Jun 30, 2010
The Dirty Strangers - The Dirty Strangers (1988)
FEAT. KEITH RICHARDS, RON WOOD...(Links In Comments)
Jun 29, 2010
Jun 23, 2010
The Alarm - Declaration (1984)
(Links In Comments)The Alarm's first full-length album was, to a certain extent, a collection of the singles they had been releasing since October 1982: "Marching On," "The Stand," "Sixty Eight Guns" (number 17 U.K.), "Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?" (number 22 U.K.) and "The Deceiver" (number 51 U.K.). As such, it had a strident, immediate appeal that was also somewhat relentless: The Alarm seemed to play every song as if it was the climax of their set. In the short term, that excited listeners, however; Declaration was a number six hit in England and broke through to the Top 50 in the U.S. In retrospect, it's more smoke than fire. AMG
Jun 18, 2010
Guadalcanal Diary - Walking In The Shadow Of The Big Man (1985)
(Links In Comments)
Like R.E.M., the B-52's, and Pylon, this fine band hailed from the unlikely independent-rock hotbed of Athens, GA. The long jangle pop shadow of R.E.M. is extremely strong on this release, with seven of the ten tracks showing either full or partial influence of that group. Fortunately, the songs here are excellent, exhibiting much variety within this style. "Trail of Tears," a haunting antiwar number, sounds the most like their Athens counterparts. "Fire From Heaven" is more up-tempo, intense, and dynamic, while "Sleepers Awake" is an ominous, slowly unfolding song. "Ghost on the Road" is primarily a fast country-punk number that saves its R.E.M. stylings for its yearning chorus. "Gilbert Takes the Wheel" and the title track are jangly instrumentals, the former being a fast rocker with a thudding beat, the latter being a lengthy slow-tempo selection exhibiting noticeable psychedelic traits. Other territory is touched on as well. "Pillow Talk" is a winsomely energetic Everly Brothers-influenced song. The brilliant "Watusi Rodeo" is a jumpy pop number sporting over-the-top surf guitar licks and inspired hilarious-yet-uncomfortable lyrics about "Ugly American" cowboys in Africa. There's also an eccentric cover of the missionary hymn "Kum Ba Yah," complete with appreciative background audience shouting, an energetic drum solo, and extreme contrasts of loud and soft dynamics (sometimes within the same verse line). This odd yet strong album is well worth hearing. AMG
Jun 16, 2010
Jun 15, 2010
Cruzados - After Dark (1987)
-Tito Larriva : Lead Vocals, Guitar-Marshall Rohner : Lead Guitar, Vocals
-Chalo Quintana : Drums, Percussion
-Tony Marsico : Bass, Vocals
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The '80s rock band the Cruzados consisted of members Tito Larriva (lead vocals and guitar), Tony Marsico (bass and vocals), Steven Hufsteter (guitar), and Chalo Quintana (drums), and although they were often picked as "the next big thing" by both their musical peers and music critics, the group would remain together for only a pair of albums. During a brief four-year span, the Cruzados opened shows for the likes of Fleetwood Mac, INXS, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as appearing at Farm Aid (singing "This Land is Your Land," with such renowned artists as Neil Young and Arlo Guthrie). The two albums that the quartet issued for the Arista label, 1985's self-titled debut and 1987's After Dark, received praise from the likes of Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, David Byrne, Brian Setzer, and Billy Joel, but a trip to superstardom wasn't in the cards for the group, as they split before a third album could be assembled. In 2001, a compilation titled Unreleased Early Recordings was issued via the Cruzados' website, including a song ("Rising Sun") that featured Bob Dylan on harmonica. AMG
Jun 12, 2010
Jun 11, 2010
Jun 9, 2010
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