The Creature Returns

Just when you thought it was safe to visit, herein more albums from the wardrobe. I had plans to post sooner but I had to buy these cds first.


42. MARC JOHNSON The Sound of Summer Running (1998)

If this album had come out in the early 1970s I imagine the title would have ended with “Runnin’” and given the number of albums from that era which shall later appear on this, my list, I appreciate Mr. Johnson’s use of appropriate spellin’. I also enjoy this record, which sounds like what you’d expect, given the title, and the spelling thereof. Mr. Johnson must be a very powerful bandleader, for although Pat Metheny plays on this record, he does not employ his horrid guitar synth. FS: Faith In You


41. JOHNNY WINTER Second Winter (1970)

I will say now that any list which does not have any albinos represented on it, or which represents them improperly, may earn the ire of this group, and deservedly so. I can think of only three rock albinos and two of them play on this record, with Tommy Shannon, no less, who played with the other rock albino I can think of in Storyville. Maybe that guy isn’t albino. Maybe he is just pale. Or a vampire. Yeah. But not evil.

Speaking of the living dead I remember going to see JW at the Commodore in the 1990s. He came onstage 90 minutes late (thanks to the two opening acts, however, it felt MUCH longer) and I think he was wheeled out on a fridge dolly. He was then, I believe, gaffer taped to the mike stand, so he would neither fall down nor blow away in a light breeze. Were it not for the tattoos, the hat, and the shape made by the tape around his body, I am unsure if anyone would have seen him up there. He was that colourless. I hear he is sick now. He was sick then too, people. FS: I Hate Everybody


40. MOJO NIXON AND SKID ROPER Frenzy (1986)

Mojo Nixon=Subtlety Incarnate. FS: Where the Hell’s My Money?


39. SLIM GAILLARD 1945 Vol. 2 (1997)

Mr. Gaillard describes things best when he sings: Cement mixer, putti-putti / Cement mixer, putti putti / Cement mixer putti putti… FS: Cement Mixer (obviously)


38. DEREK & THE DOMINOS Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

What a stupid title. Should’ve ended at “Layla”. I wonder if there was any drinking in the studio.

This is the penultimate album on my list featuring the matricidal drummer referred to as performing with Mr. Mason. Not that you’d care. I can’t see why I care. He was a fine drummer but he was a real bastard with a claw hammer. This record sounds like what a great, hugely impaired, attempt-to-pick-up-a-married-to-a-powerful-guy’s-wife album should sound like but with the significant benefit of Duane Allman’s tasty playing. Apparently, that is also what the album is. Amazing how life imitates art. FS: Tell the Truth


37. THE STRANGLERS The Gospel According to the Men In Black (1981)

I won’t even bother trying to explain this one. The conceit of the record (something to do with aliens and Jesus, or Jesus is an alien, or the surfeit of designer drugs in Nice at the time of recording) is too silly for words. I just love it. FS: Just Like Nothing on Earth


36. MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA Birds of Fire (1972)

This album is either a big wankfest, or something more powerful than anything Zeppelin or the Who ever put on vinyl, and a big wankfest. This band was capable of thrilling violence. Listening to this album is rather visceral: first you are beaten, then you are caressed, then you are beaten. Some people pay a lot of money for those services. Maybe I just needed Jan Hammer on my list. If so, mission accomplished. FS: Birds of Fire


35. FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)

I had read about this band, and Gram Parsons, for years (because I am old) and thought I’d like to listen to these guys. One day I located and purchased this record. After listening to it I purchased other Parsons/FBB material and wish I hadn’t.

There is a certain careless quality to this record which I find endearing, because it is apparent these guys did care about what they were doing, at least on this album. This album makes many of the other So-Cal, late 1960’s rock-goes-country efforts appear kind of half-hearted. When listening I try to avoid reminding myself that Mr. Parsons died in a motel with an ass full of ice cubes. FS: Wheels


34. PETER TOSH Legalize It (1976)

I think I like this guy as a reaction against the deification of Marley. This is not some political statement crafted for college-aged pot-heads. This is political action. Of course, it is largely about weed, so I expect it has enjoyed great currency with the college crowd, or the formerly enrolled in college crowd now pumping gas crowd. FS: Legalize It


33. THE FLAMING LIPS Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)

I have no idea whether this is a concept album, and if so, what the concept behind this concept album is, nor do I care. I am marginally concerned about the use of one of the songs from the album for a car ad, but whatever, these guys appeared in the Peach Pit before this. They need the cash. FS: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 2


32. YES Close to the Edge (1972)

There was a time when Yes would have occupied a number of places on this list corresponding with the number of albums which they produced. Thankfully that time has passed. It began to pass in the 1980s after I saw these clowns perform a two-hour air-guitar fest over tape-recorded material. I should have known- the tour was sponsored by a manufacturer of audiotape players. (Sparkomatic!)

In spite of the faux-spiritual gibberish of its lyrics, and the indulgence of a side-long track, and its various and weighty themes or movements regarding birth and rebirth, or pants, or garden gnomes, this is a good album by a decent band (under the thrall of the mighty Mahavishnu, but whatever). I think Yes likely peaked when it joined up with the Buggles and recorded ‘Drama’, but sadly, I can’t seem to locate that cd in my collection, so I name this one #32. (And don't get me started on the evil Trevor Rabin.) FS: And You and I


31. STAN GETZ/CHARLIE BYRD Jazz Samba (1962)

This album is so cool. And so hot. Cool. Hot. Cool… this album is very confusing. I rate it highly out of fear someone will figure out I don’t have a clue. What I am saying is, this band cooks without sounding like it is perspiring. FS: Desafinado

So, there will be more posting on the subject of albums, and fairly soon. This year, anyway.