Joe Jackson — Will Power

• Artist: Joe Jackson
• Title: Will Power
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1987 – Promo Mary got when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The first time I played Joe Jackson’s instrumental album “Will Power” the other day I didn’t quite get it. And I couldn’t help thinking it was going to take some will power to play it again. Since then I’ve played it a number of times and like most good, but challenging, music it has grown on me. I don’t know if I’m sophisticated enough to describe it accurately. This isn’t The Joe Jackson Band; he’s working with a full orchestra here. Let’s call it “symphonic.”

I think the original album artwork was just the pattern of red and blue circles on fabric, but at some point the label must have insisted on that circular sticker with his name on it. Or, maybe it’s just that way on the promo since they don’t usually come with shrink wrap.

More about Joe Jackson at Wikipedia.

Billy Idol — Hot in The City / White Wedding Promo

• Artist: Billy Idol
• Title: Hot in The City / White Wedding Promo
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1986 ? – She probably got it when she was working at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

This is just between us. I went to see Billy Idol in a concert during what was probably his first big US tour. That’s embarrassing enough, but since we’ve known each other for so long, I’ll keep going. I’m pretty sure what follows, or something similar, is what I was wearing:

• Camouflage BDU pants (probably from the local surplus store).
• Black tee shirt with the name of a local new-wave band, “The Nerve”, printed on it in neon pink, with the sleeves cut out, because I’m cool and all.
• Not sure about the footwear, probably army surplus boots or maybe Vans.
• Hair? I wish I could remember because I know it would be funny.
• And the best part… a wide black leather wristband with chrome spikes, not sissy studs, spikes!

While we were waiting in line outside, forever, a police officer apparently inspecting the line for trouble-makers saw my wristband and said it had to go. They knew. I was dangerous!

This 12 inch single has a remix of “Hot in The City” on one side and a remix “White Wedding” on the other. It was a promo, but it looks like it’s been sold a few times. Everybody knows these songs; they were huge hits. I even think they’re decent pop songs. But there is one hilarious detail to this version of “White Wedding” that isn’t on the original.

After one of the verses Billy yells “Rock… Music” and then later “Dynamite… (plus something else I couldn’t make out). ” What?!?… What?!? Did he just yell “Rock Music”? And there is a mega “delay” or echo so it’s really more like “ROCK ROCk ROck Rock rock rock… MUSIC MUSIc MUSic MUsic Music music…” What?!? Was this record intended for a non-english-speaking country? In the studio did someone say “Billy just scream the silliest thing you can think of and we’ll make it sound cool with effects”?

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins — Feast of The Mau Mau

• Artist: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
• Title: Feast of The Mau Mau
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it for myself at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Let me start by saying that “Feast of The Mau Mau” by Screamin Jay Hawkins gets a straight-up-stone-cold-solid 10! I’ve played this every day we were home for the last two months. Just ask my wife and kids. That’s the good news. The even better news is that it’s a double album. “Feast” is actually a re-release of two earlier albums, “What This Is” and “Because Is In Your Mind / Armpitrubber.”

I can’t tell you how exciting this music is. For me, it’s the perfect mix of blues, R&B, rock and roll, and weirdness. Occassionally he gets down right raunchy, so mind your audience. Most people know him for “I Put a Spell on You”, but there are many even better songs. Also, he’s so cool his music was featured in one Jarmusch film and he acted in another. Finally, Hawkins is a lyrical genius. Who else could rhyme with “righteous”?

Our Love Is Not For 3

You gave me a heartache
AAahh! a heartache
You gave me a heartburn!
My mind’s in neutral
Whaaa! I’m walking sideways
I can’t get righteous
I’m looking upside down
And outta-sighteous
Whaaa! You gave me a heartache
Have Mercy…

More about Screamin’ Jay Hawkins at Wikipedia.
Great NPR story about Hawkins’ alledged 70 plus children.

Gang of Four — Yellow EP

• Artist: Gang of Four
• Title: Yellow EP
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy / Mary – We both had copies.
• Acquired: Not sure when or where. Early 1980s…
• Keeper: Yes

“Yellow EP” is the first Gang of Four record I’m logging, but it was their second release. I should’ve pulled “Entertainment” instead, but since we’ve packed all but a couple dozen records until we get to Asheville, “Yellow” it is.

Gang of Four is one of my all-time favorite bands. I was only 13 or 14 when this came out. Hanging out with my friend John Hurlock is probably how I first got into the band. His older brother Mike had a killer record collection and was into just about everything worth being into. This music is so edgy, political, minimalistic, and just plain arty it’s a wonder they were as popular and influential as they were. Sometimes music is just too good to be ignored, no matter how weird it is.

Tracks included here are: “Outside The Trains Don’t Run on Time”, “He’d Send in The Army”, “It’s Her Factory”, and my favorite “Armalite Rifle.”

Read all about them at Wikipedia.

Faith No More — We Care A Lot

• Artist: Faith No More
• Title: We Care A Lot
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary ?
• Acquired: 1985 – Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Come on. You know you like the title track, “We Care a Lot.” But I could believe it if you said that was it. This is the first Faith No More record and one of only two with Chuck Mosley on vocals. I could never get over the keyboard droning through just about every song. Applause for trying something different, but to me the keyboards just took the teeth off the otherwise hard rock sound. One last tidbit I just noticed, in more than one spot on this album they spell the band’s name “Faith. No More.” That’s: excessive, punctuation!!!

I’ll keep this one short. We’re off to see the Caps take on the Atlanta Thrashers. Time to take out the Thrash!

Echo and The Bunnymen — Heaven Up Here

• Artist: Echo and The Bunnymen
• Title: Heaven Up Here
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1981 ? – No idea.
• Keeper: Yes

Echo and The Bunnymen was always one of my favorite bands. Why I didn’t keep up with them past the first four records is unclear to me, but maybe they just got lame. Or was it me? In reading about them I just realized that they have put out four more albums in recent years that I didn’t even know about. How can this happen? I thought I was hip!

Anyhow, “Heaven Up Here” is a great follow-up to “Crocodiles.” My favorite song is “Over The Wall.” There is slightly, just slightly, too much lyrical whinging for my taste, but when I was a teenager I’m sure I thought the lyrics were awesome.

D.C.3 — You’re Only as Blind as Your Mind Can Be

• Artist: D.C.3
• Title: You’re Only as Blind as Your Mind Can Be
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1986 – Probably when I was working at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

D.C.3 put out “You’re Only as Blind as Your Mind Can Be” in the same year as “The Good Hex.” I think they should have taken a longer break. To me, this one just isn’t as exciting. I mentioned when I logged “Hex” that it didn’t sound too jammy despite a lot of guitar soloing. Well, this record crosses the line. I was playing it while Mary and I were packing for our big move to Asheville, and she walked in the room and said “What the?!? When does this song end?” I’ll have to admit that I too was feeling pretty jammed out by the time that song ended. That said, there are a few dittys here that totally rock out and make me want to keep it. And though much of it sounds retro, even for 1986, especially in 1986 I was happy to get my hands on anything that felt like rock and roll.

Peter Case — Peter Case (Promo Cover)

• Artist: Peter Case
• Title: Peter Case (Promo Cover)
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1986 – Got it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: No

This Peter Case record isn’t bad, but it isn’t my kind of music, which is a roundabout way of saying it’s boring. I would describe this as a singer-songwriter mash-up of most major forms of American music. The cover is interesting is some ways though. Certainly there’s nothing exciting about the graphic design, but a promo copy that displays Mr. Case’s ratings, reviews, rankings and scores from music critics should be of interest to a fan. Too bad I’m not, although I did like his previous band The Plimsouls.

So this one is a goner. Part of the reason of going through and playing every record is to trim some fat, but also to renew our relationships with some old favorites. I just finished packing most of the records today in preparation for our move in a couple weeks. Over 800 pounds of vinyl!

ABC — How To Be A Zillionaire!

• Artist: ABC
• Title: How To Be A Zillionaire!
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 ? — I don’t know, girl keeps going to bed early.
• Keeper: Yes

OK, back to the full LPs for another round. Starting again with ABC, the greatest pop band of all time. No, I’m not kidding. I’m posting this from Hampton, VA while we’re visiting with family. (Don’t rob my house!) But of course I did in fact spin it, while we were packing to leave this morning… With ten million other freaks trying to get outta DC, in the rain, at the start of spring break. Ugh.

“How To Be A Zillionaire!” is their third album and I have to admit I don’t know it as well as the first two. And certainly not as well as Mary. What would she have to say about it? She’d probably say the title track is her favorite and that she also really likes “Be Near Me.” But since she keeps falling out early we may never know.

Various: Nirvana, Helios Creed, Yeast, Coffin Break — Teriyaki Asthma

Various: Nirvana, Helios Creed, Yeast, Coffin Break -- Teriyaki Asthma

• Artist: Various: Nirvana, Helios Creed, Yeast, Coffin Break
• Title: Teriyaki Asthma
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – Got it for myself at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

This is a 7 inch compilation from C/Z Records. “Teriyaki Asthma” contains four songs by Seattle area artists, but I don’t think it was nearly as popular, or written about, as another C/Z compilation called “Deep Six.” The latter came out a couple years earlier, was a full LP, and had songs from Soundgarden and other notable area bands.

The Nirvana track is pre-Grohl and it’s more punked out than most Nirvana fans would be used to. Helios Creed’s cut is a virtually instrumental, acidic, lead guitar noodlefest, that gets boring before it’s over. The song by Yeast is just silly. And Coffin Break contribute a solid rocker that is by far the most interesting piece here.