Pretty spiffy illustration right there. Actually, basically every illustration at this guy’s site is awesome.
http://www.alexfineillustration.blogspot.com/
Category Archives: Entertainment
CD Review: Reform School Girl [2010]
Band: Nick Curran
Release: 2/2010
Label: Eclecto Groove Records
1. “Tough Lover” – A-
2. “Reel Rock Party” – B
3. “Reform School Girl” – A-
4. “Kill My Baby” – A-
5. “Psycho” – A-
6. “Sheena’s Back” – A-
7. “Baby You Crazy” – A-
8. “Ain’t No Good” – A-
9. “The Lowlife” – B+
10. “Dream Girl” – B
11. “Flyin’ Blind” – B+
12. “Lusty L’il Lucy” – A
13. “Filthy” – A
14. “Rocker” – A
Comments: Without a doubt Curran is one of only a handful of musicians today that effectively does the ’50s thing pretty good. He makes no effort to modernize the record in any aspect. I’m not really a purist so I can’t say that I’m completely taken aback by everything on here. Curran and gang are comparable to King Khan and BBQ Show, if only the Show tried harder to limit itself to just playing oldies. Curran has got the ADD of King Khan (and Little Richard and so on) and the sheer power of Sultan. He also has a back-up group that possesses all the instrumental goodness of the Shrines. That said, this thing doesn’t really make me overly excited. I can’t really understand why not and that alone bugs the shit out of me. A good majority of the tracks don’t have much “replay” value. They are pretty awesome when you play them the first time, but after that I have no burning urge for more plays. “Lusty L’il Lucy” is a funny little ditty. She’s the town’s best friend. She’s also the album’s best song. “Filthy” describes Lucy, I’d imagine. Definitely, the last three songs alone are probably as cool as the first eleven…and that’s fine. I’m glad I got to experience this one. I’ll be coming back to it every now and then because it just might better tickle my twine at a later listen.
Grade: A- (90)
Rage TV
When MTV was slightly better, but still sucked. Check out parts 2 and 3. I hope Rage does a full fledged tour and hits up Boston.
Chris
Classic CD Review: Everyone Who…
Title: Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone
Band: The Walkmen
Release: 2002
Label: Startime International
1. “They’re Winning” – A
2. “Wake Up” – A+
3. “Everyone Who Pretended” – A+
4. “Revenge Wears No Wristwatch” – A
5. “The Blizzard of ’96” – A-
6. “French Vacation” – A
7. “Stop Talking” – A
8. “We’ve Been Had” – A
9. “Roll Down The Line” – A-
10. “That’s The Punch Line” – A
11. “It Should Take A While” – A-
12. “Rue The Day” – A-
13. “I’m Never Bored” – A
14. “Don’t Be Long” – A-
Comments: This was hardly a debut record in the traditional sense. All five members arrived in the band in 2000 after performing in one of two polished bands: Jonathan Fire*Eater or The Recoys. Fire*Eater landed a major label deal with Dreamworks and were a significant influence on The Strokes while The Recoys were less of a big deal, but drew their sound from “vintage” garage groups like the Troggs and Standells. The group wasn’t really young at the time of this recording. All members were at least 25 and had significant experience at their individual schticks. They had, what seems evident now, a great handle on how they wanted to sound. Even now critics are at a loss in terms of how to really describe the band in words and labels that modern listeners may feel comfortable with. It’s bare bones and minimalistically dreamy, but very real. Just enough keyboards, just enough lead, just enough bass, barely surfacing rhythym, and penetrating vocals. When I first bought this record last summer, I remember I wasn’t as enthusiastic as I am now. It definitely takes a few listens to just take in what the Walkmen have to offer here. This isn’t the best album from the group, but it does give kids like you and me a pretty good look at the beginnings of a band that hasn’t matured all that much since their formation. That’s saying a lot.
Grade: A- (93)
Quick Thought On Lyrics
I don’t really pay attention to lyrics…not going to lie. Even if I get to know them, I usually don’t look into them. It does depend on the song, though. Fast and heavy garage rockers or punk jams are just too intense to keep up with while slower post-punkies like shit from The Walkmen are more digestible lyrically. So yeah chances I don’t care or know what most songs I listen to are about. Whatever!
King Khan and the Shrines
This isn’t really relevant to the Boston area or any area in the United States for that matter, but I thought the depiction of the cheerleader was kind of funny.
On a side note, I had a fucked up dream last night that I was singing Nobunny songs with King Khan at a huge convention center in New Hampshire. Chris was getting squashed in the front row.
Ian’s Integrity
I’ve always agreed with many of his views and maybe not musically, but he has inspired me lol in various ways. I think it’s reasonable to say a band is no longer “Punk” if they sign to a major label, but for me that doesn’t mean they instantly become nothing. That Rage record is quality whether there’s a little Epic sign or a little Dischord sign on it.
Chris
New Devo Song – “Fresh”
I really really like this one and hope you do too.
It actually reminds me of a cross between a Lost Sounds lost track and that awesome Disco song “Born To Be Alive” featured in Vegas Vacation.
Band Spotlight: Box Elders
Band: Box Elders
Year Formed: 2005
Label(s): Goner, Shattered, Hozac, Grotto
Members: Clayton McIntyre, Jeremiah McIntyre, Dave Goldberg
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Genre: Cave Pop (according to Facebook page), Garage Pop, Garage Rock, Rock and Roll, etc.
Influences: Redd Kross, Jeff Barry, The Clean, Science Fiction (all according to FB page)
Influenced: Time will tell
Top Songs: Jackie Wood, Alice and Friends, Atlantis, Hole In My Head, Ronald Dean, Isabella, Death of Me
Top Album: Alice and Friends (2009, Goner)
Note: If you like BE, you will probably also dig Nobunny, Black Lips, Thee Oh Sees, The Okmoniks, Hunx and The Punx, Jay Reatard, King Khan & BBQ Show, Mark Sultan, Bobby Ubangi, Gaye Blades, and others of similar styles/genres
Note II: Box Elders are opening for the Black Lips at the Middle East on March 25!
Comments: These guys create some of the catchiest, funnest, Rock and Roll around! Their live show is incredibly entertaining, especially due to drummer/keyboardist (yep, he plays both simultaneously!), Dave Goldberg’s exqusite dance moves/antics.
I’d rather post live versions, but they just don’t do justice to the studio versions. The videos themselves, that is, not the actual performances.
P.S. Glen and other Klyamers, why haven’t we done more BS on here like WE?!
Chris
Song of the Day
I’d like to do more than dance with those femmes!
Of course, I mean hold their hands….
Chris
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 