Quote of the Day- Immortal Technique
“Fuck the President! I voted for assassination.”- Immortal Technique
Classic Review: Stanley Road [1995]
Artist: Paul Weller
Label: Go! Discs
1. “The Changingman” – A
2. “Porcelain Gods” – A-
3. “I Walk On Gilded Splinters” – B+
4. “You Do Something To Me” – A+
5. “Woodcutter’s Son” – B+
6. “Time Passes” – B+
7. “Stanley Road” – B+
8. “Broken Stones” – B
9. “Out of the Sinking” – A-
10. “Pink on White Walls” – B+
11. “Whirlpool’s End” – A+
12. “Wings of Speed”- A+
Comments: I consider this the Modfahjah’s serious, yet bittersweet phase. I’ve been listening to these songs on a fairly irregular basis since about the year 2000. Collectively, they’ve never struck me as worthwhile listens… up until very recently. After seeing Weller in a live setting, I realized that the guy isn’t that bad! No, no, even more shockingly…he’s good! Of course, the sound he’s maintained over his solo career is in a faraway land from punk rock or “mod” rock…whatever that was. On this release in particular, Weller is pretty much down for anything. An extended guitar solo here and there, a soft piano-rock unrequited love ballad, an inspirational oldies power-pop number, country sounding tunes, and other goodies. Even the songs that aren’t “great” tend to flow real well with this album as a whole. The core of this album is in “You Do Something to Me,” Weller’s solo magnum opus “Whirlpool’s End,” and, of course, the gospel piano track “Wings of Speed.” I remember listening to “Wings” when I was a wee lad. I hadn’t heard anything like it. Its gospel swagger (which was something I never would have termed it years ago) was captivating. I think I downloaded it on Napster or Kazaa. That’s how much impact it had on me. It’s still such a touching ditty.
Grade: A- (90)
Hicks Vid of the Day
“If you don’t think drugs have done good things for us, then take all of your records, tapes and CD’s and burn them. Cause you know what? The musicians that made all that great music that has enhanced your life over the years… REAL FUCKING HIGH ON DRUGS.”
7″ Review: “Night Jogger”
Artist: Those Darlins and The Funstix
Label: Oh Wow Dang
Side A: “Night Jogger”- Let me first say this is a tad bit more adventerous in sound for the Darlins, which is a good thing. If you’re big into their country sound (which I am) you may or may not dig this. I mean this still retains a lot of country elements, but it’s not as evident as their previous works. Either way, I’d like to see them expand into new territory. This song has a great groove and is almost modest in a sense; just like a layed back, slick, cool song, not too wild or attention grabbing and yet you can still dance to it. The vocals are what we have come to expect from the group and they are as solid as ever. Not my favorite from them, but it’s still a good song.
Grade: 8/10
Side B: “Funstix Party”- This is the better of the two songs: a rowdy, rockin and rollin, female King Khan BBQ number (lyrically anyway). This has a great blend of country-Darlins styled vocals with garage punk (I know I hate using the broad label too, but it really works here) production: jangely guitars, a nice little solo section, and pounding drums. It’s heavier than the A Side and in my opinion is much funner. I can picture this being a great song to mosh and sing along to live. The lyrics are humorous and licentious, which is always a pleasure- “I’ll bring the pussy you bring the dicks. FUNSTIX PARTY! FUNSTIX PARTY!” Now, that’s what I like to hear!
Grade: 9/10
Overall Grade: B+
Once again, Those Darlins will be playing in Boston at T.T. the Bears on Friday, September 17. I can’t wait! And if you are not in the Boston/New England area, then check around, since the Darlins are on tour right now and very well could be hitting up a club near you.
NEW THOSE DARLINS 7″!
Here’s the link for the new Those Darlins 7″. Hope y’all enjoy! A review will be a comin’ prolly tomorrow.
http://thosedarlins.com/promo/- “Night Jogger” and “Funstix Party” by The Funstix (this is their debut!) The Funstix are TD Members Jessi Darlin and Linwood Regensburg.
Those Darlins will be arriving in Boston, on tour with The Strange Boys and Gentlemen Jesse and His Men, at T.T. the Bears on Friday, September 17.
Children’s Parties
Parents! If you’re looking for entertainment for your son or daughter’s birthday party, look no further than Max Hardcore.
Of course you will have to wait till he is released from prison…
History Lesson Part III
“Mr. Narrator this is Bob Dylan to me.”- “History Lesson Part II” by the Minutemen.
One time somebody said to me “If you had a million dollars I bet you would use it to meet all of your favorite Rock bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc.” I don’t know how this would work lol, but the point is like the idea of me being wealthy, meeting my favorite artists would be some sort of rare, extravagant concept. Well, it’s true Floyd and Zep are old faves of mine, but with the top bands I hold near and dear to me, I have met most of them, even if just for a few moments. I guess what I’m getting at here is that it fucking rules to be a fan of mostly underground music because chiefly it’s quality art, but also the privilege of seeing numerous fantastic performances and having the pleasure to possibly chat with the creators is not rare or foreign like it is for the Big Stars.
Quote of the Evening
“Four years ago I was lost. I saw kids get around black lights. I saw girls take aerosol spray and spray it down their throat!”
Song of the Day
This is for those that lost their lives on 9/11 and to those that lost their loved ones.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 