Hot Tracks from Wax on the Racks
Hi there. This is J&Blog 2.0, The Return, The Reckoning, the etc. As the new (improved?) title suggests, I'm going to be posting about new LP's that we're adding to shelf that have caught my ear, adding some tracks to our playlist. These will all be from records we have in-store at the time of writing, and with luck they will find their way to your turntable!
*Disclaimer, just because an album is represented in the playlist, doesn't mean we currently have it in stock. If we don't, it just means you snoozed, and losed!
January 8, 2019
"Moonage Daydream" from David Bowie's 1974 "David Live" LP. This album is like a live early greatest hits record, and it was tough to choose just one track, but I think this one stands up strongest when compared to it's original studio track.
"Bring It On Home" from 1969's Led Zeppelin II. I've often argued (most unsuccessfully) against the opening tracks relevancy, but I can listen to the album closer all day.
"Light Up Or Leave Me Alone" from Traffic's 1971 release "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys". It jams, it grooves, it's got a hint of the good side of early 70s arena rock, and it's got a message.
"As Good As You've Been To This World" from Janis Joplin's 1969 album "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" I really like Janis Joplin, although I can see why people don't. We get spoon fed the same 2 songs on the radio, while having to accept that she was an icon. It gets old, and it's unfortunate. One of the reasons I'm a fan of her music is her backing bands. They are always top notch, and I picked this track because it's a solid 2+ minutes before the vocals come in, giving the band some time to lay it down, and that they do. If you didn't know it was on a Janis album, you might be expecting James Brown to start singing. And once she comes in, she delivers. Do the world a favor, and dig into this entire album.
"May 18, 2018" - The Cloud Nothings - "No Future/No Past" from 2013's "Attack On Memory"
Man that felt like a long day. Wink, wink. This seems like an appropriate song, considering it's title gets me off the hook for not having updated my daily playlist in 178 days, and it's a killer tune. Hope you enjoy!
May 18, 2018 - Talking Heads - "Road To Nowhere" from 1985's "Little Creatures"
Did you know that David Byrne gets royalties every time Emilio Estevez's character in "Young Guns" says "Hya"? Now you do.
Saw Mr. Byrne last weekend and I'm still recovering. What a show, do yourself a favor and google some videos on the Youstubes.
May 17, 2018 - The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, feat. Jim James - "Louisiana Fairytale" from 2010's "An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program"
This is an incredible song, that puts you in a place. I've never physically been there, so I can't speak from experience, but I think that place is Louisiana.
May 17, 2018 - Talking Heads - "Road To Nowhere" from 1985's "Little Creatures"
Did you know that David Byrne gets royalties every time Emilio Estevez's character in "Young Guns" says "Hya"? Now you do.
Saw Mr. Byrne last weekend and I'm still recovering. What a show, do yourself a favor and google some videos on the Youstubes.
May 16, 2018 - Radiohead - "Where I End and You Begin" from 2003's "Hail To The Thief"
I still consider this the "new" Radiohead album, even though it's 15 years old, and there's been three other new Radiohead albums since it came out. To me, this is still the new Radiohead album. Might be their best, too. I know.
May 15, 2018 - The Ramsey Lewis Trio - "Slippin' Into Darkness" from 1972's "Upendo Ni Pamoja"
If we can make it so this song plays as I walk into whatever room I'm walking into for the rest of my life, I would appreciate it.
May 14, 2018 - The Smashing Pumpkins - "Hello Kitty Kat" from 1994's "Pisces Iscariot"
This compilation album consists songs that were deemed not good enough to make it on an official Pumpkins album, and it's a better album than most bands best album.
May 13, 2018 - Punch Brothers - "Boll Weevil" from 2015's "The Phosphorescent Blues"
"I don't see no water, but I'm about to drown. I don't see no fire, but I'm burning down". That should be in a museum, as it's the perfect bluegrass line.
May 12, 2018 - Phish - "Theme From the Bottom" from 1996's "Billy Breathes"
This is the one and only Phish song where I prefer the studio version to the live version, and there are some killer live versions out there, I just feel they absolutely nailed this. Great atmosphere and production.
May 11, 2018 - Father John Misty - "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings" from 2012's "Fear Fun"
A direct line can be drawn from May 10ths artist and Father John Misty.
May 10, 2018 - Harry Nilsson - "Gotta Get Up" from 1971's "Nilsson Schmilsson"
Dude had an amazing voice and wrote incredible songs, with some of the best lyrics. He partied with John Lennon. Was in a drinking club with Alice Cooper and John Belushi. After John Lennon was shot and killed, he quit music to lobby for gun control. And his grandparents were Swedish circus performers. If you're unfamiliar, do yourself a favor and get familiar.
May 9, 2018 - The Rolling Stones - "Let It Loose" from 1972's "Exile On Main St."
In high school an older sister of a good friend of mine told me to listen to this album, so I did, and I was completely unprepared for it. I was still in my "Hot Rocks" Stone's phase. It wasn't till about 7 years later that I revisited this LP and it blew my weak little mind. 18 tracks and not an average one in the lot. My god. And do you ever think, maybe the morning after having had a couple too many drinks, that you might not survive, and you're in so much pain and wah wah wah, but then you think of Keith Richards, and how he's 75 years old and has lived 175 years in those 75 years and stop your complaining and live a little?
May 8, 2018 - Nirvana - "Drain You" from 1991's "Nevermind"
Heard this song for the first time in a looong time today, and it still holds up. I miss loud guitars.
May 7, 2018 - The Band - "Don't Do It" from 1976's "The Last Waltz"
Killer encore from one of the best concerts of all time, at least the best concert held on Thanksgiving.
May 6, 2018 - Primus - "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers" from 1991's "Sailing the Seas of Cheese"
This song demonstrates everything I love about this band.
May 5, 2018 - Sonny Rollins - "St Thomas" from 1956's "Saxophone Colossus"
This came in 2nd place in the "Most Catchiest Melody" poll that I just conducted, falling just a few votes shy of the "Menards" jingle. Good company to be in.
May 4, 2018 - Woodbox Gang - "Shadow of Tom" from 2006's "Drunk As Dragons"
This is from a great band out of southern Illinois. They write some killer songs, and on this album they absolutely nailed the vibe of "Trashcan Americana". This song is one of several standouts on this album, and I'm assuming the titular Tom is Tom Waits, but I don't have confirmation on that. Could be Hanks, Jones, or Big Tom Callahan. Any way, it's a great tune.
May 3, 2018 - North Mississippi Allstars - "Shake 'Em On Down" from 2004's Hill Country Revue: Live at Bonnaroo 2004.
If this doesn't get your juices flowing, there's something wrong with your juices. I got to see this live, and I don't think I've recovered. If I were you, I'd listen to the entire album, loudly.
May 2, 2018 - Beastie Boys - "Intergalactic" from 1998's "Hello Nasty"
I truly hope that history doesn't just remember these guys for being goofy white rappers. These guys were truly musicians (check out their instrumental album "The Mix-Up" if you don't believe me), and created some absolute masterpieces. Sure, their first album had goofball charm (see - "Girls", "Fight For Your Right", "Brass Monkey", etc), but starting with their very next album, these guys didn't mess around, and they didn't miss. I recommend everyone everywhere stop what they're doing right now and dig into the Beastie Boys, and let the beat drop.
May 1, 2018 - Punch Brothers - "Movement and Location" from 2012's "Who's Feeling Young Now?"
There are two surefire ways to get me to fall for a song and band. One, be genius musicians and songwriters, and two, compare Greg Maddux's approach to pitching to how you go about living your life. This song and band checks both boxes.
April 30, 2018 - LCD Soundsystem - "All My Friends" from 2007's "Sound of Silver"
There's not a stereo in the multiverse loud enough to do this song justice. But you should try yours. Like a sales force into the night.
April 29, 2018 - Delta Spirit - "Trashcan" from 2008's "Ode To Sunshine"
Good groove to this one, cool drum sound. Was excited to see these guys at a Bonnaroo many years ago, but their bus broke down and they didn't make it, and I honestly haven't really thought about or listened to them since. Time to change that. Enjoy!
April 28, 2018 - Pearl Jam - "Black" from MTV Unplugged
Not too many things that blew your mind as an 11 year old still have that same effect as a 37 year old. But this, along with Super Tecmo Bowl, still holds up.
April 27, 2018 - Les McCann- "Compared To What?" from the 1969 album "Swiss Movement"
We've had plenty of protests these past few years, and it's songs like this that might explain why we haven't had much protest music to go along with them. There's not much more to add to the list of frustrations that ol' Les belts out here. Plus, it grooves.
April 26, 2018 - Jack White - "What's Done is Done" from the 2018 album "Boarding House Reach"
I love this album, and I'm usually underwhelmed by Jack White solo albums. They've all seemed to be good, but good at best. This album is a lot different than his others, and I wonder if it'll be less popular/successful because of it. This song in particular. It's really a country song, but sung over an electronic beat to start, with a killer organ solo followed by a Toto-esque fake flute solo, and a nice two part harmony, and it's about life shattering heartbreak. I mean, C'mon, that checks each and every box.
April 25, 2018 - The Velvet Underground - "I'm Waiting For The Man" from the 1966 album "The Velvet Underground and Nico"
There's nothing better to say about this band, or this particular album than this Brian Eno quote - “The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band”. Listen to this, than go start that band.
April 24, 2018 - The Kinks - "Sunny Afternoon" from 1966's "Face to Face"
I can't stop listening to The Kinks lately.
April 23, 2018 - The Beatles - "I'm So Tired" from 1968's Self-Titled album, AKA The White Album
I dedicate this belated post to all the mom's (really just one specific one, actually) out there that spent the night on the couch with a pukey 6 year old and didn't get to sleep much at all.
April 22, 2018 - The Kinks - "Strangers" from 1970's "Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One"
Find me a better song. I dare you.
April 21, 2018 - Prince - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
This was just released this week, and I've listened to it 12,000 times. This is so good. Sinead's version is really good, but nothing compares 2 Prince. I'm sorry.
April 20, 2018 - Black Sabbath - "Sweet Leaf" from 1971's "Master of Reality"
One of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Happy Friday!
April 19, 2018 - Beck - "E-Pro" from 2005's "Guero"
I had a thought today while shaving, and that thought was "I should listen to more Beck". To which I answered, "But, I listen to Beck pretty regularly". To which I answered, "Exactly."
April 18, 2018 - Frank Zappa and the Mother's of Invention - "San Ber'dino" from 1975's "One Size Fits All"
I don't really get Zappa. I'm not cooler or smarter than you because I listen to him, because I don't really listen to him. I don't really know anything about him, or about he was an incredible guitar player, or a musical genius. I know a few songs, some I like a lot (like this one) and others that I just can't do. But I like that he has so much weird stuff and that it freaks you out and pisses you off when you listen to it. I've angrily turned off his stuff because it's just too much. I've been meaning (for about 14 years) to get around to listening to more Zappa, so might as well start now. I'm currently listening to a live track called "Penguin In Bondage". I mean, just the name of that song says most of it, right? Check back in a couple months, I'll probably be cooler than you, smarter than you, and have a Zappa tattoo.
April 17, 2018 (another lie, it's still 4/18, but it's almost today) - Little Willie John - "Fever" - from 1956's "Fever"
This LP was going to make it's way to the New Arrivals bin at J&B, but it got sidetracked and is now constantly on my turntable. Funny how things work out that way. This is the first recording of this tune, and a year or two later Peggy Lee rerecorded a pretty hot version of it. 62 years later, and this song still holds up, such a great tune.
April 16, 2018 (that's a lie, it's 4/18, I slept in, my dog ate my blog, it's in the mail, I must've forgot to hit send....) - Arcade Fire - "Creature Comfort" - from 2017's "Everything Now"
I've got a bit of a cold, I'm tired and cranky, and get off my lawn. This tune (and entire album) rails against the fact that the world is a commercial, and you're the target market, and it's highly effective.
Yeah I know, everybody hated this record, and it sucked, and they sucked, and they used to be cool but now they're like old, and why are the using synthesizers and why can't they just rewrite "The Suburbs". I don't care, I love this album. It's got some cheese in it musically, and to me that works wonderfully with the heaviness of the lyrics. It's a cool juxtaposition of poppy music and pretty depressing lyrics. Plus the bass tone is killer.
April 15, 2018 - Soulive - "Taxman" - from 2010's "Rubber Soulive"
Happy tax day everybody! This is a cool rendition by jazz-funk trio Soulive, who I was lucky enough to see front row center at Bonnaroo one summer, thanks to my giant friend Frank. You're in for a treat with this one. Hope you enjoy!
April 14, 2018 - Phish - "Rift" - from "Phish: Chicago '94"
I highly recommend giving this full 'album' a listen. I think it's a good demo of why this band's live show is such a draw, and this is from peak 'Joe-era Phish' ('92-95, when things can goofy weird, pretty much every show has a Foam and a Sparkle, teases and segues galore). These shows are them playing at their absolute tightest. All the songs are high energy and a four man-nerd shred-fest. Enjoy!
April 13, 2018 - Bob Dylan & The Band - "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine) from 1974's live album, "Before the Flood"
Today is Friday the 13th, so I wanted to go with a really spooky song, and this is the first one that comes to everyone's mind, for obvious reasons. This song is playing during that scene in "Three Men and a Baby" where you can see Bob Dylan's ghost in the window. Gives me the chills just thinking about it.
April 12, 2018
Little Feat - "Fat Man in the Bathtub" from 1978's live album, "Waiting For Columbus"
It's been sunny out for two days in a row! Did you know that it's a law that you have to listen to Little Feat if it's sunny two days in a row? Well, it is! This here is grilling music, and you know you're grilling today, so crank this and enjoy this weather! It literally won't last another day.
April 11, 2018
Umphree's McGee - "Women, Wine, and Song" from 2006's "Safety in Numbers"
File this one under "Joe's favorite nice weather jam". The sun shone today! It was above 40 degrees! Oh man, there's fresh air! This song goes perfectly with those last three statements.
Fun fact - that smooth harmonica and bassy harmonies on the chorus are provided by none other than Huey Lewis! Yeah, that Huey Lewis! Another fun fact - Umphree's put out an album of outtakes and B-sides called "The Bottom Half" which included some funny-ish studio banter in which Mr. Huey Lewis uses the F-word, which caused that album to be issued with that super effective Parental Advisory sticker.
Now, I'm all for warning people that they may be about to hear some obscene language. But there has to be something wrong with the same warning coming before an album with one swear word from Huey Lewis and say...Eminem's Relapse that has 207 swear words. Anyway, Parental Advisory - this song f-in rules.
April 10, 2018
Jimi Hendrix - "Bold As Love" from 1967's "Axis: Bold As Love"
I'm not really sure what I can say here that hasn't been said about Hendrix, so I'll just say two things - 1. Listen to that outro solo over and over and over again, and 2. Hendrix is the only person who's ever lived that could make Hendrix lyrics sound cool. Let me explain - he wrote some absolutely incredible lyrics, but it takes the coolest person to ever live to make "My yellow in this case is not so mellow" not sound ridiculous. He says it, and you actually believe it, and agree with him about his yellow, and it's lack of mellow. Anyway, go listen to that outro solo again.
April 9, 2018
Nina Simone - "Isn't It A Pity", from 1971's "Emergency Ward!"
I stumbled upon this song, completely unprepared for it. This isn't a song for your morning jog, your background noise, or your aural wallpaper. This one sits you down and looks you in the eye for 11 minutes and 10 seconds, and dares you to look back. Holy smokes. The George Harrison original is great, but this one has a way more intimate feel, and is possibly more believable. And she basically lays out how and why we should live our lives, she just throws that in as a nice little bonus, in case we were wondering. The way the chord progression just rolls right through, hitting every possible dynamic and volume it can just kills me, it never sounds repetitive, even though it carries you through 11 minutes. The entire album is worth a spin or 12.