Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#260 and #259)

(#260, Strawberry Jam by Animal Collective)

This album art may be the reason why my daughter does not enjoy strawberries, but I hope one day she appreciates the sounds that emanate from this album.  This has been a "go-to" record of mine for the last five years, and I never tire of it.












This is "Peacebone" ...

(#259, Van Halen by Van Halen)

This should have / could have / would have been the greatest rock band of all time had it not been for ego and in-fighting.  I wasn't a huge fan of the Hagar or Cherone eras, but David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony were incredible together, and I'll physically fight you if you disagree.  While 1984 is the record that everyone thinks of when they Van Halen are mentioned, their debut is still my favorite.








Here's "Feel Your Love Tonight" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#262 and #261)

(#262, Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin)

This double album is in my opinion Zepp's most eclectic album, and does not have a weak track in the bunch.  I know many of you will give me shit for not ranking this higher, but I was a little bit of a late bloomer when it comes to Zeppelin.  Neither of my parents listened to this band (to the best of my knowledge), so my education came from the first ex-wife, and my appreciation grew deeper with help from my second ex-wife.









Take a listen to "Boogie With Stu" ...

(#261, Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits)

Speaking of exes, there is nothing I enjoy more in this world than watching Amber listen to Tom Waits records.  She never liked any of the music I did, and Tom Waits (and this album in particular) made her cringe.  This is the first of three albums in his mid 80's "trilogy", which also included Rain Dogs and Franks Wild Years.  With the help of Tom Hnasko, Waits has become one of my favorite artists of all time.








Here's "Underground" ... where's Amber?

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#264 and #263)

(#264, Fables of the Reconstruction by R.E.M.)

Fables of the Reconstruction saw the band go in a slightly darker direction, and while this record isn't as accessible as their first two records, this is one of their masterpieces.  Although their are R.E.M. records that I will rank higher on this list, this album features my favorite collection of Michael Stipe lyrics ever recorded.











Here's "Feeling Gravitys Pull" ...

(#263, Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 by Traveling Wilburys)

I've always loved the story on how this band came to be.  George Harrison wanted to record a B-side for his new album, and was having dinner with Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne, who at the time was producing Tom Petty's new album.  Orbison and Lynne offered to help Harrison.  Lynne called Petty, and Harrison called Bob Dylan to see if they could use his studio, and the five of them recorded "Handle With Care".  They decided the song was too good to put out as a B-side, so they recorded nine more songs over a nine day period a month later, and this album is the result of that collaboration.  Perhaps the greatest "Supergroup" of all time ...



This is "Handle With Care" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#266 and #265)

(#266, Songs for Silverman by Ben Folds)

People ask me all the time, was Gracie named after track 5 ?  The answer is no.  Grace is a family name, and I've always loved Jeff Buckley's album of the same name, but when Heather and I heard this song for the first time in April of 2005, we had already chosen the name.  Needless to say, the first time we heard it, we cried.  And I still do today.  Ben Folds has become one of my favorite songwriters of the last 20 years, and this is a solid collection of piano laced pop.







Here's "Gracie".  Which song did you think I was going to pick ?



And here's Gracie ...

(#265, MTV Unplugged by Tony Bennett)

Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest singer that ever lived ...

Anthony Dominick "Tony" Benedetto 

This won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1995, and introduced a whole new generation to Bennett and his voice.  When I saw Tony Bennett join Billy Joel on stage at Shea Stadium in 2008 for New York State of Mind, it was one of the biggest thrills of my life, and I will be seeing my first Tony Bennett show in June.  You know I'll be dressed to the nines that night.  



This is "They Can't Take That Away From Me", with another all time favorite, Elvis Costello ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#268 and #267)

(#268, A.M. by Wilco)

Before Jeff Tweedy and Co. became the modern day flag bearers for dad rock, they used to be a pretty decent rock and roll band.  This is their debut album, and my favorite from them.  My favorite tracks from this record are "I Must Be High", "Casino Queen", "Box Full of Letters", "It's Just That Simple" and "Passenger Side".  I've been very critical of this band as of late, and won't give any of their recent stuff the time of day, but I will always love this one.








Take a listen to "Box Full of Letters" ...

(#267, Madman Across the Water by Elton John)

If I've said it once, I've said it a charquillion times, Elton John was by far the greatest album artist of the 70's.  This is a masterpiece, and I may have ranked this too low, now that I think of  it.  "Tiny Dancer", "Levon", "Madman Across the Water", "Indian Sunset", "Rotten Peachers", "Goodbye" ... this is a must vinyl purchase.

By the way, charquillion is a made up number by my daughter.  She describes the number as "a number that's as long as my bedroom".  I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty high to me!





Here's "Levon" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#270 and #269)

(#270, Let It Be by The Beatles)

Yes, this is the last Beatles album that was released, but it was not the last Beatles album that was recorded.  The Fab Four were not happy with how the album turned out, and put it on the shelf, until Phil Spector messed around with it in 1970, and was finally released. The band still didn't care for the end result, however, and with Paul McCartney's blessing, the album was re-released as Let It Be ... Naked, in 2003, taking all of Phil Spector's production away from the tracks.  I actually didn't care too much for the 2003 release, and certainly, this was not their strongest effort, but I still think it's a great listen.





This is "Two of Us" ...

(#269, That Thing You Do! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists)

Every song on this record is featured prominently in the movie (one of my favorite films of all time), and there is not a weak one in the bunch.  Hanks composed a lot of the music heard here, and the actors who portrayed the musicians in the movie did a great job making their performances look genuine in the movie.  The music here is great, and this really is one of my favorite movies.








Take a listen to "That Thing You Do!" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#272 and #271)

(#272, 25 by Harry Connick Jr)

A bare bones Harry Connick Jr recording, as every song except for the last one are simply solo piano and vocals.  It looks like Connick is keeping busy these days with American Idol, but I hope he has a lot of music left in him.  This album features many of my favorite Connick recordings ... "On the Street Where You Live", "I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)", "Tangerine", "Didn't He Ramble", and one of my daughter's favorite songs, "Lazybones".  Man, if this is #272, this list is about to get really, really interesting.






Here's "Lazybones".   See if you can hear Johnny Adams opening a can of coke near the end of the track ...

(#271, Guero by Beck)

It's weird to think that Bek David Campbell is going to be 44 this year.  He's one of my favorite album artists of all time, and the man who is responsible for that is Scott Radke.  Scott and I used to bowl every Friday back in high school, and I remember he used to wear the shit out of Mellow Gold are on way to the lanes in Menomonee Falls.  Scott also introduced me to Weezer, so Brent's big brother helped to shape a whole lot of this list.

This album is fantastic, as it borrows flavors from many of Beck's earlier records.





This is "E-Pro" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#274 and #273)

(#274, Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady)

I'm ashamed I haven't bought the new one yet, but until that I day, I will enjoy this and the rest of their discography.  I think these boys are playing Summerfest this year, and I will make every effort to make that show.

I alluded to the lack of true rock and roll bands currently on the scene earlier this week, but these guys are at or near the top of that list.









This is "Hornets! Hornets!" ...

(#273, Scott & Rivers by Scott & Rivers)

There really wasn't much fanfare for this when it came out, as it's only available in physical form in Japan (however, you can download this beast on iTunes).  That's exactly what I did, and I will let Weezer fans know this is the better than anything Weezer has put out since Maladroit.  While Weezer have confirmed they are currently recording album #10, with Ric Ocasek back at the soundboard, it's nice to know that Rivers has another creative outlet for when the band is on hiatus.







Take a listen to "Homely Girl" ...

newgazzi Vol 15

Let's keep the momentum going!  Since I've been writing newgazzi, I've posted 1.553 times, and the last two volumes of the monthly newgazzi playlist are the 5th most read (newgazzi Vol 13), and 7th most read (newgazzi Vol 14) posts in the history of my blog.   It's you, the newgazzi readers, as well as the great musicians that make this all possible.  Thank you to all !  Enjoy Volume 15 ...

Track #1 ("Milwaukee" by The Both, from the LP The Both)

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo come together to make an indie rock record.  Hard to believe she's 53.  That means I want to have sex with a 53 year old.  If you're reading this, Aimee, don't take me seriously.  That's just how boys talk.  Last night, I ordered a bacon grilled cheese at the ballpark, took a picture of the sandwich, and told my buddy Gary that I wanted to fuck it.  I'm not well.

To read a short review of the record from Rolling Stone, click here

Track #2 ("Broken Glass" by Jack Savoretti, from the Sweet Hurt - EP)

This is an early favorite for song of the year.  I know it's only April, but right now, this is the song to beat, and I think I'm going to have to make some time for this gentlemen's past work.

Check out his official website right here

Track #3 ("I'll Be Your Villain" by Fan Modine, from the LP Cause Célèbre)

Hey, this is a great song, and I just taught myself how to type those fancy vowels!!

This was the first song I chose this month, and it's been playing constantly in my home for weeks.

You can hear a taste of I'll Be Your Villain, as well as the rest of the album's tracks on iTunes, which can be accessed here

Track #4 ("White T-Shirt and Jeans" by Dinosaur Pile-Up, from the LP Nature Nurture)

Every great playlist needs a solid clean up hitter, and if this song was an American League DH, it would hit 43 homers and knock in 122.  These are baseball references.

Here is a review of their new record ...

Track #5 ("Girls Chase Boys" by Ingrid Michaelson, from the LP Lights Out)

It sounds as if Ingrid Michaelson has gone to a poppier sound for her latest record, at least that's the impression I get with this song.  I've always liked her, and I sense that she's really hitting her stride on this album.

For all things Ingrid Michaelson, click here

And check out the video below as she pays homage to Robert Palmer ...

Track #6 ("Pamela" by Bart Davenport, from the LP Physical World)

I don't know much about Bart Davenport, but I can tell you that I spent about an hour dissecting this record about a week ago.  This is one of the better albums of 2014 thus far, and I could have went with any of these songs for the playlist.

For more about Bart, click here

Track #7 ("Work on Me" by Joan Osborne, from the LP Love and Hate)

Joan Osborne owns one of my favorite voices on the planet, and I knew as soon as I heard the first few notes of this song that she would have a safe spot on this month's playlist.   Pretty cool album art, too !

Here is her official website ...

Track #8 ("Cold" by Novo Amor, from the Woodgate, NY - EP)

Let the Bon Iver comparisons begin.  There is certainly room for both ...

The entire EP can be heard here, and can be purchased at iTunes.

Track #9 ("Ain't Got Anything Left" by Nerina Pallot, from the When the Morning Stars Sang Together EP)

I have found another voice to die for.  I'm surprised I haven't heard of Nerina Pallot, and discovered her just a few nights ago, as this was the second to last song I chose for this month's playlist.

Here is her website.

You can hear snippets of each song on the EP right here, as it is available for purchase on iTunes.

Track #10 ("Bayhouse" by Save the Arcadian, from the That Bright Tide EP)

Every month, I find a few of these tunes by accident, usually when I'm browsing at 1:30 in the morning.  I was very pleased to find this a few nights ago, and I guess the band name is some sort of How I Met Your Mother reference, whether that was their intention or not.  Either way, the tune, and the EP are definitely worth checking out.

This is their website.

Track #11 ("Alabama Coldcock" by Black Pistol Fire, from the LP Hush or Howl)

So about nine months ago, the White Stripes and the Black Keys made love, and the product of that love is Black Pistol Fire.  If you are a fan of either, check these guys out.

Check out their website here

Track #12 ("Spinning Signs" by Painted Palms, from the LP Forever)

This was the last song to make this month's list, another one I kind of found by accident.  But that's what makes newgazzi exciting for me, is finding stuff I may never have heard if it wasn't for the playlist.  Now they have a fan for life.

Check out their website here, and check out the tune, set to scenes from "Her".

Track #13 ("Selkie" by Tori Amos, from the LP Unrepentant Geraldines)

From what I've heard and read, this might be Tori Amos's best album in 20 years, and I really look forward to listening to it soon.  But we'll have to wait three more weeks ...

Check out her website, right here

Click here to hear a sampling of "Selkie"

Track #14 ("Eyeballs" by Pillar Point, from the LP Pillar Point)

I'm not too familiar with Pillar Point, but I certainly like what I've heard over the past few weeks.  I'm looking forward to hearing more in the future.

This is the official website of Pillar Point.

Track #15 ("Heavy Bells" by J Roddy Walston & The Business, from the LP Essential Tremors)

How's about a little rock and roll to round out newgazzi Vol 15.  Great song, great energy!

Check out their website here

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#276 and #275)

(#276, Sideways by Rolfe Kent)

This is the soundtrack to one of my all time favorite films.  I like the film and music so much,  I framed an entire newgazzi playlist around four of the pieces featured on this album.  While this is #276 on my list of favorite albums, this is easily in my top 5 of favorite films, and I don't even drink wine.











Here's the trailer for the movie, followed by "Wine Safari" ...

(#275, The King is Dead by The Decemberists)

The Hazards of Love was a little too schmaltzy for my tastes, so this was a nice return to form for Colin Meloy and company.  Kevin Schneider helped me realize a few years back that "This Is Why We Fight" is a terrible song, and maybe this album would rank higher without it, but as a whole, this is a pretty solid listen.











This is "Down By the Water" from Austin City Limits...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#278 and #277)

(#278, Purple by Stone Temple Pilots)

Hey, remember rock and roll ?  Yeah, bands used to play rock and roll, not just Foo Fighters.  This is one of the better records to come out of the "grunge" era, and it's a shame the boys can't get along these days.  This record features a number of my favorite STP songs ... "Meat Plow", "Lounge Fly", "Interstate Love Song", "Still Remains" and "Silvergun Superman".










This is "Still Remains" ...

(#277, Lost Wisdom by Mount Eerie)

At 24:34, this may be the shortest record on the list, and it means I can listen to it at least five times to and from work (for the time being).  I believe it was young Matthew Schewe that introduced this band to me, and I thank him for that.












Here's "Lost Wisdom" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#280 and #279)

(#280, Weightless by Dick Prall)

The Cornflakes Song is my all time favorite song to be featured on the Paste samplers.  This album is a joy, but other than an EP that came out in late 2010, Prall hasn't done much since this came out in the fall of 2007.  I hope to see something from Dick Prall soon, and if it's half as good as this album, we're all in for a treat.











This is "The Cornflakes Song" ...

(#279, Our Endless Numbered Days by Iron & Wine)

Some purists want everything this man does to sound like The Creek Drank the Cradle and The Sea & The Rhythm.  Those are great recordings, but so is this.  So the man spent some money to work in a nice studio.  No crime there.  This is an amazing musician and one of the better songwriters we currently have.  If you are not familiar with Sam Beam, I'd say start at the beginning, but make time for this as well.








Take a listen to "Cinder and Smoke" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#282 and #281)

(#282, Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty)

This is Petty's first solo album, but a lot of fans refer to this album as Traveling Wilburys Vol 2, as many of the Wilburys appear on this record, and it was recorded between each of the Wilbury recording sessions.  This album features three or four songs that have become staples at every Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers show.











This is "Runnin' Down a Dream" ...

(#281, Gish by Smashing Pumpkins)

According to Wikipedia, this entire album was recorded in Madison, WI with a total budget of $20,000.  Butch Vig and Billy Corgan worked together to co-produce the album.  In the early 90s, everybody was talking about Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Alice in Chains, but for my money, some of the best guitar playing from that era came from Corgan and James Iha.










Take a listen to "Siva" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#284 and #283)

(#284, Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes)

This is one of my favorite album covers ever, and the music here is pretty good, I'll have you know. Jack White trades in the heavy guitars for piano, marimba and acoustic guitars for a White Stripes album unlike any heard before it.  My favorite tracks from this record are "My Doorbell", "Little Ghost", "Passive Manipulation" and "I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)".   Count me in for a reunion when it makes sense for both of them.







Here's "Little Ghost" ...

(#283, Propeller by Guided By Voices)

This was supposed to be GBV's fifth and final album back in 1992, as the band was accumulating a lot of debt and not getting the national attention they were looking for.  This album is fittingly named, as this was the album that helped to propel them into the spotlight, as their two masterpieces, Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes would be recorded within four years of this coming out.  Any fans of GBV or Pollard that haven't heard this need to.








This is "14 Cheerleader Coldfront" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#286 and #285)

(#286, Sports by Huey Lewis and The News)

This one's for Jason Sherry.  That kid loves two things on this planet.  The Legion of Doom and Hugh Anthony Cregg's grandson.  Now, if there's anyone who was alive in 1984, was conscious and claims they did not like this record, well my friend, you are a liar and I don't know if I can trust you.

This album pretty much owned the mid-80's, with five singles being released, four of those five cracking the top 10.  These guys have built quite the reputation over the years as a decent live band, despite pretty much being out of the limelight for the past 25 years or so.




Here's "If This Is It", but I really could have gone with any song on this album ...

(#285, Mighty Like a Rose by Elvis Costello)

The year that Elvis appeared on SNL with the giant beard and unkempt hair, I remember thinking "What the hell happened to this guy?".  I wasn't even a fan at the time.  In fact, I don't think I became a fan of his until he and Bacharach appeared in the Austin Powers flick.  Now, I consider him one of my favorite artists of all time.  Costello describes this as an "angry" record, as many of the songs were recorded during The Gulf War in 1990-91.








This is "The Other Side of Summer" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#288 and #287)

(#288, Weekend by The Pharmacy)

Back in 2010, when it looked like Paste magazine would fade into obscurity, they began to post a good number of albums for free download on their website.  This was one of the last records I downloaded from them before they would relaunch as a digital only magazine in the summer of 2011.  I think it's fair to categorize this as lo-fi garage rock, but it's done well here.  The album art is pretty psychedelic, no?









Here is "Coldest Morning Light", recorded at a venue in Brooklyn called Shea Stadium ...

(#287, The Trees Have Soul by Willy Porter)

Holly Wines and Todd Kemper had been telling me about Willy Porter for years before I ever had a chance to see him perform.  A few years back, he was the unadvertised opening act for an Elvis Costello & The Imposters show in Milwaukee, and it didn't take more than a few songs for him to make me a new fan of his.  He reminds me a little bit of Dan Bern in his storytelling.  I enjoy this album quite frequently nowadays, and I believe he's the only entry on this list from Mequon, WI thus far ...







This is called "Moonbeam" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#290 and #289)

(#290, Veni Vidi Vicious by The Hives)

When Tiffany Herrera handed this to me right before I moved to Minnesota in 2002, I didn't think much would come of it.  Boy, was I wrong.  This album kicks ass in every way possible, and with it clocking in at 27:55, this is a perfect album to accompany my required 30 minutes of cardio a day.  And while the band has been somewhat under the radar since 2008, Howlin' Pelle Almqvist is one of the best frontmen in the game.








Take a wee listen to "Hate to Say I Told You So" ...

(#289, Gimme Fiction by Spoon)

Britt Daniel is two things ...

A) Matthew Schewe's doppleganger

B) One of my favorite members of the current indie rock community

This long player features some of the bands betters songs ... "The Beast and Dragon, Adored", "The Two Sides of Monsieur Valentine", "I Turn My Camera On" and "Sister Jack".






Let's hear "The Two Sides of Monsieur Valentine" ...