| Various Artists | Nick Bougas Presents Celebrities at Their Worst, Vol. 2 | This is a 2CD collection of assorted celebrity ravings. It's not as good as Volume 1, but it still has some great cuts: a funny radio interview with James Brown shortly after he's gotten out on bail, a really bad rendition of "Barbara Ann" by Brian Wilson, and the classic Linda McCartney "Hey Jude" travesty. |
| Pearls Before Swine | Balaklava | Yowch! This is "hippy love music" in the queasiest and most unpleasant way possible. |
| Various Artists | The Complete Buddah Chart Singles, Vol. 2 | I've got eight words for you: chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, baby! |
| Various Artists | Pop Romantique | This is a fun compilation of hipster bands covering French pop songs. I mostly got it because Luna did a track ("le poupee qui fait non"), though a lot of the other tracks are as good or better: "Contact" (Godzuki), "Jeanne" (Air w/ Francoise Hardy), "le tourbillion" (Magnetic Fields). |
| Faust | s/t | Got this German band's debut album as a relatively expensive import. It's okay, less "groovy" than 71 Minutes of Faust, more experimental and chaotic. It'll take time, but it will probably grow on me (or else!). |
| Kraftwerk | The Man-Machine | This is good melancholy synth pop; the whole album is pretty solid, but "The Robots," "The Model" and "Metropolis" are especially good. |
| Beck | Mutations | Got this for 6 buckaroos. I dunno, it's okay and all, kind of Beatlesque at times, kind of Dylanesque at other times. Pretty straightforward record, some nice lyrics. Still, it left me cold and bored. |
| Yellow Magic Orchestra | s/t | A friend of mine swears by this group and it's assorted members' solo/side projects, but even he doesn't own this first album. Kinda boring (but a neat cover). |
| Joy Division | Unknown Pleasures | I've always been curious about this band (from which New Order sprang after the singer of this band killed himself). Good somber, droning pop. I especially like "Disorder" and "Insight." This album insists on being listened to as a whole; it has a weird feeling of completeness to it. |
| Brian Eno | Before and After Science | A very pleasant mix of sweet pop and sparse instrumentals. Berry, berry good! Eno's voice reminds me at times of Andy Partridge of XTC. |
| Shorty | Thumb Days | Lucked onto this used for $8 at the Reckless Records on Broadway. Two of the members (singer Al Johnson and guitarist Mark Shippy) went on to form U.S. Maple. Johnson hasn't got his patented howling and hooting down yet, and the music is relatively straightforward punk (in a good way). The CD booklet has some nifty cartoons by Shippy. |
| Iggy Pop | Soldier | This is really fun, a good record. Highlights include "I'm A Conservative," "Loco Mosquito," and "Knocking 'Em Down (In The City)". |
| Roky Erickson | Never Say Goodbye | Though this was just released, this is a collection of home (and mental hospital) recordings by Erickson in the 70's and 80's. It's mostly just him and an acoustic guitar. Lot of really good, heartfelt songs. I like this more than his greatest hits CD. (see below) |
| Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers | The Very Best Of... | I picked up this in the cutout bin 'cause it had the fantastic song "Little Bitty Pretty One", which I had wanted for some time. "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" and "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" are also standouts. However, I can't listen to this CD all the way through, as extended listening of Mr. Lymon's prepubescent voice gives me mild hemorrhaging. |
| T. Rex | Light of Love | Also picked this up in the budget bin. A couple songs are good, but most of it is pretty bad. As my GF said, it sounds like songs from Rocky Horror Picture Show (perhaps providing the inspiration?). I think I'll pick up another T. Rex album before completely writing this group off. |
| Funkadelic | Standing on the Verge of Getting It On | George Clinton halfway between funk and rock. Very enjoyable. The title track, "Sexy Ways," "Jimmy's Got a Little Bit of Bitch In Him" are standouts. |
| Parliament | Mothership Connection | Quite "funky." Featuring "Mothership Connection (Star Child)," "Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)," and "Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples," from which Pearl Jam swiped a riff. |
| The Sea and Cake | Nassau | I initially had borrowed this from a friend, not liked it. Then I went to a party of the same friend where he was spinning it and I was hooked. |
| The Silver Apples | Silver Apples Contact |
Their original two albums on one CD. I saw them (well, half of the duo, Simeon) at the Empty Bottle a few months back. Good early synth stuff. Gotta love those oscillations. |
| X | Los Angeles Wild Gift |
Another two-for-one album CD. A lot of it is kind of repetitive and boring, but there is the occasional great song. A resident expert on X says that their next album, Under a Big Black Sun, is their best. |
| Roky Erickson | you're gonna miss me -best of | I was expecting something a little more experimental from the lead singer of the 13th Floor Elevators, but nevertheless this album is very enjoyable pop. |
Stay tuned for more irrelevant peeks into my spending habits!