Music! Mayhem! Madness!

Ninja's, fat troll, and shitty special effects = Kick ass music video. I always enjoyed this song, and it is a late tribute.

Dwarves - Wish That I Was Dead.  The way to summarize them is catchy, and not to be taken too serious punk band. I always found it funny, but some people seem to be offended quite easily. This is a perfect example of the Dwarves. I'm a fan of Del Shannon and this song is dedicated to him, go figure...

Comments welcome!

Crash Course: Benjamin Orr

Benjamin Orr was the bass player/singer for The Cars. He had a great voice and did a fine job holding down the rhythm section with Dave Robinson.   I think Ben was under appreciated for his contribution within The Cars. The Cars recently released a new album which is fantastic, and within the liner notes it says, "Ben, your spirit was with us on this one." The album is a wonderful tribute, but I only imagine what it would of been with Benjamin Orr playing and singing. Recommended songs: Drive, Just What I Needed, Let's Go, Cruiser


Benjamin Orr died on October 3, 2000 from pancreatic cancer.

Bad Taste.

(Since I'm doing the countdown for Black Sabbath albums this fits quite well.) Whoa Ozzy...That spaceship must be flying high. I feel guilty because I couldn't stop laughing, but Ozzy is a natural comic when hammered. Ozzy manages to say "Let's get on with this umm.." "Yeah" "We just jam out man, jam out." "4 Stooges" " Zakk's into men" "  The interview was a true masterpiece.

Woman: What was the worst show in your life?


Ozzy: When they bombed Hiroshima.

 Thanks for the laugh Ozzy.

R.I.P Randy

Vinyl Madness!

A recent purchase of mine that was necessary to add to my collection. As I own all of Metallica's music (up to the Black album, music snob?) in a digital format. The record itself is amazing, but the record I bought doesn't play well. It skips, pops, and hisses...Bah!! The joys of buying used records. This album shows Metallica at the peak of their game and it was the last with Cliff Burton. Awesome eight song ride.

Reissued: July 15, 2008 Label: WEA/Reprise

Standout tracks - Whole Album 

Vinyl Madness!

Ronnie James Dio inclusion into Black Sabbath seemed to bring new life into band.  In a way it doesn't even sound like Sabbath, but the change is amazing. This album is mesmerizing from start to finish, it's a theatrical masterpiece! I thought Tony Iommi was a good guitar player, but man he kills it on this album. Dedicate a few beers to Heaven and Hell!

Reissued: March 17, 2009 Label: Rhino Records

Standout tracks - Heaven and Hell, Neon Knights, Lonely Is the Word, Children of the Sea, Die Young

Vinyl Madness!

Ear bleeding, brain destroying, heart stopping sounds from the always angry band Black Flag. The album attacks you from the start with "My War" and damn it holds you for the whole record. Although I prefer their faster sounding tracks; the Sabbath inspired sludge songs are good, but not great. This nugget should be added to any music collection.

Reissued: October 17, 1990 Label: SST Records

Standout tracks - Forever Time,  My War, I Love You, Can't Decide, The Swinging Man

Vinyl Madness!

People have said this was Judas Priest's most commercialized album. Regardless of the popularity this album is a must for HEAVY METAL fans. British Steel is a fun album, but the only sour spot is Red, White & Blue which seems oddly placed and does not fit with the mood of the album. If you are looking for a introduction to a Judas Priest album, I would start here. The sound quality on vinly is A++

Reissued: September 16, 2008 Label: Sony Legacy

Standout tracks - Grinder, Rapid Fire, Breaking the Law, Metal Gods, Loving After Midnight, Steeler

10 Guilty Pleasures in 10 days

1: Whitesnake - Here I Go Again

Mr. Pouty Lips

Whitesnake summarizes the Eighties over the top (or stupid) look. The band sounded generic, and didn't bring anything new to the "hard" rock genre. Yet I listened to the album and recently purchased the song on Itunes. Thank you David Coverdale for turning me into a complete blowhard.

Ready to get your hair blown back and finger nails painted? The official music video:

                                             

10 Guilty Pleasures in 10 days

3: Freddie Mercury: Living On My Own

Oh man Freddie, what happened? Freddie had a voice that most everyone loved, and with Queen it was just a beautiful marriage. Fast forward to the middle of the Eighties, and this is what you get; a synth-heavy album with little direction. I may sound critical, but I do listen too and enjoy the song/album...Alone.

10 Guilty Pleasures in 10 days

6: Giorgio Moroder - The Never Ending Story Soundtrack - Swamp of Sadness

Swamp of Sadness is a complete lesson in melancholy. This is one of those songs you put on a cd, and only listen to when tragedy strikes your life.

Here is the spiritualistic moment in the movie when the song is playing along with the powerful scene it represents.


 (The first three minutes are the song.)

"Fight against the sadness, your're letting the sadness of the swaps get to you. You have to try. You have to care...For me, your're my friend, I love you."  Happy days!

10 Guilty Pleasures in 10 days

8: David Bowie - Labyrinth Soundtrack - As the World Falls Down

Hello, I'm Jareth the Goblin King. 

This song smacks you right from the start. The ever present tingly keyboard, and a stroking bass line that gives new meaning to friction burns; this is a great way to attract the listener. I also find the dynamic lyrics appealing:

Falling
As the world falls down.
Falling
As the world falls down.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling in love
As the world falls down.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling in love

It feels so good, but it is oh so bad!

10 Guilty Pleasures in 10 days

9: Rod Stewart - Forever Young




From the man that brought us "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" Rod Stewart has claimed that he "subconsciously plagiarized" this song from Robert Zimmerman. Maybe, maybe not. I enjoy the thumping bass line, and the reverb loaded guitar. I appreciate the uplifting lyrics, but it is still Eighties cheese. Shut the windows and crank it, but don't get caught!


For your viewing pleasure:

10 Guilty Pleasures in 10 days

Over the next 10 days I'm going to list 10 songs that I hate to love. Bring on the guilty pleasures!

10: Steve Winwood - Valerie

Now this song isn't bad, it is just dated; synthesizers stabbing throughout the song, electronic drum sounds, typical Eighties. I enjoyed Steve Winwood as the singer in Blind Faith/Traffic, and his singing is still fantastic , but I would only sing this while in the shower.

Holy shit, this has to be the most boring video I have ever seen. Nice wind blown hair.