Tag: Rock
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Wet Leg, Moisturizer, 2025 on Domino
Eagerly awaited follow-up to the 2022 self-titled debut album from Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, here joined by Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobarki. Produced by Dan Carey aka Mr. Dan. Great energy, catchy songs, and funny lyrics – no sophomore slump here. Love it from the drop. My copy—via the Record Exchange in…
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Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited, 1965 on Columbia
Dylan’s sixth studio album, following the infamous Dylan-goes-electric Newport Folk Festival and following Bringing It All Back Home. A masterpiece from start to finish, including “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Ballad of a Thin Man,” “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” and “Desolation Row.” Dylan just turned 85 recently—his birthday is just 2 days (and many years)…
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Nicolet, Hochelaga, 2017 on Chivi Chivi
Nicolet is the project of Etienne Hamel, a Quebecois multi-instrumentalist – Hochelaga is the debut full length under that moniker. The name refers to a neighborhood in Montreal, on the St. Lawrence river near Mount Royal. Great francophone indie rock. Unfortunately it’s also the name of a stoner metal album by Dopethrone. I ended up…
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U2, Two Hearts Beat As One, 12″ Single, 1983 on Island
This has long been one of my favorite U2 songs whether in this “Club Version” or the Francois Kevorkian remix or the original. I love the photo here of the lads out in a wheat field. My copy—via Music DNA in Methuen MA—is a UK pressing 12″ 45 rpm on the vibrant Island labels.
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U2, Pride (In the Name of Love) (single), 1984 on Island
One of my favorite U2 singles from the early 80s, released as the lead single just ahead of The Unforgettable Fire. Also has one of my favorite mistakes, when they sing “Early Morning, April 4.” I always figured the lads were not used to the American habit of not using 24 hr time. (They fixed…
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The Beatles, The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, 1977 on Capitol
Recorded in 1964 and 1965, restored by George Martin for release in 1977, and then re-released in 2016 with four additional tracks and fully remastered by Giles Martin as Live At The Hollywood Bowl. It’s been out of print for a long time so I was happy to find a copy in the used market.…
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The Runaways, The Runaways, 1976 on Mercury
Debut album from Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, Jackie Fox, and Sandy West, aka The Runaways – though apparently Nigel Harrison actually plays the bass on the album. Currie published a memoir (Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway) on which the 2010 biopic The Runaways was based, with Kristen Stewart playing Joan Jett,…
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Joni Mitchell, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, 1975 on Asylum
Mitchell’s seventh studio LP and third on Asylum – continuing to draw on more jazz-rock influences and more synthesizers (Moog, ARP). Some find it a step down from 1974’s Court and Spark but I really love this record and this presing. My copy is the 2024 Vinyl Me, Please reissue by Rhino in the Vinyl…
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Kiss, Destroyer, 1976 on Casablanca
This was the fourth full length for Kiss, with the Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley line up, supported by Dick Wagner on three tracks. (Sadly Ace passed this week). This is the first vinyl record I remember holding and listening to – I loved “Beth” and the Casablanca label – but I’ve…
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Foreigner, Foreigner 4, 1981 on Atlantic
Fourth (as the name suggests) full length studio album from Foreigner, who brought together three Brits and three Americans (making half the band at least foreigners wherever they played). Unavoidable on rock radio in the early 80s – “Juke Box Hero,” “Urgent,” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” My copy—via Dyno Records in Newburyport…
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Peter Gabriel, Plays Live!, 1983 on Charisma
Peter Gabriel’s first solo live album, released following his four self-titled solo albums (commonly called Car, Scratch, Melt, and Security). It was recorded across multiple venues in the American midwest: Illinois State University, Kansas City, Northern Illinois University, and South Illinois University. Accompanying Gabriel are Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin, David Rhodes, and Larry Fast, with…
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Squeeze, East Side Story, 1981 on A&M
Squeeze’s fourth studio LP, between 1980’s Argybargy and 1982’s Sweets from a Stranger. This was the first album after Jools Holland departed, replaced by Paul Carrack, who provided lead vocals on “Tempted.” Produced by Elvis Costello and Roger Bechirian, except for “In Quintessence” which was produced by Dave Edmunds. My copy, via Academy Records in…
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Supertramp, Breakfast in America, 1979 on A&M.
Though I imagine it’s the one Supertramp album most folks could name, this was their sixth LP. It’s got “The Logical Song” “Goodbye Stranger” and “Take the Long Way Home” – all Billboard Top 100 singles. Love the iconic cover with the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Kate Murtagh in statue-of-liberty-as-waitress pose.…
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The Jeff Beck Group, Beck-Ola, 1969 on Epic
Beck’s second studio LP, following Truth, and credited to the Jeff Beck Group. The cover is René Magritte’s “The Listening Room.” Ron Wood on bass, Rod Stewart on vocals, Nicky Hopkins piano and Tony Newman on drums. My copy – a 1969 Epic pressing – via a private sale. Amazing record in great shape despite…
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The Police, Outlandos D’Amour, 1978 on A&M
Outlandos D’Amour was the debut album by The Police, released on A&M in 1978. You’ll find cover variations with red, yellow, and green lettering – I don’t think there’s any logic to that, just variety. Love this whole album from the jump: “Next To You” / “So Lonely” / Roxanne” And “Hole in My Life”…
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Steve Earle, Guitar Town, 1986 on MCA Records
Earle’s debut album from the mid-eighties – note the proud “Digital Recording” stamp on the cover (where now you’d see “All Analog” promoted). Topped the country charts, and the title single made #7 on the country singles charts. I think Earle’s really matured into a wonderful elder statesman of a certain kind of roots /…
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Grandaddy, Blu Wav, 2024 on Dangerbird
New record from 90s indie rock band Grandaddy – their first in ~6 years and the first since bassist Kevin Garcia died. Blu wav is meant to be a portmanteau of “Bluegrass” and “New Wave” but it makes me think of the blue wave we hoped to see in the last election. Tucker Martine did…
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Screaming Blue Messiahs, Bikini Red, 1987 on Elektra
Bill Carter and the Screaming Blue Messiahs put out four major label studio albums in the 80s – this was the third, in 1987. Some great and funny songwriting here: “I Wanna Be a Flinstone” and “Jesus Chrysler Drives a Dodge” as well as “I Can Speak American.” Power rock trio of Carter on guitar…