Ideal — Der Ernst Des Lebens

• Artist: Ideal
• Title: Der Ernst Des Lebens
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1981 – Mary bought it in Germany when she was an exchange student.
• Keeper: Yes

I’m writing this one from Virginia Beach, we’re house hunting, but I did actually play the next week’s worth of records, just all yesterday before we hit the road. Also, this really isn’t an “I” day, but I misplaced this one earlier in this pass through the alphabet. Back on track with my favorite letter, “X”, tomorrow.

You may think this band’s name is pronounced I-DEEL, but it’s really i-dee-ALL. They are German, very German. All of the lyrics are in German, and I’m not sure if that makes me like it more or less than I would if knew what they were saying.

Stylistically Ideal are all over the place. One song may sound like Missing Persons, another will have steel drums(?) with more of a pop/ska feel. Some of this apparent eclecticism may come from the alternating of vocalists. Sometimes the one woman in the group is the lead singer and other times it’s a man. One of the more manly songs is “Sex in der Wüste”, or “Sex in the Desert.” Remember what I said about not understanding the lyrics? I’m guessing on this one it’s better that way. This song is so arty, so early ’80s that it you can imagine it being the inspiration for any number of skits on Saturday Night Live. And now… we dance.

(You probably won’t get good search results unless you add some other words like the song title above.)

Tom Waits — Franks Wild Years

Tom Waits -- Franks Wild Years

• Artist: Tom Waits
• Title: Franks Wild Years
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1987 – Bought when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

You would think there would be an apostrophe before the “s” in Franks, but no.

Mary’s favorite music artist is Nick Cave. As we listened to this I was teasing her that Tom Waits is what Nick will sound like when he’s 20 years older. Except this record was made almost 20 years ago, and Tom is only 8 years older than Nick, I checked. And I’m old, but both of these guys are ooooold.

I don’t know why I bought this record. I think at the time I thought he was someone I should know more about, but I still don’t know much about the man or his music. “Franks Wild Years” is the only Tom Waits album I own. Sometimes for fringe music you need a mentor to lead you into it and get you really engaged. I don’t think I’ve ever met that person for Tom Waits.

I do like soundtracks, and this record pretty much is one even if there isn’t a movie to go with it. Of course, he is an important artist, right? So, I guess I should keep the one record I have.

The Vandals — Peace Through Vandalism

The Vandals -- Peace Through Vandalism

• Artist: The Vandals
• Title: Peace Through Vandalism
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1981 – Olsson’s in Georgetown, DC.
• Keeper: Yes

And the alphabetizing never ends. This should have been after Van Halen, but it’s the record du jour because I already took the pic. It’s only an EP, but there’s more Vandals where this came from. Or, more accurately, behind the Van Halen records.

This is classic, but lyrically pointless party punk. Nothing groundbreaking but it is fun. I felt like stage diving off the dining table, but no one would catch me. Chicken fight! Due to the random, and frequent expletives Mary and I ended up doing a lot of spontaneous coughing or singing since the kids were listening too.

Turn the front side of the album cover upside down and you get the anarchy “A.” They’re soooo punk! And they even went to play for the troops in Iraq. I’m opposed to the war, but playing for the troops is cool.

Etched in the vinyl margins:

• “GAY RODEO”
• “NORDIC CONQUEST”

No idea. “I want to be a cowboy…”

U2 — Boy

U2 -- Boy

• Artist: U2
• Title: Boy
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1980 – Unknown origin.
• Keeper: Yes

1980?!? That’s a long time ago. I remember immediately liking “I Will Follow” when I first heard Bono singing “If you walk away, walk away…” But if you had told me then that U2 would still be making music worth listening to decades later I doubt I would have believed you.

For some reason I never bought the record. I’m glad Mary owns almost everything they’ve ever done. I’m pretty sure my friend Jeff Arthur introduced me to them.

Of course “Boy” is a great record and it still sounds modern. It’s hard to believe that U2 is now “classic rock.”

Sad Lovers and Giants – Seven Kinds Of Sins

• Artist: Sad Lovers and Giants
• Title: Seven Kinds Of Sins
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1987 – Probably Plan 9 in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

This is a 12 inch single. I don’t anything about this band. They sound a little like The Chameleons, but with more keyboards. If you don’t know who The Chameleons are keep moving.

R.E.M. — Murmur

• Artist: R.E.M.
• Title: Murmur
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1983 – Guessing here… Tracks in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Dullsville baby, dullsville! Maybe I made a mistake by playing Judas Priest’s “Point Of Entry” album (Lemme see those horns people!) for a little afternoon pick-me-up. Then, I played R.E.M.’s “Murmur” immediately afterward. I was anticipating an all-out boredom assualt and thought a little heavy metal buffer just made sense. Instead, I think it made R.E.M. sound even more boring. You can’t follow Priest with the jingle jangle, man!

It’s hard for me now to think of myself as getting excited about R.E.M. But there was a time when that was true. I remember seeing them live early on with Dream Syndicate and maybe even when “Chronic what? Town” came out. They sounded new and different, and maybe I was more open-minded as a youngster.

Of course, this is good music. I just don’t want to hear it anymore. So, what’s my problem?

Painted Willie — Live From Van Nuys

• Artist: Painted Willie
• Title: Live From Van Nuys
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1986 – Bought it when I was working at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

“Live From Van Nuys With A Kiss And A Grapefruit” is etched into the vinyl margin on the side first. I have no idea what that means, but on most indie labels it’s worth taking a second to peak. Often there are little notes there, sometimes they’re funny.

Again, this was in the era when I would buy anything SST put out. I probably bought this because look like a heavy rock/metal band and I needed something with crunch. For the most part they deliver, but it’s little more punk than I expected, not a bad thing. I like the first song “Crossed Fingers” a lot. Doubt it’s a keeper though.

House of Freaks — Tantilla

• Artist: House of Freaks
• Title: Tantilla
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1989 – I got it for her from our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

This music is better than I remember. My faves are the more bluesy cuts. This is the only other HoF record we have and so it concludes my little tribute to Bryan Harvey and his family. I still can’t believe their lives were ended that way. I’d like to get it out of my head.

Rest in peace.

House of Freaks — Monkey On A Chain Gang

• Artist: House Of Freaks
• Title: Monkey On A Chain Gang
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1988 – Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Today is supposed to be a “P” day. Instead, I’m playing House of Freaks records for the next couple days as my small personal tribute to Bryan Harvey who was one half of the band. Bryan, his wife Kathryn, and their two small children were brutally murdered in their home in Richmond, VA on January 1, 2006. An article in the Washington Post made me aware of this tragedy. The two pathetic creatures responsible have been caught, but not before killing more people.

Mary and I have seen the band in person a number of times. Kathryn Harvey owned World of Mirth, a fun toy and gift store in Richmond that we enjoyed.

This is good music. Hard to explain, but let’s say Surf/Roots/Blues Rock. It’s high energy and fun, but not silly.

Of Cabbages And Kings — Face

• Artist: Of Cabbages And Kings
• Title: Face
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it for myself when we had RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

This is not happy music. OCAK has had its share of stars from the music world underground. Including members of The Swans, Glenn Branca, and drummer Ted Parsons. Ted was the long-time drummer for one of my all-time favorite bands, Prong. I’ll drone on about Prong when we get to those records.

Like I said, it’s not feel-good music. It’s heavy, but not metallic, more primitive with some occassional jazzy “out” playing. That weird album cover looks like the Pixies’ stuff, but I don’t think it’s the same artist. Not sure about keeping it. If you search for them you might find another band with the same name from the ’60s. Try adding the album title.