The Fall — There’s a Ghost in My House

This version of The Fall’s “There’s a Ghost in My House” (1987) has a hologram on the cover. It wasn’t easy to get a pic that clearly showed the hologram, but you’re worth it. It’s kept in a paper bag because holograms, like old color photographs, fade when they are exposed to light. “Ghost” is a typical alt-rock Fall song and I like it fine. “Haf Found Bormann” on the flip is a little too “art” to be on your summer mix tape.

On the back cover:

HOLOVISION
Making holograms part of todays (sic) world

Adam and the Ants — Prince Charming

Yes! Let us celebrate these fancy pirates. I am certain if more people would run this look on the street today that the world would be a better place. But it takes real men to wear makeup, puffy shirts, and curtains for pants. And there just aren’t that many left.

Calling all available backup! Jeff? Kilwag? I know you’re out there. Cover me. I’m going in. This is a great record. That’s despite the frequently self-referential lyrics. The music on Prince Charming (1981) is as fresh and weird as the costumes worn by Adam and the Ants. The album opens with the giant-sounding “Scorpios,” complete with brass horns and a house-shaking drum fill near the end that makes me want to yell “Ant Power!” It sounds like the Hawaii 5-0 theme meets salsa music meets pirate rock. Other favorites include “Picasso Visita el Planeta de los Simios” and of course the super hit “Stand and Deliver.” There is also a “hidden” track, after a long pause at the end of the album, called “The Lost Hawaiians.”

I don’t know where I got this one, but you can see from the wear on the cover that back in the day it was in heavy rotation. Ant music for ant people!

Etched in the run off margins (can’t etch an MP3):
Side 1: HAVE YOU FOUND
Side 2: THE LOST HAWAIIANS

Wikipedia article

feedtime — Shovel

According to Wikipedia Shovel (1986) was feedtime’s most critically acclaimed record, which makes me think I need to go spin it again. I enjoy a little primitive noise rock once in a while, even now that I’m elderly. But this just didn’t do it for me today. There were a couple riffs that held my attention, a few great songs, and some occasional moments where they reminded me of Head of David. Still, I don’t think this one will stay in the collection.

For the concerned grammarians in the house I want to point out that the proper spelling of feedtime is with a lowercase f.

feedtime at Wikipedia

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds — The Mercy Seat

• Artist: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
• Title: The Mercy Seat
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1988 – At our store, RIP Records in Norfolk, VA
• Keeper: Yes

“The Mercy Seat” is possibly the greatest song by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. This 12 inch has a “full length” version which seems longer than the one on the LP, and a “video mix” version. There is also “New Day”, a sort of Nick Cave style gospel number. It’s another great one. Nick Cave is my girl’s favorite music artist of all time. It’s probable that we have more records by Nick Cave than any other artist, and if you include The Boys Next Door and Birthday Party it is a certainty.

And speaking of birthday parties, today is Mary’s birthday. So, today’s artist has to be Nick Cave. Like Nick, Mary marches to her own beat. It’s just one of many reasons I’m in love with her. We’ve been together a long time now, and she remains completely punk rock. Don’t change a thing baby!

Happy Birthday!

The Fall — I Am Kurious Oranj

• Artist: The Fall
• Title: I Am Kurious Oranj
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – At our store RIP Records
• Keeper: Yes

I’m in a rush because I’m about to go “off the grid” for 24 hours for a little martial arts project. Don’t tell anyone. Anyhow, I Am Kurious Oranj by The Fall deserves a more thoughtful write-up than it’s going to get right now. I really like this record. And just like the last record by The Fall, this one is following an album by 86. Which, again, makes it even more obvious that even if you’re an arty band, or maybe especially if you are, it’s a good idea to have some hooks in your songs. Tons of hooks here.

86 — Provocation

• Artist: 86
• Title: Provocation
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Maybe

Provocation is a lot better than the first 86 record I posted here, Minutes in a Day. It’s a full length album, and it’s less noisy. That said, it’s still arty and mostly devoid of hooks. I gotta have my hooks!

A Trouser Press article about 86 mentions Honor Role, a Richmond, VA band that Mary, and to a lesser extent I, knew personally. Those guys had some hooks.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — Tender Prey

• Artist: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
• Title: Tender Prey
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

We (Mary) have so many Nick Cave records I feel like we’re never going to get through them all and move on to the other “C” artists. But Tender Prey is a really good one and I suppose I shouldn’t complain. The usual Bad Seeds suspects are here including Kid Congo Powers who was in another band I really liked, The Gun Club. The biggest hit is “The Mercy Seat” and if you haven’t heard Johnny Cash’s version check it out. He makes the lyrics sound even more grim. Another “hit” is “Deanna,” which I really like, but my favorite may be “City of Refuge.”

Mary and I went to see Nick on tour for Tender Prey at the 9:30 Club in D.C. I remember digging the show, and seeing Blixa in person was very cool. But the most salient moment for me is when Nick first walked out on stage in his trim dark suit with a bottle of water and exclaimed with a big smile “I feel great!” Not the first thing I expected Nick Cave to say.

Some facts about Tender Prey.

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.

The Fall — Bend Sinister

• Artist: The Fall
• Title: Bend Sinister
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

We’re almost done with our trip. And it’ll be good to get back to the mountains because it just got wicked hot and humid in the DC area. Now we’re staying with our friends the Hartzells. Last night we had a great party, with great food, great friends, and a chocolate fountain! For the kids, of course.

The Fall’s Bend Sinister is another arty record from a consistently arty band but there is a big difference from the last record posted. This one has hooks aplenty, it’s much more enjoyable because of it, and you’re likely to start humming along the first time you hear it. To be honest, I only got to play it once before we left and I can’t remember much more about it right now.

86 — Minutes in a Day

• Artist: 86
• Title: Minutes in a Day
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Plan 9 Records?
• Keeper: No

Another night with friends in the DC area. This time Andy and Jamie are providing the food and lodging, and let me just say that we got a kick-ass dinner.

On to tonight’s record: Minutes in a Day by 86. This is one rather intense and arty record. It’s not exactly heavy, but it is intense. The problem for me is that there are really no hooks, or grooves, or anything that I can remember when the songs are done. This one is getting a new home.