Approximately thirteen years ago, David Bowie released his 21st album, Hours... Although it contained some beautiful compositions like 'Thursday's Child,' 'Seven,' and 'Survive' - it was the first Bowie LP to miss the Top 40 since the release of Ziggy Stardust back in 1972. Hours... is/was a more acoustic-driven, slightly nostalgic album - a sonic departure from the beat-heavy Earthling from just two years prior.
Hours... has been out of print for quite a few years, and today Friday Music has re-released it as the 'Collector's Edition.' This version includes the original album, along with 5 bonus tracks - two of them remixes, a demo of 'Seven,' a film version of 'The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell' and 'We All Go Through' - a song that only appeared on the Omikron: The Nomad Soul video game. The complete track listing appears below.
Track Listing:
01. Thursday's Child
02. Something In The Air
03. Survive
04. If I'm Dreaming My Life
05. Seven
06. What's Really Happening?
07. The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell
08. New Angels Of Promise
09. Brilliant Adventure
10. The Dreamers
Bonus Material
11. Something In The Air (American Psycho Remix)
12. Survive (Marius DeVries CD Single Remix)
13. Seven (Demo Version)
14. The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell (Stigmata Film Version)
15. We All Go Through
If you're a vinyl enthusiast, check out our feature on the Spin Clean Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine (click image below)
In the age of digital music, we tend to skip through albums, listening to one or two tracks - missing some of the deeper cuts that may be brilliant. I am a big fan of the album format, and love to experience the entire album the way the artist intended. Listening to one or two songs is like randomly reading a few chapters of a book and expecting to understand the completed work. Like any music lover, I love to share what I'm listening to and discover some new things from friends. Here's a portion of my playlist for this week. Please put your lists in the comments below, or interact at the Life On This Planet Facebook Page.
Picked up the new vinyl reissue this week at one of my favorite local shops - Hoodlums. Wow, just an excellent album from Stephen Merritt and company. Do yourself a favor and get this.
This live show from November 9th, 1981 - recorded at the Hammersmith Palais - originally appeared alongside the Mask album in the 2008 Omnibus Edition. [It also saw an expensive vinyl release] Now you can grab it in all of its glory - this is a fantastic show. You don't need me to tell you, click on the title.
The Boss's all-acoustic record from 1982. Originally recorded as demos for a full band effort, Springsteen decided to release as-is, a decision that would establish it as one of his best albums.
After leaving The Byrds, Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons created The Flying Burrito Brothers. The Gilded Palace Of Sin is their amazing debut. The band only lasted for one more LP before GP went solo.
The cool thing seems to be to rip on Lana Del Rey, however that's not going to happen here. 'Video Games', 'Blue Jeans' and 'Born To Die' - all three tracks I immediately loved upon the first listen - how often does that happen? And even more, I'm digging the whole thing - 'National Anthem' and 'Diet Mountain Dew' - great.
Such a killer album. Features the rhythm section of Hunt and Tony Sales - who would later go on to be bandmates alongside Bowie in Tin Machine. If you don't own this LP, buy it now... seriously.
As you probably know, I am a huge David Bowie fan. This week I enjoyed Starman - the new Bowie biography that my Dad got me for my birthday back in September. I also listened to every single Bowie record from 1969-1980 while reading. I picked The Man Who Sold The World here, because it features Tony Visconti producing and on bass guitar - just the week before I read his biography.
If you're a vinyl enthusiast, check out our feature on the Spin Clean Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine (click image below)
This week we're going back to the year 1983. What's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of 1983? Return Of The Jedi. I remember my mom and sister taking me to see it on my birthday. :) Well, each day of this week I'll be taking you back to good ol' '83 for a song-a-day. Please enjoy.
Tones On Tail was formed in 1982 as a side-project for Daniel Ash during his time in the first run of Bauhaus. Along with Bauhaus drummer Kevin Haskins and their roadie, Glen Campling, the trio recorded a slew of singles and one full-length LP. Tones On Tail's most recognizable track is of course Go! - which has been in lots of movies, TV shows and even a car commercial. Today's featured song is called Burning Skies - it was released as the title track to their 1983 EP. With its slinky bass and haunting vocals, it's a rad piece. Listen below and buy immediately. :)
For my fellow vinyl enthusiasts, Beggars Banquet recently released a double LP called Weird Pop - it's also available on MP3. I've provided a link further down the page.
This week we're going back to the year 1983. What's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of 1983? Return Of The Jedi. I remember my mom and sister taking me to see it on my birthday. :) Well, each day of this week I'll be taking you back to good ol' '83 for a song-a-day. Please enjoy.
The other night I was watching the Adam Sandler comedy, You Don't Mess With The Zohan, when the song 'Strip' came on during one of the film's many ridiculously-funny scenes. Back In 1983, Adam Ant released his second solo album, featuring the rad title track. A little research on 'Strip' reveals that Phil Collins was the drummer, and one of the girls from ABBA performs the female, spoken-word vocal parts. Cool.
Back in October, I had the privilege of watching what I would consider one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen. Featuring over 140 interviews with friends, members of the music press and fans - obsessed fans - this is the story of one of the greatest bands, told in chronological order by the people who were there, and those that were touched by music of The Replacements.
Currently playing in various cities across the globe, Color Me Obsessed is a must-see for any fans of The Replacements, or for that matter, anyone who likes music - period. Random fans, journalists, members of bands like Husker Du, Babes in Toyland, Ramones, The Decemberists, etc. pour their hearts out - it's quite a touching testament to the power of music.
Director Gorman Bechard was kind enough to sit down for a short interview with me for Life On This Planet. Visit the Color Me Obsessed site to see when it's playing in your town. Please enjoy.
1. Unlike other music documentaries, there are no band members ever shown, nor is there any of The Replacements' music included. I personally think the film greatly benefits by this. Was this your intention from the start?
Yes, absolutely. I'm not a fan of music docs made after a band has broken up. They play like VH1 "Where Are They Now" specials to me. I honestly don't know of an exception. So, when this film fell into my lap, I quite literally was lying in bed one night thinking about what I could do to make it different, to make it the doc the band deserved. I realized that I didn't believe in god, but I believed in The Replacements. Other people believe in god without every seeing or hearing him. Could I make people believe in The Mats without ever seeing or hearing them. The more I thought about it, the more I became obsessed with the idea. This was a band that bucked tradition at every turn. They deserved a doc that did the same thing. And I knew I would either fall on my face, or succeed...in the Mats tradition.
2. There are well over 100 people interviewed in the film, which I imagine was insane to coordinate. How did you go about selecting/finding everyone... and why not include manager Peter Jesperson, or Peter Buck?
A number of great co-producers in different parts of the country arranged the interviews. We'd all brain storm names, and put together that master wish list and go after them. We'd put out a call on Facebook, contact agents, anyone we knew. Jan Radder especially, in Minneapolis, brought in around 50 interviewees, including some of the amazing fans. Plus, once people realized what we were doing, one interview lead to another, and so on.
We tried for Peter Buck. Couldn't get him. And Jesperson really was the fifth member of the band, he was almost too close. But he did help with facts and figures.
3. After watching the film - which by the way, compliments on creating something that forced me out to a public theatre for the first time this year - I immediately ran home and listened to every single 'Mats album. Why did you make this film, and what does this band mean to you?
I had always wanted to make a documentary, but I knew it would have to be on a subject I was insanely passionate about. The Replacements are certainly one of the great passions of my life. And I felt their story needed to be told. It's the ultimate rock n roll story. I mean, rock n roll is not about hitting your light cue on stage. That's musical theatre. And rock n roll is in such a sad state right now. Bands like Vampire Weekend and their ilk have cuts the balls off rock music with a dull butter knife. People need to know what rock was, and what it could be. And fans of bands like Nirvana, Green Day, and virtually every rock band of the last 20 year NEED to know their bands don't exist without the Mats. They were, quite simply, the band that redefined rock and ultimately that saved rock (at a time when even the punks from England had turned to synths). Are they the greatest rock band of all time? Yes. No one is even close.
4. The film is currently making its rounds at various film festivals across the globe, when can we look for a DVD release?
Most likely in the first quarter of 2012. Expect a single DVD with some extras, then eventually a double DVD set with a boat-load of extras, including the entire Grant Hart interview.
5. Okay, I have to ask. Top five Replacements songs?
In no order: Here Comes A Regular, Color Me Impressed, Can't Hardly Wait, If Only You Were Lonely, Favorite Thing. Though I reserve the right to change my mind at the drop of an empty beer bottle.
For those of you that only know the name Alex Chilton by-way-of a song by The Replacements, allow me to quickly give you a crash course. Chilton was a teenage, hit-maker in The Box Tops - later fronting the amazing, Memphis band - Big Star. He passed away in early 2010, but not before leaving behind a large body of solo LPs and a reunited Big Star.
Back in the late 60s, after leaving The Box Tops, and prior to the formation of Big Star, Chilton recorded a batch of songs. On January 10th, Omnivore Recordings pays tribute to the man, with a beautiful release of these recordings. Free Again: The '1970' Sessions collects 20 songs on the CD version, and if you order directly from Omnivore, you can get your hands on a special 7" that comes with the LP version - check that out here.
If you read my Most Anticipated Albums Of 2012 Guide, then you know I am anxiously awaiting this record. I immediately fell in love with the first track released from it - 'The EMI Song (Smile For Me).' Please enjoy it below.
