Dwight Yoakam - Original Album Series

The first 5 albums in one little cool box.  I recently saw Dwight Yoakam for the first time and I must say the show was great and he is a total professional.  When I was 18/19 years old and working at Off The Record in San Diego, it was strange to see his first album come out and all the punk kids buying it.  I later realized that Dwight was respected because he often played the same underground rock clubs in Los Angeles that all the punk bands played. In addition, Dwight played real authentic music rooted in that Bakersfield sound.  It was the authenticity that the punk rock and underground rock kids liked.

Dwight has appeared in movies and is a star. However, his fame really hasn't affected his music and his passion. I salute you Dwight!

Record of the Week: Mega City Four - Tranzophobia (1989) (CD)

I am back!. With Tranzophobia, Mega's debut album, I finally have all the the albums of one my favorite UK guitar pop bands of all time. They use to call it "adrenalin-pop" because of the frenzied pace of the songs. While the music was fast, Mega City Four always had a touch for melody. If you doubt me, listen to this great song from this album, Paper Tiger.  All the albums are great and a must-buy for any of you into melodic guitar based bands.

Record of the Week: The Resonars - Lunar Kit

Matt Rendon, from Tucson, Arizona has been recording under the name The Resonars for quite a few years. I believe there was a full functioning band at one time but eventually the band became largely a vehicle for Matt's 60s inspired, melodic pop gems.  While I chose this record as the "Record of the Week", it was actually released in 2002 on Get Hip Records out of Pittsburgh, PA.

I recently obtained a copy of this record since I missed it when it originally came out but when I listened to for the first time it sounded so good that I felt that I need to tell the world about it.  By the way, thanks Amazon! One thing to note, if you pick up this record and like it, you will love their entire catalog.  The Resonars sound has not changed much over the years but that is a good thing. The consistency of the song writing has been incredible over the years. Every record has at least one song that is worth the price of admission alone. This record may actually have a couple. For example, check out the pretty She's In Love With Her, or the more gritty but no less melodic Funny Old World.  Finally, here is my favorite song on this album...if I had written this I would retire...Way Way Way Way Out  The Resonars..one of Arizona's finest...and criminally ignored.

For those that are interested in the band, check out this brief 7 minute video on Matt and his studio and recording career.

The Vagrants - I Can't Make a Friend 1965 -1968

What a nice surprise.  Garage band from Forest Hills, NY.  This is not the snarling garage punk rock variety but is instead more melody based with a few elements of folk rock.

For a taste of how melodic these guys could be, take a listen to this gorgeous song called, Your Hasty Heart.  Also, check out, You're Too Young.  Here is a final song, And When It's Over.  If this is your bag, you will like the Vagrants.

Record of the Week: Newtown Neurotics - Punk Collection

When I first started working at Off The Record in San Diego when I was a freshman in college, I was still pretty new to "punk" music. I was aware and into bands like The Clash, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, etc, but I did not really know much about the thousands of other punk bands from that era; bands that were as good as the bands that were famous.  However, at Off The Record, I was able to explore LPSs and 45s to my heart's content.  My first exposure to the Newtown Neurotics came in the way of import of 45s from the UK.  I can't remember what order I bought them in but I remember that I picked up 3 pretty much right in a row.  The time frame? 1981/82?  For the longest time, all that was available were these three (or four?) killer singles with these great, melodic punk riffs and Steve Drewett's impassioned vocals. Check out Kick Out the Tories, or Mindless Violence. 

Eventually, the Newtown Neurotics LP finally came out and we all rejoiced because we had a full album of this tremendous three piece band with new songs that were just as good as those on the early 45s.  On this debut LP, we were introduced other classic Neurotics songs like No Respect and Newtown People. Here is a live version of Newtown People. 

This collection, which I highly recommend, contains all the Newtown Neurotics 45s (both A and B sides) and the full debut LP on one CD. The CD comes with Steve's notes and comments on each song in this collection. If you like any of the songs I have posted above, I think you will enjoy the rest of this CD.

A tremendous band.

Various Artists: Buried Alive!! Demented Teenage Fuzz From Down Under 1965-1970

6 CD box set with 150 rare and previously unreleased R&B, Psyche, Punk, Garage, and Freakbeat music from Australia! The period covered is 1965-1970.  This box set comes with a tremendous, fully packed booklet inside.  Unfortunately, it hard to read due to the background coloring. It is a little bit of a chore but if you get it under the correct light it can be done (why did they make it hard to read?).

I listened to these CDs over time since trying to absorb all this music at one time would be overwhelming.  If you love garage rock, it is a must. It is not terribly expensive given the amount of music you get and I think you will find enough on here to make it worth your while. Enjoy

Record of the Week: Haim - Something To Tell You

Ok. I have a soft spot for these three sisters from Los Angeles. Their brand of modern, techno, dance pop is not my normal cup of tea but there is something about the fact that they ARE three sisters that really enjoy making music together and, it seems that they really love hanging out with each other. The bond seems very real. How can anyone hate that?

Aside from the above, Haim can write some really nice pop songs. Their first album was full of hidden pop gems. This new one also has some nice tracks. I am currently listening to Little of Your Love, and it is a perfect example of what these sisters do best.  Also, I love Danielle's phrasing when she sings.  She has this vocal tic in that she uses a beat-keeping device during her singing. See if you can pick up the number of times you hear her saying "heh" during a vocal performance.

Honestly, I was a little worried about the single that they released before the album came out.  When I first heard, Want You Back, I was a little sad.  I have heard that song numerous times now and I keep waiting for the hook and the melody to take me some place. Unfortunately, the hook never arrives.  So, I did buy this album thinking that maybe they had run out songs after just one album.  I was clearly WRONG. The new songs are definitely there and all you have to do is buy the album and listen. By the way, Something to Tell You and You Never Knew are excellent. This is now my 4th listen and I love the melodies. In a more pure-dance vain, Walking Away, is slow and moody, stone-cold killer track. I even find myself moving to the slow groove of this song while I am typing this sentence. Someone could remix this and make it a club hit.

You know what I would love to hear? Haim taken a more rock'n'roll approach. Wouldn't it  be great to have the Haim girls produced by Grohl (as an example)?  Let's do it Girls! By the way, I love your albums.