The Lemonheads — Luka

• Artist: The Lemonheads
• Title: Luka
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 4
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ? – “No clue at all”
• Keeper: No

I never liked The Lemonheads even when it seemed like everyone I knew did. They were just boring to me, even their early stuff that some consider “punk” or “hardcore.” They’re often compared to The Replacements, another band that completely bores me. I remember seeing The Lemonheads live on tour for “Shame About Ray”, which was probably their peak in terms of popularity. I like almost anything live, but I was bored then too. Did I mention that I think they boring? Not bad really, just boring.

King Crimson — Larks’ Tongues in Aspic

• Artist: King Crimson
• Title: Larks’ Tongues in Aspic
• Year: 1973
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2006 – A gift from Keith.
• Keeper: Yes

Today is a “K” day. Even though I’m playing 7-inches this time through I decided to go with King Crimson’s LP “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” because:

1. my good friend Keith just bought this for me on eBay
2. this K-day is also for K-eith, his wife K-erah and their un-alliteratively-named son Max
3. and I get to postpone writing about another Kajagoogoo record

I don’t know much about King Crimson, but this one is Keith’s favorite. I like it too, and was surprised how “progressive”, in a good way, this record was and is. My favorite cuts are the title tracks that bookend the album. After a few minutes of almost ambient noodling the opening track slams you with a metallic riff in 7/8 time signature. I like surprises. Except for the vocals, in some ways this album reminds me a lot of the Gamalon record I’ve already logged here. But Gamalon came along over a decade later.

Did Gorillaz really sample the laugh at the end of “Easy Money”?

Joe Jackson — Memphis

• Artist: Joe Jackson
• Title: Memphis
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1984 ? – When Mary worked at Tower Records in DC.
• Keeper: Yes

This single was part of the soundtrack to the movie “Mike’s Murder” starring Debra Winger. Yeah, I’ve never seen it either. Anyhow, the primary riff in “Memphis” sounds so much like the Spencer David Group song “I’m A Man” that I can’t help but think of that when I’m listening to this. Despite that the “Memphis” vibe is more new wave than classic rock. I like it, but it bothers me. “Breakdown” on the flip is an ethereal instrumental number, and unlike any Joe Jackson music I’ve ever heard.

Ignition — Sinker

• Artist: Ignition
• Title: Sinker
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1987 – “Probably at a show”
• Keeper: Maybe

I was trying to figure this record out when I did a search and found this. That guy’s site probably will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about Ignition. I agree with him that the bass is way loud. It’s like the bass player sneaked back into the studio after everyone left and made a few “adjustments.” Anyhow, I was surprised it was self-produced and not on Dischord until I read the piece linked to above. I only got to see the band once or twice and I didn’t buy any records. Mary must’ve seen a better performance. And why is there an illustration of a distributor, cap and rotor on the back? Oh right, “Ignition.”

Haircut One Hundred — Love Plus One

• Artist: Haircut One Hundred
• Title: Love Plus One
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: “Not when it came out”
• Keeper: Yes

There must be a story behind the name “Haircut One Hundred.” All I remember is that these fellows were clean-cut, preppy even, and they seemed very happy to be playing music. At least that’s how it appeared in the video for this single, “Love Plus One.” This is very solid, sophisticated pop. It sounds like they used one of almost every possible instrument on this song and the flipside, “Marine Boy.” Maybe I’m being stingy with my rating of “6.” Mary wouldn’t give me a number.

Georgia Satellites — Open All Night

• Artist: Georgia Satellites
• Title: Open All Night
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary or Tracy ?
• Acquired: 1988 – Probably Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

This is way better than I was expecting. By that I mean, I like The Georgia Satellites, I just forgot how good they were. I didn’t even realize “Open All Night” was a single from their second album at first. Too bad I only have the first LP. The songs are great and so is the production and engineering. Jeff Glixman got a killer sound for this record. The flip, “Dunk ‘N’ Dine”, is also a winner. Hearing them sing about coffee and hash browns got me associating their music with breakfast food. It’s like eggs and biscuits, pretty sure to satisfy at any time of day. Guess what we had for dinner.

Echo and The Bunnymen — Bring On The Dancing Horses

• Artist: Echo and The Bunnymen
• Title: Bring On The Dancing Horses
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 – Unknown origin.
• Keeper: Yes

Echo and The Bunnymen, similar to Black Sabbath, made their best music on the first four albums. “Bring On The Dancing Horses” came later. I like it more than other later singles, but much less than the music on the first four LPs. Now this I find strange: The flipside is “Read It In Books” which was on their first record “Crocodiles” from five years earlier. Mary’s theory is that since the band was finally getting popular in the US they put that on the flip to encourage new fans to also get the back catalog stuff. I think if that was the reason they should’ve picked something more immediately appealing like, say, “Rescue.”

The Danse Society — 2000 Light Years From Home

• Artist: The Danse Society
• Title: 2000 Light Years From Home
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1984 – Tower Records in DC.
• Keeper: No

This is the most dreary version of The Rolling Stones’ “2000 Light Years From Home” I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard a few. The package is a gatefold holding twin 7 inches with a total of four songs. The three originals are better. This record belongs to Mary, but I have my share of music from The Danse Society. So, when I say that I found it boring, believe me, I tried to like it.

Captain Sensible — There Are More Snakes Than Ladders

• Artist: Captain Sensible
• Title: There Are More Snakes Than Ladders
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1984 – Unknown origin.
• Keeper: Yes

“There Are More Snakes Than Ladders” is a surprisingly tasty pop number from a solo Captain Sensible, better known for his work as guitarist for The Damned. The flip, “The 4 Marys Go Go Dance All Night at the Groovy Cellar”, like most B-sides is a silly throw away number. Should I file it under C or S?

The James Baker Experience — I Can’t Control Myself!

• Artist: The James Baker Experience
• Title: I Can’t Control Myself!
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1985 – Bought it at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

No, not that James Baker. This is the guy who was the drummer briefly for those Australian masters of dirge, The Scientists (I have almost all their records) and then eventually with the much better-known Hoodoo Gurus.

This comes off as a fun little side project. Two goofy little dittys that sounded retro even back in 1985. I’d rate it a 6 but I had to give it a bonus point for the packaging and the flipside song title, “Born To Be Punched.” Oh yeah, that stuff does matter.