With A Little Moderation...

It's come to that time where I lay down the facts all about the tracks that I've been enjoying and as I'm well aware it's been an awfully long time. So to start things off, I'd like to thanks Ben Nichols and the boys from Lucero for announcing an up and coming show here at the local Radio Radio club. If nothing else this is a reason for Indianapolis to celebrate and prepare for the most rock'in-est bands that has been filling these ear drums for some time now. I would suggest this album as the best or another album as a more ambitious of all, but to do that would be just wrong. I'm telling everyone now they just rock the socks off the joint and that's what I'm sticking with. If you don't beleive me just click on the band's photo and get magically whisked away to their home on the web.

On another note, I've thourghly been enjoying the most recent release by Omar Alfredo Rodriguez-Lopez named, "Old Money". A kind of concept album loosely based on (as the Stones Throw label says) exploitative industrialists and, well, their old money, but talks nothing to the fuzzy distorted sounds that gives an excellent modernization of the psychedelic sounds. Regardless, "Old Money" provides experimental listeners with something to rock out to while at the same time testing their musical fortitude.

Folks, it's been a long day and I need to enjoy a little Patrick McGoohan as the one, the only "Secret Agent-Danger Man".

Other Notable Numbers Currently In Play

1. John Spencer Blues Explosion
2. James Brown-Motherlode
3. DJ Format

Josh Rouse and his Wonderful World

Everyone I know it's been a two week hiatus or should I say to that one reader out thier (most likely my mom) I've been neglecting my duties as a musical afficiando. It is truly the start of a new month, many New Years Resolutions have gone down in flames, but I'm lucky to report Mr. Josh Rouse as blessed these ears with another great selection of live tunes and his single of the month.

I will start off by saying the new single of the month is great. I will admit I'd never come across this paticular Cure song, but it's in true Josh Rouse fashion it's soft and sweet as the first as any kiss from that paticular someone in your life.

In addition, Josh has added another group of tunes from July 2002 prior to his recording of the "1972" album. The recording itself is as clear as any store bought copy and the vocals are as sound as any I've come across from pre produced material. I will have to praise Josh for posting this show and it's ability to rock out with the best of them. While a bit more upbeat than previous posts, it's a welcome change to a quieter Josh who can truly prove he's got a handle on how to make all the ladies and gents get up and boogie.

With that I'm putting my mark on this and hitting the road. Please let me know how you feel about the commentary and if you get a chance click on the above picture to get whisked away to wonderful world of Josh Rouse. Everyone take care and keep warm for those readers not in a subtropical climate.

Other Noteable Numbers Currently in Play:

Ben Nichols - The Last Pale Light In the West

Van She - Van She (EP)

Audio Overload

I feel like a auditory junkie coming off a weeklong musical high with all the goodies that I've been listening to lately. It all started Tuesday after I picked up the most recent release by "King Khan". Almost like magic it appeared in my car's player and was instantly transported to a magical world of musical bliss. The tunes pouring out of my speakers were crazy, funky, and full of energy. King Khan and his band reminded me that not all garage rock should not be overlooked, regardless of what some people believe. The only bad part of this story is I was told that King Khan had actually toured the midwest circuit not to long ago with the Detroit Cobras and I yours truly was not in the audience.

After that first find it only got better from their. I ran across a great act from Austin in late 70's early 80's called "The Skunks", as well as, Britian's own "The Jam". The Skunks album was an wonderful mix of Westerberg rhythm and early 80's riffs. So catchy in fact the album found itself on repeat twice over. Following a great showing by that lovely piece of vinyl I placed "The Jam's" In The City album for a turn around the block. I will have to make it known, I am a big fan of Paul Weller and his time in the Jam is second to none. While I could give this early album much praise, it is does lack a certain sound I feel that I wish they could have developed before their final album called "Sound Effects".

Folks, it has been a pleasure, but the night is winding down and I'm needing to take care of some business.

Other Notable Numbers Currently in Play:

Richard "Groove" Holmes -Welcome Home

Donny Hathaway - Donny Hathaway

Alejandro and the way of the True Believers

Saludos Amigos

It's amazing how a few days will turn around your musical tastes and this week has been no exception. I recently dropped a few dead presidents on an album by Mr. Alejandro Escovedo's latino punk collective called "The True Believers". To my surprise the RYKO label was gracious enough to put together a collection of both albums on one phenom of a compact disc. Far be it for me to judge a album by its cover, but even with that in mind this disc is just that, F*CKING AMAZING. Combined with his brother Javier the band brings back a sense of senseless rock and roll. The first part of this album burns with the excitement of being in the front row of the first concert I attended as a young boy in central Florida. By the way, thanks Ma Mettalica was amazing, but no Nirvana, denied. Songs like Rebel Kind, Hard Road, and Home combine beutiful instrumentation and lyrics that will keep any fan entertained. In fact, Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams cover "Rain Won't Help You When Its Over" on their album "Strangers Almanac".

This isn't the first time I've got to give props to RYKO for putting out some great music. They are partly responsible for my love of all music by Josh Rouse. Matter of fact, Josh and his Bedroom classics label have been stirring things up online with their label website. Just recently, a very sleepy Josh managed to put together a classic U2 tune with the help of an accoustic and a desire to keep listeners wanting more. Kudos Mr. Rouse, Kudos. I know I could go on more about the musical styles of Josh, but I'll save that for a different time. Listeners intrigiued can check out his myspace page or label site at, http://www.joshrouse.com/ .

The only sad part about this whole story is that I hadn't found the "True Believers" sooner. Hopefully, anyone out their interested won't have to wait as long as I did and am able to pick up this wonderful collection, maybe even some Josh Rouse, or any RYKO album. I promise you won't be disappointed, but if you are my bad.

Folks, with that I'm leaving this little hide-a-way of musical criticism and trust in the faith that some lost souls searching for a good tune or two find my commentary enlightening.

Other Notable Numbers Currently in Play:

1. Eddie Cochran - Never To Be Forgotten
2. KISS - Rock N Roll Over

New Year, New Hear

Old father time has done gone and left us with some musical gems for this past year, but in true fashion I'm sure 2009 has some great artists and reissues ahead. As most of us segway into the new year we must reflect on some of those artists that we may have not mentioned before. One of which is the group "Lovesick" featuring Fred Thomas from "Saturday Looks Good to Me".

Any fan of indie noise or ambient tunes will enjoy their self titled release on vinyl from Makoto Recordings. The album has a calmly passionate sense of creation taking licks from such artists like Sonic Youth and Joy Divison, but the sincerity that is something I have yet to find in some acts now-a-days. The album is pressed on white vinyl with cover art from Ida Pearle from the group named "Ida". In closing, the instrumentation is sublime and is something that hasn't left my players side since I picked it up.

My tastes have not just been restricted to the saucer shaped vinyl, but I have had the opportunity to pick up some notable albums courtesy of some of our finest used shops in town. Some of which are "The Features" and "MF Doom". Both are exciting albums, but complete different genres. The Features are a Nashville based act incorporating catchy early era 60's -tinged rock pop and MF Doom producing some of the most intense hip hop beats that could burn up any turntable.

Sadly as lovely as it has been to share some of what I've been listening to lately I must take care of everyday tasks that weekend's were made for doing.

Other Notable Numbers Currently in Play:
Tommy Boy Records - Greatest Beats (2 x LP)
The Saints - All Fools Day

Where Did All The Good Tunes Go??

It’s been a long week and an even longer search for something that I can’t wrestle out of my player at home. Luckily, true to there word the US Postal Service braved the sleet and snow to hand me an album that just blew my F***ing mind. The power pop group I am speaking about is the New York quintet who called themselves The Speedies.

Not to be outdone by it’s counterparts of the late 70’s, The Speedies drew there inspiration from such acts as David Bowie, Mott the Hoople (who by the way had there first album produced by Bowie), and the New York Dolls.

Songs like “Let Me Take Your Photo” and “Something on My Mind” infuse a sense of classic rock “n” roll with catchy riffs that can easily outlast any modern day act. After adopting poppy alias stage names, attracting rave reviews, and playing some of the most highly energized shows in the NYC area the group dissolved in 1981 to pursue educational opportunities.

While a full length album was never produced, The Speedies are a great focal point of music during an era impressed with a punk rock scene. I’d like to believe they could have made the move to national notoriety, but lucky they can live on in our players as best of’s. Anyone interested in this group can find their songs on ITunes or not-so-half priced singles on EBay.

In closing, I hope some folks out there can enjoy my love of all things music and feel free to add whatever comments or corrections that escape me.

Other Notable Numbers Currently in Play:
1. Ragen Fykes (working with my man Omega Watts)
2. The Saints

First Week of Snow's Listening Hut

Unfortunately, my musical listening has been a little blah. This past week has been more of a week of reflection with the Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" . Since it's release in 1995 this album has been both intriguing and a lost cause to yours truly. The Pumpkins catchy tunes like Tonight Tonight, Zero, and Bullet with Butterfly Wings keep listeners attached, but loses its focus trying to tie to many elements to an otherwise ambitious album. I do believe that the Pumpkins can be one of the few bands that can still stand the test of time and truly enjoy their double disc album, but this is no "Gish".

I know it seems unfair not to list a few albums or artists I've been enjoying this week so here goes:

Notable Newbies for this Week
(artist followed by album)

1. Evil Nine - They Live
2. The Last Puppet Show - The Age of Understatement

Not to deviate from my musical focus, but I ran across this great combination of Super Mario World and the next president-elect. Give it a while just make sure to stay away from the lobbyists. http://superobamaworld.com/