The Tell-Tale Hearts – The Tell-Tale Hearts

The Tell-Tale Hearts - The Tell-Tale Hearts

• Artist: The Tell-Tale Hearts
• Title: The Tell-Tale Hearts
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1984 – Not sure where, probably mail order from Voxx Records.
• Keeper: Yes

I can’t believe The Tell-Tale Hearts still exist as a band, but they do have a MySpace page. So, at least you can go hear what I’m talking about. I used to love this stuff, and I still do. By “this stuff” I mean bands in the mid-1980s that were making music like, and even dressing like, proto-punk bands from the mid-1960s. That may seem a little corny in retrospect, but how is it any different from Interpol sounding like Joy Division? Or any of the numerous “post punk” bands on the scene the last few years? I love this self-titled record. My favorite track is the hyper-speed punked-out celebration of being in love titled “It Came to Me.” The Tell-Tale Hearts were, maybe still are, one of the best of this fun music scene. I don’t play this record much, but I always enjoy it when I do.

Savage Republic — Jamahinya

• Artist: Savage Republic
• Title: Jamahinya
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Promo at our record store
• Keeper: Maybe

I never did know much about Savage Republic, but Trouser Press can tell you all about the band. This album, Jamahinya, has a great package with a nice gatefold and matte finish. If I remember correctly, most records put out by their record label, Fundamental, back then had great packaging. Savage Republic’s sound is not something I can easily explain. It’s definitely arty, often rhythmic, and the vocals are kinda nerdy. That said, I’ve always liked this record even though I haven’t played it often, and I can’t imagine the vocals sounding any other way.

R.E.M. — Dead Letter Office

• Artist: R.E.M.
• Title: Dead Letter Office
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: ?
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

I have another ticket stub that doesn’t really belong with the record of the day. It’s from R.E.M.’s tour to support the 1984 album Reckoning and I should’ve mentioned it when I posted that one. For some reason I did mention the show, with opening act Dream Syndicate, on the Murmur post. I see the ticket is stamped “COMP” so maybe I won tickets on the radio or something.

The thing I remember most is talking to Dream Syndicate guitarist Karl Precoda between bands. I thought they put on a great, and surprisingly hard-rockin’ show, and I made sure to tell him that. He seemed like a pretty cool guy, but he decided to leave the band soon after this tour. At least I know it wasn’t my fault. Another memorable bit was that during R.E.M.’s set the power went out. This was a relatively small place, better-suited to conventions. I remember some minimal amount of light, and that the band carried on in some sort of acoustic mode for a while. I was glad to see they were cool like that, and not some whiny prima donnas.

To the record… Dead Letter Office is a compilation of rarities, outtakes, b-sides and covers. Despite the odds it’s a pretty listenable collection. Peter Buck also wrote some great notes about each song on the liner. Good ol’ Wikipedia has more info about it.

Phantom Tollbooth — EP

• Artist: Phantom Tollbooth
• Title: EP
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: When? Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: No

Funny thing, when I was listening to this EP by Phantom Tollbooth I kept thinking it sounded like a more metallic version of The Minutemen, with lamer, scratchier vocals. Then, I looked up some info I saw that Trouser Press had something similar to say. It has some decent moments, and if you’re into noisy art-rock you might dig it. We have more than enough of that stuff. I don’t need to hear it again.

Ozzy Osbourne — Diary of a Madman

• Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
• Title: Diary of a Madman
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy and Bob
• Acquired: 2005 – Inherited from Bob Bobala when he moved to California
• Keeper: Yes

Usually, I only post a concert ticket stub if it’s from a tour that supported the album I’m discussing. That’s not the case here, but there are some connections to my Ozzfest 2001 ticket stub and this copy of Ozzy Osbourne’s Diary of a Madman. Both were given to me by my friend Bob Bobala.

Bob scored some killer tickets for the show at Nissan Pavilion. They were really close to the stage, in the shade, and not cheap. I bought Bob a shirt at the show, a lot cheaper. It was a long day of metal chaos and social observing. Black Sabbath with all the original members was, of course, the highlight; they blew everyone else away. By the end of the show we were getting pelted with ketchup packs and drink bottles by the jealous riffraff sitting on the grass, but it was worth it to see Sabbath up close.

Then, when Bob moved away he gave me quite a few records. This was one of them. I’ve always been a big fan of Sabbath but I never really followed Osbourne’s solo work. I have to admit I was kind of disappointed with the album as a whole. The big hit “Flying High Again” is excellent, but there is little else that comes close.

This was the last album Randy Rhoads recorded before he died. There’s also some interesting controversy about the credits for bass and drums. Sarzo and Aldridge pictured on the liner below didn’t play on the record.

I’m still a little surprised Bob didn’t keep this record when he moved. I’m going to take good care of it for him.

New Order — Confusion

• Artist: New Order
• Title: Confusion
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

“Confusion” has always been my favorite New Order song. I first it heard it when my friend Jeff Arthur played it for me. Anyhow, the truth is out: I’m a natural-born metallist that likes to dance. And this is a great dance song. There are a number of “Confusion” 12 inches out there. This version has four tracks:

“Confusion”
“Confusion Beats”
“Confusion (Instr.)”
“Confusion (Rough Mix)”

It was published by Streetwise and according to the very thorough New Order Discography site it’s pretty rare:

Q: What’s the deal with the Streetwise testpressing from the New Music Seminar?
A: The Streetwise testpressing (SWRL 2213) with blank, handwritten and/or stamped labels was made for the “New Music Seminar” in New York. As a part of the new Music Seminar New Order played at the Garage on July 7, 1983. Approximately 400 of these 12 inchers were made.

Marginal Man — Identity

• Artist: Marginal Man
• Title: Identity
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1984 -At a show
• Keeper: Yes

Marginal Man was pretty inventive on Identity while still sounding like hardcore. I like the music and the playing, the sound is great too, but, and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, the vocals just don’t do it for me. It sounds like I’m singing or something. Anyhow, Mary got it at a show and we’re keeping it for nostalgia if nothing else.

Dischord No. 13

The Leaving Trains — Transportational D. Vices

• Artist: The Leaving Trains
• Title: Transportational D. Vices
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – At a record store I owned with my brother, RIP Records
• Keeper: Maybe

I have three records by The Leaving Trains and Transportational D. Vices is the newest. Somehow it got to the front of the line, but it terms of favorites it is at the back. Still, it’s a very listenable record, most of the time sounding like they have one foot in the garage, one in a combat boot, and another somewhere in space. It’s three-legged rock that manages to sound familiar and unique. One of my favorites on this one is “Store”, a high speed, rocked out number about going to “the store.” I guess singer Falling James really needed some milk or cigs or something because he sounds like he’s in a hurry to go.

King — Won’t You Hold My Hand Now (Heavy Times Mix)

• Artist: King
• Title: Won’t You Hold My Hand Now (Heavy Times Mix)
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: No

The endless line of King 12 inch singles continues. This one is another version of “Won’t You Hold My Hand Now”, the “Heavy Times Mix.” I’m going to admit that this time I found it less annoying, maybe slightly entertaining. The songs on side two, “Endlessly” and “Never Ending” are probably better. I usually play the record I’m writing about when I post, but right now I’m still spinning the last one, The Gift by The Jam.

The Jam — The Gift

• Artist: The Jam
• Title: The Gift
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy, Mary (two copies)
• Acquired: I can’t remember
• Keeper: Yes

“Now for those of you watching in black and white…
This one is in Technicolor.”

Those are the barely audible words spoken by Paul Weller that kick-off this brilliant record. I’ve listened to The Gift, all 32 glorious minutes of it, at least five times in the last 24 hours. That’s probably only half as much as I listened to it when I was 15. I bought it as soon as it was released. This was their last album and their biggest hit, at least in the UK. Some fans and critics didn’t dig it, but whatever, this one is probably my favorite. “Inconsistent”? That’s crazy. Every song is great. After a couple hundred listens you’ll agree, if you don’t already.

I use to blast this in my bedroom using the speakers and wearing my headphones at the same time while playing along on my old Ludwig drum kit. It was like I was swimming in the music. What a great feeling, and this is a perfect album for a drummer, with a lot of fast songs, fills, breaks and bashing cymbals. And drummer Rick Buckler even looks the coolest on the album cover (on the left). The drummer boy in me likes the instrumental “Circus” the best, but as I said before all the songs are great. Other favorites include “Happy Together”, “Ghosts”, Precious”, “Trans-Global Express”, “Town Called Malice”, “The Gift”, and the few I left out. We have two copies and we’re keeping both.

Long live The Jam!