Yesterday I found a mysteriously rare Siouxsie & the Banshees E.P. called The Thorn. I almost cried right there in the record store, it freaked my freak. Released in 1984, it contains two reworked tracks that appeared on previous records and two tracks that were B-sides. It's really good!!! This means I need to make a switch on my Top 20 List, I'll replace Tinderbox with The Thorn.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The newest member of our family!
She's 12" long, got a great personality and she's beautiful!
Yesterday I found a mysteriously rare Siouxsie & the Banshees E.P. called The Thorn. I almost cried right there in the record store, it freaked my freak. Released in 1984, it contains two reworked tracks that appeared on previous records and two tracks that were B-sides. It's really good!!! This means I need to make a switch on my Top 20 List, I'll replace Tinderbox with The Thorn.
Yesterday I found a mysteriously rare Siouxsie & the Banshees E.P. called The Thorn. I almost cried right there in the record store, it freaked my freak. Released in 1984, it contains two reworked tracks that appeared on previous records and two tracks that were B-sides. It's really good!!! This means I need to make a switch on my Top 20 List, I'll replace Tinderbox with The Thorn.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Top 20 Vinyl Records in My Collection
Yesterday a dream came true. Something so unimaginable my brain nearly melted with mystical wonder. I responded to an ad I saw on craigslist. A woman was getting rid of some vinyl records for $1.50 each! We are not talking Streisand, Manilow, Neil Diamond, we're talking David Bowie, The Talking Heads & The B-52s. Even more than that it was something I thought for sure was a typo on her list...Tom Waits!!! I own 3 Tom Waits vinyl and they are my special babies. Finding Tom Waits on vinyl is like finding The Smiths, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVER!!! So what was the catch? I went to her house and there they were, I bought 4 Tom Waits records for $1.50 each!!! I swung by the local vinyl store to get some plastic covers and couldn't help but share my good fortune with the sales guy. His eyes lit up like it was Christmas and he said, "Dude, you're going to be on the news!" With the events of yesterday making me realize dreams do come true I decided to put together a list of my top 20 favorite vinyls in my collection. Now keep in mind these are records I own, not my cds, tapes or MP3s. So when you find yourself saying, "but what about ___?" remember I might not own that on vinyl. Okay, they are alphabetized so enjoy and believe me this was crazy hard to narrow down!
The B-52's, The B-52's 1979 - Hands down their best record. Planet Claire gets me all crazy and Rock Lobster is classic. Think of the reactions people must have had when they first heard this. I love this record because it always makes me happy, always works at a party and never gets old.
Bjork, Debut 1993 - Do I really need to explain this one? Unless you are one of those freaks that doesn't like Bjork you know why this is on the list. Debut is classic and Come to Me is one of the greatest love songs ever written. I maybe one of the only super-fans in the world that actually has her first record called Bjork from 1977, it's weird but awesome because she was 11 and singing in Icelandic, but Debut really is her first solo album.
Blondie, Parallel Lines 1978 - This was Blondie's 3rd studio album and my favorite. It flows like a record should. The black & white cover is awesome and the record starts with one of Blondie's best opening tracks Hanging On the Telephone, even though they didn't write that song.
David Bowie, Hunky Dory 1971 - I'm going to have to say this is, to me, Bowie's greatest record. It was very hard to choose between this and Ziggy Stardust, but if you're questioning my decision then give Hunky Dory another spin and get back to me. There are few thing I enjoy more then having a glass of wine, laying on the floor and blasting Oh! You Pretty Things.
The Cure, The Walk 1983 - If you know even one thing about me it's that I'm obsessed with The Cure. Picking a favorite Cure vinyl might possibly be the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. Now as a disclaimer, if I owned Head On the Door it would have bumped The Walk. However, this record is more than just a record for me. When I was visiting New Orleans as a 15 year old I went to Tower Records. I browsed The Cure section and saw a book called The Cure on Record. It was a book that shows The Cure's entire catalog on vinyl, every import, single, promo, limited edition...everything! The weird thing was as I was flipping through I stopped on The Walk, a rare EP that had a cool cover. I vowed that one day I would find that record and my life would be fulfilled, I found it and it was (more to this story later).
Depeche Mode, Black Celebration 1986 - Maria, my wife, turned me on to Depeche Mode and I thank her for it endlessly. I owned Violator before I met her but that was it. When we started hanging out in high school she lent me her Depeche Mode albums. I was hooked and Black Celebration was the album, But Not Tonight was the song and the rest is history.
Dion, Ruby Baby 1963 - Nobody is foolish enough to question the greatest voice is music history, Freddie Mercury. However, coming in at a strong second will have to be Dion. I know I'm vegan, but his voice melts like butter. That man was blessed with a real talent, period.
Brian Eno, Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) 1974 - Eno's brilliant follow up to one of the greatest records ever made Here Come the Warm Jets (which I sadly do not own on vinyl, if anyone has a copy they wish to donate feel free). Eno is Eno, that's all I can really say.
Glass Candy, Love, Love, Love 2003 - Not a classic like Bowie, but it has something special. It's messy, honest and gets better with age. Glass Candy doesn't shy away from being exactly what they want to be. Although I like their 2007 album Beatbox more, this vinyl holds a special place in my heart.
The Glove, Blue Sunshine 1983 - Ah my sneaky way of getting Robert Smith on this list twice! This record is the footnote to my Cure story from earlier. The baby of my vinyl collection. The first time I saw The Glove was in that same book and I was determined to track it down because it is so incredibly rare. I finally found it one day when I was least expecting to. I was doing my weekly browse through the recent used vinyl bin at a local record store in Missoula, MT when there it was in all it's glory! Life is good. A side note: When I interviewed Steven Severin (1/3 of The Glove & bass player for Siouxsie & the Banshees) he said they were in talks of The Glove part 2!
Joy Division, Amsterdam 1980 - Without a doubt the rarest vinyl I own. I've only listened to it once! Amsterdam is an original, first pressing, impossible-to-find pseudo-bootleg of a live performance in 1980. It was actually recorded by the legendary Martin Hannett and leaked by Factory Records as an official/un-official live album. It was created for promotional use only, which means the amount pressed must have been very, very few. This concert is now better known on endless bootlegs which all were taken from this obscure recording. This record here was the first, the original, the only recording of that now legendary live performance on January 11th, 1980.
Cyndi Lauper, She's So Unusual 1983 - Wow, I have a thing for records released in 1983! Look, Cyndi Lauper is awesome and this record is classic. Her voice is undeniably unique and endlessly fascinating. Time After Time is perfect.
Leadbelly, Leadbelly no date - This record is just one of those random Leadbelly albums floating around, there are dozens. I have some others, but I really like this one. It's got some great classics on there like Black Betty, Looky, Looky Yonder and John Hardy. I feel strongly that Leadbelly is one of the few artists that must be heard on vinyl, any other format just doesn't work.
New Order, Low-life 1985 - On their third album New Order really captured something unique. I think this was the record that defines their overall sound. It starts off great and ends great, hard to do in the world of music. The copy I have was a birthday present from a good friend, it even still has the paper strip that says New Order that wrapped around the outside of the cover, although it's ripped into two pieces.
Roxy Music, Stranded 1973 - This was also Roxy Music's 3rd album. It's my favorite Roxy Music record ever, which is a hard decision to make. It all comes down to one song Just Like You, a 3:34 masterpiece. One of the greatest Glam-Rock songs ever written.
Siouxsie & the Banshees, Tinderbox 1986 - Man alive I love this album, I love every Siouxsie album! Siouxsie & the Banshees did no wrong in their long career, perfect record after perfect record. I'm going to be honest, when choosing this album I just closed my eyes and reached for the Siouxsie section.
T. Rex, Electric Warrior 1971 - Look, I can't even get into this right now. The ancient Egyptians had their gods and I have mine! (hint: they include, but are not limited to Marc Bolan, Bowie and Eno). On an interesting side note I found this record in the same bin I found The Glove!
Talking Heads, Naked 1988 - Naked isn't the best Talking Heads record, but it's my favorite to own. I have a lot of Talking Heads vinyl, but there something about pulling out that record and seeing that chimp holding a flower that's priceless.
Theoretical Girl, The Hypocrite 2008 - Some of you might be scratching your heads and saying "who?" but trust me this girl has got crazy amounts of talent. I might be biased because she's singing on my next record, but that doesn't change the fact that this 7" single is killer! The Hypocrite was the first song I heard from her and I was hooked instantly, She's going to be huge and I'll look back 5 years from now at this limited edition vinyl and say, "I'm so glad I bought it then, I can't afford it now!"
Tom Waits, Rain Dogs 1985 - Mama Pajama this is so cool!!! This was one that I picked up yesterday for $1.50! I've had dreams I would one day own this on vinyl and now I do. It's my all time favorite Tom Waits record. Classic, oh man, I can't write anymore I need to put it on. Peace out!
The B-52's, The B-52's 1979 - Hands down their best record. Planet Claire gets me all crazy and Rock Lobster is classic. Think of the reactions people must have had when they first heard this. I love this record because it always makes me happy, always works at a party and never gets old.
Bjork, Debut 1993 - Do I really need to explain this one? Unless you are one of those freaks that doesn't like Bjork you know why this is on the list. Debut is classic and Come to Me is one of the greatest love songs ever written. I maybe one of the only super-fans in the world that actually has her first record called Bjork from 1977, it's weird but awesome because she was 11 and singing in Icelandic, but Debut really is her first solo album.
Blondie, Parallel Lines 1978 - This was Blondie's 3rd studio album and my favorite. It flows like a record should. The black & white cover is awesome and the record starts with one of Blondie's best opening tracks Hanging On the Telephone, even though they didn't write that song.
David Bowie, Hunky Dory 1971 - I'm going to have to say this is, to me, Bowie's greatest record. It was very hard to choose between this and Ziggy Stardust, but if you're questioning my decision then give Hunky Dory another spin and get back to me. There are few thing I enjoy more then having a glass of wine, laying on the floor and blasting Oh! You Pretty Things.
The Cure, The Walk 1983 - If you know even one thing about me it's that I'm obsessed with The Cure. Picking a favorite Cure vinyl might possibly be the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. Now as a disclaimer, if I owned Head On the Door it would have bumped The Walk. However, this record is more than just a record for me. When I was visiting New Orleans as a 15 year old I went to Tower Records. I browsed The Cure section and saw a book called The Cure on Record. It was a book that shows The Cure's entire catalog on vinyl, every import, single, promo, limited edition...everything! The weird thing was as I was flipping through I stopped on The Walk, a rare EP that had a cool cover. I vowed that one day I would find that record and my life would be fulfilled, I found it and it was (more to this story later).
Depeche Mode, Black Celebration 1986 - Maria, my wife, turned me on to Depeche Mode and I thank her for it endlessly. I owned Violator before I met her but that was it. When we started hanging out in high school she lent me her Depeche Mode albums. I was hooked and Black Celebration was the album, But Not Tonight was the song and the rest is history.
Dion, Ruby Baby 1963 - Nobody is foolish enough to question the greatest voice is music history, Freddie Mercury. However, coming in at a strong second will have to be Dion. I know I'm vegan, but his voice melts like butter. That man was blessed with a real talent, period.
Brian Eno, Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) 1974 - Eno's brilliant follow up to one of the greatest records ever made Here Come the Warm Jets (which I sadly do not own on vinyl, if anyone has a copy they wish to donate feel free). Eno is Eno, that's all I can really say.
Glass Candy, Love, Love, Love 2003 - Not a classic like Bowie, but it has something special. It's messy, honest and gets better with age. Glass Candy doesn't shy away from being exactly what they want to be. Although I like their 2007 album Beatbox more, this vinyl holds a special place in my heart.
The Glove, Blue Sunshine 1983 - Ah my sneaky way of getting Robert Smith on this list twice! This record is the footnote to my Cure story from earlier. The baby of my vinyl collection. The first time I saw The Glove was in that same book and I was determined to track it down because it is so incredibly rare. I finally found it one day when I was least expecting to. I was doing my weekly browse through the recent used vinyl bin at a local record store in Missoula, MT when there it was in all it's glory! Life is good. A side note: When I interviewed Steven Severin (1/3 of The Glove & bass player for Siouxsie & the Banshees) he said they were in talks of The Glove part 2!
Joy Division, Amsterdam 1980 - Without a doubt the rarest vinyl I own. I've only listened to it once! Amsterdam is an original, first pressing, impossible-to-find pseudo-bootleg of a live performance in 1980. It was actually recorded by the legendary Martin Hannett and leaked by Factory Records as an official/un-official live album. It was created for promotional use only, which means the amount pressed must have been very, very few. This concert is now better known on endless bootlegs which all were taken from this obscure recording. This record here was the first, the original, the only recording of that now legendary live performance on January 11th, 1980.
Cyndi Lauper, She's So Unusual 1983 - Wow, I have a thing for records released in 1983! Look, Cyndi Lauper is awesome and this record is classic. Her voice is undeniably unique and endlessly fascinating. Time After Time is perfect.
Leadbelly, Leadbelly no date - This record is just one of those random Leadbelly albums floating around, there are dozens. I have some others, but I really like this one. It's got some great classics on there like Black Betty, Looky, Looky Yonder and John Hardy. I feel strongly that Leadbelly is one of the few artists that must be heard on vinyl, any other format just doesn't work.
New Order, Low-life 1985 - On their third album New Order really captured something unique. I think this was the record that defines their overall sound. It starts off great and ends great, hard to do in the world of music. The copy I have was a birthday present from a good friend, it even still has the paper strip that says New Order that wrapped around the outside of the cover, although it's ripped into two pieces.
Roxy Music, Stranded 1973 - This was also Roxy Music's 3rd album. It's my favorite Roxy Music record ever, which is a hard decision to make. It all comes down to one song Just Like You, a 3:34 masterpiece. One of the greatest Glam-Rock songs ever written.
Siouxsie & the Banshees, Tinderbox 1986 - Man alive I love this album, I love every Siouxsie album! Siouxsie & the Banshees did no wrong in their long career, perfect record after perfect record. I'm going to be honest, when choosing this album I just closed my eyes and reached for the Siouxsie section.
T. Rex, Electric Warrior 1971 - Look, I can't even get into this right now. The ancient Egyptians had their gods and I have mine! (hint: they include, but are not limited to Marc Bolan, Bowie and Eno). On an interesting side note I found this record in the same bin I found The Glove!
Talking Heads, Naked 1988 - Naked isn't the best Talking Heads record, but it's my favorite to own. I have a lot of Talking Heads vinyl, but there something about pulling out that record and seeing that chimp holding a flower that's priceless.
Theoretical Girl, The Hypocrite 2008 - Some of you might be scratching your heads and saying "who?" but trust me this girl has got crazy amounts of talent. I might be biased because she's singing on my next record, but that doesn't change the fact that this 7" single is killer! The Hypocrite was the first song I heard from her and I was hooked instantly, She's going to be huge and I'll look back 5 years from now at this limited edition vinyl and say, "I'm so glad I bought it then, I can't afford it now!"
Tom Waits, Rain Dogs 1985 - Mama Pajama this is so cool!!! This was one that I picked up yesterday for $1.50! I've had dreams I would one day own this on vinyl and now I do. It's my all time favorite Tom Waits record. Classic, oh man, I can't write anymore I need to put it on. Peace out!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Uncanny X-Men Issue #266
WARNING: NERD ALERT!!!
When I was a kid I was obsessed with reading X-Men comics. I had a "mailbox" at the local comic store that my mom was nice enough to set-up for me, this meant every month I would go to the comic store and buy all the comics in my mailbox. Basically this was the nerd equivalent to subscribing to a magazine. I loved comics (and still do) and my favorite comic hero of all time was an X-Men called Gambit.
The comic I wanted more than any other was The Uncanny X-Men #266, made in 1990. That year I was a 10 year old skater that listened to The Cure so I could relate to Gambit, he was the cool one of the bunch. This was the first appearance of the character Gambit and I didn't own it because of some forgotten drama. I tracked down another skater/nerd a couple years later that was also into Gambit and owned Issue 266. I convinced him that I needed it. We did some ridiculous trade and then I was the proud owner. In fact, I just pulled it out before posting this blog and flipped through it. Yep, still got it, still in mint condition.
Anywho, can you imagine my excitement when I found out an X-Men movie was going to be made a few years back? When I was younger my best friend and I used to fantasize about who would portray specific characters. Okay time to date myself: Wolverine would be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme, Gambit would be played by Christian Slater (remember this is the time around Gleaming the Cube) and the best one... Professor X would be played by Patrick Stewart!!! For real! The film came out years later and guess who's playing Professor X? Was there any doubt?
Now, as happy as I was about an X-Men movie I was furious that there was no Gambit to be found. What is up with that? I patiently waited for the next film and still no Gambit, then part 3... NO GAMBIT!
Well the word is in, a new movie is being made about Wolverine and Gambit will finally make an appearance! Now, is Christian Slater playing him? Yes... NOT! He wishes, times have changed my friends. Apparently Gambit will be played by some dude named Taylor Kitsch. I guess he is on a show called Friday Night Lights, what-ev's he better not screw this up. There is talk about a spin off movie for Gambit, which makes perfect sense because he had a nice little comic book mini-series, which I still own (see Issue #1 below).
All I'm saying is that Gambit is here, finally. I hope this dude doesn't suck butt when portraying him on the big screen. Let me put it like this, unless he also had a "mailbox" at the local comic store, he doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
When I was a kid I was obsessed with reading X-Men comics. I had a "mailbox" at the local comic store that my mom was nice enough to set-up for me, this meant every month I would go to the comic store and buy all the comics in my mailbox. Basically this was the nerd equivalent to subscribing to a magazine. I loved comics (and still do) and my favorite comic hero of all time was an X-Men called Gambit.
The comic I wanted more than any other was The Uncanny X-Men #266, made in 1990. That year I was a 10 year old skater that listened to The Cure so I could relate to Gambit, he was the cool one of the bunch. This was the first appearance of the character Gambit and I didn't own it because of some forgotten drama. I tracked down another skater/nerd a couple years later that was also into Gambit and owned Issue 266. I convinced him that I needed it. We did some ridiculous trade and then I was the proud owner. In fact, I just pulled it out before posting this blog and flipped through it. Yep, still got it, still in mint condition.
Anywho, can you imagine my excitement when I found out an X-Men movie was going to be made a few years back? When I was younger my best friend and I used to fantasize about who would portray specific characters. Okay time to date myself: Wolverine would be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme, Gambit would be played by Christian Slater (remember this is the time around Gleaming the Cube) and the best one... Professor X would be played by Patrick Stewart!!! For real! The film came out years later and guess who's playing Professor X? Was there any doubt?
Now, as happy as I was about an X-Men movie I was furious that there was no Gambit to be found. What is up with that? I patiently waited for the next film and still no Gambit, then part 3... NO GAMBIT!
Well the word is in, a new movie is being made about Wolverine and Gambit will finally make an appearance! Now, is Christian Slater playing him? Yes... NOT! He wishes, times have changed my friends. Apparently Gambit will be played by some dude named Taylor Kitsch. I guess he is on a show called Friday Night Lights, what-ev's he better not screw this up. There is talk about a spin off movie for Gambit, which makes perfect sense because he had a nice little comic book mini-series, which I still own (see Issue #1 below).
All I'm saying is that Gambit is here, finally. I hope this dude doesn't suck butt when portraying him on the big screen. Let me put it like this, unless he also had a "mailbox" at the local comic store, he doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
