Three Pipe Yarn

Guantanamo Baywatch - Reptile Roommate

2010-11-01T12:03:00.001-07:00

I came across this band several weeks ago when I was planning my trip out to Portland. This was the only band playing while I was out there that came up when I searched the term "garage". Needless to say, they did not disappoint. One bit. I would even say they exceeded my expectations. Initially I was drawn to this band for, well, the reasons are too many to list. But fuckit! I love garage. I love surf. I love garage-y surf. The kind found on some of the 50's & 60's comps I got at home, like Strummin' Mental, or Diggin' Out. I love the fun-first, irreverent, borderline offensive (but too funny to be) song titles, like Titz & Twatz, Clam Party, and Cum Fart Food. But most of all I love the fact that this band is TIGHT. This is a good band. And their recordings, while definitely for fans of the lo-fi, indie variety, showcase a band that not only brings it with the energy, but is capable of geetin er done in the studio as well.

So, on to Portland. I see them in the basement of an indie record store in Belmont (I think it was Belmont). They don't even serve alcohol in this place so I am nippin' it on the flask. The singer/guitar player gets on stage, takes his pants off, puts on a pair of short 80's beach shorts, and as he turns around a projection of a giant pepperoni pizza is shone on the backdrop behind (and on top of) the drummer. The pizza starts spinning around. I'm laughing my ass off. The bass player goes up on stage and I notice on the back of her guitar is a painting of the King! Amazing. Band starts playing, kids start dancing, faux-hawked lead singer/guitarer keeps tryin to come out into the crowd with his axe, these dudes were feelin it, and the kids were LOVING IT! Great energy from the band. Great vibes from the kids. Got to get these dudes out to New York.

So, what I have here for you is their tape, Reptile Roommate, on Gnar Tapes. Six succulent cuts of Sun, Fun n' Sleaze. Enjoy!

(Coming Soon: "Postcard From the Tar Pitz")

Lost Classic - Wild In The Country (1961)

2010-09-08T10:26:00.001-07:00

I discovered this gem thanks to TCM a few months ago. Hooked instantly by the stunning title track which plays during the opening sequence panning across gorgeous hills and valleys, I sought out more info about this film, a rare dramatic role for Presley. Fans of Elvis are surely aware of the early promise he displayed in films such as Love Me Tender and Loving You, but Wild In The Country is one that had completely escaped my attention. I've never been a huge fan of the King's post-Army output, but there's no denying he had a unique ability to deliver a song. Between the title track and his pared-down acoustic rendition of the lovely "In My Way", his gifts are on full display. I've prepared a four track sampler from this film, all sparse, acoustic material, two of which appeared in the film (Wild In The Country, In My Way), one gorgeous number which was left out of the film and later issued on the Elvis For Everyone LP (Forget Me Never), and an acoustic demo of another outtake (Lonely Man). More people need to see this film and hear these wonderful treasures. Click on the poster.

Druids Of Stonehenge - Creation (Stereo) 1967

2010-09-06T16:29:00.001-07:00

So, I came across this record a couple months back. I've seen mixed reviews about this band around the web, but this record slays me. The drums sound great (drummer is killer as well), David Budge (singer, center, below)'s got a great voice, these guys are just tight. Pretty straight ahead garage with some psych undertones, they cover a few of the prototypical bar band repertoire of the late 60's, however to great effect. I must've heard hundreds of covers of both "I Put A Spell On You" and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", but these renditions are definitely my favorites of both. (Side note, Big Papi just yanked a donger off Jeff Niemann)

Anyways, I'm gonna get to the point here. I have this record in stereo on vinyl. The mix is killer. Love the panning. Buuuut, apparently the label that owns the digital rights refuses to put it out. All the copies I've found on the web have been in mono. I HATE listening to mono in headphones. My friends know this. So, today I bucked up and finally figured out how to rip vinyls onto the computer. Unfortunately, I did not figure out how to "trim" the tracks (you'll hear the needle drop on the first track of each side). But all in all I think this is a pretty quality stereo version of this record for the Ipod. For more info, there's a good bio here

The Animated Egg - Guitar Freakout (Sundazed)

2010-05-24T17:09:00.001-07:00

Killer psych guitar record from the folks at Sundazed. This is about as lazy a post as you can get, but since the gang over there already went through the trouble of a press release, here goes:

"The late L.A. session guitar genius Jerry Cole has long been worshipped for his work with everyone from the Beach Boys and the Byrds to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley and by surf fans as the leader of the Spacemen. But unbeknownst to many, Cole was also the driving force behind the Animated Egg, a fictitious band whose lone, self-titled 1967 LP is one of the greatest psychedelic exploitation records ever to hit the budget bins of U.S. chain stores—and eventually the want lists of big-spending DJs and collectors.

Comprised of splashy, fuzz-drenched “Now Sound” instrumental groovers, The Animated Egg easily lives up to both the eBay hype and the promise of its evocative track titles: “Sure Listic,” “Sock It My Way,” “Sippin’ and Trippin’,” and—yes indeed—“I Said, She Said, Ah Cid.” In addition to the rare self-titled LP by the Animated Egg, this collection also includes cuts by other related Cole projects: the Projection Company, the Generation Gap, T. Swift & the Electric Bag, and the Stone Canyon Rock Group. Sourced from the original analog masters, Sundazed’s glorious CD and high-definition double-LP vinyl editions of this hallowed prize are a must for turntablists and brain-trippers alike. "

2-LP set. If you're looking for a gift for me, look no further...

Si, Para Usted (Volumes 1 & 2)

2010-05-23T09:49:00.001-07:00

Communist Cuban Funk from the 60's & 70's (although on volume two there is a completely out of place Juan Pablo Torres track from 1990). Mostly instrumental, superb sound quality. Each volume is a double-LP set pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Issued by Waxing Deep & Light In The Attic, a label you will be hearing much more from. Highly recommended

Los Holy's - Sueno Sicodelico (1967)

2010-05-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Los Holy's were a Peruvian Psych-Surf outfit who put out this killer record of instrumentals back in '67. The back sleeve of this LP sums up their vibe perfectly (albeit with a wonderful english-as-a-second-language quality): "Los Holys symbolize the restless and evolved heart of today's youth. Do we know all of the sounds that are heard at the bottoms of the sea? Space stations don't capture sound-waves produced at thousands of light years? We will try to reproduce those sounds with our instruments and maybe they'll end up being more pleasant than the crashing of waves." This is almost as perfect an instrumental record as you can get, forgiving the super-cheesy surf rendition of Unchained Melody. This group was featured on each volume of Back To Peru, both tracks of which came off this record. Been meaning to post this one for quite a bit...

Margo Guryan - Take A Picture (1967)

2010-05-16T15:57:00.001-07:00

Another record I've been quite obsessed with lately, I came across this one looking through the Sundazed catalog. Apparently the title track was used in a film commercial recently, though I'd never heard it (apparently the commercial didn't run on MSNBC...) The story about this gal goes something like this: classically trained jazz pianist from New York, discovers pop music through Pet Sounds, writes/records killer album, decides she doesn't want to tour, record flops, becomes music teacher in LA. Is this saccharine pop? Maybe (though I don't think so). Guryan's singing style comes across like a gentle whisper, and the tenderness of her lyrics only reinforce the comforting quality of this music. But what really stands out to me is the production. The drum sounds on this record are fantastic. The kick is prominent throughout, and the toms really pop out at you. Please give a listen and share your thoughts.

Where Are They Now: This Fucking Wackjob

2010-03-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Now that the health care debate is winding down, it's time for the gloating! How long you think it's going to take for these people to realize there are no death panels, this isn't goddamn reparations as some have suggested, and no one's trying to pull the plug on grandma? This same nutbag is the exact species of wackjob that refused to believe the earth was round. Fortunately for us, we finally won one! Rest assured though, I promise you they are not going away. Anyways, we all know they're just a bunch of racists.

More Beatles Cartoons

2010-03-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a select smattering of shimmering 1960's Beatles cartoons:

And Your Bird Can Sing

I'm Only Sleeping

If I Fell

I'll Follow The Sun

A Landmark Achievement for America

2010-03-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

This morning, at around 11:45 EST, President Barack Obama signed Health Reform Legislation into Law. I watched this happen from my desk as something I have waited & fought for for many years now. While there is still the matter of the Senate reconciliation package, which as I understand bears about a 70% chance of moving swiftly through the chamber, this Bill, while imperfect, represents a major win for the American people. Two months ago, following the heartbreaking loss of Senator Kennedy's seat in Massachussetts, many left this bill for dead. Throughout the journey that was this legislative process, the President was, at various points in the debate, derided for a lack of clarity and leadership. Well, there is one thing for certain today: we have achieved health reform because of Obama's tenacious leadership, not in spite of it. This debate has allowed us to watch our President become a leader right before our very eyes. It has been a fascinating journey, and it is far from over. Scholars and academics will debate the merits of this legislation for years; ordinary Americans will begin to reap its benefits almost immediately. The corrupt health insurance industry, an industry built to profit off the providing (and with-holding) of care and services, has been dealt a blow that only begins to put the American people back in a position of power. And President Obama, for the second time the past sixteen months, has made me extremely proud to be an American. God bless him.

It's Been Awhile

2010-03-10T11:43:00.001-08:00

So, it's been way too long since I posted on here, thought I'd sign in and give an update. I moved into a new apartment February 1st and it's like a whole new world for me. Great place to just kick back, unwind, listen to some tunes & just enjoy the three B's: Beers, Bros, and Brews! Anyways wanted to post something I've been listening to alot lately. Recently got into a compilation kick, great way to discover new & obscure artists from yesteryear. Here's one I came across a couple weeks ago. Picked up the vinyl last weekend. Killer mix of Surf, Psych, Garage, Disco, Funk & Soul from late 60's/early 70's Peru. Highly recommended.

Beach House - Devotion

2009-11-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

Not A Second Time

2009-10-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

So i've been on a bit of a hiatus but couldn't resist posting when I came across this. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting indian-style on the shag carpeting in my first house, watching the Beatles Cartoons. Happy Halloween

Kim Deal Mini-mix

2009-08-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

Today I want to share a few of my favorite Kim Deal tracks. I've been a Pixies fan since the ninth grade. The next spring she put out the second Breeders record, Last Splash, to this day still one of my favorite albums of all time. 1995 saw her put out the only Amps record, another classic which I will save for a separate post. She's released a couple Breeders records sporadically the past 14 years since, but I'm including one of my favorite tracks from 2002's Title TK, a track which actually dated back to the Amps days, Forced to Drive. Also, a cover of Chris Bell's "You & Your Sister" (w/ Tanya Donelly). Feast:

No Aloha (from Last Splash)
Dedicated (from The Amps - Pacer)
Forced To Drive (from Title TK)
You & Your Sister (from This Mortal Coil - Blood)

Ted & Tim

2009-08-28T16:16:00.001-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Mike Nesmith, or More From The Monkees

2009-08-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

I've already espoused on my love for The Monkees. Today I wanna share two of my favorite Mike Nesmith tracks. I'm pretty much on the fence as to whom my favorite Monkee is, it's tight between Micky & Mike. Nesmith (pictured left enjoying an ice-cold soda during the Headquarters sessions) was actually the only one of the Monkees that was chosen from open auditions. Apparently he showed up on his motorcycle wearing a floppy woolen cap and carrying a bag of his dirty laundry and the casting agents knew they had their man. He was also the only Monkee who was a legitimate songwriter & musician before the creation of the group (Peter Tork had some experience but hadn't released anything). Anyways, I'm not here to give you the guy's whole life story, here are two tracks from The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees, both Nesmith compositions featuring Mike on vocals.
Tapioca Tundra
Magnolia Simms

This Weekend at Film Forum: In A Lonely Place (1950)

2009-08-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Would have liked to have seen this if I'd had the time this weekend. An unusual role for Humphrey Bogart in that he plays more of a victim than anything else, In A Lonely Place is a film-noir which combines romance and suspense in the portrayal of a man for whom redemption and love prove elusive. Playing tonight and tomorrow at Film Forum. Highly recommended.

Selsun Blue Presents the "Head-Scratcher of the Day"

2009-08-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ok so I don't reallly have the dandruff folks over at Selsun Blue on board with this yet, but i needed a good lead-in to examine the completely mind-boggling phenomenon that was the hit 1980's film 3 Men & A Baby. A casting director's wet dream featuring the holy trinity of 1980's megahunks Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenburg, this movie grossed $167 MILLION DOLLARS in what had to be a really lean year for having anything better to do.

R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

What else can be said about this guy? A fierce proponent of universal health care, an advocate for social justice, defender of the poor. Times like this only serve as a reminder how rarer those qualities have become. You will be missed.

Mickey & Coco Dolenz / Monkees Demos

2009-08-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

I've always been a big Monkees fan. I used to watch the show every day after school when I was 8. A few years ago Rhino put out Deluxe Editions of their first few records, remastered, with b-sides, outtakes, the whole shebang. The Headquarters deluxe edition contained two unreleased demos of Mickey harmonizing with his sister Coco. There's just something about brother/sister harmonies that really gets me.

She'll Be There
Midnight Train

Where Are They Now: This Guy

2009-08-24T11:04:00.001-07:00

Best known by fans as "that guy" from cult 1980's classics such as The 'Burbs, Children Of The Corn, and Can't Buy Me Love (pictured), Courtney Gains rode his tidal wave of obscure nerdy characters straight to oblivion in the nineties, following a turn as the spazzy, superstitious one in 1990's Memphis Belle. Did you know though he was actually that jerk bully guy in Back To The Future that comes in during the dance sequence towards the end all like, "Scram McFly, I'm cuttin' in!"? Courtney now spends most of his time as an acting coach, apparently mentoring young upstarts on the intricacies of becoming one of those actors whose name you just can't seem to remember.

Virtual Mixtape Vol. 1

2009-08-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

People are always asking me what I'm listening to, so back in May I decided to compile a virtual mixtape. I actually kinda ripped the idea off of Bradford Cox. Anyways like anything it required sufficient procrastination before coming to bear, (or just me figuring out how to upload such a large file) but at long last here it is. My criteria for this mix was basically that I could only include music I'd been listening to alot the past six months or so and one track per artist (i bent the rules a bit with that Atlas Sound track...). Its slightly dated from my perspective but nonetheless hopefully some of you will discover a new treasure. Most of these tracks were released this past year, however there are a few exceptions where I just really wanted to include certain songs. I hope you like.

Tracklisting
1. Pomegranates - Tesseract (from Everybody, Come Outside)
2. Cats In Paris - Castle Walls (from Courtcase 2000)
3. Hot Panda - Bullhorn Romance (from Volcano...Bloody Volcano)
4. Clues - Perfect Fit (from S/T)
5. Antlers - Dogwood (from S/T)
6. Sunset Rubdown - The Mending of the Gown (from Random Spirit Lover)
7. Ten Kens - Worthless and Oversimplified Ideas (from S/T)
8. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Who's Asking? (from S/T)
9. Mussels - My Hands Your Heart (from Little Voices)
10. Maps & Atlases - Artichokes (from You and Me and the Mountain)
11. Good Shoes - All In My Head (from Think Before You Speak)
12. The Research - There Are No Subs In My Team (from The Old Terminal)
13. The Spinto Band - The Black Flag (from Moonwink)
14. The Dutchess & The Duke - Ship Made of Stone (from She's the Dutchess...)
15. The Ruby Suns - Ole Rinka (from Sea Lion)
16. Death Vessel - Fences Around Field (from Nothing Is Precious Enough)
17. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened (from Microcastle)
18. It Hugs Back - Unaware (from Inside Your Guitar)
19. Miniature Tigers - Like or Like Like (from Tell It To The Volcano)
20. Atlas Sound - River Card (from Let The Blind Lead Those Who Cannot Feel)
21. Beach House - D.A.R.L.I.N.G. (from Devotion)
22. Asobi Seksu - Blind Little Rain (from Hush)
23. Of Montreal - A Dreamy Day Of Daydreaming Of You (from Coquelicot Asleep...)
24. Caribou - Irene (from Andorra)

Free Download

A Closer Look: Loggins & Messina

2009-08-23T08:26:00.001-07:00

Every now and then a duo comes along that redefines "Adult Contemporary". Today we take a look at one such pair, the 1970's hit machine known as Loggins & Messina. Combining boyish good looks with a woodsy, rustic appeal, Loggins & Messina caught the attention of suburban Easy Listening fans ages 31-43 with AM radio staples such as "Danny's Song", "House At Pooh Corner", and "Your Mama Don't Dance". 16 million records later, Loggins decided to strike out on his own and establish himself as a more serious artist, going so far even as to shed the happy-go-lucky image of Kenny and brand himself Ken Loggins in the liner notes for 1978's Nightwatch before unleashing a string of 80's soundtrack masterpieces while Messina is often overlooked as one of the forefathers of the irrelevant cliched sideman who fades into obscurity.

Loggins & Messina play the Nikon @ Jones Beach ampitheater tonight, plenty of tickets still available

Smooth Afternoon Sounds

2008-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

To celebrate today's perfect Boat Weather, here are two sunkissed classics from yesteryear. This first needs no introduction:

Lionel Richie - Hello

Next, sun-dry your apricot slices on the soft, supple sounds of Neville & Ronstadt, with this classic cut from 1989:

Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt - Don't Know Much

Two Galaxies Colliding

2008-04-24T13:30:00.001-07:00

Courtesy of the Hubble Space Telescope

We are small.

All-time faves: The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea

2008-04-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

I meet a surprising number of Kris Kristofferson fans who have yet to see The Sailor Who Feel From Grace With The Sea, the 1976 film based on the 1963 novel by Yukio Mishima. Part Love Story, part A Clockwork Orange, The Sailor Who Fell From Grace... is a double-sided story of a lonesome sailor (Kristofferson) who falls in love with a widow, and her son, who at first idolizes the sudden father-figure in his life, but succumbs to the influence of his fellow schoolmates and soon plots to do him in. Schizophrenic film-making at its very best.

OMG, Finally!!!

2008-04-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

File this under "I can't believe it really took this long to happen". I am just as guilty as the next guy of actually believing Isiah Lord Thomas could possibly turn the burning building that is the New York Knicks around. Finally, after all the losses and sexual harassment lawsuits, the Knicks have dumped that sorry sack over the bridge. My nomination for next coach, Charles Oakley

A Hard Day's Night @ Film Forum This Weekend

2008-04-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

This was originally going to be the main feature of my weekend preview but work is exceptionally busy with my cohort and partner-in-crime Mark Cheney gone to England for his 30th birthday. In his honor (or perhaps, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of United Artists), Film Forum is presenting a double feature all weekend long of two of Richard Lester's best known works, The Knack, and How To Get It, and A Hard Day's Night. I say this is a Must-See, if you've never seen it before or have yet to see it on the big screen, soundtrack rolling off tape. If you've any curiousity or skepticism of insight into the Beatles, this film will lay them all to rest and have you thirsting for more. All weekend long, @ 2:30, 6:00, & 9:20 PM. Tix are $10.50

This Fucking Rules

2008-04-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

(from the Associated Press) "Researchers from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have discovered a rare giant turtle in northern Vietnam — a find that carries great scientific and cultural significance. Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle was previously thought to be extinct in the wild."

I guess no matter how alien or alone you can feel sometimes, it must really suck being a species thought to be extinct.

Hillary & Obama "debate": Slugfest '08

2008-04-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Well, last night was another humdinger. Obama answered tough questions like, "What about the Wright controversy?" and, "Can you respond to claims that you are an elitist?", while Hillary apologized for "misremembering" her Bosnia sniper story. Seriously, can we get back to the issues here? I can't take any more of this. I'm not sure which is making me more naseous, the constant media barrage on Barack Obama's character, or this Tylenol Advanced Allergy cold medicine I'm on.

Now for something equally as nauseating:

Jon Secada - Just Another Day

Where Are They Now: Rue McClanahan

2008-04-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

Best known for her portrayal of southern strumpet Blanche Devereaux on the hit 1980's television series The Golden Girls, Rue McClanahan (pictured above at a book signing for her recent memoir, My First Five Husbands...And The Ones Who Got Away) simply refuses to gracefully daystroll her way south down the Miami Beach boardwalk of her life. She has recently appeared as Madam Morrible in the Broadway production of Wicked, as well as a recent one woman production of The Vagina Monologues (fire up the Sanka for that one). She can currently be seen in The Other Boleyn Girl, opposite Scarlett Johansson + Natalie Portman, in Theaters now.

The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4

2008-04-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

For about two or three months now, I've been trying to remember the name of one of my favorite books as a thirteen year old. Several brain cells fewer owing to various chemicals over the years, my memory ain't what it used to be. I couldn't remember the book and refused to have a bash at it over the internet. Like most good things, I figured, it'd come back to me in time.

The reason for my renewed interest in this book owes to a cousin of mine who turns thirteen in a few months. I tried to think of something I could give to her which wouldn't be just some lame gift from an adult. It made me realize how far from thirteen I had come (which is hard to believe, in and of itself). I tried to remember the things that really affected me at that age. All the things that came to mind were either books or music. I can't wrap my head around most of the music kids now are listening to, even though I'm surrounded by it a great deal of the time, and besides, kids have all different kinds of tastes. But I remembered this book I read. It was maybe the second or third book I'd ever read cover to cover in a day (the first being The Phantom Tollbooth) I remember it almost like it was yesterday. It was May 1992, and I was sitting in the back of a van riding up to New Hampshire for some weekend camping with a few other kids at my school. The book follows a thirteen year old boy thru a year at school. Oddly enough, it was written by a woman. The boy is smart and perceptive, but he continuously misinterprets the events unfolding around him. It squeezed some real feeling out of me.

Three nights ago the name of the book came to me in a flash: The Secret Life Of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4. It arrived completely out of nowhere, as if my mind all of a sudden subconsciously decided to remember the name of an old friend. There is a good chance I will be re-reading this sometime soon; regardless, I've found a gift for my cousin.

(note: the cover of my original copy of this book is entirely different than that of the one pictured above. Think old maroon paperback Catcher In The Rye only forest green. I can't seem to find it anywhere on the web)

"Feeling" Nirvana

2008-04-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

I was thirteen years old when Nevermind came out. I still remember sleeping over my friend Steve Spooner's house watching Smells Like Teen Spirit debut on MTV (ah, music videos, those were the days!) I remember being fourteen years old in the Summer of '93, right before my sophomore year in high school, reading all the music mags, anticipating Nirvana's album coming out at the end of Summer. I swear, I wish I could describe the feeling I had for Kurt. He knew. I remember hitting play for the first time on In Utero. From the very first chord of Serve The Servants, I knew. He hadn't let me down. I can't really describe that emotion, but it was powerful.

It was only a few months later when The Beavis and Butt-head Experience came out on CD. I was on thanksgiving break from boarding school, and there couldn't possibly have been two things I was more in love with at the time than Beavis and Butt-head, and Nirvana. Lo and behold, the very first track on the album was a Nirvana song!!!! Can you believe it??? But the thing that really stopped my heart was the song. I Hate Myself And Want to Die was an outtake from In Utero and rightly belonged on that album, were it not for Kurt fearing the mass audience would miss the (saracastic) intonations. But that song stopped me right in my tracks. I've never forgotten how it made me feel, and it would be a waste of my time to make any attempt to describe how or why it did. In stead, i'll leave you with it, plus two more songs which, in the days before downloads, I obsessed entirely over, years ago, when I was more young.

Nirvana - I Hate Myself And Want To Die

Nirvana - Curmudgeon

Nirvana - Sappy

Daily Deuce - The Zombies

2008-04-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a new segment that I'm calling the Daily Deuce. I know, I know. All of my segments are new. Just go with it. Today's daily deuce focuses on another all-time favorite british group of mine from the 60's, The Zombies In 2002, the band remixed into stereo their entire Decca catalog, which had previously only been available in Mono, and which also only consisted of two full-length LP's and a few singles. I'm generally not a fan of remixes, especially ones thirty-six years in the making. However, the entire band were present for these remixes, and they sound incredibly faithful to the original mono masters. Being the wide-stereo sucker that I am, I just had to have this one. Anyways, here are two stand-out tracks from one of my fave bands that just barely got going before calling it quits, The Zombies.

The Zombies - The Way I Feel Inside (from Begin Here)

The Zombies - How We Were Before (Indication single B-side)

Early Season Stick-Work, Revisited

2008-04-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

Not to overestimate my own ability to personally affect the outcome of a Major League Baseball game, but be it sheer coincidence that upon praising Nate McLouth's early season performance, the guy unloads off Los Angeles Dodgers ace closer Takashi Saito for a go-ahead three-run dongy in the top of the 9th to lead the Pirates to a 6-4 come from behind victory? I think not.

Dude, Seriously?

2008-04-15T10:49:00.001-07:00

From something heavy to something, um, creepy... Trolling the internet as I do when I'm sick in bed (or at work) I thought it a good idea at the time to make a definitive list of mega-cheesy love songs from the 70's, 80's & today. I didn't get too far. In fact, I stopped dead in my tracks scrolling through the Michael Bolton Discography when I came across this gem: Touch You: The Best Of. Is this guy serious? I mean, its bad enough someone thought it a good idea for him to grace the cover in a wife beater and all. Shouldn't this guy be a registered Sex Offender by now? I feel like I need a shower. Anyways, in honor of Mr. Sensitivity here, a "hit" from his album Touch You

Michael Bolton - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?

I find it amusing at the same time how misleading Greatest Hits packages can be. I present for you, Exhibit A:

The Essential Kenny G

i rest my case.

WTF So-Called "Liberal" Media?

2008-04-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am really frustrated over the media-wide sensationalism regarding Barack Obama's "bitter" remarks regarding Pennsyvlannia voters at a San Francisco fundraiser last week. Here is what he actually said (which was suprisingly hard to find on the internet):

“You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them,” he continued, “And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate and they have not,” Obama went on. “And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

So far, voices across the internet and television, and print have been in unison declaring Obama as elitist & out of touch, as well as decreeing this as a major political blunder. Mary Matelin on Meet The Press declared that this proves Obama is not the "different kind of politician" he claims to be.

Is everyone taking crazy pills here? This remark highlights exactly how Obama offers a new direction for America. He is dead-on here. People need to wake up. The Republican party's meat & potato issues for ordinary, working-class Americans (whom the party has long-ago left behind) over the past 40 years have been guns, abortion, and religion. It has always amazed me how people vote against their better interests because of those three key issues. Like, poor people vote for Republicans because they hear "lower taxes" and they automatically assume more money in their pocket. They don't realize that their lower taxes are also (much) lower taxes for the wealthy, fewer government programs which benefit EVERYONE (like new roads, bridges, hospitals, mass transportation, corporate regulation *airline industry*- do any of these things sound like problems?) & more money for public education. In fact, I would say its part of the insidiousness of the conservative charge that they put LESS money into public education, hence denying poor, working class Americans a decent education so as to be able to see past Guns, or Religion, or Abortion to the actual problems, like kids going into their schools and blowing people away.

Obama represents something new for this country for the fact that he has the balls to tell it like it is, which is precisely one of the things he has touted about himself from the get-go. I find it extremely troubling that everywhere I turn I read, see, hear someone decrying Obama's elitism, or calling him out of touch, yet it took me a half an hour googling on the internet to find the exact comments he made, and all over the blogs, & television & post & daily news are criticisms without providing the original context. I think people need to take a long, hard look at this and appreciate the opportunity we have here, to have a leader, finally, who has the courage to tell it like it is.

All-time Faves: Yesterday...and Today

2008-04-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite albums as a kid was my mom's cassette tape of The Beatles' Yesterday...and Today Most Beatles fans know that until Sgt. Pepper came out, Beatles' albums in the U.S. were released in different versions than those in England. Capitol Records did this to squeeze every ounce of profit out of the Beatles that then could. Anyways, when the Beatles' catalog was released on CD in 1987, Capitol rectified this by releasing only the British versions of their records. Aside from the fact that those albums were (poorly) remixed at the time, there were only few notable differences. One of the main differences were in three songs from Yesterday...and Today: Dr. Robert, And Your Bird Can Sing, and I'm Only Sleeping. The versions of these three songs were different mixes than the versions that were released on Revolver, and were never released on CD. Hence, the only way to hear these versions, the ones I grew up with, are to hear them on vinyl. But Hark!!! Technology exists to rip vinyl to digital now!!!! Here is the original Yesterday... and Today mix of I'm Only Sleeping, one of my favorite songs ever!!!

The other song I'm posting is the American (Capitol) version of Help! complete with James Bond-esque guitar intro. This is from the recent Beatles Capitol Records Box Set. You gotta hear the sound quality on this. Its like hearing it all over again for the first time! So, without further ado:

The Beatles - I'm Only Sleeping (Original Yesterday... and Today mix)

The Beatles - Help! (US Version)

I Killed The Count

2008-04-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

I just watched the three part episode I Killed The Count from season two of Alfred Hitchcock presents. This episode features John Williams (from Dial M for Murder) as Inspector Davidson, a Scotland Yard detective trying to solve a murder of which three men have confessed.

More Music, Born of Boredom

2008-04-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

Two songs from my favorite Polvo album, Today's Active Lifestyles.

Polvo - My Kimono

Polvo - Sure Shot

Impressive Early Season Stick-Work

2008-04-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Nate McLouth of the Pittsburgh Pirates is off to a fantastic start this season. I always root for homegrown guys on perennially disappointing teams. I hope McLouth can bring back an heir of respectability to the Pirates, who were one of the most dominating teams in baseball in the heydays of my youth, the early 90's.

A Beginning

2008-04-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

here i am, sick in bed, deciding to nurse my narcissistic impulses and flaunt my innermost obsessions for all the world to soak in.

dig this:
The Breeders - Climbing the Sun