Bad Company — Straight Shooter

• Artist: Bad Company
• Title: Straight Shooter
• Year: 1975
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1999? – Used, maybe Record Mart in Alexandria, VA
• Keeper: Yes

Straight Shooter is another great sounding record by Bad Company, but I don’t think it’s as good their self-titled debut. That said, it does have my favorite Bad Company song, “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” I can’t seem to play that song loud enough. Those guitars are so crunchin’, the drums so cracking, and the sparse lead guitar accents sound so fat and huge I just want more. I’m a sucker for the pretty verse then heavy chorus thing. Another great one is “Shooting Star.” “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” is a distant third to those but it’s fun to listen to, maybe because I remember it from the radio when I was a kid.

There are only eight songs on Straight Shooter and the other five are pretty forgettable. I’ve played this record a lot and I can’t remember them, so, it must be true.

AC/DC — Back in Black

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Back in Black
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: I really don’t know…
• Keeper: Yes

Even I’m Heavy Duty! needs a vacation occasionally, but we’re starting back with a winner: AC/DC’s Back in Black. Most folks probably think this one is their best record, but to me it’s a close second to Highway to Hell.

Between the all black album cover and Brian Johnson’s over-the-top lyrics if I didn’t know this was AC/DC I’d be tempted to think this record was a Spinal Tap tribute. Except that the music is infinitely better and Spinal Tap didn’t come out until four years later. My friend Gary’s favorite Spinal Tap moment is the lyric “Let me cut your cake with my knife.” Pretty hard to beat that one.

Back in Black would rate a 10 in my book just for the title track alone, but it also contains the classics “Hells Bells” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Some other favorites of mine are “Have a Drink on Me” and the corny-titled, but hard rocking album closer “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”

Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction — Planet Girl

Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction -- Planet Girl

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction
• Title: Planet Girl
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it at our store, RIP Records, in Norfolk, VA
• Keeper: No

Here we go again. More Zodiac. This process of weeding out is a good thing. Who needs all these 12 inch singles? When it comes to Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction I definitely have a lot of stuff I would never listen to again if it weren’t for this web log. Zodiac is kind of like Motorhead to me. You gotta have some of it, but after a couple essential pieces the rest is really not necessary.

“Planet Girl (Invader Mix)” is typical Zodiac and two other songs here are typical Zodiac b-side filler. By that I mean they sound like half-developed demos. Those songs are “Dog Face Driver” and “Go Go Baby Dream Show.” Another decent track is a cover of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” The Cult had also covered this song on Electric. A note below the title on the back cover declares “This track was recorded in a fit of childish petulance with the specific intention of making The Cult look like a pile of shit.” Okay.

Joe Satriani — Dreaming #11

• Artist: Joe Satriani
• Title: Dreaming #11
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Dreaming #11 by Joe Satriani is an EP that had one new studio track, “The Crush of Love”, and three live tracks on the flip. “Ice Nine”, one of my Satch favorites, “Memories” and “Hordes of Locusts” are the live numbers and they make it clear what a true maestro Satriani is. That said, despite being shred-tastic this stuff just doesn’t have the soulfulness of my new héroes de la guitarra, Rodgab. I went right back to playing their new album when this one was done.

The Leather Nun — Force of Habit

• Artist: The Leather Nun
• Title: Force of Habit
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1987 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Yeah, I don’t really know much about The Leather Nun. I thought they were interesting back then because they had a hard rock edge when there wasn’t enough of that around. I would’ve guessed Force of Habit was their only album, but it’s not. If I remember correctly the pseudo-political “Pink House” was a college radio alterna-hit. I got to see them open for someone, can’t remember the headliner now, at the Richmond Mosque. Maybe I’m imagining the whole show.

Anyhow, Wikipedia describes the band as “Sweden’s dark answer to ABBA.” There’s even a cover of ABBA’s “Gimme Gimme Gimme” on side two. Singer Jonas Almqvist is really more of a talker, and the lyrics are… eh. The music is interesting, but I don’t think it’s a keeper. Is it?

Gaye Bykers on Acid — Everythang’s Groovy

• Artist: Gaye Bykers on Acid
• Title: Everythang’s Groovy
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1986 – When I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Live from Fayetteville, NC… where Gaye Bykers on Acid were hugely popular in the late 1980s. Who remembers Grebo? Raise your hands. OK, well I do, and GBOA was one of the first bands on the scene. The scene was possibly more about visual style than sound. The GBOA sound was a mash up resulting in a type of psychedelic punk rock. For a time I was really into the band. I think this three song record was their first noteworthy release. When I played it again the other for the first time in a long while I have to admit that I wasn’t that excited by it. After a couple days though, the lead track, “Everythang’s Groovy”, is still stuck in my head. I have a story about seeing them live that I’ll save for later.

More about Gaye Bykers on Acid and Grebo.

Bad Company — Bad Company

• Artist: Bad Company
• Title: Bad Company
• Year: 1974
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2005? I think this one was inherited from Bob Bobala
• Keeper: Yes

Bad Company is one of the coolest band names ever. If these guys weren’t already rock stars before they started this super group (Free, King Crimson, Mott the Hoople) they would’ve been after this debut. Bad Company contains the huge hits “Can’t Get Enough”, “Rock Steady”, “Ready for Love”, “Movin’ On”, and, my favorite, the title track “Bad Company.” When Simon Kirke double flams on the snare to kick-off the chorus on “Bad Company” I get a rush because that sound is so cracking! And the bass and guitar sound huge too. It’s impressive that anyone could get such a tight, dry sound to also be so titanic. That the band members produced the album is incredible. Young producers, and musicians, should study these albums.

There’s more about Bad Company at Wikipedia.

On the band portait inside the gatefold cover someone wrote “W F” and circled it on Paul Rodgers forehead. What’s that about Bob?

AC/DC — Highway to Hell

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Highway to Hell
• Year: 1979
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Used somewhere, not sure when
• Keeper: Yes

Despite what you fans of the Brian Johnson-era think, you know who you are, Highway to Hell was the peak for AC/DC. It’s unfortunate that it was also the end of the Bon Scott-era, and Bon Scott the man. But what a way to go out! The album opens with the title track and a classic bare bones Angus Young riff, followed by one of the greatest kick drum sounds ever recorded. “Highway to Hell” goes on for two verses with nothing but one guitar, drums and vocals. That simple sound is so rocking though, and what’s better is that you know they are holding back until the chorus. After that one ends and you’re looking for your socks they kick into the more frantic “Girls Got Rhythm.” There are some other hits and plenty of great songs on the rest of the album. One of my favorites is the side two opener, “Shot Down in Flames.” Another great one is “Touch Too Much.” It contains these amusing lyrics:

She had the face of an angel
Smiling with sin
A body of Venus with arms

Who knows if Bon Scott was trying to be funny with that? Either way, it’s hilarious.

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction — Planet Girl Picture Disc

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction -- Planet Girl Picture Disc

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction
• Title: Planet Girl Picture Disc
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 10 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Probably at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

I selected “Vinyl 10 in.” for the format on this one but I suppose it depends on how you measure it. This Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction single “Planet Girl” is a solid rocker. The flipside song “Dog Face Driver” is a lot more electronic, like it’s a demo, but not bad. The most interesting part is the most obvious: a picture disc that’s also cut in the shape of a cross. One-time fanatic that I was of course I had to have this. Now, I don’t know. I think these versions of both songs are on other records I have. And who wants to be a completist? That’s for nerds. Weeding out my record collection in public in nerdy enough.

Van Halen — 1984

Van Halen -- 1984

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: 1984
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Not sure when, bought it used at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA
• Keeper: Yes

Guess when this record came out. Incorrect! Or maybe, correct! I don’t know. Everything on the record and sleeve says 1983, but according to some sites it was January, 1984. Anyhow, what’s more important is that this was the last Van Halen record with my hero Diamond Dave. The guy’s lyrics were excellent, his singing was crazy, and he was, is maybe, a world class entertainer like no other.

The album starts off sounding like Eddie has OD’d on Human League. The synth stuff is over the top. Maybe that’s the reason I tend to forget how great this record really is. It’s chock-a-block with hits and lesser-known gems. At the time I thought the hit “Jump” was a bit cheesy, but of course it’s an excellent song with excellent lyrics which explains why someone like Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame would make a cover of it.

Another popular winner is “Panama” which I always associate with one of my many lessons in humility. Back when 1984 was new I remember being at a guitar store with my friend Tom Bundick when he started playing “Panama” and I think I responded with something like “what the hell are you doing?!” To which Tom replied “that song is great!” Of course, he was right and I was too punk, too cool for my own good. I’ve mentioned that affliction before, but at least I eventually got hip to these records.

1984 was their best selling album at the time. 10 million! Everyone knows the hits, but I also really like “Top Jimmy” and “Drop Dead Legs.” Of course the most awesome classic is “Hot for Teacher”, even the video is a classic. And awesome. For real.

“I don’t feel tardy.”