I recently saw The Cure live for the first time; and I’m in a rush to get those feelings, thoughts and memories onto proverbial paper before they escape. I’ve been a casual fan of the band. I enjoy many of their singles, and I greatly enjoy this album. In fact, I think it’s one of… Continue reading The Cure – Disintegration
Decade: 1980-1989
A-Ha – Hunting High And Low
It’s 1995. My U-16 soccer team, the Lafreniere Hurricanes, had just lost our second consecutive tournament final. Spirits were low and changes needed to be made. The team was solid, but we needed something to get us over the hump. And I found it. I don’t remember exactly why but I took out my Yellow… Continue reading A-Ha – Hunting High And Low
Pixies – Doolittle
“You don’t listen to the Pixies? I think you’d really like them.” I had heard that question and statement so many times in my life. I was very familiar with most of their more “popular” songs but had never felt compelled to dig in. It wasn’t until around 2010 when a girlfriend at the time… Continue reading Pixies – Doolittle
The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
There are songs that feel specifically written for you. The fact that we all think and emote in a unique way means we all live a separate psychological and emotional reality. Most of us tend to live in 2 worlds. One in which we are prisoner and slave to our relationship with our own incessant… Continue reading The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
The Replacements – Tim
Punks, drunks, and flunks. We have arrived at the first installment from one of my favorite bands, The Replacements (lovingly referred to as The Mats by fans, short for Placemats). What’s so punk about The Replacements is they don’t lay behind a constructed facade. They are wed to personal meanings and convictions. The Stinson guitars… Continue reading The Replacements – Tim
The Silos – Cuba
“Becker, you must REALLY love country music, right?” Ehhh. Not so much. Well, not marketable pop or bro country music that’s for sure. Hogs is an Americana music festival which incorporates a good bit of country music. Great country music at that. However, the curation is really a business decision more than a strong liking… Continue reading The Silos – Cuba
INXS – Listen Like Thieves
Women want him, and men want to be him. But enough about me, let’s talk about Michael Hutchence and IN EXCESS. In 1985, MTV was arguably at its zenith (they actually played music videos) when INXS released their 5th studio album. The combination of a magnetic lead singer and the influence of MTV could catapult… Continue reading INXS – Listen Like Thieves
Fugazi – Fugazi (7 Songs)
It sometimes comes as a shock to people to learn that my first love in music is punk. I don’t outwardly fit the proverbial mold. Growing up, my generation’s exposure to music was pretty much limited to the radio and whatever our parents owned in their collection. However, adolescence allowed us to start formulating our… Continue reading Fugazi – Fugazi (7 Songs)
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Bowie does Disco. David does Dance. The Thin White Duke transforms once again. Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar. Nile Rodgers (Chic, Random Access Memories) producing. It always felt too slick. Too much of a cash grab. I was never a huge fan of this album…until I heard it in the right context. I have an… Continue reading David Bowie – Let’s Dance
The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms
This morning on the way to drop you off at school, we were listening to the new Panda Bear album Reset. I made a comment along the lines of “oooohhh I like these melodies. Very Beach Boys and Feelies.” You didn’t really care about the Beach Boys or The Feelies, but you did ask, “What’s… Continue reading The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms