Musicotica

The Afghan Whigs "Gentlemen"

2008-07-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

A Great Overlooked Band of the 90's

If you ever were about to have a breakup, having a breakup, or just had a breakup, there was no better tonic to add to your glass of sorrow, anger and confusion than the Afghan Whigs. Lead singer Greg Dulli delved into all the base emotions of this turmoil and never minced words. From "Now You Know" off the Gentlemen CD: "Bit into a rotten one now didn't you, now I can watch you chew.......chew" Is he talking about himself? or Her? Regardless, this is one of the most emotional, intense, raging slabs of musical heat ever laid down. The whole Gentlemen album is about a bad breakup - and it got me through one of my own. These "kings of the minor chord" put out several great albums and why they didn't get as big as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden or a myrad of other alternative rockers is probably due to the fact that they lingered in the dark side lyrically and musically, and never comprimised their sound. And oh, did I mention that they combined all this angst with a Mowtown/Soul Music influences? (They even did an EP of Mowtown covers!) These guys were Emo whithout the whine and would easily stomp all over these floppy haired alternative pussies of the 00's. Drink deep and drink heavily of the incredible music these ragers made - everyone needs a little minor chord punch on occasion.

Now You Know

Debonair off "Gentlemen" (the closest they came to a hit)

"Gentlemen" - shoulda been a hit

"My Curse"
Singer Greg Dulli was either so distraught with this song or he wanted a female angle to this concept album that he had Marcy Mays from the band Scrawl sing it. Live video from the '94 Reading Festival. (hang tight until the 3:50 point when she really starts to wail)

DFX2

2008-06-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Great under appreciated band from San Diego - mid 80's. "Maureen"

Guided By Voices - Glad Girls (only want to get you high)

2008-06-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

This has to be a huge hit in some parallel universe. Pure pop bliss joy - what does it mean? no idea!

GUIDED by VOICES

2008-02-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

GBV(1987-2004).....under appreciated and over prolific

16 - albums 16 - EPs 15 - singles 4 - BOX SETS! GOOD GOD MAN!!!
Robert Pollard (leader, lead singer) has 1528 songs registered with BMI (royalty company)

AMG:
Inspired equally by jangle pop and arty post-punk, Guided by Voices created a series of trebly, hissy indie rock records filled with infectiously brief pop songs that fell somewhere between the British Invasion and prog rock. After recording six self-released albums between 1986 and 1992, the Dayton, OH-based band attracted a handful of fans within the American indie rock underground. With the 1994 release of Bee Thousand, the group became an unexpected alternative rock sensation, winning positive reviews throughout the mainstream music press and signing a larger distribution deal with Matador Records. Despite all of the attention, the band never changed their aesthetic, continuing to record their albums on cheap four-track tape decks and thereby limiting their potential audience, yet that devotion to lo-fi indie rock helped Guided by Voices maintain a sizable cult through their demise in 2004.

My favorites (currently):

Game of Pricks (single version)
Echos Myron (Bee Thousand)

Unused Band Names

2008-02-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

No need to thank me...

- The Lackadaisicals
- Bank Whore Holiday
- Fast Laggard
- Bean Spill
- Highway Pop
- Superior Dysfunction

I will design the album covers for a charge...

The Replacements "If Only You Were Lonely"

2007-10-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

A drunkard's lament..... Paul Westerberg solo acoustic!

If Only You Were Lonely

Paul Westerberg - Live in Studio

2007-09-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Paul Westerberg, the ex-leader/genius of The Replacements went on to have a great solo career. He may not have approached the slash & burn level of his previous band but came close at times and aimed more at the head and heart, rather than the guts....
This is a great recording from a 1996 radio show in Atlanta where Paul and band absolutely BURN. He starts out with some solo stuff then closes out with some Replacements tunes. "Alex Chilton" absolutely blisters then comes "Nevermind", the most lackadaisical breakup song ever (if not the truest).
These Are the Days
Ain't Got Me
Alex Chilton
Nevermind

"Could You Be The One?"

2007-07-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

A great overlooked group of melodic-punk pioneers who come from THE rock city of the 80's...Minneapolis .....

MINA - Italian Pop -

2007-06-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Ta-Ra-Ta-Ta (Try Your Luck)

This song is an ode to the greatness of a man who smokes and smells like it! "Fumo blue" - blue smoke. This is a hard one to get out of your head....

The Replacements - Color Me Impressed

2007-05-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Replacements 101

2007-04-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

There is no other American rock band that was this criminally under appreciated and overlooked by the public and misunderstood by their record label. They brought the rawk like nobody's business, invoking a combination of the Stones, The Faces, The Sex Pistols, and that drunk homeless busker that you almost tipped but didn't (dick!).

click here to read the Replacements story if you:
1) haven't (shame!)
2) need a refresher
3) just want to mentally baste again in their greatness

THE MUSIC

OK kids, it's like this......if you've minimally experienced the "Mats" (that's what the cool kids call them), go purchase/download/torrent/steal one of the "Holy Trinity" of Mat's albums.

In order of greatness:
1) Let It Be

2) Tim

3) Pleased to Meet Me

LISTEN with minimum interference from your girlfriend, wife, one-night-stand, escort, masseuse, goat, roommate, buddy, parents, pets, pastor, boss, fortune-teller, dealer or real estate agent.

Get drunk, or angry, or lonely, or despondent, or broke, or heartbroken, or happy, or lackadaisical, or any combination of the above and you will get it!