Twelve Songs I'm Constantly Listening to These Days

So I've been a bit busy with work these days.  Primarily I've been going back into my Portable CD case and listening to all of those albums I've reviewed but haven't had time to listen to further.  It's not like I have drafts of 11 reviews I just don't have time to get around to.  That would just be silly.

Another setback with reviews is a purely technical issue.  Simply put:  I can't get any of my reviews off the device I recorded them on, except to re-do them all by hand.  Very annoying.  If any of you have experience with this particular issue, I would really appreciate any support you could offer.  It's called the "Portable Analog Pulp Enhanced Rewriteable" device ("Paper" for short).  I can't even find an interface on this sucker for the life of me, and my penmanship is TERRIBLE.  Perfect storm.

In and around the Portable CD listening, there are a few songs that have caught my attention and grabbed hold.  Here they are (as always) in alphabetical list form:

1. The Beatings - "Other Side" (2002) -- I could not find a clip for this one.  But let me tell you, it is GOOD.  Also, I think this is NOT the Boston group The Beatings, as I could not find this song on their website.  If anyone knows more, please comment below or email me.

2. Beulah - "Sunday Under Glass" (1999).  Purty.

3. Black Breath - "Murder" (2008).  For Bubba and Scott K. mainly. Enjoy the screaming!

4. Devo - "Post-Post-Modern Man" (1990).  This one was sparked by Ben and Robyn's marital music issues.  Good times.

5. Gang of Four - "I Love a Man in Uniform" (2005).  This is the Return the Gift version, which begs the question as to why they did not record the original this way.  Awesome.

  

6. Gem - "Only a Loan" (1995).  Rawk.

7. Joy Division - "Digital" (1979).  So I'm a little late to the entire Joy Division catalog (despite Yves and Scott B. pushing me in that direction with various albums to listen to). Don't look at me like that.  

8. The Kills - "Future Starts Slow" (2011).  Once every few years, I hear a song on a television show that makes me immediately run to iTunes.  So thank you to Person of Interest for this one.  Now get rid of Shah and get on with it.

9. Lush - "Light from a Dead Star" (1994).  Haunting.

10. North Atlantic Oscillation - "One Good Reason" (2012).  This is a Bob Mould cover, and if you didn't think there was going to be at least one Bob Mould-related item in this list, you have not been paying attention.  (And for the record, Bob Mould is Bob Mould.)  

11. Andy Taylor - "When the Rain Comes Down" (1986).  Miami Vice meets Duran Duran, yo.  In 1987, I bought Andy Taylor's solo album Thunder on cassette, think that "Thunder" was the meteorlogical hit that I was into.  Wrong.  Of course, it only took me 25 years to realize this song was the soundtrack-only cut I loved at the time.  Who the hell releases two rain-related songs in two years?  Asshole.

12. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - "Under the Hedge" (2001). The song actually ends at 3:15.  But it is the best thing I have ever heard them do, and probably where I start and stop with this band.  (Sorry, Denis.)

- Snilch

The One I Wrote on Painkillers and Really Didn't Proofread

My buddy Jamie is letting me go through his CD collection -- it's quite large; he may have more CD's than I do.  Post 1 was about The Dead Milkmen; I've condensed the rest into one additional handy dandy post, mainly because I could not bring myself to write three and I was feeling somewhat lazy.  Also, as the title indicates, I am on painkillers at the moment as I'm laid up.


And just because they're old... well, they're new to me.  So leave me alone.  You too, collapsing walls and increasing paranoia.


Disclaimer:  I really didn't edit this one much, so there are some dumb moments and some clever ones.  I think they're mainly dumb, but honestly have no idea.  And I left some things in that I never would, although I did do a spell check.  I wrote A LOT.  Good luck.

In alphabetical order:

• Big Country - Steeltown (1984).  IMHO, the Scottish band Big Country had two great albums:  1986's The Seer (their third album) and 1999's Driving to Damascus (their last before lead singer Stuart Adamson's suicide in 2001).  Steeltown was the followup to their debut The Crossing (which featured the timeless classic "In a Big Country").  Steeltown in the US was a colossal failure, and an the end of Big Country as a viable commercial entity.  In the UK, it spawned three top 40 hits.  So who was right?  In the case, the UK.  This band was so underrated, as was drummer Mark Brzezicki, who I first saw on my freshman roommate Sean's Beta (!) recording of him as a teenager playing for Pete Townsend.  I have not had much human contact today. Verdict:  Portable CD Case.
• The Call - sorry, this album was from Scott.  Wrong post.
• The Cure - Disintegration (1989).  I would never normally admit this, but seriously the only reason I have any interest in this is that in the South Park "Mega Streisand" episode where Stan (or Kyle) calls this the best album ever.  This is where I find my music:  from throwaway cartoon endorsements.  This album makes me sad.  But it is really good.  (Now that's insight!)  I always liked "Fascination Street" and "Lullaby."  The album is surprisingly thoughtful and delicate.  Surprising to me, anyways.  Okay, now I'm babbling.  Verdict:  Portable CD Case.
• Devo - Smooth Noodle Maps (1990).  Random question that just occurred to me:  What are toast points?  Aren't they just toast?  (I am in a weird spot at the moment.)  Anyways, Devo's eighth album in a thirteen year period, his was the last album in Devo's long run of commercial output (before reuniting to create 2010's Something for Everybody).  Any Devo fans who didn't already hate me (and I know some that do) will undoubtedly feel that way before this review is complete.  This sounds like "Weird Al" Yankovic got together with Depeche Mode and tried to make a serious but ironic album.  This is where it turns ugly for Devo fans:  I think it works.  (I'm guessing they view this album like the part of the family tree where Cousin Molly married Uncle Ron.)  Yes, I like it and I don't care.  I am not trying to be clever, but I can't help it:  I am really craving a grilled cheese right now and wondering if it can be made with toast points. (Moment of lucidity:  Aren't you glad I left all these gems in?) Verdict:  Portable CD Case.
• Devo - Now It Can Be Told:  DEVO at the Palace 12/9/88 (1989).  One of those great albums that captures a moment in time, with a band hitting on all cylinders.  Simply put:  a great live album.  I may be turning into a Devo fan.  Verdict:  Portable CD Case.
• Gem - Hexed (1995).  Guided by Voices guitarist Doug Gillard formed this band in 1995, prior to joining GBV.  Okay, so the lyrics are a bit repetitive.  But the music -- particularly the guitar playing -- is fantastic.  Which is fortunate on standouts like "Only a Loan" and "I Hate It," with doctorate-level guitar work and grade-school dropout level lyrics.  But it rawks, dude.  Totally.  Verdict:  Portable CD Case.
• The Golden Palominos - This Is How It Feels (1993), Pure (1994).  Most famous for their guest-star laden albums (e.g., Michael Stipe, John Lydon, Richard Thompson, Mick Taylor, and Bob Mould, to name a few), this band is the brainchild of ex-Feelies and Bob Mould band drummer Anton Fier.  These two albums  are their best, IMHO; they sound the most like a band, lightly touching on pop, soft indie rock, dance, and even a bit of ambient.  Ironically, these are the two least star-studded albums of the catalog; only Bootsy Collins is along for this one.  This Is How It Feels teeters on the brink of being trite inanity throughout, but stays on the right side of edginess throughout.  If I didn't know better, I might identify the band as Texas.  Pure is more of the same and perhaps even better.  I could listen to both of these all day when in that ambient/trippy/poppy mood.  Of course, the next album was a different lineup altogether and the end of the Palominos.  Maybe they should have gone for album #3 with this group.  Nice decision, assholes.  Verdict:  TIHIF - Portable CD Case; Pure - Car CD Changer.
• Ladytron - Light and Magic (2002).  This electronic quartet's 2nd album (they just released their sixth in 2011) is marked by an edge and groove that a lot of electronica lacks, IMHO, as well as a lower bpmVerdict:  Portable CD Case.
• The Primitives - Pure (1989).  If you have a female lead singer, name your album Pure.  (If you don't know what I'm talking about, you've been caught skimming this post.)  Some good songs here, but I'm really not sure what I was thinking when I put it into the pile for this list.  Verdict:  Sell-back Pile 1.
• The Psychedlic Furs - World Outside (1991).  I really want to like The Psychedelic Furs.  I really do.  But everything I've ever heard has been hit or miss.  Once again, my guess is true fans of this band will find this a piss-poor offering in their catalog.  It's whiny, nasally, and tuneful in just the appropriate doses.  I wish I had heard it years ago.  Verdict:  Portable CD Case. 
• Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger (1991).  I won't apologize for taking this long to give Soundgarden a real chance; I wasn't ready to listen to them until now.  It's essentially a merciless grunge dirge.  Me likee.  Verdict:  Car CD Changer.
• Stars of Track and Field - Centuries Before Love and War (2006).  These guys were on my radar based on their 2009 track "Racing Lights."  I wish I could describe this album, but I'm seriously loopy at the moment.  I did give a bunch of songs 4 stars, and I have the general impression I enjoyed the album.  So I like it... right?  Verdict:  Who knows?  Definitely worth listening to at the beginning of the pain med cycle, clearly.
• Ultravox - The Collection (1985).  It's an interesting idea to call this album The Collection, considering it completely ignores the band's first three albums, their live album, and their last two releases.  It's a good summary of their four middle albums, and highlights some great pop synth and guitar tracks.  A classic 80's sound for the first half; a little more of other albums would have helped.  Verdict:  CD Rack.
• Suzanne Vega - 99.9 F° (1992).  Why is there no "Insert Symbol" in this blog compose interface?  Would it really be that difficult?  I loved "Luka" (which I'm shocked to realize was released in 1987... I was sure more like 1980 or 1982) and she has a great voice, but I was not a big fan of anything else she did (including Tom's Diner").  "Blood Makes Noise" is simply a phenomenal song, and I'm ready to listen to this now in all the ways I wasn't in 1992.  She really is great at mixing things up musically throughout, and I'm liking this album.  Uneven (e.g., "Fat Man and the Dancing Girl") but good.  Verdict:  Portable CD Case.
• XTC - Oranges and Lemons (1989).  I've taken my sweet damn time getting into XTC but I'm hooked.  I'm not sure why some bands take years and others take minutes to get.  These guys are good, although I'd put a few albums ahead of this one from their catalog; the second half seemed to fall off the cliff (although perhaps that was the momentary lack of pain meds listening).  Thanks to Scott and Barry for encouraging me to get into these guys.  Verdict:  CD Rack.

I'm not sure whether this post shows I'm affected by painkillers or not.  It's probably bad either way.


- Snilch

Downloads Review (a.k.a. "My Bewildering Love of Golden Earring")

I don't want to brag, but I get lots of downloads here.  And some are even free!  Here's a rundown of some of the digital-only items I've recently had the pleasure of listening to:  

No, wait, looks like it will be preceded by a rant. (Yes, I've already ranted about this twice; think of this as the "trilogy that would not finish" ending from Lord of the Rings.)

I've recently been dragged kicking and screaming into the mp3 world.  To my vocabulary this equates to "settling for crappy music that sounds about the same as AM radio."  I will not settle for this -- but I need to recognize that convenience can be a good thing too.

My philosophy is quality over quantity; I'd rather have one great sounding track as opposed to ten that sound like they're coming from the inside of a closet.  When you make a sound file so tiny in order to fit 10,000 of them on your 8GB iPod, you have to keep in mind that you are taking information out of the sound file to make the convenience factor work.  In other words, it's smaller because it's compressed.  Smaller size = greater convenience but (generally) significantly impaired quality.

With that, I've taken the following steps in preparing my digital library for iPod use:

1. Everything on CD is imported via the Apple Lossless codec.  This is a setting on iTunes (Edit > Preferences > General (Tab) > Import Settings (button halfway down the page) > Import Using: [Select Apple Lossless Encoder]) for  importing CD's.  There are consequences to this you should be aware of:
   Pros:  This gives you near CD quality sound (I can't hear the difference) at half the size of .wav files.
   Cons:  Even at half the size, my music collection is almost 300GB.  So it ain't all going on one iPod.  Also, the .mp4a files that your tracks are compressed to are proprietary to Apple, and thus not editable by programs like Soundforge or Easy CD Creator. 
2. I download everything at the highest possible quality.  This is a no-brainer, but you can improve quality significantly at 256 kbps as opposed to the two previous download standards (64 and 128 kbps).  Keep in mind that taking a track from CD and encoding it via Apple Lossless is five times higher quality than if you paid to download the same track at 256 kbps.  That being said, you do the best you can with what you can.  When you can.  Sam I am.  I will not eat green eggs and ham.

Thus endeth the rant.  In alphabetical order:

• Able and Baker - Forever is Fleeting (2008).  I cannot remember where I saw this or who told me to pick this up, but they deserve a thank you.  It's indie rock crossed with either My Bloody Valentine or Longwave.  (Always dangerous to throw out MBV as a reference; those who might still be looking to avoid the genre of "college radio rock" might mistakenly give this a try.  Even though that genre no longer really exists.  But those people should avoid this.  That's quite a long aside, which does not bode well, gentle reader.)  This is excellent stuff from a band that does not appear to exist outside of this great EP; I hope they make more music.  Very smart spacey guitar rock.
  CD Placement rating:  I'm not feeling particularly creative at the moment, so I'm not going to add yet another ratings system to this blog.  So -- Virtual Portable CD Case.  See, I added "Virtual"!  HA HA HA!  Sigh.  Yes, I know that's lame.
  
  
• Devo - Oh No!  It's Devo (1982).  After losing "King Nerd" status by admitting I just picked up my first Devo album last year, Ben suggested I pick this one up, as it's his favorite Devo album.  (I look forward to the endless Devo suggestions that this is bound to produce.)  I can't say that I like this more than Freedom of Choice, but I recognize that I really need to spend some quality time with this band.  The more I listen to them, the more I recognize their wacky genius.  Excelsior!
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case. 
  
  
• Golden Earring - N.E.W.S. (1984).  Sandwiched in the Golden Earring catalog between 1982's Cut (which features "Twilight Zone" but little else) and 1986's The Hole (which I bought for $1.99 on cassette in 1988, thinking it was Cut, and found it to be one of my all-time favorites), it's clear I have a softer spot for this band's 80's output than most Americans.  "Clear Night Moonlight" is a great opening track, and I love the rest of the album.  Should you buy it?  Absolutely not.  It's really not going to do anything for you except lower your opinion of me.  Even I can't defend the the album's title track.  But it doesn't matter.  I  c a n ' t  h e l p  i t.  I have a problem.
  CD Placement rating:  For me, CD Rack (or its equivalent).  For you, buying this would officially ruin any indie cred you ever gave me.  If you did in the first place.
  
  
• The Information - Natural Language EP (2007).  One of my favorite local Boston bands (who I think have broken up).  I own their first EP and album (each of which are great), but I never picked up their last release as it was available in three formats:  flash drive, 8-track (seriously!), and digital download.  This release has a different approach in stretching more towards the synth side of the band, but lead singer and primary songwriter Max Fresen's mix of pathos and vitrol is still there in spades.  I'd call this less poppy than their previous two offerings, but it doesn't matter.  It's great stuff.
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.  Lame.
  
  
• Golden Earring - Keeper of the Flame (1989).  Following 1986's The Hole (which I bought for $1.99 on cassette in 1988, thinking it was Cut, and found it to be one of my all-time favorites)... wait, have I written this already?  Wow, this is embarrassing.  I actually got more than one Golden Earring album?  (In my defense:  they are out of print, you know.)
  CD Placement rating:  For me, CD Rack (or its equivalent).  Once again, not for you.
  
  
• Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke Special Edition (2009).  This I got for free by following Amazon's Twitter postings.  At some point I threw all the albums in this post onto my 8GB iPod and threw it on shuffle.  After a few hours of listening, four songs made me stop what I was doing and take notice -- one by Able and Baker, and three by Ladyhawke.  That's a good sign.  They sound like a mashup of New Young Pony Club, VHS or Beta, Berlin, and Suzanne Vega.  Songs like "My Delirium" are mid-to-up tempo guitar and synth dance perfection; others like "Love Don't Live Here" are smoother and poppier.  There are seriously another 7 tunes which are excellent from this album.  This album has an 80's feel to it, for sure, but doesn't drown itself in it.
  CD Placement rating:  Car CD Changer. Guess I'd better burn it to CD.  
   
• Golden Earring - Prisoner of the Night (1980).  Wait, I actually downloaded THREE Golden Earring albums?  And no "Twilight Zone" or "Radar Love" amongst the lot?  I believe that Mrs. Snilch Report now has irrefutable grounds to become ex-Mrs. Snilch Report.  If that were a legal name, of course.
  CD Placement rating:  Sigh.
  
  
• Mojo Nixon - Bo-Day-Shus!!! (1987).  "If you don't know Mojo Nixon/Your store could use some fixin'."  That lyric by The Dead Milkmen was my only exposure to Mr. Nixon prior to Amazon (once again) supplying this album for free.  Here's what I've learned:  1) he's a novelty act; 2) he's definitely an acquired taste; and 3) it's not one I'll be acquiring anytime soon.  I'll take "Elvis is Everywhere" and dump the rest.
  CD Placement rating:  Sell-back Pile 1.  Although I didn't pay for it, so technically I couldn't sell it back, and I'm just deleting the files, so I couldn't even sell it.  This ratings system is so 2002.
  
  
• Revere - The Great City (2010).  This is another free Amazon download (in fact, an "Amzon mp3 Exclusive"), and is full of toothless venom.  They have effort, but it has no edge to it.  Think a poppier, more sugary John Faye Power Trip.  (I'm guessing only Denis will fully understand that reference.)
  CD Placement rating:  Pile of Digital Death.
  
  
• The Upper Crust - Let Them Eat Rock (1995).  Thanks to Sean for introducing me to this one.  Where Mojo Nixon fails for me, Upper Crust does quite nicely.  Sure, it seems silly that four guys should dress up as 17th (or 18th?) Century nobles, singing songs like "Let Them Eat Rock," which (as it suggests) is a play on "Let Them Eat Cake," but that's my kind of humor.  They cross the lines in just great ways, but their music is actually great as well.  I'd love to know if anyone else has picked up any of their other four (!) albums.  These guys rule.
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.  I am so inadequate.

- Snilch

It's a Roundup!

Here are a bunch of albums that I've checked out recently. In alphabetical order:

• Arrested Development - The Best of Arrested Development (2005). This is one of those "oh, they did that song too?" albums. I bought this cheap for "Tennessee," lucked into "Mr. Wendal" and "Revolution," and ended up with a nice collection of songs from a talented and long-forgotten rap/soul group from the early 90's. I'll get more out of this than I paid for it. Not worth it for fans, great if you want an overview of the band.
  CD Placement rating: CD Rack.
• Brendan Boogie Band - Disposable Pop (2008). Once again, if you send me your CD, I will review it. (Perhaps not in a timely fashion, but I will eventually get to it.) First of all -- the CD design and concept (it looks like a Bazooka Joe Gum CD sleeve) is one of the most eye-catching ones you'll see. Very cool. And the songs live up to the album title: it is "disposable pop" in many ways. It's got good harmonies, smart melodies, and pop-smart lyrics, and a good bit of self-effacing humor to boot, plus, it's always helpful to have a standout tune, and "Pharmaceuticals" fits the bill. I'd like some more variety in their sound, and they can be a little paint-by-numbers at times, but in the end it's still fun pop, and better than just "disposable." That's good enough for me to keep it.
  CD Placement rating: CD Rack.
• Devo - Freedom of Choice (1980). Now despite the fact that my man Sean has "D-E-V-O" tattooed to his fingers... sadly, I had never listened to this album before I went to pick him up at the airport en route to our buddy Scott's surprise 40th birthday party. (My indie cred just took a serious hit, I know.) This is a great album; but "Whip It" and "Girl U Want" alone are worth the price of admission. I'm glad I picked up this old chestnut from Akron's finest.
  CD Placement rating: Portable CD Case.
  
• Buddy Holly - The Definitive Collection (2006). We all know that Buddy Holly died in the plane crash that also killed the Big Bopper and Richie Valens in 1959. Even though I've been listening to him since I was six, I never realized his "career" lasted a little under 18 months, and that he was 22 (and Valens 17) when they died. Despite that, his creative influence on rock n' roll was huge in that very short period of time -- allmusic.com calls Holly "the single most influential creative force in early rock & roll." This is a great retrospective or introduction.
  CD Placement rating: Portable CD Case.
• Parts & Labor - Receiver (2008). This one was recommended by Dan. I first heard this in the car and couldn't see what he was talking about, other than "Nowhere's Nigh." The big stereo revealed "The Ceasing Now" and "Wedding in a Wasteland"... and a good, low-to-mid tempo, layered indie rock offering with a lot of interesting sounds. As much as I was ready to kick this to the curb, it turns out I can't. Thanks, Dan!
  CD Placement rating: Portable CD Case. Who knew?
  
• U2 - No Line on the Horizon (2008). Full disclosure: I have not been a fan of any album by U2 since Achtung Baby. They do remain one of my all-time favorites, and I have really liked some of their songs in the interim; they just moved in one direction while I moved in another. After listening to this in the car, I came to the conclusion that this one was doing nothing to change my opinion. I even wrote the review prior to the final big stereo listen -- conclusion: Pile of Death. Midway through the opening track on the home speakers, Mrs. Snilch and I had the same thought: this is much better than either of us had heard on the radio or in the car. I love surprises like this. This will not make you forget The Joshua Tree -- it definitely has its flaws -- but it is a good album. I'll take that, and keep it.
  CD Placement rating: Rises out of the Pile of Death and into the CD Rack.

- Snilch