Sunday, January 29, 2006

What I'm Listening to Now

Winter 2006 List Flat
Ok, this is the first shot at a legitimate Blogger entry, so we'll see how it goes.
It's been a weird winter (it's a balmy 65 degrees as I write this), so it would stand to reason that I'd compile a strange mix CD to go with it. If the Fall '05 compilation was the "Greatest Hits", the Winter '06 is definitely the B-Sides and Rarities. I was getting drunk on bourbon while I was fleshing out the play list for this one; and it shows: This one's chock full 'o' covers (7), has a lot of out of print (or never in print) tracks, and has one of the most unconventional songs I have ever heard stuck right in the middle (track 12). I love it. Get it while you can, because there won't be another one like this for awhile.
Shoot me an e-mail (to my Gmail account) with your mailing address & I'll send you out this mix CD free of charge - If you sent me your address for the Xmas mix, just shoot me an e-mail letting me know that you want one (I found that address list). If you don't have my Gmail address, just hum the following songs to yourself:
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1. Bad Religion - Chasing the Wild Goose
from the unreleased 1983 Album "Into the `Unknown"
"Into the Unknown" is the stuff of legends. Back in '83 Bad Religion went to record the follow-up to '82's "How Could Hell Be Any Worse" - Things got bad. They decided to go more "experimental" for their sophomore effort. By the end of recording half of the members had been replaced to finish , and Bad Religion had officially disbanded (the band returned with '87's "Suffer").
Well, story is that they did a one-time pressing of this album - after it got trashed in the press, they warehoused all the copies. Fast forward to the early '90s when BR is one of the biggest independent bands out there: A girlfriend of one of the band members breaks into the warehouse and begins to sell off the "lost" album for big money.
I came across a copy of the album a few years back, and I actually really like this track. Don't ask about the rest of the LP though.
2. Built to Spill - You Were Right
from the 1999 album "Keep it Like a Secret"
Q: What's better than a good rock&roll cliche? A: A song comprised entirely of classic rock&roll cliches.
3. Neko Case - Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis
from the 2000 tribute album "A New Coat of Paint"
A great Tom Waits cover from a rather good tribute album. Ms. Case does one hell of a job on this one, Good stuff.
4. Deminer - Chicago Ave.
From the 2003 release "Woes and So's"
Our buddy, Miguel, left Armchair Martian and landed in Chicago. This is his band - it rocks (hard).
5. The Dickies - Gigantor
from the 1979 release "Dawn of the Dickies"
Gigantor, Gigantor, Gigantor.
Gigantor the space aged robot, He is at your command.
Gigantor the space aged robot, His power is in your hand.
Bigger than big, taller than tall, Quicker than quick, stronger than strong.
Ready to fight for right, against wrong.
Gigantor, Gigantor, Gigantor.
6. Dwarves - FEFU
from the 2004 album "The Dwarves Must Die"
If you play the Gigantor cover for your children, please make sure to turn of the CD player before this gem kicks in... For good measure you should probably also douse said CD player with Holy Water, bash it with a bat, and shoot it several times.
7. Even in Blackouts - One Fine Day
from the 2005 album "Zeitgeist's Echo"
A great cover of the karaoke standard from Chicago's premier acoustic post-punk combo.
8. Groovie Ghoulies - The Highwayman
from the 2000 Album "Travels With My Amp"
One of the best road-trip songs that I can think of.
9. Laibach - Final Countdown
from the 2004 compilation "Anthems"
Making the Europe cover more"European". Just close your eyes and you'll be back in that Berlin discotech wedged between the midget and the drag-queen.
10. Love - Alone Again Or
from the 1968 release "Forever Changes"
A while back Ed and the Old Dog were selling me on this band. I finally got around to picking up a couple of their albums. Thanks guys.
11.Loretta Lynn - God Makes No Mistakes
from the 2004 release "Van Lear Rose"
A great track from the superb album (produced by Jack White) ". Although I disagree with the premise of the song; how could I possibly not love the lyric"...why is this little baby born all twisted and out of shape"? Unlike God, Mr. White fucked up good and cut the end off this song in the mix. The abrupt ending works well with the beginning of the next song, though. Alphabetical order to the rescue!
12. Manorexia - Ataxia
from the 2002 release "The Radiolarian Ooze"
YOUR CD PLAYER ISN'T SKIPPING. THE SONG IS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. A 12 minute long discordian masterpiece. I really wanted to put this on the Fall comp, but traded it out with the Steroid Maximus track. Same guy: JG Thirlwell (Foetus). This is the most interesting song I've heard in years, I can't get enough. I keep listening to this track over, and over, and over again - then Drinky Joe hides in the basement.
13. McLusky - Alan is a Cowboy Killer
from the 2002 release "McLusky Do Dallas"
More rocking goodness from Steve Albini's pet Scotsmen... You were such an ugly child.
14. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Over the Rainbow
from the 1999 album "Are A Drag"
This one goes out to Gundy - They just released the TV show "Undeclared" on DVD, it was by the same guys who did "Freaks and Geeks" and kind of picked up where the other left off. Gundy loved it. This cover was the theme.
15. Nerfherder - High School
from the 2000 release "My EP"
These are the things WE ALL wish we knew in high school.
16. New Black - Angel with Cockroach Wings
from the 2004 album "New Black"
Another newer Chicago band. Catchy.
17. Pizzacatto Five - Baby Love Child
from the 1994 album "Made in USA"
This CD languished on my shelf for over a decade, then I saw an episode of "Futurama" that used this track for a montage (The one with Leela growing up). Now I can't stop listening to it... and it is abundantly clear to everyone what a big weenie I am. Did I just think that or type it? Dammit.
18. Elvis Presley - In the Ghetto
from the 2002 compilation "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits"
One day I'll make it through this song without giggling; at which time the stars will promptly fall into the sea and Hell will freeze over.
19. Ramones - Swallow My Pride
from the 1977 album "Leave Home"
I've been on a huge Ramones kick lately. Here's one of my favorites.
20. Screeching Weasel - You Are My Sunshine
from the 2000 compilation "Thank You Very Little"
An off-key rendition of a hackneyed prairie tune. I have no fucking idea why I like this cover, all I know is that I do. There's something so raw and honest in this version that it really gets to me. Jesse Michaels (of Operation Ivy fame) joins in on background vocals.
21. Jason Webley - Music That Puts Everything Together
from the 2004 release "Only Just Beginning"
This guy puts out THE BEST drinkin' albums. He's playing a free show on February 10th at AU here in DC - any takers?
22. Panzah Zandahz - Creep
from the 2005 release "Me and This Army"
Another mash-up artist. I really wanted to put a Dean Gray track on this comp, but couldn't due to "format issues". This'll have to do. Think Radiohead fronted by Stephen Hawking.
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Well there it is - All bask in its glory. The e-mail lines are open and I'm now accepting requests.
(Thanx to The Girl for the happy crap drawings on the rear sleeve.)

Monday, January 09, 2006

Lies and Exaggerations II

Welcome to the new L&E site.

I left MSN Spaces for Blogger due to censorship issues, slow load times, a buggy interface, and failure of the MSN blog to play nice with any computer that isn't running a Windows OS (esp. those damned Fruitputers).

I'm keeping my old MSN space as an archive for March '05 - January '06. The old stuff can be accessed HERE.