Question of the Day

Why is Corey Hart's "Eurasian Eyes" so awesome?



The sound on this video basically sucks. If I remember to, I'll post the real song file. I'm out of town for several days, so all my loyal readers, sit tight...

Jackie Wilson

One of those "I can't get it outta my brain so I'll post it" moments... Jackie Wilson's famous cover of the Doors.

Ffa Coffi Pawb

I missed 1992 because I was too busy learning multiplication tables...

The Telegents

I know nothing about The Telegents. Any fans out there? This semi-"lost" power pop song from 1982 is a real gem. The band was from London. "Seen It Before" appears on the Shake Some Action UK comp, left.

The Telegents "Seen It Before"

Siekiera

Siekiera was big in Poland from 1983-1988 or so.  They started out as a punk rock band then started making new wave somewhere down the line.  Now, why is it when I go to Greenpoint, I never hear this awesome shit playing in people's cars?  I only hear La Bouche and Haddaway.

The music video for "Misiowie Puszyści," from 1985, combines my two loves: industrial new wave and bicycles. Well just the first couple seconds have a bicycle in it.  The rest of the video takes place in a meat locker.  It's killer.

Then there is the more new wave "Ludzie Wschodu" from their well-known 1986 (recorded '85) LP, "Nowa Aleksadria."  It was clearly recorded once they hired a producer that understood Killing Joke and Joy Division.  You can listen it to it on YouTube, but I've posted it below as well.

Siekiera "Ludzie Wschodu"

The Atlantics

Andrew Chalfen over at Little Hits posted one of these power pop "hits" in 2006 and Stewart Mason followed up in 2008.  According to these two experts, Boston rockers The Atlantics were supposed to be the next big Boston band of the late 1970s (next to Aerosmith and, of course, Boston) but never got huge outside their hometown.  They were of the skinny tie variety, and according to Chalfen, they put on a killer show.

These two recordings have the lead singer killing it-- a great stadium voice.  Meanwhile the band sounds tinny and weak.  Chalfen, Mason and Little Hits readers all blame this on their label, ABC, which shut down soon after they released The Atlantics' LP.  They sound like they could have packed a punch had they been allowed to crank it to 11.  Alas, "When You're Young," while it could be the voice of a power pop generation, sounds small and budget.  "One Last Night" is even worse.  But in the crappy production I hear an awesome band!  Check these out.

The Atlantics "When You're Young"

The Atlantics "One Last Night"

Herbert

Dude I can't help but revisit Herbert from 2006.  Wasn't this shit so good?  This first track really strokes me in the right place.

Ahem!  My Pitchfork side is showing.  Excuse me!!!

Herbert "Something Isn't Right"

Alessi

A few updates back I promised I'd post about this all-time favorite.

The Alessi Brothers (a.k.a. Alessi) are twins from Long Island who struck it big with the 1977 hit "Oh Lori."  The debut album that produced this corndog, worst-of-Bacharach single is mostly unknown to me, as I've just heard bits and pieces on the Internet.  But I'm dying to hear the whole thing since I can't believe it's the same album that offered "Seabird," one of my most cherished pop songs of all time.  When I heard this MIDI-quality tearjerker (via Bumrocks) I fell quickly and deeply in love.  Ariel Pink obsessors will know exactly what I mean.

Alessi "Seabird"

Johnny Horton

I'm pretty fascinated by these Johnny Horton/Hank Williams coincidences. Like, they were both married to Billie Jean Jones-- at different points of her life-- when they died. In Cadillacs. And both their last gigs were at the Skyline Club in Austin?! OMG.

Johnny Horton's first hit, "Honky Tonk Man," is recorded very clean. His voice is country, but it's very clear and refined. In his latter recordings, his voice is still clear and refined, but it's got depth and gravitas-- perfect for those history lesson songs like "North to Alaska" and "The Battle of New Orleans." Those songs crack me up. There's nothing more American than that-- a country song about the War of 1812.

Anyway this is "Honky Tonk Man," which definitely is not about Ol' Hickory and firin' cannons. It's more my territory-- jukeboxes and giving the girls a whirl and whatnot.

Jimmie Rodgers

Jimmie Rodgers is behind the 1930 country tune "Blue Yodel #8" that became known as "Mule Skinner Blues." It is famous in the country and bluegrass worlds, but like most of my peers I heard it because The Cramps covered it. When I researched this song I found about 500 versions, many of them on YouTube. Some are fabulous (Dolly Parton, The Osborne Brothers, these awesome kids) and some ain't. But by far my favorite is the rockabilly Fendermen version, below, which was a massive hit in 1960. It's a little subversive and the yodeling is creepy and cool.

Music for the Shadow Play

Small and beautiful bell sounds-- from Bali-- that make you want to smoke weed and listen to the rain.  Recorded around 1969.

Made Grindam, Nyoman Grinding, Wayan Nyampuh, and Made Lochang "Sekati"

Liverpool Express

This top 20 hit from Beatles worshipers Liverpool Express is supposed to be one of Paul McCartney's favorite songs (I Wikipedia factchecked it, y'all). For those who haven't heard, well, it's smooooovivity and beautiful. From 1976.



Then there's this mere top 50 hit, "Hold Tight," which is the pop music equivalent of the sickening concoction produced from an oversteeped Beatles tea bag. It's incredibly sweet and a little hard to stomach but really so good.

Liverpool Express "Hold Tight"