My Stool Is Black. You Know What I'm Sayin?

Teenage Fanclub- 4.0
Of course I have to start with my selection this month. I love these guys. First, they’re from Scotland and secondly they play classic (there’s that word), and I think brilliant, guitar pop in the ilk of Big Star, The Raspberries, Badfinger, the Beatles even. The nay- sayers will complain that there’s too much Big Star influence and I say so what- what’s the problem in that?? This is an awesome album that has just the right amount of pop without being “cheesy”. A great 90’s record if ever there was one. 4.0

Paul McCartney- 3.0
When this album first came out- boy, was I disappointed. Oh, there were two good, radio friendly and radio ready tunes for sure but overall- I was disappointed. As I’ve aged I guess I would categorize this as modest but nice. It’s a nice record- homegrown, sunny, Sir Paul doing everything himself with the lovely Linda backing vocals on a couple of tracks—nice! 3.0

Exene Cervenka- 2.0
Does the world need another lawyer? Does the world need another depressed folkie singer/songwriter? I think not! While this is not quite music to slit your wrist by, it is still the musings of a depressed person. Allmusic’s Mark Deming says “as a lyricist Cervenka remains a keen observer of the human condition” and call’s her music “bittersweet” and “reflective”. I just think she’s depressed and should go down to her local CVS and get her prescription filled. 2.0

David Bowie- 4.0
Exene needs to go to a Bowie show. What a nice surprise this album was. This guy is a true professional and a real entertainer. Not sure if I could call something recorded in 2004 new, but whatever. The band is obviously having fun, and what a band! The musicianship is quite good. The between song banter is nice and Bowie’s voice is in good form. All of which make this a really good live recording. While I don’t think I can call every song a “greatest hit”, it is certainly a nice compilation of stuff from across his career. I especially enjoyed some of the different arrangements. Great fun! 4.0

Spoon- 4.0
I’m a big fan so this is going to be a bit biased. As far as Alt/Indie bands go- these guys are one of the most consistent. Why aren’t they hugely popular?? This album may not be as readily accessible as some of their past work- GaGaGaGa for instance with its immediately gratifying pop hooks- but it certainly grows on you. I think this record finds the band in diverse, and dare I say mature, form. Transference is a great record from a very under appreciated band. 4.0

Ghits
Wow! If I was worried about our society before--- now I’m really worried! Not my cup of tea for sure. I guess now I have to worry about Mike as well because he bought all this, ok I can’t call it music, stuff. I kept trying to find some redeeming quality to this---stuff. I just couldn’t. I suppose if you stretch things you might find some humor in there if it all wasn’t so offensive. Thanks, Mike, for reaffirming why I don’t own any of this--- stuff.