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4:29 p.m. - December 19, 2005 In due time, in due time! Let�s count how many other essays there are in the series: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, , SEVEN, EIGHT! Eight essays, hah-hah-hah-hah-hah! (OK, it�s time to put the Count away�) So here are another 10 (or so) records for you to groove yer schewerve: #1 Record, Radio City - Big Star Summary: The first two releases by the ill-fated power pop band illustrate why they are such a darling of rock critics and fans of tuneful pop music everywhere. This was a quite influential group whose acolytes have become quite famous. Alex Chilton and Chris Bell (on the first album) write and sing timeless songs. Positives: Listen to �Feel� and �The Ballad of El Goodoo� and then you�ll be hooked forever. Drawbacks: Being two full albums means it�s a long CD, but that also means there are more kernels of goodness here, though �Radio City� isn�t as consistent as their debut. Verdict: It�s two fantastic albums on one CD by a great band, and it really lives up to the hype. Random Trivia: Big Star fans Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow (of the Posies) coaxed Chilton and Jody Stephens into reforming for a concert in Missouri about 12 years ago, and in 2005 they just released a new record as Big Star.
Summary: Showing no signs of slowing down after a good debut and a fantastic follow-up, Costello comes through with another masterpiece in his third album. Positives: �Accidents Will Happen�, �Oliver�s Army�, �Party Girl�, �Goon Squad�, etc. etc. All of the tracks are classic early Costello. Drawbacks: Sometimes the songs can be a bit too busy, but that�s a minor quibble. Verdict: It�s the first Costello album I owned, and it�s held up well over time. He�s angry, focused, and at times bitter. Random Trivia: The closing cut, and one of Costello�s best known, �(What�s So Funny �Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding� was written by Nick Lowe, not Costello.
Summary: A demo session turned into one of the great �lost� albums of the 70�s. Well after the original Modern Lovers broke up, this came out, and revealed to the world Jonathan Richman�s unique talents. Positives: Songs like �She Cracked� and �Roadrunner� have a certain power along with their at times silly veneer, while �Dignified and Old� and �Someone I Care About� are tender, if a bit skewed. Plus, the band really drives the songs home, with its organ-based engine. Drawbacks: At times, Richman is a bit too cutesy-poo, like on �Government Center� Verdict: You wonder what would have happened if these demo sessions had led to a signing. Richman moved away from this sound into a gentler, and sillier, mode. Random Trivia: This band contained David Robinson, who later drummed for the Cars, and Jerry Harrison who became the organist / second guitarist for the Talking Heads.
Summary: The �Mats first foray into the major label wars is a success. Paul Westerberg writes a winning batch of songs and the sound isn�t that compromised, and any changes they have made are for the better. Positives: One wonders, with tunes like �Kiss Me On the Bus�, �Bastards of Young�, �Little Mascara� and the show stopper �Here Comes A Regular�, why this album wasn�t a hit. Drawbacks: �Dose of Thunder� gets skipped a lot. Verdict: Probably the most consistent Replacements album, though there is no sense of true adventure. They�re only halfway teetering on the edge instead of holding on for dear life. Random Trivia: This is the last Replacements album featuring Bob Stinson, RIP.
Summary: This was not a stop-gap live album; this was a major statement record for the alt-country chanteuse. She lends her pipes to some rollicking covers and some keen originals, while the Sadies provide excellent backing. Positives: The title track is sad and poignant. The covers, especially �Train From Kansas City�, �Soulful Shade of Blue� and �Rated X� are perfect vehicles for her voice. Drawbacks: It�s too short � it makes you want to hear the whole concert. Verdict: It�s a great introduction to the power and majesty of Case�s voice. Random Trivia: �Train From Kansas City� was a Shangr-La�s B-side, and was also covered by Superchunk, of all people.
Summary: This collects all of the essential Cure singles from the late 70�s until 1986. It�s a great testament to a great singles band. Positives: No matter what you feel of the cult that the Cure inspired (you know, the kids who wore all black and never smiled � I always wanted to give them a hug or sock them out of their pretensions) their singles were great. This collects them all. Drawbacks: Some of the songs can get annoying, like �The Love Cats� and �Let�s Go To Bed�. A few of the b-sides included here aren�t anything special. Verdict: I normally like to stick to regular releases, but this is the best place to enjoy the Cure. Random Trivia: On vinyl and cassette, this was known as Standing On A Beach .
Summary: An earth-shattering and ear splitting debut by one of the most famous guitarists ever. It�s hard to put yourself back in 1967, listening to this for the first time. Some of the sounds on this album are still incredible to behold. Positives: The current CD collects all of the tracks that were on the British and American releases, plus a b-side or two, so all of the essential early Hendrix is in one package. Drawbacks: I�m not a huge Hendrix-as-bluesman fan and some songs find him in this milieu. I prefer Hendrix as far-out shaman of the guitar. And this is his weakest album in terms of songwriting. Verdict: A stunning debut, with tracks like �Purple Haze�, �Foxey Lady� and �Manic Depression� you can�t miss. Random Trivia: �Purple Haze� only hit #65 on the pop charts in the US!
Summary: Four tough rock chicks kick bootay and take names. They�re mad, and won�t take it anymore. Positives: The sound is incredible, especially on �Wargasm and �Pretend We�re Dead�. It�s a perfect hard rock crunch that fits with the material and attitude. Drawbacks: A couple tracks, like �Diet Pill�, drag and I lose interest in them. Verdict: One of the best albums of the grunge era � it makes Pearl Jam sound like a bunch of sissy marys. Random Trivia: Suzi Gardner is featured as the female voice on the classic Black Flag song �Slip It In�.
Summary: While it�s not as good as the hype (how could it be??) the lone true Sex Pistols album is a punk tour-de-force, with classic songs of alienation, frustration and rage at the British establishment and society. Positives: �Holidays In the Sun� is a perfect opener, and while some songs are more famous, tunes like �Submission� and �Bodies� are great testaments to a long past era. Drawbacks: The albums sequencing leaves a bit to be desired, as the middle of side one gets really samey. Verdict: You have to have this, just because of what it is and who it is. Random Trivia: All but two songs were written mostly by Glen Matlock, who was fired for various nebulous reasons, and Sid Vicious took his place. The rest, they say, is history.
Summary: The first six Van Halen albums are all good to excellent, but this one is my favorite. It�s got the party-hearty tunes, the Eddie Van Halen showcases, and some depth to the material. Positives: Every song, save �Push Comes To Shove� could make my Van Halen best-of collection (depending on what mood I�m in). And of course, the banter between Diamond Dave and producer Ted Templeman on �Unchained� is well worth the price of admission. Drawbacks: It�s way too short � it�s certainly not a value purchase. Verdict: �One break�COMING UP!� How can you argue with that? Random Trivia: Ted Templeman, noted hard rock producer, was in wimpy pop harmony band The Harper�s Bizzare in the 60�s.
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