Unless you dig it...it's not the Spiggot.

Back in the day, when I lived in Kenmore Square, there was a great used record and CD store called "Nuggets". Their newspaper ads used the tag line, "It's not a nugget unless you dug it." I've paraphrased that line as my title this month because all the CD's we reviewed were...nuggets. Nothing sucked. Here's a more detailed look:

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

This is the first BT CD I’ve listened to, so I don’t know much about their past work. The first track, Sleepytime in the Western World had me thinking that I was going to get a heavy dose of ‘60’s style pop, but I was pleasantly surprised as each song took on a different sound/genre. The title track sounded like Queen’s "39" minus the choral harmonies. Lyrically, it was a kind of a bizarre version of “It Was a Very Good Year”…when I was 23, I shed my fur after being raised by wolves..." or something to that effect. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 for me was the extended jamming on a couple of the deeper tracks. All in all, very listenable and varied enough to listen to straight through 4.5

Everest

I listened to this CD on a late night drive from Hartford to NH. I couldn’t have picked a better time. I couldn’t get wrapped up in what the song titles were, who was in the band, none of that. Just the feeling of mellow, yet powerful Neil Young inspired acoustic and electric guitars along with those high tenor vocals. I absolutely understand how they would be touring with Wilco and Neil. I can’t tell you anything specific about any of the songs, but by the second pass on this – I listened to the full CD twice on the ride – I was singing along so the hooks in these songs are pretty good, in my view. All in all, a solid 4.

Yayhoos

For me, this was a “what’s not to like” kind of CD since I enjoyed the Georgia Satellites when they came on the scene and I know that I’d get a dose of good old fashioned southern rock sensibilities on this CD. The first track, What Are We Waitin’ For” had me singing right away…and then I had to think about Toby Keith’s “I Ain’t As Good As I Once Was” which has a very similar melodic hook. But this came first, and so the smile on my face got even bigger with “…Darling I Love You (but leave me the fuck alone)” blasting out of my speakers. By the time we got to the Abba tune, I knew I had to look for more info on these guys. 4.5 It might have been a 5 if their riff-rock tune was less ZZ Top-like.

Whitesnake – Slide It In

Not exactly Bob Dylan here…I’m gonna slide it in right to the top…spit it out if you don’t like it…gee, what could Whitesnake mean by that? Well, with a name like Whitesnake what can you expect... If you look up the definition of “rock out with your cock out” you’ll probably find this album as suggested listening. But seriously, as hair bands go, they can play their instruments well enough. The musical hooks and structure of the songs are classic, late ‘70’s rock and that’s…OK. I got fooled by “Love Ain’t No Stranger." From the first 30 seconds, I thought I was going to get a synth-driven power ballad, but I guess they just couldn’t help themselves…"Guilty of Love" sounds like their attempt at a single…guitar harmony hooks and all. I give it 2.5 inches…well, maybe 3. OK, a full 3 inches.

G-Hits - Golden Smog

How cool are they! A Thin Lizzy cover, a Brian Wilson cover , and just great pop/rock sensibilites all the way through. I missed them the first time around so I'll keep this in the car CD 6-pack for a while until I can buy some of their CDs. Thanks for the turn-on.

First album I ever owned I bought at the ripe old age of 10. It was a compilation of K-Tel proportions, though it was marketed on the Lost Nite label (out of Philadelphia) and was called "WFIL Pop Explosion". 24 big hits like "Pretty Little Angel Eyes", Daddy's Home", "Sally Go Round The Roses", Ellusive Butterfly", and "Last Kiss" (No, it's NOT a Pearl Jam original). It cost $4.06. I had to borrow the .06 from my friend's mom, but it was worth every penny. It reinforced my love for oldies, which I still have to this day.

Now, a question. This will be my first stab at a "Best Of" for our dinner meeting. I'd like to know if there are any tips as to how you compile these. Do you work from your CD's? From Rhapsody? Do you only include those things you listen to most, or do you take lists from other sources and listen to things you may have missed first? Just wondering. Any input would be appreciated.

Whitesnake garners mostly favorable reviews, who knew. Next up Saxon

Blitzen Trapper
Heard a bunch about these guys and was curious about them. Still am too. Not quite sure the simple pop tunes, or am I distracted with some of the background going on within the songs. I have a feeling it will be the former as I continue listening to the disc. 3.0

Everest
Decent cd from a bunch of studio players. Maybe that’s the problem because at times the oomph just seems to be missing. Blending a My Morning Jacket/ Band of Horses feel with a Luna type jam can work, but at times it seems its just playing and not building to anything. 2.5


Whitesnake
After months of countless Springsteen cover bands and an occasional Neil Diamond I decided it was my turn to return the favor and annoy everyone else.

Clichéd yes. But it still remains one of the best pop metal cd’s ever produced. Coverdale assembled his finest band ever for this. Cozy Powell and Neil Murrey bringing up the bottom. Bernie Marsden’s guitar reminds us that Deep Purple once had a boogie feel to it, while John Sykes brings in the Zeppelin, which eventually would be the bands albatross. Love him or hate him but when he wasn’t trying to ape Plant, David Coverdale possesses one of the greatest rock voices ever. The songs just rock. Slide it in has a great riff, Slow an Easy starts the Lep, and Love Ain’t no Stranger is a great ballad. Sure all the songs are about sex, but hell the bands name is Whitesnake, did you think it was named after an albino boa. 4.5


Yayhoos
It’s funny how when a band is influenced by one type of music it’s called playing in a style, while others are called impersonators. These guys definitely were weaned on the Stones, Faces teat, (with a little bit of Chuck Berry added). Not my favorite background to begin with, but when these guys tried to veer away from these influences the songs become even less memorable. Also lose a half point for the horrible ABBA cover. If you are going to do a cover make it memorable especially if it closes the cd. 2.0

Golden Smog
Any collection that starts with a Thin Lizzy cover is all right by me. Love this band, but could have done with a few more Dan Murphy penned tunes.

Kiss Destroyer

What You Would Think About December's Records If You Were Smart Like Me.

Everest - One of my, indeed our, challenges is approaching music with a totally open mind. On a certain level, it’s almost impossible as everything we think is inherently a product of our previous experiences and prejudices. I know what I like, but do I listen to certain records with a more open mind than others? I pondered that as I listened to this for the first time. It starts out great – song one sounds like the Jayhawks in their prime, so I would give this a chance no matter what, but the fact that Neil Young likes these guys and invited them to open for his latest tour probably meant that I would give the slower songs – clearly the weakest part of the record – a chance and not immediately dismiss those songs as halfway between the Eagles and America. As it turns out, further listens do those songs justice and on most songs these guys know exactly where to put the guitar breaks that bring these songs their flavor. Like the Jayhawks, though, it almost sounds too good at times. You all know I like my rock a little more ragged, but on balance this is an intelligent, well done country rock album. 4.0

Yayhoos – Two guesses on whether I like this or not. Sort of like Slobberbone without the brains, but who cares about brains. This doesn’t need brains. It’s just a bunch of guys who got together and decided to rock. They took a country rock model, turned it up a notch, added some bluesy touches and you’ve got a killer record that sounds like a party from start to finish. Ah, the finish. Wasn’t sure Dancing Queen was necessary, but as a closet Abba fan, I thought the choice was somewhat inspired. Although I tend to think they chose it for affect more than anything. 4.5 for now, but it will probaably settle in as a 4 because I'm not sure it has staying power.

Blitzen Trapper - Had it, lost it, had it again, then couldn’t find it. Clips on Amazon sound great. I’ll get back to you on this one.

Whitesnake – Who Knew? Well, I guess D’Arcy did. Is it just me (and my ignorance of 80’s rock in general showing through) or is this a genre defining record? I don’t necessarily relate to the general smarminess of it all, but it’s guitars that rock with hooks that work and there is no denying that 80% of these songs are sing-a-long anthems on a certain level. Don’t know enough about their 80’s counterparts – except to know I really don’t care for the genre in general – but it’s hard to imagine any of the bands they get lumped in with put out anything this consistently good. 4

Golden Smog - In general, they rule, both in principle and on record. Eclectic, interesting and usually smart music. Nice collection, but I recommend that you buy all of their CDs.

Topic
First record I ever owned was either Monkees Headquarters or Blood Sweat and Tears second record. Haven’t listened to either and don’t know if I even still own them. Got Blood Sweat and Tears for my birthday I think and then bought Headquarters later in the summer. Headquarters has some good songs and it was the first Mokees record to feature them playing instruments. I asked for BS&T because of the hit Spinning Wheel.

BonusTracks- a mini expose

I'm working to compile my top ten for the year and I find myself troubled. Bonus Tracks (and I consider those stupid ass hidden or unnamed tracks bonus tracks as well). Are they supposed to be considered a part of the release? Are they a true bonus for the consumer for buying the disc? If they are, and everyone get them, are they a true bonus? If the are only on select discs, why should I buy the regular? And are they worth the extra that is sometimes added to such releases? Are they leftovers? Songs that are not worthy for true consideration as part of the artist's output?

In my opinion there should not be anything called "bonus tracks" (and you have probably realized that I truly hate hidden tracks). Bonus tracks are like b-sides or better yet- unreleased material. I have no problem with a release of previously unreleased songs, but don't pepper new (I don't mean greatest hit) releases with bonus tracks. I no longer feel I am getting a bonus.

The great director Mike Mongillo once said, and I quote, "There is usually a reason why songs are not released. Because they usually suck." I tend to agree, and if bonus tracks is a way to market less than stellar recordings I am not for it.

So I ask you- when contemplating a recording's worth or greatness, should one take into account "bonus tracks", especially if the extra tracks are on only certain releases? If a disc is okay, but the bonus track happens to be so awesome that it ratchets up the greatness, should that be considered.

Please take this essay to the throne for more thorough postulating.

Bo Nusnono

Everest – Ghost Notes – 3.5

A little James Blunt, Neil Young and The Dead all in the mix, but for some reason I didn’t mind. Everest has just the right balance of relaxing, emotion melodies. By far my favorite band of this month’s picks.

The Yayhoos – Fear Not the Obvious - 1

There are some songs that shouldn’t be re-made, Dancing Queen is one of them (for several reasons). Another rule should be that the word (if you can call it that) “Hankerin’” really needs to be stricken from the English language. I’m not sure what this band’s goal was, but if whining through every song to the point it was just pure annoying was their goal they hit it right on the head. I also heard a note of Neil Young, Rod Stewart and Jerry Garcia here.

In the spirit of the holidays, I’ll give the cd 1 star for “Baby I Love You”.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr - 3

I struggled with this band I know that I compare a lot of bands to other bands, but I have a fundamental problem with bands that aren’t original. This band is really good but it sounded so much like Axl Rose and Bob Dylan singing White Stripes songs that I almost couldn’t get past that. It is a good thing that the songs and the lyrics where good because I almost just gave up on them. Instead, being in the holiday spirit and because they do have a cool name I’ll give the band a 3.

Whitesnake – Slide it in – 3.5

One of the coolest album covers ever, next to Slaughter’s “Stick it to Ya”. This really could be a greatest hits cd instead of a disk of the month. I was never one for “Zeppelin wanna be” bands, but Whitesnake and Zebra did a good enough job that I felt that they could hold their own. I guess that wasn’t the case for Zebra. David Coverdale has some serious pipes.

Golden Smog – Greatest Hits

Typical bar band. Sorry, event with the talented group they have I expected a little more. They just didn’t do it for me.

Topic:

What was the first album (or albums) you ever bought AND have you listened to it since??

Kiss Destroyer – Yes but only select tracks

Pre-Holiday Review Blowout!!

December 2008 Music Club

Everest- Ghost Notes
A swampy Crazy Horse version of Belle and Sebastian. The songs are good enough but they are sooooooo reserved. There needs to be some punch. As I listened I tended to forget they were on. All I ask is for one scream, one real solo, one big drum fill….. (2)

White Snake- Slide It In
I can’t discern these guys from the rest of the 80’s hair band fray. It’s your normal hair band, run of the mill fodder. Well done I will say, but not special. I got a smile out of the first couple of songs but the innuendo really wasn’t all that clever and neither is anything else. Tawny Kitaen is still their most talented band member. (2)

Blitzen Trappen- Furr
Furr is very different from their debut being more cohesive. A Beck fueled Wilco with just enough quirkiness to be interesting while still being firmly Americana. (3.5)

Yayhoos- Fear Not the Obvious
Rock with a shit-kickin’ attitude. Well paced and just takes off from “Wicked World” on. “Baby I Love You” is my new favorite love song, “Hunt You Down” and “Hankerin’” are great straight up rockers and an excellent goofy Abba cover to boot. What’s not to love. It’s also nice to hear from Dan Baird again. (3.5)

Golden Smog- Best Of
I file these guys in the good folder. Not great, but good, comfortable down home music. What makes them interesting are the different styles the individual pieces bring to the whole band.

First Album
The first album I ever bought, with my own dough, was The Beatles Greatest Hits 1962-1966 (the Red Album).

I haven’t listened to it in probably 18 years since I have everything on disc now.

The Midwestern Wisdom - Dec

Whitesnake – Not a good sign when the most charitable thing I can come up with is that the best track (title cut) sounds like the Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen. The rest of it sounds like Sammy’s solo stuff, which as Ken would say, is ca-ca. Hair metal in general has aged as gracefully as Linda Ronstadt’s figure, and this disc is no exception. Speaking of figures, shame on D’Arcy for depriving us of the one truly redeeming feature of this disc, namely the cover. 1 star

The Yayhoos – Made a nice counter-punch to the parade of synthesizers and effects of last month (Floyd, TV, Coldplay). A rootsy, no-frills disc from a straight shooting bar band comprised mostly of ex-Georgia Satellites. This one is full of good tunes, tasty guitar licks, a touch of country, and humorous lyrics. Inspirational chorus: “Baby I love you, just leave me the fuck alone”. Any band that verbally beats the crap out of Hank Williams Jr. (“Monkey With a Gun”) and has the guts to cover Abba is ok in my book. 4 stars

Blitzen Trapp – Gets off to a promising start with 3-4 good indie pop tunes. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much downhill after that. Songs on the latter part of the disc aren’t strong enough to keep the momentum. Without exception, I find my mind wandering from tracks 5 on every time I play this. The good stuff is very good; there just isn’t enough of it. 3 stars

Everest – Tried to give this one the benefit of the doubt, due to the Neil Young connection. It just didn’t quite trip my trigger. Sounds like a coffee shop or Borders type of disc, mellow with the occasional flash of electricity. The one standout track was “I See it In Your Eyes”, which settled into a nice Crazy Horse-on- Prozac jam. The rest of it simmers, but never quite cooks. 2.5 stars

Golden Smog – My favorite disc of the month. I’m a sucker for Byrdsy Rickenbacker guitars, lush harmonies and great songwriting, and this disc has all 3 in abundance. The whole thing has a real off-the-cuff feel to it which is reflected in the humor (“He’s a Dick”, “Pecan Pie”) as well as the unlikely covers, my favorite of which is the Brian Wilson closing track. A well done g-hits that sent me to half.com to get more and made me wonder why as a mini-Tweedy pooper I hadn’t done so before.

Discussion Question

First album ever purchased was Elton John’s Greatest Hits. I have not listened to that particular collection in many, many years. However, I do still occasionally listen to other of his works.

KISS ALIVE!

The Mong

Music Group

CommentaryDecember 2008

Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” = 2.5 STARS
AND
Everest – “Ghost Notes” = 2.5 STARS
Both seemingly influenced by many bands and artists I hold in high regard, I wouldn’t necessarily claim either is derivative, but maybe they are both a bit uninspired. I “say” maybe because I can’t quite put my finger on it: the songs are good and the production is tight so I can’t point to anything specifically or even generally that I can be particularly critical of; yet, I cannot find anything in particular to latch onto here either. I am sincerely perplexed by these releases so instead of pondering on it, it’s solid midway scores for both of ’em.

Whitesnake – “Slide it In” = 3 STAR
Meeting this on its own terms and for its own time, it fills the Zeppelin void, “rocking” in the way it intends to rock. Dated as it is, “Slide it In” is a surprisingly enjoyable listen.

The Yayhoos – “Fear Not the Obvious” = 3.5 STARS
A damn good, crowd pleasin’ bar band whose borderline corniness is effectively erased by their palpable conviction. Hell, in my book, any band that can successfully reinvent “Dancing Queen” is walking the right side of that fine line.

G’HITS – Golden Smog
Like most supergroups, not so super. Good, not great, with a few notable exceptions, especially the covers.

TOPIC
What was the first album (or albums) you ever bought AND have you listened to it since?

Kiss “Alive” (1975). Oddly, no, I haven’t listened to it since grade school. I remember really loving “100,000 Years.” Big drum solo if I recall. Around the same time was Elton John’s “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” (1975). I’ve only recently revisited this album and love it even more now than I did then.