reviews
Hedwig And The Angry Inch - Hedwig And The Angry Inch (2021)
This is a great soundtrack, though ironically the vinyl’s hole doesn’t fit the spindle quite right on my copy.
-April 29, 2025
Another Budokan - Bob Dylan 1978 (2023)
May your song always be sung. A good album, and a good ending to DylanFest 2025.
-April 23, 2025
Shadow Kingdom - Bob Dylan (2023)
What a crazy album, it’s really fantastic.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 17: Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996 - 1997) - Bob Dylan (2023)
Well it’s a great album, so useful to have a massive collection of outtakes and live cuts.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 16: Springtime in New York, 1980 - 1985 - Bob Dylan (2021)
The bootleg series makes every era better.
-April 22, 2025
Rough and Rowdy Ways - Bob Dylan (2020)
Another that took me a minute, but now a good listen start to close.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 15: Travelin’ Thru, 1967 - 1969 - Bob Dylan (2019)
Skyline should have been a country trilogy.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 14: More Blood, More Tracks - Bob Dylan (2018)
Not crazy about the name, but I really like this Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 13: Trouble No More / 1979 - 1981 - Bob Dylan (2017)
This makes me like the christian trilogy more. Still waiting for a bootleg series that covers ‘86 - ‘90.
-April 22, 2025
Triplicate - Bob Dylan (2017)
Power move. I don’t listen to the standards trilogy often, but it’s good when I do.
-April 22, 2025
Fallen Angels - Bob Dylan (2016)
Strong opener, and a few highlights later on, like That Old Black Magic.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 12: The Best of The Cutting Edge 1965 - 1966 - Bob Dylan (2015)
A good post-Shadows, pre-Angels/Triplicate reminder.
-April 22, 2025
Shadows in the Night - Bob Dylan (2015)
If you’re in the mood, it’s perfect.
-April 22, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 11: The Basement Tapes RAW - Bob Dylan (2014)
This collection is delightful, not sure the 70s one adds much that isn’t captured better here.
-April 21, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 10: Another Self Portrait - Bob Dylan (2013)
There’s a great album in here.
-April 21, 2025
Tempest - Bob Dylan (2012)
Feels like Tempest should close the album and extend to take all of Side D, but, that’s just me. Wasn’t sure at first about this one, but I’ve come around.
-April 21, 2025
Bob Dylan in Concert: Brandeis University 1963 - Bob Dylan (2011)
Good show from early days.
-April 21, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 9: The Witmark Demos 1962-1964 - Bob Dylan (2010)
Well trod territory, but good collection nonetheless.
-April 21, 2025
Christmas in the Heart - Bob Dylan (2009)
A masterpiece of the genre, worthy of year-round listening.
-April 21, 2025
Together Through Life - Bob Dylan (2009)
Feels transitional; I Feel a Change Comin’ On is good, and Beyond Here.
-April 21, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 8: Tell Tale Signs - Bob Dylan (2008)
Every album with Most of the Time is a good album; this one is doubly good.
-April 21, 2025
Modern Times - Bob Dylan (2006)
Very good, third of a strong three album run.
-April 21, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 7: No Direction Home - Bob Dylan (2005)
Well these are all good songs, no doubt.
-April 20, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964 - Bob Dylan (2004)
This was probably also a good show live.
-April 20, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 5: Bob Dylan Live 1975 - Bob Dylan (2002)
This was probably a good show live.
-April 20, 2025
Love and Theft - Bob Dylan (2001)
Good follow up for Time out of Mind.
-April 20, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966 - Bob Dylan (1998)
If in doubt, play it fucking loud.
-April 20, 2025
Time out of Mind - Bob Dylan (1997)
Phenomenal, start to close.
-April 20, 2025
MTV Unplugged - Bob Dylan (1995)
The 90s!
-April 20, 2025
World Gone Wrong - Bob Dylan (1993)
My favorite of the two; World Gone Wrong and Blood in My Eyes are exceptional.
-April 20, 2025
Good as I Been to You - Bob Dylan (1992)
Good change of pace album.
-April 20, 2025
The Bootleg Series, Vol 1-3: Rare & Unreleased 1961 - 1991 - Bob Dylan (1991)
Fantastic opening to the bootleg series. The whole thing, but especially Walkin’ Down the Line - I see the morning light / I see the morning light / Well, it’s not because / I’m an early riser / I didn’t go to sleep last night - is staying up waiting for your 5:30 am bus shift to start because it’s too late to go to bed.
-April 20, 2025
Under the Red Sky - Bob Dylan (1990)
An interesting choice to start the album. Born in Time probably the stand out.
-April 20, 2025
Oh Mercy - Bob Dylan (1989)
Most of the Time alone makes this great, but it’s pretty strong throughout.
-April 20, 2025
Down in the Groove - Bob Dylan (1988)
Not his most consistent, but Death Is Not The End, Ninety Miles An Hour and Shenandoah are all good.
-April 19, 2025
Dylan & The Dead - Bob Dylan (1988)
This used to strike me as a peculiar selection of 7 songs. But they were probably fun to play together.
-April 19, 2025
Across the Borderline - Bob Dylan with Tom Petty (1986)
Would’ve been a good tour to see. Good album.
-April 19, 2025
Knocked Out Loaded - Bob Dylan (1986)
Brownsville Girl! And Got My Mind Made Up, written by Tom Petty and confusingly rewritten by Dylan.
-April 19, 2025
Biograph - Bob Dylan (1985)
Very good collection of songs.
-April 19, 2025
Empire Burlesque - Bob Dylan (1985)
The most mid 80s of his mid 80s albums, by the cover alone. Nevertheless, good songs, Dark Eyes is a good closer.
-April 19, 2025
Real Live - Bob Dylan (1985)
Might not seem necessary at first, but then you get to Tangled Up In Blue, so this is a good album.
-April 19, 2025
Infidels - Bob Dylan (1983)
I like this as the coda to the christian trilogy. License to Kill especially, which sounds like a resigned Masters of War.
-April 19, 2025
Shot of Love - Bob Dylan (1981)
This one is pretty solid, In the Summertime is strong, and Every Grain of Sand is great.
-April 19, 2025
Saved - Bob Dylan (1980)
Not my cup of tea, but he does seem to mean it.
-April 19, 2025
Slow Train Coming - Bob Dylan (1979)
Honestly, it’s grown on me.
-April 18, 2025
Bob Dylan at Budokan - Bob Dylan (1979)
Pleasant summation of his 70s.
-April 18, 2025
Street-Legal - Bob Dylan (1978)
Solid group of songs, We Better Talk This Over and Baby, Stop Crying highlights for me.
-April 18, 2025
Hard Rain - Bob Dylan (1976)
Solid songs throughout, though bootleg v 5 may capture this better, and at some point we’ll go through the 14 disc version too.
-April 18, 2025
Desire - Bob Dylan (1976)
Part of a great mid 70s run.
-April 18, 2025
The Basement Tapes - Bob Dylan (1975)
I’ve spent a good portion of my life thinking about the Clothes Line Saga. Good collection of songs.
-April 18, 2025
Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan (1975)
Hard to top Tangled Up In Blue of course, though Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts is as fun as song as he has.
-April 18, 2025
Before the Flood - Bob Dylan (1974)
A very peculiar record, with sides 1 & 4 on one record, and sides 2 & 3 on another. Also the vinyl is thin and wavy and makes the needle jump. Good songs though.
-April 18, 2025
Planet Waves - Bob Dylan (1974)
If both takes of a song work, no need to choose, agreed.
-April 18, 2025
Dylan - Bob Dylan (1973)
This get unfairly maligned, maybe not an album proper, but these songs are a delight.
-April 17, 2025
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid - Bob Dylan (1973)
Another triumph, not many artists could go straight from Turkey Chase to Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.
-April 17, 2025
New Morning - Bob Dylan (1970)
Very good album. And he played a great version of If Dogs Run Free at Virginia Tech in April 2001.
-April 17, 2025
Self Portrait - Bob Dylan (1970)
Plenty to like here, though Another Self Portrait is even better.
-April 17, 2025
The Nashville Tapes - Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash (2009)
Skyline could have easily been a double.
-April 17, 2025
Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan (1969)
As good a way as any to end a decade.
-April 17, 2025
John Wesley Harding - Bob Dylan (1967)
Good album.
-April 17, 2025
Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan (1966)
With due respect to the Blood on the Tracks crowd, this is the perfect album.
-April 17, 2025
Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan (1965)
This album is also a good album. But god please never let me be Mister Jones.
-April 17, 2025
Bringing It All Back Home - Bob Dylan (1965)
Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream is working on deadline on the high school newspaper.
-April 17, 2025
Another Side of Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan (1964)
Sounds like he lived a lot of life since 1962.
-April 17, 2025
The Times They Are A-Changin’ - Bob Dylan (1964)
The best we can do is ignore the false clocks, but it seems like all of them are false. Great album though, 9 stars.
-April 17, 2025
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan (1963)
Far too many, it turns out.
-April 17, 2025
Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan (1962)
Mid-April needle drop on You’re No Good is the best moment of the year.
-April 17, 2025
Lost in Alphaville - The Rentals (2014)
This is good. Though, Songs About Time is amazing, and this is a bit of a poor man’s version of that, but still, well done. But they also need to put the Return, Seven More Minutes and Last Little Life on vinyl.
-April 3, 2025
Black Session & Rare Trax - The Rentals (Unknown)
Essential, especially with Return Of The Rentals being practically unavailable. A bit of an odd choice to end with Say It Ain’t So though.
-March 29, 2025
Automatic For The People - R.E.M. (1992)
Everything here is great, except maybe they should have released Star Me Kitten as a single instead of Sidewinder so they could put the William Burroughs cover on the b-side. Hindsight!
-March 29, 2025
Pipeline Fever - Archer, Season 2, Episode 4 (2011)
Contains the three greatest fears - alligators, crocodiles, and aneurisms.
-March 22, 2025
Final Fantasy VII - Sony Playstation (1997)
This was great, and we’ll play and review the remakes if they come out on the next switch.
-March 22, 2025
Birnam Wood - Eleanor Catton (2023)
Good book, eco-terrorism is always a fun genre, we should maybe review FFVII and that one episode of Archer next.
-March 22, 2025
Cherry Peel - of Montreal (1997)
Christ, to be this innocent again.
-March 21, 2025
Hurley - Weezer (2010)
Not exactly blue, sure, but Time Flies is good enough to carry.
-March 20, 2025
Star Wars - Wilco (2015)
One of their best post-YHF albums, though others are good too, and we should listen to Cruel Country again.
-March 18, 2025
Rockingham - Nerf Herder (2016)
We Opened for Weezer surpasses expectations with the Flood Zone call out, and Portland stands alongside Back to the Shack, this one receives a perfect 18. A 2025 Album of the Year contender.
[Extended Review] Nerd-core heaven in ‘97, god damn.
-March 15, 2025
The Sunlandic Twins - of Montreal (2005)
The solar flare splatter on the reissue is reason enough for a bizarre celebration.
-March 15, 2025
Concert Review - Kim Deal, Brooklyn Paramount, 3.13.25
Great!
-March 13, 2025
Charley Pride’s Greatest - Charley Pride (1974)
I can’t judge independently, but if these really are his greatest, that’s a fine body of work.
-March 10, 2025
High Violet - The National (2010)
Very good line about compound interest.
-March 9, 2025
Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson (1975)
Good that he got to make the album he wanted to make.
-March 8, 2025
Nerf Herder - Nerf Herder (1996)
This was exactly how to make an album in 1996. I chatted with the drummer for awhile on AIM. Only possible improvement would have been if they included the theme from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
[Extended Review] Unfortunately, the price of this record on vinyl in 2025 is roughly the same as a new Macbook Air, and it’s only marginally more useful, we’re very unlikely to buy it while sober. Further, some research reveals that they continued to produce albums, even through 2016, at which I was initially skeptical but then saw a track on that album is called We Opened For Weezer, and I saw them open for Weezer in 1997 at the Flood Zone, so I purchased the 2016 album for a reasonable $24 from a gentleman called Larry, and we will review shortly.
-March 7, 2025
Timeless: Hank Williams - Various (2011)
Many great tracks, esp. by Crow, Beck, Dylan, Petty, and both Williamses. But JC - always a bit rough to listen to someone go on about their dream.
-March 4, 2025
Live In Paris - Sleater-Kinney (2017)
Good concert. They seem really happy to be in France.
-March 4, 2025
Retreat From The Sun - that dog. (1997)
A great album for 1997.
-March 3, 2025
Marquee Moon - Television (1977)
Fantastic, and Robert Mapplethorpe took the cover photo, not much tops this.
-March 3, 2025
Labyrinth - David Bowie, Trevor Junes (1986)
Irresistible.
-March 2, 2025
Bossanova - The Pixies (1990)
We should have reviewed this earlier. But Velouria is great, and so are the other songs.
-March 2, 2025
Rid of Me - PJ Harvey (1993)
Took us a few plays, but agreed, this is great. Possible we still prefer Dry though.
-March 2, 2025
Live At Reading - Nirvana (2009)
I can only take their word for it, but it certainly sounds live, and I have no reason to think it wasn’t recorded at Reading.
-March 1, 2025
Live From Coachella 2004 - The Pixies (2022)
It turns out the Pixies don’t lack for live, record store day albums. Every one a triumph though, this one an 8 out of 8.
-March 1, 2025
Good News For People Who Love Bad News - Modest Mouse (2004)
Good, and didn’t we see them open for the pixies once, not even that long ago? Nice album either way.
-March 1, 2025
MTV Unplugged 1993 - Stone Temple Pilots (2016)
Conversations kill - he’s not wrong.
-Feb 28, 2025
Acoustics - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (2022)
A Joan Jett Record Store Day album is always a wise purchase. Changeup is even better though.
-Feb 27, 2025
Pressure Chief - Cake (2004)
This is a fine enough album to listen to a few times.
-Feb 26, 2025
Kristofferson - Kris Kristofferson (1970)
The Third Noble Truth: Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose. Great first album, time well spent during Blonde On Blonde sessions.
-Feb 25, 2025
The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1966)
This is a good album, a nice way to start a Sunday even if that’s a bit on the nose.
-Feb 23, 2025
Quickies - The Magnetic Fields (2020)
Good. Clever to put it on 45s, though I end up playing it less because I have to get up every couple songs.
-Feb 21, 2025
The Sunset Tree - The Mountain Goats (2005)
Good album. Sounds like he had a tough time growing up though.
-Feb 17, 2025
1Q84 - Haruki Murakami (2009)
(Part 2 of Review). Yes, the last few hundred pages of this book were also good.
-Feb 17, 2025
Dusty Gems & Raw Nuggets - Weezer (2019)
Sides C and D of blue, essentially.
-Feb 15, 2025
So Much Younger Then - R.E.M. (1994)
Younger, and maybe hungrier too. Good to have these together, though the vinyl is a bit thin.
-Feb 12, 2025
Strangeways, Here We Come - The Smiths (1987)
It’s really serious.
-Feb 12, 2025
Kerosene Hat - Cracker (1993)
Good because it reminds me of the James River, though their song James River isn’t on it, it’s on Bob’s Car, but that’s not on vinyl, but then I guess they put in on Gentleman’s Blues too, but then that doesn’t seem to be on vinyl either.
-Feb 9, 2025
Final Fantasy VI - Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1994)
Good game.
-Feb 7, 2025
Comfort Eagle - Cake (2001)
Good. Opera Singer reminds me of the Final Fantasy game where you have to be in an opera. That was a good game, I’ll review it if I remember which one it was.
-Feb 7, 2025
12 Crass Songs - Jeffrey Lewis (2007)
With Helen Schreiner, though I thought it was Kimya Dawson. Good either way. Different vibe from Crass proper, try Best Before…1984 if you want.
-Feb 7, 2025
Tapestry - Carole King (1977)
A hidden gem.
-Feb 7, 2025
UR Fun - Of Montreal (2020)
A sonic bon mot.
-Feb 6, 2025
Dead Letter Office - R.E.M. (1987)
Not really a proper album. Delightful nonetheless!
-Feb 5, 2025
Alone (The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo) - Rivers Cuomo (2007)
Great, especially Longtime Sunshine, though there’s another version of that somewhere too, maybe on Pinkerton outtakes?
-Feb 3, 2025
Chronic Town - R.E.M. (1982)
What a start!
-Feb 2, 2025
High/Low - Nada Surf (1996)
Should’ve come out in 1994, otherwise it’s good.
-Feb 1, 2025So Tonight That I Might See - Mazzy Star (1993)
I like this album.
-Jan 31, 20251Q84 - Haruki Murakami (2009)
This book is exceptionally long. The first 900 pages are good; presumably the last 2 or 300 are as well. If not, will update.
-Jan 28, 2025Lemonade - Beyonce (2017)
This is really good.
-Jan 27, 2025Velocity of Sound - The Apples in Stereo (2018)
Good album. Short though, and the last song on the b-side doesn’t start right away, you have to nudge the needle. Still, good album.
-Jan 26, 2025Buddha Electrostorm - Thee American Revolution (2011)
Great, like a fuzzy apple.
-Jan 25, 2025At the BBC - The Pixies (2024)
Triumph start to finish, especially Lady in the Radiator Song. R.I.P.
-Jan 21, 2025City & Eastern Songs - Jeffrey and Jack Lewis (2018)
Pretty good.
-Jan 23, 2025Orchestral Suites - J.S. Bach, Collegium Aureum, Franzjosef Maier (1970)
Entirely instrumental, but still very well done.
-Jan 20, 2025The Legend of Zelda - Nintendo Entertainment System (1986)
Great video game.
-Jan 19, 2025Eraserhead - David Lynch (1977)
(Part 2 of Review). Watched it again, yes, a nice movie.
-Jan 18, 2025Eraserhead - David Lynch (1977)
This is a nice movie. I don’t remember it too well, but I’m planning to watch it again soon.
-Jan 17, 2025Horses - Patti Smith (1975)
Well done, thank you for this. Happy birthday too.
-Dec 30, 2024Chicago 2017 - Daniel Johnston (2020)
Triumphant. Plays through with nearly no skipping on the new record player, except a bit on the b-side.
-Dec 29, 2024Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes (1983)
Very well done, Claire Danes was right.
-Dec 29, 2024Early Recordings & Early Live Recordings - Weezer (Blue 30th, 2024)
Accurately named. Should have gone back to just what i needed for teal. Jaime would make any list of best songs about lawyers.
-Dec 28, 2024Kitchen Tape Demos - Weezer (Blue 30th, 2024)
What if the blue album had included both Paperface and Let’s sew our pants together? Asked and answered by the Kitchen Tape Demos. Another triumph, esp. the extended solo on The world has turned and left me here.
-Dec 28, 2024Weezer - Weezer (1994) (Blue 30th, 2024)
7.5 gold stars, out of 7.5. Perfect album, and genius move to release it originally when I was 14.
-Dec 27, 2024Around the Sun - R.E.M. (2004)
A little uneven, but i like the new york song and appreciate the effort involved.
-Dec 27, 2024Reveal - R.E.M. (2001)
Pretty good album.
-Dec 26, 2024
Top Ten Albums of 2024
10. Honky Tonk Heroes - Waylon Jennings and Billy Joe Shaver (1973)
Billy Joe Shaver was one of Norm McDonald's favorite musicians and thought Waylon Jennings took too much credit for this album. Anyway, it's the tenth best of 2024.9. No Depression (Demos) - Uncle Tupelo (2018)
It's just about as good as the proper album, especially Train and Screen Door.8. Songs for a Green World: The Classic 1989 Broadcast - R.E.M. (2017)
About what you'd expect. Swan Swan H and Orange Crush the standouts.7. Yip / Jump Music - Daniel Johnston (1983)
His Live in Chicago album is better, but this is the classic. Speeding Motorcycle first among many.6. The Cherry Trees Are Still in Blossom - Jens Lekman (2022)
This was a good find. Black Cab reminds me of my rabbits; hard to remember if he sang this at the Bowery Ballroom in 2006, but he probably did. 5. Live from Red Rocks 2005 - The Pixies (2024)
Record Store Day album, which means it's likely good. Best song Velouria, which they played the second time I saw them.4. Nobody Loves You More - Kim Deal (2024)
A one-two punch for Kim Deal on the list. But deserved, because this album is pretty good.3. Not Ready For Prime Time: Live At The Cabaret Metro, 1986 - The Replacements (2024)
Another Record Store Day album. Every song is good.2. Long After Dark Deluxe Edition - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (2024)
The proper album is fine, but the B-side record is what puts it on the list, especially Keeping Me Alive.1. Holy Soul & Jelly Roll - Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan & Friends (1987)
Vomit Express by itself makes this #1.-Dec 25, 2024