Eagles Of Death Metal - Death By Sexy

YOURZ

This band is so much frickin' fun.  From their publicity shots to their songs titles, lyrics, music and album covers, they exude unadorned cool, an LA hipness the rest of the world wishes it could have while despising it at the same time.  It just makes them even cooler.

Featuring Jesse 'Boots Electric' Hughes and Josh 'Baby Duck' Homme as well as a stunning guest lineup, the Eagles... are the kind of band parents warn their children about, to no avail, of course.

Josh takes a seat in this band and proves he is as equally at home behind the kit as he is in front of it (the talented, good for nothing bastard).  But with a frontman like Jesse, I think even Iggy Pop would wanna take a back seat.  Okay, maybe Iggy is stretch but I think you get my point.

I'm disappointed I have seen them live yet as their live shows are said to be non-stop sexy (and not is a Bruno kind of way either).  Next tour, come hell or high water, Mine, okay?

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

Oh, WAY cool!  These guys don't take themselves seriously at all and they totally rock. This whole album is going on the gymPod to help me push through yet another pain barrier - with a smile on my face.

And they're so rude.  I love I Gotta Feeling (Just 19) but it all rocks in the good way. You see, guys, this is the way to get girls to love your music.  DON'T BE SO SERIOUS.  As a matter of fact, the band that most came to mind when I was listening to them was The Sweet - a glam-pop-rock band in the 70s that I was very into in high school. Same sort of high-powered, cheeky music that just makes you want to bounce up and down.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information:

In our collection, we also have: Heart On and Peace Love Death Metal

Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West

MINE

Oh there's some heavy-duty boy music bands coming our way this month, I can tell you.  And this is certainly one of them.  I tried to listen to all the songs, but I really couldn't.

My major problem with bands like these is they take themselves so seriously.  I mean, Clutch aren't as bad as that shouty band with the Armenians in it (YourZ sez: that would be System Of A Down, dear) - because who could be?  I don't think those guys even know how to spell irony.  Unless they're being supremely ironic.  Nah, you don't walk around with haircuts like that unless you mean it.  Makes me wonder how they ever get laid.

Clutch aren't as bad, but they still seem to lack any idea of how silly they can be.  I mean, who writes lyrics like "Anthrax, ham radio, and liquor" - and actually mean it?  Plus they love to mix the instruments up SO loud you can barely understand the singer, although he does mostly sing, not yell, which is a plus.

Not my kind of music at all - though they do get kudos for their environmentally-aware packaging.  Using cork as the holder for the CD?  Genius.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN (or play it when I'm out, hon, you know the drill)

YOURZ

I only discovered Clutch in the last 12 or so months.  I mean, I'd heard of them before, but had never listened to them.  I've asked myself why, believe me, and the only real answer I could come up with is the same excuse I've used before: so much music, so little time.  It fucks with my head, but at the same time does my heart good to know there are still bands out there I've yet to discover, bands who restore my faith in the mighty Temple of Rawk.

I now have a number of their albums and am planning on getting more.  I also saw them live when they toured recently for one of the myriad summer music festivals, SoundWave.  This was at a side show at a local venue and is, so far, my favourite live show of the year (admittedly this is the only one I've been to, so there's no competition at this stage).  Still, whoever else I see this year is going to have to put on one helluva kick arse, balls to wall rock show to beat Clutch.

Strange Cousins From The West is the first album released on Clutch's own label, Weathermaker Music, after the band had been put through the wringer with their previous labels.  Like their previous albums, they continue to develop their no bullshit hybrid of funk, blues and hard rock.  I have listened to this album many times now and still don't grow weary of it.  In fact, just writing this makes me want to listen to it again.  Don't fucking ask me to pick a favourite track either - it is just too hard.

I think the best way to put it is like this: Clutch is a band you either get or you don't.  I'm just stoked I do.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information:http://www.pro-rock.com/

In our collection we also have Robot Hive/Exodus and Pure Rock Fury (so far)

Jeff Buckley - Grace (Legacy Edition)

YOURZ

Oh fuck, where do I start?  There has been so much written about Jeff Buckley, so many emotional platitudes, it would seem almost redundant for me to add my own to the myriad voices.

So I guess I should start by admitting a stupid mistake and quite possibly one of the few musical regrets I have (I'm generally of the belief that regret is just another hangover of my long-abandoned Catholic upbringing so I try to have a few as possible).

As I've previously mentioned, I have worked for various music publications (read: street press) over the years.  In this capacity, I have interviewed and reviewed many artists.  The benefits for doing this have been free music, names on guest lists and passes into lots of sold out shows and occasionally getting to talk to a cool creative person.

While I never spoke to Jeff Buckley, I did receive a call to review a gig on what would be his last tour of Australia.  Of course, I jumped at the chance.  But, as events conspired against me, I had to abandon my tickets to a lesser mortal in favour of staying home and nursing a sick girlfriend (yeah, I know, I'm soft like this). (Mine says: thank goodness it wasn't ME folks!)  Of course, the rest is a tragic story of yet another incredible talent taken before he even got properly started and yet another on the list of could have seen but didn't, damn it!

When ever I think about this, that little pang I have worked so hard to suppress grabs my testicles and gives them a good shake.  (I'm kind of sorry for putting that picture in your head but also kinda not hahahaha...)  At least I got to see Nirvana.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

This is actually one of the occasions where I've behaved kind of like YourZ.  When he and all his friends told me I'd LOVE Jeff Buckley, I was a little "well how do you know that?" about it.  But it's obvious - the man had so much talent I defy anyone to be "meh" about him.

My husband's mate Dave (hi Dave!) tells the best story about his Buckley obsession.  When he was living in Melbourne, he lived in a block of flats and played this album over and over again.  I guess it was part of his musical therapy after a break-up.  Anyway, the playing got to be a bit much for one of the other residents, who sent him a note headed: Dear Jeff Buckley Fan and begging him to play something - ANYthing else for a while, even though the music was gorgeous. (YourZ sez: oh, I'd forgotten about that story - good one, hon.  It still makes me smile)

I can understand why anyone would feel this way about him - after having the obligatory listen to Grace before writing this review, I loved it so much I started at the beginning and went through it again.  It's so beautiful...

I've just had an "Of course" moment about Lilac Wine - after asking YourZ if it's a Trad. Arr. song he wasn't sure, but now Mr Google's told me where I've heard it before - one of my friends was a mad Elkie Brooks fan and it's one of her hits!

VERDICT: TURN IT UP (again and again and again)

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

In our collection we also have: Sketches for my Sweetheart the Drunk, Live at the Olympia, and another copy of Grace because it contains a bonus Australian tour EP.

Marc Bolan & T. Rex - 20th Century Boy - The Ultimate Collection

MINE

More horrific confessions unleashed by music.  Listening to Bolan and T Rex initially brought me back to my first husband, who was a mad Marc fan (hi, Dougald!).  Before he joined the army, he actually resembled Mr Bolan in his choice of hairstyle.  But then as I went through the CD, I travelled back in time, earlier and earlier, until I was living in an expat British community in northern Africa, aged about 10 or 11, and receiving my musical information from Jackie magazine.

Dear reader, I am here to confess my original sin.  The first artist who graced the walls of my bedroom, taken from said magazine, was not Marc.  Oh, how I wish it was.  He did make it up there eventually, but I can only plead youthful naivete in revealing the man who first graced my pre-pubescent walls was - in the supremest form of irony - Gary Glitter. (YourZ sez: ahahahaha... brilliant - mine were Kiss, but yours wins hands down, my love)

You see where this musical journey is taking us?  I haven't thought about that for decades.

Anyway, my Bolan exposure was initially through Jackie (anyone remember the agony aunts, Cathy and Claire?  And there was a great columnist... she loved Bowie... damn, can't remember her name) and then through the BBC World Service and Top of the Pops... and then to my first husband who owned everything they'd ever recorded.

Bang A Gong is as funky today as the day it was recorded.  And Children of the Revolution has to be up there on my "best songs of all time" list.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP 

YOURZ

We love to boogie, we love to boogie, jitterbug boogie, Bolan pretty boogie, we love to boogie on a Saturday night...

T-Rex is another band I remember hearing when I was still young and my knees didn't ache.  Bolan's unabashed glam pop lyrics and the deceptive simplicity of the music were perfect for a young lad learning to play guitar.  I remember sitting in front of the speakers trying to work out the riff for Get It On many times.  However, unlike a lot of the other music from those times, T-Rex (like Bowie, Led Zeppelin and a few others) have stayed with me.

I had Solid Gold, Easy Action on cassette and played it until my the tape player in my old '63 Belair got hungry and ate it.  I replaced this with a two cassette greatest hits collection but only played the one featuring the T-Rex recordings (as opposed to the hippy, folky Tyrannosaurus Rex releases of their earlier years).  I think it befell a similar fate as Solid Gold..., although I can't quite recall.  But I do remember cruising around in that big old beast with T-Rex blasting out of the tinny, tiny speakers.  Those were the days...

This disc was added to our collection because I only had T-Rex on vinyl and missed it.  Listening to a lot of the songs on this collection is like taking a trip (being the operative word) to days when I was young, carefree and unburdened.  And while it has a bit too much of the folky, hippy stuff for my liking, at least it also features some of my favourite tracks too - Hot Love, The Slider, Metal Guru, I Love To Boogie, Ride A White Swan and 20th Century Boy as well as the big hits.

Hmm, I wonder if Mine would be interested in trading in her Seca for something a little bigger? (Mine says: as long as it has aircon and I can park it, baby I'm keen)

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.marc-bolan.com/

Big Audio Dynamite - Super Hits

YOURZ

I suppose I'm gonna have to eat a little bit of humble pie here and say if we'd gone along with my idea of not reviewing greatest hits collections, then this would've been one we'd skipped.  Thankfully, Mine had her smart hat on and insisted I was wrong.  Again.  (At least I can say I'm nothing if not predictable). (Mine says: oh, you're so much more than predictable, sweetie.)

As previously mentioned, I love The Clash.  By dint of this love, I am also a big fan of anything former members of The Clash put out as well, although having said this, I've not heard much of Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros only because I haven't gotten around to it yet (but I fully intend to - so much music, so little time).

I saw B.A.D. many years ago and am happy to say they were every bit as good live as you would expect.  What made it particularly memorable is Mick happily played tracks from The Clash catalogue, which included a killer version of Lost In The Supermarket and Should I Stay Or Should I Go. It was fabulous.

The same, unfortunately, can't be said for this collection.  There are some great tracks on it, but again, I have a problem with the idea of a 'greatest hits' album if some of the songs clearly weren't.  A few of the tracks, particularly Contact and Play The Music, are obviously only there to pad out the disc.  However, you can't call it A Few Great Hits, A Couple Of Alright Ones & And A Few Dodgy Songs I Thought Might Take This Time Round can you? 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP except for the two aforementioned songs

MINE

I think I have a bit more of a critical sense about the Clash and former members thereof than YourZ does.  I mean, I love The Globe, don't get me wrong.  but I'd never have bought this myself - they strike me as being a wee bit too one-or-two-hit wonders.

Yup, as YourZ says this is the bad example of "best of" CDs.  Clearly showing B.A.D. didn't really do much beyond their couple of hits, and the rest is just sound-alike filler.  And really, hon, what's the point of keeping it?  (YourZ sez: well, I still think it is worth holding on to).  I vote...

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

For more information: http://www.last.fm/music/Big+Audio+Dynamite

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

MINE

Big and loud and NOT dumb, this band deserve all the accolades hurled at them.  Their music's fun and dancey and rocky and has clever lyrics - although it's a bit girl-hatey.  It really takes me back to my yoof, and the excitable music emerging from the punk scene in the late 70s and early 80s.  But it's better, because these guys aren't singing about despair and boring authority figures.

They're unashamedly British and they even sound like they're having fun.  It's great gym music, driving music, and can even get me bopping around the kitchen.  A real keeper.

VERDICT:TURN IT UP

YOURZ

Arctic Monkeys restored my faith in modern music.  No, seriously, they did.  I like a lot of music but have to say I'm not generally impressed overall with a lot of the crop of new bands.  I like to consider myself open-minded and think I have a pretty good ear yet while I tried really hard to like a swag of different new bands, most just annoyed me.  Then along came the Monkeys.

Everything they did seemed to be uncompromising, from refusing to kowtow to record company men to playing the press off against itself by telling fibs in interviews.  This worked hugely in their favour as it created such a strong grass-roots following both in real life and, despite the band's admitted lack of knowledge on how the internet worked, online as well.  The band's fan-created Myspace page became immensely popular and gave the band additional publicity so that by the time the first single from this album, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, was released, it went straight to number one on the charts in England.  Second single, When The Sun Goes Down, followed suite.

With the release of Whatever People Say..., their popularity was without doubt.  The album went straight to the top of the charts in the UK and Australia and became the fastest selling album in British history.  It also went to number one in Ireland and cracked the Top Ten in various European nations as well as Japan and New Zealand.  The album went on to win Best British Album at both the Mercury Prize and the Brit Awards.

While all this is well and good, it could have all been hype-driven had the band not been something more.  Thankfully, they live up to all the accolades, composing taut, intelligent and cheeky musical tales of urban British youth that transcend borders while losing none of their original voice.  These are written in the local vernacular yet the themes are international and as old as rock and roll; girls, trouble and partying and once again proving the simple things really are the best.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP and put on your dancing shoes, sexy little swine.


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

In our collection we also have Favourite Worst Nightmare and Humbug 

February - Wrapup

MINE

Well that one just whizzed by - anybody would think there were less days to do everything this month.  Oh, wait...

So I guess we mostly discovered whose musical bones are broken - or who we're tone deaf for, which in my case is Radiohead, and in my husband's case is Madonna.  But the reviews keep coming and we're exposing ourselves to a whole bunch of stuff we ordinarily wouldn't be listening to.

This month I most enjoyed discovering The Grifters.  And as I have the next week off from work, I'm looking forward to revamping my gym-workout list to include some of the new music I've discovered and the songs I've rediscovered.  I'm also heading off to purchase Florence & The Machine after finally listening to some samples, and confirming to myself I can in fact still decide what music I like just by reading a review.  Age-based self-doubt, begone!

I guess what I might ask from some of you who are reading is - given you've taken note of what we own and what we like, do you any suggestions for us?  Who do you think we might enjoy getting down to?

YOURZ

February gave us the broken bone dilemma.  As Mine has mentioned, we both discovered which of our musical bones are useless beyond repair.  But isn't this again a perfect example of just how our individuality shines when it comes to any form of art?

I had a moment when the pointy stick came down on Madonna, you better believe it.  But then I remembered Mine also had to go through the same with Radiohead and I felt a little better.  These two artists are probably the most perfect example of the musical distance between Mine and YourZ (truly).  But the beauty of this month, the moments worth savouring are not the distances, but those when we're close.  I was stoked to hit on Aint My Lookout by The Grifters, an old favourite I hadn't listened to for ages.  And it returned the favour Mine gave me last month with Wild Wood by Paul Weller.

In the last Wrapup, we wrote we were giving James Hunter's The Hard Way, to my parents.  Well we're happy to report they really enjoy it, as we thought they would.  In fact, my father, bless his orthopaedic socks, has said if there is anything else like that we want to get rid of, he'd be happy to take it off our hands.  This month, we've decided to give away Billy Bragg's William Bloke to one of our favourite kindred bloggers, Chris at The Small Takeover (see his blog here).  Chris, if you're reading this, send us an email with your address, so we can send you some padded baggy goodness (and we'll also try and contact you direct).

When we started this project, we wanted to do it without the influence of friends or family.  We wanted to make a good start, suss out the problems and sort out exactly how we were going to run this blog without the burden of other opinions.  And believe me, some of our friends and family have very large opinions, so this was important to us.

But the thin veil of anonymity became even thinner this month.  It was lifted rather easily by an ex-girlfriend who, through another blog, discovered our identity.  This has led us to deciding we're going to 'come out', so to speak, and let everyone know we're writing this blog.  I don't know what this will mean but it's exciting.

Finally, I just want to mention two very important individuals who came into our lives this month, bringing with them chaos, mess and so much joy, our world is all the more richer for having them.  Here's to Dusty and Strummer, our wonderful new kittens.