9-14-09

In anticipation of the slight cash infusion around the end of the month I pre-ordered and received the Beatles Stereo box set. And in a fit of complete selfishness I also ordered the Beatles Rock Band (with the generic RB instruments, not the specialized Beatles ones).

I've spent a good portion of the weekend enjoying each item. As I write this "Good Day Sunshine" is coming from the bedroom stereo. Earlier today I began adapting to the Hard level of drumming on Beatles RB. I also watched the documentary DVD included with the box. All thoroughly enjoyable.

I once owned all the Beatles discs but relinquished them for personal reasons. I've been waiting to get them for several years, since a planned remaster/reissue campaign was mentioned. I've had some poor digital copies of the albums and the "1" disc to tide me over. It's nice to be able to pull out any one of their classic albums when I want. Comforting in a bizarre way.

Perusing their catalog (discs or RB) reminds me how influential they were and remain on so many artists I love. As my last post mentioned I've been going nuts for XTC lately. The Beatles influence is overwhelming in their case. Thankfully Andy and Colin were inspired and creative enough to create something their own, original in it's own way. Listening to the Jellyfish now I not only hear the Beatles/Beach Boys influence but the XTC influence.

I love the Beatles music. I love the mythology that's built up around them too. I can read about it anytime. I enjoyed the Anthology series and was glued to the set when they came on.

Bye.

9-9-09

IN honor of the Beatles catalog reissue today I listened to XTC, Jellyfish, and The Major Labels. Each of these bands (especially the first two) have honored the Beatles by creating music that to my ears has as much integrity, ingenuity, and unbridled fun as the Fab Four's ever did.

My pre-ordered copy of the Beatles Stereo Box should be here by Tuesday of next week. I'll begin re-examining the catalog at that time. I'm anticipating Jennifer's reaction. In many cases it will be her first time hearing a number of the tunes. The early albums (up to Help!) will hold some surprises for me as I become reacquainted to their charms. I also wonder how they will sound since I've become enamored with the Kinks since my last serious foray into early Beatles albums. I marvel that one band reached stratospheric levels of popularity while the other created equally amazing music but struggled to maintain their popularity.

From XTC's "Oranges & Lemons" - "Mayor of Simpleton", "King For A Day", and "Merely A Man" are in rotation today.


*** *** *** *** ***

Rather than focus on a single day I like to spread out my birthday celebration by allotting more money to the month's entertainment funds.

Already this month Jenn and I saw "Fight Club", "Thirst", and "District 9". Tomorrow night I'm headed back to the Landmark to see "Thirst" once again. (Yes, it was that good). This weekend we're going back to the Plaza Theatre to see the double feature of the 1968 version of "Night of the Living Dead" and "Return of the Living Dead". We anticipate seeing "The Invention of Lying" on our anniversary, "Serenity", and possibly "9" and "The Informant!" (waiting for word of mouth on those).

It's been a good year for our cinematic treks. I hope the enjoyment continues into October with the Coen Brothers "A Serious Man" and the re-release of the "Toy Story" movies.

We'll fill in the entertainment time gaps with Beatles Rock Band, belting out those familiar harmonies with abandon. And a few beers.

12-30-07

I was treated to a free CD at B&N last week. I picked up the Kink's "The Kink Kronikles". This set has barely left my CD player since then. I wish I would have purchased this or something else a long time ago. The ironic thing about my choice is I had the Kink's "State of Confusion" cassette when it came out in 1983. It was one of the first cassettes I was given after I got my little tape deck. My brother made fun of me for liking it, which in retrospect seems kind of odd. I suppose when someone is only listening to Van Halen and Motley Crue all the time "Come Dancing" sounds silly.
The first track, "Victoria", I am familiar with through a cover version by the Hanson Brothers (not the boy band from the 90's, the punk spinoff of NoMeansNo). Other than that I'd only heard "Lola" (one of the best songs ever written!). So when I say that there is not a bad track on the 2 discs you know there's a lot of good stuff on there. I've love "Apeman", "God's Children", "Berkley Mews", "Holiday in Waikiki", and "King Kong".

Other than that been enjoying one of my Christmas gifts. Jenn got me Nikki Sixx's (Motley Crue's bass player/primary songwriter) book "The Heroin Diaries". It's a fascinating read and a great layout, including his Sixx's diary entries day by day with commentary by the author and others who were close to him at the time. The strangest of all is the Evangelist Denise Matthews (formerly known as Vanity). She was part of Prince's entourage back in the 80's. Now she's an evangelist. Every listing in the book has her as "The Evangelist Denise Matthews". All of her entries are like a new Christians' attempt to convert the reader. I don't know that they add any insight to the book. I wonder if Sixx allowed all those entries just to show how bizarre she is (whether she's hooked on crack or Jesus). I'm almost tempted to skip her entries each time I get to one.

10-31-07

Saw the New Pornographers last night with the full lineup. Outstanding show. They are at the pinnacle as far as power pop goes. They are the band that you and I should be listening to when we turn on the radio. Unfortunately this is not the case.

And I also heard Emma Pollock. Had no idea who she was until last night. Former vocalist for the Delgados. She was great too. After the show I picked up her solo album from the merch table and asked her to 'personalize' it for me. I meant to ask her if she was familiar with another of my favorite pop bands, the Trashcan Sinatras (since she and they are from Scotland). Completely forgot when I met her though.

Immaculate Machines opened the show. Also very good.

In the meantime I've linked the video of the New Pornographers video for the title track from their new album, "Challengers". Enjoy.

10-29-07

Listening to the Ramones. Almost non-stop, if it weren't for the New Pornographers show I'm looking forward to tomorrow night.

Specifically their last album, !Adios Amigos!. I'm in shock at how much I love the album. After feeling somewhat let down by Mondo Bizarro and not liking Acid Eaters at all I ignored their final effort. I'm glad in a way. It's given me something new to enjoy. I find it strange that an album release over 10 years ago and considered mediocre from such an amazing band can still be better than a lot of what is released today. And ironies of ironies, after releasing an entire album of cover tunes they kick off !Adios Amigos! with one of their best and most powerful covers, Tom Waite's "I Don't Wanna Grow Up".

10-6-07

It's been non-stop Ramones lately. It started a few weeks ago when Ramones Fan #1 at work told me about a one night only screening of a 90 minute cut of "It's Alive" at the Landmark.
Right now I'm rocking to Brain Drain, the album that introduced me to them.
Earlier today Jenn and I listed to Rocket to Russia. This one's been in heavy rotation for the last couple of weeks. Too many classics to name! I could just give the track list. "Rockaway Beach", We're A Happy Family", "Do You Wanna Dance", "Surfin' Bird", etc, etc. Oh, and of course the AMAZING track "Slug". That's such a good track. I asked RF#1 why it was only a demo. He said that Joey wrote it for a magazine. Apparently the song was intended to be programmed into some old computer system. When written a midi-sounding version of the song would play with a digital slug going across the screen. Of course he has a copy of the code but no emulator to generate the rarity.

Of course the ST album has been getting rotation. I pick up the Strat and plug it into my little practice amp and hit it. A real workout trying to keep up with Johnny. Forget trying to play with the live stuff. I can't do it.


Last Monday, RF#1, myself, and another guy from work sat back and with a couple of cold ones and enjoyed the poorly attended, foot stompin' world premier/final showing of "It's Alive" on the big screen. I left the theater rocking out to "I Wanna Be Sedated" and thinking the Ramones might just be the best American rock band there ever was (and ever will be!).

I was fortunate enough to see them twice before the inevitable end. Once in Panama City Beach at a club and in New Orleans opening for Pearl Jam. I didn't even stay for Pearl Jam, though they were the act I originally wanted to see. It was raining, miserable, and a friend got puked on.

And in the spirit of the Ramones, I've also been longing for this CD of which I currently only possess a handful of tracks: ....."took her apart cause she broke my heart".....

New Josh Ritter is pretty good. He's becoming more polished. I like it. I know some people love the raw singer/songwriter with his acoustic guitar. That's fine, but I can only take so much of that. I'm an unabashed pop music fan.

Today I was listening from some of my favorite tracks from Patty Griffin's 1,000 Kisses. "Rain" and "Long Ride Home" are amazing.


And for good measure, I'm enjoying Abita's seasonal Pecan brew and listening to Sex Packets, the legendary debut from Digital Underground.