Oh Mama, can this really be the end? To be stuck inside St Louis with the Bratwurst Blues Again....

Sincere apologies for my no-show. I was really hoping to meet you all (and have some "quality time" w/Ken)...

John Doe – Gotta say, I’ve never been a big X fan. I was in a record store, heard “Golden State” and decided I need to have that song even if the rest of the disc sucked. Fortunately, it’s pretty good. The duets are the tracks that work the best, particularly the aforementioned duet with Kathleen Edwards and “Unforgiven” with Aimee Mann. It starts strong, finishes weak, and at 38 minutes is a little lean. All in all, not a bad disc, but nothing to get your panties in a twist about either. 3 stars

Buffalo Tom – The first song sounds like My Morning Jacket. The second song sounds like the Gin Blossoms. The third song sounds like Crowded House. Track 4 sounds just like Radio Nationals. And on it goes. However, what these guys may lack in originality, they make up in chops and mastery of the 3-4 minute power pop song. “Good Girl” is the highlight, had it pegged for my best of 2007 disc until someone submitted the album. Like a good cheeseburger, it isn’t the most original item on the menu, but it’s done right, and leaves me satisfied. 3.5 stars

Faith No More – If memory serves me correctly, this is the third incarnation of Mike Patton I’ve been forced to endure through our little group. That Mr. Patton has no other groups will be one of my prayers at church Sunday. Near as I can tell, the man has nary a single talent, with the possible exception of marketing. Amazing how one good song (“Epic”) can sustain a lifetime of crappy work.
.5 stars for the instrumental cover at the end.

Wire Train – Another entry in the don’t judge a cd by the cover. Pretty interesting mix of folk, rock and a hint of ska/funk. Several really good songs in there, with “Hey Jordan” and “17 Spooks” being the strongest. A couple of ho-hummers as well, but a fairly strong CD in all. 3 stars

Brendan Benson – This CD makes me give even more props to Jack White. He leads a two man band where the other member is useless. Then he does a successful side project with Brendan Benson, who based on this disc is not much more than a lightweight pop singer. Other than a few tracks, nothing here to get excited about. Sounds like about 100 other interchangable singer/songwriters.

Discussion Question


Honorable mention: “Murmur”, “Hotel California”, “Never Mind the Bollocks”, “Rumours”

1) Sgt. Pepper – I’ve never understood the ass-kissing. I’m not a Beatles basher by any means, but this one contains more crap than crème. I’ll take “Revolver”, “Rubber Soul” and even “Abbey Road” any day of the week.

2) Exile On Main Street – Sorry Ken, but put this one up against “Let it Bleed”, “Beggar’s Banquet”, “Sticky Fingers” or even “Some Girls” and it doesn’t hold up. Lots of filler to go along with the great tracks. A good album, not a classic.

3) “Led Zeppelin IV” – Maybe it’s the over-played factor, maybe it hasn’t aged well, but except for “Misty Mountain Top”, there’s nothing on this album I ever want to hear again. The production is absolute sludge.

4) “Paranoid” – You can insert any Black Sabbath album here, but since this is their alleged masterpiece, I’ll go with this one. Ozzy as a vocalist is intolerable, the guitar work is average at best and don’t even get me started on the lyrics. Always mentioned reverently, the album and the band both define the term overrated.

5) “Back in Black” – As long as we’re on the subject, here’s another metal album vastly over-rated. The clichéd lyrics, the same tired riffs track after track and unbearable vocals shouldn’t appeal to anyone over 16. The two good songs have been played into the ground, and the rest is paint-by-numbers.