November 17, 2006
New releases: Nov. 21, 2006
Posted by Stacy Chandler at November 17, 2006 7:04 AMApparently there's all sorts of hot, sexy Scorpio action here at HickoryWind.org. You say it's your birthday, Larry? Well, it's my birthday, too (today). But for me, it's the big three-oh. So I'll just mix up a delicious Metamucil shake and get ready for the next "Matlock" rerun while you guys browse next week's new releases for gift ideas. (Hey, you kids! Get off my lawn. Damn kids.)
New releases of note for Nov. 21, 2006:
Guy Clark -- Workbench Songs (Dualtone)
Yeah, I know. This has been on the list like four times. But apparently it's really, truly coming out next week. For reals. You know, usually when a CD's release date is pushed back at the last minute so many times, it means it sucks. But I'm pretty sure that ain't the case here. Sean's pretty sure, too. Read his purty words about Mr. Guy Clark's new album here. Ignore the bit about the Oct. 17 release date.
Tom Waits -- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards (Anti)
A three-disc set of songs recorded outside Waits' regular album oeuvre.
Great Big Sea -- Courage and Patience and Grit: In Concert (Zoe)
U2 -- U218 Singles (Interscope)
Looks to be pretty much the same as their singles package from 1998 -- the one that stopped with 1990, which in my cantankerous opinion is right around the time U2 itself should have stopped. This one contains the super hits, plus more recent stuff like "Beautiful Day" (ug) and "Stuck In a Moment Whatever Blah Blah" (worst song ever). Also two new tracks, including one with Green Day.
Loreena McKennitt -- An Ancient Muse (Verve)
Reel Big Fish -- Greatest Hit and More (Mojo/Jive)
And if you're starting to feel festive, here come a sturdy pair of holiday CDs:
The dB's and Friends -- Christmas Time Again (Collector's Choice)
A frequently revisited project, now in its third edition and featuring the likes of Whiskeytown, Thad Cockrell with Roman Candle, Big Star and Chris Stamey
Sufjan Stevens -- [Box set] Songs for Christmas (Asthmatic Kitty)
Got a spare several hours? Look to ol' Sufjan, who evidently has grabbed Ryan Adams' Most Overprolific trophy and is running far, far away with it. This is a five -- FIVE -- disc box set of Christmas odds and ends. According the product description on Amazon.com, this beast also includes "a 42-page booklet with an original Christmas essay by acclaimed American novelist Ricky Moody, two essays, a short story by Stevens, a holiday sticker, chord charts, lyrics, comic strip, family portrait poster, photos, and an animated video." Sweet lord. Someone stop him.
But my favorite release this week? It's called Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids. A bunch of rock/indie types interpreting the Ramones, apparently for kids. Not that kids need help interpreting the phrase "gabba gabba hey," necessarily. Are you a parent? Do you want your kid to be hip? Toss those damn Wiggles CDs, and replace them with this immediately. Trust me -- I have a friend who was almost a doctor.
Finally, I would like to thank the four tectonic plates that come together (or pull apart, depending) under Japan, because as I was typing they just gave me a birthday earthquake. Just a little one, no damage or pee-pants. So thanks, tectonic plates. Here's to you.
Happy Birthday, old-timer! Hope the aches and pains aren't too bad.
Here's a helpful hint: if you soak your dentures overnight in rye whiskey, you get a li'l "pick-me-up" in the morning when you pop'em in...
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at November 17, 2006 7:47 AMThough I think you have awesome taste in tunes, I have to respectfully disagree on U2. "Beautiful Day" is a fine song, and if they had stopped in 1990 they wouldn't have recorded "City of Blinding Lights," from "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," which holds up next to almost anything they've done. Especially live. At least for my money, which is about three bucks right now.
On the other hand, if they had quit 15 years ago there would be a lot less Bono on TV. So maybe you have a point.
Posted by: Friend who almost was a doctor at November 17, 2006 9:22 AMI gotta say, I agree with "Friend" above, at least as far as "All That You Can't Leave Behind" goes. I jumped off the U2 bandwagon same as every one else after "Achtung Baby," but then the Elevation tour and "Beautiful Day" got me to start listening to their stuff again. They were ahead of their time on "Zooropa" and "Pop". I don't much care for "Atomic Bomb" though. Eh. Whatever.
For the record, I also gave away my original copy of Weezer's "Pinkerton" because I didn't get it. Ten years later, it's one of my favorite all-time discs. Our tastes change, and sometimes we go back and find an album we didn't like has a new ring to it.
Also, for my money -- no one rocks as hard live as U2. Cheesy, nothing, those cats have 20+ years of ass-kicking experience, and they do it effeciently and with style. Sold out? Yeah, maybe. But I still dig a lot of what they're about, despite that. And they put on one helluva good show.
STACY! How have I gone this long being friends with you and not knowing we have a birthday the SAME FREAKIN' WEEK?!?! I'm *appalled* at my own ignorance! I blame the 13 time zones between us!
And pass the ben-gay, gal, I turned 31 on Wednesday.
Oh, and for the record -- the Guy Clark album is great! I love "Walking Man" and "Tornado Time In Texas" especially!
Posted by: larry at November 17, 2006 9:27 PMHmm, I think I need to listen to "City of Blinding Lights" live... cause it's no "Vertigo".
Posted by: larry at November 17, 2006 9:30 PMOkay, I know a ton of people who *love* Great Big Sea. I'm not quite sure I get it. I've listened a few times, but nothing's stuck. What am I missing? Someone point me in the right direction.
Posted by: larry at November 17, 2006 9:31 PMHey...my b-day was Nov. 5 and I hit the big 3-0 as well, so does that make me a "hot sexy Scorpio" as well?
Posted by: Waylon at November 22, 2006 11:46 AMHell yeah it does, Waylon. Happy (very belated) birthday!
Posted by: stacy at November 24, 2006 5:47 AM
