Category Archives: Music

Art, Music, Video, Who Did It Better?

Who Did It Better?: You Really Got Me

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First up: The original
The Kinks:

Next: The cover
Van Halen:

I’m definitely going with the original, The Kinks were probably the most rockin band when they unleashed this slimy single on the world, a major precursor for heavier bands. The song in many ways invented (bothy lyrically and musically) a new kind of pop/love song for music. With that being said, Van Halen deliver a mean cover in the rowdy spirit of the original and beef it up a little bit more. Both are classics are in their own right.

What do y’all think?

Classic Album Review, Music, Ramones

Classic Album Review: Road To Ruin [1978]

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Band: Ramones
Label: Sire

Side One
1. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do” – A
2. “I Wanted Everything” – A-
3. “Don’t Come Close” – A-
4. “I Don’t Want You” – A-
5. “Needles and Pins” – B+
6. “I’m Against It” – B+

Side Two
1. “I Wanna Be Sedated” – A
2. “Go Mental” – A-
3. “Questioningly” – B+
4. “She’s The One” – A-
5. “Bad Brain” – A
6. “It’s A Long Way Back” – A

Comments: Road To Ruin is a really good album. It features a fine mix of fast punk rockers and slower rock and roll.  It’s more of a ‘listener’ for me, rather than a record that contains a plethora of standout tracks. Of course, the hit was and still is “I Wanna Be Sedated” — appreciated by people far and wide. Additionally, I find myself really liking “I Just Want To Have Something To Do” and the particularly hardcore influential “Bad Brain.” I can’t say that I’m particularly floored by this record, but at the same token I can really imagine how impressionable it must have been back in ’78.

Grade: A-

Black Lips, business, interviews, Music

Joe Bradley Discusses Record Deals

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Very interesting perspective. While 360 deals do seem to be advantageous in the realm of increased publicity and opportunity, bands themselves are getting the short end of the stick by being deprived of control of tour and merchandise income. For the ‘industry’ and management companies, of course it is a win-win because they are diverting money away from the band and into their treasuries.

Classic Album Review, Music

Classic Album Review: Endless Summer [1974]

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Band: The Beach Boys
Label: Capitol

Side A
1. “Surfin Safari” – A
2. “Surfer Girl” – A+
3. “Catch A Wave” – A+
4. “The Warmth of the Sun” – B+
5. “Surfin’ USA” – A
[Grade: A]

Side B
1. “Be True To Your School” – A+
2. “Little Deuce Couple” – A
3. “In My Room” – A
4. “Shut Down” – A
5. “Fun, Fun, Fun” – A+
[Grade: A]

Side C
1. “I Get Around” – A
2. “Girls on the Beach” – A+
3. “Wendy” – A
4. “Let Him Run Wild” – A
5. “Don’t Worry Baby” – A+
[Grade: A]

Side D
1. “California Girls” – A+
2. “Girl Don’t Tell Me” – A
3. “Help Me, Rhonda” – A
4. “You’re So Good To Me” – B+
5. “All Summer Long” – A+
[Grade: A]

Comments: This was a just a great great listen. I can’t say anything really that hasn’t already been said. The only thing that sucks is changing the record after every five songs! I guess that’s the product of growing up in the digital age. As far as ‘older’ songs go, there were just so many fantastic ones on this compilation that just instantly ‘clicked’. Love when that happens.

Grade: A

Art, Music, Video, Who Did It Better?

Who Did It Better?: Take Up Thy Stephoscope and Walk

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Hey all, every now and then I get inspired by Andrew’s segments and I throw in my own “Who Did It Better?” This time it’s a trippy one! Here we have two versions of the crazed, psychedelic tune “Take Up Thy Stephoscope and Walk.”

First up: The Original
Pink Floyd

Next: The Cover
At the Drive-In

You know up until a few weeks ago I would have gone Floyd all the way, but I think ADI simply expand on the original’s zaniness; they stay true to its acidy, early Floyd/Syd Barret, anarchic character, but make it even crazier and heavier! My one gripe, it’s a tad bit longer than it needs to be. So, what do y’all think? Who did it better?