Most of the Berkeley stuff this week is gonna be from Lookout Records, since they were the major label in the area in the '90s. But here's something that's Lookout-free: NOFX's live "East Bay", where they make fun of that whole scene. Interestingly, the studio version was called "El Lay" and mocked L.A.'s heavy metal in the '80s.
It took me forever to track down the CD for Duct Tape Soup. Well worth the wait, though. Every track on this 16-song is awesome! I love how each instrument -- guitar, bass, drums, vocals -- are given equal billing in the mixing; truly democratic. Of course, every song sounds the same, but in a good way where it gives this collection excellent cohesion.
Since last week I had that electronic theme, I thought this week I would do a Berkley, CA. Kind of amazing how much amazing music has come out of that area. For instance, here's American Steel, a former punk band who nowadays are making more Mowtown music. This song is the title track from their second album, Rogue's March. Kinda amazing. It's one of those albums that are so enthralling, it makes you proud to be a punk-rock fan.
In keeping with the accidental electronic theme of the week, here's Team Robespierre. They're more awesome than a rave at the burn-down disco. I love this track -- sticks in your head like cotton candy. Good stuff.
Better late than never. Since I named this blog after the classic Adolescents' song, I might as well post it. I first heard of them around 1989, eight years after their self-titled album came out. If you love pop-punk, you probably already own The Adolescents . I still listen to this lovely CD in its entirety at least four times a year. A true classic!
This electronic act's first album, 604, is awesome! But I decided to post the second track from their second album, Light & Magic. I love how it's basically a simple pop song -- just one verse repeated over and over. Plus, it has feminist overtones. Gotta love that. . . .
As I mentioned on Monday, I've been listening to a lot of electronic music. M83 is an artist from France. I have three of his albums, but the one I like the most is 2005's Before the Dawn Heals Us, probably because it's a little more rock than the other two. There's one cool track called "Car Chase Terror", where M83 created a horror-movie scene (I think he hired an actress to read the script). But today's MP3 is the last track. It's over 10 minutes long but really, really good -- nice simple riff with tons of subtle layers. Epic. . . .
Party like it's 1993, baby! This is the lead track from, I think, they're only album, Been There. The rest of this grunge CD paled in comparison to "She Won't Get Under Till I Get Over You", but you at least gotta give 'em props for funniest song title before NOFX came up with "One Way Ticket to Fuckneckville".
It's been a few years since NOFX released this song on a 7", but I still love it as much as the first time I heard it. Great pop-punk song, and I love that riff with a nice accompaniment of the drums! And how can you not smirk at that comedic break?
Been listening to a lot of electronic music lately. These guys from Australia are pretty good. I like 'em 'cause they embrace the better parts of '80s New Wave.
Started reading Andy Taylor's autobiography, so I thought I would post "Bringin' Me Down" from his 1987 solo album, Thunder. It sounds nothing like his old band, Duran Duran, which is a good thing in a way. Probably had something to do with The Sex Pistols' Steve Jones co-writing almost every song. Unfortunately, Thunder is out of print, but it's worth tracking down because it's a great example of '80s rock'n'roll.
It being Friday, I thought I would upload Tullycraft's "The Lonely Life of a UFO Researcher", since it reminds me of The X-Files. God, I miss that show. Back in the '90s, it was nice coming home after a long workweek to chill with Mulder and Scully. Great kickoff to the weekend. Mystery sci-fi didn't get much better than that.
The Cars are one of the the few American bands I still dig. They did a nice job of mixing New Wave with good ol' rock'n'roll. I'm still amazed today's MP3, "Hello Again", wasn't included in their first Greatest Hits package, which came out in the 80s. Fortunately, Rhino Records corrected that mistake with their 2002 comp, as well as they should have. Come on, "Hello Again" was a Top 40 hit!
Still kicking myself for missing these guys from they came through town a couple months ago. Can't get enough of the debut album. And their from Cardiff, Whales, home to Dr. Who and Torchwood!
I've had this song in my head for the last few weeks. Still love the bass riff in the beginning and end!
I finally got around to getting a hold of this 1996 album -- a side project from The Church's Steve Kilbey and The Go-Between's Grant McLennan. I really enjoyed their first album, 1991's self-titled CD, but I waited until now to get a hold of Snow Job for two reasons: a) it was only available as an import, which meant a high sticker price, and b) I heard it sounded very Church-y, which I wasn't too excited about because I loved The Church in the '80s when they were a great pop-rock act -- I'm not a fan of their work since the '90s . . . too psychedelic. Fortunately, Snow Job isn't too psychedelic. McLennan's pop sensibilities are in there as much as possible. Good stuff if you're a fan of these two songwriter's main bands.
