AC/DC — Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
• Year: 1976
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: ? Bought it used, a long time ago.
• Keeper: Yes

It’s tragic. My Bon Scott era AC/DC collection is incomplete. And I like the early stuff the best. Brian Johnson is fine, but the early sound was much more garage rock, punk rock, and traditional rock and roll. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is full of silly songs that you never need to hear more than once, but there are also some classics. My favorite is definitely “Problem Child.” Of course, the title track is also excellent, and so are “Ain’t No Fun Waiting Round to be a Millionaire” and “Ride On.”

Various Artists — ‘Til Things Are Brighter… A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Various Artists --'Til Things Are Brighter... A Tribute to Johnny Cash

• Artist: Various Artists
• Title: Til Things Are Brighter… A Tribute to Johnny Cash
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Probably was a promo we got at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

“‘Til Things Are Brighter… A Tribute to Johnny Cash” was recorded by the people listed below as an AIDS benefit deal. It’s a lot better than I remember, but I’m still not sure I’ll keep it. The performances are solid, and of course the songs are great. I listed the groups these artists are best known for, but they weren’t necessarily associated with them when this recording was made.

“One Piece at a Time” – Michelle Shocked
“I Walk the Line” – Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire)
“Rosanna’s Goin’ Wild” – Steve Mack
“Cry, Cry, Cry” – Sally Timms (The Mekons)
“Country Boy” – David McComb (The Triffids)
“Wanted Man” – Marc Riley (The Fall)
“Straight ‘A’s in Love” – Peter Shelley (Buzzcocks)
“Ring of Fire” – Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney)
“Five Feet High and Risin'” – Tracey and Melissa Beehive
“Home of the Blues” – Brendan Croker
“Boy Named Sue” – Mary Mary (Gaye Bykers on Acid)
“Folsom Prison Blues” – Mekons
“Man in Black” – Marc Almond (Soft Cell)

Arctic Monkeys — Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

• Artist: Arctic Monkeys
• Title: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
• Year: 2006
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: May 2006
• Keeper: Yes

Amazon recommended this CD for me, but they also recommended Hilary Duff once. I didn’t buy Hilary’s CD but I did buy the Artic Monkeys and I’m so glad I did.

The tittle of this CD, for me, was reason enough to purchase it.”Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” is a clue to the band’s attitude and keen observations. The lyrics are brillant. (There are a few explicit lyrics, but the singer’s accent is so thick my kids havn’t noticed them yet). How do people write like that? I’m amazed when song writers can tell a story, to music, (I know that’s obvious, but still impressive) that is witty, smart, down to earth, and makes you want to sing along.

The music is familar, yet not like any band out there. Maybe a little Franz Ferdinand, but tougher. Maybe a little Kaiser Chiefs, but more substantial. They also remind me of Sham 69, and the Ruts. I never get the feeling these guys are trying to be, or sound like something they aren’t.

The track Mardy Bum is what I hear, not often enough, on XM. It’s a slower song and it’s good but the entire CD is packed with great songs: “When the Sun Goes Down”, “Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured”, and “The View From the Afternoon.” A little something for everyone. Check out their web site to view some videos off this CD at ArcticMonkeys.com.

Gorillaz — G Sides

• Artist: Gorillaz
• Title: G Sides
• Year: 2002
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mars
• Acquired: July 2006 – with his allowance from the local Barnes and Noble
• Keeper: Yes

This is the first CD I bought with my own money. It was a lot of money but the Gorillaz are my favorite band and I didn’t wanna wait another minute to listen to it. I play it so much that my parents get bored of hearing it.

If you’re looking for a good beat this is the album for you. My favorite songs are “The Sounder”, which is mostly rap, and “Faust”, a slower song with good female and male vocals at the end. I also like “Ghost Train”, which has a strong beat.

I think the Gorillaz are the best band ever.

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction — Tattooed Beat Messiah

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction -- Tattooed Beat Messiah

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction
• Title: Tattooed Beat Messiah
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Got the domestic from our store RIP Records, and the UK from Venus Records, both in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

Oh man, how I used to love this Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction stuff. Even when it was new I thought it was completely silly, but fun and rocking when little else was. We saw them once, at what Mary and I still call the old 9:30 Club (Wikipedia) in D.C. The old one on F Street was a lot smaller, but super fun. I think it moved in the mid-1990s. Anyhow, the show rocked and they seemed to have fun mocking the rockstar thing.

This ain’t really doing it for me now. “Tattooed Beat Messiah” was the first full LP, and on major labels in the US and UK. I have both versions. They’re mostly the same except for some minor typographical differences on the back cover. The UK version also came with a large poster and liner notes. By the time this record came out I think most of the really entertaining songs had already been released in whatever version on EPs and 12 inch singles. And the same ol’ sleazy lyrics–big riffs and solos–horn section schtick gets pretty tired over the course of full length album.

XTC — Waxworks and Beeswax Compilations

XTC -- Waxworks and Beeswax Compilations

• Artist: XTC
• Title: Waxworks and Beeswax Compilations
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Used, somewhere far from here, sometime long ago.

It’s a thoroughly ’80s evening. Mary is watching 200 Cigarettes and laughing about how Dave Chappelle’s character Disco Cabbie reminds her of me. (?) I have to say that at least he’s the coolest cat in the movie, with the best lines. This movie was made in 1999 but takes place in 1981. Of course it’s chockablock with some of our favorite music. One year later, 1982, these XTC compilations were released. It’s hard to believe they started so long ago.

XTC’s “Waxworks: Some Singles 1977-1982” (Wikipedia) and “Beeswax: Some B-Sides 1977-1982” were originally released together, but I think they later became separate albums. I have them pushed together in the picture below, but they are in fact physically separate records, not gatefold covers. I’ve never been a huge fan, but I do appreciate their music and have bought some of their records. My favorite song from both records is “Generals and Majors.”

Van Halen — Diver Down

Van Halen -- Diver Down

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Diver Down
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Used. Can remember when or where…

This is the fifth Van Halen record, and at least the third time I’ve mentioned how cool there were because they performed covers on their records. Name another multi-platinum selling hard rock group that did this on a regular basis. It was a tradition that mostly died in the 1960s, when bands were covering even comtemporary hits. On “Diver Down” they might’ve gone over the top. There are five covers here, and from all types of music and periods.

“Where Have All The Good Times Gone” by The Kinks is my favorite cover, and maybe my favorite song on the album. I’ve always loved The Kinks. “Diver Down” was a rush job and that’s probably why there are so many covers. ClassicVanHalen.com explains the whole sitch.

Muse — Black Holes and Revelations

• Artist: Muse
• Title: Black Holes and Revelations
• Year: 2006
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mary/Tracy
• Acquired: 2006 – No place special, Target maybe.

This is post number 200 in the “record” collection category. I’m celebrating with something special, something new for you kids and grups out there — “Black Holes and Revelations” by Muse.

This band is so musically ambitious and perfectly weird I can think of few, if any, meaningful comparisons. Despite that, or possibly because of it, their last two records have been big commercial successes, even in the US. Their music is metallic, operatic, funky, melodic, pop and everything else you can think of, and somehow it never sounds diluted. Again, this stuff is ambitious, not the output of a few dudes getting together and just jamming out some verses and choruses. And their timing is impeccable. Just before things get too weird for too long they pull out some colossal riff, drop the hammer, and perform another hard rock burnout.

The last song, “Knights of Cydonia”, is probably my favorite. This piece has everything in it from an Ennio Morricone-sounding spaghetti western guitar, to space alien electronica, to anthemic choruses. Just after the four minute mark something extra special happens that on first hearing was so unexpected, and every time thereafter so anticipated, that I break out in goosebumps. More about Muse.

U2 — New Year’s Day / Two Hearts Beat as One

U2 -- New Year's Day / Two Hearts Beat as One

• Artist: U2
• Title: New Year’s Day / Two Hearts Beat as One
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: “Who knows?”
• Keeper: Maybe

This is another record to set aside for our ’80s dance night party coming soon to a club near you. Of course we like U2, and of course “New Year’s Day” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” are great songs. François Kevorkian remixed these hits for the US market. I like to call them the “Dr. Death Dance Mixes”, but maybe that was a different Kevorkian. Anyhow, they’re neither offensive or special.

Talking Heads — True Stories

Talking Heads -- True Stories

• Artist: Talking Heads
• Title: True Stories
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary?
• Acquired: 1986 – I probably got it for her when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.

“True Stories” by Talking Heads is one happy-sounding album. I don’t care if I ever hear the hit “Wild Wild Life” again, but I really like “Puzzlin’ Evidence.” I’m a sucker for anything with a gospel choir in it. Another song on this record is “Radio Head” and where the band Radiohead got their name.

The front and back of the cover are shown correctly oriented. The third pic is a handsome photo of the band on one side of the liner. There is an article about “True Stories” at Wikipedia.