2.3.13

On February 3rd I listened to N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton, The Clash Give ‘Em Enough Rope, and Bad Religion True North.

Is there anything better than using foul language, committing murder, smoking weed, scoring 8 balls, and swinging your dick around in a loving misogynistic fashion? Nope.

When I was 17, Straight Outta Compton spoke to me. As well as Eazy-E’s Eazy-Duz-It and everything released by the 2 Live Crew. Something about the “strength of street knowledge” really struck a chord in my white suburban upbringing. 

Since I put this album in my latest MP3 player, about six years ago, I have only listened to “Straight Outta Compton,” and “Fuck The Police," but quite a bit. 

This 1988 debut is definitely starting to get a little crusty around the edges, but its core is still nice and moist. Back in the day, I’d listen to this disc over and over, but now it sounds a bit like a dated novelty. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy listening to the whole thing, but I’m probably not going to do that again anytime soon.

“I Ain’t Tha 1,” is timeless and “Gangsta Gangsta” is still pretty fucking cool. Plus, it supplies the line on the album that has somehow stuck in my mind the most and entered my permanent lexicon. A young lady is informing Ice Cube that she has a boyfriend and he retorts with “Bitch, stop lying!”

I still don't understand how and why I was there while N.W.A. was giving birth to Gangsta Rap, but I'm glad I was. 

I would also like the record to clearly show that I always thought, "Something 2 Dance 2” was fucking wack!

I hate to plead ignorance, but I only knew “Tommy Gun” off of Give 'Em Enough Rope. I never listened to The Clash's second album before. I’m almost ashamed. I’m even more ashamed to say, I didn’t like it all too much.

“Safe European Home” is an average Clash jam. And their average is better than most.

Anytime a song borrows from “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” I’m out! So, “English Civil War,” is not for me.

“Tommy Gun” is great.

I’m told that “Julie’s Been Working For The Drug Squad” is a classic Clash song. I thought the piano made it sound cheap.

“Last Gang In Town” goes nowhere and takes five minutes to do it.

“Guns On The Roof” shows promise, but it’s no “Guns Of Brixton.”

I thought “Drug-Stabbing Time” was going to be the only track I was going to take away from this album, but then there’s a cheesy 80’s saxophone solo right in the middle of it.

Finally, I'm down with the last three tracks. I’ll probably walk away from this album with only the Mick Jones voiced “Stay Free.” While, “Cheapskates” and “All The Young Punks” show promise and are worth more listens.

Want to know how much I don’t know about music? I just trashed the first half of this album and found stuff I liked on the second half. According to All Music, this record was panned for the weak second half, while the first half is The Clash at their best. 

I’m an idiot.

Bad Religion comes right out of the gate on their 85th album with their signature sound blazing! They don’t sound like they've aged a day since they started! 

Released just last month, True North is a high energy collection of 16 two minute songs that aren't going to disappoint the Bad Religion faithful. I’m more of a Bad Religion casual and I liked what I heard.

Brett Gurewitz and Greg Graffin have the band’s formula out on display here like a recipe. 

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Bad Religion song:

1. One lighting fast drum and chunky guitar intro

2. Two or Three thoughtfully crafted Graffin verses about the government or God or some shit

3. One catchy chorus accompanied by backing “Ahhhhs,” or “Whoas,” from the rest of the band

4. One five second bridge

5. One Cold ending

I might sound like I’m making fun of the band, but I love that sound and that formula has created a shitload of great songs!

There're 16 songs here, so I’m gonna need to listen to this one again, but oddly enough, “Fuck You” really stood out to me. I wonder why?

1.1.13

Listening to Led Zeppelin I, The Clash The Clash and The Beastie Boys Licensed To Ill yesterday was invigorating!

I haven’t listened to Led Zep I from front to back since the late 80’s! I forgot what was on it. “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” is going into heavy rotation on my MP3 player straightaway! By the time I got to “Communication Breakdown,” I re-realized what an embarrassment of riches this fucking record is and then my all time favorite Zeppelin track “How Many More Times” closed it down!

My excitement for something so simple is kind of a funny thing. Fuck me for not listening to an album so good for so long, but on the flip side, the time away really made this record special again. 

As I listened to “You’re Time Is Gonna Come,” I was reminded of all those hacky Classic Rock radio stations that got the Led out every night. By putting Led Zep on such a pedestal and trying to create something special, they sucked the life from it. THEY KILLED IT. But, let him who is without sin among us be the first to throw a stone… I used to host Mandatory Metallica every night at ten o’clock on the radio. I played three songs from a library of twenty songs. After the first month, I hated Metallica.

But enough about me.

There isn’t a room on the planet that doesn’t get like a million times cooler by throwing on The Clash’s self-titled debut album. Put this on in the background of your Nana’s kitchen next time that you’re there and test my theory. 

It was a calculated juxtaposition to listen to The Clash’s working class angst right after Robert Plant and the boys hit me with a symphony of blues, rock and cheatin’ whores!

“White Riot” and “Career Opportunities” were great to hear in the context of their album mates. “Remote Control,” “London’s Burning,” “Police & Thieves” and “Garageland” are all going to be given extra attention from now on. Man, did Weezer rip off the shit outta “Garageland” by the way. “Cheat” gave me my favorite Joe Strummer “fuck ‘em” moment when he sings “If you wanna survive… you better learn how to lie.”

I love the fact that The Beastie Boys’ Licensed Ill starts off with a track that contains samples from Led Zeppelin and The Clash. All I will say about this album is this… I can sing the whole thing. Every fucking word! AND it sounds as fresh today as it did in 1986! Did you know they wanted to call it, Don't Be A Faggot? Columbia Records said "NO!"

I did notice something that I predict will become a theme by listening to classic albums all year. The radio hit. When “Fight For Your Right” came up on Ill, I wanted to just skip it. I don't hate the song, but I've heard it too much and to enjoy I gotta be in the right mood. Most of the time I just tune it completely out. It’s a great irony, without “Fight For Your Right,” Licensed To Ill doesn’t sell 9 million copies and maybe I wouldn’t love it as much, but in the context of the whole album… it sticks out like your mother’s dick.

See you tomorrow. I dunno, maybe.

“I got the trees on my mirror, so my car won’t smell.”