Dan Vapid and The Cheats S/T (more HERE) and Kurt Baker's Rockin' For a Living (more HERE) came from War On Music and were not cheap ($16.99 and $12.99 respectively), Redd Kross' (more HERE) Researching the Blues was $15.99 from The Folk Festival Music Store, while The Ramones' (more HERE) Mondo Bizaaro was about $18.99 from Music Trader. So it was an expensive weekend and I'll need to cut back next week.
The Vapid album is stellar set of pop-punk tunes and should be bought by all Weasel fans toute suite. The Baker EP is fantastic musically but I'm more hesitant to recommend because it's expensive, weakly-packaged (cardboard sleeve, no insert!) and it UNFAIRLY leaves off two songs from the ten inch version. Redd Kross' new album is blood-stirring and destined to hit a slew of Best of 2012 lists. As for Mondo Bizaaro, the imperfections are glaring. It starts with a weak, dated Joey political tract, follows it with the weaker of the TWO songs from the pen of drummer Marky Ramone but, fortunately, the album then hits a real strong patch in the middle, leaving at least eight very good songs to make up for the filler at the beginning and near the end.
Okay, I took Commando, I took from the library because it's reeeeeal short (and Johnny Ramone's rah-rah Republicanism irritates me - BUT I WON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS FREE SPEECH, ESPECIALLY SINCE I'M NOT PAYING FOR IT!
Hey music lovers.
We'd love to hear about what music you bought this week!
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nice choices all around - the Vapid and Redd Kross LPs are definitely two of my favorites from this year.
ReplyDeleteYeah they'll both be on my best of 2012 list!
DeleteI got Commando from the library as well...and was glad I did. That super-Republicanism isn't all that prevalent (thankfully), I just didn't find it to be a very satisfying read. And what's up with that thick, heavy cardboard binding...is it supposed to trick the reader into thinking you are getting more book than you paid for? Take away the front and back cover and the book loses about a quarter-inch.
ReplyDeleteThat cardboard binding is ridiculous! That said, it's one hell of a cool cover.
DeleteP.S. It's true that the Republicanism isn't over the top but that list of 'Favorite Republicans' is a bit odd. I mean "Tom DeLay"? He's a convicted money-launderer. But, then Nixon resigned in disgrace and he makes #1 on Johnny's list.
I choose to believe that he put that list in the book for two reasons:
Delete1) To purposefully provoke the left-wingers who make up the target audience of any book about Johnny Ramone.
2) His agent told him to include something that would maintain his image of "the Republican Ramone".
Neither of these reasons may in fact be true, but it makes it easier to swallow thinking they are.
Other than that, what was your impression of the book?
Y'know it's actually better than I expected. The fact that it took eight years to get this out plus Johnny's lack of erudition (a common Ramones trait, I'll grant you) had me thinking it would be just a all over the place. Instead it's brief but focused. A good addition to a Ramones library (though I'll wait till it shows up a remainder to buy it.)
DeleteHey Jeffen
ReplyDeleteA very nice week for Jeffen!
1.Due to your Toy Dolls posts I finally bought the 2 CD Toy Dolls Anthology.
2.I bought the Dexter Season 6 DVD Box in anticipation of Season 7.
3.And a 'very guilty' pleasure ... the 'Pretty Maids All In A Row' DVD.The 1971 movie was directed by Roger Vadim and starred Rock Hudson,Angie Dickinson,Telly Savalas and a number of pretty maids.Gene Roddenberry wrote the script based on a Francis Pollini novel.I originally saw the movie in 1971 at the Capitol Theatre or Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver.Cripes ... who knew Rock Hudson was gay!
Doug
1) Yay Toy Dolls purchases. That Anthology is a good way yo go to because they have good songs even on their weaker albums.
Delete3) Wow I was two when that movie came out but I'm sure the performance by Rock was...solid (boooo)
JD McPherson "Signs & Signifiers", just ordered Kelly Hogan "I Like To Keep Myself In Pain", Jim Dickinson "I'm Not Dead I'm Just Gone", and a Nan Goldin photo book.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing stark-raving, madly-positive reviews of that Kelly Hogan album - must check it out.
DeleteKicking myself for forgetting to order it earlier, I hope it's not as depressing as the title sounds. She's great with Neko Case. Also ordered King Tuff, check him out.
DeleteBought the vinyl version of Country Funk: 1969-1975 (review up at Lonesome Road Review soon) and really enjoyed it; the Mac Davis cut was a revelation. I also bought the Kelly Hogan CD after a) reading a piece about her in the most recent Oxford American and b) hearing a couple tracks on the radio. I'm only part way through it, but am enjoying the whole album. I also purchased a download of Antsy McClain's Heroes Last Forever, which has also been enjoyable- I like what he does. Most importantly, I've broken into the stah of cassettes- The Wagonneers, y'all. Donald at Fervor Coulee
ReplyDeleteOkay last week I was looking at the track listing for that Country Funk and I was saying "Where's Jerry Reed?" They put out an album called 'country funk' and left off "Alabama Wild Man"? That's nuts.
ReplyDeleteI bet it's great but that's a glaring omission for me.
Just got the new REDD KROSS (Won a $10 gift certificate @ my local indi-Rec Store =) The Off! and was looking for the new D.O.A. but no go, gonna have to give Joey a call or an email, BTW he's been selling all his rare vinyl ? Not sure why but the one I wanted sold... Over and Out ///
ReplyDeleteThose are three great albums - all will make an appearance on one of my best of the year Lists.
ReplyDelete