Tag Archives: debut

RS #414: The Go Go’s, Beauty and the Beat

#414

The Go Go's, Beauty and the Beat

Release Date: 1981 Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
The Go Go's, Beauty and The Beat
Wait, are they "The Go Go's" or just "Go Go's?" That could effect my review...
Impressions: In the early '80s, I recall a general attitude toward the Go Go's of "aw, an all-female band, that's cute." Stupid stereotypes. Even though they were on I.R.S. Records, I never really listened to this album, outside of the hits. Let's put this on…"Our Lips Are Sealed" is still a winner, with the sunny harmonies and hooks … Continue Reading ››

RS #415: Van Halen, Van Halen

#415

Van Halen, Van Halen

Release Date: 1978 Previously Owned: Yes (on vinyl) First Time Listen: No
Van Halen, Van Halen
So many joints have been rolled on this cover...
Impressions: Van Halen doesn't exactly fit into my musical wheelhouse, but I secretly find them pretty awesome from time to time. Don't tell anyone. Let's put on their debut record here… Opens with the thump thump thump of Michael Anthony's Jack Daniels bass guitar and kicks into gear with the spare, somewhat menacing yet fun-loving "Runnin' With The Devil." Their pattened brand of metal-flavored pop/rock (or is it pop/rock-flavored metal?) … Continue Reading ››

RS #417: U2, Boy

#417

U2, Boy

Release Date: 1980 Previously Owned: Yes
U2, Boy
8 bit U2
Impressions: I come into this entry as a old fan of U2 from way back. This was the first U2 album I purchased in the eighties. It was on a cassette that, politely, was recorded with the entire album on each side, so you wouldn't have to flip the cassette halfway through. At the time, that impressed me for some reason, along with the moody, earnest post-punk songs within. Let's see how this record does today… "I Will Follow" is a still a … Continue Reading ››

RS #419: Portishead, Dummy

#419

Portishead,  Dummy

Release Date: 1994 Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: No
Portishead, Dummy
This album is best heard in Cinemascope.
Impressions: Dummy is of those albums that somehow made a stir with both DJ electronic music types and regular civilians when it first came out twenty years ago(!) Not an easy trick to pull off. Let's put it on and see what all the fuss was about… Opens in typically spooky fashion with "Mysterions." Everything is there from the drop: Geoff Barrow's muted, tasteful hip-hop beats, Adrian Utley's retro spy guitar, Beth Gibbon's ethereal torch crooning, all served with a … Continue Reading ››

RS #420: Buddy Holly & The Crickets – The “Chirping” Crickets

#420

Buddy Holly & The Crickets,  The “Chirping” Crickets

Release Date: 1957 Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
Looking sharp, Crickets.
Impressions: Early nerd rock and roll. Let's do this… This album blasts to life with "Oh Boy!" and then the rumbling, much covered "Not Fade Away." Holly, who was 21 when he recorded this, has a real nervous energetic delivery that gives the songs a little edge. Love the choppy percussion of "Not Fade Away." Their mix of R&B, rockabllly and country is so natural and set the stage for, well, everybody. Songs like "That'll Be The Day" and … Continue Reading ››

RS #428: The Police, Outlandos D’Amour

#428

The Police, Outlandos D'Amour

Release Date: 1978
Previously Owned: Yes
The Police, Outlandos D'Amour
Rare photo of the Police not punching each other
Impressions: The first concert I ever saw (not counting The Four Freshman in a shopping mall) was Amnesty International's Conspiracy Of Hope in 1986. It was one of the last shows The Police played before they broke up (for the first time) and I thought they were amazing. That made me a fairly decent Police fan for the rest of my life, even if they would do something stupid in the future … Continue Reading ››

RS #430: Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
Futura. Of course.
#430

Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend 

Release Date: 2008 Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Fairly popular band with the kids of now. Let's hit play… Trust-fund angle to the packaging, music, lyrics…even album titles like "Oxford Comma" and "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." They describe their mix of sounds as "Upper West Side Soweto." "Mansard Roof" starts off with a galloping beat and some tremelo guitars. At least, singer Ezra Koenig is trying to question his privilege with a chorus of "Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?" He's got a very … Continue Reading ››

RS #432: Brian Eno, Here Come The Warm Jets

#432

Brian Eno, Here Come The Warm Jets

Release Date: 1974
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Brian Eno, Here Come The Warm Jets
Here Come The Glam Album Cover
Impressions: I mostly know Brian Eno: Top-Notch Producer who brought out great work with Talking Heads, U2 and his stint with Roxy Music. And Brian Eno: Ambient Music Pioneer. But I dont know much about Brian Eno: Solo Rock Star. Let's put this on… Catchy, rocking guitar on "Needles In The Camel's Eye" almost sounds like Boat or Pavement. In the running for strangest name of … Continue Reading ››

RS #441: Suicide, Suicide

Suicide, Suicide
Yep, this is what it sounds like.
#441

Suicide, Suicide Release Date: 1977

Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes Impressions: Completely never heard of these guys. Not even in name, although I'm going to assume it's not party-time music…So far, name is apt: they play lo-fi, almost amateurish, early New Romantic keyboard heavy sad music. The mood is Dire. "Ghost Rider" sounds like if a depressed Elvis got ahold of some synths. You can definitely hear a wire-frame for new wave or goth type … Continue Reading ››

RS #442: Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
There's very little golf material on this album.
#442

Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

Release Date: 1978 Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes Impressions: Sadly, I’ve never really considered these guys as, like, an actual band of musicians. Like ZZ Top and their long beards, their nerdy, red siren hat wearing image has overshadowed their tunes in my mind. This should be interesting… “Uncontrollable Urge” blasts out of the gate with some rocking, angular guitars and their version of punk. I’m impressed. They follow … Continue Reading ››