XTC — The Big Express

XTC -- The Big Express

• Artist: XTC
• Title: The Big Express
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ? Looks like she got it used…
• Keeper: Yes

Uh… I never really know what to say about XTC. Some of their stuff is exciting and some is, as the kids say, “meh.” For me, The Big Express is somewhere in between. I’ve played it a few times in the last couple days. Now, I don’t want to play it ever again despite that a couple songs are stuck in my head. I’m sure Mary wants to keep it…

Second pic is from the liner, not the back of the record cover which is sorta meh.

Muddy Waters — Rare and Unissued

Muddy Waters -- Rare and Unissued

• Artist: Muddy Waters
• Title: Rare and Unissued
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1982 ? Not sure where, this was near the beginning of my blues education.

I took the dog out for a minute after I started side 1. When I got back Mary told me I “missed the part about him waking up in the morning.” Good one. Anyhow, I just played the whole thing again, and then again.

The only thing better than a Muddy Waters record is two Muddy Waters records. So, I’m glad I have Rare and Unissued even if it’s not my favorite by the ultimate blues maestro. Still, I plan to keep it. You can never get rid of the blues.

There’s more about the original Mannish Boy at MuddyWaters.com.

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.”

U2 — Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch

U2 -- Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch

• Artist: U2
• Title: Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Who knows where she gets all these 12 inches?
• Keeper: Yes

Another one of Mary’s U2 12 inch records. It seems like we’ll never get through them, and I think there are even more 7 inch singles on the shelves. Of course, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is great song, I can’t tell what is different about the mix. The remixes of “New Year’s Day” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” are more obvious and sound interesting, I guess. I mentioned before that I got to see them on this tour, and before War had become a huge hit. This time I found my ticket stub for the show at Chrysler Hall. The place only holds 2500 people and I’m glad I got to see them in such a small and great-sounding venue. And check out the price on the ticket, $8.50!

Talking Heads — (Nothing But) Flowers

Talking Heads -- (Nothing But) Flowers

• Artist: Talking Heads
• Title: (Nothing But) Flowers
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy ?
• Acquired: Not sure, maybe as promo at our store…

I like Talking Heads and I like the song “(Nothing But) Flowers”, but there’s not much to say about this record. It’s in a plain Sire Records promo sleeve, with the LP version of the song on one side and a “radio edit” version on the other. Uh… we don’t need to keep this one.

A little sumpin’ sumpin’ about “(Nothing But) Flowers” the song and video at Wikipedia.

Joe Satriani – Surfing With the Alien

• Artist: Joe Satriani
• Title: Surfing With the Alien
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1987 – Bought when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Yes

This record is awesome! Sure, it’s mostly for guitar geeks or wannabes, the songs are sorta stiff, and much of the drums are programmed. But who cares!? That stuff is not what Joe Satriani and Surfing With the Alien are all about. Besides, his playing is so exciting and the solos so completely excellent that they are the hooks, and what make the tunes memorable. I can’t pretend to play this stuff on guitar but I tell you I can hum along with every note, and of course air guitar the entire record. It sticks with you.

Be-cause
he’s just
that good.

Bonus on this post is that I remembered to take a pic of the liner with Joe rocking in the Reebok hightops. Bonus number two is that I found my ticket stub from seeing him live in 1988. Mary and I went to see him with my friends Bennie Ingram and Jeff Slay. Of course Joe tore the Boathouse roof off.

Check out Joe’s site.

Pere Ubu — The Tenement Year

• Artist: Pere Ubu
• Title: The Tenement Year
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – At our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA

I respect this record, and this band, more than I enjoy the music. I’ve already told my story about seeing them live in London, and it was a great experience. That said, though Pere Ubu has created a lot of interesting music over the years, I guess it’s just not my thing. The Tenement Year has some great songs, but it also has some challenging sounds and noises layered in that I often find distracting, off-putting even.

The Ordinaires — One

• Artist: The Ordinaires
• Title: One
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – Bought it at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA

Shingles = PAIN!
Tracy + Shingles = Lazy, Whiny, Crybaby

Trust me, this sucks, big time. Having shingles that is, not this record. It’s also my excuse for not posting for so long. At least I got through the weekend and got to see my friends at Chris Hunter’s wedding. Throw in some time with my extended family and a gang trip to Busch Gardens and the long trip was well worth it.

What to say about The Ordinaires? This record, One, is pretty interesting. Since I’m feeling lazy (see above) I’ll just say that if you like Kronos Quartet, Zappa, or any other quirky instrumental music this is the record for you. The front cover is a “computer generated composite photograph” of the nine band members on the back. Read more at Trouser Press.

Feels like burning… shingles, that is.

New Order — Ceremony (Later pressing)

• Artist: New Order
• Title: Ceremony (Later pressing)
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?

I’m posting from the east coast of Virginia tonight. We rolled in after midnight last night, and we’re here to see my friend Chris Hunter get married tomorrow!

You know, we have another pressing of this New Order 12 inch Ceremony and according to this article at Wikipedia it is supposed to be a different recording. I played them back to back and I can’t tell any difference. The cover is completely different, there is nothing etched in the run off margins on this one, and the songs are credited to the band members instead of Joy Division like the earlier pressing. Musically they seem identical, but for some reason I liked it a little better this time.

The Magnolias — For Rent

• Artist: The Magnolias
• Title: For Rent
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Promo at RIP Records in Norfolk, VA

There’s nothing really wrong with For Rent by The Magnolias. It’s energetic and at times verges on punk, a good thing. I could listen to it all day and it wouldn’t bother me, but it doesn’t do anything for me either. So, this one has gotta go. The process of weeding out continues…

I opine, you decide.