Nofx - So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes

MINE

So this is what the fuss is all about.  This is who does the definitive US ska-punk sound.  It's good, in fact it's very good.  But it's a pity that sound gets a bit repetitive to me after a while.

I think it's because most tracks have got that really fast beat, that I know I just wouldn't be able to keep up with after about, oh, two songs?  Even though each one only lasts about 2 minutes!  Anyway, now I know why YourZ likes these guys so much.  It's good music, played and produced well.  Pity I don't really like it.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN


YOURZ

First there was light.  And it was smashed by NoFX.  All the pretenders who came after them have been literally left in the dark by these punk stalwarts.  These guys are the real deal, defiantly giving the bird to major labels and MTV and managing themselves and their career without the usual aides and management teams for nearly 30 years. 

Their songs cover everything from politics and religion to domestic violence.  They are unapologetic, opiniated and talented to boot.  They make most other California punk bands look like pussys.  They live and breathe their music and, despite the lineup changes over the years, have become one of the most stable, truly independant acts in the world.

So Long... runs the gamut of their styles, from ska to melodic punk to sneery bursts of attitude all accompanied by their smart and sometimes smart-arse lyrics.  The opener, It's My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite, is a perfect example of both.  Then there is the social commentary of Dad's Bad News, the punk love song, Champs Elysees, sung in French and the full-bore, fists in the air statement that is Murder The Government (no, they don't really mean it - well, not really).  The ska of Eat The Meek and 180 Degrees shows the depth of musical talent they have.  They really could be a truly great ska band, if they wanted.  Thankfully, they don't.

Perhaps the funniest part of the record comes about   seconds after the last track on the album, Falling In Love.  It is a recording of an actually radio show where, obviously, someone behind the scenes is a NOFX fan and had put up a single of theirs for airplay.  The comments from the DJ are hilarious. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP


For more information: http://www.nofxofficialwebsite.com/

The Eagles - Hotel California

MINE

It's not even a guilty pleasure.  When I pushed this CD into the car player this morning and heard the opening notes of Hotel California, the only feeling that came over me was delight.  I'm sorry if that marks me as an MOR fuddy-duddy, but this album was such a large part of my teenage years I just adore it.

I think about sitting in the back room at Karen's house where we were all allowed to smoke, arguing noisily about whatever was important to us that day.  It takes me back to Durras, where we made up that really rude version of the title track.  It takes me back to school and home and hanging out with that group of friends who I'm looking forward to seeing in November at our 30-year high school reunion (and doesn't that make me feel old?)

But hopefully it'll also take me forward.  I want this album to be part of all the ages of my life.  And I love how The Last Resort  is still more than seven minutes long but it still holds my attention right to the end.  I've never liked Pretty Maids.but I listened to  Life In the Fast Lane twice. Up really, really loud.  And I might just play it again on the way home.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

YOURZ

I wish I had some kind of wonderful story to tell about The Eagles.  But I don't.  I used to play Peaceful Easy Feeling and Lying Eyes years ago, neither of which are on this album.  As a teenager, I remember hearing them a lot, but would never have admitted liking them.  If anything, it was the opposite.  My friends and I used to put shit on them.  The Eagles represented establishment Top 40 corporate rock, the very thing that would soon bring about one of most profound schisms in contemporary music, better known to you and me as Punk.

So, if anything, I really have to be grateful to The Eagles for helping bring this about because, seriously, it makes me sick to think where modern music might have ended up if Punk hadn't shaken the foundations.  And honesty, apart from the Hotel California (the song), Life In The Fast Lane and Victim Of Love, this album makes me barf a little.

Joe Walsh, however, was nothing but a punk dressed up as a Mid-Western rocker.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN but only out of respect, okay...

For more information: http://www.eaglesband.com/

Frenzal Rhomb - Meet the Family

MINE

It's like The Living End, only bad.  Well, not bad as such, just repetitive and repetitive and - did I mention it's repetitive?  The songs are mercifully short, all in the Hi-NRG punkabilly mould, often involving SHOUTING with bad language sometimes randomly thrown in.  I don't mind swearing in a song if there's a reason for it (actually the last track, You Can't Move Into My House has lots of swearing in it but is quite funny) but most of this album is just really juvenile.

It's designed for boys of about 15-25 who no doubt smoke a lot of bongs before pogoing and performing air guitar while this is turned up to 11.

Here's hoping my husband's grown out of that. (YourZ sez: but, but... oh, alright)

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

YOURZ

This is great Aussie punk from an uncompromising band of ratbags, some of whom more recently found a modicum of respectability with a morning DJ gig on Triple J, Australia's alternative radio station.  The song titles are mostly designed to get young lads guffawing into their hands.  And the song Guns Don't Kill Ducklings (Ducklings Kill Ducklings) gets a vote for one of my favourite song titles, even though the song is fairly ordinary.

But really, Mine is right. (Mine says: was there ever any doubt?)  I have grown out of this.  In fact, I'd grown out of this years ago.  Oh, there's nothing wrong with what they do - they actually do make some relevant points, albeit couched in punk vernacular.  But it's just not for me anymore.

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

For more information: http://freindsofron.blogspot.com/

Snowdroppers - Too Late To Pray

MINE

Sometimes I think my husband hides music from me on purpose (YourZ sez: yes, this is exactly what I do.  I hide it in the big unobtrusive set of drawers next to the television cabinet where you would never think to look).  Was I in a bad mood when he brought this CD home?  Perhaps I had PMT or was displaying the "horns-and-teeth" mode my digestive system brings out when I've had too little to eat (I have an overactive pancreas and chronic low blood sugar).

Whatever  - I was delighted to hear the Snowdroppers as a support act when we went to see Wagons last month and puzzled as to why I hadn't heard of them before, given this album is in our collection.  It's a great CD, particularly the opening number Do The Stomp.  But I will say I'm probably more inclined to like it because I've seen these guys play live.  The lead singer's very easy on the eyes... and leaps about on the stage like someone's rammed a power cord somewhere unmentionable.  And what would you call the music?  Punkabilly?  Hi-NRG blues?  Ech, we eschew labels in our house, anyway.

It just goes to show, this project is going to keep on opening my ears to some great tunes.  I guess I can't blame YourZ for holding out on me for all the gems I uncover as we go along... (YourZ sez: phew!)

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

YOURZ

Another great band from my hometown, The Snowdroppers are also very new.  Too Late To Pray is their debut and highlights exactly what this band is all about: raucous, rollicking good time rock and roll.  And they are even more so live.  In fact, I can hardly wait to see them again, such was the impression they made.

While they might draw both their musical and fashion influences from the past, even down to their nom de plumes (Johnny Wishbone, Pauly K, London and Cougar Jones), their authenticity lies very much in the here and now - this is a well-produced recording, with songs about all manner of modern matters from drugs (Good Drugs Bad Women, Fucked Up), girls (Rosemary, Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms) and the nine to five dilemma (Do The Stomp), among other subjects. 

Musically, they strut the territory between punk and blues and pack a huge punch in doing so.  Often the instrumentation includes banjo and harmonica, but again, while this gives it a certain authenticity, it's not over-played or annoying as both these instruments potentially could be.  In fact, these only add to the whole flavour of the band.  So, if you're living in Australia and reading this, make sure you get out and see The Snowdroppers when they're in your town next.  You won't be disappointed.  For all you overseas readers, watch out because they could very well be coming your way in the future.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.snowdroppers.com/news

Blondie - Blondie

YOURZ

The first encounter I can remember having with Blondie was via the video for the track Heart Of Glass, which was absolutely everywhere in the late 70s.  Like a lot of lads at the time, I lusted for Deborah Harry, who was cool, sexy and way out of our league. 

Blondie is the eponymous debut from the band and obviously shows the beginnings of what became a stellar career, albeit one defined where Ms Harry and the Blondie name became entwined to the point where many thought she was Blondie and led to merchandise being issued by the band, in the form of a button, stating 'Blondie Is A Band'.  As a debut it clearly shows the band's penchant for writing wonderfully hook-laden pop.

A leading light on the punk scene, the band eschewed the rough and ready sounds employed by so many of their contemporaries in favour of well arranged and produced tracks, with Harry's voice clear over the top of the instruments.  And what a voice is is too - listening to her, I can imagine she has that sexy half smile she is known for while singing.  What a wonderful picture that is too, although I imagine nothing like the Penthouse magazine pictures Mine mentions below, a magazine I couldn't get my hands on for love or money, damn it all.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

"I couldn't resist you/ I'm not deaf, dumb and blind..."

My first view of Blondie came with this album, when the then-iconic Aussie TV show Countdown played In The Flesh - apparently in error as it was actually the B-side to their first single.  And I fell in love.  While not a real fan of blondes, Debbie Harry's cutting, sultry drawl and that pouty, Parisian look just knocked me over.  Although I didn't buy a Blondie album until Parallel Lines came out the following year, I picked up this CD a few years ago because I don't own In The Flesh.  And it's a great album. 

Ms Harry was also responsible for me buying Penthouse magazine, with many blushes, for the first time.  Because there was a huge 7-page interview and many photos of her, which I clipped out and stuck on my teenage bedroom walls.  Not sure what became of the rest of the magazine...

Blondie became a staple of my record collection, and the Greatest Hits is a poor substitute for the aforementioned Parallel Lines or Autoamerican.  *sigh* more for that damn shopping list, YourZ.  Wasn't the whole object of this exercise to throw music out?  (YourZ sez: look at it this way, hunnybuns - we're only improving on the collection, regardless of what we do).

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

In our collection, we also have The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry & Blondie

Ed Kuepper - The Butterfly Net

MINE

Some of these albums just transport me to another place, another time... and this was the early 90s, when I went to see Ed perform and stood - well, close enough to punch him, had I been so inclined.  But why would I - he looked just like a cuddly koala bear, with his trademark semi-shy stance and floppy blonde hair.

Much is made of his career in bands (seminal punks The Saints, the Laughing Clowns, etc) but as a solo artist his music just shines.  Those jangly guitars, happy-sad lyrics and gorgeous pop hooks - beautiful.

A couple of years ago we had a party where I invited an old friend, staying in town because his son was in hospital nearby.  He repeatedly requested we play Mr Kuepper, but I refused, believing it wasn't really the kind of music for a party.  I'm still of that opinion (sorry Richard) but it's a great driving album and I'm elevating it to kitchen music - particularly for Black Ticket Day, Not A Soul Around, Real Wild Life...

Look, if you haven't heard any Ed, seriously go and click on the link and have a listen.  It's great guitar-based pop-rock.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

YOURZ

Ah, Ed, what wonderful punk-rock-star memories his name evokes.  He probably doesn't remember but years ago, in a land far, far away (okay, about three hours south of my present location), I was in a band who had the privilege to support Ed when he played at a local university.  It was a wonderful show, full of crusty punks, indie kids and stunned university beer-rats looking for another place to crawl.

We'd played our set (a brilliant run through of indie-pop originals) and sat backstage with a bunch of friends and copious amounts of alcohol.  As the second support finished (I think), Mr Kuepper staggered through the back door and into our midst, a half-empty bottle of vodka in one hand and a cigarette in the other.  He gave us all a 'fuck-with-me-I-dare-you' look before heading off to find his band mates. 

A young girl, either naively brave or foolish (or possibly both), stepped into his path and timidly asked for his autograph.  The response still reverberates in my ears - a stunning, expletive-laden diatribe complete with gesticulations and spittle.  It was kind of like watching an explosion for the first time and something I will never forget.  He then wandered onto stage as though nothing happened and launched into his set.  It was pure, unexpurgated self-indulgence and only what anyone would expect from a punk-rock luminary.

I don't know what to say about this collection except that it is but the tip of a ridiculously large back-catalogue of material.  And this only includes his years as a solo artist.  If you don't know any of his music, stop reading this immediately, go to your favourite music download site and download Way I Made You Feel, Honey Steel's Gold, Also Sprach The King Of Euro-Disco, Nothing Changes In My House, Real Wild Life and Not A Soul Around.  Do it now and don't fuckin' argue.  Learn from this mistake and consider yourself told.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/edkuepper

In our collection we also have Honey Steel's Gold