Survived the Mexican Water

Wolf Parade – At Mount Zooner
Gets my vote for coolest cover so far this year. I think Jen and I are back on track. I liked the way that it sounds like they are singing in a huge warehouse on certain songs. I’m assuming that this is a new cd because it sounds like a lot of other popular bands, al la Fratellis, The Killers and a few others that we’ve reviewed, but they have an edge that I like. At times I felt that it got a little poppy, but it still held my interest. 3.5

Robert Plant and Allison Krauss – Raising Sand
I have to say that I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one. It seemed like a good idea and Robert Plant has pulled off some odd mixes before. I will admit that I preferred the songs that Allison Krauss sang over the Plant songs for the most part. Overall the album was surprisingly listenable and I’ve found it on a few Sunday mornings while reading the paper. 3.5

Love and Rockets – Express
I forgot how much I hated 80’s alternative music in the 80’s and how much I love it now because it reminds me of that time in my life. Although I wasn’t a big L&R fan back in the day, I definitely appreciate them more now. 3

Robert Palmer – Sneaking Sally Through The Alley
Okay, now we are talking about a classic. I remember listening to this cd back when it was already a classic, but it was new to me. I actually had to look on-line to see if Robert Palmer was still alive, sadly, he is not (2003). At times he’s almost like a James Brown on Ritalin, wicked funky but you can actually understand what he’s saying. This cd won’t go to the desert island with me, but it will remain in my collection for a long time. 4.5

Big Star – Big Star
I can certainly understand the band’s significance and I can hear how many of today’s bands have been influenced by Big Star. Before I looked to see who was playing I actually thought I was listening to a current band, then I thought I was listening to a Grateful Dead cover band. The more I heard the more I liked it. Good stuff, it must be Jay’s pick. It’s funny, but I don’t know that I heard one song that I recognized as a hit, a lot that could have been though.

Five favorite songs by bands that you generally think suck.
This was a great question, but it was more difficult than I thought. I only own music that I like and scrolling through 11000 songs to find the one or two that fit the bill wasn’t easy. Here are my choices, I’m sure there are others but it’s the best I could do.
Madonna - Ray of Light
Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Chile (I know I’ll get hell for this pick, it’s not that I think he sucks, he doesn’t, I just don’t go gaga for the guy)
Doors – Touch me and Break on Through (Sorry for stealing your song Jay, but I agree with you 100%)
Guns & Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
Grateful Dead – Hell in a Bucket