Hello Radio: The Songs of They Might Be Giants

Tribute albums are extremely difficult to pull off. Either the artists stray way too far from the source material and whatever made the song special disappears or the song sounds way too familiar and comes off feeling like bad karaoke. Hello Radio has an advantage in that I only know the band OK GO. This allows me to judge the songs on their own merit instead of how I feel about the band. An example would be any song Pearl Jam covers, I will instantly judge more difficult because I don’t like Eddie Vedor’s voice.

The album ultimately peaks on the first song. Self pulls off an amazing of Ana Ng. I have to give them credit because that song is probably in my Top 5 TMBG songs. The Long Winters covers a song I’m not too familiar with. I was never a fan of the first couple of TMBG album where they used a full band, but this song is fun and grew on me. The only other highlights after those are The Fluid Ounces pulling off a great version of It’s Not My Birthday and Hotel Light playing The End of The Tour. After so many bands sounding like they aren’t taking the original songs seriously, Hotel Lights really puts their soul into this version.

What ultimately ruined this album for me is a trilogy of songs in the middle of the album that use distorted vocals with limited instrumental backing and becomes stale quickly. I needed something more and just was not getting it from Steve Burns, OK GO and Recepter. The worst rendition is by This Radiant Boy. Since I’m not familiar with the band I don’t know if this is their shtick, but the singer could be the son of Wild Man Fischer, which is not a compliment. Very obnoxious way to tarnish one of the band’s crowning achievements.

In the end the CD is not going to stay in the collection. There are some positives though, I will take the time to check out both SELF and Hotel Lights to see what they are all about.

Best Songs: Ana Ng and The End of the Tour

Songs that made my ears vomit: Don’t Let’s Start and They’ll Need a Crane.

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals - Burn To Shine

It was only a matter of time before I found a diamond in the rough. An album that slipped through the cracks. One of the greatest aspects of exploring music is that there is always another road the listener will ultimately want to walk down. Whether an interesting song appears on the radio, in a movie, in a friend's car or just sitting in a bar waiting for a beer, it can lead to a path where someone can find that special artist that speaks to them.
About a year and a half ago I bought a CD/DVD collection entitled In The Attic. It was a compilation album of performance that had appeared on the In The Attic Webcast. This particular webcast was hosted by Rachel Fuller or as I knew her, Pete Townshend's girlfriend. The Who still remains my favorite band and I am a sucker for anything the group members are associated with. In fact that is the only way to explain why I own Roger Daltrey's album Can't Wait to See the Movie.
I didn't expect much from the CD other than hearing a few new version of Who Songs done by various artists and by Pete himself. To my shock my favorite song on the discs came from an artist by the name of Ben Harper. I had heard the name in the past, but never thought of him as anything more than a college radio staple. The song Please Bleed spoke to exactly what I was feeling at the time. Being tossed aside by a girl, who meant so much to me at some point, left me angry and hurt. I rushed out and bought the album that this song originally appeared. Much to my surprise, the album didn't have the intimacy I was expecting. Gone was the artist and his acoustic guitar baring his soul and in its place was a Hodge Podge of styles that did not feel cohesive. I played the album a few times but was ultimately unfulfilled. I placed it on the shelf where it sat for the last year.
With the passage of time, I am able to appreciate the music that appears on this CD. I am no longer expecting a particular sound, instead I can hear the songs as the Ben Harper intended. What I initially wrote off as an noncohesive mess of songs, now is seen as an artist showing off all of his emotions through the different music stylings. I feel like it has almost become cliched to compare any album with multiple styles to the Beatles' White Album, but this does capture that same basic structure. Whether he is rocking out on the song Less, channeling New Orleans Jazz in Suzie Blue or sounding like Top 40 pop with Steal My Kisses, Harper nails each style. While the White Album ultimately comes off as a band who would not compromise their own ideas, Burn to Shine represents a complete view of an artist.
I love this album and I've listened to it a few dozen times now over the past few weeks. There are so many ideas that remind me of other songs I have loved as well. Show Me a Little Shame is a prime example as I am instantly brought back to hearing Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum, an all time favorite of mine. While I still prefer the version of Please Bleed on the In the Attic CD, this album is a treasure and I'm glad I rediscovered it.

KISS - Psycho Circus

Well it's been almost two weeks since my last update. This was caused by a combination of two things. The first is that I bought about 10 CDs when I was back in Cleveland to see my Dad. I've been spending my time explore the new discs instead of focusing on the ones I already have. The second is that I started carpooling with my girlfriend almost everyday. While I enjoy having someone to talk to while driving in, my music listening has taken a huge hit. I still listen to music in the car, I don't necessarily pay attention to it when someone else is in the car.

Due to this I am going to start making this a bi-weekly update instead of a daily blog. This album was KISS's reunion album with all original band members reuniting for the first time in almost 20 years. Unfortunately it doesn't capture the band at its peak. I was never a huge KISS fan over the years. I enjoy the hits and the group live albums, but I never wanted to dig into their album cuts. This was bought about the same time I saw Detroit Rock City for the first time. The movie helped build the image of KISS as being the ultimate band and I was feeling it for a short time. I was very disappointed and listened to it a few times and then it started sitting on the shelf.

The best thing about this CD is the cover. The motion 3D cover, gives the feeling of a true event. I popped the CD in the player and was hit with the title track. This was the closest the album comes to presenting KISS how they sound in my mind. The anthem rocker make me want to pump my fists. This made me believe that the songs would work so much better in concert than on the album.

Ultimately I was left feeling unfulfilled with this album. Someday I may pickup an early KISS album to explore their catalog more deeply, but this album is non-essential.

Songs I didn't hate: Psycho Circus, You Wanted The Best

Songs I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy: I Finally Found My Way, Journey of 10,000 Miles

My First Trade-In

CDs Sold:
Paul McCartney - Oobu Joobu (Ecology)
John Lennon - Rock 'n' Roll
Ringo Starr - VH1 Storytellers
David Bryne - Look Into the Eyeball
XTC - I'm the Man Who Murdered Loved (Single)
Full Moon Entertainment - Main Title Madness
Dave Matthews Band - Before the Crowded Streets
Dave Matthews Band - Everyday
Pearl Jam - ten
Vegas Retro Lounge
Everlast - Forever Everlasting
U2 - Mysterious Ways (Single)
Bloodhound Gang - One Fierce Beer Coaster
Aerosmith - Get a Grip
The Clash Tribute - Burning London
Plain White T's - All That We Needed
The Makers - The Makers
Elvis Presley - The Memphis Record
Carl Perkins - The Entertainers
Gene Vincent - Be Bop A Lula
The Beatles - Please Please Me
Gene Vincent - Am I That Easy To Forget

I also sold 20 DVDs and a box full of books.
Money Made: $57.50

This weekend was a great feeling. I was able to start separating myself from my stuff. When my mom moved out of the house I grew up in while I was in college, she packed everything in my room into boxes and put them in her basement. For the past 6 years these boxes have been sitting in these boxes. My mom has recently moved again and this time the boxes we placed in my dad's basement. I finally took the time to go through all the boxes and begin the process of downsizing.
I was amazed at how much junk has been taking up space for so long. It was fun to walk down memory lane while going through all my stuff. I found everything from baby blankets to report cards to old sports illustrated swimsuit editions. When all was said and done, I was able to get rid of 8 boxes of old stuff and packed 2 boxes for Goodwill. I have to admit that some pretty useless junk survived the first cut. Some by my choice, some my dad's. When will I ever use 2 over sized Dracula mugs? Probably never, but my dad was convinced they were too nice to just get rid of. Also the reason why so many cassettes still remain.
While there are probably 12 more boxes, I feel like it is much more manageable.

Paul McCartney - Oobu Joobu

After putting John Lennon on the chopping block, I felt it was only fair to put another Beatle under the same analysis. Whenever I bring up Lennon or McCartney to others, the conversation usually ends up being an arguement over which was better. While I do appreciate John Lennon as an artist, ultimately a good chunk of his solo output is below average. I think I give Paul a slight advantage because he has never stopped producing music. While you might consider it pop fluff, it usually climbed the charts and was stuck in the world's collective head.

That being said Oobu Joobu represents everything I despise about this former Beatle. From the open self important monologue about how important the world is and the lazy annoying theme songs made my skin crawl. The album did contain some interesting songs, that you cannot get anywhere. Ulitimately it is unsatisfying, since the entire album is only broken up into one track.

This is one of the albums that my dad has passed along to me over the years. Whenever he finds something in his collection that he no longer likes, he usually passes it along to my brother and I before trading it in. I think that is why some of these are so hard to get rid of, is I see them as gifts, but in reality, they were someone else's garbage that I am now hanging onto. If he didn't like it and I don't like it, why on earth am I keeping it around?

Paul I will hang on to some of your other work, but this album is going to hit the road.

Everlast - Forever Everlasting

When Whitey Ford Sings The Blues came out, I rushed to my local Target store which was running a sale where the CD was only $8. I couldn't get the song What It's Like out of my head and I knew I had to hear the rest of the album. I was not disappointed. I even spent the time to read the complete liner notes, which is a rarity. I was a little let down that the lyrics were not included, but I got over it pretty quickly.

I was lucky that my parents never cared if I owned albums with a parental advisory sticker. They figured I heard much worse things at home and as long as I didn't repeat it, there was not harm done. Most of my friends were jealous as they had to sneak their vulgar albums home and listen to them on headphone under fear of being caught. I knew at least 3 friends that had their Adam Sandler "What the Hell Happened To Me" albums confiscated over the years and each one stills holds a grudge against their parents to this day. The one advantage of having such lax rules around language in my house was that I was able to explore music and comedy that many of my peers did not have access to. After Columbine, many records stores became fearful of being prosecuted for selling minors games that were rated Mature and CDs with Parental Advisory warnings, surprisingly I never had an issue buying R rated movies. On one fateful day, I went up to the counter at the local Record Exchange to buy Denis Leary's album No Cure For Cancer and the cashier explained to me the album was considered explicit and he would not sell it to me without a parent or guardian. When I went back to the car and explained this to my dad he was furious. He went into the store and beratedthe guy that he has no business know what he son is listening to and he saw us walking around the store together the entire time and how much of an inconvenience it was for him to have to stand in line with his son just to buy a comedy album. After that day, no one in the Record Exchange ever asked me for ID or a parent.

As for Everlast, once I knew every song on White Ford, I went out and bought all the House of Pain albums and started to memorize all of those as well. A few years went by and I had assumed that I had his entire catalog when I happened upon this album in a Borders Outlet. I jumped at the chance to hear something, but I was disappointed. There were some catchy tunes, but overall nothing really stood out. I had no interest hearing him rap about girl problems or the bible. Overall after a few spins it joined Whitey Ford on the shelf. Hearing this album again, I can now appreciate the funk beats that are littered throughout the songs. While there are no lost classics on this early solo album, it was fun to hear a rapper in his formative years before striking it be with Jump Around.

Songs I Really Enjoyed: F@*% Everybody, The Rhythm

Songs that made me want to stick a Q-tip too deep in my ear canal: What is This? On the Edge

Decision: Like the sample on Goodbye, Nah, nah, nah, nah, hey hey hey, goodbye.

John Lennon - Rock 'n Roll

John Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll is a hard album. While I enjoy Lennon's music and have a love of 50's music, this album never quite gels for me. The overpowering horns and production ruin the majority of the songs. The one exception is Stand by Me, which deserves to be on any John Lennon greatest hits collection.

My brother gave me this CD for Christmas a few years ago. He is a huge Lennon fan and owns all the CDs and knows most of the songs inside and out. When Rock 'n' Roll was reissued in 2004, he planned to re-buy it and passed along his copy to me. I listened to it a few times, but it was quickly filed in the Beatles section of my collection and I've moved on. From time to time, I would put together a Lennon mix and would pull out the album hoping to find a hidden classic to include, but it was never to be. Eventually I bought the Lennon box which includes 6 of the 13 tracks and really does boil the album down to the bare essentials.

Songs I Love: Stand By Me

Songs that do not live up to the originals: The rest of the tracks

Decision: John Lennon was an amazing artist, but had a few missteps in his career. I would consider this CD as one of those. Goodbye Rock 'n' Roll. Ain't That a Shame.

Bloodhound Gang - One Fierce Beer Coaster

I cannot believe this album is still in my collection. There is one redeeming aspect to this album, an appearance by Vanilla Ice. (He is credited as Rob Van Winkle in the liner notes). While I was in high school Vanilla Ice came to play at my home town. I believe he may be the only act to be able to claim that outside of Beatles tribute bands. Some of us tried to attend the show, but unfortunately the show was 18 and over only. Since none of us had a fake ID, we were banished to the parking lot. We were able to hear some of the show from there, but was not the memorable experience I was hoping for. As for Bloodhound Gang, I did throughly enjoy their album Hooray for Boobies. For the time being that CD remains in the collection and their first album Finger Lickin' Good remains in my cassette collection. The reason I do not enjoy this album is not the juvenile humor, but the lack of rhythm to the lyrics and the forgettable beats.

There are quite a few humorous lines sprinkled throughout the CD, that make me smile reading the lyrics, but hearing them executed was another thing. The only aspect of the album that I can appreciate more now than as a teen are jokes at the expense of New Jersey.

Songs I Liked: Boom, Going Nowhere Slow

Songs that can be forgotten to the sands of time: The other 10 tracks

Decision: Another one bites the dust.

Aerosmith - Get a Grip

I decided that I wanted to start with a slow underhand pitch right over the plate. While I enjoy Aerosmith, this album has been sitting on my shelf for years without being listened to and it was time to give it another spin.

I've always had a problem with going to the eye doctor. The thought of putting anything in my eyes including eye drops would cause me to shiver. Unfortunately when you have a -8.0 and -7.0 prescription, you cannot avoid getting glasses. Even though the trip usually resulted with tears in my eyes, there was one redeeming aspect, the trip to Marc's Fun Time Pizza Palace. This was the ultimate video game arcade. It was a converted Chuck E. Cheese, that had two floors of games. The first floor had all the latest games, pinball machines, the theater with the slowly deteriorating Chuck E. Cheese characters where you could eat your pizza, the prize table and skee ball. The basement consisted of all the aging games that were usually a quarter to play and the ball pit. While my attention was usually drawn to X-Men and TMNT, any game with a machine gun controller was worth a look. As I approached, all I could hear blaring music coming from the game. The same song just kept repeating ad nauseum, drilling deeper and deeper into my brain. While I didn't know it at the time, that song was Eat the Rich.

I didn't understand my interest in the game at the time, all I knew was that it had a machine gun that shot CDs, a blaring soundtrack, a cool looking music group and a woman dressed up in leather screaming orders to you. In retrospect, the woman in leather was probably the biggest selling point, just my adolescent brain hadn't figured out why I was drawn to that image. I usually wouldn't make it past the first level, but I was fascinated. I eventually bought the game for Playstation and had those songs even further ingrained in my subconscious. Within the year I owned the album.

Listening to the album now, a few songs still stand out as classic Aerosmith. Eat the Rich opens with the Steven Tyler's great spoken word intro and a sample from Walk this Way and plows into the opening song. Get a Grip and Fever continue this energy and kept my interest peaked. Livin' on the Edge brings me back to listening to Weird Al's Livin' In the Fridge, but that is a story for another review. If I wasn't determined to listen to all this albums complete, I would have skipped the next two songs. Flesh and Walk on Down were a test of my patiences and I really was not a fan of Joe Perry's vocals on the latter. The album contains a ridiculous amount of songs that eventually became singles, 7 of the 14 were released as singles in some fashion and I even new the song Line Up from the Ace Ventura soundtrack.

Now it's time to make the final decision, does the album stay or move on to a new owner.

Songs I Loved: Eat the Rich, Get a Grip, Cryin'

Songs I Never Want to Hear Again: Flesh, Walk on Down, Gotta Love It

Decision: Goodbye Get a Grip. While there are songs I enjoy, the majority of them also appear on Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology which I also own. The only song that will leave the collection that I may want to hear again someday is Get a Grip, but ultimately it's a song I can live without.

I chose this album because I thought it was going to be an easy choice to sack, but going back I realize that it was a decent album with a fun sound. I'm worried that if I'm having a difficult time with this one, by the time I get to day 365, I will really be struggling.

The Start of a New Project

I have a tendency to be a bit of a collector. I have stacks of comic books, overflowing bookshelves, an entire chest full of old VHS tapes and racks of DVDs. Although none of these rival my music collection. While I still have my fair share of records and cassettes, my CD collection has taken on a life of its own. With over 1,500 titles, its started to become overwhelming as you can see above.

How did I let my collection go from a rack that held 25 CDs to being partially stored in boxes in my closet? My exposure to music collecting started even before I could walk. My dad would push me around the Record Exchange and record conventions in my stroller. Most of the time I would come home empty handed and if I did get anything it was usually a superhero record. Realistically I just enjoyed spending that time with my dad. My real interest in music began in 1994 when my brother and I received our first stereo for Christmas. This was the first CD player anyone in my family had owned and my bother and I instantly wanted something to play. My dad rushed us out the record exchange and we began combing the racks for something we both would enjoy. Being 10 and 8, my brother and I did not know much about music outside of a few radio hits and what our parents listened to, but we both shared a love of Weird Al Yankovic. My brother and I pooled our money and brought home Weird Al's Greatest Hits Volume 2 and the Mighty Ducks 2 soundtrack for $5 apiece.

Our collection remained pretty stagnant for a number of years, we were too preoccupied with making mix tapes and taking cassette tapes out of the library to really be bothered with buying CDs. All that changed when our parents got divorced in the summer of 1997. Instead of seeing both our parents everyday, we now had a schedule to stick to. My dad wanted to make sure that we spent all the time we could together, so we started going to the library every week and also we began taking our weekly pilgrimage to the record exchange. We usually didn't venture outside of the budget racks, but we always came home with something. Over the years I learned more and more about music to become closer to my dad, since it was always a subject I knew we could always relate to. We started heading out to new record stores and would always find something new and exciting to bring home.

Music eventually became the way I related to people. When I got to college, I befriended the local record store owner and every time I would come into the store he had more recommendations and would even bring in albums from his personal collection for me to listen to. I eventually became a DJ at the college radio station which gave me even more expose to music. As all this was happening my collection continued to grow and grow. I would occasionally weed out a few stinkers, but almost everything remained.

For a long time, I looked at my CDs as a collection of memories. Each one bringing me back to the time it was added to the shelf. It is only now that I realize that I will still have those memories whether or not I own the physical CD. Realistically my collection will keep growing since there will always be new music I want to explore, but as I move forward I have to start saying goodbye to albums of yesteryear.

Which brings me to my current mission. Each day for the next year I plan to choose one of my CDs at random and give it a listen. I will then come back and write up my thoughts on the album and any memories I have associated with it. Then I will force myself to decide whether it is worthy to remain. If any of the albums or stories bring back memories of your own or inspire you to take on task of your own, I would love to hear from you.

I will be back tomorrow with my first post.