an update

I found this today:

It reminded me of the post I wrote not too long ago about Christianity in America and my crisis in faith.
This speaks to the double standard of the religious right.  Basically, it strengthens the belief that religion and politics shouldn't mix.  ever.  Also, I do think it's a little funny that "true believers" find the faith to be self serving, and by a little funny, I mean awful.

Norrin Rand, Hanging Ten

Joe Satriani

Surfing with the Alien

1987, Relativity

produced by John Cuniberti

singles-

• Satch Boogie
• Surfing with the Alien

My dad actually had this album before I did.  I found a copy for like 4 dollars at a used place in college.  But, I did give this extended play back in the day and learned some serious air guitar while my dad let it blast over his serious stereo system (made the windows shake).  As you'll realize, my dad influenced a lot of what I listened to back then.  Most would probably recognize the track Always with me Always with You.  It gets some radio play, which is weird, because it doesn't rock as hard, and it wasn't a single.  This is all music, no lyrics, which is good because Satriani couldn't sing himself out of a paper bag.  The cover art is definitely a rip off of Marvel's Silver Surfer.  If you enjoy technical, precise guitar playing and musicality, this album is a must have for guitar aficionados.

Only Posers Die

Black Flag

Damaged

1981, SST

produced by Spot

Henry Rollins: vocals

Greg Ginn: lead guitar

Dez Cadena: rhythm guitar

Chuck Dukowski: bass

Robo: drums

I saw Paul Rackman's documentary American Hardcore a few years ago.  This is when I realized that there was a difference between the New York Hardcore I had been listening to in middle and high school (bands like Hatebreed, Warzone, and Earth Crisis for example) and American Hardcore.  I hadn't really lumped punk into categories really, and wasn't too aware of chronology.  Some punk bands had a similar sound, some were more ska, some more pop-rock, and some more dirty.  And then there were weird-ass bands lumped into the punk genre that had really nothing similar to anything, like Elvis Costello, Blondie, the Ramones, and the Misfits.  So... after seeing American Hardcore, I came to understand the American scene a little more, and appreciate bands like the Germs, TSOL, Bad Brains, and Minor Threat.  

Above all, Black Flag became a favorite again.  I bought this album in college because of the scene in SLC Punk when Heroine Bob punches his mirror (clearly a homage).  This album is the perfect example for American Hardcore.  The songs are a mix between goofy satire and angsty social commentary.  Punk music is not for the people that appreciate good song structure, musicianship, or even melody.  But, if you only care about raw emotion, this band is for you.  

Henry Rollins would go on to be Henry Rollins, and Robo, the drummer, would become one of the Misfits.  This is a must have for punk enthusiasts.  On top of influencing just about every punk rock band to come out after, they basically invented the DIY record label, releasing all of their stuff on Greg Gint's company, SST.  

She's a Replicant, Isn't She?

Janelle Monae

The ArchAndroid Suites 2 and 3

2010, Wondaland

produced by Kevin Barnes

singles-

• Tightrope

• Cold War

Brought to us by Big Boi of Outkast fame, and heard on Fun's hit song We Are Young,  Janelle Monae brings back the Mowtown soul sound like no other.  I have a huge crush on this girl.  Not only is she very pretty, she has an unforgettable visual style.  She is definitely more than able to fill the void left by James Brown himself, which is made evident on the singles Tightrope and Cold War.  Monae has a bold, strong voice, and for a small woman, has a bold, strong presence.  She also thinks she's some sort of Bladerunner-esque android, which is super awesome.  I don't usually go for this particular genre of music, but you know, sometimes I need something a little different.  


The Tightrope video is worth a watch also. 

Extended Play

The use of the terms LP and EP have nearly fallen out of use. They mean, for those that already forgot, Long Play and Extended Play and were a term that made sense when the music industry pressed records. An Extended Play record, or EP, is longer than a single track recording, and shorter than a full length 33rpm album. EPs also played at 45rpm and have also been known as 45s, or 7inches. Obviously, this post is about the EP.

Descendents 

Im the One 

1997, Epitaph.  

produced by Stevenson/Egerton

Milo Aukerman - vocals
Bill Stevenson - drums
Stephan Egerton - guitars
Karl Alvarez - bass

tracks:

• Im the One
• Everything Sucks
• Lucky
• Shattered Milo 

I love the Descendents, and this particular EP is also the first songs from the band that I ever heard. Two tracks from the Everything Sucks album are paired with two b-side tracks not on the album. It is a good thing to have from a fan's standpoint. Lucky is a great track too.

Queers

Today 

2001, Lookout!  

produced by Mass Giorgini

Joe Queer - vocals, guitar
Matt Drastic - drums
Dangerous Dave - bass

tracks:

• Yeah, Well, Whatever
• I don't want to go to the Moon
• I've Had it with You
• I'm the Boy for You
• Salt Lake City

Another poppy sounding punk band in the tradition of the Ramones, the Queers have a surfer vibe to them, which is weird, since they're from New Hampshire. The sound is actually melodic, and better musically than other contemporary punk sounds (think Screeching Weasel). I enjoy the first and last tracks the most. In true punk rock fashion they also all use pseudonyms.

Rage Against the Machine

People of the Sun.  

1996, Epic/Revelation

produced by Brendan OBrien

Zach de la Rocha - vocals
Tim Cummerford - bass
Tom Morello - guitar
Brad Wilk - drums

tracks:

• People of the Sun
• Without a Face (live)
• Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos (live with Chuck D)
• Zapatas Blood (live)
• Bulls on Parade
• Hadda be Playin on the Juke Box (live)

There are actually two versions of this. I have them both. The CD has only three tracks, and the vinyl includes Black Steel, Bulls on Parade, and Hadda be Playin on the Jukebox. The first three live tracks are all from the same show, Pink Pop on March 27, 1996. Hadda be Playin on the Jukebox is from Milan Dragway, Detroit on July 9, 1993. I would like to think this is a must have for Rage fans, but the Live and Rare album released in 1998 also includes these tracks, and you get more music if you buy that.