Gamalon — Self-titled

• Artist: Gamalon
• Title: Self-titled
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1987 – Promo when I was working at Mother’s Records & Tapes in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Just got back from house hunting in Oregon. Oh, yes. I think we’re moving there.

If you’re a guitarist you really should check this out. This is an instrumental jazz/rock or “fusion” album. I’m not usually into that kinda stuff but these guys shred. It’s hard to explain the sound, but once you’ve heard this record it’s even harder to not like it.

The Faith / Void

• Artist: The Faith / Void
• Title: Self-titled
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1982 – Some store in Rockville, MD that she can’t remember.
• Keeper: Yes

Classic DC hardcore. And a classic punk format with two bands on a single LP. The Faith on the first side with Ian Mackaye’s younger brother Alec. I believe they later dropped the “The” in their name. Void on the flip. The Void side is a little angrier.

One of the many fun things about vinyl is that occasionally people will write little messages in the margin between the end of the record and the label.

• Faith side – “THERE’S NO CHOICE LIKE A PIG”
• Void side – “IN MEMORY OF BRIAN SEAN FINNIGAN”

Dischord No. 8, for those keeping score.

Earth, Wind and Fire — That’s The Way of The World

• Artist: Earth, Wind and Fire
• Title: That’s The Way of The World
• Year: 1975
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1999 ? Not sure when, but I got it used, I believe at Record Mart in Alexandria, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

This album is apparently the soundtrack to a movie of the same name, “That’s The Way of The World.” Yeah, I’ve never heard of it either. “Soundtrack” may explain the occassional jazz odyssesy, or maybe not. Anyhow, it’s a worth a rating of 6 just for “Shining Star” alone. Other than that the record is pretty mediocre.

Dag Nasty — Can I Say

• Artist: Dag Nasty
• Title: Can I Say
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1986
• Keeper: Yes

Dag Naz-tay! Now we’re getting somewhere. Sure sounds a lot like to Minor Threat to me. They could do worse. With Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker in the band, and singer Dave Smalley sounding pretty similar to Ian I guess they couldn’t help it.

I think Baker went on to start another band, Junkyard. I can’t remember much about the sound, but they were laying on the rocker-greaser-car-club-biker image awfully heavy. Not that those things don’t appeal to me, but still…

I noticed with this album that the collection is in need of some serious alphabetizing. Buncha 12 inch singles are completely separate, and some earlier “D” records got skipped. DC3 will have to wait until the next pass through.

Dischord No. 19, for those keeping score.

Camper Van Beethoven – Key Lime Pie

• Artist: Camper Van Beethoven
• Title: Key Lime Pie
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – This was a promo my brother and I got at our record store, RIP Records.
• Keeper: Yes

I like Camper Van, but never really followed them. This album is interesting musically and lyrically, but it just doesn’t get me that excited. I believe it was their major label debut, and their cover of “Pictures of Matchstick Men” was a mild hit on alternative radio.

I think they are back together in some form. Who knows? Click the search links to find out.

B-52’s – Party Mix

• Artist: B-52’s
• Title: Party Mix
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1987 ? Mary got it when she was working at Plan-9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

We have some other B-52’s records but this one makes me wish we had more of the early stuff. This one is really just a DJ 12 inch. The highlight for me is when they mix in Private Idaho. Other than that it’s kinda dull.

One of my most vivid music memories is of being in Virginia Beach around 1980 and seeing the new wave kids dancing at the Peppermint Beach Club. At that time the place was sort of an open-air joint. I remember standing in the sun on the boardwalk, hearing Rock Lobster blasting out of the building, while barefoot teenagers were jumping up and down inside. It was like something out of a ’60s beach movie. It was just cool. I gotta get that record!

ABBA – The Magic of ABBA

• Artist: ABBA
• Title: The Magic of ABBA
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 2003 ? “Inherited” from Mary’s mother. Her dad gave it to her when her mom wasn’t home.
• Keeper: Yes

A-B-B-A… There was no avoiding this as the first piece to be logged. I can’t say I ever really knew ABBA’s songs until Mary and I went with some friends to see the play Mama Mia. That was probably in 2003. I have to admit that they stick with you once you’re heard them enough. Dig it, dancing queen.