Attn D'Arcy & Jay

I'm glad I hadn't replaced my vinyl copies yet....



The Replacements' first three albums and an EP will be reissued in remastered, expanded form this spring, completing a long awaited upgrade of the seminal band's early work. "Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash," "Stink," "Hootenanny" and "Let It Be" will arrive April 22 via Rhino, Billboard.com can reveal. Originally released on the band's hometown label, Twin/Tone, the albums were prepped for reissue by Replacements manager Peter Jesperson, with involvement from the surviving band members.

The Replacements' debut, 1981's "Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash," introduced its lovably shambling rock style via tracks like "Shiftless When Idle," "Takin a Ride" and "Johnny's Gonna Die." Bonus material includes frontman Paul Westerberg's original four-song demo from 1980, several outtakes and the B-side "If Only You Were Lonely."

The EP "Stink" followed in 1982, tearing through eight songs in 15 minutes. The four bonus tracks on the new edition are all previously unreleased: the outtakes "Staples in Her Stomach," "Hey, Good Lookin'" and "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock," plus a Westerberg home demo of "You're Getting Married."

The Replacements' sophomore album, "Hootenanny," arrived in April 1983, further cementing its status as one of the most exciting new rock bands in America on the strength of songs such as "Within Your Reach" and "Color Me Impressed." Rhino's new edition boasts six previously unreleased tracks, including a demo of "Bad Worker" and an alternate take of "Treatment Bound."

Rhino's final reissue in this batch, "Let It Be," is regarded by many as the Replacements' best album. The 1984 release boasts indelible tracks such as "Unsatisfied," "I Will Dare" and "Androgynous"; it is here bolstered by an alternate version of "Sixteen Blue," the home demo for "Answering Machine" and covers of the Grass Roots' "Temptation Eyes" and T. Rex's "20th Century Boy."

Later this year, Rhino will continue the reissue campaign with expanded editions of the Replacements' Sire catalog: "Tim," "Pleased To Meet Me," "Don't Tell a Soul" and "All Shook Down."

Top Ten and Then Some

This was a very tough year. Nothing really grabbed me and blew me away, but there were around 20 CDs that I thought were worthy of multiple listens. Any one of them could have made my top ten at any one particular time. But rules are rules, so here's my list.The top five would be on every list, but the bottom five and about 10-15 others are almost interchangeable.

1. Mendoza Line - Thirty Year Low. My most recent favorite disc so it goes at the top. Alternately poignant and vicious, low key and rocking, this disc made me go back and buy the entire catalog. If you liked this and would like the companion disc of cover songs, let me know and I'll burn it.

2. Two Cow Garage - III. Some bands that rely on power and passion fail when they add more melody and more polish - thankfully, it didn't happen here.

3. Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall. Some think that it doesn't qualify for the list because there is no new material on this CD. Or because it was recorded 30 years ago. Or something like that. What can't be argued is how great he sounds and how great these songs are.

4. Ike Reilly - We Belong to the Staggering Evening. One great song after another for this underappreciated songwriter. Why can't we just throw a fish and the President, say we're sorry and be on our way?

5. Star Spangles - Dirty Bomb. Sure they ape the Replacements at times. Well, almost all the time actually. But because they do it with the same kind of wit (sometimes) and power (most times) as their (my) heroes, they can be forgiven.

6. Dirty Sweet - Of Monarchs and Beggars. If you told me I'd really dig a retro seventies CD named "Of Monarchs and Beggars" that features a longhair on a horse on the cover, I would have said you were nuts. But here it is and I do dig it.

7. Superdrag - Changing Tires on the Road to Ruin. Uh oh. Another CD with old material on it. Oddly enough, this collection of unreleased songs that failed to make the cut for whatever reason is as solid as any of their regular releases.

8. Neil Young - Chrome Dreams II. Even an ordinary Neil record makes any top 20 list and this one, while a bit uneven, is a shade above ordinary so it gets into the top 10

.9. Black Francis - Bluefinger. Is it just me or are most of his solo records at least as good as any Pixies record. Blasphmemous on the surface, but listen to the likes of this, Cult of Ray and Teenager of the Year and you'll at least give the notion some thought.

10. Imperial Teen - The Hair the TV the Baby and the Band. Another pop gem from a band that never disappoints me.

The others that almost got on: John Doe, Sounds Like Violence, Ryan Adams, Sleepin’ in the Aviary, White Stripes, Son Volt, Richard Thompson and some others I forget.

By the way, if Robert Pollard took the best 20 songs from his four, yes four, 2007 releases and put them on one CD, it would be in the top 5, probably #1.

Down Your Nose Speaks

Before the analysis of the best-of lists, I want to sincerely thank everyone for the obvious effort that was made in posting lists, reviews, etc. I truly enjoy reading the opinions.

That said, the results are in. I used the weighted scale where your #1 pick got 10 points, your #2 pick got 9 points, etc. There were 59 different CDs mentioned in the 7 lists, which is very cool in my opinion. Lots of diversity. 1 disc was mentioned on 4 different lists, 3 discs were on three lists, 10 discs were on 2 lists, and the rest were lone selections. The top 10:

Two Cow Garage - III, 35 points
Radiohead - In Rainbows, 20 points
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky, 20 points
Cotton Teeth - The Snake, the Cross & the Crown, 18 points
Ian Hunter - Shrunken Heads, 17 points
Bruce Springsteen, Magic, 17 points
Dirty Sweet - Of Monarchs & Beggars, 17 points
White Stripes - Icky Thump, 16 points
Mendoza Line - 30 Year Itch, 15 points
Sleeping in the Aviary - Oh, This Old Thing, 13 points
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black, 13 points

Congratulations to the boys from Columbus for their well-deserved win. I will be presenting Shane and Micah with their 12 oz. awards next time I see them....

Jenn's Top Ten of 2007

Top Ten of 2007

I wasn’t sure if Radiohead was considered 2007 or 2008. TECHNICALLY it wasn’t released on CD until January 1st, but yes I know you could have downloaded it. So, if Radiohead is considered 2007 my list would be as follows:

1. Radiohead – In Rainbows: I don't care if its nothing "new" for Radiohead, if it ain't broke - don't fix it.

2. The Shins – Wincing the Night Away: This album actually came out on the same day of our Best of 2006 meeting in January of 07. It still is constantly played. Can't get enough of it.

3. Coheed and Cambria – No World For Tomorrow: One of my favorite bands to come out within the 2000's. They have never disappointed me yet.

4. Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light: Yet another band that has never disappointed me.

5. The Editors – An End Has a Start: Great sophomore effort. Took awhile to grow on me, but then it was contagious

6. Interpol – Our Love to Admire: Sooo much better than their last album. Got me hooked like their first 2 albums. I was beginning to lose faith in them and they redeemed themselves.

7. Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare: I was worried they would end up yet another British band that put out a killer first album and then sucked on their sophomore release...but this album was just as catchy as their first.

8. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black: Though I don't give her six months to live, this album was fantastic.

9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Baby 81: Another great BRMC record. Finally getting to see them live this year just solidified my love of this band.

10. Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer: Though you all (with the exception of Jay) hated this album. I love it love it love it.

If Radiohead is not included then everyone would move up a spot and Bad Religion – New Maps of Hell would be in the 10-spot. For a band that's been around for almost 30 years...they still put out a great punk record.

Greg is back.. Best 8 of 2007- Sorry so late

I guess I didn't buy as much music last year as I thought. I could only come up with 8 cd's that I felt were worthy of my top 10. Anyway, here they are.

Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace:
I don’t think that Dave Grohl can do anything that isn’t catchy. I just love this band. Even though this isn’t my favorite FF cd, I still thought that it has everything that makes a great cd.

Bruce Springsteen – Magic
I will admit that the first time I listened to this cd I didn’t hear anything really special. After a few more listens, I think that this might be the cd where Springsteen might want to retire. Why chance a piece of crap after this great release.

Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Okay, I know that I have a strange fascination with this really troubled woman but push that aside and this is still one really great piece of ass…I mean work. She’s walking away with the Grammy….if she’s not in prison.

Rush – Snakes & Arrows
Big Rush fan, okay?

Pucifer – V is for Vagina
I think the title says it all. I'd rather have a new Tool cd, but Maynard's side projects will tide me over until then. It could have been Pigmy Love Circus. Their next cd should be out in a year or so for those still waiting.

White Stripes – Icky Thump
I don’t think that Jack White can do anything wrong. Every song on this cd is solid and very listenable. Maybe one of two or three other bands that are actually original.

Radiohead – In Rainbows
My favorite release of 2007. I know that Radiohead tends to sound the same from album to album, but they have the formula down as far as I’m concerned. This is by far my most played music from last year and it came out late in the year. It was well worth the 5 Euros I paid for it whatever that turned out to be in dollars.

Michael Buble – Call me Irresponsible
I know that I’ll get shit for this one, but I bought this cd for my wife and I really like it. This guy’s going places. He’s a Harry Connick Jr, Sinatra cross that has it together. As much as I don’t see the rest of the group listening to it, I’ll keep it as my guilty pleasure of 2007.

Synopsis de Inero, but I digregless....

The delectable Down Your Nose dinner was last week. It was nice to have the usual Greg-less attendance. The discussions were gregless about our favorite gregless releases of 2007. Prior to sharing our gregless lists we reviewed two gregless discs from days gone by. Mendoza gregless Line was mostly viewed favorgreglessly, though Probot- not dipping gregessly to the nadir of our group reviews- wasn't. We will wait for Monsta's gregless summation of our gregless 2007.

To help in facilitating our gregless meetings the schedule is now posted on line with meeting dates.

Top Ten of 2007

1. The Snake The Cross The Crown Cotton Teeth

• A pleasant surprise that still gets better every time I listen to it.

2.Dirty Sweet Of Monarchs and Beggars

• If only more bands would just put their head down and rock.

3. Two Cow Garage III

• Best show of the year and surprising additions of extra musicians stole nothing away from their sound.

4. Manic Street Preachers Save the Tigers

• Rarely does a band say they are going back to the beginning and then actually pull it off. A cd that lets you remember that there is a guitarist in the band and he’s still a bit pissed off.

5. Ginger Yoni

• A Wildhearts and a solo cd from my favortite living front man. One was good but this was great. Pop, power chords and even a swing tune no less.

6. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Baby 81

• T Rexish at times but just a good straight ahead rock cd.

7. Against Me! New Wave

• The singer growls and is pissed off and the guitars follow his lead.

8. Sloan Never Hear the End of It

• Sure only half the songs on this cd are really good and the other half are okay but then again there are 30 songs on the disc. With a little self-editing they made a great pop cd another good return to form cd.

9. Waysted Harsh Reality

• A guilty pleasure from Pete Way's spin off band that features the guy who sang the theme to The Office (English version)

10.Wildbirds Golden Daze

• Another new band with a killer single who seem to be getting some well-deserved notice.

Worth listening too

The National, The Hours, Great Northern

Mendoza Line and Probot will not be posted. I lost one and the other did not work when received.

KB's Blistering Top 10, sponsored by THE HOFF

Mendoza Line- 30 Year

Late entry, but one that stuck. An eclectic array of songs about ending relationships and reaching (cough) a certain age without amounting to much. The songs varied nicely sounding VUish one moment and Okkervil River-like the next. The recording is imperfect which adds to the theme of discord. (4.0)

Probot- (self titled)

Probot is not in Pygmy territory but I still can only take scant moments of it. I am unable to get emotionally connected whatsoever to speed metal. I did hear some variance here and there but it was strictly academic appreciation as one respects a smart fractal geometrist. (2.0)

Top Ten 2008

1. Ian Hunter- Shrunken Heads- Might be my favorite of the year. Great songs, great playing. Doesn’t sound 69 years old.
2. Two Cow Garage- III- Each one gets better and broader. Pray to the gods so they get heard.
3. The Blakes- The Blakes- Raw, indy, messy and hopefully will never sign with a major.
4. Sleeping In the Aviary- Oh, This Old Thing?- See the Blakes. It’s nice to have loud raucous, slightly unstructured rock that isn’t just commercialized noise.
5. Okkervil River- The Stage Names- Once again Will puts out disc of stories that aren’t typical and aren’t absurd
6. Mendoza Line- 30 Year Low- See above review.
7. Ike Reilly Assassination- We Belong to the Staggering Evening- Very under-acclaimed song writer. After a weak last release this one comes at you fast and doesn’t let go.
8. Dirty Sweet- Of Monarchs and Beggars- Best 70s album since 1979…. Fun songs about some ridiculous stuff.
9. Feist- The Reminder- Just when you think you got her figured, she veers. Quite interesting.
10. John Doe- In the Wilderness- Another great release from a semi-codger. Thoughtful but not wimpy.

I do have a couple that were close and will provide them upon further badgering so not to upset the honorable mention police.

Disappointments- Wilco, Tom Morello, Love Drug

For fun I looked at my picks since the inception of the group and highlighted those I can remember listening to this year, in their entirety.

2006

Bob Dylan- Modern Times

Subways- Young for Eternity

Artic Monkeys- whatever People say I am, that is what I am no

Neil Young- Living with War

Thermals- the Body, the blood, the machine

Todd Snyder- The devil in me

Hold Steady- Boys and Girls of America

Decemberists- The Crane Wife

Built to Spill- You in reverse

Jennifer O’Connor- Over the

2005

Beck- Guero

Kaiser Chiefs- Employment

James McMurtry- Childish Things

Death Ray Davies- Kick and a snare

Spoon -Gimme fiction

Neil Diamond- 12 Songs

Hold Steady- Separation Sunday

TSAR- Band-Girls-Money

The Sun- Blame it on the Youth

Giant Drag- Hearts and Unicorns

2004

Sonic Youth- Sonic Nurse

Loretta Lynn- Van Lear Rose

Social Distortion- Sex, Love and Rock and Roll

Hives- Tyrannosaurus Hives

Green Day- American Idiot

Two Cow Garage- With Our Backs Against the Wall

Luna- Rendezvous

Thermals- Fuckin’ A

Ambulence, LTD- LP

Medeski Martin and Wood- End of the World Party