra and Rodan.  So there are elements of past scores here and there.  The music feels especially menacing and does give some extra weight to the danger of Ghidorah in the movie.

I love the shiny gold Ghidorah colored vinyl and it pops even more in person than it does in the picture above.  The artwork is stellar as it is for everything in this box set and I'll just keep saying how impressed I am with how great these records sound.  Waxwork has done a stellar job with this box set and the Ghidorah soundtrack is another home run.

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster: "Main Title Theme":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bjv4hFCseY&ab_

Souls Of Mischief - 93 'til Infinity 2xLP - Blue Vinyl (/2000)

Get On Down (2022, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

Yeah, I have this on vinyl already.  I actually wrote about it during the first few weeks of starting up Ed Lover Dance Day around here.  But as it is one of my top three hip hop albums of all time, I just couldn't resist picking up this colored vinyl variant with the obi strip.  It was also an easier decision since I had a Get On Down gift certificate kicking around from Christmas.

I don't really have anything to say about the album that I didn't already say here.  But to summarize quickly, it's just one of the greatest things I've heard in my entire life with absolutely killer production and stellar lyrics all the way through.

Sound quality wise, it's good.  Just as good as the old 2021 2xLP pressing that Traffic put out.  In fact, the liner notes on the gatefold are exactly the same, making reference to it being nearly twenty years since its initial release even though we're now only a year away from the thirtieth anniversary.  If you don't have this album yet, that criminal.  This is a great version to pick up.  If you only have a single LP version, it's also worth the upgrade.  But if you already have the 2xLP version, it's probably only worth grabbing if you're a bit obsessive like I am.

Souls Of Mischief - 93 'til Infinity:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3iPJ9cBB9c_y9oSCOexs9-75aYImFmEg

The Hot Pockets - Live in Koln 10/18/2001 Cassette

Big Neck / Primitive Screwhead (2021)

Tape number five from the Big Neck/Screwhead pile.  This time we've got a band that I have at least heard of, likely because of their excellent band name and the fact that they put out a record on Alien Snatch.  The Hot Pockets existed in the late 90s and early 2000s and cranked out a few 7"s and one LP.

This live show from 2001 is a fun and energetic set, though it's probably the first of these live tapes that does have one of the trappings you find in some live albums.  The vocals are too loud in comparison to the instruments.  This is an issue with live albums probably going back to the beginning of time and the fact that this is the first one of these Big Neck/Screwhead tapes that has this really shows the quality of recordings they've been working with for the most part.

For the most part, the bands original material is pretty fun and I wonder what would have happened if they were around during that 2008-2012 stretch where I feel like garagey rock and roll really took over the punk underground for a spell.  Another solid tape, but probably sits right in the middle if I'm ranking them. I also could have done without the Guns N Roses cover, but that's probably just me.

The Hot Pockets - Live in Koln  10/18/2001:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/the-hot-pockets-live-in-koln

Mothra vs. Godzilla 2xLP - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021) 

For the next several Fridays I'll be writing about an LP from the fantastic Godzilla Show Era soundtrack box set. Godzilla was such an important part of my childhood and the music was such a vital piece of that puzzle. Thrilled to finally have these on vinyl.

The fourth Godzilla movie of the Showa era was Mothra vs. Godzilla.  This was another one that I loved as a kid and man it sure holds up well.  It also has my absolute favorite Godzilla suit of the series.  My wife actually bought me a statue of it back when we first started dating.  The fact that she not only didn't mind that I liked Godzilla but also managed to zero in on the specific suit I liked the best still astounds me all of these years later.

I had the VHS of this one as a kid and played it pretty often.  I love the general pace of the movie and the battle Godzilla has with Mothra both in her full adult form, but also against the two larvae.  Great stuff.  The soundtrack is also top notch with Akira Ifukube once again at the helm.  There are passages of this soundtrack that are so iconic and would reappear in other movies over the years.

The LP in this box set is another home run.  It sounds outstanding, just like the rest of the albums in the set and I love the artwork.  As I go through the other albums over the next few weeks, things might get a little repetitive as the quality of this box set is so wonderful and I am forever grateful that Waxwork took a chance and not only released this, but obviously put so much effort into it.

Mothra vs. Godzilla - "Main Title Theme":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn9PiU6UW_k&ab_

KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap 2xLP

Music On Vinyl (2017)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

Boogie Down Productions was the first favorite hip hop group that I had.  I came across them on Yo! MTV Raps and proceeded to stock up on their back catalog through BMG Music Club and/or Columbia House.  When 1993 rolled around, KRS-One dropped the BDP name and released his first record under his own name.  I never really understood why he did that, especially because pretty much everyone knew Boogie Down Productions was essentially KRS-One and whoever else was helping him out that week.

It's very obvious listening to this record that it was intended to be a BDP album.  On many of the songs he raps about being in Boogie Down Productions, most notably on my favorite track on the album "Outta Here."  I'm not sure exactly what prompted him to have this not come out under the BDP umbrella, but whatever it's called, it still feels like classic BDP to me.

 

That said, I think I do like this album more now than I did in 1993.  In 93, hip hop was getting so innovative and the sort of stripped down, old school vibes on Return of the Boom Bap felt a little dated.  But with thirty years of hindsight really just puts this album on the same level as a lot of the classic Boogie Down Production releases.  I still don't like the hook on "Sound of da Police," but aside from that, this is a really great album.

KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lUCdV5_sH-qjI9JP1-O5j818A9jrJaDD0

The Art Gray Noizz Quintet - Live at 66th Congress, Friday 13th 2020 Cassette

Big Neck / Primitive Screwhead (2021)

With this one, I am halfway through the Primitive Screwhead/Big Neck live tapes that I have.  While I am saving a specific one for last that I am very confident will be my favorite, this tape by The Art Gray Noizz Quintent is at the top of my list at least until I get to that eighth tape.

I think the main reason I dig this tape the most right now is because I can't help but hear some Drive Like Jehu nods here and there.  Sure, the vocals are way different and there's saxophone and trombone players, but at its heart, I feel an embrace of dissonance and intricate chord progressions that give me those Jehu vibes that I like so much.

This is another band that I'm hearing for the first time as a live recording.  Not usually the most ideal way to dip your toes into listening to a new band, but luckily the sound quality of the record is pretty solid.  The vocals are a little echo-y, but the band sounds tight and has just a gigantically fully sound.  I'm definitely going to have to poke around and see what else this band has hanging around as my curiosity has certainly been piqued with this tape. 

The Art Gray Noizz Quintet - Live at 66th Congress, Friday 13th 2020:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-gray-noizz-quintet-live

King Kong vs. Godzilla 2xLP - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021) 

For the next several Fridays I'll be writing about an LP from the fantastic Godzilla Show Era soundtrack box set. Godzilla was such an important part of my childhood and the music was such a vital piece of that puzzle. Thrilled to finally have these on vinyl.

The first Godzilla film was a classic, the second felt like something of a rushed to market sequel.  After hibernating in ice for a few years, Toho came back with their third Godzilla movie, King Kong vs. Godzilla.  This movie is a triumph and is one of my very favorite Godzilla films.  While I adore the fight scenes where the two big boys go at it pro wrestling style, the plot and it's 'anything for a buck' TV/advertising subtext makes it way more than just a goofy kids movie.

Soundtrack-wise, we have the return of Akira Ifukube who rolls out an excellent score.  In particular, I've really been a fan of the Faro island music since I was a kid.  Some of those scenes maybe don't hold up in the best way sixty years later, but the music never fails to strike a chord.

I did have another version of this soundtrack on vinyl, but it cannot hold a candle to the beauty or the sound quality of what Waxwork  has released as part of this box set.  Another home run.

King Kong vs. Godzilla - "Main Title":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzZtOuOW3Og&ab_

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient 2xLP - Clear Vinyl

Elektra / Get On Down (2016, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

Like pretty much everyone on the planet in 1992, I really dug the first Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth album, Mecca and the Soul Brother.  Fueled by the omnipresent single "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" you couldn't not be taken in by it if you were following hip hop at the time.  But not only that, it crossed over in a big way and is still pretty darn popular to this day.  I feel like I saw it in a wine commercial or something in the past few years.

For me, I kind of wore that song out and it was a bit overplayed in general.  It's good and that album is great, but that specific song isn't really something that I'm clamoring to hear on a daily basis anymore.  Their follow up, The Main Ingredient, came out two years later in 1994.  I have no memory of this album from back then. 1994 was definitely a transitional year for me when it comes to music, so it's possible I just didn't know it came out, but it's equally as possible that I hear a song or two and just wasn't as interested in it.  I don't really remember, but I picked it up recently after listening to a few of the songs online.

It's not quite as good as their debut.  The beats are top notch for sure and that's what really drives any hip hop record for me, but C.L. Smooth doesn't feel like he's bringing it quite as forcefully as he had two years earlier.  Not to say anything he's doing is bad, but it's very much a 'meets expectations' sort of performance.  Nothing all that special is going on vocally, but again, the beats elevate everything and make this a pretty enjoyable listen.

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kbHBrsTQ1JvU20N_Ft2a8H8NoNemeg07c

Werewolf Jones - Stroh Down - Live at Outer Limits Lounge 2019 Cassette

Big Neck / Primitive Screwheads (2021)

3rd live tape from the Big Neck folks, this time we've got Werewolf Jones.  If nothing else, I really dig the band name and the artwork, so it moved up to the next spot on the list as I attempt to catch up on all of these tapes.

We'll start out with the live show fidelity.  It's still not quite as clear as the Ar-Kaics one, but it is an easier listen that The Things tape from last week.  You can definitely hear the instrumentation very clearly and the vocals, while a bit quieter are still solidly audible.  If anything, I'd probably be less into this if the vocals were louder in the mix.

And that's probably the thing for me, musically.  I'm not really one who's super interested in the sort of singers that get really yell-y.  While the vocals do fit the punishing guitar riffs, it does slide a little too much into hardcore hollering for my personal taste.  But if nothing else, that guitar player really knows how to play fast.  It's pretty impressive even if it's not my favorite thing I've heard lately.

Werewolf Jones -  Stroh Down - Live at Outer Limits Lounge 2019:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/stroh-down-live-at-outer-limits-lounge-2019

Godzilla Raids Again LP - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021)

For the next several Fridays I'll be writing about an LP from the fantastic Godzilla Show Era soundtrack box set.  Godzilla was such an important part of my childhood and the music was such a vital piece of that puzzle.  Thrilled to finally have these on vinyl.

Godzilla Raids Again is the second Godzilla movie and to be honest isn't one that I've watched with the same kind of fervor as some of the other entries in the series.  It always struck me as being a little rushed and kind of out of place in a weird way.  I'm sure part of that was the fact that Ishiro Honda didn't direct it, but it just always felt a little lacking.  It did give us the introduction of the monster Anguirus though, so there is some value here.

The film lacks the usual Godzilla director Ishiro Honda, but also missing is the standard bearer for Godzilla film composition, Akira Ifukube.  Taking up the task for Raids Again is Masaru Sato.  While I don't think his score has the same sort of ominous foreboding that Ifukube is so adept at, the jaunty military pieces of this soundtrack are quite good.  The main title theme is also pretty triumphant and is probably the highlight of the album.

After getting through Godzilla Raids AGain is when the real classic Showa movies really start up for me.  Of course I love the first one as a serious, statement film, but once we hit the 60s things start getting wacky and very fun.

Godzilla Raids Again - "Main Title Theme":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IetONh8OJ_g&ab_

Hieroglyphics - Hiero Oldies Volume One LP

Hiero Imperium (2021, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

My three favorite hip hop albums of all time came from the Hieroglyphics crew.  Souls of Mischief, Casual and Del The Funky Homosapien are amongst my favorite artists of all time.  Back in 1996, the original version of this compilation came out as a cassette only release.  I didn't pick one of those up for whatever reason.  I'm not even positive I knew it existed, to be honest.  Then in 2001, this came out on CD.  It didn't have as many tracks as the tape did, but it was much more widely available and it's when I got my copy.

Now, it's finally out on vinyl and even though it's missing the Souls of Mischief live on the radio appearance that is on the CD, this record is still pretty packed full of hits.  From what I gather most of these are tracks that predate the 1993 - 1994 onslaught of classic releases by the Hiero folks.  From a fidelity standpoint, these do have something of a rough and ready feel to them.  They're not super polished and there's some fuzz here and there, but the songs themselves are on point.

This is classic Hieroglyphics production and none of these songs would feel out of place on any of their golden era releases.  Everyone in the crew is represented and it's really cool to hear some of the Pep Love and Jay Biz songs as that's an album that was pumped as being the next one to hit after Extra Prolific, but it never happened (until an odds and ends CD that finally was released in the early 2000s.

I'm super psyched to have this on vinyl and I sure hope there are plans for Volume Two to eventually be released.  And it would be cool for them to put out that Pep Love & Jay Biz CD on vinyl as well.

Hieroglyphics - Hiero Oldies Volume One:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ml2Z5W1H-BKOSJ5SIc0CZP9gPLbttn08c

The Things - Live at Temple Bar, Centre Dublin, May 24, 2004 Cassette

Big Neck (2021)

Working my way through the pile of live tapes that Big Neck sent over.  Today we have The Things and a show recorded back in 2004.  The Things are another band that I'm not really familiar with but it makes me wonder how that band name was still available in the early 2000s.  On Discogs, they are The Things (2), so I guess they had a somewhat early claim to the name if nothing else.

Sound quality-wise, this tape isn't anywhere near as clear as last week's Ar-Kaics one.  This is a bit more rough and ready, sounding like it might have just been someone in the crowd with a recorder.  It's not bad or unlistenable, but it does kind of cement my feeling that hearing a band via a live album as your first exposure to them isn't really ideal.

I do like it though.  There's a creepy organ going on and the general sound of the band is very similar to one of the great Canadian bands of the new millennium, Sedatives.  The Things are a little bit more in debt to a garage rock sound that Sedatives, but both are chasing hooks in a Wipers sort of way.  

The Things -  Live at Temple Bar, Centre Dublin, May 24, 2004:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-temple-bar-centre-dublin-may-24-2004

Godzilla - From Godzilla: The Showa Era Soundtracks, 1954-1975 Box Set

Waxwork (2021)

When I reviewed the Weird Al box set I wrote an individual post about each record, rather than try to summarize the whole set at once.  That seemed to work out for me OK, so I'm going to try that same method when writing about this fabulous Godzilla box set.  I'm going to tackle each soundtrack on Fridays for the next many weeks.  If you come to this site to read about rock and roll, you're probably going to be cranky for a bit.  Apologies for that.

This box set contains the soundtrack score for each of the fifteen Showa era Godzilla movies.  This is the original run of films that spanned 1954 to 1975.  For me, these are great films and total staples of my childhood.  I was thrilled when this box set was announced and couldn't be happier with what Waxwork pulled off.

In addition to each of the LPs with killer art, there's a Godzilla slipmat, a twelve by twelve art print and this killer box.  The fist album in this set is, of course, the soundtrack for the original Godzilla from 1954.  

I actually did have a vinyl version of this specific soundtrack already as it was released by Death Waltz a few years ago.  While the track listing is worded slightly different, it's pretty much the same.  This Waxwork version sounds incredible and is presented in mono, as it should be.  This score is excellent with the highlight for me always being the main title theme.  Even as a kid, I found this particular melody so weirdly empowering and it always got me pumped up.

That first movie is also an all time classic.  I didn't get to see the original Japanese version until I was in my twenties.  When I was a kid, the US version was something I had on VHS and enjoyed, but didn't watch as much as some of the others.  As an older fellow, I learned to really appreciate the beauty and powerful message of the original Japanese movie.  I highly recommend seeking that out if you've never had a chance to see it. 

Godzilla - "Main Title Theme":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JqE9At56mU&ab_

The Coup - Genocide & Juice LP

Armabillion (2021, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

The Coup is one of the many golden era bands that I discovered way after the fact.  I got really into their debut record Kill My Landlord and had been looking for a copy of their 1994 follow up, Genocide & Juice.  When it was originally released on Wild Pitch, there was only a white sleeve, censored/promo version pressed.  While not ideal, I was keeping an eye out for a copy, but even a sub par version of that often sold for collector prices that I wasn't really willing to pay.

Then, last year, Armabillion records pressed the full, uncensored album on 180 gram vinyl.  Unfortunately, it was limited to 275 copies and sold out super quick.  I found out about it a couple of hours after the preorder went up and it was already gone.  So, long story short, I did end up having to pay aftermarket prices and probably overpaid for this.  But, at least it's a great sounding, uncut version.

The record itself is equally as great as The Coup's debut.  Really strong beats and production that I believe was also augmented with live instrumentation giving the album a full, bass heavy sound.  The lyrics are left of center and are often focused on economic and social issues.  Much like their debut, the lyrics never come across as preachy or condescending.  It's delivered in a matter of fact manner, while still working within the context of a song that's designed to keep your head nodding.  It reminds me a lot of what KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions were doing.  Not that the groups really sound alike, but their method of blending information and entertainment are equally successful.

The Coup - Genocide & Juice:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mOovTXUM8TZPPGfsjDPMnJzbDSgtKejec

The Ar-Kaics - Live In The Shit Cassette

Big Neck (2021)

I'm going to start the new year off by trying to blast through a pile of tapes that have built up over here.  Big Neck records sent over a bunch of tapes featuring live sets by several bands.  I think I have eighth of them in total, so we'll start with this one by the Ar-Kaics.

I'm not familiar with the Ar-Kaics and I'm always a bit leery of hearing a band for the first time via a live album as live albums aren't usually my thing on the best of occasions.  That being said I was pleasantly surprised by how clear the recording is on this tape and how good the band sounds.  There's a bit more "oh yeah!" hollering going on than I typically would engage in if I were at a show.  But the Ar-Kaics have a stomping garage sound that makes me understand the desire to do some rock and roll shouting.

The set list is nine songs long and clocks in a bit under a half an hour, but there's no wasted moments here.  The band barrels from one song to the next, tighter than a very tight thing.  After listening to this tape, I'm pretty curious about what the band's studio records sound like.  I may need to take a moment on their Bandcamp page to poke around a bit.

The Ar-Kaics - Live In The Shit:
https://thearkaics.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-the-shit-2

The Drolls - That Puget Sound LP - Blue Vinyl

Snappy Little Numbers (2022)

Merry New Year.  When I start writing about records each January, it’s rare that I’m not playing catch up on records from the prior year or discussing records I got for Christmas.  We’ll get to those, but amazingly enough, the first write up of 2022 is about a record that’s coming out in 2022. Today in fact. It’s The Drolls.

I have to start by pointing out that Denny and Josh were in Sicko and Julie was in Chinchilla.  Sicko is one of my all time favorite bands, which makes Denny one of my all time favorite songwriters. Now, several decades after the last Sicko album, we get a full length album from The Drolls. No surprise…it’s excellent.

While I wouldn’t The Drolls sound exactly like the Denny Sicko songs, I can't imagine anyone not liking this if they did like Sicko.  If these songs came out on a theoretical fifth Sicko album a couple of years after You Are Not The Boss of Me, I don't think I would have batted an eyelash.  These really feel like the direction Denny was already starting to go on that last Sicko album.  It's kind of a stupid thing to say, but all I really want to get across is that these sound like Denny songs.  Maybe a little bit more melodic, although the pace is still very upbeat and fun. Oddly enough, the slowest thing on this album is probably a redone version of an old Sicko song (“Rehashed: Rehashed”).

Everything on here is just great.  From the second that the opening ripper "Getting Old" takes off, through the chunky guitar riffs of "Worse Things" to what is probably my personal favorite, "Bad Ear."  And oh yes, I am for sure giving extra points for the reference to the title of one of my top three Sicko songs.  2021 wasn't the best for music though there was a late blast of great records that saved the year.  If this Drolls record is a sign of what's to come in 2022, this is going to be a hell of a year for new music.  Had it come out in 2021, there's a good chance That Puget Sound would have topped my album list last year.  Here's to 2022.

The Drolls - That Puget Sound:
https://snappylittlenumbers.bandcamp.com/album/that-puget-sound

The Absolute Best Records of 2021

Wasn't 2021 supposed to be better than 2020?  I mean, it might have been a little bit, but in general it was another year of chaos and uncertainty.  There were good moments to be sure and I'm very lucky to share my home with my wonderful wife and pets, but outside of the four walls of our house it just felt like another year of madness.

For records, it was also a really weak year.  That is not to take away from any of the bands on this list.  If their record wasn't good or great, they wouldn't be on here.  But, the amount of new records that I bought this year was a paltry number compared to years past.  It just felt like so little was actually being released.  Be it supply chain stuff, record pressing delays, bands not being able to practice or tour - it just felt like another year where very little was happening.

Luckily there were some bright spots.  Though it was released under sad circumstances, the posthumous Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise is a truly wonderful album from Dan Sartain.  I would have adored it any year.  Same can be said of the excellent Mark Murphy & The Meds, Cloud Nothings, Herzog and Friends of Cesar Romero albums.

I was also listening to a ton of hip hop this year and to have two albums come out this year that made my top ten (Czarface & MF Doom was a legit new record for 2021, though Soul Party was technically recorded in 1995, even though it was never released until now) was pretty incredible.

I'm grateful for the small sparks of joy that I was able to hang on to in 2021.  Family, records, toys, t shirts or whatever made things a bit easier to get through the day.  When I wrote up my 2020 list, I was hopeful that the new year would be better.  I hope the same thing this year. Will 2022 be the year we shake loose the pandemic and it's assorted insanity?  Based on how stupid people seem to be, I have my doubts.  But once again, I do hope for the best.

01 - Dan Sartain - Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise - One Little Independent (Listen)

02 - Mark Murphy and the Meds - On The Brink - Brassneck / Bloated Kat / All In / Horn & Hoof / Kezy P (Listen)

03 - Czarface & MF Doom - Super What? - Silver Age (Listen)

04 - Cloud Nothings - The Shadow I Remember  - Car Park (Listen)

05 - Herzog - Fiction Writer - Exit Stencil (Listen)

06 - Gentleman Jesse - Lose Everything - Beach Impediment (Listen)

07 - Soul Party - Da Bacyard - De Rap Winkel / Fat Flava (Listen)

08 - Friends Of Cesar Romero - War Party Favors - Snappy Little Numbers (Listen)

09 - Needles // Pins - Needles // Pins - Dirt Cult (Listen)

10 - The Hamiltones - Dracula Invitational 1791 - Big Neck / Swimming Faith (Listen)

11 - Night Marchers - Live at Bar Pink - Swami 

12 - Billy No Mates - S.F. Sourdough - 10 Past 12 / Unless You Try

13 - State Drugs - Live. Laugh. Love. - Snappy Little Numbers

14 - The Obits - Die At The Zoo - Outer Battery 

15 - Rocket Bureau - Middle Angst - Overdue Miracle

16 - Come Closer - Pretty Garbage - Pirates Press 

17 - Eleventwelfth - Everything After - Waterslide

18 - Rexxx - Pure Pleasure II LP - Big Neck

19 - Red Devil Ryders - Pour Me Another One - Just Because

20 - Mononegatives - Apparatus Division - Big Neck / No Front Teeth

Previously:

2020

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009

New Year's Break

 I'm going to take a few days and relax.  I'll have my Absolute Best of 2021 up on New Year's Eve, but aside from that, I'll be watching wrestling and playing Nintendo until the second week of January.  Happy New Year!

Tha Anthom 'N Mike B - Neva Sellin' Out LP

Chopped Herring (2020)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

It seems inconceivable to me that this record came out in 2020 and wasn't an unearthing of a lost gem from the 90s.  My descent into the madness of digging for old hip hop records I missed out on in the 90s lead me to the Chopped Herring record label.  They've been doing a bunch of really interesting reissues.  Most tend to be 12" EPs, but there are full lengths kicking around as well.  While perusing their website one day, the artwork for Neva Sellin' Out caught my eye and I clicked on the link to check out some samples.  I dug what I heard and ordered the record.

This record is probably the best hip hop release I've heard in forever.  While I do really like the Czarface records I've discovered recently, there is something uniquely special about Tha Anthom 'N Mike B.  They have a wonderful, jazzy take on hip hip the feels like something that could have come out the same week as Low End Theory.  Stunning bass lines mix with expertly picked samples in the hook.  Combine that with a picture perfect lyrical flow and you've got something truly special in your hands.

Not only is this a wonderful throwback that feels so fresh right now, I would take the Pepsi challenge and put this up against anything from the 89-94 era.  Are there records from that time that are better? Sure, there are unadulterated classics that came out back then, but Neva Sellin' Out would not be out of place put up next to any of them.  It's that good.  This is one of the records I have listened to more than anything else this year.  I only wish I had heard about it last year so I could have included it on my best of list for 2020.  I also wish I had been paying attention so that I could have snagged the colored vinyl pressing of this, but alas...  If you're in the market for some stellar new hip hop, look no further.

Tha Anthom 'N Mike B - Neva Sellin' Out:

https://allcityanthom.bandcamp.com/album/neva-sellin-out

Dan Sartain - Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise LP - White Vinyl

One Little Independent (2021)

It's very difficult to write about this Dan Sartain record without delving into the extremely unfortunate fact that he's no longer with us.  In fact, a very brief back and forth about the title of this record is the very last time I interacted with Dan.  I can't remember where it happened and I can't seem to find it now.  When he was recording or had just finished recording the album, he posed a question about what the title should be and gave a few options, one of them was Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise.

In case you are unaware, it's a G.I. Joe reference.  There's a G.I. Joe miniseries called Arise, Serpentor, Arise. I of course voted for this title, but mentioned that when Serpentor came into G.I Joe is when I pretty much checked out of watching the cartoon.  Dan responded with something to the effect of "Serpentor Sucks."  He's not wrong.  Serpentor may suck, but Dan Sartain records are pretty amazing.  For the rest of this write up, I will try to only talk about the record itself.  It's too sad to go too much further into everything else, but one thing I can say if this has to be the last record, it's nice that it is as great as it is.

You could say this is a return to form in some respects to Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise.  It's definitely a return to the song styles and structures that were most evident from his self released albums through Dan Sartain Lives.  There's not much in the way of synth like his last release, Century Plaza, though there are some electronics and the use of drum machine is there for sure.  Mostly these are just great rock and roll songs with Dan's traditional swagger and passion.

It's dark in places, like on "You Can't Go Home No More" and "Kisses In The Morning."  It's optimistic in others like "Daddy's Coming Home." And it also just gets a little surreal (which is common on a lot of Dan's records) when he starts singing about "Personal Injury Law" or the infectiously fun "Foreman Grill."  That Dan could write such an amazingly catchy song extolling the virtues of cooking on a George Foreman Grill is a testament to the genius of his songwriting.  Is it silly? Of course, but that never stops it from being an engaging listen.

It's such a great record.  If you've liked Dan's other works, there's no way you won't like this one, at least when it comes to the music.  It's emotionally tough to listen to at times and there's some lyrical content that makes you wonder if there's a deeper, more connected meaning when you take real life into account.  But ultimately, looking at this record in a vacuum and listening to it just as a collection of songs, you're not going to find many any finer than Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise.

Dan Sartain - Arise, Dan Sartain, Arise:
https://joindansartain.bandcamp.com/album/arise-dan-sartain-arise-2

12/17/11 - 12/17/21 - Ten Years of I Buy Way Too Many Records Dot Com

Please forgive the carpet wrinkle, having cats that like to claw is a challenge

It seems somewhat inconceivable to me that I put this website up ten years ago.  It's even weirder to me that I was taking pictures of my record purchases on Flickr for about a year before I moved everything here.  I know that I didn't think about what this would look like ten years later as I just didn't have any sort of long term idea.  In the heat of the moment in 2011, I just wanted to find a better place to put my year end list that year.

When I look back over these past ten years, it is kind of amusing to me.  Ultimately, this site is exactly what it was in 2011.  I've done one minor design update in that time and have just continually pumped out pictures and write ups.  More people read now than they did back then, but my circle of influence is still pretty minuscule and I'm usually preaching to a choir of likeminded individuals that are already interested in this sort of music.

Sharing music has always been important to me.  In high school I wrote reviews for my school newspaper.  I did the same in college and then transitioned to having a radio show and ultimately being the music director of my college station.  My first job was doing radio promotion in the music industry and when I left that job in 2007, I just still wanted to be involved.

I imagine there's probably a handful of people out there that remember when I started doing an internet radio show which morphed into a podcast called Ludicrous Speed.  On the old Pop Punk Message Board, some dude was starting up an internet radio station called Punk and Beans radio.  Perhaps one of the most poorly named endeavors in the history of the internet, but it was 2009 and I missed doing my radio show when I was in college ten years earlier.

I downloaded a few programs and put together episodes.  The internet station fizzled out extremely fast and I shifted it towards being a podcast.  It was fun, but honestly it was a giant pain in the ass putting those episodes together.  I also have no real interest in hearing myself speak or try to be any sort of on air personality, I just wanted to play songs so others could hear them.  It was probably pretty boring, but there were slightly fewer podcasts then than there are now.

Eventually I just wanted to document my collection so a few friends could follow along.  Even when I put this website up, I never really meant for it to become a review site.  It was just supposed to be pictures of records and a sentence or two.  But as I picked up records that I love, I ended up having more and more to say about them.  It very quickly morphed into whatever the hell it is now.

I've met a lot of cool people through this site.  About four record labels send me records on a regular basis to write about and I am exceedingly grateful for that.  But what's always been the coolest for me is when someone tells me that they had never heard of a band I wrote about and ended up buying their record.  That's just the best.

I've contemplated not doing this site anymore many times.  There are days where I just have no interest in writing.  Sometimes I go for months at a time without getting a cool new release that I'm excited about and in 2020 and 2021 that was a real problem.  Even though I don't think hardly anyone cares about them, the Wednesday old school hip hop reviews are probably one of the main things that made me keep this site going consistently since the pandemic started.

I don't know exactly how much longer I'll do this.  I'm not stopping today or tomorrow or anything like that.  I still have a pretty big pile of records that I haven't written about yet, although most are older albums or reissues of older albums.  There will undoubtedly be a time where I just say enough is enough, but I guess I'm not there quite yet.

In a couple of weeks I'll be putting up my annual Absolute Best Record Of list.  This year was really difficult.  Luckily a late flurry of albums came out and gave me enough records to actually put a list together.  I'm really hopeful that 2022 lets us return to the days of more new releases, pop punk bands playing shows and a general return to normalcy.  I don't necessarily think that's going to happen, but it is what I hope for.

Ultimately what I really want to do more than anything else is say thank you to anyone and everyone that has ever read this site, messaged me about a record or sent me something to check out.  I can't fathom doing this for ten more years, but I also couldn't have imagined doing so in 2011 either.  I've probably got a bit more in me though, so buckle up and get ready for three reviews of average quality writing a week.  At least until the last week of December.  I always take a break then and this year will be no different.

Thanks to all. 

Beastie Boys - Check Your Head 2xLP

Capitol / Grand Royal (2009, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years. 

In 1992 my interest in Yo! MTV Raps and hip hop in general was at a fever pitch. Around this time the video for the Beastie Boys song "Pass The Mic" started being played. Prior to seeing this video, the only real experience I had with the Beasties was a bunch of people in my grammar school really liking License To Ill and me being pretty uninterested in what felt like a bunch of meathead crap, even back then when I was a little kid. Paul's Boutique flew completely under my radar and I didn't even know it existed back then. 

 To be confronted by a band that I had pretty much written off as mainstream nonsense putting out a song that was really infectious wasn't something I was expecting. I didn't totally trust it, so I bought the cassette single of "Pass The Mic" rather than committing to the whole album. It wasn't until the second single, "So What'cha Want" came out that I decided to pick up the full album. How could I not? To This day "So What'cha Want" is my favorite Beasties song and it hit me like a ton of bricks the first time I saw the video for it. I finally picked up Check Your Head and gave it a listen. To say I was kind of confused would be an understatement. 

I had no idea that the Beastie Boys had ever done anything but wrap. To have an album in front of me where they were rapping, playing instrumentals, delving into funk and even some punk rock was completely unexpected. I didn't know what to make of it and if I'm being honest, at times I still don't. I love all of the hip hop songs on this record. All of them, they're essentially flawless. A lot of the other stuff is hit and miss for me and because of that, the album feels a little too long and bloated at times. I get that the eclectic nature of this record is what drew in a lot of people and while I completely respect their musicianship and vision, it doesn't all connect with me. It never really did. 

 But the highs on this record are so ridiculously high that you just can't call this record anything but a success. I've been listening to it for nearly thirty years and it always still manages to surprise me. You could list off hit after hit sliding down the track list on this bad boy and everything has aged really well. Not having this on vinyl was a pretty big hole in my collection and for whatever reason this record seems to go in and out of print with surprising regularity. It popped up as being in stock one day and into the collection it went.

Beastie Boys - Check Your Head:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mnwCE7rNsmUAYP1iJFOECyvTTrNZWfacg

Bashford - Greener Grasses - Sea Blue Vinyl (/250)

Big Neck (2021)

Just got a pile of records in the mail from Big Neck.  Two LPs and EIGHT cassettes.  It'll definitely take me a bit to get through all of these.  I decided to start off with one of the LPs and dug into the band Bashford for the first time.

I wasn't really sure what to expect going into it.  It felt like it could be a hardcore record, but the artwork also had a strong 90s indie rock vibe to it.  It actually lands in pretty much the perfect middle ground place.  This very much feels like a relic from the early 90s Pacific Northwest scene.  I hear some Karp, some godheadSilo and maybe just a tiny touch of Unwound.

There's a subtle catchiness to the songs on this album.  Don't get me wrong, the prominent vibe is heavy guitars and howling vocals, but there's something about the riffs and song structures that wrap themselves around hooks that aren't super obvious.  This album is probably an acquired taste and might not appeal to everyone, but if you bounced around genres thirty years ago, you would have definitely come across a band similar to Bashford.  And because of that, I can appreciate a record like this coming out in 2021.

Bashford - Greener Grasses:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/greener-grasses

`

Gentleman Jesse - Lose Everything LP - Jade Vinyl (/200)

Beach Impediment (2021)

Here comes another late contender for best records of the year lists.  Gentleman Jesse hasn't had a new album since 20212's classic, Leaving Atlanta.  In the nearly ten years since that record came out, I've been hoping against hope that there would be a follow up and it's finally here. 

Lose Everything is a very good record.  Though it's sonically a different animal from his prior two albums.  While it is still rooted in power pop, there's more than a touch of melancholy to these proceedings.  Flat out, several of the songs are something of a bummer, even though said bummer is presented with excellent melodies and nice, jangly guitar.  But there's a few songs where the production and the mood bring things down a bit, like the one-two punch of "Million Sorrows" and "God Is Blind."

That's not to say Jesse isn't still capable of cranking out some upbeat earworms. The second half of this album is particularly strong with "Hunger," "Come Along" and the title track, "Lose Everything" being as good or better than anything Jesse has previously concocted.  

It's not like it isn't easy to understand why folks are down these days.  From pandemic anxiety to little things like watching democracy erode, there's a lot going on that sucks pretty hard right now.  Lose Everything is kind of perfect in that regard.  It's a reflection of 2021 through a Gentleman Jesse album.  While I personally like his first album's upbeat vibe a bit better, it's not like I don't understand the value of an album like this.  It's definitely a grower as I find more to like about it each time I listen.

Gentleman Jesse - Lose Everything:
https://beachimpedimentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lose-everything

Soul Party - Da Bacyard LP

De Rap Winkel / Fat Flava (2021)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen that I took an informal poll about what truly qualifies as a 2021 release.  That was prompted by this Soul Party album.  Da Bacyard was originally recorded in 1992, but it was never released.  I don't really know the story behind why it didn't come out, but it didn't see the light of day until 2021 with a CD and now a vinyl reissue.  The unanimous consensus from those that responded to me is that if this record never came out in any way before, it's absolutely a 2021 release and eligible for top album of the year lists. 

That's a great thing because this is definitely one of the better albums I've heard this year.  Yes, it is one hundred percent rooted in 1992 and the golden era of hip hop and I'm sure that's why it appeals to me so much.  But that doesn't change the fact that I've been listening to it constantly since I got my hands on it.  The production is strong East Coast style hip hop.  Boom bap influenced with cracking snare drum and jazz and funk fueled bass lines.

Lyrically, both MCs (Boogie and Double A) can hold their own with most anything that came out in 1992.  Are they elite level? No, they're not, but they fit into the production perfectly and keep the songs flowing.  When you're talking about the sort of quality that was coming out in 92, being middle of the pack is nothing to be ashamed of as the bar was so damn high back then.  Pretty much every song hits.  The only one that stands out to me as being slightly less than is "You Big Raggamiffin."  It dips its toe a little too deep into reggae-land for me, but it's not what I would call bad,  It just stands out from the other tracks and not really in a super positive way.

This is kind of a pricey import.  For whatever reason, the only labels reissue old hip hop seem to be based overseas.  That said, Da Bacyard is absolutely worth hunting down if you're looking for some old school hip hop.  Even though this is definitely a 2021 release.

Soul Party - Da Bacyard:
https://soul-party.bandcamp.com/album/da-bacyard

Mark Murphy and the Meds - On The Brink LP - White w/ Splatter Vinyl

Bloated Kat / Brassneck / All In / Horn & Hoof / Kezy P (2021)

OK, it looks like everyone waited until the end of the year to start putting out the great records.  I'm sure the labels will say "blah blah blah, vinyl turnaround times," but we all know what really is happening.  This is without a doubt a coordinated effort to make my December more complicated when I'm trying to get my end of the year list together.  Making me scramble to get these albums written up before it's time to post my list.  I'm on to you all...

Mark Murphy and the Meds is fronted by Mark "Guitar" Murphy (I'm going to keep hammering this nickname until someone else starts picking up on it) of Crocodile God/No Marks fame.  It's no secret that he's long been one of my favorite songwriters and most everything he touches turns to gold for my ears.  On The Brink is no exception.

Like with his other bands, he and the Meds have crafted a joyous slice of UK pop punk perfection.  The hooks are all over every song on the album, with buzzsaw guitar melodies galore.  To me, it really doesn't sound too dissimilar from Crocodile God, but that's not a slight.  If anything, I consider that a tremendous selling point.

Now, I do have to say one critical thing and it's just that I don't really dig the artwork too much with the wacky monsters and what not.  But questionable artwork would never stop me from loving a band.  Don't you know how many Snuff albums I have?  This record is just flat out great.  A late contender for one of the very best of the year.

Mark Murphy and the Meds - On The Brink:
https://bloatedkatrecords.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-brink

LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out LP

Def Jam (2014, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

There are a handful of records in every person's life that just completely upend what they thought they knew and the sort of sounds they are interested in.  It's not always the coolest or most glamorous albums that do this.  And there are times where the album that launched the change doesn't even end up holding up over time.  That's the very definition of Mama Said Knock You Out for me.  

This record came out in September of my eighth grade year in 1990.  I was certainly aware of hip hop prior to then, but I wasn't emotionally invested in anything until I saw the video for "Mama Said Knock You Out."  It was such a transformative moment that it's likely the reason I even started watching Yo! MTV Raps in an attempt to see the video more often.  It's such an incredibly great song and I really still love it just as much now as I did when I was thirteen.

That song led me to buying the entire album.  It's an uneven experience at the best of times and I thought that in 1990 as well.  In addition to the flawless title track, there's a few other memorable moments like "Eat Em Up L Chill," "Murdergram" and "To Da Break Of Dawn."  There's also a bunch of terrible songs like "Mr. Goodbar," "Around The Way Girl" and the laughably bad "Milky Cereal." Basically any time LL tries to be the romance emporium, he falls flat on his face.

But this is a pretty important record to me, historically speaking.   It seemed silly not to have it on vinyl if for no other reason than to listen to that insane title track over and over again while thinking about the musical direction it pushed me in when I was thirteen.

LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_na0ED8S88Ah5A-T99d5cpjOmUdjRU_k-o

Friends Of Cesar Romero - War Party Favors CD

Snappy Little Numbers (2021)

I am thrilled to see a new Friends of Cesar Romero album, and I'm even more excited that it's a CD and not a cassette or digital only release.  While I always prefer vinyl, there's nothing bad about the CD format and it's always bewildered me that folks have been putting out so many cassettes over the years when it's probably pretty similar in cost to run off some CDs.  But anyway...

I've really enjoyed everything I've heard by Friends of Cesar Romero over the years and War Party Favors is no exception.  Once again, a complete mastery of the pop song is on deisplay during each of the album's twelve songs.  There's a charming, fuzzy lo-fi feel to these songs that reminds me a little bit of bands like Boyracer or Silver Scooter.  However, Friends of Cesar Romero don't really wade into the overly emotion side of the pool the same way those bands do.  

I could also find some sonic comparisons to The Mean Jeans, but that too isn't really perfect.   War Party Favors is a fun, upbeat album with hooks all over the place.  But the vocals on a FOCR release are significantly better and the lyrics aren't goofy like Mean Jeans.  War Party Favors is definitely on the shortlist of the best records that I've heard this year.  I do wish this had also come out on vinyl, but I'm just content to have a physical release.

Friends Of Cesar Romero - War Party Favors:
https://snappylittlenumbers.bandcamp.com/album/war-party-favors

The Future Sound - The Whole Shabang Vol. 1 LP

Eastwest (1992)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

When you talk about forgotten classics, I'm not sure you can find too many that tick the 'forgotten' box more than The Future Sound.  Until the past year or so, I had never even heard of them, despite their only album coming out on Eastwest (home of Das Efx) in 1992, the height of the golden era.  It was only while diving into some 'overlooked records of the 90s' type lists did I see someone make mention of The Future sound.

I listened to the record online and was immediately drawn to the opening track (well, the first real song after the intro) "This Is A Game."  The horn riff that this track is built on is so great and the production sort of has a similar vibe as Lords of the Underground's "Funky Child."  But the song is a bit more laid back, but at the same time more upbeat than that LOTUG.  The Future Sound is not coming at you aggressively.  They're a group that's making music that's more concerned about being fun than it is about fitting into any sort of specific sub-genre of hip hop.

The entire record is great, with killer beats and solid rhymes.  It reminds of groups like UMCs, De La Soul (though not as hippified) or maybe Freestyle Fellowship (but with less complicated rhyme schemes).  Regardless of how I'm stretching to provide a point of reference comparison, this is a killer record.  I'm so glad I managed to stumble across it.  If I'm going to point to the best records I've found while doing deep dives into the forgotten recesses of the golden era, this is easily a top three find.  Sadly, this was the groups only album, so we never got The Whole Shabang Vol. 2.

The Future Sound - The Whole Shabang Vol. 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCVnasKw3Us&ab_

Spells - Fangirl Flexi & Zine

Snappy Little Numbers (2021)

This is a neat little thing.  A paper zine.  Talk about a throwback to the 90s.  While I know they are kicking around still and I've been a frequent subscriber to Razorcake, you certainly don't see them as often as you once did.  At least not unless it's a poorly written blog (ahem...).  This zine is primarily focused on different aspects of the band Spells.  As this is issue number one of this zine, I assume the goal is to have each issue focus on a specific band. Either that of Spells just hit the motherload when it comes to zine coverage.

There's an interview in here, some history, a discography and some assorted wackiness along the way.  It isn't a serious piece of journalism, but it is a fun read and really, really feels like something I would have picked up at the record store twenty-five years ago.

Additionally, this zine comes with a one song Spells flexi.  The song is also the name of the zine, "Fangirl."  It's a really catchy, fun song that in some ways feels like it's a TV show theme song.  I would have absolutely watched the Fangirl show on TGIF after Perfect Strangers was over.  This is a fun little package.  It warms my heart to see people still putting time and effort into things that I once held so dear, but have now fallen by the wayside for most of the world. Viva the 90s.

Spells - "Fangirl":
https://spellsrules.bandcamp.com/album/fangirl-single

Nails of Hawaiian - Jazz CD

Snuffy Smile (1996)

There aren't many Snuff Smile records that I don't have.  At this point it's mostly a handful of super early CDs and a couple of the more recent 7"s that I just haven't gotten yet.  Snuffy Smile is easily one of the most influential labels I've ever listened to and in a lot of ways it probably was the most influential.  I'm not sure why I've had such a hard time tracking down this Nails of Hawaiian CD over the years.  I've known about them for what feels like forever and I have their split 7" with J Church along with a few compilations that they appear on, but this CD always eluded me.

Lucky for me, I have a great friend like Kazu.  He managed to find a copy for me in Japan and sent it over in a recent package.  I've had MP3s of this thing for a long time, so it's not like I'm hearing this for the first time, but finally having the CD in hand and realizing the cover art is just one panel of a four panel fold out picture - that's just a wild experience.

The music is fantastic.  It has the perfect mid 90s Snuffy Smile sound.  Hooks like a pop punk band, interludes like a post punk band and more than a few instances that remind my of San Diego bands like Tanner.  The vocals are impassioned, but never too screamy to where they lose the melody.  It's just a great album and one that I'm thrilled to finally have in the collection.  Just a few more Snuffy Smile CDs to go... 

Fu-Schnickens - F.U. - Don't Take It Personal LP

Music On Vinyl (2017, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

I had a hell of a time tracking this record down at a reasonable price.  It did come out a few years ago and I just wasn't paying as much attention.  By the time I decided it was time to addd this one to the collection, it was out of print and commanding high prices on Discogs.  Eventually I found a seller in Japan that was selling it at a good price and listed it as being brand new and mint.

When I got the record, it was complete trash.  Every single song had insane static and surface noise to the point where it actually overpowered the music.  I alerted the seller and he was a complete dick about it.  Wouldn't a returtn and just kept arguing with me that it was new and sealed, so it's not his responsibility.  Problem is that it wasn't sealed, it was in a resealable sleeve.  Anyway, I had to force the issue with PayPal, send it back to Japan and about 3 months later I finally got my money back.  Giant pain, but I found another one a few weeks later and this one is perfect.

Fu-Schnickens is one of those hip hop artists that really could have only in the early 90s.  They are a fun upbeat crew and dipped their toe into kung fu references a year before Wu-Tang Clan burst onto the scene.  Of the 3 MCs in this crew, Chip Fu was the one that always took the headlines with his micro machine man rapid fire delivery.  It tends to completely overshadow the other two, even though you can definitely make the argument that their contributions have aged much better that Chip's.

It's really the beats that keep this record sounding good nearly thirty years later.  It's just that perfect golden era production with rich, full beats that are total head nodders.  Aside from one truly awful song that closes out side A in "Heavenly Father," the other nine are a really good time and while they were never one of my favorite groups as a kid, I've always thought this record was a solid listen.

Fu-Schnickens - F.U. - Don't Take It Personal:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lV0mYjmcBT6vXnPo0GNciyfnSwrE7cYUI

Night Marchers - Live at Bar Pink - Pink Vinyl

Swami (2021)

Every time I write about a live album (which, admittedly isn't very often) I always add in the disclaimer that I really don't like live albums.  I'm not sure what it is exactly about them, but I never really have the urge to listen to them.  There are, of course, some exceptions.  But in general, I buy them, file them next to the other records by the same artist and there they stay for all eternity.  I don't think this Night Marchers LP will suffer that fate.

In the pantheon of great live albums like Leatherface's Live in Oslo and Bum's Shake Town Live, you can now add Live at Bar Pink.  I'm not sure exactly why this particular record is hitting me harder than live albums traditionally do.  Maybe it's the fact that I haven't been to a show in over two years.  Maybe I'm just predisposed to love anything the Swami releases.  Or maybe it's because they managed to capture a hell of a set.

Most of my Night Marchers favorites are represented.  "Branded," "All Hits," "Scene Report" and other fantastic selections from the two full lengths the band put out are all here.  There's not as much banter as you'd expect from a Swami show and there are places where it sounds like there may have been cuts made to excise some of that from the album.  The songs, however, sound unbelievably great and really show what a potent live band they were.  That's not really a surprise since all of the Swami bands are known for their killer live shows, but something special was captured on this night.

Of all of the bands that Swami/Speedo/Slasher John Reis has been in, I really think that Night Marchers is the band that has been most overlooked.  They cranked out some pretty flawless songs.  Even if the band doesn't play again, they've left a heck of a legacy behind.  Live at Bar Pink just gives me one more way to listen to these great songs.

Pinhead Gunpowder - Carry The Banner LP - Black & White Split Vinyl

1-2-3-4 Go! (2021, Reissue)

Another day, another 90s reissue to write about.  I've said it before, but I feel like those are the only kind of records that I've been buying this year.  But it's hard to complain too much when you have a band as good as Pinhead Gunpowder.

Unlike with Jump Salty, I didn't really need to buy this particular LP.  I've had the 10" version put out by Too Many records since the 90s.  But, the Jump Salty reissue sounded so good, I figured I'd just collect all of these new versions that 1-2-3-4 Go is putting out.  I'm glad I did as this one sounds massive.  The bass is full and warm.  The guitars are crunchy, but with the crackling fuzz that still reminds you it's punk rock. I'm also a sucker for split color vinyl.

While I do think Jump Salty is my overall favorite of the PHG releases, this one is probably a very close second.  I think it's aged really well and I am still as into these songs as I was when I first heard them. 

Pinhead Gunpowder - Carry The Banner:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kBaN3UQkKMHVz1XAvMJF2tDnJPPt6yaX8

Digital Underground - Sex Packets 2xLP - Blue Vinyl

Tommy Boy (2021, Reissue)

Every Wednesday, in honor of Ed Lover Dance Day from Yo! MTV Raps, I take a break from rock and roll to write a little bit about hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop ruled my musical life. During this often called 'Golden Era' I discovered so much incredible music. As I am slowly replacing the CDs I've had for twenty-five plus years with vinyl copies, I'm going to talk about some albums that had a really important impact on me during some very formative years.

Like everyone my approximate age, there was no escaping "The Humpty Dance" in 1990.  It was such a huge hit and was omnipresent on MTV back then.  It also has one of the great beats in the history of hip hop. With it's deep, sliding bass line, you couldn't ask for a better canvas for the absurd lyrics that came next.  Now I can't say that the rest of the record ever hits a high that high again, but it's a strong record and is more than just a home for their one hit single.

The record is an odd, sort of concept album about sex packets that you can buy like drugs.  It's kind of a far out idea for a hip hop record, particularly in 1990.  Not every song is tied to that narrative, but in particular the second half of the album leans pretty heavy into that story.  Some things hit and some things miss.  But it's extremely innovated and never boring.  

The songs tend to be kind of long.  And while that's certainly not uncommon for hip hop, eight of the albums ten real songs (excluding skits) are over five minutes with five of them breaking six minutes.  It's a bit much at times and I sometime feel like if they trimmed some of those down a bit this could have been a slightly tighter album.  But, at the end of the day this is a pretty classic release that took hip hop into uncharted territory when it first came out.  Digital Underground had a bunch of albums out after this and I'm admittedly not as familiar with them as I am with this one.  I might need to revist those at some point.

Digital Underground - Sex Packets:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kk9oSlBDREtt5Wd9ylL8DcDawExE-UeUg